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If you’re looking for the best key finders to secure valuable items (or even pets), look no further than this list. These days, more manufacturers offer multi-featured keys for every person who wants peace of mind when it comes to keeping track of their items. Whether they’re shaped like a square or circle, you’ll be sure to find the best key finders from various brands, all offering different unique features at several price points.
The new 2022 version of Tile Mate has revamped its features to keep up with the times. This key finder can be found using Bluetooth with a 250-feet range, but it can also be tracked via a location on a map if it’s outside the Bluetooth range. Usually, the Tile Mate can be attached to a key ring (along with a key) and you can use your phone to track the Tile if the key goes missing. However, you can also use the Tile Mate button to look for your phone. Pressing the button on the Tile Mate makes your phone ring, even on Silent mode. Ideal for putting on valuables like keys, backpacks, purses, toys, and medical supply kits, this key finder measures a small 1.49 x 1.49 inches. At the back of the tile is a QR code where your contact information is stored. The person who finds the tile can simply scan the QR code to get in touch with the owner. The Tile Mate is compatible with both Android and iOS as well as voice assistants like Google, Alexa, and Siri. It has an IP67 rating, which means it’s waterproof. It comes with a battery that is said to last for up to three years.
Two-way finding functionBudget-friendlyWider range than previous modelApp is easy to use
Non-replaceable battery
An upgrade from the Tile Mate, the Tile Pro has a wider range (400 feet) and a replaceable battery. While the Tile Mate is square, the Tile Pro sports a sleek, rectangular shape with rounded corners, and measures 2.32 x 1.32 x 0.3 inches. Like the Tile Mate, it is water-resistant and has the two-way find function for tracking your phone. Why go with the Tile Pro then? The Tile Pro is great if you want a wider range of Bluetooth connectivity, which is 400 feet, as compared to Tile Mate’s 250 feet. You would also need the Tile Pro if you want a replaceable battery. Users of the Tile Pro also report a louder ring than the Tile Mate, which means you can hear it from another room. If this is an important feature to you, then the Tile Pro is the better choice, despite the higher price point.
Wider Bluetooth range (400 feet)Replaceable batteryLouder sound
Pricier than other similar key finders
For people with iPhones and iPads, the Apple AirTag is a no-brainer. Cheaper than the Tile Mate, the AirTag delivers a wider range with Ultra-Wideband technology instead of Bluetooth. This tiny round key finder measures 3.27 x 0.47 x 4.09 inches and is IP67-rated (water and dust resistant). It has a user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery that’s expected to work for up to a year. Setup is fairly easy using the Find My app in iOS. Finding your lost item with the AirTag is super easy with Precision Finding. However, Precision Finding is only available for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. As a personal touch, you can customize an AirTag with an emoji, which is free but will require more time to ship. There are also AirTag holders available from Apple and other vendors like Belkin if you want to add a hole to attach a keyring as the key finder alone does not have this option.
AffordableAccurate location findingUses Ultra Wide band technologyReplaceable battery
No hole for key ringProne to dents and scratches
Android and Samsung phone users have the option to go for the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Plus. The SmartTag can be used by Android phone users (even if it’s not Samsung) using Bluetooth within a 120-meter range. This key finder measures 1.54 x 1.54 x 0.39 inches, is water-resistant and has a replaceable coin battery that should last up to six months. If you own a Samsung Galaxy device with Ultra Wide band technology (Android 11 and higher), you can find a lost item even outside of the Bluetooth range via the SmartThings app and Samsung’s Galaxy Find Network. Another impressive feature for users who own a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 2, is the use of augmented reality (AR) to lead you to where your lost item is. AR Finding, as Samsung calls it, shows a glimmering green light on the phone’s screen, showing where the tagged item is.
Great for Samsung Galaxy usersEasy to use appOff-range findingAugmented reality locator
Limited features for non-Samsung devicesShort battery life
For people who prefer to have a key finder that works with Android or iOS phones, the Cube Pro is one of the best key finders. It has a Bluetooth range of 200 feet and works out of range with the last-known location on a map. The Cube Pro weighs 12 grams and measures 1.62 x 1.62 x 0.19 inches, with a ridged surface and a hole for attaching to a key ring. It’s waterproof with an IP67 rating. Similar to the Tile Pro and Tile Mate, the Cube Pro can also be pressed to find the paired phone or device, making it ring, flash, or vibrate, even if the Cube app is not running. One feature that’s unique to the Cube Pro is the separation alarm, which reminds you if you’ve forgotten to take the item attached to the key finder as you are walking out of your house or any other location.
Separation alarmWorks for both Android and iOSTwo-way find function
Heavier than other key finders
The Esky key finder offers great value for its low price. For under $20, you get one transmitter and four receivers. Each receiver is color-coded, so you can press the corresponding color on the transmitter to find it. All four receivers come with CR2032 batteries, but the transmitter needs two 1.5V AAA batteries, which are not included. The Esky key finders can be tracked as far as 131 feet in open space using advanced radiofrequency technology. This allows the transmitter to find the receivers even through thick walls and other obstacles within a home. What’s even more appealing about the Esky is that there’s no need for a phone since it’s not dependent on WiFi or Bluetooth. With this key finder, you rely on the transmitter to find your items instead of using a phone or an app. For families who are not too tech-savvy, the Esky key finder system is a suitable choice.
Excellent rangeUses radio frequencyNo need for apps or phonesGet four key finders for the price of one
No way to tell if battery is low or dead
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