Chipolo vs. Tile: Which tracker works best for you? - Chipolo (2024)

If you're the type of person who’s constantly looking for their keys, wallet, or phone, you're not alone.

Most of us struggle to keep track of things like our keys, wallets, phones, sunglasses, and umbrellas when we move from one place to the next throughout the day.

While our memory capacity has stayed the same for the past few thousand years, the amount of information our brain deals with has increased exponentially.

For those of us who struggle with forgetfulness, Bluetooth trackers have emerged as a game-changer.

Because of their small size, Bluetooth trackers can be attached to a wide range of items, from bags to toys and even pet collars.

So which Bluetooth tracker works best for you?

The basic functionalities of Bluetooth trackers are mostly the same. The main feature is the ability to ring your Bluetooth tracker, see it’s last known location on a map in the accompanying app, the option to ring your phone and separation alerts.

Let’s compare the specs of 2 of the best-known brands on the Bluetooth tracker market, the Chipolo, and the Tile, to help you decide.

Chipolo Bluetooth trackers can generally be divided into two categories.

Chipolo finders can help you find misplaced things around your home and Chipolo trackers that can also help you find things when they get lost somewhere far away.

Find misplaced things around your home

Chipolo ONE key finders and Chipolo CARD wallet finders for the Chipolo app.

These Chipolo key and wallet finders work both on Android phones and iPhones and offer a range of extra finding features, all designed to help you find your misplaced things as quickly as possible.

This means no more late mornings, backtracking your steps, or added stress to your already busy day.

You can also ring your misplaced phone even when it’s on silent (and on Android devices even flash the flashlight!), get separation alerts when you leave your things behind, and share your Chipolo Bluetooth finder with other Chipolo users through the Chipolo app.

Find things when they get lost far away

Chipolo ONE Spot key trackers and Chipolo CARD luggage trackers for the Chipolo app

Hundreds of millions of iPhones are part of the Apple Find My network that allows you to crowdsource the location of the lost item the Spot is attached to. This is where the Chipolo Spot trackers really come in handy.

If your keys, wallet, or luggage are out of Bluetooth range, the Apple Find My app on your iPhone can anonymously tap into the vast Find My network of iPhone users and help you locate your lost belongings.

No more worrying if your luggage made it to your destination, you can just check on your iPhone!

Like Chipolo, Tile finders are also Bluetooth-enabled tracking devices that help people find their lost things.

Models

Tile offers a variety of models like the Tile Mate, Tile Slim, Tile Pro, and Tile Sticker. Each model is designed for specific use such as attaching to keys, slipping into wallets, or sticking onto valuable items like laptops.

Battery

The battery type and battery life depend on the model of the Tile finder you choose. Apart from Tile Pro, which has a 1-year lifespan and a replaceable battery, all other Tile trackers boast a 3-year lifespan, but their battery cannot be replaced. With Tile Mate, Tile Slim, and Tile Sticker, you need to buy a new Tile after 3 years, when the battery dies.

Android and iOS compatibility

The Tile app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, making Tiles accessible to a wide range of users.

While Chipolo finders work with either the Chipolo app or Apple Find My app, depending on the model, Tile finders work exclusively with the Tile app and are restricted to the Tile community, when it comes to finding lost items through a network of other users.

If you plan to use your Bluetooth finder to help you find your misplaced car keys or phone around your home, you should have no trouble doing that through the Tile app.

If you like the idea of a Bluetooth tracker that can also help you find your lost wallet or misdirected luggage, the best possible solution here would be a Bluetooth tracker that works with the Apple Find My app.

Both Chipolo and Tile are established brands with reliable Bluetooth trackers.

Both come with a ring function to help you locate nearby items, and both offer separation alerts, notifying you if you move away from your belongings. Which one you pick depends on your individual preferences and how well the features of each tracker align with your needs.

What will you be using the tracker for determines the best form factor.

For example, will you be finding your keys or your wallet? Do you want to use the item finder to find things when they hide nearby, or are you looking for something that will help you find your valuables when they get lost somewhere far away?

If the concept of a large user community helping to locate lost items appeals to you, Chipolo Spot’s connection to the Apple Find My network might be a deciding factor.

While all the finding features in the Chipolo app and the Apple Find My app are completely free for all users, Tile has a limited free plan and you might have to pay a subscription for some of its features, so make sure to check before you buy.

There are also a few differences when it comes to the trackers themselves.

Shape is the most obvious one, but the one you should pay attention to is the battery type. With Chipolo, only the credit-card-shaped wallet trackers have a non-replaceable battery, and with Tile that varies from tracker to tracker. Another difference is the colors of the trackers. Both companies offer a selection of colors, and Tile additionally offers a handful of special prints as well.

Ultimately, both brands offer reliable Bluetooth trackers backed by more than a decade of development, and choosing one or the other depends on your specific needs and what finding features matter the most to you.