Trakdot’s Luggage Tracker Review: Track Your Luggage from the Plane

Ever find yourself watching the baggage claim carousel, hoping your own suitcase soon joins the growing sea of near-identical bags? That stress is not uncommon, especially if you’ve ever lost luggage in transit.

But it’s 2016, so I say it’s time we do away with baggage-claim anxiety and the lengthy process of dealing with lost luggage. Technology has come too far to warrant the low-tech run-around that comes with lost suitcases.

Tracking devices are hitting the travel mainstream. I tried out Trakdot’s luggage tracker on a recent trip to Sri Lanka, and was able to keep tabs on the whereabouts of my checked bag—which held all of the necessary items for an enjoyable monsoon-season adventure.

I used the Trakdot device with its compatible smartphone app, but the device can also communicate with any standard cellphone via text message.

Trakdot’s Luggage Tracker Review

Price and Where to Buy Trakdot’s Luggage Tracker: Trakdot is on sale (at time of publication) on Amazon for $40.

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How Trakdot’s Luggage Tracker Rates:

• Usefulness: 8/10. I’d be apt to give any tracking device a perfect 10 for usefulness due to the simple fact that it’s telling me where my baggage is, but Trakdot certainly has some design flaws. What I imagined would be a streamlined, sleek product was disappointing in its size and utility. The device is difficult to slide open and is made of clunky plastic despite the fact that it’s lightweight. Its power switch is hard to push—users must squeeze the plastic siding to turn it on—a simple rubber button would make it much more user-friendly. The plastic doesn’t feel durable, and the device takes AA batteries rather than an electrical charger—which I personally am not a fan of.Despite all of this, the Trakdot worked with my smartphone via the app each time I wanted to track my bag, and notified me about its whereabouts via email and SMS even when I wasn’t in search of its location. The physical product could be much smaller and easier to adjust, but the app and its technology are useful as long as you have access to Wi-Fi or cell service on your trip. I had Wi-Fi on the plane and at each airport I arrived at.
• Value: 6/10. Similar products like Tile trackers are about $25 each, with deals for buying more than one at a time. Trackdot’s device sells on Amazon for $40 right now, and its standard price is listed as $80.This is far too pricey for a tracker. The app works well and Trakdot is good for those who want a device bigger than Tile’s tiny key chains (we are talking about losing things, after all) but other trackers get the job done for far less money.
• Cool Factor: 7/10. The app and text alerts made the tracking process feel high-tech, and while I found it clunky, the device is still small enough to be safely slipped into a suitcase pocket. Alerts are sent via text and email when the tracking signal is detected through Bluetooth. This means the device will notify its owner which airport it arrives at, and you can see where your suitcase is on a map via the app. Knowing what airport your bag is at before even getting off the plane is a huge relief, especially if you’re traveling across the globe with a connecting flight like I was.

Final Verdict: There’s no denying the usefulness of a tracking device, but the cost and design of Trakdot’s might not make it the best option for everyone. If you’re looking for a sizeable device that won’t need charging, this one is for you.

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at [email protected].

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