You may have seen me singing the praises of the second-generation AirTag as one of my favorite travel gadgets. Still, there’s just one tiny little problem with the brand-spankin’ new model: it’s pricey, especially compared to its predecessor.
Right now, the first-generation, quadruple-pack AirTag is down to its lowest price I’ve ever seen—just $59.99—and it’s still a highly capable tracker. As a professional deals tracker of six years, I can tell you that this incredible sale won’t last long. Trust me, you’ll want to hop on this deal expeditiously before Apple decides to phase out the first generation model completely.
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Before you shell out $60, here’s what you need to know about the first-generation AirTag—and why its earned a spot on many Good Housekeeping editors’ packing lists.
Why we love the OG AirTag
The Good Housekeeping Institute crowned the first-generation AirTag as the best gadget for finding your keys, particularly for iPhone users, because it’s quick and easy to set up and seamlessly integrates with Apple’s Find My network for real-time tracking. Just don’t forget to buy Apple’s Key Ring to secure your AirTag to your keys.
Of course, keys aren’t the only use case for the AirTag. GH Institute’s Olivia Lipski, senior reviews writer and analyst, commended the OG AirTag in her review for helping her track down luggage left behind in Paris.
In her tracking process, the AirTag sent out Bluetooth signals and tapped into Apple’s global FindMy network. “The device that detected my AirTag then sent out the location of my AirTag to iCloud so I could see it on the map within the app,” Lipski said. “Though I wasn’t happy about the situation, I was relieved to at least have a general idea of where my belongings were so I could go ahead and notify the airline.”
If you’re within closer range of your misplaced item, you can use Precision Finding in the FindMy app. This feature lets you play “hot and cold,” using on-screen arrows, distance cues, and haptic feedback to find your lost possession.
How the AirTag 2 compares to the original
The four-pack of AirTag 2 is $40 more than that of four original AirTags. What’s the mainThe main difference between the first- and seceond-generation? The new one comes with an extended range for Precision Finding. I experimented with both the OG AirTag and AirTag 2; the latter showed a 74% improvement in finding range, expanding from about 22 yards to roughly 115 feet.
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Twenty-two yards is already impressive, but that range jumping to 115 feet—about half the length of a football field—truly makes a difference when you’re searching through a crowded airport, a packed parking lot, or a large home.
However, I highly recommend waiting for the Amazon Big Spring Sale, running from March 25 to March 31, before purchasing AirTag 2. There’s a good chance we might see a small discount for Apple’s latest Bluetooth tracker.
If you have your eyes set on the original AirTag, swoop in fast. I doubt it’ll dip any lower for Amazon’s upcoming sale. It’s only a matter of time before this deal vanishes; knowing how Apple phases out its tech in favor of newer models, the AirTag 1 is only this cheap until it runs out for good.