This is a review of the Apple Air Tag, which I’ll put my neck out and declare is an excellent option as an Airtag cat collar.
I’ve been trying to find the best trackers for my cat, as she is a Houdini-type escape artist, and I need peace of mind. My Siamese cat, Betty, was the tester for this, and the first plus of the product I noticed was how discrete it was. The Airtag can easily fit on her collar without affecting her movement.
Also, I found the Apple Airtag to be a refined and durable piece of equipment. It felt like the craftsmanship was solid and wouldn’t easily be broken by the elements or whatever acrobatics Betty was getting up to.
Below is my complete review of the product that Betty gave a test run. Please keep reading to learn more about how all the features made it a great experience.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Apple AirTag
What We Liked:
- Light enough for a cat
- Protection against water & dust
- The setup is seamless
- No subscription
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not suitable for Android users
This is not just an airtag cat collar; the Apple Airtag is meant to be an inconspicuous tracking device for everything. Apple weighed all the vital factors with cat tracking and saw that it was important enough to make it durable.
First, you will notice that it’s pretty tiny, but there’s a heft to it. It comes in at 0.39 ounces (11 grams), meaning it’s still light enough for Betty not to notice anything new around her collar. It also has decent protection against water and dust.
The setup is seamless; it takes only one tap to build a connection between the device and your iPhone. It also works with other Apple devices, such as your iPad.
Unfortunately, for those Android users out there, it won’t work.
At the same time, it works with the Find My App network, meaning you can go into something known as ‘lost mode’ and use the entire Find My App network to locate your cat. The accuracy is astounding, but remember that you’ll need a later high-end iPhone model to take advantage of such accuracy.
This is an excellent product and great to include in your Apple ecosystem. Many accessories are already available for the Apple Airtag, including cat collars that can ensure a proper fit for your Apple Airtag if you’re having trouble.
Price at time of publishing: $ 26.99
Diameter: 1.26 inches (31.9 mm) | Height: 0.31 inches (8 mm) | Weight: 0.39 Ounces(11 g)
Apple AirTag Tested By Grettel
A closer look at the features
Excellent setup and application
You should finish setting up the Airtag faster than it takes to complete this sentence. The app is highly intuitive and has features to track multiple airtags simultaneously. You can also have the app give you directions as you get closer; the accuracy is hard to match with other trackers.
Excellent quality speaker to hear the pings
There’s also a built-in speaker with the Airtag, so you can eventually ‘hear‘ where your cat is, as it will be pretty loud. This lets you locate your cat if you feel they have strayed too far and are lost.
Great power usage
Don’t sweat about battery replacement, either. This one can last up to a year before it needs to be replaced. The iPhone will track the current battery charge and remind you when to get a new one. This is also easy to do by yourself.
An excellent option for personalization
Betty doesn’t have a style, so we wear a regular no-frills collar. Yet, if you want to fit your cat in a particular look, you can accessorize as you wish. This product gives you many options, helping keep your cat looking as eye-catching as you. You can also get it engraved in some cases, which provides you with yet another way of making the tracker as unique as your cat is.
Built-in privacy
Apple always takes privacy seriously, which is no different with this Airtag cat collar. All data and history are stored separately away from the Airtag. You don’t have to worry about anyone snooping for private data via the Airtag. It’s so personal and encrypted that not even Apple themselves could find your Airtag if you asked them to.
It’s cheap
When we think of Apple products, we believe they are premium and pricey. However, with this item, you get the tip at a low price. There’s no subscription service, and you only pay around $29 per Airtag. That’s the retail price, so it can get even cheaper if it goes on sale.
Alternatives to this Apple Airtag Cat Collar
You may be looking for something different than this cat collar. You may want expanded features, or you’re looking for something with another type of tracking. Well, here are some alternatives to consider.
Best For Big Cats: Tractive GPS Cat Tracker
What We Liked:
- More expanded range & coverage
- Suitable for Android & iOS users
- Waterproof and very durable
- With a virtual fence
What We Didn’t Like:
- Monthly subscriptions from $5-$13
- It is a bit more expensive than Airtag
This is an excellent product for Android and iOS users, as either device has an app. In addition, this is also a GPS tracker, meaning you have a much more expanded range and coverage for your cat collar. There is a subscription to consider, but it’s affordable. You can also add coverage ranges as you move, potentially having global coverage.
It’s also easy to put on your existing cat collar, and when Betty tried it, she had no issues with it either. It’s completely waterproof and very durable. It also comes with activity monitoring that will track what your cat is doing, not just where they are. This also comes with a virtual fence you can digitally build, so you will be notified when your cat leaves that perimeter.
Tractive GPS Cat Tracker Tested By Grettel
Price at time of publishing: $ 34.99
Diameter: 1.1 x 0.6 x 2.1 inches | Weight:1.23 Ounces (34.9 g)
Best For Kitten: Cat Tailer Cat Tracker
What We Liked:
- Small & light
- No monthly subscription
- Suitable for Android & iOS users
What We Didn’t Like:
- Just cover with a 328 feet/100 meters range
This is meant to replace your cat tag with a small, light cat tracker. It’s a great alternative option to GPS as there’s no need for a monthly subscription. The tracking is powered via Bluetooth, so if you’re trying to locate your cat in a smaller space, this option is just the ticket. You can also easily connect this to an iOS or Android device, giving you flexibility. Their support is also excellent, and they are ready to help walk you through using it.
Cat Tailer Cat Tracker Tested By Grettel
Price at time of publishing: $ 67.00
Diameter: 4.33 x 2.56 x 0.79 inches | Weight: 0.28 Ounces (7.9 g)
Whistle Go Explore
What We Liked:
- GPS tracking with AT&T network and Google Maps
- Monitor licking, sleeping & scratching
- Escape alerts
What We Didn’t Like:
- It’s expensive
- Subscription Required
- The battery only lasts 20 days
This is an activity monitor first and a cat tracker a close second. It’s perfect if your pet is highly adventurous and has previously broken other trackers. This is because it has a durable and solid construction while still being light enough not to annoy them.
You will be able to see their health and get a daily snapshot of what they’re doing. You’ll get plenty of alerts you can set up with its complimentary application, too, so you’ll always know if your cat has gone AWOL. You can even get sent an email or text as a notification.
Price at time of publishing: From $ 117.25
Diameter:6.75 x 5 x 2 inches
What To Consider For Airtag Cat Collar
You always need to know what you’re looking for as well. If you’re looking for a cat-tracking device, what type? Is the Find My iPhone network good enough for you?
Or do you have a cat that loves to explore too much, and you need to consider a GPS tracker? You may want additional features such as activity tracking, seeing how your cat is acting, and counting your cat’s calories.
Regardless, there are plenty of options out there, and you must make a list of what you want to have your cat tracker cover ahead of time.
Summarize
The Apple Airtag is an excellent option built to answer the prayers of anyone looking for a great cat tracker. It’s sleek, light, and easily connects to your iPhone or iPad. It can be just what you need to keep tabs on your cat, but remember that it won’t be compatible with non-iPhones.
Either way, whenever you’re ready to purchase, don’t hesitate to use the links above to get yourself the latest cat-tracking device.
