The best Bluetooth tracker, from AirTag to Tile

polygon.com:

At some point, you’re going to misplace something important, like your beloved Nintendo Switch, or your Steam Deck. And sadly, it’s not possible to remotely track the location of either console, should you lose it. That stinks, but tethering an inexpensive Bluetooth tracker, like the Apple AirTag, or a Tile Mate, to your items could make finding them much easier than mentally retracing your steps. Once you go through the initial step of pairing a tracker to your smartphone or a tablet, you’ll be able to see where your items are hiding by opening an app.

Okay, it’s not always as simple as that. These trackers are most useful within the house, or other places where you can remain within close range of their wireless signal. Because just like Bluetooth controllers and headsets, their wireless range is good, not great.

However, each of the trackers included below defy their signal limitations with an interesting workaround. Bluetooth allows the tracker to anonymously ping other trackers and phones, making up a vast network of interconnected devices that boosts the likelihood of helping you discover lost items. But each network is only as strong as the number of units sold, so our list of trackers are both the best and the most popular models available.

The Tile Mate is easy to recommend for most people. It’s available for a reasonable $24.99 asking price (sometimes less), its non-replaceable battery can last for up to three years, and it has a water-resistant design. It can tap into Tile’s greater network of devices, giving you a fighting chance of getting your lost item back, even if you go outside of the Mate’s 250-foot Bluetooth range. Also, it can work just as well on Android as it can on iPhone — the same can’t be