The 9 Best Key Finders of 2023

Never lose your keys again with these gadgets

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Electronic key finders are tiny tracking devices that can be attached to a keyring or other frequently lost item. With the press of a button, the finder will beep, chirp, or otherwise sound an alarm to lead you to your lost item.

Some, like the Chipolo One Key Finder at Amazon, come with a companion app that will show you a location on a map or even remind you when you forget your tracked item. Some, like the Tile Pro at Amazon, have a huge range, meaning the remote can find the tracker hundreds of feet away, while others are much more limited.

Key finders have a receiver (the device you attach to your keys) and a remote. The remote sends a signal and “finds” the receiver using radio frequencies or Bluetooth technology.

Best Overall

Tile Pro

Tile Pro

Amazon

What We Like
  • 400-ft. Bluetooth range

  • Replaceable battery

  • Loud ringer

What We Don't Like
  • Scratch-prone surface

  • Requires a phone with Bluetooth

The Tile Pro is a Bluetooth key finder with a whopping 400-foot range, the longest of any products on this list. And for this kind of tracker, the range is everything. The Tile Pro is a 1.7 x 1.7-inch square with a hole in the corner, so you can easily attach it to your key ring. It’s also durable and water-resistant, though the black color option is prone to surface scratches. Download the Tile app on your phone or mobile device and then sync it to the Tile device using Bluetooth. If you misplace the item the Tile is attached to, you can either ring it—the Pro has the loudest ringer of any Tile device—or view its location on a map in the app. The app also gives you access to Tile’s Community Find feature, which anonymously engages other people’s Tile devices and provides a location update if someone else comes within range of your missing device. If you have your keys but can’t find your phone, use the Tile Pro to make it ring. The Tile Pro runs on a regular CR2032 button battery that’s simple to replace. It’s available in both black and white color options. 

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Tile Mate Tracker

Tile Mate

Amazon

What We Like
  • 200-ft Bluetooth range

  • Replaceable battery

  • Community Find feature

What We Don't Like
  • Requires a phone with Bluetooth

The Tile Mate is a slightly smaller Tile device than the Pro. It also has a shorter 200-foot Bluetooth range but many of the same extra features. The Mate has a replaceable CR2032 button battery that significantly extends the life of the device—each battery can power it for about a year. It measures 1.4 x 1.4 inches and has a hole in the corner, making it an ultra-compact addition to your key ring. Like other Bluetooth trackers, the Tile Mate connects to your phone using Bluetooth and must be within range to be found. If you misplace your keys, you can ring the Tile, follow the sound, or look at its location on a map in the Tile app. The Community Find feature comes in handy if you lose your Tile completely. It puts other people’s Tiles on the lookout for your lost device and will update you with its location if your Tile is within range of someone else.

Best Budget

Esky Wireless RF Transmitter

Esky Wireless RF Transmitter

Amazon

What We Like
  • Inexpensive

  • Set of 4 finders

  • Doesn’t require an app

What We Don't Like
  • 98-foot range

  • Unattractive design

If you need a basic set of trackers for objects in your house, this set of four from Esky is a basic budget option that will get the job done. Unlike the more advanced devices on this list, the Esky uses a separate remote instead of an app and communicates with the trackers using radio frequency (RF) instead of Bluetooth. RF trackers generally have a shorter range, and this one tops out at under 100 feet. If you’re constantly losing things in the same room or a couple of rooms—i.e., you leave your keys in a coat pocket and then put it into a closet full of other coats—then 98 feet is plenty. Press a color-coded key on the remote, and the corresponding tracker will beep loudly and flash, making your missing item easy to find even in the dark. The Esky trackers can be attached to a keyring via the built-in loop or stuck directly to an object using the included velcro patches. 

Loudest Key Finder

KeyRinger Key Finder

KeyRinger Key Finder

Amazon

What We Like
  • 300-foot range

  • Very loud ringer

  • Replaceable battery

What We Don't Like
  • Bulky design

The KeyRinger finder is very straightforward, and its extra-loud ringer makes it a good fit for those needing higher volumes. The package comes with two identical devices paired with each other and ready to use right out of the box—double-click the button on one of the trackers to set off the alarm on the other. The maximum range is 300 feet. It can be attached to a key ring via the device's plastic loop or directly to other objects using the included adhesive tape. The KeyRinger runs on a CR2032 button battery that lasts about 18 months and is simple to replace once it dies. The ringer may be too loud and unpleasant-sounding for some, but it's effective. This device is also a bit bulky compared to the other key finders on this list, so you'll want to consider that if you're attaching it to something slim like a smartphone.

Best Key Organizer

KeySmart Pro Key Finder

KeySmart Pro Key Finder

Amazon

What We Like
  • Multi-tool features

  • Keeps keys organized

  • Rechargeable

What We Don't Like
  • Holds limited number of keys

  • Difficult to add or change keys

The KeySmart Pro is not a typical key finder—it’s a key organizer and multitool, combining the keys you use daily with customizable accessories like scissors, a USB stick, a pair of pliers, or even a firestarter. The KeySmart has a built-in Tile tracking feature that lets you ring or view your keys’ location on a map using the Tile app. Like other Tile devices, the KeySmart Pro relies on a Bluetooth connection to a mobile device to use this feature. This battery-operated key organizer is rechargeable and includes a flashlight and bottle opener. It holds up to 10 keys and keeps them in a particular order so you can find them immediately (definitely a more organized method than a typical key ring). Unfortunately, taking the KeySmart Pro apart to add or remove keys and accessories can be tricky.

Best App

Chipolo One Key Finder

Chipolo One Key Finder

Amazon

What We Like
  • Out-of-range notifications

  • Compatible with voice assistants

  • Loud ringer

What We Don't Like
  • Battery drains quickly

This key finder from Chipolo has many convenient features that come standard with most mid-range Bluetooth finders. Once you’ve connected the finder to your phone, you can control it using the Chipolo app, which allows you to ring the finder or see its last location on a map. You can also press a button on the Chipolo device to ring your phone. The tracker is super thin and has a water-resistant design, making it durable and unobtrusive wherever you attach it. But the Chipolo app has a few more tricks that set this little device apart. It’s compatible with all the most popular virtual assistants, including Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. You can use your smart home hub or the built-in assistant on your phone to voice control your Chipolo. The app also generates reminders when your Chipolo goes out of range to ask if you’ve forgotten your keys.

Best Style

Orbit Key Finder

Orbit ORB430 Orbit Key Bluetooth Tracker (Azure)

Walmart

What We Like
  • Doubles as smartphone selfie remote

  • Phone finder feature

  • Waterproof design

What We Don't Like
  • Battery drains quickly

This compact key finder from Orbit uses Bluetooth to connect to your mobile device. Download the Orbit app to ring the tracker or view its location on a map. Like some Bluetooth finders on this list, the Orbit can ring your phone if you misplace it. The device is made from aluminum and has a waterproof build to protect against day-to-day damage. It’s about two inches across and has a built-in loop to thread your key ring through. Orbit’s selfie remote feature is one of our favorites. You can take hands-free photos when the finder is paired with your phone. It runs on a replaceable button battery (and comes with a spare in the box), but the battery tends to run out relatively quickly. The Orbit is available in a wide range of colors and looks more like a key ring accessory than some of the bulkier devices on this list.

Best for Wallets

Tile Slim

Tile Slim

Amazon

What We Like
  • Flat design

  • Compatible with voice assistants

  • 200-foot range

What We Don't Like
  • Non-replaceable battery

  • No loop for a key ring

If your primary concern is tracking your wallet, check out the Tile Slim. We’ve been focusing on key finders in this list, so most of these devices have a bulkier form factor or are very obviously designed to fit on a key ring. The Tile Slim, on the other hand, looks like a credit card and is made for flat objects like wallets, phones, laptops, and passports. It can be slipped into a pocket or stuck directly to your valuables for low-profile tracking. Like the other Tile products on this list, it uses the Tile app to ring the finder (which can ring back to your phone as well), show the location on a map, or access the Community Find feature to put other people’s Tiles on the lookout for your lost item. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smart home hub to ask Tile to find your things. The Tile Slim’s battery lasts for three years and is not replaceable.

Easiest to Use

Tile Sticker Bluetooth Tracker

Tile Sticker Bluetooth Tracker

Walmart

What We Like
  • Inexpensive

  • In-app tracking map

What We Don't Like
  • Finicky app features

  • 80 dB ringer on the quiet side

The Tile Sticker is a solid Bluetooth tracker with a very appealing price tag and a compact, unobtrusive design available in black and white. Best of all, it's got an adhesive back, so it's super easy to use and attach to nearly any surface/device.

Like other Bluetooth key finders, you use an app on your phone to ring the tracker or view your keys' location on a map (an excellent feature for this price range). The Tile app can automatically locate the Sticker within 150 ft or utilize the anonymous Tile network. The battery is built-in and designed to last for three years or more. The Sticker will work with Alexa, other digital assistants, and smart home devices.

What to Look for in a Key Finder

Battery Life

A key finder's battery life depends on whether it uses a rechargeable lithium-ion or coin cell battery. The latter on devices like the Tile will result in longer battery life, as much as a year, while the rechargeable battery may be suitable for key finders using RF technology.

Range

When a key finder with this feature gets too far from your phone, it automatically sounds an alert. This can come in handy if your keys fall out of your pocket or you set them down and accidentally forget to pick them back up.

Bluetooth vs. RF

Key finders using radio frequency (RF) technology are typically cheaper and have more key fobs. Bluetooth key finders can offer more functionality, though. Some allow you to use the key fob in reverse to find your phone, and you may even be able to use a network of other users to find your keys if you lose them somewhere outside the range of your phone’s Bluetooth.

FAQ
  • Can I use Key Finders to find other stuff as well?

    Yes. While most of these key finders are made with a key fob design, specifically to be attached to key rings, they can be attached to virtually anything you don't want to lose. Whether that's a remote or a small child.

  • How does a key finder work?

    Depending on the type of key finder you're using, it can operate either using a Bluetooth or RF signal. Bluetooth devices can be paired with your phone and a specific app to determine the whereabouts of the key fob. This isn't quite like a GPS locator, however, as Bluetooth only has an effective range of about 30 feet. RF key fobs have a longer range, but can't be paired with your phone, but instead rely on a dedicated remote. While these won't give you a specific location on a map, they can still emit an audible or vibrating signal up to 100 feet. However, due to the necessity of the remote, RF key fobs are more well suited for in-home use.

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