What is a good GPS tracker for luggage?

Here's a look at some of the best luggage trackers on the market, so you can prepare yourself for the 2023 holiday travel rush.
  • Best Tested. Apple AirTags. Apple AirTags, 4 Pack. ...
  • Eufy SmartTrack Link. Amazon. ...
  • Tile Pro. Amazon. ...
  • Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2. Amazon. ...
  • Tracki GPS Tracker. Amazon. ...
  • AirBolt GPS Tracker. AirBolt.




In 2026, the "gold standard" for luggage tracking isn't actually a GPS tracker in the traditional sense, but rather Bluetooth-based tracking tags like the Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag2. While "GPS" trackers require a cellular subscription and a large battery, these tags utilize a massive network of nearby smartphones to relay their location to the owner. The Apple AirTag is widely considered the best for travelers because it leverages the "Find My" network of millions of iPhones globally, providing incredibly accurate location updates even when your bag is in the belly of an airport in a different country. For Android users, the Samsung SmartTag2 or Tile Pro are excellent alternatives with long battery lives and loud ringers to help you locate a bag in a crowded pile. These devices are officially permitted by airlines because they use tiny CR2032 batteries that don't pose a fire risk. Placing one of these in a hidden pocket of your suitcase provides immense peace of mind, allowing you to see if your bag actually made it onto the plane before you even take off, potentially saving hours of stress at the baggage carousel.

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Frequency of travel: If you only travel once or twice a year, a luggage tracker may not be worth the investment. However, if you travel frequently, a luggage tracker can provide peace of mind and save you time and hassle if your luggage gets lost or stolen.

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Barely the size of a quarter, the Apple AirTags have become one of the most popular luggage trackers since its debut in 2021, in part because it doesn't require a subscription like other luggage trackers do.

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In addition to placing an AirTag in checked luggage, consider placing an AirTag in your carry-on bag. For carry-on bags, you can turn on the Notify When Left Behind option to alert you if you're separated from your carry-on bag — such as leaving it in the lounge or on board the plane when disembarking.

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However, Apple AirTags have perhaps found the most unexpected success in tracking luggage, particularly after a few high-profile airline operational meltdowns. AirTags are a relatively cheap and easy way to keep tabs on your luggage, making them a helpful accessory for Apple-owning travelers.

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Luggage trackers use Bluetooth and GPS signaling to relay the location of the device back to a phone or tablet. Even if you're thousands of miles away, the tracker can usually display a location on a map on your device, which is particularly useful if your luggage gets lost in transit.

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The main reason AirTags are such effective location trackers—and why an iPhone user should choose them over a Tile device, especially when traveling internationally—is because AirTags leverage Apple's extensive Find My network, which has far more users than the Tile network.

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Can I put a GPS luggage tracker in my luggage? The FAA says baggage location tracking devices are permitted as long as they meet one of the following limitations: The luggage tracker lithium cannot exceed 0.3 grams.

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The FAA allows AirTags on U.S. flights. Most airlines in other countries do as well, but you would have to check with the airline to confirm. That being said, most international travelers do not really check with the airline, and the airlines are aware of this.

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