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6 Best Luggage Trackers That Will Safeguard Your Precious Cargo

Take control of your personal belongings with these stellar luggage trackers.

Headshot of Kathleen WillcoxBy Kathleen Willcox
different kind of trackers that are best for tracking your luggage
Best Products; Courtesy

Travel chaos has been making headlines all summer. Canceled flights and long delays dominate the story line, but one of the most pressing and under-reported issues is actually the alarming rise in lost luggage. Just in the first quarter of 2022, more than 684,000 bags were mishandled, according to data from Air Travel Consumer Reports, published by the Department of Transportation.

“Mishandled,” in airline parlance, means the bags were “lost, delayed, damaged or pilfered.” American Airlines was the worst offender, mishandling an average of nine bags for every 1,000; Allegiant was the best at delivering bags, according to the Air Transportation data crunched by The Points Guy. (Allegiant only mishandled 1.8 bags per 1,000).

In response, many travelers are taking control of their luggage themselves via luggage trackers. We found the best on this growing market of smart travel devices, below.

Best Luggage Trackers

  • 1
    Web Enabled Luggage Tracker

    Easiest To Use

    Dynotag Web Enabled Luggage Tracker

    Shop at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    GPS Tracker

    Unlimited Distance

    Tracki GPS Tracker

    Read more
  • 3
    Location-Enabled Smart Tags

    Best Value

    UVO TAG Location-Enabled Smart Tags

    Read more
  • 4
    GPS Tracker

    Best Real Time Information

    LandAirSea GPS Tracker

    Read more
  • 5
    AirTag (Pack of 4)

    Best for iPhone Users

    Apple AirTag (Pack of 4)

    Read more

What to Consider

Finding the right tracker can mean the difference between going off on a vacation stressed, or in a state of blissful anticipation. Keep the following in mind and you’ll be sailing away on a cloud of joy in no time.

  • How Is It Activated? Some trackers are only activated if scanned by a Good Samaritan or luggage handler who is trying to track down the owner. While this will ensure that most luggage gets found (the tags are attached to the suitcase on the outside), it isn’t bulletproof.
  • Battery: Most — but not all — tags include batteries. You'll need to make sure the battery will last for the duration of your trip. One of our picks also has a 17-day battery life (one of the longest in the market), which is something to keep in mind if you're going to a faraway place.
  • Subscription Fee: Some of the most effective trackers require a monthly subscription fee. For regular travelers it may be worth it. For a special occasion, check to see if you can do a short-term subscription.

From Apples famed AirTag tracker to devices made specifically for traveling with a checked bag, these are the best luggage trackers on the market right now.

Looking for more luggage products? Check our the best luggage brands, our guide to the best carry-on, and suitcases made for kids.

1
Easiest To Use

Dynotag Web Enabled Luggage Tracker

Web Enabled Luggage Tracker
1
Easiest To Use

Dynotag Web Enabled Luggage Tracker

$23 at Amazon
Pros
  • Versatile
  • Waterproof
  • No subscription needed
Cons
  • The tag has to be viewed to activate the find mode

Key Specs

  • Subscription Fee: None
  • Material: Polymer-coated steel
  • Batteries Included: None required

This luggage tracker offers peace of mind for any item you attach it to. It's built to last, and doesn’t require batteries or a subscription service to operate it.

Instead, it works via web browser, and you simply set it up on your phone or computer. The tag itself has a QR code, and you'll receive an email when someone scans the code. Info includes times and locations where the tracker was viewed.

Reviewers say the “durable” and “easy to set up” tag ensures they “never worry about losing” their luggage when traveling. Others like it so much, they bought more tags for valuable items, and use them as tracking devices for their pets too.

Pros
  • Waterproof
  • Effective
  • Versatile
Cons
  • Monthly subscription required

Key Specs

  • Subscription Fee: $19.95 per month
  • Material: Plastic, metal
  • Batteries Included: Yes, rechargeable

This Tracki has no limits on distance, thanks to 4G LTE technology. A monthly fee of $19.95 is required to activate and use the tracker. You can trace locations on vehicles, equipment, valuables, and people.

The tracker comes with an embedded SIM card that works worldwide, and can be attached via the included magnet, silicone cover, belt clip, keychain, or lanyard.

The rechargeable battery life lasts up to 5 days when tracking every 1-5 minutes; if real-time tracking isn’t necessary, it lasts 30-75 days when tracking one to three times per day. While Tracki works with GPS satellites, it can also utilize Wi-Fi routers when GPS is not available.

You’ll get alerts when the tracker crosses a Geo-fence zone you pre-set, plus low battery warnings, via text or email. The Tracki includes a lifetime warranty.

More: Packing Cubes That Will Make Your Luggage More Organized

3
Best Value

UVO TAG Location-Enabled Smart Tags

Location-Enabled Smart Tags
3
Best Value

UVO TAG Location-Enabled Smart Tags

Pros
  • Weatherproof
  • Durable
  • Inexpensive
Cons
  • Must be scanned by someone who found luggage to go into “found” mode

Key Specs

Subscription Fee: None
Material: Stainless steel, plastic
Batteries Included: Not necessary

These location-enabled tags feature a unique QR code that captures and reports the GPS location of the item you have tagged. The location is then communicated back to you via email, text, or voice message.

The UVO comes with two separate tags so you and a family member can keep your bags secure. When you set-up an account you can update it at any time, which means you never have to worry about changing a tag again.

Reviewers give the company high marks for ease of use, customer service, and effectiveness.

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4
Best Real Time Information

LandAirSea GPS Tracker

On Sale
GPS Tracker
4
Best Real Time Information

LandAirSea GPS Tracker

Now 15% Off
Pros
  • Weatherproof
  • Durable
  • Worldwide reach
Cons
  • Subscription fee is required

Key Specs

  • Subscription Fee: $24.95 per month
  • Material: Plastic, metal
  • Batteries Included: No (1 Lithium Ion Battery required)

This tracker leverages 4G LTE technology to track luggage, vehicles, or other important assets, all over the world. The waterproof, compact tracker can be attached to a vehicle via magnet, slipped in a pocket, or hidden in a backpack, case, or purse.

You can track the luggage with Google Maps in real time with the SilverCloud App. Sign up for text or email alerts, set geo-fencing and boundary alerts, and get consistent updates on an item’s whereabouts.

The tracker is compatible with iPhones, Androids, Macs and PCs. A monthly subscription fee of $24.95 is required to activate, but you can get up to one alert per minute once you activate it.

5
Best for iPhone Users

Apple AirTag (Pack of 4)

Editor’s Choice
AirTag (Pack of 4)
5
Best for iPhone Users

Apple AirTag (Pack of 4)

Pros
  • Water and dust resistant
  • Effective
  • Wallet-friendly
Cons
  • Need to purchase holder separately

Key Specs

Subscription Fee: None
Material: Plastic, metal
Batteries Included: Yes (1 lithium metal battery required)

Apple's AirTag allows you to track your luggage in real time. The one-tap setup is easy—even for the tech averse. You simply connect your AirTag to your iPhone or iPad, and can track luggage (or any other item you attach it to) via Ultra Wideband technology.

You can put the AirTag into Lost Mode, and be automatically notified when it’s detected through the Find Me Network. Communication on the Find Me Network is encrypted for privacy, and location data is not stored.AirTag is compatible with iPhone models 11 and 12. More than 84% of over 55,400 users on Amazon give the AirTag 5 stars.

More: Essential Luggage Sets for Traveling This Year

6
Best Splurge

Americaloc 300 Mini Portable Tracker

On Sale
300 Mini Portable Tracker
6
Best Splurge

Americaloc 300 Mini Portable Tracker

Now 37% Off
Pros
  • Effective
  • Versatile
  • Long battery life
Cons
  • Expensive

Key Specs

  • Subscription: $25 per month
  • Material: Plastic, metal
  • Batteries Included: Yes, rechargeable

This GPS tracker is pricey, but extremely effective. It can be used for luggage, vehicles, people, and assets of all kinds. There is a subscription fee that costs $25 per month, but the more time you buy, the cheaper the fee is.

The tracker offers a 17-day battery life before needed a recharge, real-time information, and the ability to track the item from any computer or phone with the Android or IOS App installed.

Reviewers say this product is “reliable” and helps “you track anything that is important to you.”

More: Affordable Luggage That's Actually Durable

Headshot of Kathleen Willcox
Kathleen Willcox
Kathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about parenting, technology, shopping, food and wine. Her work appears in a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics, Wine Enthusiast and SevenFifty Daily. She is based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where she lives with her husband and twins.
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