Tile vs AirTag: Which Bluetooth Tracker Actually Finds Your Stuff?
Based on expert testing, network data, and real user experiences
The short answer: AirTag wins for iPhone users. Apple's Find My network has 1 billion devices vs Tile's 35 million—that's 28x more chances to locate your lost stuff anywhere in the world. Plus AirTag has Precision Finding with directional arrows, no subscription required, and better privacy. Tile only wins if you use Android or need specific form factors like a wallet card. Get Apple AirTag 4-pack on Amazon for $99 →
The Fighters
| Tile Pro | Apple AirTag | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 on Amazon | $29 on Amazon |
| Best For | Android users, mixed households | iPhone users, travel tracking |
| Bluetooth Range | 400 feet | 30-35 feet |
| Network Size | 35 million devices | 1 billion devices |
| Precision Finding | No (general vicinity only) | Yes (directional arrows) |
The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner
We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!
Round 1: Tracking Network Size
This is the most important factor for finding truly lost items. If your tracker is outside Bluetooth range, it relies on other devices in the network to report its location.
Apple's Find My network includes approximately 1 billion devices—every iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch automatically helps locate AirTags. Android Authority confirms this creates "nearly real-time tracking" anywhere AirTags go.
Tile's network? About 35 million devices. That's less than 4% of Apple's network. Reolink notes that "if there is no device around using the Tile network, the location won't be updated."
For luggage tracking, travel, or anything that might genuinely get lost far from home, AirTag's network is simply unbeatable. CNN Underscored states "Apple AirTag is the most reliable because Apple's network is much larger."
| Tile Pro | Apple AirTag |
|---|---|
| 4/10 | 10/10 |
Round 1 Winner: Apple AirTag — 28x larger network means dramatically better odds of finding lost items.
Score after Round 1: Tile 4 | AirTag 10
Round 2: Precision Finding
When you're close to your item, how easily can you pinpoint it?
AirTag uses Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology for Precision Finding. Your iPhone shows an arrow pointing exactly where to walk and tells you the precise distance—like "4 feet away, to your left." Good Housekeeping calls it "a standout feature" for tracking items both near and far.
Tile? No UWB. When searching, you only get "general vicinity"—maybe the couch cushion, maybe under the car seat. You're left wandering and hoping the speaker sound leads you close enough.
eufy confirms: "Apple AirTags can locate with far higher precision than Tile, giving users a much shorter time finding missing items."
| Tile Pro | Apple AirTag |
|---|---|
| 5/10 | 9/10 |
Round 2 Winner: Apple AirTag — Directional arrows beat vague "somewhere over there."
Score after Round 2: Tile 9 | AirTag 19
Round 3: Bluetooth Range (In-Home Use)
Plot twist: Tile wins this round decisively.
AirTag's Bluetooth range is only 30-35 feet. Within your home, that might not cover from the living room to the garage.
Tile Pro reaches up to 400 feet—over 10x farther. Tile Mate and Tile Slim hit 250 feet. Reolink confirms: "Within the Bluetooth range, Tile is the winner. It can turn on alarms up to 400 feet."
For finding keys around your house, Tile's longer range means you'll connect and trigger the sound more reliably. AirTag's short range means you might need to walk closer before it responds.
Tile Pro also has a louder speaker than AirTag, making buried items easier to locate by sound.
| Tile Pro | Apple AirTag |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 5/10 |
Round 3 Winner: Tile Pro — 400 feet of range crushes AirTag's 30 feet for in-home searching.
Score after Round 3: Tile 18 | AirTag 24
Round 4: Compatibility & Ecosystem
AirTag only works with Apple devices. No Android support, period. If anyone in your household uses Android, they can't help find your AirTag or use one themselves.
Tile works with both iOS and Android. It also integrates with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri. For mixed households where some people use iPhones and others use Android, Tile is the only option that works for everyone.
MacRumors notes: "AirTag exclusively supports iOS, whereas Tile seamlessly integrates with both Android and iOS platforms."
However, AirTag's Apple integration is deeper—setup takes seconds, Siri voice commands work seamlessly, and everything lives in the Find My app you already use.
| Tile Pro | Apple AirTag |
|---|---|
| 9/10 | 6/10 |
Round 4 Winner: Tile Pro — Cross-platform compatibility beats ecosystem lock-in.
Score after Round 4: Tile 27 | AirTag 30
Round 5: Privacy & Security
This round is ugly for Tile.
Malwarebytes reported that Tile trackers are "plagued by weak security." The major problem: "trackers broadcast an unencrypted, static MAC address" allowing adversaries to "fingerprint and track a tag indefinitely."
Unlike AirTag and Samsung SmartTags, which rotate both unique identifiers AND MAC addresses, Tile only rotates the unique identifier. Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation stated: "Tile has, historically, been a bad actor in this space."
Tile's anti-stalking features also lag—the app doesn't scan in the background. Users must manually start a scan and keep moving for 10 minutes.
One MacRumors forum user noted: "Tile also sells your info whereas Apple does not. That's a major plus in favour of AirTags for me."
AirTag has its own stalking concerns given the massive network, but Apple's privacy protections (rotating identifiers, unknown tracker alerts on iPhones, eventual sound alerts) are more robust.
| Tile Pro | Apple AirTag |
|---|---|
| 4/10 | 8/10 |
Round 5 Winner: Apple AirTag — Better encryption, no data selling, superior anti-stalking features.
Score after Round 5: Tile 31 | AirTag 38
Round 6: Value & Hidden Costs
At first glance, prices seem similar: AirTag $29, Tile Pro $34.99.
But AirTag has a hidden cost: no attachment point. To use it on keys, you need a keychain holder ($13-40). To use it on luggage, you need a luggage tag. These accessories can double or triple the effective cost.
Tile Pro includes a keyring hole. Tile Slim fits in wallets without an accessory. Tile Sticker has adhesive backing. Most Tile products work out of the box.
However, Tile has its own hidden cost: subscriptions. The Smart Alerts feature (notifying you when you leave something behind) requires Tile Premium at $2.99/month or $29.99/year. AirTag includes this feature free.
Also consider: some Tile models (Mate, Slim, Sticker) have non-replaceable batteries that last 3 years—then you buy a whole new tracker. AirTag and Tile Pro both use replaceable CR2032 batteries lasting ~1 year.
Net result: costs roughly equalize, but Tile's ongoing subscription pushes total cost higher over time.
| Tile Pro | Apple AirTag |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 7/10 |
Round 6 Winner: Apple AirTag — No subscription needed, better long-term value despite accessory costs.
Final Score
| Product | Total Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Apple AirTag | 45/60 | WINNER |
| Tile Pro | 37/60 |
The Winner: Apple AirTag
AirTag wins this Death Match for iPhone users. The billion-device Find My network, Precision Finding with directional arrows, better privacy protections, and no subscription make it the superior tracker for most scenarios.
Rolling Stone summarized it well: "If you have an iPhone, the answer is to get an AirTag. The integration makes setup a breeze, and all controls are found in the Find My app."
The network size difference is decisive. Lost luggage at an airport? AirTag will show you exactly which carousel it's on. Lost Tile at an airport? You might wait hours for another Tile user to walk by—if one ever does.
Yes, you'll need to buy a $15 keychain holder. Yes, Tile has better Bluetooth range for in-home searching. But when items are truly lost—the scenario that matters most—AirTag's massive network and precise tracking deliver.
Ready to buy the winner? Get Apple AirTag on Amazon →
When the Loser Actually Wins
Tile isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:
- You use Android — AirTag literally doesn't work with Android. Tile is your only mainstream option for cross-platform tracking.
- Your household has mixed devices — If some family members use iPhone and others use Android, Tile works for everyone. AirTag leaves Android users out.
- You need specific form factors — Tile Slim slides into wallets without bulk. Tile Sticker adheres to remotes. AirTag is one-size-fits-none without expensive accessories.
- You primarily lose things around the house — Tile Pro's 400-foot Bluetooth range beats AirTag's 30 feet for quickly pinging nearby items.
- You want to find your phone from your tracker — Tile lets you double-press the button to ring your phone. AirTag can't do this.
Tile might be right for you: Check Tile Pro prices on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AirTag work with Android?
No. AirTag requires an iPhone, iPad, or Mac for setup and tracking. Android users cannot use AirTags at all—Tile is the cross-platform alternative.
How far can AirTag track?
Unlimited distance, as long as any Apple device passes near it. The 30-foot Bluetooth range only affects direct connection—the Find My network of 1 billion devices extends tracking worldwide. Users have tracked luggage across continents.
Is Tile's subscription worth it?
Only if you want Smart Alerts (left-behind notifications). Without the $29.99/year subscription, Tile still tracks items—you just won't get proactive alerts. AirTag includes this feature free.
Which is better for tracking pets?
Neither is ideal—both are designed for items, not moving animals. For pets, consider a dedicated GPS pet tracker like Fi or Whistle. If using a Bluetooth tracker on a pet collar, AirTag's larger network gives better odds of spotting a wandering pet.