In a perfect world, your car keys would never get lost, but sadly, this isn’t always the case. Adding a key finder to your keychain can help alleviate the stress of finding your keys when you need them in a rush. They’re also great for locating lost items or tracking valuables.
Our product review team has rounded up the five best key finders on the market for your convenience. We’ll explore everything from tracking range to locator sounds to help you find the most useful addition to your key ring.
In this article:
- 5 Best Key Finders
- #1 Best Overall: Tile Mate
- #2 Runner-Up: Cube Pro
- #3 Best Upgrade: Tile Pro
- #4 Best Short-Range Tracking: Apple AirTag
- #5 Loudest Key Finder: Chipolo One Spot
- Best Key Finders Buyers Guide
- Our Review Standards
- Frequently Asked Questions
5 Best Key Finders
#1 Best Overall: Tile Mate
For a small Bluetooth key finder, the Tile Mate boasts a big game. Its extensive tracking range of 250.0 ft. allows users to locate it from nearly anywhere. The Mate also has several in-app features and upgrades via the Tile app that improve the tracking experience.
The Tile Mate is currently Amazon’s Choice for Bluetooth trackers, and with almost 6,000 reviews, we can understand why.
Key Features
- Bluetooth range up to 250.0 ft.
- Matte black and matte white options
- Water-resistant
- Up to three years of battery life
- Premium tracking plans available
- One-year warranty
- Android and iPhone compatible
Our Experience
Performing exactly as intended, our review team gave the Tile Mate a 5 out of 5. We loved how well the Mate tracked over both short and long distances. Some of the device’s features were also a pleasant surprise, such as its Lost & Found Function and how the Mate doubled as a phone locator.
- Locating: Within the confines of our parking lot, the Mate was very easy to find. The Tile app told us when our keys were nearby and even provided us with updates when they fell out of range. When our tester accidentally moved too far from the Mate, Tile automatically asked if we wanted to activate the Lost & Found Function. This feature allows for anyone who may have found the Mate to scan its QR code, which would have provided them with our tester’s contact information.
- Sound: The Mate’s ringer is amply loud. We had no trouble hearing it from at least 50.0 ft. away, and the ringer kept repeating until our tester deactivated it manually through the Tile app. Another feature specific to the Mate actually allowed us to find our phone using the Mate. When clicked twice, the Mate caused our phone’s ringtone to automatically activate.
- Value: For around $20, we received all of the basic features of the Mate. Unfortunately, the battery cannot be replaced manually, so a new Tile must be purchased once it dies. Users can upgrade to a Tile Premium plan for around $30 per year to receive smart alerts on their valuables’ locations, free battery replacement, and up to $100 reimbursement for lost items. Premium Protect subscribers receive the same benefits but with up to a $1,000 reimbursement for an annual subscription of around $100.
| Overall Rating | 5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Locating | 5 out of 5 |
| Sound | 5 out of 5 |
| Value | 5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Ratings for the Tile Mate on Amazon are very positive, with almost 6,000 reviews that average 4.6 out of 5 stars. While around 80 percent of these are 5-star reviews, only 3 percent are 1-star. The Tile Mate is Amazon’s Choice for Bluetooth trackers.
Some customers complain that the Mate requires location settings on iPhones to be set to ‘Always Allow,’ which drains their phone batteries faster than expected. Other customers had issues with Tile’s one-year warranty policy not being fulfilled.
What Is It Good For?
We recommend the Tile Mate as a reliable option for anyone who wants one of the best key finders available. It handles distance well and can bring you peace of mind the next time you lose your keys.
#2 Runner-Up: Cube Pro
Similar to the Tile Mate, the Cube Pro offers accurate tracking in a conveniently designed package. Its 200.0-ft. tracking radius makes finding nearby items easy, especially since its locating sound automatically activates when you’re within a few feet of it. And we especially like the Cube’s rugged texture with chrome edges for added drop protection.
Key Features
- Bluetooth range up to 200.0 ft.
- Replaceable battery
- Water resistant
- One-year limited warranty
- One-year battery life
- Android and iPhone compatible
Our Experience
We gave the Cube Pro a 4.8 out of 5 for its reliability and ease of use. It tracked well over short distances while providing a clear location on the Cube app.
- Locating: We had no issues locating the Cube. The Cube app provides an exact location on a map and then the device will start ringing when you’re within less than 10.0 ft. from it. When notifications were turned on, the Cube app gave us updates if the device was moving out of range.
- Sound: The Cube’s ringtone was loud and clear. We were able to immediately tell where the device was ringing from. One thing to note is that the ringer didn’t automatically repeat: It played once when we walked within a certain distance. Users can manually play the ringtone using the Cube app.
- Value: For around $30, the Cube Pro offered all of the essential functions that we expected from a Bluetooth tracker. Its relative breadth of range is lower than we had hoped for this price point, but it made up for this with its pinpoint accuracy on the Cube app.
| Overall Rating | 4.8 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Locating | 5 out of 5 |
| Sound | 5 out of 5 |
| Value | 4.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
The Cube Pro has mixed reviews on Amazon, averaging 3.9 out of 5 stars from over 3,500 reviews. About 55 percent of these are 5-star ratings, and 14 percent of them are 1-star ratings.
Many positive reviews rave about the Cube Pro’s durability. There are also some customers who use their Cube Pro devices on their pets’ collars as personal trackers. Negative reviews claim that the battery life on their devices is low and that their batteries need constant replacing.
What Is It Good For?
If you don’t mind trading off range for durability, then the Cube Pro is worth considering. It offers consistent tracking with a reliable interface that anyone can use, plus the cost won’t break your budget.
#3 Best Upgrade: Tile Pro
The Tile Pro is an upgraded version of the Tile Mate that offers improvements on many of the same features. For example, the Pro can locate up to 400.0 ft. instead of 250.0. It also has a replaceable battery while the Mate doesn’t.
In the line of Tile products, the Tile Pro is a premium key finder. Its streamlined shape and aluminum body can withstand greater damage than Tile’s other trackers. Plus, with the Tile Pro’s relatively small size, users can attach it to keys, backpacks, or even pets without it getting in the way.
Key Features
- Range up to 400.0 ft.
- Replaceable battery
- One-year battery life
- Water-resistant
- Premium subscription available
- Aluminum body
- Android and iPhone compatible
Our Experience
The Tile Pro earned a 4.7 out of 5 for its functionality. It performed similarly to the Tile Mate, except the Pro had some minor locating troubles and a higher price tag without offering many additional benefits. These two factors deducted points in our book.
- Locating: While the Tile Pro was able to be located using the Tile app, the device struggled early on with connectivity issues. It took a few minutes to connect once the device was back in range, but this could be an issue if one’s keys are further than 400.0 ft. away. The Tile app still had a great interface that made tracking a breeze.
- Sound: The Tile Pro had the same ringtone as the Mate. It was loud enough to hear from more than 50.0 ft. away and didn’t stop ringing until we manually deactivated it. Like the Mate, the Tile Pro could also set off our test phone’s ringtone.
- Value: At close to $40, we found the Tile Pro offers almost all of the same features as the Tile Mate. The main difference was range, which was noticeably better for short-distance tracking. Regardless of which device you select, the cost of the premium plan is still the same. This includes benefits like tracking history and increased item reimbursement.
| Overall Rating | 4.7 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Locating | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Sound | 5 out of 5 |
| Value | 4.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
One of Amazon’s Choices for best key finders, the Tile Pro maintains an average review score of 4.6 out of 5. This is from over 2,200 ratings, with just under 80 percent of these being 5-star reviews. Only three percent of customers left a 1-star review of the Tile Pro.
Positive reviews commend the product’s extended range compared to the Mate, as well as its replaceable battery. Negative reviews oppose the Tile Pro’s tracking, which customers claim eats away at their cell phone data when left on for extended periods of time.
What Is It Good For?
If you’re currently using a Tile Mate but want an extra range boost, check out the Tile Pro. It’s an upgrade to its tracking capabilities without having to change brands.
#4 Best Short-Range Tracking: Apple AirTag
The Apple AirTag is more than just the name brand: It has some slick features for iPhone users to enjoy. Precision Tracking is a huge plus, and so is the Lost Mode feature. We like that the AirTag uses the Find My iPhone app, so no extra apps or subscriptions are required if you already have an Apple ID.
But even though the AirTag is decked out with fun features, it’s exclusive to Apple products, and proprietary accessories are required to use the AirTag to its full extent.
Key Features
- Precision Finding locates within a 25.0-ft range
- Replaceable battery
- Water-resistant
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Tracks using Ultra Wideband
- One-year warranty
Our Experience
We awarded the AirTag a 4.5 out of 5 for its remarkable yet exclusive features. Our review team had a blast with the Precision Finding feature and enjoyed how simple the Find My iPhone’s interface was. Unfortunately, the AirTag had some design flaws that made us question its durability, and the device’s incompatibility with non-Apple devices took points away from its versatility.
- Locating: Using Ultra Wideband, the AirTag had no problem showing up on the Find My iPhone app. It had trouble when we tried to connect it over 5G but then connected quickly over WiFi. We were able to ask Siri to give us the AirTag’s location and our test iPhone immediately pulled it up. One thing we noticed was that the AirTag’s Precision Finding didn’t activate until we were within a 25.0-ft. range of the device. When it did activate, it provided us with exact distance and even guiding arrows on where our tag was.
- Sound: The AirTag beeped when we activated the alarm system on the Find My iPhone app. Although the sound didn’t automatically repeat, the iPhone vibrated when within a few feet of the device.
- Value: For close to $30, Apple users reap all of the benefits of the AirTag. It connects to any Apple device with a U1 chip or newer, and Precision Finding works with iPhones 11 and up. Unfortunately, the AirTag is not compatible with Android or Google products. Also, in order to attach the AirTag to anything, you must purchase a separate keychain holder. The AirTag scratches very easily, so don’t expect it to keep its sleek look for very long.
| Overall Rating | 4.5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Locating | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Sound | 5 out of 5 |
| Value | 4 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon ratings are overwhelmingly positive for the Apple AirTag. It maintains an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from over 45,000 reviews. Only three percent of all reviews gave it 1 star, while around eighty-five percent were 5-star ratings.
Many of the positive reviews for the AirTag praise its reliability and long battery life. Some of the negative reviews complain about its limited tracking range. One thing our team especially noticed was how many negative reviews compared the AirTag to the Tile Mate and Tile Pro, favoring the Tile products as the better options.
What Is It Good For?
For those who are loyal to Apple, the AirTag is one of the best key finders on the market. It pairs well with any Apple product and holds its own against competitors. However, for an all-purpose key finder that doesn’t require the cost of accessories, you may want to consider other options.
#5 Loudest Key Finder: Chipolo One Spot
As an alternative to the Apple AirTag, the Chipolo One Spot offers nearly all of the same features for a slightly lower price. It’s an Apple-exclusive key tracker, but other models can be used across various brands.
The speaker on the One Spot is no joke. It sounds up to 120.0 dB, which can be clearly heard from nearly 60.0 ft. away. And the chime on the One Spot repeats, making it very easy to locate.
Key Features
- 120.0-dB speaker
- Replaceable battery
- Water-resistant
- Two-year warranty
- Bluetooth-enabled
- 200.0-ft. range
Our Experience
We gave the Chipolo One Spot a 4.3 out of 5 because it performed the essential functions of a key finder with few additional features. It provided the key’s general location on a map, but that was about it: Other benefits are available with higher models.
- Locating: Because the One Spot works through Find My iPhone, there were no additional apps or subscriptions required. Our tracker showed up clearly on the map. There were no special short-range tracking functions, however, so we had to manually play the One Spot’s alarm to find it.
- Sound: We had no trouble at all locating the One Spot based on sound alone. Its blaring alarm repeated until the device was located.
- Value: The Chipolo One Spot is priced similarly to the AirTag. The main difference is the One Spot can be strung onto a key ring or bag without a separate carrying case, unlike the AirTag.
| Overall Rating | 4.3 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Locating | 4 out of 5 |
| Sound | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Value | 4.5 out of 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Reviews on Amazon are fair for the One Spot. It averaged 4.3 out of 5 stars from roughly 250 reviews. While over 60 percent of these were 5-star ratings, about 10 percent were 1-star.
Most of the top reviews are positive, with customers citing the One Spot as a cheaper alternative to the AirTag. Many claim that the One Spot even has a longer range than the AirTag. A flaw that negative reviews noticed was that the One Spot’s push button did not always work when pressed.
What Is It Good For?
The Chipolo One Spot is a viable alternative to the Apple AirTag but offers fewer short-range tracking features. Non-Apple users should consider the Chipolo Classic, however, as it can work with Apple, Android, and Google products and use Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant for voice activation.
Best Key Finders Buyers Guide
When shopping for a key finder, there are a few things you’ll want to consider.
What Is A Key Finder?
A key finder is a miniature GPS tracker designed to fit on a key fob. It transmits its location back to a user’s receiver to help recover lost or stolen items.
Types Of Key Finders
There are various types of key finders that use different methods of locating:
- Bluetooth key finders connect to your smartphone or smart device. As long as you have your device’s Bluetooth enabled, you can locate your tracker. This connection also goes two ways: you can use your tracking device as a remote control to locate your smartphone.
- Radio frequency key finders use radio signal transmitters to locate your device. These do not require a smartphone or internet connection to use.
- Audible key finders are the least common locators. These key locators come in pairs and will ‘speak’ to each other to find their locations. When one of the devices chirps, the other one will chirp in response if it hears the call.
Key Features
Some of the important features a key finder should possess are:
- Range is essential to the functionality of a key tracker. Most key finders should have a range of anywhere between 150.0 and 200.0 ft. for short tracking purposes. Key finders that rely upon Bluetooth should also be able to provide a general location for your item via a smart device.
- Alarm systems on key finders should be prominent. This helps users locate the key finder when their trackers provide only the general location of a lost item. While exactly how loud it is is a personal preference, it should be loud enough to hear across your house.
- Battery life is essential to a great key finder. Most key finder batteries should last at least a year and ideally be replaceable. Many key finders take CR2032 coin cell batteries, which are inexpensive and can be easily swapped.
Value
Many key finders are priced between $20 and $35 on average. This price will typically get you the device itself and access to any software that it requires for tracking. Some brands offer premium tracking subscriptions that give users information such as last known location, tracking history, and even financial reimbursement for lost or stolen items linked to a tracker.
Our Review Standards
The key finders in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon for top products, looking at factors like Prime shipping eligibility, customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and price.
The five key finders that best met these standards were ordered by our team for testing. We linked all of the devices to one iPhone 12 Pro Max running iOS 15.2. Next, members of our product team hid the devices across our company parking lot in random locations within 200.0 ft. of each other. One team member was asked to locate all of the devices and rate their tracking experiences.
Each key finder was scored based on how well it led the user to its location, how noticeable the locating alarm was, and the overall value for its price. Based on these criteria, each key finder was given a rating out of 5 stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which key finder has the longest range?
The Tile Pro has an extensive 400.0-foot tracking range. Considering the average key finder tops out at around 200.0 feet, the Tile Pro performed exceptionally well in our testing.
How does a key finder work?
A key finder emits a signal back to a receiver so it can be tracked. While some trackers utilize radio frequencies or audible signals, many modern trackers rely on Bluetooth technology to track over long distances.
Can I use a key finder on objects other than keys?
Yes. Although they have “key” in the name, key finders are suitable for locating other items such as backpacks, luggage, and even pets.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
