I tried to destroy this AirTag alternative, but it wouldn’t crack – unlike others


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pros and cons

Pros

  • These touch tags can withstand life on key chains and being dropped.
  • They feature a USB-C rechargeable battery, so there are no button cells to mess with.
  • They work with both iPhone and Android devices.
Cons

  • The little cover for the USB-C port isn’t attached, so it could become lost.

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Yes, once again, I declare my undying love for the Apple AirTag. Overnight, that little plastic disc has pretty much eliminated the stress of losing things like keys and bags. But if you’re an Android user, you’re not invited to the AirTag party. Thankfully, a host of third-party makers have stepped in to fill the void. And while no tag is quite as good as the AirTag — precision finding that takes you directly to the tag feels like magic — there are still some great alternatives out there.

But there’s one big problem: durability.

Life on a keychain is tough. Keys are hard, sharp, and they get dropped, stepped on, and banged around. While AirTags are relatively robust — partly because they require an additional holder to attach them to keys — a lot of third-party tags aren’t as durable. Sure, they’re probably good enough for the average person, but I’ve had tags crack, break, and even burst apart (a common issue with replaceable-battery tags that snap together).

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That’s why I found the new Finder Pro tags from Ugreen so impressive. These tags have earned the title of “toughest tags I’ve tested.”

Features and design

Before diving into their durability, let’s take a look at the tags themselves. The Finder Pro tags are standard keychain-style tags, but instead of the circular shape most manufacturers use, these are square, measuring 1.25 x 1.25 x 0.6 inches. They’re made of a tough polymer, and there’s a hole in one corner to make attaching them to keys and luggage easy.

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The tags feature a built-in 90 mAh polymer lithium-ion battery that’s rechargeable via a USB-C port on the bottom. The battery has an estimated runtime of a year, so you won’t be using the USB-C port very often.

The USB-C port has a little cover -- it can be lost but is not really necessary.

The USB-C port has a little cover — it can be lost but is not really necessary.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

To keep dirt, moisture, and other pocket grime out of the port, Ugreen has included a small rubber cover. This cover is detachable, so there’s a chance it could get lost, but all of mine have stayed in place. Even if you lose it, it’s not the end of the world — after all, your smartphone’s USB-C port doesn’t come with a cover, and it lives in your pocket or bag just fine.

Sound comparison

The Finder Pro is also louder than an AirTag. Ugreen claims the speaker outputs a sound in the range of 80 to 100 dB, and when I tested it (using a smartphone app for this, which, while not perfectly accurate, is good enough for this kind of test), I got readings around the 90 dB mark. For reference, that’s on par with a power tool or a nearby motorcycle. By comparison, Apple AirTags are around 80 dB, equivalent to the noise level of a vacuum cleaner, heavy traffic, or a busy restaurant.

I ran my usual test of hiding the tag under some sofa cushions, and the Finder Pro was noticeably louder than the AirTag.

A quick note on decibels

It’s worth noting that the decibel (dB) scale is logarithmic, not linear. This means that every 10 dB increase represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity. However, the human ear perceives a 90 dB sound as being about twice as loud as an 80 dB sound. So while the Finder Pro’s 90 dB output may not seem like a huge jump on paper, it’s significantly louder in practice.

Compatibility and range

Like many third-party tags, the Finder Pro works with both the Apple Find My and Google Find My Device networks. However, keep in mind that you can’t connect it to both simultaneously — you have to choose one when setting up the tag.

I tested the range of the tags, and the quoted Bluetooth range of 30 to 65 feet checks out for line of sight and when there’s not much between the tag and the searching smartphone, which is pretty typical for Bluetooth-based finder tags.

Durability testing

Now, let’s talk about durability. To put these tags through their paces, I subjected them to a series of grueling tests. I attached them to a bunch of old keys and tumbled them in the dryer (on cold) for a couple of hours. I tossed them around.

I even drove over them.

Drove over your tag? No problem!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

No problem.

Also: This USB-C accessory gave my iPhone and Android an unexpectedly useful superpower

These tags are tough. Sure, they pick up some scratches and scrapes along the way, but nothing that affected the performance of the tag.

Not much damage even after being driven over a few times.

Not much damage even after being driven over a few times.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

I subsequently took the tag that was driven over apart (the tag was driven over several times to get the shot I wanted), and there was no real damage to the case, seams, or interior.

Curious about what's inside a finder tag? Here you go!

Curious about what’s inside a finder tag? Here you go!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Ugreen Finder Pro tags are durable, loud, and feature-packed, making them some of the best third-party alternatives to the Apple AirTag that I’ve tested. While they may not have the precision finding magic of AirTags, their rugged build and long-lasting rechargeable battery make them a fantastic choice for anyone prone to losing things and looking for a reliable, hard-wearing tracker.

These tags — which are called Finder Duo over on Amazon, but it’s Finder Pro on the box (confusing) — normally retail for $50 for a four-pack, but they are currently only $30, making them an unmissable deal!





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Michelin is a French multinational company that many consumers consider to be one of the most satisfying major tire brands. This firm makes several tire models that offer comfort, performance, all-terrain prowess, and everything in between — including cutting-edge products like the $42,000-per-set Michelin Pilot Sport PAX that it developed specifically for the Bugatti Veyron. Aside from its own tires, Michelin also owns other tire brands that you might be familiar with, including BFGoodrich, Achilles, and Corsa.

While tires are what Michelin is known for, the company has put its name to more than the rubber that wraps around your car’s rims. In fact, the company sells several other products that aren’t tires. So, we’re listing a few Michelin-branded items that you can buy online and in retail stores. While they might not all be made of rubber or even related to vehicles, these tools and accessories can come in handy when keeping your car — and even yourself — in good shape.

Michelin tire inflator

Since Michelin is primarily known for its tires, it makes sense for the company to sell a Michelin-branded tire inflator as well. That way, if you get a flat on one of the Michelin tires on your car or want to regularly top up your car’s tire pressure to maintain optimum performance, you can use a Michelin-branded pump to fill up your tires. The company actually sells several types of inflators on its Amazon page, but it only offers a single motorized unit — the Michelin Micro Tyre Inflator, which is available on Amazon for $98.99.

This little device is only slightly wider than an iPhone 17 and weighs about 400 grams, or 14 ounces. This means it’s easy to store in your car and to move to whichever tire needs topping up. More importantly, it takes power from a 12-volt socket, allowing you to run it using your car’s battery. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (or any other USB device) in case of an emergency.

Some users say that the device is slow, taking about 12 minutes to bring a tire from 10 to 32 PSI, but that’s not unexpected given its small size. Still, it should be good enough for regular weekly maintenance if you know your car’s proper tire pressure, or in case of an emergency. Its biggest downside is that you need a power source to run it, but having a dead battery and a flat tire simultaneously is likely a rare occurrence in many modern cars.

Michelin mini fridge

Taking a road trip during the summer can get you thirsty, and there’s no better way to quench that thirst than by drinking a cool can of soda (or your beverage of choice). If you want to ensure that you’ll always have a cold drink ready while you’re driving on the freeway, Michelin’s mini fridge will help you with that. This nifty little refrigerator is available on Amazon for just $99.99 and can be connected to either 110V AC or 12V DC power, ensuring that it will work on both your desk and in your car.

The mini fridge measures 6.9 x 9.45 x 10 inches (17.5 x 24 x 25.4 cm), meaning it can easily fit on a garage shelf or office desk. It should also be small enough to put on the floor of your car. Despite that relatively small size, it’s large enough to fit six 350-ml cans or four 500-ml bottles, and it will keep these items at a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius. It also has an LED light on the door, so it can double as a night light if necessary.

Aside from keeping your drinks (and other food items) below room temperature, it also has a few other creature comforts. These include a removable shelf and door basket for flexibility and easy cleaning, as well as a retractable carry handle and a self-locking door to make transportation easier.

Michelin car floor mats

Heavy-duty car floor mats are often made from rubber for durability and water resistance, and since Michelin is in the business of rubber, it makes sense for the company to offer exactly that. So, if you want to protect your vehicle’s floor from dirt, dust, and mud, the company can help you with its Michelin all-weather car floor mats. This four-piece package is available on Amazon for $49.99 and comes in either black or tan.

The surface of these floor mats is specially designed to trap debris, snow, and water, preventing them from ruining the carpet on your vehicle. The mats have a cleat backing that grips your car’s floor and prevents them from slipping. The front row mats also come with what Michelin calls a Gripclip Retention System, allowing them to clip into your vehicle’s safety clips and adding even more reassurance that they won’t accidentally slip while you’re driving and pose a hazard to your safety.

These mats are universal and will work in most vehicles. However, they’re also easy to customize: If you find them a bit too large for the footwell of your tiny hatchback, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the edges for a perfect fit.

Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades

While Michelin’s Stealth Ultra wiper blades aren’t generally considered among the best windshield wipers, they appear to be a pretty good choice given their four-star rating on Amazon. These wipers cost $49.99 and are available in various size combinations for all sorts of cars. This ensures that no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you can probably find a set that will fit your needs.

These Michelin wipers are curved to conform to the shape of your windscreen for a clean, streak-free wipe. The company’s Amazon listing claims that these are designed to “withstand rain, wind, snow, mud, dust, or any other debris that might hamper your windshield’s visibility.” While you might think that windshield wipers are pretty simple items, and that you can just purchase any generic wipers off the internet, you must remember that they’re essential so that you have the best visibility possible during inclement weather. So, for your safety, consider investing in a set from a reputable brand like Michelin.

Michelin work boots

Michelin is known for making rubber tires to put on your car’s “feet,” but did you know it also makes shoes for the driver’s feet? The company makes sports & outdoor footwear, as well as shoes for work and safety. For this example, we have the Michelin HydroEdge Steel Toe waterproof work boot, listed for $210 on Amazon and at Georgia Boot. This shoe is available in U.S. sizes from 7.5 up to 14, ensuring that no matter what size you wear, you can get a Michelin work boot for yourself.

As the name suggests, this pair of shoes has steel toes to protect your feet from accidental impacts and is fully waterproof to help keep your feet dry, even in supposedly severe conditions. It also meets ASTM F2413 standards for electrical protection, meaning it has fully insulating soles to protect you from electrical hazards at work. Michelin also added what it calls an Advanced Rear Suspension system to its heel, ensuring proper shock absorption when you walk.





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