We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Lifestyle Travel We Tested Luggage Trackers on Domestic and International Flights — These 3 Are the Absolute Best Travel in peace with one of these top picks By L.A. Hubilla L.A. Hubilla L.A. Hubilla is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE who specializes in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content. She also regularly tests products for multiple digital outlets, including InStyle and Byrdie. When she's not window shopping online or creating pro and con lists, you'll find her drinking tea and talking about her feelings. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 28, 2024 05:09PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Others We Tried What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is People Tested? Photo: People / David Hattan Long gone are the days of merely crossing your fingers and hoping your checked bag arrives at your destination. Thanks to Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi technology, you can track your luggage at every step of your journey with a luggage tracker. And if you're traveling with pricier bags like TUMI or Away luggage, you'll want a tracker to protect your luggage just as much as the items within it. We’ve tested the top luggage trackers to find the best ones fit for your next adventure. Keep reading for our favorite three, plus others we tested, and why they didn't quite make the list. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Eufy SmartTrack Link at Amazon $36 $20 Jump to Review SALE Apple AirTag at Amazon $29 $19 Jump to Review Best for Both iPhone and Android Users: Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker at Amazon $35 Jump to Review Best Overall Eufy SmartTrack Link $36 $20 at Amazon $20 at Walmart View on Eufy.com Star Qualities Setup was super easy and didn't require downloading an app Tracked our luggage with accuracy Integrates seamlessly with Apple devices using the Find My app Red Flags Locator alarm is on the quieter side Tracking is only compatible with Apple devices and will not work with Android products The Eufy SmartTrack Link is our best overall pick delivering top-notch ease of use and functionality at a great price. As this tracker is only compatible with Apple devices, we paired it with an iPhone and were impressed with how quick and easy the setup was. It instantly connected to our iPhone and showed up in Apple’s Find My app (which is automatically downloaded on any Apple device). The accuracy of this tracker proved satisfactory for our travel needs. We did experience some minor lag in just a few areas where we had limited service, like on the tarmac, though the location would always eventually update with accuracy. The ability to “ring” your phone from the tracker itself is super helpful. Each tracker also features a QR code on the back that can be scanned if found and includes your contact information. This tracker features an alarm that can help you find your bag, but we found it to be quieter than we’d like. While the alarm is helpful in many circumstances, it’s a little too faint for our liking if you’re searching for your bag in a loud environment like a busy airport. The SmartTrack Link even has a built-in key ring for convenient and secure attachment without having to purchase an additional item like with AirTags. It’s also water-resistant for extra durability. Battery: Replaceable metal lithium, up to 1 year of battery life | Subscription: None | Compatibility: iOS | Location Tech: Bluetooth | Size: 1.46 x 1.46 x 0.26 inches PHOTO: People / Anna Popp PHOTO: People / Anna Popp Apple AirTag PHOTO: Amazon $29 $19 at Amazon $19 at Walmart $29 at Walgreens Star Qualities Setup was easy and intuitive Integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices Notifications can be customized through the Find My app Red Flags We occasionally received outdated notifications about our bag being left behind, which wasn’t the case I'll Never Travel Again Without an Apple AirTag Attached to My Suitcase — Here's Why Those loyal to the Apple brand will love the AirTag. This Apple tracker pairs seamlessly with iOS, and the setup is instant. Just pull the security tag, and it will automatically pair with your iPhone. There's no additional app to download, as it will integrate into the Find My app found on every Apple device. There’s no paid subscription to use this tracker either. It's even one of our favorite dog GPS trackers, thanks to its lightweight and accuracy. We found the abundance of notifications overwhelming at first (it alerted us every time we left our bag behind, even intentionally), but these settings can be customized easily within the Find My app. You can also trigger a sound via the app that will go off so you can locate your AirTag with better accuracy. We found the accuracy of this tracker impressive throughout most of our testing process. We were able to track our luggage moving throughout the airport with notable accuracy. However, occasionally when taking off for our flights, we received notifications that our luggage was left behind. Thankfully, that was not the case, and our luggage arrived with us, but it was initially a concern. This tracker is also durable and even waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Battery: Replaceable coin cell, over 1-year battery life | Subscription: None | Compatibility: iOS | Location Tech: Bluetooth 5.0 | Size: 1.26 x 0.31 inches PHOTO: People / Taylor Fox PHOTO: People / Taylor Fox PHOTO: People / Taylor Fox Best for Both iPhone and Android Users Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker PHOTO: Amazon $35 $33 at Amazon $35 at Target $35 at Walmart Star Qualities Alarm was loud and easy to locate Free version of the accompanying app includes a 24-hour tracking history Red Flags Subscription required for some premium features The Tile Pro is compatible with iOS and Android, so it’s great for families with different devices who might share the tracker. This tracker comes with an accompanying app which we found more difficult to navigate at first compared to other ones we tested. Once set up, we found the basic features of the app helpful and easy to use. The 24-hour tracking history feature allowed us to see past locations of our bag. We also enjoyed being able to ping our bag and set off an alarm so we could locate it by sound. The alarm on this tracker was much louder than the others we tested, which is notable. The Tile Pro also has additional premium features with a subscription. We did experience some lags in connection, so our location wasn’t always updated throughout our journey. Eventually, once we regained better cell service or were on WiFi, our tracker's location updated accurately. The design of this tracker is super functional with the built-in keychain hole attachment and slim design that fits easily into various-sized bags, pockets, and even wallets. The Tile Pro tracker also comes in several colorways for an added personal and stylish touch. Battery: Replaceable battery, up to 1-year battery life | Subscription: Yes — free and premium versions | Compatibility: iOS, Android | Location Tech: Bluetooth | Size: 2.3 x 1.3 x .3 inches PHOTO: People / Anna Popp PHOTO: People / Anna Popp Other Luggage Trackers We Tried Dynotag Brushed Stainless Steel Smart Tag: Although not technically a tracker, this ID tag features a scannable QR code that displays your contact info for anyone who finds your lost bag. No app is required to use this tag, and you are notified whenever your QR code is scanned. It has a durable and sleek design that works well for an amplified ID tag, but it does not include any tracking technology to help you locate your luggage. LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker: This tracker uses GPS technology which can be helpful when traveling internationally and to more remote areas. The setup for this tracker was more complicated than others we tested and required a paid subscription for an app. The app allows for easy sharing of the location of your bag. You can also set up a virtual fence, so you can be notified when your bags leave the designated area, but we felt the location wasn’t as accurate compared to other trackers we tested. Plus, the bulkier size and shape felt more cumbersome to pack. Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker: In addition to location tracking, this minimalist tracker delivers a lot of great special features through its app. You can access different ringtones, location history, various alerts, Siri shortcuts (you can ask Siri "Hey Siri, Find my Elise's Checked Luggage"), Find Your Phone (pressing the Tile device will activate a sound on your phone), and unlimited sharing (Tile allows another user to see the device's location in their app). It’s also compatible with both iOS and Android devices. We had some issues with connectivity and location updating at airports which could prove a nuisance for those using trackers exclusively for luggage when traveling. The $99 subscription fee after the first year, which is free, may also be a deal breaker for some. People / Sophie Mendel What to Know About Luggage Trackers Type of Travel Kara Harms, CEO of lifestyle blog Whimsy Soul, recommends every traveler consider “what type of travel they most often engage with” when choosing the right luggage tracker. Certain luggage trackers rely on pinging off other Bluetooth devices to work, which can provide accurate tracking in heavily populated areas like cities. If you're often traveling internationally, Katherine Parker-Magyar, travel writer and member of the Society of American Travel Writers, recommends checking out GPS trackers as “they can give you real-time updates, regardless of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.” Phone Compatibility “Make sure that your luggage tracker is designed especially for your phone — some work better for iPhone, others for Android,” advises Parker-Magyar. She recommends the Tile Pro, which is compatible with both iOS and Android. Functionality and Features The best luggage tracker is one that you enjoy using, and you’ll use over and over again. An easy, seamless setup is one way to ensure adding a luggage tracker to your travel experience eases anxiety and doesn’t promote it. Certain trackers like Apple AirTag and Eufy SmartTrack Link pair and begin tracking instantly. Others require an additional app to download, but some of these apps offer special features like pinging your luggage to trigger an alarm so you can locate it by sound, navigation to help find your tracker, and more. “Some trackers have a geofence feature which can be handy if travelers are frequently leaving their bags behind places and they want to make sure their luggage stays where they left it,” according to Harms. Price Something to consider is how many bags or devices you want to track. If you’re hoping to track luggage for a family of four, you’ll want a more affordable tracker. The luggage trackers we tested ranged in price from $20 to $70. Paying more for a luggage tracker doesn’t necessarily equate to better performance as our most affordable tracker, the Eufy SmartTrack Link, is also our best overall pick. Behind the Scenes We researched the most popular luggage trackers for iPhone and Android users as well as GPS trackers. We selected the top contenders and sent them off to be put to the test in the real world. Our PEOPLE Tested team used our selections to track their bags on domestic and international flights for both checked and carry-on luggage. Our testers observed each tracker’s performance during their trip for accuracy. Any additional features were also tested and evaluated. After compiling our observations, we reviewed the data and rated each tracker on a scale of one to five for each of the following attributes: ease of setup, accuracy, functionality, and design. Our top picks featured in this article are the luggage trackers that scored the highest averages. Frequently Asked Questions Where is the best place to put a luggage tracker? “I like to put the tracker on the inside of my hard-sided luggage. Don't put it on the exterior, as it's more likely to fall off on a trip (I speak from experience).” shared Parker-Magyar. Harms seconds this advice adding, “I’ve seen folks at airports put trackers on their luggage tag, which can easily be ripped off by a person or accidentally fall off during the shuffle of travel.“ What is the range of AirTags? Apple has not disclosed the exact Bluetooth range of its AirTag trackers, but it states that a third-party Bluetooth device can connect to an iPhone within 33 feet. The Find My app on iPhones offers location tracking by bouncing Bluetooth signals off other Apple devices in the area which greatly expands the possible range of an AirTag. As long as there are Apple devices in the general vicinity of your AirTag, you should be able to track its location. Why Trust PEOPLE? L.A. Hubilla is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE, an anxious traveler, and forever a checked-bag person. She swears by her Apple AirTag. She’s tested products for various digital platforms, including PEOPLE, InStyle, Byrdie, and Travel + Leisure. For this article, she surveyed the data collected from the People Tested team and paired it with expert insight from travel writers to select the best-performing luggage tags. Meet Our Experts Kara Harms is the founder and CEO of Whimsy Soul, a San Francisco-based lifestyle blog. Katherine Parker-Magyar is a New York-based travel writer who has visited seven continents, 78 countries, and all 50 states in pursuit of a good story. What Is People Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.