The Tile (starting at $24.99) might have a sleek new design, but its functionality is largely the same as it has been. You can easily attach it to keys or other items, and its low weight won't drag you down. It's compatible with both Android and iOS devices and has a network of over 70 million users, but its location information isn't as precise or up to date as that of competing Bluetooth trackers. The $29 Apple AirTag and the $29.99 Samsung SmartTag 2 are better options for iPhone and Galaxy smartphone owners, respectively, because both support broader location networks and ultra-wideband technology, which makes them much easier to find.

Design: Clean, Thin

The Tile is part of a new 2024 Tile lineup that also includes the $34.99 Tile Pro, with a longer range; the $29.99 Tile Slim, meant for wallets; and the $24.99 Tile Sticker, which can be attached to all sorts of items. These are the first trackers released by Tile since Life360 bought the company in 2021. Life360 is primarily known for its location app that helps you keep tabs on family members.

The Tile has the same general design as the previous model; it's a rounded plastic square, but slightly more refined. It is available in Aqua Lemon, Black, Green Surf, Navy Blaze, Pink Punch, or White. Unusually, pricing depends on which color you choose. The Black and White models cost $24.99, while the color options are more at $27.99.

The front of the Green Surf Tile we received for review has a matte, two-tone look with a shiny concave button in the center and the Tile brand in the bottom right corner. An almond-shaped hole in one corner allows you to attach the Tile to a keychain. Tile says the hole is larger on this model to better accommodate keyrings. The back features three speaker holes, a QR code, a website address, and a battery label. I expected the web address to lead to something useful, like a form or a way to contact the owner; instead, it takes you to a list of patents awarded to Tile.

(Credit; Iyaz Akhtar)

The Tile measures 1.5 by 1.5 by 0.25 inches (HWD) and weighs 0.32 ounces, which is similar to the previous model (1.5 by 1.5 by 0.30 inches, 0.28 ounces). You won't notice the weight on your keys, nor will your pet notice it on their collar. For comparison, the AirTag measures 1.26 inches in diameter and weighs 0.39 ounces, and the Galaxy SmartTag 2 measures 2.0 by 1.13 by 0.25 inches and weighs 0.49 ounces.

The Tile almost feels flimsy, but the tracker has little flex except at the center button. It has an IP68 rating, which means it is impervious to dust and can be submerged in water. The internal battery lasts for three years but is sealed within the tracker and cannot be replaced. You can replace the battery of the costlier Tile Pro. For comparison, the AirTag's battery lasts about one year and is replaceable.

Tracking: How the Tile Network Works

Tile devices use the Tile Network and Bluetooth for location information. Even though Tile is owned by Life360, a Life360 account isn't necessary to use a Tile device. The tracker hardware communicates with devices running either the Tile app or the Life360 app. The company says location updates are automatic and anonymous. Tiles are not tracked in real time, however, and location data is recorded intermittently and only when a Tile passes near a device with the Tile or Life360 app. The Tile does not feature ultra-wideband, so exact tracking (down to several feet) is not possible.

In comparison, Apple uses its Find My network, which employs Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, and other Apple products for location data. Essentially, if an iPhone passes near your AirTag, it will record the location, and you can see detailed AirTag information. Samsung's SmartTag 2 uses its own SmartThings Find network powered by Galaxy devices, Bluetooth, and ultra-wideband. Both Apple and Samsung take advantage of augmented reality with their tracking apps, giving you visual cues to expedite the last steps of your search.

Keep in mind that a tracker is only as good as its network. Life360 says it has over 70 million users and that one in nine families uses the Life360 app. For comparison, Apple's Find My Network is made up of hundreds of millions of Apple devices, and Samsung boasts more than 200 million devices in its SmartThings Find service.

Setup: Fast and Easy

Tile trackers work with Android and iOS devices, unlike the iOS-specific AirTag and the Galaxy-only SmartTag 2. We tested the Tile using the Tile Android app on a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)

The setup process is simple and straightforward. The directions include a QR code that takes you to the Tile website, where you download the free Tile app, which guides you the rest of the way.

You are prompted to create a free Tile account and grant the app location, push notifications, and unrestricted battery use permissions (to prevent the app from entering sleep mode). Press the Tile button to initiate the quick pairing process and then fill in details about the Tile, such as a name and icon.

(Credit: Tile/PCMag)

The app prompts you to subscribe to Tile Premium ($3 per month or $30 annually) and Tile Premium Protect ($99 per year). Tile's subscription plans offer the same features, including 30 days of location history and Smart Alerts that let you know when you leave the Tile behind. Premium offers up to $100 in reimbursement for a lost item, while Premium Protect covers up to $1,000. Both Tile subscriptions are optional. The Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag offer Smart Alert-like functionality for free.

Alternatively, you can use the Tile with the Life360 app. Many features are duplicated between the Tile and Life360 apps, but Life360 offers an exclusive feature that lets you configure your tracker to send a discreet SOS signal to select people by triple-pressing the Tile button. The SOS feature provides peace of mind and could be useful. I would prefer this feature to be available in the Tile app as well.

Finding the Tile

The Tile can officially track a device up to 350 feet away via Bluetooth, but I didn't see anything close to that range in testing.

For example, I placed the Tile at one end of a small apartment and went to the opposite end. I opened the app and selected the Tile to locate it. At approximately 35 feet, the app could not locate the Tile and only offered to notify me when it was found. I then moved to within 20 feet of the Tile. At this distance, a different screen popped open that said the device was Nearby and offered to Find it. Tapping Find caused the tracker to chime while the app displayed Signal Strength. When walking toward the Tile, the Signal Strength increased from Strong to Very Strong, denoted by text and green rings.

(Credit: Tile/PCMag)

Finding the Tile became easier once I could hear its loud chime, though the app didn't point me to its exact location. The Mate reached 90.9dB at 6 inches, which is louder than the AirTag's 78.3dB and the SmartTag 2's 65.7dB. However, those trackers provide more granular location information by delivering distance details in feet, along with directions denoted by arrows.

I also tested the Tile outdoors with an assistant who carried the tracker to various locations within about a city block of me. Checking the app, I saw the Notify Me When Found option, which means the Tile isn't in range. Tapping Location History shows the last known location on a map along with a button to View 30-Day History, which takes you to the subscription signup page.

I blindly walked around seeking the Tile and received no notifications for 30 minutes. I was hoping the Signal Strength meter would appear at some point, but I had no luck. I broke down and asked my assistant for an approximate location. I only received the Found notification after I started walking toward him and came within shouting distance—much closer than 350 feet.

(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)

I then switched phones and retested. Life360 says any device with the Tile or Life360 apps installed can help refresh the Tile device's location, and that bore out in testing. Once I added a second device to help determine location, notifications arrived within 30 minutes to an hour.

There are other ways to find a Tile device. If someone locates the Tile and scans the QR code embedded on the back, they are taken to a website where they can contact you (if you've shared those details with Life360).

Based on testing, the Tile's limited Bluetooth range and overall operation make it a better fit for items that rarely leave a single location, like a home or office. Once you are within range, you can rely on the audible chirp to help find it. Since location data is not updated in real time, the information can be ambiguous or outdated. I always had to rely on the audio alert to find the Tile.