Never lose track of your vehicle again. We’ve rounded up the top car tracking devices to keep you connected.
Our Top Picks
You might not be able to keep an eye on your rebellious teenager all the time, but you can keep track of their car. You would want to know their location, their speed, and if they’re driving safely. This is why car tracking devices are parents’ favorites, and they love it when the device is compact enough to be unnoticeable inside the car. Moreover, it’s wise to be on the safe side and always be alerted when someone tries to start your vehicle or tampers with it. Car trackers come with all these extraordinary features, keeping you updated via live notifications on the connected mobile app. We took our time to compare several products and filter out the best and most reliable devices for you. Secure your car with the trackers discussed in this guide.
1
Brickhouse Security Car Tracking Device
It’s a genuine concern to be worried about your car’s safety and take precautions before it’s too late. With this car tracking device, you can keep tabs on your vehicle and track it all the time with 140 days of battery life. To make sure that your assets and car are safe, this device offers coverage across the entire 4G LTE cellular networks worldwide. Nobody can even remove this device without your permission as a robust case is specifically designed to hide and secure it. You’ll be surprised to know that even water can’t beat this tracker with its water-resistant feature. If you’re still thinking about the hectic procedure of installing such devices, then we’ve some good news: You can install it instantly with the magnetic slap-and-track design that requires no tools or complicated steps.
Magnetic Installation
Extended battery life
Waterproof design
Subscription plan required
2
Spy Tec Car Tracking Device
If you’ve just bought an expensive car, it’s hard not to worry. What if you wake up one day and it’s gone? We put a lot of effort into finding this anti-theft car tracker so that your mind could be at ease. Just plug it into your car and it starts working right away. You will get instant alerts if someone starts the car, moves it, or tries to mess with it. It updates you every 5 seconds, so you always know where your car is. The app is easy to use and even works indoors. Also, this product would be your long-term companion because it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Lifetime warranty
Alert on ignition on/off
5-seconds update
Blinking lights not effective
3
Kayo Car Tracking Device
If you’re running a business and need to constantly keep an eye on your vehicles to track their activity and driver behavior, this car tracking device would suit you best. It offers a 14-day free trial to check all the features and make a careful decision after using it for 2 weeks. Unlike the previous tracker in our list, this one supports 5G live tracking, so that you can get fast and reliable updates. We made sure to pick a product that’s not so hard on your wallet and this one delivers with no costly downtime. The best part is still to come: It is compatible with almost any vehicle from 1996 and has coverage across all of the USA.
No activation fee
5G compatibility
Maintenance alerts
USA Coverage Only
4
Vyncs Car Tracking Device
This car tracking device is made for people tired of paying for every other necessary tool. Unlike the previous options, you won’t have to pay any monthly fee to live track your vehicles. You also get valuable features like fuel economy monitoring, vehicle health reports, and OBD fault codes to help you stay on top of maintenance effortlessly. The device uses your car’s power, so there’s no need to worry about charging it. The best part is that it goes to sleep when the ignition is off to conserve energy. Plus, with geofencing and instant alerts for things like speeding and rapid acceleration, you can rest assured knowing your car is safe on the road.
No monthly fee
Fuel economy
Trip history available
Activation fee required
5
Global-View.Net Car Tracking Device
Teenagers can be a lot sometimes, especially when they’re too stubborn to heed your advice. If you have one such teenager who loves to cruise but you’re worried if they’re old enough for it yet, this tracking device might help you resolve this conundrum. You just need to attach it to any flat metal surface and it’ll instantly stick without being noticed due to its compact size. You can then sit back to track the vehicle with automated alerts, and even detailed reports of trips, speed, and stops through a user-friendly mobile app. The tracker works in 140 countries to make sure your loved ones and the car is safe even when you’re oceans apart. The affordable plans have no contracts and you can cancel anytime.
Magnetic installation
Global coverage
Hidden tracker
Higher cost
6
Optimus Car Tracking Device
Some people prefer wired car trackers to avoid short battery life problems and directly attach them to their car batteries. Luckily, we stumbled upon one such incredible product that will save you a lot of time. You can install it easily by connecting just two wires directly to your car’s battery. It provides real-time tracking updates every 30 seconds, so you always know exactly where your vehicle is and how it’s being driven. You’ll also get instant alerts for things like speeding, harsh driving, or when the car leaves or enters specific areas. This feature helps keep your vehicle and your drivers safe. When you buy this product, it doesn’t come alone but also brings a SIM card and data plan with it to provide all-in-one functionality.
Real-time alerts
Flexible subscription
Comes with a sim card
No battery attached
FAQ
Q: Do car tracking devices drain the vehicle’s battery?
A: Generally, car tracking devices use very little power from the car battery, especially when the car is idle. Devices that plug into the OBD-II port have power-saving modes to minimize battery drain. However, if a car is left unused for extended periods, there might be a small risk of battery drain, especially in hybrid vehicles. Most modern car trackers are designed to manage their power consumption effectively to avoid this issue.
Q: How do car tracking devices work?
A: Car tracking devices use GPS technology to determine the exact location of a vehicle. The device uses a network of satellites to triangulate the position of the car and then sends this information to a connected app or monitoring platform. Depending on the type of tracker, it may also provide additional data like speed, route history, and geofencing alerts. Some trackers connect through the vehicle’s OBD-II port, while others use a magnetic attachment for easy installation.
Q: Can I install a car tracking device myself?
A: Yes, most car tracking devices are designed for easy self-installation. Devices that plug into the OBD-II port can be installed simply by plugging them in, much like plugging in a lamp. Magnetic or adhesive trackers can also be placed on the vehicle’s frame or in a secure spot for covert tracking. For more permanent installations, such as wired devices, professional installation might be recommended to ensure the wiring is correctly done without affecting the car’s electronics.
Q: What are the advantages of using a car tracking device?
A: Car tracking devices offer multiple advantages, including real-time location tracking, enhanced vehicle security, and the ability to monitor driving behavior. Features like geofencing allow you to set virtual boundaries for the vehicle, sending alerts if it leaves a designated area. Some trackers also monitor the vehicle’s health, providing alerts for issues like low battery or engine trouble. These features are especially useful for preventing theft, managing fleets, and monitoring young drivers.
Q: Are there car tracking devices without monthly subscription fees?
A: Yes, some car tracking devices offer no-subscription options, where you pay a one-time purchase fee for the device. These options might lack some advanced features, like real-time tracking and detailed historical data, but can still provide basic location tracking. Subscription-based devices, on the other hand, typically come with more comprehensive features like live updates, geofencing, and driving behavior analysis, which can justify the ongoing cost depending on your needs.
Article Contributors
Ynet News Shopping Team
Ynetnews Shopping team provides authoritative advice and reviews, distinct from the editorial team, to inform your decisions. To guarantee the correctness of product sizes, availability, and prices, AI tools are utilized in the process.