Best Key Finders of 2024
Tile Pro performed best in real-world testing
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen is an automotive and technology writer for numerous major industry publications. When he's not researching and testing computers, game consoles, or smartphones, he's keeping up to date on the myriad of complex systems that power battery electric vehicles. lifewire's Editorial Guidelines updated on April 4, 2024We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. We may receive compensation if you click on a link we provide. learn more.
Just buy this for the outline: Budget buy: How about AirTags: Real-time GPS tracking: Lower cost Apple options (untested): No frills (untested):
TL;DR : This key tracker has excellent range and an unusually loud alarm that justifies its high price tag.
long distance
loud siren
Dustproof and waterproof
Track QR code
big
expensive
The Tile Pro has excellent Bluetooth range, a very loud alarm chime, a high IP rating, and utilizes Tile's vast network of locators, which is why it's my recommendation for the best key finder.
The purpose of a key finder is to help you find your keys if you lose them, whether they are still in your general location or you accidentally left them somewhere else. Tile Pro handles the former through a strong Bluetooth connection and the latter through a network with millions of users.
To make finding your keys easier, the Tile Pro comes with a loud alarm that you can activate via a phone app. I measured it at over 120 decibels at close range and found it performed pretty well, even when muffled by being stuck between couch cushions or in a jacket pocket.
Tile Pro has a certified IP67 dust and water resistance rating. This rating indicates that it is completely impervious to dust and other similar contaminants, and can be immersed in water up to one meter deep without adverse effects.
One standout feature is a unique QR code on the back of each Tile Pro. If someone finds your lost smart device, they can scan the QR code and use it to get it back to you. Even if the battery is dead or the Tile Pro is damaged, the QR code can still help you find your lost items.
Tile's app is available for both Android and iOS devices, so it's an easy recommendation for Android users and households with a mix of Apple and Android devices.
- Who else recommends it? Tom's Guide, TechRadar and Good Housekeeping recommend Tile Pro.
- What do buyers say? 72% of more than 3,000 Amazon reviewers rated Tile Pro (2022) five stars.
TL;DR : This affordable alternative is loud enough to let you know when you've fallen behind, but doesn't have as much range and has a smaller locator network.
loud siren
There are many color options
Excellent out-of-range alert
Plastic body feels flimsy
Not waterproof
Smaller locator network
If you're looking for a Tile alternative that performs the same functions at a lower price, the Chipolo One is the tracker you're looking for. These trackers are colorful, lightweight, and loud, but don't have a great range and aren't as weather-proof as the best button trackers.
When I tested the Chipolo One, I found its alarm to be nearly as loud as the much more expensive Tile Pro. It has a smaller range, with a theoretical maximum of 200 feet, but that's enough to connect and locate my keys several rooms away.
The Chipolo One also has an excellent out-of-range feature that alerts you when your phone gets too far away from the tracker. Tile also offers a reminder feature to help prevent you from forgetting your keys, for an additional fee. Chipolo gives it away for free.
However, Chipolo's locator network is not as extensive as Tile's. There are still millions of users on the network, so coverage in your area may be good, but it's hard to know for sure. The Tile app will show you the size of the locator network in your area, but the Chipolo app has no such feature.
If you like the look and price of the Chipolo One, and you're an iPhone user, consider the Chipolo One SPOT. An alternative version of the Chipolo One works with Apple's Find My network instead of Chipolo's, and it costs slightly less than AirTag.
- Who else recommends it? Chipolo One is recommended by Tom's Guide, Gearlab, Motor1 and others.
- What do buyers say? 59% of 333 Amazon users rated this key finder 5 stars.
AirTags are great for Apple users. They use the Find My app on their iPhone, so there's nothing else to install. However, AirTags are more or less useless for Android users. AirTags have the worst range of any tracker I've tested, and they're not particularly loud either.
The Cube GPS Tracker allows you to track it in real time using GPS, so it doesn't rely on any star finder network, but does require a monthly subscription.
The Chipolo One Spot is nearly identical to the model we reviewed. However, it uses Apple's massive Find My network rather than Chipolo's smaller network, making it a great low-cost alternative to AirTags.
If you don't need remote finding or tracking, the Esky Key Finder is a low-cost option with six locator tags, uses RF instead of Bluetooth, and only works locally.
I've used key trackers for years to monitor everything from my keys to my dogs, who wear key trackers on their collars. To determine the best key tracker, I conducted extensive research. I then got my hands on four different models, tested their performance, and used them as part of my daily carry for about a week - Jeremy Laukkonen.
My path to finding the best key finder started with an overview of all the options that met the connectivity baseline requirements and a combination of local and remote locator features. I eliminated anything that failed to impress in these categories and conducted a more in-depth examination of the top dozen options.
To narrow down the best options for real-world testing, I compared and ranked each model based on price and value, connectivity, weight and size, range, alarm volume, IP rating, and locator network. From there, I identified four impressive practice test options.
Once I found the key finders, I unpacked each one and examined their physical characteristics. I noted the size and weight of each device because a key finder is something you probably carry with you every day. I also pay attention to the design and construction of each key finder to ensure durability and beauty.
AirTags stand out due to their small size, light weight and beautiful design.
The Chipolo is lighter, but its plastic construction looks cheap. I like the Cube Pro's unique and sturdy design, and the Tile Pro looks and feels solid, too, even though it's wider than the others.
The next step is to set up each key finder. For AirTag, I used a 2nd generation iPhone SE. For everyone else, I used my trusty Pixel 3 and followed up with an iPhone SE. Trackers that were easy to register received the highest scores, and I removed scores that were difficult to set up or register.
- apple airlines label
- Chipolo 1
- Rubik's Cube Professional Edition
- Tile Pro (2022)
AirTag also excels here, as the built-in Find My app is easy to use, although this won't be useful for Android users. Both the Tile Pro and Chipolo are easy to set up, while the Cube Pro is a bit of a headache.
After setting up the trackers, I tested their alarm volume. The top contenders make more than 100 decibels at close range, while the quietest are closer to 60 decibels.
I also checked local Bluetooth range by placing each tracker on the ground, walking away, and checking connectivity at 50-foot intervals. The major trackers I tested all performed better than the manufacturer's claimed range, but I evaluated them based on overall range, so trackers with longer ranges scored higher.
Lifewire purchased these products for review.
When looking for a key tracker, there are two main concerns: the device's physical specifications and the finder network it leverages. The most important specifications include local detection range, alarm volume and durability. Manufacturers are required to disclose roughly how many devices are on the locator network.
Look for a key tracker that supports Bluetooth rather than radio frequency for best results. Bluetooth connectivity allows the key tracker to connect to your phone so you can use your phone to find the tracker. Sometimes, you can also use a tracker to find your phone. Cheaper trackers usually use radio frequencies and dedicated remote controls, so they're not helpful when you're out and about unless you take the remote with you and manage not to lose it.
The range of a key tracker determines how far you can move away from the tracker and still activate its alarm tone from your phone. If you lose your keys and are outside the tracker's range, you must methodically backtrack until the tracker connects to your phone again. For this reason, higher ranges are generally preferred.
In addition to range, precision is also an issue. Most trackers provide information about signal strength, which gives you a basic idea of how far away your lost keys are. However, trackers that support Ultra-Wide Bluetooth (UWB) tracking can provide more precise results, sometimes allowing you to zero in on key positions even if the alert tone is too low to recognize.
Key finders travel with your keys wherever they are, so they are often subject to wear and tear. Most key trackers are plastic, and some contain plastic and metal components. In addition to checking out the long-standing reviews regarding complaints about lack of durability, you can also check the IP rating of your key finder to see how well it protects against dust and liquids. Our recommendations all have at least an IPX5 rating, which is enough to withstand rain.
A locator network is a network of devices that have the Key Finder Company application installed. Devices in a finder network can sense nearby lost key trackers using the same network. When this happens, owners of lost trackers will receive a message in the Key Tracker app with the approximate location where they can find the key.
The two largest locator networks belong to Tile and Apple, with Apple's scope probably being much broader. That means you're more likely to find your keys, and find them faster with a Tile tracker or a tracker that uses Apple's Find My network. If you live in a rural area or even a smaller city or town, there may not be enough people using other networks. In this case, you may want to check and see if you can find anyone you know who has used one of the smaller locator networks in your specific location to hear about their experience.
FAQYes. While most key finders are made with a keychain design designed to attach to a keyring, they can be attached to almost anything you don't want to lose, whether it's a remote control or a child.
Key finders operate using Bluetooth or radio frequency signals. You can pair a Bluetooth key finder with your phone and specific apps to determine your key fob's location, but Bluetooth's range is only about 30 feet. RF key fobs have a wider range but cannot be paired with a phone, instead relying on a dedicated remote. Neither option gives you a specific location on a map, but they can still emit a sound or vibration signal within 100 feet.
