The 4 Best Luggage Trackers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Collage of luggage trackers we recommend on a gray background — Photo:
Travel + Leisure / David Hattan

Losing luggage before (or after) a trip can put a damper on any experience. While there is no way to prevent airlines from misplacing your luggage, using a luggage tracker is one of the best travel hacks for making the process easier if your suitcase doesn’t make it on a flight.

To recommend the best luggage trackers on the market, we tested eight different devices from trusted tech brands. After flying with all of the luggage trackers, we chose the top three trackers that were effortless to set up, accurately located our luggage, and were extremely useful for offering peace of mind while traveling. Our top pick might surprise you, so keep reading to learn more about what qualities we looked for in a luggage tag.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Eufy SmartTrack Link at Eufy.com

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Best for Everyday Use:

Apple AirTag at Amazon $39

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Best Subscription:

Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker at Amazon $35

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Best for Android Users:

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 at Amazon $30

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Best Overall

Eufy SmartTrack Link

PHOTO: Amazon

View on Eufy.com

Our Ratings

Ease of Setup

5/5
Accuracy

5/5
Functionality

5/5
Design

4.5/5

Why We Love It

It pairs seamlessly with an iPhone and costs much less than AirTags.

What to Consider

The locator sound on the device could be louder.

Eufy’s luggage tracker edged out the popular Apple AirTags during testing by impressing us with the same (if not slightly better) features at a much lower price point. The device came ready to go and all we had to do was open the Find My app on an iPhone and the tracker automatically connected for hassle-free setup. Throughout our four-month tests, we used the tracker on eight different flights and every time we could see that our luggage was on the airplane before take-off, providing peace of mind en route to our final destination. In between trips, we simply left the tracker in the suitcase, so it was ready for our next adventure.

The device itself is thin and small, but not too small that it could get lost easily, so you can feel safe using it in a wallet or purse on a trip. One of our favorite traits is the hole in the upper corner that can be directly attached to a keychain or lanyard to keep track of car or house keys instead. Plus, the tracker is water-resistant and didn’t get damaged during travels, even after we tucked it into the bottom of a 50-pound checked suitcase.

The Details: 1.46 x 1.46 x 0.26 inches | Replaceable lithium coin battery | No subscription fee | iOS compatible only | Water-resistant

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp
Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best for Everyday Use

Apple AirTag

PHOTO: Amazon

$39 at Amazon $30 at Target $25 at Walmart

Our Ratings

Ease of Setup

5/5
Accuracy

2.5/5
Functionality

4/5
Design

5/5

Why We Love It

The device is about the size and weight of a quarter, which makes it easy to use to track all types of items.

What to Consider

Over the course of our four-month tests, we did have issues with location accuracy as the AirTag can lose connection quite easily.

The small size of an Apple AirTag is ideal for keeping track of your items without noticing the device is tucked away. Since the tags are about the size of a quarter, they can fit in a suitcase, purse, or wallet with ease, and the metal material feels particularly durable compared to the other plastic models we tried. Made by Apple, the device pairs to an iPhone within seconds and is tracked via the Find My app, where users can also change the name of the device if there is more than one. With the popularity of AirTags, there are tons of compatible accessories (beyond placing them in luggage), including passport covers, wallets, keychains, and wristbands for kids. The biggest downside we experienced with the AirTag is that it didn’t accurately provide the location of the luggage and it spooked us several times with messages saying that luggage was left behind while we were taxiing on the tarmac. Although the AirTag wasn’t our top pick, we still think it’s an excellent option to help prevent lost bags.

The Details: 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.31 inches | Replaceable lithium coin batteries | No subscription fee | iOS compatible only

Best Subscription

Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker

PHOTO: Amazon

$35 at Amazon $35 at Walmart $35 at Home Depot

Our Ratings

Ease of Setup

4.5/5
Accuracy

4/5
Functionality

4/5
Design

4.5/5

Why We Love It

You can use this device to track items for free, but the paid subscription offers worthwhile features for some travelers.

What to Consider

The device requires the Tile app and it wasn’t very intuitive to navigate for setup — even after four months of testing, we found the separate app to be annoying.

The Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker offers the same basic functionality as the other devices we tried, including the ability to see the location of the device on an app. However, frequent fliers will appreciate the ability to upgrade the features of this device by getting one of the two premium plans offered by Tile that cost $30 or $100 per year depending on the plan (you can get the first year for free when you purchase the tracker through Tile). The premium subscription comes with smart alerts to tell you when the device isn’t in range, 30-day location history, and reimbursement for lost items that Tile can’t track with options for $100 or $1,000 reimbursement for either the premium or premium protection plan.

For travelers who just want to use the Tile tracker as is, we were impressed with the durable and functional design of the plastic fob. It comes with a hole in it so you can use it for keys and wallets along with luggage, too. We had some slight issues setting up the device with the Tile app, but once we started messing around with it, it got easier to navigate over time.

The Details: 2.32 x 1.32 x 0.3 inches | Replaceable lithium metal batteries | Subscription fee | Android, iOS, and Smart Home compatible | Water-resistant

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp
Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best for Android Users

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2

PHOTO: Amazon

$28 at Amazon

Our Ratings

Ease of Setup

5/5
Accuracy

5/5
Functionality

5/5
Design

5/5

Why We Love It

It's easy to use and comes with a keychain that you can attach to just about any item.

What to Consider

The button is quite sensitive, so you may accidentally trigger the alarm if it's in a bag, purse, or pocket.

For Android users who are looking for a luggage tracker than can be used while on vacation and for everyday needs, the latest SmartTag from Samsung is a great choice. While it does require an app to use, the set-up process was easy and intuitive. Plus, there is no subscription required to use the SmartTag2 and the battery lasts over 500 days, so you really don't need to think of the device often after you attach it to your suitcase, purse, bag, or keys.

Throughout our tests, the device was very accurate for tracking location and it never lost connection. It's also small and lightweight, so you can easily attach it to just about any item you may want to track. The SmartTag also comes with a case and keychain for extra durability and convenience.

The Details: 2.06 x 1.13 x 0.31 inches | Replaceable lithium metal batteries | Android | Water-resistant

Other Luggage Trackers We Liked

The luggage tracker highlighted below didn’t quite make the cut, but we’re giving it an honorable mention after a solid performance in testing.

Dynotag Brushed Stainless Steel Smart Tag: This luggage tag isn’t technically a tracker since there isn’t a feature to locate the device, but if someone found it, the QR code would easily put them into contact with the owner of the luggage.

Our Testing Process

To test eight luggage trackers, we traveled with every device in a checked bag over the course of four months to see how well each one performed based on ease of use, functionality, accuracy, and design. We also tested some of the trackers for everyday use to keep track of wallets, keychains, and headphones.

First, we set up each device according to the instructions (or lack thereof) to see how easy or difficult it was to get started. After setting up the devices, we placed them in checked luggage and flew to various destinations, including routes with multiple layovers, to ensure our luggage made it onto the flights. In the end, our favorite luggage trackers were simple and intuitive to set up, accurately displayed the location of the item, and had a sleek and functional design meant for tracking luggage and other items while traveling.

Tips for Buying a Luggage Tracker

Make sure it’s compatible with your device

The tricky thing about buying a luggage tracker is that not all of them are compatible with all operating systems. In general, most trackers can connect with just iOS or Android, but there are a few options that can connect with both. It’s almost always listed in the specifications section of the product so you’ll want to double-check before purchasing a tracker, especially if you plan on gifting it to someone.

Consider where and how you’ll be using it

Tracking devices are ideal for luggage, but they can also work well for keys, wallets, passports, purses, and more whether you’re on the road or at home. For travelers looking for a tracking device for wallets and passports, we recommend the Apple AirTag since there are tons of travel accessories made to hold the device and they are also slim enough to fit anywhere. For keys or AirPods, consider getting a tag with a hole designed for attaching the device to keychains or rings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do luggage trackers work?

Luggage trackers use Bluetooth and GPS signaling to relay the location of the device back to a phone or tablet. Even if you’re thousands of miles away, the tracker can usually display a location on a map on your device, which is particularly useful if your luggage gets lost in transit.
Are luggage trackers allowed on planes?

Although luggage trackers often have lithium batteries, they are still allowed in checked and carry-on bags. The FAA doesn’t allow rechargeable lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours per battery, but, luckily, tracking devices have less than that.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L commerce writer Anna Popp writes most of the team’s articles where all of the products were tested in our lab or in a real-world setting. She participated in this real-world test and she still uses her Eufy, Apple, and Tile tracking devices every time she flies. Anna combed through testing notes and used her expertise of almost always checking in a bag to recommend the best luggage trackers.

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Updated by

Taylor Fox