I have a habit of putting things down and forgetting where I put them, so finder tags like the Apple AirTag have been a game-changer for me, saving me endless amounts of time and frustration.
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While I still think AirTags are the best finder tags because they have precision finding technology that allows them to be pinpointed, other makers are producing some great tags. I’ve been testing the Pebblebee Clip Universal finder tag, and this has some neat features that make it stand out from the AirTag.
First up, the Pebblebee Clip Universal works with both Google’s Find My Device and Apple’s Find My Device networks. You can switch the device from one network to the other with a few presses — it does factory reset the tag, but it does mean that you’re not tied to one network. The expanded support alone gives Pebblebee the edge over the popular Apple AirTag, which remains exclusive to iOS users only.
The tag is also rechargeable, so you won’t have to throw away CR2032 button cells. It has a USB-C port on the bottom to charge the battery, which should last about a year between recharges. This makes the Clip a standout tracker in my book, and something I wouldn’t mind gifting during the holidays.
Adding a built-in battery and charging port makes the Clip slightly larger than the standard Bluetooth tracker. I’ll take that added heft if it means I can use the accessory without ever needing to physically swap out the battery.
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Each tag comes with a USB-C cable for recharging (as if we don’t have loads of these about the place these days), but I appreciate the gesture.
While all finder tags have a loud buzzer to aid in locating the lost item, this tag also has a bright LED that makes locating your items in low-light conditions a snap — a really handy feature that I took advantage of after dropping the tag in grass one night. Maybe a glow-in-the-dark shell would be a good idea for the next version.
There’s an LED light built into the edge of the Pebblebee tag to help you find it in the dark!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
There’s also a companion app for the Clip for iOS and Android. While you can add the tag to Google and Apple’s Find My networks without installing the app, you do get access to features such as phone finder (double-press the tag to make your phone ring), create QR codes to stick onto other items to find them, and even trigger smart voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to look for items.
The apps bring additional functionality if you want to experiment, but if you’re just looking for basic item tracking, I’ve enjoyed using the tracker just as much without it.
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The Clip is IPX6 rated water resistant, so you won’t have to worry about rain, sweat, or even a dunk in a pool. It’s made of tough polymer and has a robust clip for attaching it to items. All in all, this Pebblebee offering is a great finder tag, whether you’re an iOS or Android user. Extensive OS support across both platforms is hard to find in this market, but it’s good to know that there’s a decent option for those who need it.
ZDNET’s buying advice
Priced at $35, the Pebblebee Clip Universal is at the upper end of finder tag prices — AirTags are about $25 when bought single or $20 when bought in packs of four — but being rechargeable is a real bonus, as is the LED if you need to look for things in the dark (or the bottom of a dark bag).
