Smartphone compatibility tops the list of things to consider when choosing a Bluetooth tracker. Tile is the only company on our list that sells trackers that work with both Android and iOS devices. Apple’s AirTag technically works with any device capable of running iOS or iPadOS 14.5 and later, but you need an iPhone 11 or later to use its Precision Finding feature. Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 2 works only with Samsung Galaxy phones that run Android 9 or later, offer 3GB of RAM, and have the SmartThings Find app installed.

Location accuracy is the next most important consideration. All the trackers on this list are relatively accurate, but those with ultra-wideband (UWB) connectivity can give you turn-by-turn directions to your lost item. UWB is found in the Apple AirTag, the Samsung SmartTag 2, and the Motorola Moto Tag. All of Tile’s trackers have proximity indicators, but they lack the UWB exactitude from Apple, Samsung, and Motorola.

Maximum range is another relevant aspect. Some Bluetooth trackers claim they can connect with your smartphone from distances of up to 500 feet, but all the trackers we've tested have a real-world maximum range of fewer than 100 feet. If you’re using a Bluetooth tracker on items that tend to stay in one area, like a TV remote that's probably somewhere in your living room, the maximum range doesn't matter much. The range is more important if you plan to use the tracker on items that leave your house, like your keys or bag.

A robust locator network can help balance out some of Bluetooth’s technical limitations. You can place all the trackers on this list in a Lost Mode that allows other people’s phones to discreetly detect the tracker and direct you to your missing item. Tile has a large user network, but it depends on people downloading its app and properly updating several settings on their phones. Apple's massive Find My network, meanwhile, uses an app that's baked into iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS—meaning it's already available on hundreds of millions of devices.

Take a moment to think about how you plan to use a Bluetooth tracker before you buy one. Some models work better for certain applications than others. The Samsung SmartTag 2, Tile Mate, and Tile Pro have holes that allow you to easily attach them to your key ring. The Tile Sticker has an adhesive mount, while the Tile Slim can easily slide into your wallet. Apple’s AirTag and the Moto Tag are standalone products that require an accessory to affix or mount them. Several key rings on Apple's website work with AirTags and third-party accessories.

Finally, if you're concerned about eco-waste, you have a few options: the Apple AirTag, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2, and the Tile Pro. Each of these has a battery that you can easily replace. In contrast, the Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker all have non-replaceable batteries that will last about three years.

Travel packing expert Anne McAlpin prefers to keep her trackers “discreetly out of sight” so they can’t be identified. She places two AirTags in each checked bag, one in the zippered lining of her suitcase and another within the contents of the bag (e.g., a toiletry kit). She also gives them different labels within the Find My app, so she can differentiate between them.

While someone could just remove the Pelican AirTag Luggage Tag and make off with your things, a hidden luggage tracker might get past thieves.

That depends. Luggage trackers with rechargeable and replaceable batteries will last until the devices break, and that could be years. However, Bluetooth trackers that come with non-replaceable batteries, like the Tile Mate, will need to be recycled after their batteries die.