Travelling can be stressful at the best of times, so to make sure that your bags and travel suitcases arrive at your chosen destination, it's worth investing in some luggage trackers. These nifty gadgets are small enough to slot into your case and usually use Bluetooth or GPS technology to send updates and location information to your phone or device.
Whether you're jetting off on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday or a business trip, they will certainly come in handy. You can buy them in all sorts of colours and different size packs and then connect them to your phone or device, ready to be tracked if needed.
The best luggage trackers at a glance:
• Best luggage tracker for iPhone users: Apple AirTag - view offer on Amazon
• Best for a Samsung luggage tracker: SAMSUNG Galaxy SmartTag2 - view offer on Currys
• Best affordable option: eufy Security SmartTrack - view offer on Amazon
Despite the abundance of high-tech options on the market, it can sometimes be tricky to decide on which luggage trackers to go for. So, we have compiled a list of the very best, with detailed descriptions of the services they offer. You can find luggage trackers for Android, iPhone and Samsung users.
The best luggage trackers
Best luggage tracker for iPhone users
AmazonThe AirTag is a great option for an Apple luggage tracker because it has a built-in speaker that can play sounds and use Siri to draw you close to it. You can also put it into 'Lost Mode' and use Find My network if your items are further away.
Customer review: "I bought this as a gift for my husband who is always losing things, I bought it to attach to his man bag. As with all Apple products it was easy to set up and works a treat. I will be buying more of them now that I have seen this one in action, definitely a good investment."
Pros
- Quick to setup
- Dustproof, splash-proof and waterproof
Cons
- Limited real-time tracking (iPhone must be within 30m)
| Tracking: | Bluetooth |
| Range: | 10m (indoor) and 30 meters (outdoor) |
| Battery life: | 12 months+ (replaceable) |
| Water resistant: | Yes (up to 1m for 30 mins) |
- Ultra Wideband technology (iPhone 11 and above)
- Anonymous and encrypted 'Find My' network
Best for battery life
AmazonThanks to the hole in the corner, you can attach the Tile Mate to your rucksack, bag or purse etc. We love that you can find it when it's nearby through Bluetooth or a Smart Home Device, or find it when it's far away through the app.
Customer review: "This works really good with the Tile app on Android. The Tag is very neat and the sound gets louder as you get nearer the lost key. It's very good value for money and the Tag is easy to set up with the Tile App."
Pros
- Can find it even when your phone's on silent
- Available in different colours
Cons
- Battery is non-replaceable
| Tracking: | Bluetooth |
| Range: | 250 ft / 76 m |
| Battery life: | Up to 3 years |
| Water resistant: | Yes |
- QR code (if found, people can find contact info)
- Android, IOS & Smart home compatible
Best for a multipack
AmazonTHE AUTUVOS has a built-in speaker that you can ring to locate it. The standout feature has to be the 'Find My' app, where you can not only view it on the map but also use the navigation tool to take you directly to it.
Customer review: "Just what I was looking for! It has an excellent price and is easy to pair with your phone's Bluetooth, then once on you can use ‘Find My’ app to see where they are. It as great coming back from a recent holiday and being able to see that both of our cases had arrived. It's good that you can set them up with a name also."
Pros
- Available in different pack sizes
- Location data and history are not stored
Cons
- Poor range if certain obstacles are in the way
| Tracking: | Bluetooth |
| Range: | Up to 400 feet |
| Battery life: | 12 months+ |
| Water resistant: | Yes |
- Encrypted and anonymous Find My App network
- Left behind reminders
Best for a lightweight design
Currysbusiness.currys.co.uk
One for the Samsung users! Use the SmartThings Find app to locate your SAMSUNG Galaxy SmartTag2 on a map, or use the Compass view for an exact location. We like the Lost Mode function, which will give people your contact information on their phone if they find it.
Customer review: "I got one of these a couple of weeks ago. It's easy to integrate with smart things etc. I've not had to trace the device elsewhere other than my home, "BUT" have every confidence in this product."
Pros
- Lightweight, slim design
- Attachment loop for easy installation
Cons
- Dust resistant
| Tracking: | Bluetooth |
| Range: | 120m |
| Battery life: | 500 days |
| Water resistant: | Yes |
- Improved battery life
- Near field communication
Best for a magnetic tracker
AmazonTracki isn't just a lost luggage tracker; it can work on a bike, scooter, or car, too. It's magnetic and super light, so it won't weigh you down. It even offers low-battery, movement and speed alerts and you can set geo-zones which will alert you if the tag leaves that area - how clever!
Customer review: "I was quite surprised at how configurable the device and services are! The device comes with a few different back-plates; the belt clip is most suitable one for my intended purpose, which can also be secured with the threaded screw to a collar or strap."
Pros
- Discreet and portable
- Shouldn't meddle with car/vehicle electronics
Cons
- Subscriptions required for certain features
| Tracking: | GPS |
| Range: | Unlimited |
| Battery life: | 3-10 days or 3 months (battery saving) |
| Water resistant: | Yes |
- Scans (for nearby WIFI routers)
Best for a budget
Looking for a budget-friendly luggage tracker? Try the eufy Security SmartTrack. It works well with AppleFind and it will leave you left-behind alerts. One of the greatest features is that it'll ring, even when in silent mode!
Customer review: "These are great and a fraction of the price of other brandss. They come with their own eufy tracking app, but also work on 'find my' on the iPhone. They travelled round central America and were 100% accurate 100% of the time. We used several of them to track suitcases, day bags and people by having them hidden in pockets too."
Pros
- Special water-resistant coating
- Compatible with Apple and their app
Cons
- Doesn't work with Android devices
| Tracking: | Bluetooth |
| Range: | Up to 260ft (80m) |
| Battery life: | Up to one year |
| Water resistant: | Yes |
- Left-behind alerts
- Ability to share location with others
Things to consider when buying a luggage tracker
Size: Luggage trackers come in different shapes and sizes, and some are as big as a credit card or business card, for example, whilst others are discreet enough to be slotted into your cabin bag or pocket with ease. If you prefer to attach your tracker more securely, it's worth getting one with a keychain. Don't forget to check the width as well.
Battery: The luggage tracker's battery life is perhaps one of the most important aspects to consider, as ideally, you don't want to be replacing it during your holiday. Some trackers come with rechargeable batteries, but if you prefer, you can go for one with replaceable batteries, which tend to last longer.
Compatibility: Not all luggage trackers are compatible with all devices. Some use Bluetooth and WiFi (for example, AirTag and Tile). Others have GPS which will cover a broader area of coverage, but they may be harder to find if they're indoors.
Subscriptions: You may find that some trackers for your luggage come with extra fees if you sign up for their apps. If you travel a lot, these premium features may be useful.
Are luggage trackers allowed on planes?
Generally speaking, a GPS tracker is allowed in checked luggage (a suitcase or hand luggage) on an aeroplane if the battery contains less than 0.3 grams of lithium. It doesn't have to be switched to a special flight mode.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.