The Best Gps Trackers of 2021

Best Gps Trackers Buying Guide & Reviews of 2020

GPS trackers are devices that can be used to locate vehicles, people, assets, or pets instantly. You just need to put the GPS tracker on the person, animal, or any other object you want to track and you will get GPS locations and pertinent information via texts, emails, or maps. There are different kinds of GPS trackers out there. Some help service providers to track goods and fleet while others help people to track friends, family members, kids, or pets. Here’s all you need to know if you are planning to buy one.

Decide the Purpose

Before buying a GPS tracker, ensure you purchase one that is meant for your purpose. For instance, if you own a delivery company, you should look for vehicle GPS trackers. Similarly, if you are a parent who wants to keep an eye on kids, you should choose from personal GPS trackers. In case you need one that you can use for business and personal use, pick the one that’s designed for multiple uses.

Types of GPS Trackers

GPS trackers come with two major categories; personal or vehicle/equipment trackers. There are sub-types too when it comes to vehicle/equipment trackers. Check out the following brief:

Personal Trackers – They are meant to be worn by a person or a pet. It helps to ensure that people or pets don’t get lost accidentally. Most parents and pet-owners trust them.

Vehicle/Equipment Trackers – These are meant for cars, boats, trailers and other such large objects. Many of them draw power from the vehicles/equipment and so don’t need to be recharged often.

Sub-Types

Within the vehicle/equipment trackers, you will come across three sub-types explained briefly here.

Plug-In GPS Trackers

These trackers are usually used by mechanics to get information regarding their car. It is also used by common people to track their car. They are quite easy to install and let you know when the vehicle is on or off.

Hardwired GPS Trackers

They are hardwired directly into your vehicle. They can be hidden which is a benefit for people business owners like travel agencies where drivers use the vehicle. Families can also use these trackers to track their diesel truck.

Battery Powered Tracking Units

As the name suggests, these trackers work on an internal battery rather than the power of a vehicle. They deliver reports once every 15 minutes which is slower than other vehicle-mounted units that report every minute. They are preferred as they can last for months without the need for a recharge. Owners of trailers, boats and motorcycle hauling equipment trust these often.

Size

When it comes to size, most people prefer small GPS trackers as they can be added and removed easily. You should focus on the location when deciding the size. For instance, if you intend to place the GPS tracker on a large truck, you might not care about the size and can choose a big one that can fit the vehicle easily. In contrast, if you want to add it to your small cat, you would be wise to pick a small GPS tracker that can be attached to the pet’s collar. You might also want to look at GPS trackers for pets as they are quite tiny and won’t bother your fur baby.

Think of the Emergencies

When you hope to buy portable GPS trackers for cars, assets, or loved ones, make sure you invest in a product that has an SOS button. A driver or the person near the button should be able to press it to seek help and alert the authorities whenever needed. The GPS tracker will send the location of the person, pet, or vehicle to you and the authorities like the police. Moreover, in emergencies like natural calamities, fire, etc., it can save lives, so never ignore it!

Dedicated App

In case you are looking at the latest and advanced versions of GPS such as wireless GPS trackers, make sure you think about more tech-friendly options like trackers that come with a dedicated app. The app would make it simpler to view or change account settings, create or view geofences and track essentials like battery life. It will also send instant notifications and give you better control when it comes to customizing the location reports. You can also track anyone at any time via mobile so you can do it when you are on the move!

Durability

There is no point in buying a GPS tracker that would die on you in a couple of days or start showing errors when you really need to track someone. So, always go for the GPS tracker that comes with a guarantee or warranty of at least a few months or years. You can also look for add-on features that provide extra protection such as water resistance if you intend to use the trackers outdoors often or you are after one of the best fitness GPS trackers as sweat can kill cheaper products.

Seek Smart Alerts

Many people buy GPS trackers and forget about them. They don’t track their objects often. It can be a waste of money at times. If you have a busy life and often forget important tasks, you should go for a GPS tracker that sends regular alerts. For instance, you can buy luggage GPS trackers that alert you if the location or route of the luggage changes or the vehicle carrying the luggage breaches speed limits.

Accessories

Most providers of GPS trackers provide some basic accessories like batteries, chargers, etc. But if you want something extra, you should talk to the seller and ask for accessories like extra cables, a case or a pouch, mounting brackets, etc. It will ensure that you keep the device safe and in excellent condition most of the time.

Get Maximum Coverage

As all GPS trackers send data and reports by using mobile phones, you should know about the cellular network the device will use. If possible, don’t buy a device that uses a network with coverage issues in your area. If the coverage is poor, you may end up waiting for minutes, hours, or days to get the reports which can be frustrating. Also, predict the areas you need to be covered when selecting a GPS. For instance, if you want to buy a motorcycle GPS tracker and the motorcycle often travels to the countryside, invest in a GPS tracker that uses a cellular network that works in the countryside areas.

Battery Backup

Always pick a GPS tracker that has a long battery life and takes less time to charge. It will be excellent if you choose products that have motion sensors and preserve battery when the object is not on the move. If you are buying a vehicle GPS tracker, invest in a product that can get power from the electrical system of the vehicle, and never run out of battery again!

Pro-Tip

List down the top 3 features you need the most, highlight a few features you would like to have and do a pilot of each of the devices you have chosen. Select one that’s most convenient and easy to use.

Price

One way to simplify things is to set a budget limit and sort the products according to price. Remember that a pricey GPS tracker doesn’t mean it would be the best. Look for value for money trackers that cost reasonable and can last for years. Depending on the brand and quality their price varies. Generally, they are available in the range of $20 to $300.

Conclusion

It would also be nice if the tracker doesn’t have an expensive monthly subscription and needs minimal maintenance as you will be able to use it for years and get maximum ROI. If confusion still clutters your mind, check out our list of top 10 GPS trackers and trust the options that are thoroughly vetted by the experts.