Tile Sticker review

A cheap option, but there are better bike trackers

Tile sticker
(Image credit: David Motton for Future)
Cycling Weekly Verdict

The Tile is an inexpensive option, and we've used them to great success when locating the likes of keys and wallets. However, compared to other devices, this option was the least accurate when it came to locating a bike. If you do use the Tile to track your bike, we suggest placing it into a saddlebag, or using some very strong tape.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Inexpensive

  • +

    Claimed three-year battery life

  • +

    Works with Apple and Android phones

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Relies on other Tile users to find a missing bike

  • -

    Uses Bluetooth rather than GPS

  • -

    Purpose-built bike trackers work better

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The trouble with GPS bike trackers is that they're expensive. A Sherlock GPS Tracker costs £155, a Vodafone Curve GPS Bike Light and GPS Tracker retails for £79/$110 and needs a SIM card subscription. Those are considerable sums for a device you hope you will never need.

Though not purpose designed, the likes of Tile are more affordable alternatives to finding a stolen bike. These small tags use Bluetooth rather than GPS to connect to a smartphone, and help you track down something that's been lost. They work both ways, too, so you can use a tag to make your smartphone ring if that's what you've misplaced.

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