Buying guide

The Best Bluetooth Trackers in 2026

If you have an iPhone, both Wirecutter and PCMag pick the second-generation Apple AirTag ($23 to $29). It has a longer range and a louder speaker than the original. On Android, Wirecutter’s pick is the Chipolo Pop ($29), which works on Google’s Find Hub network.

By PickedTech Editorial TeamLast updated Prices & specs checked Oct 2026

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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.

Quick answer

If you have an iPhone, both Wirecutter and PCMag pick the second-generation Apple AirTag ($23 to $29). It has a longer range and a louder speaker than the original. On Android, Wirecutter’s pick is the Chipolo Pop ($29), which works on Google’s Find Hub network. Best for iPhone: Apple AirTag (2nd generation), $23. Best for Android: Chipolo Pop, $29.

Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026

Key facts at a glance

Key facts (prices checked Oct 2026)
PickProductBest forPrice
Best for iPhoneApple AirTag (2nd generation)iPhone owners$23 to $29
Best for AndroidChipolo PopAndroid owners$29
RechargeableChipolo Loopskipping battery swaps$39
Best for Samsung GalaxySamsung Galaxy SmartTag 2Samsung Galaxy owners$24.49
Best for walletsTile Slim (2024)wallets$24.99

Choose a tracker by phone: AirTags use Apple’s Find My network and don’t work with Android. Android users should look at trackers that work on Google’s Find Hub network, and Samsung Galaxy owners have the SmartTag 2.

Which should you buy? Our quick picks

How do they compare?

Bluetooth trackers compared (Wirecutter and PCMag; prices checked October 2026)
TrackerPrice seenWorks withNetworkBatteryBest for
Apple AirTag (2nd gen)$23 to $29iPhoneApple Find MyReplaceableIPhone owners
Chipolo Pop$29AndroidGoogle Find HubReplaceableAndroid owners
Chipolo Loop$39AndroidGoogle Find HubRechargeable (USB-C)Skipping battery swaps
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2$24.49Samsung Galaxy onlySamsungReplaceableSamsung Galaxy owners
Tile Pro (2024)$34.99Android and iOSTileReplaceableMixed iPhone and Android homes
Tile Slim (2024)$24.99Android and iOSTile—Wallets

The picks in detail

Best for iPhone

1. Apple AirTag (2nd generation)

Best for: iPhone owners

Wirecutter’s[1] top pick for iPhone users and PCMag’s[2] best tracker for iPhone users (Editors’ Choice). The second generation adds a longer range, a louder speaker and Precision Finding on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, and it works with existing accessories. Improved Precision Finding needs an iPhone 15 or later. It doesn’t work with Android, and you need an accessory to attach it to anything. $23 on sale, $29 list.

Price (Oct 2026): $23 to $29 Source

Pros

  • Quick, accurate location
  • Louder speaker
  • Replaceable battery

Cons

  • No Android
  • Needs an accessory to attach
Check Apple AirTag (2nd generation) price (opens in a new tab)
Best for Android

2. Chipolo Pop

Best for: Android owners

Wirecutter’s[1] top pick for Android users. It has a long range, works on Google’s Find Hub network and has a blaring alarm Wirecutter heard 500 feet away. It also has a replaceable battery and a two-year warranty. $29.

Price (Oct 2026): $29 Source

Pros

  • Loud alarm
  • Google Find Hub
  • Replaceable battery

Cons

  • Needs an Android phone on Find Hub
Check Chipolo Pop price (opens in a new tab)
Rechargeable

3. Chipolo Loop

Best for: skipping battery swaps

Wirecutter’s[1] convenient-charging pick: slightly longer range than the Pop, and you recharge it with a common USB-C charger. It’s expensive at nearly $40, especially since it’s expected to last about five years. $39.

Price (Oct 2026): $39 Source

Pros

  • USB-C rechargeable
  • Longer range

Cons

  • Expensive
Check Chipolo Loop price (opens in a new tab)
Best for Samsung Galaxy

4. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2

Best for: Samsung Galaxy owners

PCMag’s[2] best tracker for Samsung Galaxy users: compact, rugged (IP67), with long battery life, a replaceable battery and easier attachment than the previous model. It works only with Galaxy devices, and the alert could be louder. $24.49.

Price (Oct 2026): $24.49 Source

Pros

  • IP67
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Galaxy devices only
  • Alert could be louder
Check Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 price (opens in a new tab)
Best for mixed iPhone and Android homes

5. Tile Pro (2024)

Best for: mixed iPhone and Android homes

PCMag’s[2] best tracker for Android phones: it works with Android and iOS, is compact and waterproof, has a replaceable battery and an SOS alert. Location data lacks exact details, with no real-time information. Wirecutter[1] warns that Tile’s network doesn’t use end-to-end encryption for location data. $34.99.

Price (Oct 2026): $34.99 Source

Pros

  • Android and iOS
  • Waterproof
  • SOS alert

Cons

  • Less precise location
  • Privacy concerns per Wirecutter
Check Tile Pro (2024) price (opens in a new tab)
Best for wallets

6. Tile Slim (2024)

Best for: wallets

PCMag’s[2] best tracker for your wallet: thin and light enough for wallets and purses, Android and iOS compatible, with an SOS alert. It lacks detailed location information, and a wallet muffles the alert. $24.99.

Price (Oct 2026): $24.99 Source

Pros

  • Wallet-thin
  • Android and iOS

Cons

  • Muffled alert in a wallet
  • Less detailed location
Check Tile Slim (2024) price (opens in a new tab)

Also considered

Pebblebee Clip 5: Wirecutter[1]: a $35 tracker with a multi-sensory alert that performed well.

Tile (2024): PCMag’s[2] most affordable Tile tracker ($14.99).

Pick the network your phone uses

Trackers are only as good as the network of phones that can spot them. iPhones use Apple’s Find My, Android phones use Google’s Find Hub, and Samsung’s SmartTag 2 uses Samsung’s network. Tile works on both platforms through its own app, but Wirecutter[1] flags privacy and security issues with Tile that Find Hub–compatible trackers don’t have.

Trackers for travel

A tracker in checked luggage can show you where your bag is when the airline can’t. See our travel tech kit for the rest of the bag.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Bluetooth tracker?
For iPhone, Wirecutter[1] and PCMag[2] both pick the second-generation Apple AirTag. For Android, Wirecutter picks the Chipolo Pop ($29).
Do AirTags work with Android?
No. Wirecutter[1] notes AirTags don’t work with Android phones; use a Google Find Hub tracker like the Chipolo Pop instead.
Is Tile still worth buying?
PCMag[2] still recommends the Tile Pro and Tile Slim for cross-platform use, but Wirecutter[1] warns that Tile’s network lacks end-to-end encryption for location data.

Sources

Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.

  1. Wirecutter: The best Bluetooth tracker (updated October 19, 2026) (nytimes.com)
  2. PCMag: The best Bluetooth trackers (updated July 10, 2026) (pcmag.com)