We’ve all been there, waiting patiently for ours or our child's suitcase to arrive on the conveyor belt in the airport before we can begin our holiday. For the majority of us, our luggage will arrive safely, however, when you consider a shocking 26 million pieces of luggage were lost, delayed or damaged in 2022, it’s no surprise that luggage trackers have become a travel essential over recent years.
There are few worse feelings than that sinking feeling you experience when you realise your luggage hasn’t made it on holiday with you, and your relaxing family holiday turns into more of a nightmare before it’s even begun.
Thanks to advancements in technology, it’s never been easier to track the location of your luggage or toddler suitcase from the moment you check in your baggage to collecting it when you get to the other side so if you’re planning on a getaway this year, we’d highly recommend investing in one of these clever little luggage trackers to give you some peace of mind.
1.
Tile Mate
Best overall luggage tracker
The Tile Mate is designed to be used in a variety of ways from attaching to your keyring to sitting in your luggage and works via an app to connect with your phone. As it's able to connect to your keys, it can play a ring out loud so you can find your keys with ease. Compatible with both Android and IOS as well as your Smart Home devices. It also features a QR code which if found, can be scanned to find your contact details to be returned safely to you.
One reviewer said: "Works really good with the Tile app on Android. The Tag is very neat and the sound gets louder as you get nearer the lost key. Very good value for money. Only just received it so don't know about the battery yet. The Tag is easy to set up with the Tile App."
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Versatile uses
- Compatible with most devices
Cons
- Requires subscription payments for some app features
2.
Apple AirTag
Best for Apple users
Easy to pack in your suitcase, this little circular tracker is around the same size as a two pound coin and easily connects to your Apple device using the 'Find My' app to keep a track of your luggage. If you do realise your luggage is lost, you can put your AirTag into Lost Mode to be automatically notified when it’s detected in the Find My network.
Yours Senior Digital Writer Lorna White says: "I bought an AirTag before a holiday to Bali as it was the first holiday where my suitcase would need to make it over a connecting flight and I wanted to check it had got onto my connecting flight safely. It did cause a little anxiety when boarding the flight in the UK as it wasn't telling me my case was on the flight as I was a little too far away from it. The good news is that when I reached my connecting destination then final destination, my phone quickly picked the AirTag up so I knew my bags had arrived safely.
Pros
- Discreet size
- Easy to set up
- Battery lasts a very long time
Cons
- Requires quite close proximity
Best for Android users
While iOS users can use an AirTag, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 is for those with an Android device. It connects to your phone and by switching on the Search nearby function, it should provide you with intuitive instructions via Compass View and when Lost Mode is activated, the Galaxy tracker device’s NFC (Near Field Communication) displays your registered contact information and message on the finder's smartphone, regardless of the OS.
Review: "The product was very easy to set up on my android via the smart things app. However you can only have that tag set up on your and not on another. My partner and I used it to track our son on a school trip. I struggled to share his location with my partner after going back and forth watching YouTube I finally did it."
Pros
- Versatile usage
- Dust and water resistant
Cons
- Only works with Samsung devices
Best affordable luggage tracker
eufy is quickly becoming a leading brand in the world of home tech and this luggage tracker is designed to work with the Apple Find My App. You can also use it to find your phone or tablet device, even if it's switched onto silent mode. If you accidentally forget your bags or leave them somewhere, you receive an instant left-behind alerts and you can share the location of your items with friends and family too.
Review: "These are great and a fraction of the price of apple AirTags. They come with their own eufy tracking app, but also work on 'find my' on the iPhone. They travelled round central america and were 100% accurate 100% of the time. We used several of them to track suitcases, day bags and people by having them hidden in pockets too, as there was a risk of kidnappings and high way robberies and general theft. I trust Eufy as a brand but tested these before setting off to ensure they would be up to the job and they were. Highly recommended. Via the app I could invite others to track the airtags at the same time, which was invaluable in case of kidnappings."
Pros
- Works in silent mode for phones
- Works with Find My app
Cons
- Doesn't work with Android devices
5.
Tile Slim
Best versatile luggage tracker
Thanks to the super slim design, this Tile is made to fit in even the smallest of places to help you keep track of your things. Designed to fit into wallets and luggage tags, it uses its own App to track your luggage when in Bluetooth range. You can also use the tile to search for your phone too by simply double tapping the tile. Compatible on both iOS and Android devices it also works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
Review: "I'm a cereal wallet loser, this item is amazing, fits perfect into a wallet, you can call the wallet from your phone or call your phone from your waller its amazing. The app is great and has saved me from losing my wallet on more than one occasion. Cannot recommend enough"
Pros
- Compatible on both iOS and Android devices
- Slim design
Cons
- Isn't rechargeable
Best for multiple bags
These are ideal for families travelling together if you're keen to make sure all your luggage is safely together as there's nothing worse than waiting for one last suitcase to come off the conveyor belt and worrying you might be waiting forever. This four pack works in the Find My app and is simple one-tap setup instantly connects AirTag with your iPhone or iPad.
Review: "I’m new to Apple Air tag. I decided to Purchase the 4 because I have four separate uses for each one. Like all Apple Products they are a quality looking item, and feel nice to the touch too. Very well Packaged. Straight out the Box, unwrap it fully and that activates/ connects the battery to begin the setup. Hold your phone close to it so they can see each other via Bluetooth, follow the easy step by step prompts. Two minutes later you’re up and running, easy! Just a case after that of hiding your tag somewhere to let it do its thing."
Pros
- Four pack
- Discreet
- Long-charge life
Cons
- Limited range
How do luggage trackers work?
Each luggage tracker will work slightly differently so it’s important to read the instructions carefully before you use it. The majority connect to your phone either via bluetooth, wifi or an app where it will show you where your luggage is located via a map using a GPS tracking system. One important thing to note is that you have to be within range of your tracker for it to be picked up, so if you are out of range you won’t be able to pick up the trackers location.
We’d recommend connecting your phone to the tracker before you head to the airport then you can check its location during your time at the airport and make sure it’s on the plane when you’re boarding.
Then once you reach your destination and connect to the internet or start using data, you should be able to pick up the signal from your tracker again and track it back to you until it’s safely with you.
Are luggage trackers worth it?
Luggage trackers can occasionally be rather temperamental which can make you worry even more if your luggage isn’t being picked up. Sometimes, when you’re wanting to relax on a plane, the last thing you need is to be trying to track your suitcase and worrying that it’s not on the plane.
And even if for some reason you think your luggage isn’t on the plane, there really isn’t much you or the flight attendants can do at this point other than wait until you get to the other side.
When they do work however, they can provide some much needed comfort, allowing you to truly relax on your plane and when you do get to the other side, they should pick up that the luggage has reached your destination which makes the wait for the conveyor best to bring it around much less stressful.
Are luggage trackers allowed on planes?
In short, yes. Most GPS luggage trackers are allowed on planes. There are however some rules around lithium batteries which could pose a risk but the good news is most luggage trackers are only small and do not exceed these limits put on wattage.
Tips for buying a luggage tracker
Size: Luggage trackers tend to be small as they are designed to fit discreetly into your luggage without taking up too much space, but it’s always worth checking the size dimensions before purchasing. Choosing what size you need also depends on how you intend to use your tracker. For example, you may want to keep it in your purse so you can easily keep track of it. If so, you’ll want one that’s on the smaller side.
Compatibility: If your luggage tracker is only compatible with bluetooth, then the range is likely to be limited, however, if it’s also wifi compatible, you’ll be able to track your luggage over a larger area and this only increases for luggage trackers with GPS tracking.
Battery type: Many trackers come with replaceable batteries which last over a year. Some however use rechargeable batteries will need charging every few days. We’d recommend investing in one with a long life replaceable battery as they’re much easier to use.
How we chose the best
Our pick of the best luggage trackers is based on our own experience using these trackers as well as a wide range of real customer reviews to find a range of the best luggage trackers to suit every budget, lifestyle and personal travel preference.
Lorna White is the Senior Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics from potty training and nutrition to baby names and early development and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.