7 Best Luggage Trackers and Tags of 2024
Effective GPS, bluetooth and WiFi trackers so your bags end up where you do.
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Most are probably familiar with the feeling of panic after you check luggage at the airport and begin to worry about losing track of your belongings as you jet set to your destination. In 2022, around 6 in every 1,000 bags checked by U.S. carriers were mishandled, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics. While the mishandling rate improved from March 2023 (at 0.58%) to April 2023 (at 0.55%), according to the Department of Transportation, purchasing a luggage tracker will help calm any travel anxiety.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we regularly test travel electronics, including the best luggage trackers. Our picks include tags that our Lab pros have tested in our search to find the best key finders.
Our top picks:
If you are looking for more smart gadgets, consult our guides to the best smart wallets and best smart luggage. For even more luggage options (that will now be tracked thanks to your luggage tag), reference our experts' top picks for the best hardside luggage.
Apple AirTag
Reliability and accuracy go hand in hand with the Apple AirTag. It's compact and lightweight, so you can track a host of things you often misplace, from keys to backpacks to, of course, luggage. Our GH experts also like that the battery is easily replaceable. Simply set up your AirTag on your iPhone or iPad's Bluetooth with one tap, then listen for the pinging from the AirTag's built-in speaker to guide you to your belongings. It's designed for those in the Apple ecosystem, so it's not ideal if you have an Android or other device.
Apple has not specified its exact Bluetooth range, but it's believed that each AirTag supports Bluetooth 5.0, which means it should be trackable within 800 feet. You can also track the device in real-time by following it in the Find My network. Activate "Lost Mode" for notifications when it is in range or has been located by the Find My network. Your AirTag will ping off of nearby Apple devices to gauge its location, so you can still track your bag if it ends up miles away. You can also input your phone number and email so that if someone finds a lost AirTag, they can tap it using their iPhone to display your contact info.
RELATED: 10 Best AirTag Wallets to Keep Cash Safe
Battery type: Replaceable | Compatibility: Bluetooth networks | Subscription: None | Size: 3.27 in. x 0.47 in. x 4.09 in.
Tile Pro Pro Bluetooth Tracker
Another classic Bluetooth tracker, Tile's item finder earned the top spot in our best key finder tests for its ability to track your personal items up to 400 feet. For items that haven't trekked too far in the airport, it sounds off 80 decibels, according to our Lab tests, so you’ll be sure to hear it. It syncs up with Google Assistant so you can ask your smart speaker to locate your Tile for you. Like the AirTag, it also boasts a one-year lifespan before you should replace the battery. As a bonus, its water resistance means you can stress less about it short-circuiting from liquids.
Download the Tile app to pinpoint when and where you left something behind. The Community Find option will notify you when any phone with the Tile app is in proximity to your Tile, allowing you to pinpoint your lost item even if it's out of range. This set of four means you can track the whole family's bags.
Battery type: Replaceable | Compatibility: Bluetooth networks | Subscription: Optional Tile Premium ($2.99 per month) or Tile Premium Protect ($8.33 per month) | Size: 2.32 in x 0.3 in x 1.32 in.
SAMSUNG Galaxy SmartTag
Like the Apple AirTag but for Galaxy users, this Samsung smart tag lets you track your personal belongings up to 390 feet. Once out of range, the offline Galaxy Find Network in the SmartThings app pinpoints it using scanned data nearby. It also keeps a log of where the tag's been, so you can retrace its steps. Though we haven't tested this one in our Lab, we are hoping to soon.
For now, we appreciate its replaceable battery life and that the technology is similar to other trackers we have evaluated. It also has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with over 5,500 five-star reviews that comment on the tracker's accuracy and reliability with one customer saying the tag helped locate her lost luggage after showing the attendant their phone at baggage claim.
Battery type: Replaceable | Compatibility: Bluetooth networks | Subscription: Not listed | Size: 1.54 in x 1.54 in x 0.39 in
Living up to its name, this tracker is as slim as a credit card — ideal for slipping inside your purse, wallet or pocket. In fact, our experts named it the best key finder for a purse in testing. We appreciate its waterproof design and that you can use it to track more than just luggage: Pop it inside your favorite notebook or your tablet's case.
The tile is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri, and the app is available for both iOS and Android. We recommend downloading the app as it allows you to track your luggage even if the tile is out of Bluetooth range, which goes up to 250 feet. There is also added security if you add your contact information to the Tile Network, a secure and anonymous platform that will help return your lost tile to you when the QR code is scanned.
Battery type: 3-year non-replaceable | Compatibility: Bluetooth networks | Subscription: Optional Tile Premium ($2.99 per month) or Tile Premium Protect ($8.33 per month) | Size: 4.53 in x 0.41 in x 4.53 in
LandAirSea GPS Tracker
A bit of an upgrade from a smart tag, this GPS tracker lets you eye your personal belongings in real-time. There's no shortage of ways to keep your luggage on your radar: The LandAirSea app and website let you receive text and email alerts while tracking the device’s location on Google Maps. It also keeps a log of where the tag's been, so you can retrace its steps like how long it idled in one place.
Though we haven't tested this one in our Lab, we appreciate the GPS technology for large areas of coverage and accuracy. One Amazon reviewer named it one of the best Android-compatible GPS trackers they've used, calling it "user friendly" and praising its accuracy. They added that it gave them peace of mind about their valuables during connecting flights within the US.
Battery type: Rechargeable | Compatibility: GPS | Subscription: Starting at $19.95 per month | Size: 2.25 in x 2.25 in x 0.8 in.
Tracki GPS Tracker
Stash this pocket-sized GPS luggage tracker in your valuables for your next trip abroad. Its real-time tracking capabilities and included international SIM card work for unlimited distances, perfect for a queue of connecting flights overseas. With over 26,000 five-star ratings, Amazon reviewers praise its live tracking via Google Street View and its app alerts that let you know when it crosses a Geo boundary you set, has a low battery and more.
Though we haven't tested this pick in the Lab, we appreciate that it works with WiFi when indoors and GPS satellites when outdoors. Once you start tracking your bag, Tracki offers about five days of real-time tracking before it needs another charge. Without real-time tracking, the brand claims its battery spans 30 to 75 days using the battery save mode, and you can still check your bag's location here and there.
Battery type: Rechargeable | Compatibility: GPS and WiFi | Subscription: Required $19.95 monthly fee | Size: 1.81 in. x 1.5 in. x 0.6 in.
OK, so it's not a true GPS tracker, but Dynotag's smart ID is a major step up from typical luggage tags. The tag displays a custom QR code that lets the owner register their contact info, including a name, phone number and address, in case a fellow traveler finds it. Worried about your info falling into the wrong hands? Every time the QR code is scanned, it automatically notifies the owner via email and includes the scanner's IP address.
The website also asks the person for their location info for easier communication. We haven't tried this pick in the Lab yet, but we like that several Amazon reviewers highlighted its easy setup and durability. Its sturdy stainless construction ensures it won't be easily ripped off when chucked underneath the airplane.
Battery type: N/A | Compatibility: QR code | Subscription: None | Size: 3.15 in. x 1.73 in.
How we chose the best luggage trackers
Our Good Housekeeping Institute engineers regularly test the latest and greatest tech like fitness trackers, smart rings and even dog GPS trackers, so you know what's really worth the investment based on your needs. We haven't formally tested luggage trackers, but our recommendations come from a combination of one-off GPS tracker tests by our experts, previous testing from our Lab's best key finders guide and picks from highly rated online reviews.
Luggage trackers utilize GPS, Bluetooth or WiFi to locate an item. "A GPS tracker taps into a global satellite system that uses microwave signals to help track down the precise location of where the unit is in real time," says Good Housekeeping Institute Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman. In our test for key finders, we tried some in our Lab and sent others to consumer testers for real user feedback. We logged dozens of hours with these trackers, collecting hundreds of data points including the length of the tracking range, the loudness of the alerts according to a decibel reader, the ease of replacing the batteries and how easy it was to use the apps.
What features to consider in a luggage tracker
✔️ Battery type: Some GPS trackers use rechargeable batteries that only last a few days before needing to be plugged in, while others come with replaceable batteries that can last well over a year, Rachel says. If you're on a longer excursion, invest in one with a long battery life.
✔️Compatibilities: "It’s ideal to look for a tracker with a couple of complimentary technologies being used," Rachel says. "That way, no matter where in the world your luggage winds up, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can track it down!" For those that only use Bluetooth, you’ll have to be in close proximity, so it’s less advantageous for luggage tracking and better suited to finding a set of lost keys in your house. Some use Bluetooth and WiFi or tap into larger Bluetooth device networks to offer more coverage, as is the case with AirTag and Tile. Those with GPS offer large areas of coverage and more accuracy but can easily be obscured indoors.
✔️ Subscription fees: Many tracking devices offer basic features free of charge, but some offer premium features like GPS tracking or real-time location services with a monthly subscription. Make sure the device you choose comes with the functionality you want before you commit to a subscription plan.
✔️ Size: Luggage trackers come in a few standard sizes, and none are particularly large (think a credit card size in terms of length and width), Rachel says. Some are smaller and can double as a keychain attachment or tuck nicely into a pocket so it stays hidden. The best tracker for you depends upon how versatile you want it to be: If it will be solely for luggage, a bit larger is likely fine, but if you want to use it for keys and wallets, too, you might want to look for a smaller form.
Are luggage trackers worth it?
Luggage trackers may not be necessary for every type of traveler, but it can be a game changer for others. Think about how often you travel, where you are traveling to and the value of the items you will be transporting. For example, if you tend to travel near and far for work, a tracker may be beneficial for keeping track of the suitcase that contains your work necessities. Or, if you travel internationally and are no stranger to connecting flights, a luggage tracker will let you virtually follow your bags between airports.
"The best case scenario is they became devices that you never need to use, but offer a tremendous sense of relief in the case you do need them," says Rachel. Plus, you can use the same tracker for non-luggage items like your wallet.
How effective are luggage trackers?
The performance of a luggage tracker depends on the technology said tracker employs. For example, a tracker that uses a Bluetooth network can track a piece of luggage to 200 feet or more. Some trackers have a greater range, or include additional smart features such as connecting to Find My Network or Apple AirTag which makes those products even more effective at tracking your luggage.
Are luggage trackers TSA-approved?
Know that the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) approves of navigation GPS devices in both carry-on and checked luggage. However, keep in mind that there are no detailed guidelines on specific TSA-approved luggage tracker models in this category, so the TSA agent at your designated security checkpoint has the authority to make any final approval on whether the item is allowed.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As Good Housekeeping's Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director, Rachel Rothman oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all labs. During her 14 years with the Institute, the self-described Gadget Girl has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement. She ran the testing of the above Lab-recommend picks and lent her expertise on GPS trackers to this guide. Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin teamed up with Rachel and vetted popular online reviews to round up all of the above luggage tracker picks. She regularly collaborates with the Labs to synthesize its data in putting together product reviews on the best products, according to testing.
Jacqueline (she/her) was a commerce editor for Good Housekeeping from 2021 to 2024. Prior to joining GH, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
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