Best Apple AirTag accessories – CNET
Those who are known to have lost their wallets, phones and other belongings will most likely receive a Apple Air Tag for the holidays. AirTag accessories, like the best AirTag holder, keychain, or collar, are must-haves for anyone who wants to use Apple’s nifty tracking devices. The first tile competitor, the Apple AirTag helps you find important items like bags, keys, wallets, or whatever you attach your AirTag to. Just open Apple’s Find My app. It’s a godsend if you often misplace things. A a single AirTag costs $29 (£29, AU$45), although you can get a four-pack for $99 (£99, AU$149).
The main drawback is that AirTag discs do not come with any type of media. That means, depending on how you plan to use it, you’ll need some kind of accessory for what is also, basically, an accessory. (Apple tends to push its own cottage industries for add-ons, even if they’re accessories to begin with — AirPods are a perfect example.) However, you can find tons of AirTag accessories in multiple styles for every budget.
In some cases, you’ll be able to embed an AirTag in an object without a carrier – just put it in a purse or backpack, for example – but some people like to keep an AirTag with their keys or attach it to a backpack or laptop bag. You can also stick your AirTag on an object and many AirTag holders are available.
Note that CNET editors have tried most of these accessories, but not all. If we haven’t tried a product, we’ve tested other accessories from these companies, so we feel comfortable recommending them. We will add more AirTags accessories to the list as we test new products.
Read more: Apple AirTags hands-on review
Key rings and straps
Belkin
Belkin’s Secure AirTags Holder is available in keychain or strap versions in four color options. There’s nothing fancy about them, but at $11 they’re both cheaper than the Apple-branded options shown below. You can also get a two-pack for $20.
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Although it was released a bit later than some AirTags accessories, Otterbox’s key fob, which Otterbox calls a “rugged case”, is made of sturdy plastic and does indeed enclose your AirTag (you unscrew the top piece , place your AirTag in the case, then screw the top piece back on to lock the AirTag into the holder). It’s available in black or white for $20 but is currently on sale for $15.
Amazon
While this faux leather key fob from Cyrill, a Korea-based sub-brand of Spigen, isn’t anything out of the ordinary, it currently comes in stone and black color options.
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The Apple-branded leather key fob costs $35 and comes in three colors: black, saddle brown, and red.
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Amazon
If you’re looking for a value option, your best bet may be to roll the dice on a no-name brand on Amazon. This Eusty keychain cover is available in a four-pack for just under $15. Often generic models like this are labeled as “leather” when in fact they are faux leather (sometimes called PU leather or vegan leather). These look a lot like other basic leatherette AirTag keychains and come in a few color options.
There are dozens if not hundreds of generic AirTag carriers available. Most should be fine, but don’t expect them to wear as well over time as the real leather models.
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Caseology’s AirTag Vault is another simple key fob option that’s affordable at $15 but could drop a few bucks in price over time. (Caseology is also a sub-brand of Spigen.) It’s one of the few AirTag accessories that was available at launch and has therefore been quite popular. It comes with a carabiner but you can attach a standard keychain if you wish. It should be back in stock pretty soon.
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Amazon
Spigen also sells an attractive and simple AirTag keychain, the Valentinus, for around $18. It is made of faux leather. Unfortunately, it is temporarily out of stock but should be back in the next few weeks.
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Amazon
If you’re looking for a mount that sticks to an object (like the underside of a bike seat or scooter), Pelican’s AirTag Stick-on Mount is designed to do just that. A single mount costs $16 while a four-pack sells for $30. It is available in four different colors.
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Apple
Apple’s loop, designed to attach your AirTag to a bag, costs the same as an AirTag. But this is Apple’s official buckle option and this polyurethane option is cheaper than the $39 leather buckle. (That doesn’t make it a bargain, but I’m just pointing it out.) It comes in four different colors.
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Nomadic
I like the design of Nomad’s leather AirTag key fob better than Apple’s, which leaves the AirTag partially exposed. This AirTag key fob hides it and looks more like a standard key fob. It is designed to “weather” over time, becoming darker (especially the brown version). It’s available in brown or black for $30, which is pricey but nice.
Nomad also makes a leather loop that’s also a keychain and lists for $20. I prefer the more expensive model pictured here.
Spigen
Spigen, known for the value of its iPhone cases, has its AirTag Case Rugged Armor ($16). It’s not as cheap as we hoped, but maybe the price will come down over time. It has a sturdy design with a nice carabiner and carbon fiber elements.
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Casetify offers a wide variety of AirTag carriers. They’re made of hard plastic and are pretty basic, but have eye-catching artwork on the back. You can also personalize them with your name or choose from multiple emojis and other graphics. They are expensive at $38 but are on sale occasionally.
Nomadic
If you’re looking to AirTag your pet, Nomad’s next rugged pet ID tag fits the bill (Nomad’s AirTag key fob is essentially the same). According to Nomad, it’s built with a TPU-overmolded polycarbonate shell and comes with two case options: an IP67 waterproof back and a speaker-hole back. For an additional $20 you can purchase a customizable stainless steel insert cover that you can have your pet’s name and a way to contact you engraved on it. No pet collar is included.
It’s worth bearing in mind that Apple claims that AirTags are not designed to track pets. Your pet would need to be within range of the Find My network for the AirTag to work, so if they run off into the woods it won’t be much help.
Other AirTag options
Moment
Moment, which makes and sells photo and video accessories for Apple products, including lens accessories, will have a case accessory that lets you mount your AirTag. “Made from a tough aramid fiber shell and backed by a super strong adhesive, you can stick an AirTag to any flat surface,” says Moment.
Moment also has other mounts: the Curved Surface Mount for AirTags ($25) which is made of flexible silicone (rubber) and can stick to surfaces that aren’t totally flat; and the Stretch Fabric Backing for AirTags ($25) designed to stick to fabrics, such as the inside of a bag, and other flat surfaces.
Amazon
If you don’t want to spend $15-$20 on a mount, these Gorilla Mounting Tape Squares are a cheaper option at $6 and can be cut to size for AirTags. AirTags have an IPX67 water resistance rating, which means they can be fully submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and are dustproof. Thus, he can withstand certain punishments without cover. After all, it doesn’t have a screen.
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Amazon
The AirTag uses a CR2032 coin cell battery, which should last about a year. You can find a 10-pack of these batteries on Amazon for less than $10. This is the way to go, especially if you have multiple AirTags and other devices that use CR2032 button cell batteries.
Always remember to keep button cell batteries away from young children so they don’t accidentally swallow one. They can cause serious injury if swallowed.
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