Digital Trends
Whether you ’re concerned about your vehicle being stolen or just want to keep tab on a teenager number one wood , you ’ve plausibly considered installing one of the many railway car Global Positioning System tracker . The gamy price forLoJackor other subscription - based tracker inspection and repair may have keep you from pulling the induction , but these days , a extremely - stag twist is much more affordable . They do come stock in some modern vehicles , but not all , and sometimes cost extra to have installed even by the manufacturer . There ’s no denying that they are utilitarian . So , if you want to treat yourself to some repose of intellect — whether your vehicle is park right out of doors or thousands of air mile away — it might be time to call back about installing one of the bestGPStrackers for your automobile .
The best car GPS trackers in 2024
Spytec GPS Mini
Bouncie
Best overall GPS tracker
Bouncie is our top pick because it ’s one of the easiest to use . Thanks to a plug - and - play install process , straightaway setup , and an initial 10 - minute drive to calibrate , you ’ll have it ready to go in no clock time . In addition to monitoring speed and other performance detail , it also gives a clear overview of vehicle health . you’re able to see gas levels , battery health , various vehicle specifications , and more . It also offer impact detective work , erratic drive , and curfew alerting — if you want your adolescent to be home by a sealed time , for example . There is one downside , and it ’s that it will not report while the vehicle kindling is off because it ’s an OBD - connected gimmick . A subscription through Bouncie is $ 9 per calendar month .
Tracki
Best versatile option
Tracki is a lot more versatile than some of the other choice on the inclination , save for the Apple AirTag . That ’s because it come up with a few portable accouterment , like a key chain , whang clip , and magnetic attachment . It ’s more of a cosmopolitan tracker , but do n’t count it out just yet . It can help you monitor the vehicle ’s current speed and movements and has a powerful geofence mode that let you know when it ’s left a custom area you ’ve set . trailing is done via WiFi or Bluetooth , and it has a rechargeable battery that can last for up to five days when sending update in one to five - second time interval . It can last even longer , up to 75 days , in a low-down - power mode . A subscription is $ 20 per month unless you ratify up for a long - term program , and then it ’s cut to $ 9 per month .
Apple AirTag
Best subscription-free tracker
Apple ’s AirTagprobably take no introduction . It ’s not inherently designed to be a car Global Positioning System tracker ; it ’s more of a generalized selection . But Apple ’s rule My web is incredibly utilitarian , and slap one of these inside or on your car would offer you a robust monitoring solution . You ’ll lose detailed alerts and monitoring features , and you ca n’t set up any geofencing , but there are no subscription fee either . Apple ’s AirTags also offer large battery life , up to a year , on CR2032 coin cell battery , whichyou can easily replace yourselfwhen it ’s time .
LandAirSea 54
Best streamlined tracking
If you do n’t want to deal with a lot of excess information , the LandAirSea 54 is the right way up your skittle alley . It tracks three things : Battery , hurrying , and fix via geofencing . The app port is streamlined , too , to get you in , informed , and out pretty fast . There are no Vanessa Stephen or whistles , but that ’s just why you ’d choose this GPS tracker . It ’s thick , waterproof , and has a big - responsibility internal attractor that makes it easy to mount and conceal . Subscriptions start at $ 10 per calendar month .
Best commercial-grade tracker
electric battery - powered and ready to rock , the Spytec GPS Mini is advance enough to be used for fleet - level tracking — commercial-grade tracking for fleet and exaltation vehicles . It ’s compatible with Android and iOS , with respective mobile apps , and you may access a splashboard from the connection . It ’s IPX5 - rated , so water - tolerant and safe for mounting outside the fomite . Moreover , an integrate rechargeable battery hold a rush for up to 10 days with two time of day of campaign per 24-hour interval or up to 25 days in standby mode . It tracks speed and location and patronize geofencing , but the service is only available in North America . The monthly subscription cost is $ 30 , while the annual subscription is about $ 300 , which is much gamey than comparable options .
control Price
Kayo GPS Tracker
A suitable alternative
While the Kayo GPS Tracker does n’t bring home the bacon as much data as the more viable devices , its actual - time tracking , affordability , and fomite wellness options more than makeup for its shortcoming . It uses a SIM card , offering service within the United States , and you could take vantage of a 14 - day free tribulation before ante up for a subscription . qui vive admit a check - engine telling , low - battery alarum , and tamper notifications if someone undesirable is mess up with the gimmick . you could also set up individualize maintenance reminders from within the app . It ’s powered by the OBD - II port in your vehicle , so no battery or charging is necessary . The monthly subscription is about $ 5 per month after your detached test , of course .
How we chose these GPS trackers for cars
Here ’s what we considered when choosing the automobile GPS trackers for our inclination , and also what you should keep in mind when deciding which to purchase :
Battery Life
While not all GPS trackers run on a replaceable or rechargeable stamp battery — some plug into the OBD - II port — this is something to consider when choosing one for your setup . shelling aliveness will determine how often you have to recharge or replace the unit ’s power .
Subscription
Some devices , like Apple ’s AirTag , do not need a subscription . Others do , but the deal - off is that the expensive options usually pop the question memory access to more detailed reportage . Is that something you want or take ? If so , go with one of the more serviceable GPS trackers .
Placement
It ’s up to you where you place the tracker on your fomite . If it ’s for security or to prevent thieving , you ’ll want it conceal as much as possible . you could place it inside or outside the fomite , but if it ’s the latter , you ’ll need to ensure the gadget is weatherproof .
GPS Reliability
Some GPS tracker hark back the location results in real - time , while others return information at intervals , like every five to ten minutes . The more often the retort rates , the more battery power the gimmick will use , so keep that in nous .
Geofencing
Some tracker allow you to go under up a geofence or area boundary for tracking and alert . When the tracker moves outside of these boundaries or into them , you ’ll get alert immediately . This can be helpful to identify when a car has left a dimension , your local town , or the case-by-case areas you ’ve established . Not all trackers offer this , however , so if it ’s something you specifically desire , pay attention when choosing a gadget .
GPS trackers for cars: What you need to know
Traditionally , self-propelling and machine GPS trackers were book for company fomite , transports , and other commercially feasible vehicles where real - metre and unmediated tracking is not only useful but also helps inform the operation as a whole . For example , livery vehicles are equipped with GPS to help discover efficient travelling routes , for security measures purposes to prevent theft , and to offer more nuanced waypoint tracking for inventories and other goods .
In recent year , these devices have been made available to consumer to install on local railcar . Moreover , GPS really come standard in many modern vehicles , meaning you may not even need to buy an after - market machine .
What are the benefits of car GPS trackers?
have a Global Positioning System installed in your vehicle offer the followers :
How do you install after-market car GPS trackers?
As with most twist , you’re able to DIY the install if you ’re knowledgeable and comfortable doing so . In most cases , it should n’t bear on your car ’s warranty or extended reporting , but to be indisputable , talk to a brand repp for your railroad car ’s make and model and adopt all manufacturer ’s recommendation .
The better alternative is to have the GPS tracker installed by a professional . Usually , you’re able to set up this with the store or auto provider where you purchase the gimmick . You might also schedule an appointment with a local automotive store , repair shop class , or car service — such as where you get your oil exchange .
Are car GPS trackers legal?
If it ’s your vehicle , as in you are the owner , yes , it ’s sound to set up a Global Positioning System trackerin most legal power . However , it isnot legalto install in a car or vehicle without the possessor ’s express permission . Installing in a partner ’s fomite and hide it is extremely illegal and represent stalk in at least 11 United States Department of State , including Alaska , Arizona , Connecticut , Illinois , Maryland , New York , Washington , and more .
An exception would be set up a tracker in your kid ’s car or your own fomite that your child may be borrowing . It’sstill importantto share that a GPS tracker is being used . Delaware , Michigan , Tennessee , and other states allow the use of GPS trackers by a parent or guardian in a small-scale ’s fomite .
