Pebblebee’s Halo: Your Personal Security Companion for You and Your Gear

I live in a part of Los Angeles where I feel the need to carry pepper spray on my walks for safety. However, I often forget to take it with me, and there are places where it’s not legal to carry. That’s where the $59.99 Halo Bluetooth tracker from Pebblebee comes in as a surprising alternative. It not only tracks my belongings but also serves as a personal safety device equipped with a siren, making it portable and practical.

With a quick pull of its cap, the Halo activates several safety features: a loud 130dB siren blares, its LEDs flash, and it sends alerts to up to five trusted contacts via text. The Alert Live service shares your location for 24 hours or provides a one-time snapshot. The first year of this service is free, after which it costs $24.99 annually. If you decide not to renew, you’ll lose real-time location sharing and the ability to notify multiple emergency contacts simultaneously.

The Halo is compatible with both Apple’s Find My network and Google’s Find Hub, similar to Pebblebee’s simpler Clip 5, which is one of my go-to Bluetooth trackers. While the tracking performance is solid, it doesn’t match the precision of Apple’s AirTags or other trackers with ultra-wideband technology. Depending on your needs, this difference may or may not be significant.

Connecting the Halo to the Pebblebee app was quick, although it took a few more attempts than advertised to pair it with Apple’s Find My network. Once set up, integrating the Halo into my daily routine was seamless. It’s larger than other Bluetooth trackers, but it clips onto my purse without being intrusive.

I recently had a moment of panic during an evening walk when I heard rustling behind me. The light from the Halo revealed a confused raccoon in a bush, so I held off on activating the siren. It turned out to be a false alarm, but I appreciated the peace of mind the Halo provided in that moment.

In a more serious situation, I’d prefer the Halo over the Clip 5 or any other Bluetooth tracker. Its bright light and siren could deter an attacker without the risks associated with using pepper spray. The Clip 5 requires multiple button presses to activate its siren, while the Halo is as simple as pulling it apart, making it more user-friendly for those who may not be as tech-savvy or have dexterity issues.

The Halo also features a silent alert option, which I find valuable. While a loud siren and flashing lights can be useful, discreetly notifying trusted contacts and sharing your location without attracting attention can be safer in certain situations.

At $59.99, the Halo is nearly double the price of basic Bluetooth trackers like the Clip 5 or AirTag, and even some personal safety devices. However, its user-friendly design and additional features set it apart from the competition.

I’ll continue to use the AirTag as my main tracker for travel and luggage at the airport, but I’ll likely keep the Halo attached to my purse for its added safety features during everyday outings. Having two Bluetooth trackers may seem excessive, but I’d rather be over-prepared than rely on pepper spray—assuming I don’t leave it at home.