Best GPS Trackers for 2024, Tested

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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.

Bouncie

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

LandAirSea 54

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

Tracki

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

Apple AirTag

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