Why a luggage tracker is worth it
Mishandled-baggage rates climbed again on busy routes, and a tracker turns “the airline has no idea where my bag is” into “it’s still at my connecting airport.” Slip one into each checked bag and you’ll see exactly where your luggage is from your phone. The right pick depends almost entirely on which phone you carry — so we’ve sorted our picks by that.
The default for iPhone owners. The 2nd-gen chip extends Precision Finding range, the speaker is louder, and the Find My network is the biggest in the world. A 4-pack covers every checked bag.
Check price on AmazonWorks with Apple Find My just like an AirTag, but rings far louder — handy when a bag is close but hidden. A cheaper way to add Find My tracking to extra cases.
Check price on AmazonThe pick for Samsung Galaxy users: huge SmartThings Find network, UWB precision finding, IP67 water resistance and up to 500 days of battery. Galaxy-only, though.
Check price on AmazonThe best fit for non-Samsung Android phones — it plugs into Google’s Find My Device network with a loud 120dB ring and a replaceable year-long battery.
Check price on AmazonThe only major tracker that works the same on iPhone and Android, so it’s ideal for couples or families on mixed phones. Long Bluetooth range and IP68 water resistance.
Check price on AmazonHow we pick
We weight the size of each tracker’s finding network (a tracker is only as good as the crowd of phones that can spot it), precision-finding accuracy up close, ring volume, battery life and water resistance. We don’t show prices here because they move constantly — tap through for the current price on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are luggage trackers allowed on planes?
Yes. Coin-cell trackers like the AirTag and SmartTag2 are permitted in both carry-on and checked luggage by the FAA and major airlines — the lithium battery is tiny and well under the limit. Several airlines now even let you share an AirTag’s location with them to help locate a lost bag.
Which luggage tracker should I buy for my phone?
iPhone: Apple AirTag (or Chipolo ONE Spot for a louder, cheaper alternative). Samsung Galaxy: SmartTag2. Other Android phones: Chipolo ONE Point on Google’s Find My Device network. Using both an iPhone and Android in the household: the Tile Mate, which works identically on both.
Do luggage trackers need a subscription?
No — AirTag, SmartTag2, Chipolo and the basic Tile tier all work without any monthly fee. You only pay a subscription for true GPS trackers that use a cellular connection for real-time, worldwide location.