Second-Gen AirTags: The Ultimate Tool for the Forgetful Gamer
In a recent episode that stirred up some debate, I boldly stated that AirTags outshine iPads. This didn’t sit well with iPad enthusiasts, who let me know it on social media. I appreciate their passion, but I stand firm — the second-gen AirTag has only reinforced my belief that this simple $29 item tracker is one of Apple’s most practical gadgets.
The latest updates aim to enhance an already solid product. With upgraded ultra-wideband and Bluetooth chips, the range has improved by about 1.5 times. The chime now has a higher pitch and is 50% louder, thanks to a revamped speaker. Plus, if you have an Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2, you can now utilize Precision Finding for AirTags.
Before the refresh was announced, my partner and I had seven AirTags and were eyeing a few more. Both of us deal with ADHD, and our mischievous cats love to swat things under furniture. Without AirTags, we’d likely spend hours searching our four-story townhome for our essentials. We’ve attached them to our key fobs, TV remotes, wallets, car glove compartments, and even our Canada Goose jackets (they were pricey, and it’s freezing on the East Coast right now!).
However, we do have our gripes about the AirTags. Recently, my partner misplaced their keys in a parking lot and spent 90 minutes searching for them. The chime was too quiet, and the AirTag struggled to connect via Bluetooth. The round shape can be a hassle for wallets unless you buy a specific one designed for it, and those often look less than appealing. They also scuff easily, and if a cat sends one tumbling down the stairs, it might come apart, leaving you to chase after the little rascal to prevent them from munching on the battery.
The second-gen AirTags don’t address most of these issues. They maintain the same shape, size, and design (and thankfully, the same price). My review unit got scuffed almost immediately after I attached it to the key ring. However, the louder chime and extended range made a noticeable difference during testing.
I compared the second-gen AirTag with an original one that had a fresh battery. The improved range significantly enhanced connectivity; it connected to my phone much faster than the original, regardless of distance. This meant the chime sounded sooner, and the Precision Finding signal appeared more quickly.
The vertical range has also seen improvement. AirTags excel in horizontal searches but struggle when you’re on a different floor — a common issue in our townhouse. The original AirTag worked fine if I was one floor up or down, but two or more floors? Forget it. I’d be lucky to get a “far” reading or, more often, a message saying it was unreachable.
Not so with the second-gen AirTag. I placed it on the ground floor and ran up to the fourth floor. Not only did I get a quick connection for Precision Finding, but I could also hear the chime clearly. (With the original, I might have heard it if my street was completely silent, but often I couldn’t.) This clarity held true even when I hid the AirTags under blankets or between couch cushions.
My favorite new feature is the ability to use Precision Finding from the Apple Watch. Setting it up isn’t straightforward; instead of using the Find Items app, you need to add a button to the Apple Watch control panel. But it works well. When I’m doing chores, I often leave my phone behind. If I misplace something with the original AirTag, I first have to find my phone and then use Precision Finding on it. I never misplace my Apple Watch since it’s always on my wrist. (Honestly, the most frequent use for my Apple Watch is locating my phone.)
Like the original AirTags, the new versions still trigger unwanted tracker alerts. Apple’s announcement emphasized that the louder chime makes AirTags less appealing for malicious use. They stress during setup that these devices aren’t meant for tracking people or pets — unlike some competitors — but bad actors won’t heed that warning. I haven’t had this unit long enough to see how the louder chime and extended range affect this feature in real-world scenarios, but I’ll keep you posted.
Now, I’m tempted to upgrade all our perfectly functional original AirTags. That would cost us at least $200. While you can recycle old AirTags for free, there’s no store credit, and I dislike the idea of e-waste when it’s easy to replace the coin cell battery. My father-in-law, however, has no such reservations and plans to upgrade all eight of his AirTags immediately. If you’re an AirTag enthusiast like me, I suggest a more measured approach: be patient, identify the four items you misplace most often, grab a four-pack when they’re on sale, and repurpose the originals for items you use less frequently but still want to keep track of.
Ultimately, the iPad fans have made it clear that AirTags aren’t for everyone. I envy those who always seem to know where their belongings are. But if you’re like me, grappling with the challenges of executive dysfunction, the second-gen AirTags offer a meaningful upgrade — even if it’s not the flashiest one.
