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Too many of us have experienced the frustration of waiting at baggage claim only to learn that our bags didn’t quite make the flight (or worse, inexplicably went to a different destination altogether). I for one had the misfortune of discovering my suitcase hadn’t made it to Germany when I landed for a monthlong trip in college. I spent nearly a week borrowing clothes from friends before the airline was finally able to locate and reunite me with my luggage. This was before luggage trackers.
This past summer, I checked a bag on 10 different flights with six luggage trackers all packed together to determine which was the most accurate and reliable. From New York to Chicago, Wyoming, and Spain, I put top luggage trackers to the test so you will never again wonder where your bag is.
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When testing luggage trackers, I was most interested in accuracy and timeliness. The Eufy SmartTrack was among the most accurate trackers I tested, and it updated regularly so I could watch my checked suitcase as it moved from check-in throughout the airport onto the plane and, more importantly, off the plane to the carousel upon landing.
Installation only takes a few moments, but you do need an external app and to make an account. Once connected to the phone, you use Apple’s Find My app to track, so I ended up not using the app at all throughout the test and eventually deleted it. The tracker is conveniently small and fits inside any pocket (including pants pockets) and is very discreet because it is so flat. I just stuck it in one of my suitcase’s internal pockets and left it there throughout my trips so I wouldn’t forget to bring it.
The Details: 1.46 x 1.46 x 0.26 inches | CR2032 battery | Up to 1 year of battery life | iOS compatible
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The Knog Scout Travel Smart Luggage Tag was incredibly impressive in its constant and accurate tracking abilities. When flying from New York to Chicago for the first phase of the test, this device even showed the location of my bag (and me by extension) throughout the flight, which was such a fun way to see the flight’s progress. Each time I landed, the Knog Scout was the first luggage tracker of all six to show the bag’s accurate location, which was another plus for a somewhat nervous flier like me.
While I love that the tag is rechargeable, you do need to make sure to charge it before your trip to make sure you don’t lose access midvacation. You can also attach the tag to your suitcase using a special key that I forgot on my first trip, so I had to pivot the bag to a reachable outlet in order to recharge the device. Still, the battery should last up to four months, so you may only need to recharge between trips. I stored my medium checked bag for eight days at the Madrid airport, and I loved that I could regularly check the Find My app to make sure my suitcase hadn’t been moved.
The Details: 3.5 x 1.3 x 0.2 inches | USB-C rechargeable battery | Up to 4 months of battery life per charge | iOS compatible
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I checked the Apple AirTag in my luggage along with all of the other trackers I tested, but this impressed me most when my husband brought it along on a five-week backpacking trip across Spain. We weren’t sure if he would have a signal to touch base every day, so we thought giving him the AirTag would allow me to constantly see where he was. Despite the great distance (from New York to Spain), this tracker was incredibly accurate down to the restaurants and hotels where he stopped. While he did notice a chime sound fairly often, the alert stopped when I eventually joined him in Spain, and we reunited the tracker with my phone.
The AirTag is simple to install for Apple users and is another device that utilizes the Find My app. I will say, without fail, every time my airplane took off, I received a notification that said, “Your item was left behind.” Despite the fact that many luggage trackers use Find My, this is the only device that always showed the notification (and caused a lot of stress the first time I flew with an AirTag).
The Details: 1.26 x 1.26 x 0.31 inches | CR2032 battery | Up to 1 year of battery life | iOS compatible
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Because this tracker is compatible with all types of smartphones, it requires an additional app to use, but it’s easy and quick to install. Upon downloading and logging in, you choose the type of item you’re tracking (luggage, keys, wallet, pets, etc.), which then assigns the item a cute icon to help keep your trackers organized.
Throughout the testing period, I found the Tile to be pretty accurate, but it takes a few minutes to reconnect when coming off of airplane mode. When I first landed in Chicago from New York and turned my phone signal back on, it showed the tracker on the Chicago lakefront, which isn’t too far from the O’Hare Airport, but still isn’t quite correct. Like other luggage trackers, you can get directions to the tag and also set off an alarm if you need to locate lost or stolen items.
The Details: 1.49 x 1.49 x 0.28 inches | Up to 3 years of battery life | iOS and Android compatible
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I’m not normally a Samsung user — in fact, I had to borrow my brother’s phone for the duration of the test — but this was simple for even me to use. It automatically installed a tracker app on the phone’s home screen and that is what I used to track the device. It also automatically paired with the phone’s paired Samsung account, so you don’t have to log in manually. The tracker itself is a bit more heavy duty than others and has a reinforced (very large) hole so you can attach it to key rings. You can ping your smart tag to help you find it, and the app also logs a location history, which can be helpful in case of theft.
From what I could tell, this had about a 20-minute refresh time, meaning even when we refreshed the app manually or closed out of the app completely and reopened, it would not show the tracker’s movement. That’s not a huge lag time and would be helpful if you were trying to locate lost luggage, but if you were an anxious traveler trying to get constant updates on your bag’s wearabouts, this wouldn’t be frequent enough.
The Details: CR2032 battery | Up to 500 days of battery life | Samsung compatible
Other Luggage Trackers We Liked
Here is one more luggage tracker that didn’t make the cut.
Chipolo One Bluetooth Tracker: I tested six luggage trackers to determine the best for different needs. While most trackers were suitable for a variety of users, the Chipolo tracker had the shortest range and would be best for locating any lost items at home.
Our Testing Process
Throughout two months, I traveled with all six luggage trackers by plane, train, and car. Upon receiving each luggage tracker, I opened them up, evaluating the size, weight, and overall design before pairing with a compatible phone following manufacturer instructions.
The first series of tests occurred on flights from New York City to Chicago and back. I packed all six luggage trackers in the same pocket of a Delsey suitcase and checked the bag to determine the most accurate, most frequent transmission, and easiest tracker to use. After checking the suitcase in, I checked all tracking apps every 10-15 minutes, taking screenshots as I refreshed the apps. I also checked each app when I boarded the flight, midflight, and upon landing to determine how each tracker handled going on and off airplane mode. I recreated this test with five luggage trackers (all except the AirTag) on flights from New York to Boston and back and New York to Wyoming and back. The Apple AirTag went with my husband to Spain as I tracked him walking across the country for five weeks.
I also tested all six luggage trackers on a road trip from Chicago to Wisconsin in which I was in one car and the suitcase was in a different car so I could constantly watch the locations of the tags and track their movement to see how frequently each tag was updated.
Tips for Buying a Luggage Tracker
Pack them in a safe space
A luggage tracker won’t help you if it falls out (or is taken out) of your suitcase. I recommend you pack your luggage tracker inside your suitcase in a pocket that can be zipped closed so it doesn’t accidentally fall out. While many luggage trackers are designed to be keychains, I recommend when tracking checked luggage you still place the tracker inside the bag, so it doesn’t snag or get lost in transit.
Make sure your battery will last the trip
Most luggage trackers utilize CR2032 batteries that last a year or more. However, time flies, so you want to make sure to check your tracker’s battery before you head out on a trip to make sure it has plenty of life. All of the tracking apps, including Find My, show your device’s battery percentage so you can quickly determine how much time you have before the battery needs to be replaced. For any luggage trackers that are rechargeable, you should check the battery life, but also pack the charging cord in case you need to recharge midtrip.
Connect your luggage tracker to your smartphone before traveling
While most of the luggage trackers paired quickly and effortlessly with my smartphone, it can take a few minutes, and they have to be paired while the devices are next to each other, so you’ll want to make sure you link up before you head to the airport. If you wait until you’re in line at check in, you may become flustered and/or forget to pair your luggage tracker at all. You should also make sure your luggage tracker is compatible with your phone before purchase (I originally thought the Samsung luggage tracker was compatible with all Android phones, but it is not).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does TSA slow luggage trackers?
TSA allows luggage trackers in both checked and carry-on bags, which means you can bring any tracking devices you already have attached to your house keys. The batteries are not the same as laptops or smart luggage items, so you do not need to remove them before checking a bag.
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Should I put a smart tag in my luggage?
If you are worried about losing your luggage, traveling on long-haul flights, or planning to store your bag, you should put a smart tag in your luggage. It doesn’t harm you to do so, and knowing where your suitcase is at all times while you travel will bring you peace of mind.
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How long do luggage trackers last?
Most luggage trackers use CR2032 batteries that need to be replaced every 1-3 years depending on the tracker model and design. Be sure to frequently check your luggage tracker’s battery life so you know when it needs to be replaced. Many trackers will also begin chirping (or alerting you via the app) when your battery is low so you can replace it before traveling.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Taylor Fox is a commerce editor at T+L specializing in outdoor gear. She flies multiple times per month, usually between Chicago and New York and is very loyal to LaGuardia airport. Having dealt with misplaced luggage in the past, and being a firm member of Team Checked Luggage, luggage trackers are an essential part of her travel kit.
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