pros and cons
- Half the price of an AirTag.
- Good for five to seven years.
- The non-replaceable battery makes it much harder to disable.
- iOS only.
- Bulky.
- Masses of documentation for something so small.
The inserts aren’t glow-in-the-dark.
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I’ve spent years using Apple AirTags and genuinely admire their design and functionality. They were my first experience with smart tracking tags, and I was instantly impressed — but after prolonged use, I’ve come to recognize their imperfections. Yes, even as a devoted iPhone user, I can acknowledge that AirTags aren’t flawless.
Also: I hid 4 Bluetooth trackers (including AirTags) to test their reliability – here’s how Android rivals compared
One major drawback is cost. At $29 apiece for the second-gen model, they’re not exactly budget-friendly — especially for something so small. While that’s far less than the value of lost keys, it still stings when you need multiple tags.
Another issue is visibility. The AirTag’s distinctive white UFO shape is instantly recognizable. If attached to a bag or luggage, it practically screams, “Valuables inside!” — not ideal for discretion. Unlike many Apple products designed to blend in, the AirTag stands out like a sore thumb.
Also: I carried this Bluetooth tracker card in my backpack for a week, and it withstood my clumsiness
Then there’s the alert sound. Despite being 50% louder in the newer model, the second-gen AirTag still operates between 85 and 100 decibels. Worse, its volume pulses erratically — rising and falling in intensity — which makes it surprisingly hard to locate in noisy environments, like under couch cushions in a busy room.
That’s where the Ugreen FineTrack 2 enters the scene. This innovative tracker challenges the status quo with clever improvements and a fresh approach to a maturing market.
Why the FineTrack 2 stands out
Price is a big factor: Prime members on Amazon can grab one for just $15 (or $20 otherwise). That’s nearly half the cost of an AirTag. You won’t get Apple’s precision finding — a feature exclusive to AirTags — and some Apple loyalists might balk at switching, but don’t let that deter you from considering this alternative.
Precision tracking is handy for tiny items like keys that vanish into sofa seams or tall grass, but for larger gear like backpacks or suitcases, I rarely miss it.
It’s an unusual shape, for sure — but it doesn’t look like an AirTag.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The FineTrack 2’s design is quirky but intentional. It’s a spherical tracker about 1.4 inches wide, styled like a miniature soccer ball. It features a lanyard hole (with two cords included), a single built-in button on one panel, an LED indicator, and two reflective patches meant to aid visibility in dim lighting.
That said, the dark finish still makes it easy to overlook. And despite claims in marketing materials, those reflective patches don’t glow in the dark — they just catch ambient light.
Also: I found an AirTag alternative that’s twice as durable and works with Android phones
Still, its uniqueness works in its favor. Unlike the unmistakable AirTag, the FineTrack 2 blends in as a simple charm or trinket when clipped to your belongings. I appreciate that subtle, low-profile aesthetic — it avoids drawing unwanted attention.
Now, about that alarm: at 110 dB, the FineTrack 2 is noticeably louder than an AirTag. In fact, due to how human hearing perceives decibel levels, it sounds roughly twice as loud as a 100 dB AirTag. When the tag is buried deep in a couch or lost under a car seat, that extra volume is a game-changer.
Durability-wise, the FineTrack 2 carries an IP68 rating — meaning it’s fully dustproof and can handle prolonged underwater exposure. That surpasses the AirTag’s IP67 rating, which only guarantees protection against submersion up to three feet deep for 30 minutes.
Also: I cracked open a ‘1,000W’ portable charger after it failed me in minutes – and wished I hadn’t
This difference matters more than it seems. If your tagged item ends up in a rain puddle or gets soaked outdoors, the FineTrack 2 keeps working while an AirTag might quit. I’ve personally had two AirTags fail due to moisture — not even full submersion — and the issue typically started after I opened them to swap batteries, compromising their seal.
Submersion is no problem for the FineTrack 2.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The sealed, single-body construction also makes the FineTrack 2 far more tamper-resistant. A thief looking to ditch an AirTag can simply pop out the battery and render it useless in seconds — unless it’s housed in a secure third-party mount. The FineTrack 2 eliminates that vulnerability entirely.
No battery replacement needed
To solve this, Ugreen made the surprising choice to use a non-replaceable battery.
I know — in 2024, that feels counterintuitive, and I initially thought it was a step backward. But there’s logic behind it. Instead of designing around a removable cell, Ugreen equipped the FineTrack 2 with a long-lasting battery rated for five to seven years. This reduces electronic waste, eliminates the risk of children or pets swallowing small batteries, and removes a potential entry point for water, dust, and grime.
Also: The only lithium button battery brand I recommend now, for serious safety reasons
Is this bad for the planet? Ugreen argues the design is carbon-neutral. Personally, if a tracker lasts me five years or more, I consider that a win — especially
Had this cost me $15 upfront, with no need to purchase spare batteries during its lifespan (though a few quality CR2032 cells would tack on roughly $5 to the total investment of an AirTag).
No device is flawless
No one is flawless, and technology is no exception. Two notable drawbacks stand out. For starters, it’s restricted to iOS, leaving Android users searching for alternatives — which feels strange given that plenty of competing trackers support both operating systems.
The second concern involves the sheer volume of paperwork included. Tucked inside the box is a substantial roll of material — an instruction manual brimming with regulatory jargon, plus a separate battery safety guide. That’s a lot of documentation for such a compact, straightforward device.
Quite the stack of paperwork.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
ZDNET’s purchasing recommendation
Niggling drawbacks aside, I give the Ugreen FineTrack 2 a strong endorsement. Beyond everything you’d hope for in a modern tracking tag — solid Bluetooth range, pinpoint accuracy, dependable performance — you also get a product with a sleek, understated design, impressive battery endurance, and a powerful alert tone.
At this price point, I struggle to name a tracker that even comes close. Ugreen consistently delivers excellent accessories, and the tags I’ve tested in the past have all been impressive, but this one elevates things to an entirely new tier.
