Best Car GPS Trackers for Cars in 2023
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Getting a GPS tracker for your car can be a valuable addition to your tech gadget toolbox. They’re great at helping to keep track of your personal vehicle, family members’ cars, or fleet vehicles. Although they may seem like a luxury, they can be a lifesaver in case of an emergency. If the vehicle is stolen, in an accident, or the driver gets lost, the GPS tracker can find their exact location. They can also be used on boats, pets, planes, luggage, loved ones, and anything that moves. Here are the best GPS tracking devices for cars.
$209.99 at Amazon
Key features
6.95-inch high-resolution display
Built-in voice control
Real-time traffic and weather alerts
Hands-free calling
Simple menus and easy-to-see maps
Garmin is a household name in GPS tracking devices and the Garmin DriveSmart 65 with voice control should be considered if you’re looking for a tracking device for your car. It has a 6.9-inch edge-to-edge high-res touchscreen display. It is Bluetooth and WiFi compatible for hands-free calling and map and software updates without the need to plug into a computer. There are real-time traffic and weather alerts and Garmin Traffic will suggest alternate routes during your commute. It is backup camera compatible. There is even a History network of notable historic sites and a U.S. National Parks directory. Components included are, of course, the Drive Smart 65 device, a suction cup mount, a vehicle power cable, and a USB cable.
$14.88 at Amazon
Key features
Best-selling GPS tracking device on Amazon
Unlimited distance
Uses GPS satellites outdoors
Uses WiFi indoors
$19.95 monthly subscription required
The Tracki GPS tracker for vehicles is currently the best-selling GPS tracker on Amazon. It has an unlimited tracking distance that is supported by satellite when outdoors and uses WiFi for indoor tracking. It comes with a built-in SIM card that works efficiently worldwide. The monthly subscription fee required is $19.95 a month and can be as cheap as $9.95 a month for a long-term plan. It has a belt clip and a magnet on the back so it can be attached to most surfaces.
$14.95 at Amazon
Key features
Unlimited data and reporting
Powered by HAPN mobile app on iOS and Android
Subscriptions start at $25 a month
Battery life can last up to 14 days
Create custom boundaries
The Spytec GPS tracker offers unlimited data and fast reports. The tracker is powered by the HAPN mobile app, which is available on Android and iOS. You have the option to view updates every 5 seconds or as infrequently as once a day with power-saving mode. The infrequent notifications with power saving mode can make the battery life last up to 14 days. There is a monthly fee of $25 but the subscription comes with 24/7 customer support and a lifetime warranty. Spytec is a U.S.-based service but international coverage is still available.
$89.99 at Amazon
Key features
4G LTE internet speed
Accident detection and notifications
Free roadside assistance included
No activation fees
Cancel anytime
The Bouncie Car GPS tracking device has a higher price upfront than its competitors but only an $8 monthly subscription fee. There is no activation fee, and the subscription plan can be canceled at any time. This car GPS tracker has 4G LTE internet speeds and gives live updates every 15 seconds. It sends notifications immediately when an accident is detected and will send roadside assistance at no cost. This car GPS tracker also offers vehicle health updates and even notifies the user when the check engine light or battery warning shows up.
$27.05 at Amazon
Key features
100% waterproof
Portable and lightweight
Geofencing features
4G LTE and satellite technology
LED lights
The LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker is meant for keeping track of cars, boats, luggage, pets, and even loved ones. It has a small disc shape that makes it discreet and portable enough to place anywhere. There’s also a strong magnet on the bottom so it can be attached to any metal surface. It can be tracked in real-time on the iOS or Android LandAirSea mobile app. Enjoy up to a week of battery life with updates every 3 seconds, up to two weeks of battery life with 3-minute updates, and up to 6 months of battery life in low power mode.
$39.95 at Amazon
Key features
Easy to install on car battery
Real-time speed limit tracking
Updates every 30 seconds
Can be viewed on Desktop
$12.95 monthly subscription fee
The Optimus GB100M car GPS tracker is installed directly to the car battery. Since it’s powered by the car’s battery, it will always stay charged and you won’t have to worry about the device’s battery life. Optimus has a tutorial on Amazon showing how to install the GPS tracker. It has real-time speed limit tracking, allows you to set a maximum speed limit, and alerts you when that speed is exceeded.
$89.99 at Amazon
Key features
Lifetime warranty
Real-time location data and motion tracking
Trip history
OBD scanner with vehicle maintenance and diagnostic alerts
The Kayo GPS tracking device is designed for fleets. You can buy in packs of one, three, or four devices with pricing ranging from $89.99 for one GPS unit to $219.99 for the four-pack. Kayo’s GPS tracker will work with gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Toyota, Honda, and more from model year 1996 or newer. Real-time data gives you insight into your fleet vehicles’ health – including GPS tracking info, maintenance alerts, driver behavior, and more. And it’s designed for easy use, just plug in and go. Unlike traditional OBD2 scanners, the Kayo does not require additional hardware or setup. Just download the mobile app follow the prompts and you’re ready to start tracking. A Kayo Membership gives you access to real-time vehicle data for just $5/vehicle per month with no activation fees or annual contracts—and you can cancel anytime.
$79.99 at Amazon
Key features
No monthly fee
No battery needed
Real-time location tracking and trips
4G LTE
The Vyncs GPS tracking device does have activation fees but no monthly subscription fee. With this unit, you don’t need to worry about battery life because it draws power from your car’s OBD-II port. It goes to sleep when the ignition is off but wakes up every There is real-time location tracking and trips. Data is collected every second and updated to the server every three minutes.
$19.73 at Amazon
Key features
Water-resistant
Up to 250 feet of range
Great for car keys, bags, phones, and more
This versatile GPS-tracking device is iOS and Android compatible. It’s an affordable way of keeping track of everyday things like your car keys, car, backpack, phone, and more. You can use the Tile mobile app to ring your Tile when it’s within Bluetooth range or ask your Smart Home device to find it for you. It’s rated IP67 water-resistant, and although the battery is not replaceable the Tile Mate has a battery life of 3 years.
Why buy a car GPS tracker?
Buying a car GPS tracker can be helpful for many reasons. They can be placed in your personal vehicle, the vehicle of a loved one, or in a fleet vehicle. It also brings an added sense of security that if your vehicle ends up missing or stolen, you will be able to locate exactly where it is.
Pros and cons of a car GPS tracker?
The benefit of having a GPS tracker for cars is being able to track your vehicle and receive consistent and reliable updates. They could also come in handy if you have your car stolen and need to track it so it can be reported to the authorities.
Many of the cons would depend on whose vehicle you are tracking. If you deviously place one in your spouse’s or child’s car, that could cause conflict. With great power comes great responsibility. Another flaw of these car GPS trackers is that they are heavily dependent on battery life and are ineffective once they reach 0%. If you’re managing a fleet vehicle, the driver of the car could possibly find the tracker and remove it themselves. There is also always the potential risk of a stranger attaching their own GPS tracker to your car to track your location for whatever reason, so stay vigilant.
How to install and set up a car GPS tracker?
In order to install most standard GPS trackers, you’ll have to charge it and then connect it to a smartphone or computer using the app that comes with your tracker. Once configured the device on your phone, it should be ready to be placed in the vehicle. Once it’s in an ideal place for tracking, you can follow it and receive updates in case anything happens.
How to subscribe?
In order to activate a car GPS tracker subscription, you will have to call the number provided in the packaging to set it up or subscribe online. Rates vary depending on the product.
