The Best Personal GPS Trackers
Whether you're an off-grid traveler or just someone enamored by data and statistics, you may want to invest in a personal GPS tracker. Unlike their vehicle-oriented cousin, these GPS trackers are meant to be carried around with you so you can keep track of your location. Many of these trackers come packed with features like emergency SOS functions, push notifications, and more. Whatever your needs might be, we're confident that one of these personal GPS trackers is bound to find a place in your heart.
What to Look For
When narrowing down the best personal GPS trackers on the market, we considered size, overall features, practicality, and price. For example, if you want an affordable tracker that’s small and packed with features, the PrimeTracking GPS tracker is a great option. If you want a tracker for keeping tabs on your fitness stats, the Garmin Forerunner 35 offers plenty of features that are perfect for an active lifestyle. Read on to see all our top picks and find the right personal GPS tracker for you.
Tracki GPS Tracker
Big things in small packages
About the size of a matchbox, the Tracki Mini gets the job done at a low cost. It’s very easy to set up, and once you’ve got it up and running, you’ll enjoy its simple but reliable features and 5-second update rate. Whether the tracker is indoors or outdoors, it pings a signal that’s accurate up to a 100-foot range. You may not think that’s very precise. And you’re right: if you’ve misplaced the item that you’re tracking somewhere in your home, a 100-foot range could be almost anywhere. But there’s a catch. Once you’re within 50 feet of the tracker, you can utilize Bluetooth to pinpoint where it is. All in all, this one is nifty, discreet, and a great value buy.
Pros:
- Small enough to toss in your suitcase when you’re traveling in case your luggage gets lost
- Includes an international SIM card, so you don’t need to buy one at the airport once you land in that faraway country
- The battery is replaceable rather than having to buy an entirely new unit
Cons:
- Requires a monthly subscription plan, so that’s a hidden cost that you’ll have to factor in
LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker
Clandestine connection
If you’re looking for a GPS device to track your kids, an elderly relative, or even yourself, look no further than LandAirSea’s 54 GPS tracker. Built small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, this tracker can be inconspicuously placed on the underside of a vehicle, inside a backpack or purse, or even inside your pocket. The device pairs with a smartphone app to show you its location in real-time. You can even use the app to set a boundary or radius and activate the tracker’s geofencing feature, which will automatically send you a text alert if the device travels outside your specified area.
Pros:
- Works on all major continents, so it’s great for travel
- Waterproof design
- Built-in super-strength magnet is powerful so you won’t have to worry about it falling from underneath a car
- Excellent battery life that will last for six months in low-power mode
Cons:
- The proprietary software can be a bit buggy
Garmin Forerunner 35
Track yourself before you wreck yourself
Let’s suppose that rather than tracking your belongings, your car, or your kid, you want to track yourself. If that’s the case, look no further. Runners, athletes, and statisticians all have a lot to love in Garmin’s Forerunner 35 GPS tracker watch. This watch monitors your distance, your speed, and the route you’ve traveled, as well as tracking an array of biometrics, like your heart rate and calories burned.
Pros:
- Menus are intuitive
- Buttons are easier to use while you’re running
- Affordable compared to competitors with similar functions
Cons:
- It doesn’t track your elevation, which may be a letdown for hikers and trail runners
PrimeTracking Pro GPS Tracker
Most valuable player
Tiny, reliable, and affordable to boot, PrimeTracking’s GPS tracker easily snags a spot on our list. Similar in size to a pack of gum, this hidden GPS tracker for vehicles, kids, elderly relatives, and your important belongings can be put nearly anywhere without much of a fuss. Stick it inside your expensive camera bag to ensure you’ve got a backup plan if your gear gets stolen. Tuck it into a pocket of your kid’s backpack before they head out the door. Or stick it inside your car so that you never forget where you left it in that gigantic, never-ending parking lot. You can monitor the tracker’s whereabouts from your phone or computer, and the accuracy is pretty spot on. The device couldn’t be easier to use, and the monitoring software’s interface is as intuitive as you could hope for.
Pros:
- The battery can last over two weeks without a charge
- The device is silent, so you can use it discreetly without a beeping sound revealing its location
- A SIM card is included, so it won’t cost additional money
Cons:
- You need to purchase a monthly subscription plan, so the true cost is not reflected in the price tag
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to pay a subscription fee for some of these trackers?
Subscription-based trackers work by communicating with cellular towers to transmit data. That costs money, so the company pasts those costs on to you, the consumer. Other devices like the ACR ResQLink 400 utilize direct GPS-satellite communication, and for this, there’s no charge, but the hardware required to do this ends up making the unit itself more expensive to produce.
Is it even worth buying a cheap GPS tracker? My feeling is that it wouldn’t work well.
It depends on what you plan to use it for, but in general, it is worth it. Thanks to recent strides in technology, these devices function excellently despite their low price tag. If you’re looking to buy one for emergency survival situations, definitely splurge and buy something built specifically for that type of situation.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.