Tile Trackers now include an SOS feature – here’s how they compare with Apple’s AirTags

Imagine you’re experiencing an emergency and need help. You could grab your phone, unlock it, and dial for help.

But what if you had a Tile tracker device that allowed you to push a button three times to trigger a Life360 SOS alert? That alert sends your location information to your Life360 Circle and designated emergency contacts to inform them that something is wrong.

Also: I found the AirTags that Android users have been waiting for

The implications are wide-ranging and the new SOS alerts are free to all Life360 users.

On top of this new feature, Life360 can be used to locate and ring shared Tiled items or even ring a connected phone, so all your family members can help you locate that missing/important item.

The new Tile lineup includes the following:

• Tile Mate ($24.99) – Everyday tracker with a built-in key ring to help you keep track of anything.
• Tile Pro ($34.99) – Includes a louder ring and the longest range.
• Tile Slim ($29.99) – The thinnest tracker offered, it can slide into wallets, passport holders, and more.
• Tile Sticker ($24.99) – The smallest Bluetooth tracker on the market and adheres to easily lost items and valuables.

According to Tile, the Mate, Slim, and Pro offer the widest Bluetooth range on the market (with Tile Pro reaching up to 500 feet).

Of course, Life360 does require a membership, for which there are three tiers – Free, Silver, Gold, and Platinum). You can view the Life360 pricing matrix to see which plan is right for you.

Also: One of the best AirTags for wallets I’ve tested isn’t made by Apple or Nomad

If you compare the latest Tiles to Apple’s AirTags, you’ll see there are some similarities. First off, you can share AirTags with up to five persons, so others can help you locate missing items. AirTags also include Precision Finding — a feature not found in Tiles — that uses Apple’s U1 check and UWB to guide you to your AirTag with sound and haptic feedback. 

On the other hand, the AirTag range is considerably less than Tile. Where the Tile Pro can reach up to 500 feet, the AirTag is limited to 33 feet, so you sacrifice range for accuracy. AirTags also only offer one size, so it’s not quite as flexible as Tile.

Also: 4 Apple products you shouldn’t buy right now

The newest iterations of Tile devices are available now and can be purchased from the official Tile site and should be available on Amazon.com soon.