Right here at Macworld we’re extraordinarily keen on Apple’s
AirTag, which we think about by far the very best Bluetooth tracker for an iPhone or Mac person. Nonetheless, one grievance raised in our
AirTag evaluate was that it doesn’t have a gap, which suggests you’re compelled in most conditions to purchase an adjunct to place it in.
Need to connect it to your keys? You could purchase a particular key ring. Need to connect it to your baggage? Particular baggage label. An ecosystem has rapidly sprung up providing straps, loops, pet tags, instances and holders for AirTag homeowners.
However which of them are value shopping for? We’ve been testing out all of the AirTags equipment we will get our arms on, so we may help you discover the very best AirTag holder on your wants.
Finest AirTag Key Rings
Apple AirTag FineWoven Key Ring
There are cheaper alternate options, however that is the traditional AirTag key ring—changing the earlier Apple Leather-based Key Ring, now that Apple has gone absolutely vegan in honor of its legendary co-founder Steve Jobs. It’s mild, engaging and reassuringly well-made. It’s simple to place the AirTag inside, however the metallic popper received’t let it escape. And we love the massive, chunky (however fairly flat) ring, though we’d suggest testing it out in a store in the event you’re planning on attaching automotive keys with a small aperture. This reviewer’s Nissan and Skoda keys had been each a decent match.
The material overlaying protects the AirTag’s edge from drop harm however leaves most of its chassis, each back and front, open to the weather and liable to scuff just a little—a grievance publicly made about Apple’s FineWoven iPhone instances. We predict that is value it for the pleasing look, and scuffing is each inevitable and minor, however in order for you complete safety you’ll must look elsewhere.
It’s accessible in 5 colours: Black, Coral, Taupe, Mulberry and Pacific Blue–David Worth
Belkin Safe Holder with Wire Cable for AirTag
Execs
- Feels safer than Apple ring
Worth When Reviewed:
$19.95
Belkin’s Safe Holder is made from laborious plastic, which provides it extra of a price range really feel, but it surely’s reassuringly strong, and appears powerful with its wire cable that features a hex key to lock the AirTag in place.
As with Apple’s key ring, each faces of the AirTag are left uncovered, however the plastic encompass stands proud extra and thus supplies extra drop safety. It’s accessible in white or black.–David Worth
OtterBox Rugged Case for AirTag
Worth When Reviewed:
$19.95
OtterBox is an organization recognized for its ultra-protective telephone instances, and its Rugged Case for AirTag continues this custom, as its title suggests. The protecting perimeter is elevated to permit for bigger bumps and mishaps than most AirTag key rings.
OtterBox additionally has a Rugged Passport Collection of the Rugged Case that’s styled with the coordinates of iconic cities, reminiscent of New York, London, Paris and Tokyo, in addition to a wide range of different AirTag instances and key rings.–Simon Jary
OtterBox Core Collection Case for AirTag
Worth When Reviewed:
$19.95
The OtterBox Core Collection Case is essentially the most sustainable AirTag key ring—created from a FSC-certified recycled and recyclable materials. Its speckled seems to be exhibits off an genuine recycled look.–Simon Jary
Orbitkey Leather-based Holder for AirTag
Cons
- Covers one aspect
- Slight wobble
Worth When Reviewed:
$39.90
Orbitkey‘s leather-based providing is nicely value your consideration. It prices roughly the identical as Apple’s non-leather key ring but it surely has a nice-looking design and a few benefits up its sleeve.
One is the slenderness of the ring itself. Whereas Apple’s broad, flat ring could be awkward for attaching automotive keys with a slender aperture, this can match into holes of the smallest dimensions. The second benefit lies within the modern manner keys are hooked up: an initially baffling locking system that, as soon as mastered, is much faster and simpler (and much much less painful) than prising aside the standard two-layer ring along with your fingernails.
The one actual quibble is that the leather-based fob is rather a lot greater than the AirTag itself. It has extra space than it wants and wobbles round barely contained in the pocket. The important thing ring thus takes up extra room in your pocket than it must. This does additionally give the AirTag much more safety than Apple’s model. It’s much less more likely to get scuffed than with the opposite key rings we tried out.
If the value tag places you off, Orbitkey additionally makes a less expensive Slim Case with the same locking system.–David Worth
Olixar Silicone Protecting Pores and skin For Apple AirTags
Worth When Reviewed:
$11.99
Olixar’s easy providing prices lower than the Belkin key ring, and fewer than a 3rd of the Apple choice—very useful if you wish to equip a few younger youngsters with AirTags and keep watch over their actions.
Wrestling the AirTag into the silicone cowl is mildly difficult—there’s no clasp of any sort, you simply stretch the perimeters and jam it in there–but it surely’s safe as soon as inside and admirably protecting. The truth is you could possibly say it supplies twice the safety of Apple’s key ring because it covers the again utterly: solely the entrance face is uncovered.
The karabiner-style opening on the ring makes it simpler to make use of and extra enjoyable than a traditional ring (though barely much less safe, because it doesn’t have the lock function of a full mountaineering karabiner). However that is basically a primary choice; in the event you’re ready to spend just a little extra, think about Olixar’s ‘leather-based type’ model as an alternative, and even its top-of-the-line real leather-based case.–David Worth
ElevationLab TagVault: Keychain
Cons
- Reduces quantity of AirTag sounds
Worth When Reviewed:
$12.95 (single); $39.95 (4 pack)
Elevation Lab’s TagVault: Keychain claims that it’s absolutely waterproof. This rugged case has a gasket that forestalls water intrusion whereas passing via ultra-wideband and Bluetooth alerts and permitting about two-thirds of the AirTag’s sound quantity. It has an integral loop for a keychain ring and comes with a easy however strong one.–Glenn Fleishman
Learn our full
TagVault: Keychain evaluate
Caseology Vault
Execs
- Rugged
- Karabiner attachment
Worth When Reviewed:
$13.99
How a few correctly rugged key ring accent on your AirTag? The Caseology Vault is created from military-grade thermoplastic polyurethane, with a properly grippy sandstone end that makes it much less susceptible to drops.
Just like the Olixar Silicone it incorporates a karabiner attachment. That is detachable, which makes the Vault a flexible accent. It’s simply as glad monitoring rucksacks as keys.–David Worth
Apple AirTag Loop
Apple’s AirTag Loop is made from polyurethane and feels and appears sensible, with two of the colour choices (Electrical Orange and Sunflower) notably vivid and cheerful. This may even enable you to identify your suitcase on the conveyor belt.
The AirTag clips in utilizing a metallic clasp that’s simple to make use of and safe; you then put the strap round your baggage’s deal with and loop the top half again via the slit within the tail. It seems to be barely delicate at first look–the strap will get fairly skinny at a sure level–however proved immune to reasonable tugging and needs to be positive beneath non-military utilization circumstances. Like Apple’s key ring, it protects the perimeters of the AirTag however not the middle of its two faces, so anticipate some scuffing.–David Worth
Olixar Delicate Silicone Baggage Loop For AirTags
Worth When Reviewed:
$11.99
Olixar’s silicone AirTag strap has a really comparable design to Apple’s Loop, however as you’d anticipate (given how less expensive it’s) the supplies and high quality of manufacture are barely much less luxurious. It’s a bit floppier, for one factor, and doesn’t really feel fairly as good. It’s a superbly respectable, purposeful and far more inexpensive substitute, nonetheless, and there’s at all times the choice of the leather-based model in the event you’re ready to splash out a bit extra for a style of the finer issues in life.–David Worth
Belkin Safe Holder with Strap for AirTag
Worth When Reviewed:
$12.95
Belkin’s Safe Holder can be accessible with a strong string for attaching it to the deal with of a suitcase or bag. Just like the strap-style loops offered by different producers this threads again via itself to simply connect to your baggage.
It’s accessible in white, black, blue, and pink with an identical string. Since the back and front sections, string and key ring are all removable, you could possibly create a multicolor accent by mixing and matching multiple holder.–David Worth
Casetify Customisable AirTag Holder
The principal attraction of Casetify’s AirTag holder is the sheer vary of designs and colours you possibly can select from. Those pictured are, from left, Colourful Floral in Turquoise and Pink (with Peach background); Flowers for you by Matthew Langille (with Licorice); and Egg Tart with Mice (with Avocado). That final one is our favourite, however there are tons of of choices.–David Worth
Finest AirTag pockets and card holders
It’s not simply keys and baggage that’e simple to lose. Misplacing your pockets or card holder is a typical occurance, and so long as you additionally haven’t misplaced your iPhone, discovering one with an AirTag pocket is a straightforward resolution.
Artpaxy Pockets with AirTag Holder
Execs
- Full bifold pockets with AirTag pocket
Worth When Reviewed:
$29.99
This traditional-looking bifold pockets features a front-mounted pocket for an Apple AirTag, after which does the same old pockets enterprise with 13 card slots, two money pockets and two ID home windows. It additionally claims to incorporate Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) blocking to cease gadget scanning.
Bazza AirTag Card Pockets
Execs
- Colourful, enjoyable AirTag card pockets
Worth When Reviewed:
$22.99
This super-lightweight card pockets from Italy properly nestles an AirTag in a choice of engaging and enjoyable colours. It feels just a little plasticky however is in actual fact created from sustainable, recyclable plant-based supplies—there’s not even any glue launched into the manufacturing course of.
You should buy with the AirTag preinstalled, or slot in your individual. The Bazza AirTag Card Pockets is obtainable in pink, yellow, pink, darkish blue, mild blue, white, black and inexperienced.
Finest AirTag pet collars
ElevationLab TagVault: Pet
Worth When Reviewed:
$19.95
The TagVault: Pet makes use of screws with the small Torx T6 star-shaped drive for the portion that accommodates the AirTag and maintains the waterproof seal. These screws are piercing, self-tapping screws with a T10 slot. They’re used to carry a tough plastic anchor to offer additional stability when hooked up to a pet collar that you just present–although the case could also be too large for smaller collars. The equipment features a metal Torx T6 L-shaped wrench with screw tips about each ends.–Glenn Fleishman
Learn our full
Elevation Lab TagVault: Pet evaluate
Finest AirTag pockets holders
ElevationLab TagVault: Pockets
Designed to carry an AirTag firmly in place in a pockets, it is available in two type elements: commonplace, 3.25 by 1.5 inches (83 by 38 mm), and compact, 2 by 1.5 inches (51 by 38 mm). Each are 0.05 inches (1.3 mm) thick. The extra rectangular type works nicely in billfold slots; the squarer design in different elements of a pockets. With the AirTag uncovered back and front, there’s no further blocking past your pockets to dam wi-fi alerts for monitoring and Precision Discovering.–Glenn Fleishman
Learn our full
TagVault: Pockets evaluate
Nomad Card for AirTag
Worth When Reviewed:
$19.95
Although it tapers to the perimeters, the Card for AirTag is 3.2 by 2.1 by 0.2 inches (54 by 82 by 5 mm) at its largest. The AirTag sits like a gem in its middle, bulging barely outwards to 0.3 inches (8 mm). A mix of sentimental and laborious supplies–polycarbonate and TPU rubber–supplies each a pleasant exterior really feel and the rigidity and suppleness to insert an AirTag into the Card’s opening with a satisfying click on.–Glenn Fleishman
Learn our full
Nomad Card for AirTag evaluate
Finest AirTag mounts
Olixar AirTags Adhesive Silicone Pocket
Worth When Reviewed:
$11.99
If the factor you need to monitor hasn’t obtained a deal with you possibly can loop the AirTags to, or a pocket you possibly can slip one inside, then the subsequent choice is stickiness. These neat silicone pockets (which are available a pack of 4) each defend the tracker from exterior harm, and provides it a robust and dependable adhesive floor to cling to a jewel field, schoolbag or video games console.
Regardless of the unobtrusive look of the pocket the AirTag continues to be pretty apparent and simply slipped out, so this resolution isn’t ultimate for monitoring down stolen property (until there’s a extra discreet inner floor you possibly can stick it to). However for finding TV remotes–and for sheer versatility of utility–they’re indispensable.–David Worth
Pelican Protector Sticker Mount Case for AirTag Gadgets
Execs
- Sturdy adhesive connection
Cons
- No built-in water resistance
Worth When Reviewed:
$19.99
When you’re on the lookout for an AirTag mount that may follow virtually any floor and permits for straightforward AirTag removing, the Pelican Protector suits the invoice. It’s not discreet, it’s not rugged, and it doesn’t supply further water safety, however as a mount, it really works nicely. Pelican depends on 3M VHB adhesive for attachment, which creates a near-permanent mount that turns into stronger over time.—Glenn Fleishman
Learn our full
Pelican Protector Sticker Mount Case for AirTag Gadgets evaluate
Different sorts of AirTag instances and holders
Olixar Apple AirTags Anti-Scratch Protector
Worth When Reviewed:
$11.99
The AirTag is just a little susceptible to selecting up scuff marks, and most of the holders on this roundup depart not less than one among its surfaces uncovered and susceptible to wreck. If that is one thing you’re involved about, think about shopping for a “display” protector on your tracker–it hasn’t truly obtained a display, in fact, however the identical precept applies. Olixar consists of two TPU movie covers within the pack, together with ethanol wipes and a cleansing fabric for getting ready the AirTag, and an utility card for smoothing out air bubbles.–David Worth
ElevationLab TagVault: Bike
Worth When Reviewed:
$19.95
The TagVault: Bike is a lozenged-shaped plastic shell that homes the AirTag AirTag nestles inside its waterproof seal. It attaches to a motorcycle by way of the bike’s water bottle mount, utilizing longer screws to connect the bottle cage, or shorter screws in the event you don’t connect the cage. The case is a matte black, rendering it unobtrusive. Screwed in between a cage and the body, a thief would first have to acknowledge it after which work laborious to take away it rapidly.–Glenn Fleishman
Learn our full
Elevation Lab TagVault: Bike evaluate
What you possibly can anticipate in an AirTag case
As a result of the AirTag is available in a single selection, you don’t want to decide on which sort to amass. Apple sells them singly ($29) and in a four-pack ($99). Engraving is free.
An AirTag often broadcasts 2.4GHz Bluetooth alerts with an encrypted gadget ID for different Apple units to choose up and relay together with these units’ areas. The two.4GHz band penetrates strong objects nicely, however case designers should be aware of supplies which have the potential to dam the sign. In our survey of AirTag instances, we didn’t discover a case thus far that had that design drawback.
AirTags additionally use ultrawideband (USB) know-how for Precision Discovering, unique to Apple’s personal Discover My gadgets. Precision Discovering lets an iPhone with UWB establish the course and distance inside inches when it’s inside about 15 to 30 toes (4.5 to 9 m).
Think about to what use you might put an AirTag to find out the options you need:
- Function: Circumstances exist in sufficient selection that you could find one designed as a baggage tag, one other as a trendy keyring, and one other to withstand monumental quantities of harm. Determine the place you need to put the AirTag and match the case to it.
- Water resistance: Many instances function some extent of water resistance, some utilizing the IP ranking that defines exactly how a lot. When you’re utilizing an AirTag exterior or on a pet’s collar, it’s your decision one with a excessive diploma of resistance. When attaching to a bag or keyring, it could appear much less essential or not essential in any respect.
- Ring, clip, loop, or carabiner: Case makers supply many variants on attachments. Some embody a easy gap to connect a keychain, whereas others incorporate a keychain as a part of the product and should embody a keyring. You should buy a number of instances constructed right into a carabiner, together with one with a three-digit mixture lock. You can too get a string or comparable loop design, by which the case passes via a loop and pulls tight on a deal with with no knot.
- Detachable or adhesive: You may want an AirTag case that’s simple to maneuver about or connect and reattach. Different instances embody adhesive for semi-permanent fastened attachment.
- Hidden for theft restoration: Some instances are designed to cover an AirTag, making its presence much less obvious and thus much less more likely to be found if stolen; others are apparent, reminiscent of in a keychain or baggage tag. Mood hideability with the information that Apple’s anti-stalking options constructed into AirTag tech makes them discoverable to criminals with a smartphone.Reveals the entrance: Conversely, some instances exhibit an AirTag, revealing its entrance the place you might need had added customized engraving from Apple with an emoji or textual content. You would possibly need to see that engraving to distinguish amongst AirTags you personal.
- Price: Circumstances typically value from about $20 to $35—across the worth of a single AirTag. Nonetheless, there are outliers under $10 and above $40. It’s all concerning the perform, ruggedness, and complexity of objective. Some cost additional for type.
How we take a look at AirTag case options
For every type of case, we rated them based mostly on particular options round which they had been designed. These embody:
- Straightforward to insert the AirTag for safe retention: Each case has a barely totally different method to getting an AirTag inside. Some instances have an elaborate locking process or require eradicating and restoring 4 tiny screws to protect a water-resistant seal. Others are easy as sliding the tag right into a holding or popping it right into a rubber ring.
- Attaches securely for attachable instances: We examined instances that market themselves as attachable at how nicely they succeed at that job. Circumstances might include or be a part of a keyring, carabiner, wrist strip, or pet collar, or might have an adhesive to stay on to things, like the within of bags.
- Entry for battery substitute: Apple expects an AirTag battery to final for a few 12 months in on a regular basis utilization, which it defines as one case of Precision Discovering and 4 tones performed per day. A case ought to enable entry that isn’t maddening for changing the battery each a number of months to a 12 months.
- Strong in opposition to bumps and bangs: Only some sorts of instances can keep away from the damage and tear of bumping in opposition to different objects. Most should be constructed with that in thoughts. For instances uncovered to different surfaces, we have a look at whether or not the supplies and construct high quality give confidence in them present lasting worth.
- Blocks entry to take away: A handful of instances present a safety component supposed to forestall entry to an AirTag with out extreme power—the AirTag must be destroyed to take away it. We charge these instances on whether or not they appear capable of stop or deter every little thing however destruction.