Introduction
Some time ago (4 years?) I decided to buy a tracking device. It happened after yet another spat at home when my son/wife/whoever lost keys again. There are many options and right choice is not obvious.
I am in no way partnering with any of the companies and bellow you would find my personal opinion after using some devices for over a year.
Items
Chipolo
This one comes as the first as (so far) this seems the best tracker (though not the best item).
At price between $15 to $25 for one you get a functional device that lasts over 6 months on a single battery.
Relatively strong case, small size and simple battery access. Great battery life. I have seen it to hang only once (works fine after restart). App also shows when and where it was seen last time including device which seen it and those devices (cell phones) can be searched as well. We have crowd search (I can search my keys when within range of my wife's phone... That way once I started search... my wife called me to tell that my keys are with her).
App drains phone battery but only a bit - it is far better than some other apps.
Mi band
Not actually a tracking device but works the best so far. It can last over a year on a single charge (version 1) when in inactive mode (not connected, not tracking). And all thin on a rechargable battery.
But it has only vibration, no speaker, no strong light.
Trackr
Smallest device I have seen so far (though you can get ex. spy things or shop trackers, some with size of dust). Smallest if you are searching for a bluetooth tracker with replaceable battery.
Problem: battery (cr2016) lasts for a few weeks.
Other issues: often disconnecting, difficult to open for battery replacement, fragile.
You would break it within first year of use as replacement of battery is required too often and opening the fragile case is too difficult.
I got 3 or 4 and this expense was a waste of my money.
And it hangs from time to time or disconnects - not a tragedy though. In fact it would be better to say that device stays disconnected but connects very well to phone on demand (and it is easy to press the button while in your pocket). The other way round (phone to device) is not working well.
Cheap Chinese noname device
I have some cheap Chinese devices. Price starts at $2. Battery usually lasts 2 weeks to 2 months. Applications cannot be trusted, often drain battery and are barely usable. Devices can hang.
Often bulky size but large battery can offer better life.
It is a waste of your money.
Summary
I will update this post later on.
Chipolo is the best so far I have seen to find keys, wallet, etc.
Mi band (or amazfit bit) is the best to find your phone.
I have not tried other devices yet.
When seller claims 1 year on a battery...it is often a lie
