Are Tiles Better Than AirTags?
While Tile’s smart tracker has helped people find nearly 1.5 million keys, it has also helped pet owners find 18 turtles. The numbers on Tile’s home page show how smart trackers like Tile and Apple AirTag can save you from instant panic.
Both trackers work the same way: When the tracker attached to your item is within range of your phone’s Bluetooth, you can have the tag play a sound to help you find it. Both can also locate things outside of Bluetooth range using their networks. Tile and AirTag are the most popular Bluetooth trackers today, but which one should you choose? Let’s compare their features, advantages and costs.
Tile vs AirTag: Design and Form Factor
Both smart trackers are compact, lightweight and designed to be discreetly mounted.
Apple offers one type of AirTag. While it has all the elegance of Apple’s regular design, you’re limited to this single form factor for all your tracking needs.
Tiles, on the other hand, are sold in a variety of form factors. You can choose from Tile Mate for keys, Tile Slim for wallets, and Tile Stick for sticking to smaller items like remote controls. You can choose the accessory of your choice.
Winner: Tile
Tile vs AirTag: Compatibility with Your Devices
AirTags are exclusive to Apple devices and let you find things using the Find My network. Pairing with your iPhone is a breeze when you bring them closer.
Tile works great with both iOS and Android, making it more platform independent. Tile detection is also compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, so you can use your voice to find things around the house.
Winner: Tile
Tile vs AirTag: Tracking and Range
Tile and AirTag use Bluetooth for close range detection (100-400 feet). However, AirTags relies on Apple’s vast network of Find Me devices around the world, and more users could give it an advantage.
Tile tracking varies by model. The Tile Pro has an impressive tracking range of 400 feet or 120 meters with Bluetooth. Tile also has a Community Finder feature that allows other Tile users to anonymously find your lost item and the Tile Network securely transmits the information to you through the Tile app.
So, you want to keep an eye on your pet within Bluetooth range or your traveling luggage while traveling? Keep this in mind when choosing between AirTag or Tile.
Winner: AirTag
Tile vs AirTag: Battery Life and Durability
AirTags have a stainless steel body and a user-replaceable battery for easy maintenance. A CR2032 coin cell battery lasts for about a year.
All Tile devices (except Tile Pro) use sealed, non-replaceable batteries that are designed to last at least three years. The Tile Pro uses a CR2032 coin-cell battery that can be replaced by the user after a year. Tile trackers are made of plastic. Although durable, they may be less durable than stainless steel.
AirTag and Tile are IP67 waterproof (they can withstand 1 meter of submersion for 30 minutes) but are not waterproof.
Winner: AirTag
Tile vs AirTag: Security and Privacy
Unwanted tracking has forced Apple to work harder on privacy. Location data and history are never saved to AirTag, and devices that check Apple servers for the location of lost items remain anonymous. All location data is encrypted by default.
Find My will alert you on your iPhone or iPad if there is an unknown AirTag in your luggage or if someone is deliberately tracking you. You can also use Apple’s Tracker Detect app on Android to find lost trackers using the Find My network. Then you can also use Android’s native tracker detection feature . You can also disable unknown AirTags .
Tile has a similar scanning and protection feature to detect unwanted tracking. It works on Android and iOS through the Tile app, and you don’t need an active Tile account to discover nearby tiles.
Tile Anti-Theft Mode is a more advanced anti-tracking feature that hides your belongings from anyone using the Tile detector to stalk you.
Winner: Draw
Tile vs AirTag: Unique Features
You can share AirTag location on iOS 17 with up to five people.
AirTags uses Find My’s advanced precision search technology to help you find your items with virtually step-by-step instructions.
Typical of Apple, AirTag offers accessories like a stylish yet minimalist key fob for an additional cost.
With Tile, you can personalize your trackers with your own images and ringtones to give them a personal touch.
Tile offers subscriptions called Tile Premium and Premium Protect , which includes features such as smart alerts, unlimited data sharing, free battery replacements, product refunds, and an extended warranty.
Winner: Draw
Tile vs AirTag: price
AirTags are available in one version. Apple offers a single AirTag for $29 or a set of four for $99 . Sales are often available on Amazon.
On the other hand, Tile offers a variety of models and colors. From time to time, Tile offers discounts on their site, and you can save a few dollars by purchasing multiple packs.
Tile Stick , Tile’s smallest tracker, fits small devices such as remote controls and retails for $29.99. Meanwhile, the Tile Mate , a slightly larger size and with a keychain cutout, is more affordable at $24.99. The Tile Slim is shaped like a credit card and retails for $34.99. Tile also offers Tile Pro for $34.99 for those looking for a premium option.
Winner: Draw
Which tracker should I buy?
Tile smart trackers were introduced more than a year before Apple’s AirTag and are more versatile in terms of models, device support, and features. Both trackers work well in Bluetooth range.
But usability is really tested when your stuff is out in the open. While Apple relies on its superior Find My network and precision search radar, Tile relies on its Community Find. However, the number of users on both networks favors AirTags. More than a billion people move around the world with Apple devices, while Tile’s 50 million-plus users pale in comparison.
For big-ticket items, Tile’s comprehensive premium service gives you more coverage than a minimalist Apple device.
AirTags may be the best choice for those working in the Apple ecosystem. The user-replaceable battery is a nice plus, especially with Apple devices having a longer lifespan.
However, for Android users, Tile is a better alternative. There are workarounds for AirTag, such as using the Tracker Detect app or another Bluetooth scanner app to track your AirTag using Android, but you will have to do it manually.