We look for the perfect locator for your keys, wallet or suitcase

For some time now, Apple’s AirTag has captured the attention of the most forgetful users, thus becoming an accessory for keys, wallets, bags or suitcases and always having them located. Over time, competitors have not stopped appearing. If you have been thinking about buying a device of this type for a while and don’t know which one to decide on, the time has come to analyze some of the best options that is on the market to make your choice easier.

Technical sheet of all these locator models

Which locator is best for you according to your case?

With so many models of Bluetooth locators, you may feel lost, but we are going to try to simplify things a little to help you choose one or the other. Next, we are going to analyze which is the locator that best suits you according to the mobile phone you have and your needs and budget.

One of the essential things when it comes to understanding these devices is that They use the network of nearby users to locate each other. The AirTag works because there are millions of iPhones passing nearby and the same goes for those compatible with Android’s Find My network. In Spain, it must be taken into account that there are more Android mobile users than iPhones, while Tile (which we will also analyze later) only works if users have the Tile app installed, so if you live in a lost town, it will not be of any use to you.

Of course, all of them have in common that they feed themselves through a standard button cellwhich will cost you two euros to change it a year and you will forget to charge the device. In addition, they are IP67 certified, which means they will survive without problems if you drop your keys into a puddle or the toilet, for example.

Apple AirTag, the king of precision and the perfect one for iPhone users

He Apple AirTag2 It is the absolute reference for iPhone users. The pursuit of precision is taken to another level thanks to the new U2 chip, allowing you find objects almost 60 meters away with an arrow that guides you step by step. In addition, its integration with the Apple Watch and the accessories ecosystem (such as cases and keychains) is unattainable for the rest.

The best thing about its chip is that it is very powerful and precise, allowing your phone to tell you that the object is “two meters to your right” with a centimeter precisionsomething that normal Bluetooth does not do. In addition, it is considered one of the best since there are many iPhones in the world (and also in Spain), which makes locating objects much easier.

Faced with this precision, the AirTag has a but and that is that it sells you an incomplete product. The AirTag is a smooth disk, so if you want to hang it on the keysyou will have to spend between 15 and 40 euros on a keychain.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2: exclusive for Samsung users

He Samsung SmartTag2 It is intended only for company mobile users. This makes it compete head-to-head with Apple since it also offers precision search (UWB), although it adds some extra functions, such as a physical button used to control home automation. A good example of this would be that, when you get home, you can configure that a double click on the keychain turns on the lights in the living room.

In addition, you will not have to spend more on accessories, because it comes with a hole for can hang it directly on the keychainwhich is a benefit for your portfolio.

Xiaomi Tag, the victory of quality-price and valid for any mobile

Whether you have an Android mobile or an iPhone, the Xiaomi Tag It is the most economical and versatile alternative you will find. Of course, its design is somewhat larger, but You will not need an accessory to hang it on the keychain. It has arrived, without a doubt, to break the market, offering everything that a locator offers but at almost half the price.

Of course, its weak point is precision. It doesn’t have ultra-wideband (UWB), so you’ll have to forget about the dates on the screen. With this model you will have to play “hot or cold” guided only by the beep, unlike Samsung, Apple or Motorola models.

Moto Tag: the equivalent of the “AiTag” (in design) for Android

If what you like about the AirTag is its coin-shaped design, the Motorola Moto Tag It is its equivalent for Android. Furthermore, it uses Google technology natively, thus guaranteeing instant configuration with Android phones and a good dose of privacy. Likewise, it has a physical button with a very useful function: serving as a remote control to take photos with your mobile.

One of the strong points of this Motorola model is that it uses Google’s Find My Device network. This basically means that one billion Androids around the world are searching for it. It is the “Android AirTag“, not being exclusive to Motorola, as is the case with Samsung.

Like the Apple one, it doesn’t have a hole, so you’ll need a case to put it on your keys. Has the same size as AirTagso you can buy the cheap AliExpress keychains designed for the apple company.

Of course, like all models, it has a but. In this case, you should know that not all Androids have the precision of the arrow (UWB), high-end models only. So if this is not your case, you will not be able to get the most out of it.

Tile byLife360: the multi-platform alternative that has a function that the others do not have

In a sector in which almost all locators offer practically the same thing, standing out is difficult, but this is what the Tile byLife 360 ​​Mate proposes. In addition to serving for iPhone and Androidhas a button that allows you to find your phone by ringing it.

Compared to the other models, it has a more than obvious advantage and that is that it is the only one that does the opposite. Yeah you have the keys but not the cell phonepress the Tile and your phone will ring even if it is silent.

Of course, the weakest point of this model is the network, since if there is no one with the Tile app nearby, not suitable for outdoors. It is, therefore, an ideal model for finding the remote control on the sofa, but risky if you want to find your suitcase at the airport.

So… which model do I recommend you buy?

• If you have an iPhone, the best is undoubtedly the AirTag 2, as it works perfectly (and precisely) with iOS.
• If you have a Samsung mobile, the SmarTag2 is your choice, since it is the equivalent of Apple’s AirTag 2 but with mobile phones from the Korean firm.
• If you have a non-Samsung Android mobile, the Motorola Moto Tag is very complete, since it has a UWB chip, which allows a high-precision search (something that the Xiaomi does not offer as it has Bluetooth 5.4) and, in addition, allows you to use the cases and keychains of the Apple model as it is the same size.
• The Xiaomi Tag is recommended for being compatible with Android and Apple and costing only 14 euros per unit. Although yes, the precision is not the same as that of the AirTag.

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Images | Apple, Samsung, Life360, Motorola, Xiaomi, Anna Martí (Xataka) and Álex Alcolea (Xataka)

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