It's been over four years since Apple launched its Find My network accessory program, and unlike the AirTag, Find My-compatible devices have been evolving. Chipolo recently came out with a pair of new accessories that integrate with Find My, the Loop and the Card.
Prior to this review, I saw some complaints that prior Chipolo products stopped working after a few months, so I wanted to do a longer review. I've had them for a little over two months, and so far they've been working as intended.
Chipolo Loop
The $39 Loop has a round shape, and it's bigger than the AirTag, but lighter because it doesn't include a replaceable battery inside. It connects to the Find My app like an AirTag, and it shows up inside the Items tab. You can attach the Chipolo Loop to anything and it works almost exactly like an AirTag.
You need an accessory if you want to connect the AirTag to keys or similar objects, but Chipolo's Loop has a built-in flexible silicone loop at the top. The attachment point is thick and feels sturdy even though it's pliable.
The Loop is made entirely from plastic, and because it lacks a metal back and it's light, it doesn't feel as premium as the AirTag if that's something that you care about. Between the two, I prefer the design of the loop with the built-in attachment point.
I also like that the Loop comes in several different colors, including navy, mint, honey, coral, and charcoal. I have the coral color, and it's easier to find when it's tucked in a bag. The AirTag is fine, but it's nice to have options.
What I like best about Chipolo's Loop is the built-in battery. It recharges via USB-C, and that is just way more convenient for me than replacing an AirTag battery. My AirTags have been out of battery for months because it's annoying to have to order CR2032 batteries (which I don't have on hand), and then open it up to swap them out.
With the Loop, I just plug it in. The battery can last for up to six months, and I haven't had it long enough to test the full battery life. The downside with something like the Loop is lithium battery degradation over time. It might not last as long as an AirTag, but it should hold up for several years to come.
It has IP67 water resistance so it can stand up to immersion in up to a meter of water, and dunking it in a bowl full of water didn't faze it.
There's a speaker in the Loop, so it can play a sound to help you find a lost item, plus the charging light can blink so you can find it in the dark.
Chipolo says the Loop has a Bluetooth range of 400 feet, and it seemed similar to the AirTag in range. It reliably delivered item left behind notifications, but it doesn't have Ultra Wideband with Precision Finding, so it can't track items indoors as reliably as the AirTag can.
Chipolo Card
The $39 Card is sized to fit in a wallet, like a credit card. Apple doesn't have an equivalent product, because the AirTag is too thick to fit comfortably inside most wallets. The Card is only available in black, and it is made from matte plastic. It has an unassuming look, and I'm not sure that someone who stole a wallet would immediately know what it is because it looks similar to a key card.
Chipolo's Card is 2.5mm thick. Standard credit cards are 0.76mm thick, so the Card is about three credit cards thick. It won't work well in a wallet that's designed to be super thin, like the iPhone variants that only hold a couple of cards, but it fits fine in my small wallet and doesn't add too much bulk. It's not the thinnest of the Find My-connected card-like trackers that I've used, but it's not too far off.
There isn't room for a USB-C port on the Card, so it uses Qi wireless charging. It's magnetic, so I can pop it right on a MagSafe charger.
Aside from the Qi charging the Card it has all of the same specifications as the Loop. The battery lasts for up to six months, it has the same sound level, the Bluetooth range, water resistance, and it supports all of the same Find My features.
Sound
The speakers in the Chipolo Card and Chipolo Loop are louder than the AirTag speaker, but I think the higher pitch of the AirTag sound stands out more to my ears. There is an option to change the ringtone on the Chipolo, and some of the alternate options do sound louder.
A decibel meter on my phone suggests the Chipolo devices are around 74db, and the AirTag is at about 67db. I can hear either one from a room away, but further than that is tough unless it's dead quiet. With a different sound setting, the Chipolo is closer to 82db.
On the Chipolo devices, there is an option to adjust the volume of the sound, so you can set a medium and low volume if desired. High is the default.
Find My
In the Find My app, Find My-compatible devices like the Loop and Card are listed right alongside the AirTag and are added in the same way. I opened up Find My, tapped the "+" button to add an item, pressed the button on each device, and selected a name and emoji.
Unrelated to Chipolo, I'm not sure why Apple doesn't allow me to use Genmoji for an item icon. It's limited to standard emoji for both AirTags and third-party products.
The Loop and Card offer all available Find My functions:
- View a map with the item location
- Play a sound
- Get directions
- Share item with others
- Allow others to see owner info and get access item location (such as if you lose your luggage at the airport)
- Notify when found
- Notify when left behind (lets you know when your item isn't with you)
- Item left behind notification exceptions (so you can set "safe" locations like home)
- A link to the Chipolo app
- Options to change name and icon
- Battery status
Article Link: Chipolo Loop and Card Review: Rechargeable AirTag Alternatives With Find My Integration
