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Reading Time: 4 minThere's nothing worse than landing at your destination just to find that your checked luggage didn't make it on the plane with you. Fortunately, there are a few devices that can help you track your luggage.
The two most well-known trackers are the Apple AirTag and Tile by Life360. Both work with Bluetooth — they're not GPS trackers — which means as long as you set up them up in advance and connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled device, you can track your luggage throughout your traveling journey.
But while AirTags are clearly the more popular of these two trackers, is it truly better than the Tile? And what if you don't have an iPhone? Let's dig in and take a close look at both.
A huge benefit with Tile is that it's compatible with both iOS and Android devices. That means regardless of whether you have an Apple iPhone or a Samsung smartphone, you can use a Tile tag to track your luggage.
Tile tags come in many shapes and sizes, but the Tile Mate is the most common, as it can easily connect to a keychain and is small enough to slip into your pocket. It's also cheap. You can purchase a 4-pack of Tile Mate tags for $55.99 at Amazon, which comes out to just $13.99 per device.
However, there can be an upcharge with Tile, as it has a few different subscription options if you want its premium features. While this can increase your overall cost, the plans also include reimbursement coverage if your connected item is lost or stolen.
While setting up a Tile only takes a minute or two, it does require a few extra steps over an AirTag. That could also make a difference for those who aren't as technically minded.
One of the pros of the Tile Mate over an AirTag is that it offers an incredibly impressive range of 350 feet. AirTag's range is only between 30 and 100 feet, depending on whether you're indoors or outside.
Of course, the range doesn't matter if your bag ends up in another state. But it's helpful when you're close by. And with the Tile tracker, you'll just get the general vicinity of your item, not an exact spot.
When comparing the Apple AirTag to the Tile, you'll find that AirTags offer more advantages. But unlike Tile, an AirTag only works with iOS devices. This means if you're using an Android device, an AirTag isn't an option.
AirTags are also relatively inexpensive when they're on sale. As of this writing, you can get a 4-pack at Amazon for just $69.99, which comes out to $17.50 per tag. While that's slightly more than a Tile Mate, there are also no additional monthly subscription plans with AirTags.
The set up process for an AirTag couldn't be easier, which is ideal for those who aren't as savvy with electronics. All you have to do is bring the AirTag next to your iPhone and it'll connect automatically. And with the Precision Finding feature that comes with AirTags, it's much easier to pinpoint the exact location of an item with incredibly accurate directions.
But the real selling point of AirTags is its expansive network, thanks to Apple's large ecosystem. With so many Apple devices out there, it's much easier for your AirTag to tap into someone else's passing iPhone or iPad's Bluetooth and send a ping to the network with its location.
While Tile works the same way, it requires nearby users to have the Tile app installed in order to pass along a tracking ping. Needless to say, that means it doesn't have nearly the same reach as Apple's millions of devices.
If you're an Android user, then you don't have much of a choice — Tile is your only option between the two. But rest assured, you'll be fine with a Tile tracker. It's a generally well-reviewed item that will do the job if your checked bag goes missing.
But if you have an iOS device, we recommend an Apple AirTag. Yes, Tiles are slightly less expensive and come in many different shapes and sizes. But AirTags are easier to set up, and its Precision Finding feature allows for much greater accuracy.
However, at the end of the day, having either of these tracking devices in your checked luggage is highly recommended. In fact, both are so easy to use and inexpensive that's it's not a bad idea to pop additional tags in your carry-on bag, backpack, or small purse as well, and have complete peace of mind the next time you're traveling.