Do you dream of never losing your stuff again, but the price of Apple AirTags makes you cringe? Action, the Dutch discounter, offers an alternative that might just tempt you. We tested these low-cost trackers for you.
AirTags promise to never lose our stuff again. Great, right? Yes, except when you see the price: 39 euros each, that stings a bit.
But don’t despair, because Action, the well-known discounter, may have the solution.
The brand offers its own Bluetooth trackers compatible with Apple’s “Locate” network, at unbeatable prices.
So I decided to play guinea pig and treat myself to a little shopping session at Action (and I didn’t buy just that unfortunately).
On the menu: several models of “alternative” trackers, including the Smart Finder Card from Fresh’n Rebel. The latter is very thin, only 2.5 mm and only 14 grams.
A quick reminder for newbies: an AirTag is a small device that uses Bluetooth technology to communicate its position to your smartphone. Practical for finding your keys lost in the sofa cushions or your suitcase lost at the airport! Personally, I put it in the car, on the bike, on my dogs’ collars and in my travel bags. Not forgetting the keys and wallet.
To go further
Testing the Apple AirTags: a great support for smart people
Installation: as simple as with Apple?
First good point for Action: installation is child’s play. As with a real AirTag, simply turn on the device, put it in pairing mode (a simple press of the single button is enough), and connect it to your iPhone. The “Locate” app recognizes it instantly, and you can give it a cool little name.
Once set up, you can slip your tracker into your bag, wallet, attach it to your runaway dog’s collar, or even hide it in your car. In short, the base is there, and it’s already not bad.
Performance: compromises, inevitably
Well, let’s talk a little, talk well. At this price, this is to be expected: Action trackers make compromises. First notable difference with Apple AirTags: no certification against water and dust. Suffice to say that you will have to avoid dropping them in a puddle or taking them to the beach.
Design-wise, we are clearly on basic plastic. It does the job, but don’t expect a foolproof object. The ringtone, which is supposed to help you locate your lost items, is also less powerful than that of AirTags. Too bad if you tend to misplace your belongings in noisy places (let’s imagine… a football stadium).
Location accuracy also lags behind Apple’s models. Sometimes you have to be a little more patient to get the exact position of your object. I even noticed some temporary disconnections, with the device going into “offline” mode for a few minutes. Nothing dramatic, but it’s worth noting.
This Smart Find Card is sold at Action, but also Amazon, but much more expensive: 25 euros.
Please note that Fresh’n Rebel also sells several other models on Amazon, with a more attractive price than AirTags. There is even a model with IP67 protection which therefore makes it water resistant.
