Yahoo Autos Best GPS Trackers for 2023, Tested
- 1/11
Best GPS Trackers for 2023, Tested
Adding extra protection to your vehicle or other large purchases seems like a no-brainer, right? Since hiring a security team or building a vast network of cameras is out of reach for most of us, what's the next best option? Enter GPS trackers: a cheap, easy way to keep track of the important and valuable things in life, whether they are cars, boats, or campers.
The applications for GPS trackers can quickly veer into questionable moral territory, so consider what you intend to use it for before purchasing. In fact, in most states, installing a GPS tracker without the vehicle owner's consent or knowledge is illegal.
However, there are plenty of legit applications for these little gadgets. Toss a GPS tracker on your vehicle, trailer, baby stroller, or in the car with a new driver... anything at all that should be kept track of. But which one should you get? After all, there are trackers with different power options, functions, and reporting metrics. The Hearst Autos Gear Team wanted to know the answer, so we pulled together eight of the top dogs on the market to find out which GPS tracker is the best for your needs.
Our Top Picks
Things to Consider When Shopping for a GPS Tracker
Subscription Cost: In addition to the cost of the tracker, in most instances you will need to pay a subscription fee. Most long-term users will want to consider the annual subscription options for potential big savings.
Battery Life: A GPS tracker will only report as long as there is power, so keeping an eye on your battery levels is key to consistent reporting. Battery life will vary from user to user. As a general rule of thumb, the more often the device reports, the shorter the lifespan.
All of the battery-powered trackers we tested come equipped with low-battery alerts—so we suggest setting that trigger during the installation process to save headaches later. The OBD-II and hardwiring options remove this issue entirely, using the car's battery as the source of power.
Desired Use: When purchasing a GPS tracker, it is essential to consider what you are tracking and what insight you'd like to obtain. Hardwired options are for vehicle use only; battery-powered products provide tracking solutions for all your belongings.
Some products are clearly designed with industry fleets in mind, toting impressive reporting dashboards and a steep learning curve. Others use simple, stylized interfaces and anxiety-reducing features like SOS buttons and fuel-level monitors. Consider your needs and buy accordingly.
RELATED: The Best OBD-II Scanners, Tested
Our Test Vehicle
The vehicle-selection pool at the Car and Driver headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is plenty deep, and we settled on a 2022 Ford Bronco Badlands (with a manual!) for this test. On our planned testing route, we had to navigate five stories in an underground parking garage, which proved a bit tricky thanks to the size of the Badlands but gave us the testing data we needed. That's right: We tested small, discreet devices in a vehicle that is anything but. Fitting, right?
How We Evaluated GPS Trackers
When we ran these trackers through our Gear Team testing gauntlet, we noted the following parameters:
- Reliability for triggering speed and geofence alerts
- Data and features the tracker provides
- Ease of Use
We tested each tracker on a test route that featured a gamut of possible GPS-tracker triggers, including the aforementioned underground structure. (Interestingly, none of the trackers we tested dropped its signal, even five stories down.)
Next, we dug through the app and desktop versions of each product, noting the alerts, reports, and notifications. To gauge the user experience, a tester familiar with the apps compared user-experience notes with another tester who had zero experience in using them, evaluating the user interface of each and its learning curve to usability.
Which GPS trackers performed best for various types of users? Here's what we found.
Gannon Burgett - Car and Driver - 2/11
Bouncie
Bouncie
amazon.com
$77.00
Bouncie's effortless UX makes it our choice for the Best Overall GPS Tracker. Boasting a true plug-and-play setup, activating the device took mere moments. After a quick 10-minute drive, we were good to go.
With a range of alert options like impact detection, curfew, and erratic driving, it was clear Bouncie is a company that has given sincere thought to what a typical person is looking for in a GPS tracker. The real star was its intuitive, easy-to-use app, which displays fuel levels, engine and battery health, and vehicle specs—it even features a space for insurance details.
One benefit to an OBD-connected GPS tracker is you don’t have to worry about its battery dying. However, that convenience comes at a cost, since the Bouncie will only report while the car ignition is on.
Alerts:
- Speed
- Impact Detection
- GeoZone
- Rapid Acceleration
- Hard Braking
- Curfew
- Trip Start and End
- Fuel Level
- Distance Driven
- Idle Time
- Trip Fuel Economy
Key Features:
- Chronological Trip Log
- 15-Second Updates
- Vehicle Health Monitors
Gannon Burgett - 3/11
LandAirSea 54
LandAirSea
amazon.com
$29.95
For those looking for a straightforward tracker, the LandAirSea 54 is our pick. Keeping it simple, LandAirSea only offers the three standard alerts: speed, battery, and geofencing. In spite of its simplicity, there are plenty of reports that can give you clarity on the whereabouts of your item within any specified time.
The app is rather plain but no sweat to navigate. We especially enjoyed the historical playback feature, which allows you to view your trips in intervals. While we found the email alerts to be dependable, the push notifications were fickle at best.
Alerts:
- Speed
- Battery
- Geofence
Key Features:
- Waterproof
- Internal Magnet
- Historical Playback Feature
- Dark Mode Options (to reduce flashing lights)
- ShareSpot allows you to share location with designated contacts
- Customizable Subscriptions
Gannon Burgett - 4/11
Tracki
Tracki
amazon.com
$16.88
With a belt clip, key chain, and magnetic accessory, the Tracki is as versatile as it is reliable. During the test we were delighted with the steady influx of alerts we received via email and text; the push notifications were less predictable.
This device has powerful reporting options, and you can easily customize the data that is important to you through the app or desktop. But what stands out about the Tracki are three physical buttons that send a manual alert to designated contacts, acting as a means of communication in an emergency or as simply a primitive text message.
We were impressed at the Tracki's power, which provides an elegant solution for different needs: car, kids, pets, keys, and more.
Alerts:
- Speed
- Moving Alert
- Geofence Entrance/Exit
- SOS Button
- Right Key Pressed
- Left Key Pressed
- Low Battery
- Power On/Power Off
Key Features:
- Multiple Accessories
- Free Device Replacement (Lifetime Warranty)
- Tracks in One-Minute Intervals
- Worldwide Coverage (Up to 190 Countries)
- Tracking via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- SOS Panic Button
- Five-Year Tracking History
- Live Phone Support
Gannon Burgett - 5/11
Apple AirTag
Apple
amazon.com
$29.00
The Apple AirTag isn't technically an automotive GPS tracker, but through Apple's Find My network, it's easy to keep tabs on your car.
There's no option for geofences or even departure notifications, but through Apple's iCloud web interface, it's possible to track your vehicle as long as it's in proximity to someone using an iPhone or iPad running iOS 14.5 or later. Drivers who aren't in the owner's network may also be alerted to the AirTag's presence, undermining its stealthiness.
No subscription is required, making this one of the more affordable options out there—even if that comes at the expense of more precise tracking features and alerts. As a bonus, the battery life is fantastic, with an AirTag able to work up to a year on a user-replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery.
Alerts:
N/A
Key Features:
- No Subscription
- Year-Long Battery Life
- Compact
Gannon Burgett - 6/11
Spytec GL300
Spy Tec
amazon.com
$14.95
The battery-powered Spytec GL300 is one of the more capable tracking units we tested. While it's designed for fleet-level tracking, it's also intuitive enough to use for personal needs.
Both the web interface and mobile apps (Android, iOS) are simple to navigate. While setting up alerts requires a learning curve, the push notifications were fast and reliable, updating within seconds of entering and exiting the geofences we set up.
The Spytec is IPX5 compliant, meaning it can handle the elements should it be mounted outside the vehicle. The integrated 2600mAh Li-Po battery can power the device for seven to 10 days, based on two hours of movement per day; in Standby mode, it can go up to 25 days on a single charge.
Alerts:
- Speed
- SOS
- Low Battery
- Geofence In/Out
- Trip Start/Finish
- Charging Start/Stop
- Online/Offline
Key Features:
- IPX5-Rated
- North America Coverage
- SOS Button
- Battery Life of Seven to 10 Days
- Cancel at Any Time (Unless on Annual Plan)
- Android, iOS Compatible
Gannon Burgett - 7/11
Brickhouse Security LiveWire Volt
Brickhouse Security
amazon.com
$29.95
Brickhouse Security's LiveWire Volt proved to be the best hardwired option in our testing, reporting back reliably with the geofences and other alerts we set up.
Its hardwired design means you don't have to worry about battery life, and its extensive options for alerts and notifications make it one of the most versatile options we tested. That said, there is a learning curve to setting up notifications.
Alerts:
- Speed
- Alarm
- Connection Loss
- Geofence
- Maintenance
Key Features:
- Hardwired
- IP67 Rated
- Temperature Sensor
- Humidity Sensor
- 4G Coverage across North America
Gannon Burgett - 8/11
Optimus 3.0 GPS Tracker
Optimus
amazon.com
$29.95
This device isn't for keeping tabs on your teenager's car or a grandparent's whereabouts. The Optimus 3.0 is an industrial-grade GPS tracker with features ideal for keeping tabs on vehicle fleets.
The device itself is fairly straightforward to turn on and set up, but both the online and mobile interface proved convoluted. The back end is clearly designed for detailed fleet management, and the reporting is far more detailed and thorough than the typical driver would need.
Notifications were reliable, and the sheer number of alert types you can define is impressive, but it seems excessive for all but the most commercial of use cases.
Alerts:
- Harsh Acceleration
- Harsh Braking
- Harsh Cornering
- Lost GPS Signal
- Low Battery
- Movement
- Overspeed
- Power Not Available
- Schedule Alert
Key Features:
- Extensive Reporting Options
- One-Minute Reporting by Default (up to every 10 seconds for no additional cost)
- Standby Mode
Gannon Burgett - 9/11
Kayo GPS Tracker
Kayo
amazon.com
$79.99
The Kayo GPS Tracker didn't excel in any one area and lacks the detailed reporting and notification alerts of other trackers, but it did prove reliable in real-time tracking. At just $5/month, it was also the cheapest subscription of the bunch, with no separate activation fees or annual contracts.
The Kayo uses an integrated SIM card that works within the United States, and the company offers a 14-day free trial. In addition to reliable real-time tracking, you can also set up manual maintenance reminders within the app so you won’t forget the last time you rotated your tires, changed your oil, or swapped out your air filter.
We would've liked to see a geofence function and more robust alerts, but this bare-bones approach does keep cost and complications down. The Kayo mobile app (Android, iOS) is available to download for free.
Alerts:
- Vehicle Low-Battery Alert
- Check-Engine-Light Alert
- Tamper Alert
Key Features:
- Real-Time Tracking
- DTC Scanner
- Maintenance Reminders
- Trip History
Gannon Burgett - 10/11
How We Evaluated GPS Trackers
During this test, our office resembled a hacker hideout from a heist film. With each interface pulled up across several screens, and every app running, we set out to determine the following parameters:
- Reliability for triggering speed and geofence alerts
- Data and features the tracker provides
- Ease of use
To test alert reliability, we set each tracker with a geofence around our office in Ann Arbor. Next, we set each to notify the team whenever we exceeded 65 mph. Additional alerts that we set—but varied from tracker to tracker—included hard braking, rapid acceleration, harsh cornering, and fuel levels. Finally, we installed the trackers into a Ford Bronco, where tester Collin Morgan ran through the gamut of tall city buildings, underground-parking ramps, highway driving, and tunnel runs.
During his route, Collin triggered as many alerts as possible and called us whenever he did. While Collin drove the Bronco, back at the office we furiously recorded alerts and monitored each device for signal drops. Dozens of emails and text messages later, we were impressed to find we never witnessed a drop of signal on any of these trackers, even when the Bronco went five stories underground.
To evaluate all the data and features each tracker offered, we scoured the apps and desktop versions of each, taking notes on what type of alerts could be triggered, what reports could be run, and methods of notification (SMS, email, and/or app).
We ran a tiered approach to our ease-of-use evaluation. First, Katherine Keeler spent several days familiarizing herself with the interfaces. The second round came on testing day, when Gannon Burgett assessed the apps as a complete newbie. After that, we compared notes on the user interface and its learning curve.
Photo Credit: Gannon Burgett - Car and Driver - Reliability for triggering speed and geofence alerts
- 11/11
FAQs
What is the best way to track my car?
Use a GPS tracker. OBD-II port-powered trackers provide the most data and get power from the vehicle, so they don't have to be recharged. But they can easily be disabled if they're unplugged. Hardwired trackers are a bit more discreet and also don't need recharging. Internal battery-powered trackers can be hidden on the vehicle, but have a short power lifespan.
Do all car GPS trackers require a monthly fee?
Most of them do, and the ones that don't aren't worth buying. Prepare to purchase your tracker along with a subscription plan. Some trackers even offer subscription tiers that provide more features and data.
How long can a GPS tracker last on my car?
OBD-II-powered and hardwired GPS trackers can last as long as the vehicle's battery—many, many years as long as the vehicle is driven at least every couple months or so—while internal battery-powered trackers have a limited lifespan. The length of this lifespan really depends on how often the tracker is reporting—something the user can adjust—and can vary from just a couple days to a few months.
Is it legal to install a GPS tracker on someone else's vehicle?
In most states, it is illegal to install a GPS tracking device on someone's vehicle without the owner's consent. If you're worried that this might've happened to you, check the OBD-II port, look for suspicious wires coming from the battery, and inspect other areas, like under your seat, wheel wells, and under the dashboard. Contact the police immediately if any suspicious devices are found.
Why Trust Us?
This test was conducted in an environment that provided equal testing procedures for each product: the Car and Driver garage. We tested each GPS tracker equally to compare them based on alert reliability, data, features, and ease of use. Upon tallying our findings, we agreed that our test provided enough information to recommend picks to our readers.
Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. We don't need to game SEO algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products to make a sale. We're more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust our readers have in Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to deliver honest evaluations and expert opinions.
Read more about our product testing and evaluation process here.
Photo Credit: Gannon Burgett - Car and Driver
