We’ve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Always know where your suitcase winds up.
Traveling always comes with its mishaps, and now more than ever, there's no greater gamble than a checked bag. In fact, one airline recently chartered an entire flight filled with only luggage to return 1,000-plus lost bags. That's just a sliver of the 684,000 bags mishandled this year, according to Air Travel Consumer Reports published by the Department of Transportation. So, skip the guessing game and the panicked dash to the closest airline kiosk by stashing luggage trackers in your belongings.
A luggage tracking device can fill in the blanks on where your lost items may be. They work by utilizing tech like GPS, Bluetooth or WiFi (depending on the tracker) to locate an item: "A GPS tracker taps into a global satellite system that uses microwave signals to help track down the precise location of where the unit is in real time," says Good Housekeeping Institute Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman. Other trackers use Bluetooth, so they have to be in relatively close proximity to the paired device or, in some cases, within range of other Bluetooth devices in the network. It's not exactly a foolproof measure — your luggage can still get lost — but knowing exactly where it ended up should give you some relief.
We at the Good Housekeeping Institute found the best luggage trackers worth stowing away in your suitcase. Our picks include tags that our Lab pros have tried over time and during our quest to find the best key finders.
Stick around after our picks to learn more about important features to look for in a luggage tracker, plus more info on how we tested and made our top recommendations. Need more help packing for your next trip? Check out our guides to the best luggage brands, best smart luggage and best carry-on luggage.
Reliability and accuracy go hand in hand with the Apple AirTag. It's compact and lightweight, so you can track a host of things you often misplace, from keys to backpacks to, of course, luggage. Our GH experts also like that the battery is easily replaceable. Of course, it's designed for those in the Apple ecosystem, so it's not ideal if you have an Android or other device.
Simply set up your AirTag on your iPhone or iPad's Bluetooth with one tap, then listen for the pinging from the AirTag's built-in speaker to guide you to your belongings. Apple has not specified its exact Bluetooth range, but it's believed that each AirTag supports Bluetooth 5.0, which means it should be trackable within 800 feet. You can also track the device in real-time by following it in the Find My network. Activate Lost Mode for notifications when it is in range or has been located by the Find My network. Your AirTag will ping off of nearby Apple devices to gauge its location, so you can still track your bag if it ends up miles away. You can also input your phone number and email so that if someone finds a lost AirTag, they can tap it using their iPhone to display your contact info.
Another classic Bluetooth tracker, Tile's item finder earned the top spot in our best key finder tests for its ability to track your personal items up to 400 feet. For items that haven't trekked too far in the airport, it sounds off 80 decibels according to our Lab tests, so you’ll be sure to hear it. It syncs up with Google Assistant so you can ask your smart speaker to locate your Tile for you. Like the AirTag, it also boasts a one-year lifespan before you should replace the battery. As a bonus, its water resistance means you can stress less about it short-circuiting from liquids. Download the Tile app to pinpoint when and where you left something behind. The Community Find option will notify you when any phone with the Tile app is in proximity to your Tile, allowing you to pinpoint your lost item even if it's out of range. This set of four means you can track the whole family's bags.
A bit of an upgrade from a smart tag, this GPS tracker lets you eye your personal belongings in real-time. There's no shortage of ways to keep your luggage on your radar: the LandAirSea app and website let you receive text and email alerts while tracking the device’s location on Google Maps. It also keeps a log of where the tag's been, so you can retrace its steps like how long it idled in one place. Though we haven't tested this one in our Lab, we appreciate the GPS technology for large areas of coverage and accuracy. One Amazon reviewer named it one of the best Android-compatible GPS trackers they've used, calling it "user friendly" and praising its accuracy. They added that it gave them peace of mind about their valuables during connecting flights within the US.
Stash this pocket-sized GPS luggage tracker in your valuables for your next trip abroad. Its real-time tracking capabilities and included international SIM card work for unlimited distances, perfect for a queue of connecting flights overseas. With over 20,000 five-star ratings, Amazon reviewers praise its live tracking via Google Street View and its app alerts that let you know when it crosses a Geo boundary you set, has a low battery and more. Though we haven't tested this pick in the Lab, we appreciate that it works with WiFi when indoors and GPS satellites when outdoors. Once you start tracking your bag, Tracki offers about five days of real-time tracking before it needs another charge. Without real-time tracking, the brand claims its battery spans 30 to 75 days using the battery save mode, and you can still check your bag's location here and there.
OK, so it's not a true GPS tracker, but Dynotag's smart ID is a major step up from typical luggage tags. The tag displays a custom QR code that lets the owner register their contact info, including a name, phone number and address, in case a fellow traveler finds it. Worried about your info falling into the wrong hands? Every time the QR code is scanned, it automatically notifies the owner via email and includes the scanner's IP address. The website also asks the person for their location info for easier communication. We haven't tried this pick in the Lab yet, but we like that several Amazon reviewers highlighted its easy setup and durability. Its sturdy stainless construction ensures it won't be easily ripped off when chucked underneath the airplane.
Our Good Housekeeping Institute engineers regularly test the latest and greatest tech like fitness trackers and even dog GPS trackers, so you know what's really worth the investment based on your needs. We haven't formally tested this category, but our recommendations come from a combination of one-off GPS tracker tests by our experts, previous testing from our Lab's best key finders guide and picks from highly rated online reviews.
In our test for key finders, we tried some in our Lab and sent others to consumer testers for real user feedback. We logged dozens of hours with these trackers, collecting hundreds of data points including the length of the tracking range, the loudness of the alerts according to a decibel reader, the ease of replacing the batteries and how easy it was to use the apps.
✔️ Battery type: Some GPS trackers use rechargeable batteries that only last a few days before needing to be plugged in, while others come with replaceable batteries that can last well over a year, Rothman says. If you're on a longer excursion, invest in one with a long battery life.
✔️Compatibilities: "It’s ideal to look for a tracker with a couple of complimentary technologies being used," Rothman says. "That way, no matter where in the world your luggage winds up, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can track it down!" For those that only use Bluetooth, you’ll have to be in close proximity, so it’s less advantageous for luggage tracking and better suited to finding a set of lost keys in your house. Some use Bluetooth and WiFi or tap into larger Bluetooth device networks to offer more coverage, as is the case with AirTag and Tile. Those with GPS offer large areas of coverage and more accuracy but can easily be obscured indoors.
✔️ Subscription fees: Many tracking devices offer basic features free of charge, but some offer premium features like GPS tracking or real-time location services with a monthly subscription. Make sure the device you choose comes with the functionality you want before you commit to a subscription plan.
✔️ Size: Luggage trackers come in a few standard sizes, and none are particularly large (think a credit card size in terms of length and width), Rothman says. Some are smaller and can double as a keychain attachment or tuck nicely into a pocket so it stays hidden. The best tracker for you depends upon how versatile you want it to be: If it will be solely for luggage, a bit larger is likely fine, but if you want to use it for keys and wallets, too, you might want to look for a smaller form.
Know that the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) approves of navigation GPS devices in both carry-on and checked luggage. However, keep in mind that there are no detailed guidelines on specific TSA-approved luggage tracker models in this category, so the TSA agent at your designated security checkpoint has the authority to make any final approval on whether the item is allowed.
As Good Housekeeping's Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director, Rachel Rothman oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all labs. During her 14 years with the Institute, the self-described Gadget Girl has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement. She ran the testing of the above Lab-recommend picks and lent her expertise on GPS trackers to this guide. Associate Product & Reviews Editor Jacqueline Saguin teamed with Rothman and vetted popular online reviews to round up all the above luggage tracker picks. She regularly collaborates with the Labs to synthesize its data in putting together product reviews on the best products, according to testing.