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It happens to the best of us: we’d be running late for work and couldn’t seem to find the car keys or the house keys. We’d look everywhere, often turning the house upside down and leaving a mess. In times like these, we’d often wish it was our phone that got misplaced instead. Because, at least, we can just call it to make it ring, and we can just trace the sound.
However, with devices such as Chipolo and Trackr, we can find lost keys and other items by tracing the sound of the alarm. You just attach these smart item finders and trackers to your keys, bags, wallets, and everything else you cannot afford to lose. If you do lose them, you can make them ring with your smartphone. Even if it is under the sofa cushions, you will hear it shrill.
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Which one should you buy?
Chipolo
Chipolo is an item finder that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. You simply attach it to your keys or bag. You can put it inside your wallet, as well. If you lose the attached item, you can check the Chipolo App to see a map of where you lost it. If you are within range, you can have Chipolo sound an alert.
If you are outside of Bluetooth range, or farther than 200 feet away from the item, do not worry because you can still find the item you lost. Chipolo relies on a community of users that helps you find your lost bag, keys, or wallet. If a Chipolo user gets within Bluetooth range of your lost item, that user’s Chipolo app will send an updated location. This feature will allow you to get the latest locations for your lost item.
Chipolo CARD
The Chipolo CARD is a slim device that you put inside your wallet so that you can find it when you lose it. The Chipolo CARD measures 0.08 inches thick, 1.45 inches tall, 2.67 inches wide. Overall, the small size of this device makes it very easy to insert. It also has a loud chirp at 95 decibels, allowing you to hear it even when the wallet is closed and placed inside a bag.
The Chipolo CARD has a one-year battery life and can be controlled by voice. If you have either an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can use voice commands to tell the Chipolo CARD to chirp. What’s more, with an IPX5 water resistance rating, the Chipolo CARD is safe from water jets.
The Chipolo CARD weighs only 0.31 ounces.
Chipolo CLASSIC
If you want to keep your keys from getting lost, then get the Chipolo CLASSIC. This version is available in six colors, including yellow, red, blue, and black. It has a replaceable battery, which is a feature that most users prefer. Like the Chipolo CARD, the Chipolo CLASSIC also works with smart speakers so that you can control it with your voice.
The Chipolo CLASSIC emits a 92-decibel alert. It measures 1.38 by 1.38 by 0.2 inches, making it the perfect size to put into your keyring, backpack, or anything else you deem too valuable to lose. This Chipolo device is very light, weighing only 0.19 ounces.
Chipolo PLUS
If you want the loudest of the Chipolo bunch, you should get the Chipolo PLUS with its 100-decibel melody. Like the CLASSIC version, it also comes in six different colors. It is, however, bigger, measuring 1.45 by 1.45 by 0.23 inches. The Chipolo Plus weighs only 0.23 ounces.
What’s more, the Chipolo PLUS has an IPX5 water resistance rating and a non-replaceable battery.
Trackr
Another device that helps you find lost things is Trackr. Like Chipolo, Trackr devices require you to download a free companion mobile app. Trackr will then pair with your smartphone via the app and over Bluetooth. If you lose the item, you can just check the mobile app to see where it is. Trackrcan also find your lost phone. Just press on your Trackr device and it will make your smartphone ring even when you have it on silent mode.
Features of Trackr Pixel
Trackr Pixel measures 1.03 by 1.03 by 0.22 inches, making it just slightly bigger than a quarter. It is around 0.14 ounces in weight. With its small size and light weight, you can put it in just about anywhere. It uses a replaceable CR2016 battery, which means you can keep the device on and just put in new batteries when needed. This smart tracker can be as loud as 90 decibels. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 to connect to your phone.
The Trackr Pixel features LED lights. These lights flash as the Pixel sounds so that you can find whatever you are looking for even in the dark. Like the Chipolo devices, Trackr Pixel also works with voice commands via Amazon Alexa. It also uses its network of users to help you get the latest location data for your lost items.
Still interested in how TrackR compares to other trackers? Check out our comparison between TrackR vs Tile, or Bravo vs TrackR Pixel.
Comparing the Different Chipolo Devices and Trackr Pixel
There is not much difference between the various Chipolodevices and the Trackr Pixel. At their core, these devices offer the same features and benefits. They help you find lost things, they connect to a mobile app that allows you to sound an alarm when you do lose something, or they show you a map of where a lost item is. However, they do have some differences that might help you decide on one over the other.
Pricing
Chipolo devices are expensive, especially when you compare them with the Trackr Pixel’s $9.99 price tag (Check out the latest price here!). The Chipolo CARD will cost you 35 euros, or $39.89 (Check out the latest price here!) directly converted. Meanwhile, the Chipolo CLASSIC and the Chipolo PLUS sell for 25 euros, or $28.48 (Check out the latest price here!). The good news.
Waterproofing
If you want an item finder that does not get damaged when it gets wet, then go for the Chipolo PLUS or the Chipolo CARD. These two both have an IPX5 water resistance rating, which means they can withstand jets of water being aimed directly at them.
Waterproofing comes at the expense of not being able to replace your batteries. Having a battery slot that you can open means that devices such as the Trackr Pixel and the Chipolo CLASSIC may not be waterproof.
This means that you either pick a device that is waterproof but does not have a replaceable battery, or the other way around.
Loudness
The Trackr Pixel suffers if you want a very loud item finder. It only emits 90 decibels of sound. The loudest you can choose is the Chipolo PLUS, which sounds at an impressive 100 decibels, which will make it twice as loud as the Pixel.
Bluetooth range
Bluetooth range is one of the criteria that help you decide between two trackers. In this area, the Trackr Pixel loses out with a Bluetooth range of only 100 feet. All Chipolo devices can connect to your phone from 200 feet away. The short Bluetooth range of the Pixel severely limits its usefulness because you will need to be nearer the object before it sounds.
Dimensions
If size matters for you, then you should know that Trackr Pixel is the smallest item finder in this comparison. Between the Chipolo devices, the CLASSIC version is a bit smaller and thinner than the PLUS. If you are trying to keep your wallet safe, you only have one option: the Chipolo Card, which is the only one thin enough to be inserted into your billfold.
Renewal program
Chipolo has a renewal program for its models that use a non-reusable battery. The company will replace your Chipolo at a discounted price so that you can get the latest version of Chipolo PLUS or CARD without having to pay full price. You will need to send your old device back to the company so that they can recycle it.
While that sounds like a noble initiative for the environment, it will have been better not to produce waste at all. If you think about it, it is quite a hassle to send your old device back so that you can update or continue using you CARD or PLUS. Plus, the discarded device will be waste in itself.
Trackr Pixel, like the Chipolo CLASSIC, uses a replaceable battery. You might want to consider this because you can just put in new batteries when the old one dies. You do not have to buy a new device, pair it again to your phone.
LED lights
Trackr Pixel lights up when you call it, making it easier to find what you lost in the dark. The Chipolo devices do not have a LED light.
A Side-by-Side Comparison of Trackr Pixel and Chipolo’s Different Devices
To make it easier for you to see the features of these devices, you can check this side-by-side comparison table. This will help you decide which tracker is right for you.
| Trackr Pixel | Chipolo CARD | Chipolo CLASSIC | Chipolo PLUS | |
| Price | $9.99 (Check out the latest price here!) | $39.89 (Check out the latest price here!) | $28.48 (Check out the latest price here!) | $28.48 (Check out the latest price here! ) |
| Dimensions (inches) | 1.03 x 1.03 x 0.22 | 1.45 x 2.67 x 0.08 | 1.38 x 1.38 x 0.20 | 1.46 x 1.46 x 0.23 |
| Weight (ounces) | 0.14 | 0.31 | 0.19 | 0.23 |
| Number of color options | 4 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Bluetooth range (feet) | 100 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Loudness (decibels) | 90 | 95 | 92 | 100 |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice command | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Relies on community of users | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Replaceable battery | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Map view | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LED lights | Yes | No | No | No |
| Waterproof? | No | IPX5 | No | IPX5 |
Pros and Cons: Trackr vs. Chipolo
Chipolo wins when it comes to waterproofing. It offers both the Chipolo CARD and the Chipolo PLUS for those things that you want to keep safe even when they get wet. For instance, you can use the Chipolo PLUS with pets, but not Trackr Pixel. That said, there are trackers that are designed specifically for pets.
Trackr and Chipolo have designed their trackers rather well. These useful devices are small in size and are lightweight.
What Can Be Better
All the Chipolo and Trackr devices can get their locations updated by other similar devices that come within range. However, this feature will rely on the user base of each company. There will probably be not much of a difference between Trackr and Chipolo if you live in cities that are densely packed with people, such as New York City. But what if you live in an area where there are significantly fewer users?
For this reason, you should also consider Tile before you decide on either Chipolo or Trackr.
Let’s Talk About Tile
Aside from the user base, Tile might have some features that you would not find on Trackr and Chipolo devices. For one, Tile has some of the loudest trackers. The Tile Pro can shrill at an uncomfortable 128 decibels, while the Tile Mate can get your attention with 119 decibels of sound. Tile also has the widest Bluetooth range at 300 feet.
All Tile trackers are also dust- and waterproof. These devices also have a square form, rather than the circular hockey puck shape of the Chipolo and Trackr devices. These are also larger than the Trackr Pixel while keeping in stride with the sizes of Chipolo’s devices. Tile also offers the Tile Slim, which can rival the Chipolo CARD and which can be placed inside your wallet.
The best thing about Tile’s trackers is that they are reasonably priced. These trackers sell for anywhere from $25 to $30.
Final Recommendations: Which Should You Buy?
Forced to choose between the various Chipolo devices and the Trackr Pixel, we will recommend that you spend the extra money and get the right Chipolo tracker for your things. If you want to keep your wallet safe, Chipolo has the Chipolo CARD. When it comes to other things, Chipolo has a louder tracker that has a wider range than the Trackr Pixel.
This is not to say that you should ignore Trackr Pixel altogether. With a very budget-friendly price tag at $10, you can use the Pixel to safeguard the things you have at home. For instance, your spare house keys, your toolbox, or your just about everything you would like. However, for your bags, laptop, and other stuff you take out of the house.
That being said, you might want to consider getting Tile’s trackers. For roughly the same price as Chipolo’s devices, Tile has more users, and its trackers have a wider range and are even louder than Chipolo.
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