Bluetooth trackers have become popular with travellers, I put a leser-known brand to the test on a recent flight to Milan
I tried a lesser-known Bluetooth device to keep tabs on my luggage during my holiday, and it’s more affordable than an AirTag.
Losing your luggage on a much-anticipated holiday, particularly when going to a different country, is a nightmare no one wants to experience. A concern which has arguably boosted the demand for trackable Bluetooth gadgets like the renowned Apple AirTag.
However, Apple’s popular coin-sized tracker isn’t the only game in town. As a tech editor, I’ve tried with several alternatives, including Tile, Samsung’s SmartTag, and Chipolo.
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During a recent holiday, I decided to put Chipolo’s CARD Spot to the test. Its slim design, like a bank card, is perfect for slipping into a wallet, passport, or ID, similar to the Tile by Life360 or Eufy SmartTrack Card – though I opted to place it in my suitcase pocket for tracking during my flight.
It comes with a catch, though, as it operates solely on Apple’s Find My network, not its own app. Priced at £21 in the sale, the CARD Spot boasts features that set it apart from the AirTag and Tile pack. However, if you’re an Android user, this gadget won’t be suitable as it lacks compatibility.
Chipolo CARD Spot
The Chipolo CARD Spot is an alternative to the usual round-shaped Bluetooth trackers like AirTags. Its thin, card-like design can easily be slipped into wallets and passports.
Chipolo has since launched the more adaptable Card One Point, compatible with Google’s Find My Device Network. One of the standout features for me was the straightforward set-up process. It’s as simple as opening the Find My App on your iPhone and syncing the Chipolo card by pressing the loud buzzer.
I also personalised it by naming it and choosing a symbol to distinguish it from my other gadgets. Another advantage is that it doesn’t require additional storage space on your mobile with an app download, as it operates through my existing Apple ID.
Tracking the Chipolo gadget is also a breeze, as everything is managed through the iOS Find My App as usual. Any iPhone that comes within the tracker’s range can anonymously report its location, which can then be displayed on the map as its ‘last seen location’.
Alerts are sent when an iPhone moves out of range, and it sends notifications to the synced iPhone. The CARD Spot also features a loud alarm for locating items nearby.
This particular feature beats both the Tile and AirTag I’ve previously used. However, in terms of versatility, the Tile by Life360 Slim outperforms Chipolo as it is compatible with both Apple and Android devices.
The battery life of the Chipolo CARD Spot is a bit of a mixed bag. It lasts up to two years, however, once it depletes, it can’t be replaced, which is a drawback of the product that brands like Apple and Samsung have addressed.
Both the AirTag and Samsung SmartTag batteries can be replaced. The inability to share the tracker with family members who use Android devices, coupled with this, is certainly a letdown.
However, Chipolo does offer a Recycle and Renew programme for users who return their device, but only when they respond to a reminder from Chipolo.
Despite these drawbacks, I would still recommend Chipolo’s CARD Spot to iPhone users as a more affordable alternative to the modest Apple AirTag, especially if you can snag it at the current sale price of £21. It’s straightforward to set up, reliable, and its tracking capabilities are nearly identical to the AirTag in the iPhone Find My App.
In my opinion, it demonstrates that you don’t always need to purchase another Apple product to pair with your iPhone – there are good alternatives out there.