Losing important items like your keys or wallet can ruin your day. Bluetooth trackers from Tile and Atuvos promise to solve this problem by helping you quickly locate misplaced belongings. But which is better for your needs?
This comprehensive guide compares Tile and Atuvos on key factors like compatibility, range, features and cost to help you decide.
What Are Bluetooth Trackers and How Do They Work?
Bluetooth trackers are small devices that connect to your phone via Bluetooth. Attach them to valuables like keys or bags. If you misplace an item, use the tracker manufacturer’s app to make your tracker ring or view its last known location on a map.
Some key pointers on how Bluetooth trackers work:
- Range is typically 100-400 feet via Bluetooth. Wider range is possible with help from other devices running the tracker app.
- Trackers need an internal battery, usually replaceable coin cells lasting 1-2 years. Rechargeable versions are also available.
- The tracker pairs with a mobile app on your phone to communicate and show locations.
- When out of Bluetooth range, the tracker leverages a crowdfinding network to help locate your item. This allows wider range.
Now let’s see how Tile and Atuvos stack up.
Tile vs Atuvos: Key Differences
| Tile | Atuvos | |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | iOS, Android | iOS only |
| Range | Up to 400 ft via Bluetooth. Unlimited with Tile Network crowdfinding. | No specified Bluetooth range. Unlimited with Apple Find My network. |
| Water resistance | IP67 rated | IP67 rated |
| Replaceable battery | No, lasts 3 years | Yes, lasts 1 year |
| Crowdfinding network | Tile Network | Apple Find My network |
| Additional features | Ring phone feature. Premium service with smart alerts. | Instant left-behind alerts. NFC for contact sharing. |
Below we’ll explore these key factors in-depth to help you decide which tracker best suits your needs.
Compatibility: Tile Works on Both iOS and Android
Tile trackers are compatible with both iOS and Android devices, giving you complete flexibility. As long as your phone has Bluetooth 4.0 or higher, the Tile app will work. No need to stick with a particular mobile OS.
In contrast, Atuvos trackers only work with iPhone and iPad running iOS. There is no Atuvos app for Android devices currently. So if you use an Android phone, Tile is your only option.
Winner: Tile for its cross-platform iOS and Android compatibility.
Range: Long Bluetooth and Crowdfinding Range
The effective range for locating your lost items is a major factor when choosing a tracker. Let’s compare Tile and Atuvos’ Bluetooth and crowdfinding ranges.
Bluetooth Range
Tile states its trackers have a Bluetooth range of up to 400 feet. This covers most situations when trying to locate a misplaced item in your home or office.
Atuvos doesn’t specify an exact Bluetooth range for its trackers. But we can expect it to be in the same ballpark of 100-400 feet.
When it comes to Bluetooth connectivity range, Tile and Atuvos are likely on par.
Crowdfinding Range
The more interesting comparison is the extended crowdfinding range when your tracker moves out of Bluetooth range.
Both companies use large crowdsourced networks to locate items far away. But Tile and Atuvos leverage different networks with their own pros and cons.
Tile Network
Tile uses its own proprietary Tile Network for crowdfinding. This network has over 33 million active Tile devices worldwide that can detect your lost Tile tracker and report its location back to you.
The Tile Network provides unlimited range to locate your lost items anywhere around the globe. The more Tiles there are in circulation, the wider the network’s reach.
Apple Find My Network
Atuvos trackers tap into the vast Apple Find My network of over 1 billion active Apple devices. Whenever an iPhone, iPad, Mac or even AirTag comes within Bluetooth range of your lost Atuvos tracker, it relays the tracker’s location back to you via Apple’s servers.
The Apple Find My network also provides unlimited global range for finding lost items. And its massive installed base gives it an advantage over Tile’s proprietary network.
Overall, both networks provide extensive crowdfinding capabilities. But the sheer size of Apple’s billion-device network gives Atuvos trackers an edge for out-of-Bluetooth-range finding.
Winner: Atuvos for leveraging the unparalleled reach of the Apple Find My network.
Water Resistance: IP67 Rating
You don’t want your tracker failing after getting wet in the rain or accidentally laundered. So water resistance is a must-have feature.
The good news is both Tile and Atuvos trackers are rated IP67 for water and dust resistance.
The IP67 rating means they can withstand immersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes without damage. This level of water protection gives you peace of mind to use the trackers worry-free in wet environments.
Winner: Tie as both provide the same IP67 water protection.
Battery Life: Atuvos Offers Replaceable Batteries
Bluetooth trackers would be useless without sufficient battery life. Let’s see how Tile and Atuvos compare on power options.
Tile Non-Replaceable Battery
Tile trackers have an integrated non-replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery built-in. Tile says the battery lasts around 3 years before the entire tracker needs replacement.
The upside is not having to worry about periodically replacing batteries. But once the battery dies after a few years, you’ll have to buy a brand new tracker.
Atuvos User-Replaceable Battery
Atuvos trackers use a standard CR2032 coin cell that users can easily replace themselves. No special tools or repair shops needed.
Atuvos says its battery provides 1 year of usage. While more frequent than Tile’s 3 year battery, being able to self-replace batteries is a major plus. It saves you from having to continually re-buy trackers.
Winner: Atuvos thanks to its user-replaceable battery.
Additional Features: Tiles Provide More Value
Beyond core tracking, Tile and Atuvos offer some extra features that set them apart.
Tile Features
Ring Phone Feature – Tile offers a handy phone ringing feature to help find misplaced devices.
Premium Service – Optional Tile Premium subscription ($2.99/month) adds smart alerts when you leave items behind and free item replacements.
Alexa Integration – Tile trackers work with Amazon Alexa to locate items using voice commands.
Siri Integration – Ask Siri to find your lost Tiles. But requires latest iOS 13.
3rd Party Integrations – Tile works with smart home systems like Google Home, Xfinity Home, and more for easy integration.
Atuvos Features
Instant Alerts – Atuvos provides instant left-behind alerts whenever you move out of Bluetooth range.
NFC for Contact Sharing – If someone finds your lost item, they can scan the tracker’s NFC chip to get your contact details and notify you.
Siri Integration – Native integration with Siri allows using voice to locate your tracker.
Tile simply provides more useful extra features compared to Atuvos currently. The phone ringing and premium service bring additional everyday value beyond just tracking.
And Alexa support plus wider 3rd party integrations give Tile the edge for a complete experience.
Winner: Tile for its wider range of value-adding features beyond standard tracking.
Cost Comparison: Tile More Affordable Long-Term
Upfront cost is often an important factor when choosing a Bluetooth tracker. Let’s break down the pricing.
Tile Tracker Cost
- Tile Mate single tracker: $24.99
- Tile Mate 4-pack: $64.99
- Premium service: $2.99/month
Considering the 3 year non-replaceable battery, a single Tile Mate ends up costing $24.99 every 3 years, or about $8 per year averaged.
The 4-pack obviously brings the per unit price down further. And the optional premium service adds functionality for a small monthly fee.
Atuvos Tracker Cost
- Atuvos single tracker: $25.99
- Atuvos 2-pack: $39.99
Given the 1 year replaceable battery, you’ll shell out $25.99 per year for a single Atuvos tracker.
The 2-pack offer saves a bit, but cost is still higher than Tile after 3 years when factoring in battery replacement.
Overall, Tile is the more affordable long-term option, even when premium service is added.
Winner: Tile for its lower per-year cost thanks to a 3 year battery life.
Tile vs Atuvos: Which Is Better For You?
Now that we’ve compared Tile vs Atuvos across key factors, let’s summarize which is the best choice depending on your priorities.
Choose Tile If You Want:
- Android compatibility – Tile works on both Android and iOS, unlike Atuvos which is iOS-only.
- More features and integrations – From phone ringing to Alexa support, Tile simply provides more extra features and ecosystem integrations.
- Lower long-term cost – Thanks to a 3 year battery vs 1 year for Atuvos, Tile works out to less cost per year.
Choose Atuvos If You Want:
- Leverage Apple Find My network – Atuvos taps into Apple’s billion device network compared to Tile’s smaller proprietary network.
- Replaceable batteries – Atuvos uses standard coin cell batteries you can easily replace, unlike Tile’s integrated non-replaceable batteries.
- Pure focus on tracking – With fewer bells and whistles than Tile, Atuvos provides a dedicated tracking experience.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
- Tile is the most versatile choice compatible with both Android and iOS. Atuvos only works with Apple devices.
- Both trackers offer waterproof IP67 rated designs and long crowdfinding range using external networks.
- Tile trackers provide the most features beyond tracking like phone ringing, premium service and Alexa support.
- But Atuvos gives you the advantage of easily replaceable batteries compared to Tile’s integrated non-replaceable batteries.
- On cost, Tile works out cheaper in the long run after factoring in battery life.
- For pure tracking on iPhone with battery replaceability, Atuvos is a great choice.
- But for the most affordable full-featured tracker supporting both iOS and Android, Tile is your best bet.
FAQ
Q: How long do the batteries last in Tile and Atuvos trackers?
A: Tile batteries last around 3 years, while Atuvos claims 1 year for its replaceable batteries.
Q: What is the maximum Bluetooth range for finding my tracker?
A: Both Tile and Atuvos provide a typical Bluetooth range of 100-400 feet, allowing tracking within most homes or offices.
Q: Do the trackers have any monthly fees?
A: Tile has an optional $2.99/month premium service for added features. But no monthly fee is required for basic tracking features. Atuvos has no monthly fees.
Q: Can you use Atuvos trackers with Android phones?
A: No, Atuvos only works with iOS devices like iPhone and iPad currently. There is no Atuvos app for Android. Check out our Tile alternatives guide for other cross-platform options.
Q: What happens if I lose my tracker outside of Bluetooth range?
A: Both Tile and Atuvos use extensive crowdfinding networks to locate your tracker globally, even when out of Bluetooth range. But Atuvos has an advantage leveraging Apple’s Find My network. Our AirTag review covers how Apple’s network locates lost trackers.
Q: How accurate is the location tracking?
A: When in closer Bluetooth range, tracking is accurate down to the foot. For crowdfinding, accuracy depends on the external network but can pinpoint to street level.
Q: Can the trackers get damaged if submerged in water?
A: No, both Tile and Atuvos carry an IP67 water resistance rating. This means they can be immersed in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes without damage.
Q: How do I attach the tracker to my keys, bag, etc?
A: Both Tile and Atuvos come with a hole or loop designed to easily attach to key rings, straps, zippers, or other items you want to track. No tools required for installation.
