ZDNET Highlights
- The Chipolo Loop is available now for $39.
- It’s rechargeable, so you don’t have to worry about battery disposal, and the speaker is much louder than the Apple AirTag.
- It’s significantly more expensive than the AirTag, so it may be a tough sell to an iPhone user.
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I love AirTags, and my life would be even more chaotic without them. But they have their limitations. The design isn’t conducive to connecting to keys, they don’t sound that loud, and they eat up disposable batteries.
What if there was a super-loud finder tag that had a built-in loop to connect to a key chain, and a battery that could be recharged using USB-C. It feels great, doesn’t it?
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That’s exactly what Chipolo Loop offers. But there are some things to keep in mind.
Loop works with the Apple Find My and Google Find Hub device networks, so it’s compatible with millions of smartphones, letting you find your lost items no matter where you are (which is useful if you drop your keys in some random riot in Marrakech… speaking from experience).
So, how is Loop different from AirTags?
First, the battery is rechargeable, and when it needs topping up – every six months or so – you can use any convenient USB-C cable. This means there will be no pile of old CR2032 left for recycling.
The recharge feature is a great feature, and means no batteries to buy!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The loop is also fast. The built-in speaker rings and beeps at 115 dB, compared to the AirTag’s 60 dB. It’s a night and day difference between the two, and the loop has a huge advantage when your keys fall as far as a couch cushion.
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The Loop Finder lives up to its name with a strong built-in silicone loop on the tag, making it very easy to attach it to your keyring, bag or pet. This is a great addition because you don’t have to buy anything to start using it. The only downside is that if you damage the loop, it cannot be removed or replaced.
Chipolo App (Android And iOS) adds more features to the hardware. For example, you can make your phone ring (even if it’s on silent mode), receive out-of-range alerts (Android only), change the ringtone on the tag, and you can even use the tag to take a selfie by pressing and holding the tag.
The built-in soft but tough silicone loop is a great touch, and makes the tag even more useful.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The tags are also IP67 rated so they’re dustproof, and have no issues repelling water.
The Loop comes in several colors – honey, chalk, charcoal, coral, mint and navy – so you can color-coordinate your gear.
But there are some limitations. First, you don’t get precise search on iOS like you do with AirTags (this feature isn’t available for any third-party tags that use the Apple Find My network). This means you can know where the tag is, but you can’t access its exact location like you can with AirTags.
Then there is the price. At $39 per tag, these are priced premium, much more than Apple’s Finder tags.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
Third-party finder tags on Apple Find My network are always a compromise because you don’t get an exact search. But if that’s not important to you – maybe you’re just keeping track of larger items like suitcases – then the Loop may be for you. USB-C charging is a nice touch, and the louder speaker is a night-and-day difference compared to the smaller speaker on the AirTag.
But, you have to pay a premium for this tag. airtags are Currently $24 if you buy them individuallyand you can get one Pack of four for $65 (Making them $6.25 each). Chipolo Loop Tags are $39. So they’re a good option for Android users, but a tough sell for iPhone users.
