Apple AirTag or Tile Pro (2022): Which should you buy?

Apple's own tracker

Apple AirTag

$29 at Amazon $29 at Best Buy $29 at Apple

Pros

• Integrated into Apple's Find My network
• Well-priced
• Tiny
• Precision Finding with U1 chip
• Location data stays private
• Personalization and accessories
• Left-behind notification

Cons

• Only works with Apple devices
• No hole to attach to keys; needs an accessory

The Apple AirTag will be a clear choice for Apple users that have newer devices. It's tiny and so easy to set up. You get the full power of the entire Apple user base due to the seamless Find My integration, yet your location data stays private. Left-behind alerts will ensure you never leave your important items behind again.

Use with any smartphone

Tile Pro

$30 at Amazon $35 at Best Buy $35 at Tile

Pros

• Works with any smartphone
• 400-foot Bluetooth range
• Loud alert
• Water-resistant
• User-replaceable one-year battery
• Hole for attachment to keychain and more

Cons

• Need to use Tile app and user database
• Does not integrate with the Find My app
• Some features behind a paywall

If you want to use your tracker with a non-Apple device, the Tile Pro is a great choice. With a 400-foot Bluetooth range, a replaceable battery that lasts a year, and a hole for attaching to your keys or item of choice, you'll be sure to like the Tile Pro.

Both the Apple AirTag and the Tile Pro (2022) are great trackers that can help you keep track of your keys, car, luggage, purse, or anything you don't want to lose. With an app on your iPhone, you can track down the lost item you've attached your tracker to, so you're less likely to lose your valuables. Both trackers will do the job, but there are some important differences to be aware of before you make your choice.

Apple AirTag vs. Tile Pro (2022): Breakdown

The Apple AirTag and the Tile Pro (2022) have a lot in common. They are both pretty small and affordable, though the AirTag is slightly cheaper and smaller. Both have an easily replaceable battery that should last about a year. Both are water-resistant with an IP67 rating, meaning they can be dropped into a body of fresh water up to a meter (three feet) deep for half an hour. Both offer left-behind alerts, meaning that your iPhone will let you know if you separate from your tracker. Both can be bought singly or in money-saving multi-packs.

While the AirTag is tiny and round, like a button, the Tile Pro is longer and has a built-in hole, perfect for attaching to a key ring. You'll need an AirTag accessory of some kind in order to attach the AirTag to most items. This may seem like a disadvantage at first but actually gives it quite a bit more flexibility in terms of how you can attach it to things. For example, there are accessories with sticky backs, or long straps, so you're not limited to keychains and the like. You'll have more options for attaching the Apple AirTag to items than you will with the Tile Pro. You can also get the AirTag engraved, which you can't do with the Tile Pro.

The Tile Pro's big advantage is that you don't need to be an Apple user at all to use it. You access it with the Tile app on your smartphone of choice.

The Apple AirTag's big advantage is that it integrates seamlessly with the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad. It's incredibly easy to use and you have the power of the entire worldwide Apple user database to help you find your items. The Tile Pro depends on the Tile user database, which varies from place to place and certainly is nowhere near as large as Apple's. You'll need to pay for the Tile Premium subscription in order to get some of Tile's features, such as left-behind alerts.

The Apple AirTag works for Apple users with an iPhone SE, iPhone 6s or later; or iPod touch (7th generation) with iOS 14.5 or later; or iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air 2 or later, or iPad mini 4 or later with iPadOS 14.5 or later. In order to use Precision Finding, you'll need to have a device with the U1 chip: any handset from the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, or iPhone 13 lineup. Precision Finding gives you exact directions to your lost tracker, as opposed to just giving you the general vicinity.

	Apple AirTag	Tile Pro
Retail price	$29	$35
Two-pack	No	$60
Four-pack	$99	$100
Works with	iPhone/iPad	Android and Apple devices
Use Apple's Find My app	Yes	No
Battery life	One year	One year
Replaceable Battery	Yes	Yes
Engraveable	Yes	No
Accessories available	Yes	No
Keyring hole	No	Yes
Precision Finding with U1 chip	Yes	No
IP67 water resistance	Yes	Yes
Premium subscription to unlock all features	No	Yes
Left-behind alerts	Yes	Yes, with subscription
Dimensions	31.9-by-31.9-by-8 millimeters	58-by-32-by-7.5 millimeters

Apple AirTag vs. Tile Pro (2022): Which should you buy?

For Apple users, the choice is quite easy: go for the Apple AirTag. It sets up like a dream, integrates beautifully with the Find My app, offers free left-behind alerts, and takes advantage of the U1 chip on newer iPhones for Precision Finding. The endless number of accessories means you can use it to track a huge variety of items.

For Android users, you'll want the Tile Pro. With the Tile app on your smartphone, you'll take advantage of the Tile user database to track your precious items anywhere. You won't need any additional accessories; a hole at the top lets you slip it onto your keychain or similar item.

The winner for Apple users

Apple AirTag

The choice is clear

$29 at Amazon $29 at Best Buy $29 at Apple

Get the easy setup and seamless integration with Find My that you'd expect from Apple's own tracker.

Ecosystem agnostic

Tile Pro

The tracker for anyone

$30 at Amazon $35 at Best Buy $35 at Tile

If you're not an iPhone user or you like to switch between ecosystems, the Tile Pro is the way to go.

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