News Beat
The best Bluetooth trackers and pet GPS trackers of 2025
If you lose whatever object your Tile is attached to, all you need to do is tap ‘find’ in the Tile app. The company searches for it using other Tile users’ phones to give you an approximate location. In testing, the app told me that there were 2,659 devices within half an hour of me in all directions, which is an increase from the 1,400 when I tested the previous model last year.
I’ve been reliant on a Tile Mate for 12 months and the newer 2024 model is serving me better than its predecessor ever did. As soon as the network finds the tag, the app uses Google Maps to direct me to where the tracker was last ‘seen’. It all stays anonymous, although the app does let you ping the ‘finder’ a little thank you when their device leads to successfully recovering your item.
Being able to ring the tag from my Amazon Alexa device or my phone whenever it’s out of sight is incredibly useful and it now works from up to 105m away, which is an increase from the 76m range of the previous version. You can also change the ringtones if you find the default beeps as annoying as I did.
This newer Tile Mate comes in a range of six colours and my ‘green surf’ model makes it look more like a lifestyle accessory and less of a techy gadget. Despite its playful appearance, it’s all business inside, with a louder ring, a new SOS alert button function and, for the privilege, an increased price.
It’s a bit of a jump but is one I would still happily pay for, with the SOS button being a particularly neat new feature. So long as you have the Life 360 App installed (as well as the Tile app), all you need to do is triple-press the clicker, which alerts your pre-selected family ‘circle’ of contacts. It then displays an approximation of your location. This service is free, but you can choose to upgrade to a Gold Membership for £9.99, where three clicks also alerts the emergency services.
The Tile app is still straightforward to use, displaying all of my Tile devices on a single page, with customisable names and pictures for each. I have ‘cat’, ‘wallet’ and ‘car’ on mine, as well as ‘spare car key’ and ‘backpack’. I also like that it has a QR code on the back, so if the fob is lost for a longer period of time, any potential finders can scan it to receive your details so that they can return your lost property to you, even if they don’t have the app.
My only gripe is that I wish Tile would alert me when I leave items behind. It will, but only if I pay £2.99 for the Premium service. Other trackers offer the service for free.
Alternative option: Tile Slim
If space is more limited, the card-shaped Tile Slim (£29.99) can be slipped easily into your wallet. The new 2024 model is slightly slimmer than its predecessor, though it’s worth noting that it’s not as compact (and more expensive) than the Chipolo listed below.
Key specifications
- Battery life: Up to three years, non-replaceable
- Works with: Android and iOS
- Waterproof: IP68 (can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes)
- Anti-stalking features: Scan and Secure feature will search for other Tiles travelling with you
