Do I need a tracker for my luggage?

Luggage trackers (along with travel insurance) have become a travel essential for many amid mass flight cancellations and an increase in mishandled luggage.



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Hiding it in one of the bag's interior pockets, or attaching via an AirTag holder for luggage, ensures that a bag thief won't be able to locate and remove the tracker at first glance.

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While Smart luggage does make travelling much easier, one of the biggest drawbacks with using them is that they cause a premium to buy, certainly much more expensive than traditional luggage. Sometimes, they tend to be 3 times as expensive as a regular carry-on of the same size.

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How long do luggage trackers last? The only con is that most of these trackers expend their battery much quicker than a AirTag or SmartTag. While those luggage trackers can last months, a GPS tracker may only last a few days.

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The official iPhone Bluetooth range is 800 feet (which means if you or anyone with an iPhone passes within 800 feet of an AirTag, you can track it). However, the effective Bluetooth range varies based on surrounding conditions and obstructions like buildings and electronic interference.

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AirTags and Tile Mate verdict While the trackers performed equally well in my lost luggage trial, I think the AirTags are the better product if you want to track your luggage; they provide more updates than the Tile Mate trackers, but you are going to need an iPhone to use them.

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The Best Luggage Trackers, at a Glance
  • The Best Overall Luggage Tracker: Apple AirTag, $29.
  • The Best Budget Luggage Tracker: Tile Mate, $23.
  • The Best Luggage Tag for Android Users: Samsung SmartTag+, $60.
  • The Best Battery-Free Luggage Tag: Dynotag Luggage Tracker, $23.


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Since 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits spare lithium batteries in checked luggage from being stored in an aircraft's cargo unit. That means that most smart suitcases, which are powered by lithium-ion batteries, are deemed fire hazards and not allowed.

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Lufthansa created all sorts of unnecessary confusion after it initially banned AirTags out of concern that they are powered by a lithium battery and could emit radio signals and potentially interfere with aircraft navigation.

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The Federal Aviation Administration has even ruled that having an AirTag in your luggage is permitted and, in fact, not a safety hazard. The devices only contain 0.1 grams of lithium, which falls below the FAA's limit.

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Newer smart luggage tags on the market are a great option for tracking your baggage and protecting against identity theft. Using a safe sensor, your bag can be monitored via a smartphone app. Tags like Dynotag are waterproof, shatterproof, and have no batteries to worry about.

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