Losing your keys, wallet, or other important possessions can be incredibly frustrating. Luckily, Bluetooth trackers provide an easy way to find misplaced items using your smartphone. Two popular options are the Atuvos Bluetooth tracker and the Apple AirTag.
But which one is better? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the Atuvos vs AirTag to help you decide which Bluetooth tracker best fits your needs and budget.
Overview of Atuvos and AirTag
Atuvos and AirTag are both small, coin-sized Bluetooth trackers that can attach to your belongings like keys, wallets, backpacks, etc. They work by pairing with a smartphone app to pinpoint the location of your item.
Here’s a quick rundown of each device:
Atuvos Bluetooth Tracker
- Pairs with Apple’s Find My app
- Loud 90 dB speaker
- User-replaceable CR2032 coin battery (1 year battery life)
- IP67 water resistant
- Press button to turn off for privacy
- Cheaper price point ($20-$60)
Apple AirTag
- Pairs with Apple’s Find My app
- Precision finding feature for accurate location
- User-replaceable CR2032 coin battery (1 year battery life)
- IP67 water resistant
- More expensive ($29 for 1, $99 for 4)
- Sleeker, compact design
Now let’s take a deeper look at how these Bluetooth trackers compare.
Design and Build Quality
In terms of design, the AirTag has a more stylish, compact look compared to the Atuvos.
The AirTag is smaller at 1.26 x 1.26 x 0.31 inches versus the Atuvos at 1.37 x 1.37 x 0.27 inches. It has a sleek metal finish versus the plastic casing on the Atuvos.
However, the Atuvos is still very portable and has a hole for easily attaching to keys or bags. It comes with a keychain out of the box, unlike the AirTag which requires you to purchase a separate keychain accessory like the best AirTag wallet.
For build quality, both trackers have an IP67 water resistance rating, allowing them to withstand dust, dirt and being submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
The Atuvos case does have a small opening, presumably for the built-in speaker. However, it seems to maintain its water protection due to an internal silicone seal around the battery.
Overall, while the AirTag wins points for its more compact, aesthetically pleasing design, the Atuvos provides great portability and durability for the price.
Verdict: AirTag has a better design but the Atuvos is decent for the cost
Ease of Use
Both the Atuvos and AirTag pair seamlessly with Apple’s Find My app, allowing you to easily locate your tagged items.
The setup process is very straightforward – simply open the Find My app, tap the + icon, select “Add Other Item” and press the button on the tracker to link it.
Once connected, you can name the tracker, view its location on a map, make it play a sound, and enable lost mode. Both trackers provide a seamless integration and user experience through Find My.
The AirTag does have an advantage with its “Precision Finding” feature. Using Apple’s U1 chip and ultra wideband technology, Precision Finding can guide you to an exact location within a few feet. The Atuvos lacks ultra wideband support so it is less precise for pinpointing items in close range.
However, the Atuvos makes up for this with its very loud built-in speaker. The chime it emits is over 90 decibels, much louder than the AirTag. This makes it easier to locate from afar when you’ve misplaced an item somewhere in your home.
Verdict: AirTag offers better precision finding but the Atuvos has a much louder alert sound
Features
The AirTag and Atuvos have very similar core features:
- Integration with Apple Find My app
- User-replaceable CR2032 battery
- IP67 water resistance rating
- Lost mode to help locate items
- Play sound feature to pinpoint location
However, there are a few unique advantages to each tracker:
AirTag Advantages
- Precision Finding via U1 chip for accurate location
- Slimmer, more compact design
- Seamless ecosystem with other Apple devices
Atuvos Advantages
- Significantly louder built-in speaker
- Button to manually turn off for privacy
- Cheaper price point
- Comes with keychain
The AirTag’s Precision Finding definitely provides a better user experience for accurately locating misplaced items at close range. This is the standout feature the Atuvos lacks.
But the Atuvos balances this out with much more affordable pricing, a very helpful loud speaker, and the ability to manually turn off the device – a nice privacy perk.
Verdict: AirTag offers better precision finding but Atuvos has other useful bonuses
Battery Life
The Atuvos and AirTag both use standard, inexpensive CR2032 coin cell batteries. The batteries are rated to last for approximately 1 year before needing replacement.
The AirTag’s battery is not designed to be user-replaceable – you must take it to an Apple store for a battery swap.
The Atuvos, on the other hand, allows you to easily open the case and swap the battery yourself. This gives it a major advantage for long-term use and convenience.
In practice, real world battery life varies based on usage and can sometimes exceed 1 year. But you can expect around a year of runtime for moderate daily use before needing a new battery, as explained in how long does an AirTag battery last.
Verdict: Atuvos battery is more convenient to replace yourself
Cost Comparison
One of the biggest differences between these trackers is the price and value you get for your money.
The Apple AirTag retails for $29 for a single tracker or $99 for a pack of four. Atuvos trackers range from $20-$60 on Amazon:
- 1 Atuvos Tracker: $21
- 2 Atuvos Trackers: $40
- 4 Atuvos Trackers: $60
So you’ll pay nearly 50% less buying the Atuvos versus the comparable AirTag models. That adds up, especially if you want multiple trackers for your family and possessions like the best luggage trackers.
Keep in mind too that the AirTag doesn’t come with any accessories or keychain – so you’ll need to spend extra on a holder. The Atuvos comes ready to attach to keys or bags out of the box.
Verdict: Atuvos provides much better value and cost savings
Privacy Concerns
Lost item trackers also raise some potential privacy issues to consider. Because they can track an item’s location, there have been some bad-faith uses like hiding a tracker on someone else’s property to monitor them.
Apple and Atuvos have both implemented features to discourage unwanted tracking:
- Users are notified if an unknown tracker seems to be traveling with them
- Trackers will play sounds to alert people if they are separated from their owner
- Scanning a tracker’s NFC chip provides the owner’s contact info
Additionally, the Atuvos has the ability to manually turn off tracking at any time by pressing the button. This gives users more control over privacy. It will automatically turn back on when scanned if lost, but can be disabled if misplaced.
No tracker is 100% foolproof against malicious uses. But both Atuvos and AirTag have made reasonable efforts to balance functionality with privacy protections. For more details, see can AirTags hear you? about potential microphone capabilities.
Verdict: Atuvos allows manually disabling tracking for more privacy control
Atuvos vs AirTag: Final Verdict
So which Bluetooth tracker reigns supreme – the Atuvos or AirTag?
The AirTag stands out for its ultra-precise finding capabilities using Apple’s U1 chip. Its compact, stylish design also fits nicely on keychains and bags.
However, the Atuvos puts up a strong fight with its substantially lower price, very loud built-in speaker for finding items, and user-replaceable battery. The ability to manually turn off tracking is another score for privacy.
Here is a quick final summary comparing the pros and cons:
| AirTag | Atuvos | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | ● Precision Finding provides accurate locations ● Sleek, compact design ● Tight integration with Apple devices | ● Significantly lower price ● Loud, 90+ dB built-in speaker ● User-replaceable battery ● Can turn off tracking manually |
| Cons | ● No way to manually disable tracking ● More expensive ● Batteries must be replaced by Apple | ● Lacks ultra-precise finding of AirTag ● Bulkier design |
Overall, the AirTag wins out for its premium precision finding and design. It’s the best bet if you want the absolute cutting edge item tracker.
But for many users, the Atuvos provides tremendous value and usefulness at a much lower cost. Its loud speaker and convenient battery make it more practical for everyday use.
So consider how you’ll use your tracker and your budget to decide which option fits you best. Both Atuvos and AirTag make finding lost items a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Atuvos work with Android phones?
A: No, unfortunately the Atuvos only works with Apple devices and the Find My app. It does not pair with Android phones.
Q: What happens if someone else finds my lost Atuvos tag?
A: If someone finds your lost Atuvos tag, they can scan the QR code on the back to reveal your contact details you provided. This allows good samaritans to contact you if they locate your lost item.
Q: Can the Atuvos tracker be used to monitor people without consent?
A: Atuvos has implemented features to prevent unwanted tracking of people or property. The tracker will play audible alerts if separated from its owner. Users can also manually disable tracking by pressing the button on the Atuvos.
Q: How accurate is the Atuvos tracker compared to AirTag?
A: The Atuvos uses Bluetooth technology so it provides proximity tracking of items rather than ultra-precise location. Its accuracy is good for general room-level tracking rather than pinpointing exact locations like the AirTag.
Q: Does Atuvos offer any subscription plan?
A: No, the Atuvos tracker does not require any subscription service or fees beyond the one-time hardware purchase. It pairs with the free Find My app.
Q: What accessories are available for the Atuvos tracker?
A: Atuvos sells keychain attachments and other accessories like stickers, carabiners, dog collars, etc. Many universal accessories for Tile, AirTag, etc. can also accommodate Atuvos tags.
Q: What is the maximum range for finding a lost Atuvos tag?
A: Atuvos states the open-field range is approximately 400 feet. The range will decrease based on environmental barriers. Using Apple’s Find My network of devices can extend the searchable range considerably.
Q: How loud is the Atuvos tracker’s alert sound?
A: Atuvos claims the built-in speaker chimes at over 90 decibels. This allows it to produce a very loud, audible alert to help locate items from a good distance away.
Q: Can I use an Atuvos tracker internationally?
A: Yes, the Atuvos will function worldwide wherever you have an internet/data connection. It utilizes the global Find My network. Just keep in mind local power standards for charging your phone, and does AirTag have GPS for more details.
I hope this comprehensive comparison of the Atuvos vs AirTag trackers helps you determine the best choice for your needs! Let me know if you have any other questions.
