We Tested Tile and AirTag Trackers to Find Out Which One Is Better

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Tech gadgets come and go, but item trackers are here to stay. The small devices connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and give you quick and easy assistance to find whatever you’re looking for. They’re handy for traveling when you want to keep track of a checked bag, or for quickly finding those easily misplaced essentials (phone, keys, wallet, etc.). So how do you decide on a Tile vs. AirTag? We put both to the test and here’s what you need to know.

Stefan Vazharov, Senior Technology Editor at Best Products, has been hands-on with both Tile trackers and AirTags, and for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been testing out the Tile Mate, Tile’s most basic tracker.

Apple AirTag

AirTags, naturally, are incredibly easy to integrate into your Apple ecosystem. They pair within seconds, and you can easily label items in the Find My app for quick recognition. You can check the location of your AirTag from the app and see it on a map the same way you would with your other devices. If you’re within range of the tracker, you can use the app to play a sound via the AirTag, as well as get directions down to the inch as you search for your device.

“Despite its tiny size, the gadget produces a surprisingly powerful audio alert that you’ll be able to hear in just about any setting,” says Vazharov.

What happens if you’re out of Bluetooth range from the device? Find My app utilizes other iPhones and Apple devices’ Bluetooth signals to privately update the locale of your AirTag. That way, you can find it on your app without playing the sound.

Vazharov says he sings the AirTags praises any day of the week. “The size of the Find My network and the AirTag’s unparalleled ease of use are enough to convince me that it’s a better option for Apple users than a Tile product. Anyone who switches to an AirTag will never look back to another tracker.”

His other key tech spec to note? “My favorite feature about AirTags is that they don’t require you to download a third-party app, create an account, and remember yet another password in order to work.” Apple users only need their Apple ID to access Find My, which you don’t need to log in and out of. “The Find My app is baked right into iOS and iPadOS, eliminating this tedious task.”

The biggest drawback AirTags have is the accessories needed to make the gadget entirely functional. The small, round circular device requires a separate keychain loop to attach to keys, which adds bulk to your wallet, sometimes not fitting at all. If you’re fine just tossing it into a suitcase or bag, you won’t need an attachment.

Tile Mate

Setting up my Tile Mate took less than a minute I downloaded the third-party app and made an account. The integration isn’t as seamless as Apple’s, but the app experience is the same for Android and iOS users. The app is also pretty intuitive to navigate, giving you quick access to a map where your item trackers were last seen.

Playing the sound via the Tile Mate is as simple as pressing the “Find” button under the item name on the home screen of the app. I was impressed with the volume of the sound the small gadget produced.

The Tile Mate comes with a keyhole for easy attachment to your keys, but you could also add another keyring or loop onto the tracker to attach it to a bag or interior of a suitcase. Like AirTags, there are additional accessories you can buy, but the design of the Tile Mate makes it easy to avoid the extra costs.

The Tile app quickly connects to Bluetooth to locate your device. Once you hit play and the tracker starts chirping, the sound gets slightly louder as you get closer to it (but it doesn't give you as precise information as Find My does). Like AirTags, if you’re out of Bluetooth range, Tile will use its nearby device network to place your device on the map. The user network isn’t as wide as Apple’s, which is a downside for the tracker.

While I only tested the Tile Mate, there are a handful of other styles in the lineup. The Tile Slim fits like a credit card in your wallet, which is way less bulky than stuffing in an AirTag. The Tile Sticker has an adhesive back for small item searches, like sticking on the inside of eyeglasses cases or onto remotes. They each follow the same setup and functionality as the Tile Mate, but it’s nice to be able to shop a tracker tailored to your needs.

Tile vs. Apple AirTag: Which Is Best?

Which item tracker is right for you depends on your smartphone and what exactly you want to use it for. If your priority is seamless pairing with your iPhone, then an AirTag just makes sense. If you aren’t bothered by a third-party app, are an Android user, or are simply interested in ensuring your gadget is tailored to your needs, Tile trackers would be the right fit.

It’s worth noting Tile’s battery life is more than double that of an AirTag, but they both have replaceable batteries for when the inevitable happens and your device dies. Both gadgets are also water-resistant (with an IP67 rating). You really can’t go wrong with either item tracker, but AirTags are Apple users’ best bet.

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