Best GPS Trackers for Cars To Help You Recover Your Stolen Vehicle

GPS trackers are simple devices, so there isn't necessarily a lot separating one from another. That's not to say there aren't a lot of things to consider before making the decision. To ensure we're making sound recommendations, we spent time researching the leading GPS trackers on the market, as well as what consumers have to say about them. More importantly, we looked into the services that go along with the device to determine how those stacked up. We're car owners just like you, so we considered all the details we deem important to the entire experience when putting this buying guide together.

The Spytec GL300 is our best overall at $15, this versatile and intelligent tracker can fill many roles with great depth and execution. It fits just about anywhere inside your vehicle, and with a waterproof and magnetized case, it can even be placed underneath your car. The Spytec GL300 can personalize reports, based on how you choose to use the device. All information can be easily accessed through its dedicated app, where you can see vehicle departure and arrival, boundary updates, perimeter breaching, and SOS button activation. This GPS tracker is also privacy-focused and keeps zero personal data stored on the device. The battery life is great, about 13 days on average which can be extended by purchasing an additional battery pack.

As with anything, there are some shortcomings. The biggest issue is the high monthly fees attached to using this GPS tracker. Even with a discount for paying annually, service is a few hundred dollars. Several users also complained of an extremely difficult cancelation process. Lastly, it doesn't come with the case necessary for waterproofing and mounting.

At $80, and a year of free service, the Vyncs GPS Tracker is a fantastic value all around. This car GPS tracker plugs into the OBD2 port on your vehicle. It works even when your car is off by drawing a small amount of power to wake itself and update its locations and any other data recorded since its last refresh. The Vysyncs GPS Tracker monitors things such as vehicle health, driving habits, fuel level, and route mapping. The device claims worldwide support, making it an easy choice for anyone, no matter their country of residence – please note, Australian customer reviews claim it doesn't work Down Under.

Customers state they can't get real-time data from the device, with the location sometimes being hours behind the actual car. You do have the option to move to 15-second refresh times, but that requires extra payments.

Magnetized, waterproof, and a little smaller than a hockey puck, the Land Sea Air GPS Tracker is a great choice for those looking to hide their car GPS tracker in the undercarriage. This tracker is app-based, connecting to 4G LTE towers, as well as satellites. Its pinpoint accuracy tracking is available within six feet. This GPS tracker will alert you through its dedicated app with real-time movements and real-time notifications, providing you with stops, perimeter breaches, and even addresses. There is also a feature available called “Share Spot”, which allows you to send notifications and information to designated contacts, making it a top choice for families and close friends.

Monthly fees of $20 are lower than some, but still enough to push some consumers elsewhere. It’s also plagued with a long charge time of 12 hours, which you should consider before buying.

The Bouncie GPS Car Tracker is a fantastic option for parents looking to keep their children and family vehicles safe. Plugging into a car's OBD2 port, it’s capable of monitoring vehicle health, fuel level, speed, hard braking, accident notification, idle time, route mapping, and geo-fencing. On top of all of that, it includes roadside assistance and 15-second refresh time. Those who work on their own vehicle will quickly find the appeal in this device, as it’s able to read any fault codes that show up after that pesky check engine light turns on.

This GPS tracker is built on Google Maps, and only costs $9 a month to utilize the features, with no cancellation fees. Its major downsides are the fact that it will not work with the vehicle off, and it plugs into the OBD2 port. Car savvy thieves are likely smart enough to look in that area of a car right after stealing it.

This is not a GPS tracker, but it performs the same function. At $24 and a size slightly larger than a U.S. quarter dollar, the Apple AirTag is a great choice for those searching for a discreet option, and gives peace of mind if lost with the fantastic Lost Mode feature. It runs seamlessly with iPhones and its versatility increases tenfold thanks to the support of thousands of aftermarket accessories. These accessories include keychain cases, magnet cases, and fully submersible waterproof cases. Heck, they even have customizable wallet cases with AirTag slots. They have no monthly subscription, a reasonable price point, and one-year battery life. This tracker updates its location by pinging devices within 30 feet that are connected to Apple’s Find My network. With millions of those devices active daily around the world, AirTags earn their appeal despite the lack of cellular and satellite tracking. However, they fall short as a car tracker due to the fact that AirTags are designed to alert anyone (including car thieves who own an iPhone) that they’re being tracked.

They also make an audible pinging sound after 8 hours away from its owner. While this is a great privacy and safety feature for the general public, this can ruin the discreteness of the tracker. It should also be noted that these trackers do not work with Android devices, apart from the direct scanning of the AirTag.

We chose the Spytec GL300 as the best all-around GPS tracker for your car. It’s packed with useful features and has extremely accurate, real-time tracking using 4G LTE. The Vyncs GPS Tracker is our best value pick thanks to its no subscription fee and usage versatility. Agree with our picks? Have any that we missed? Leave a comment below and let us know! 

Don't just buy any GPS tracker because someone recommended it to you. You should always make an educated decision when it comes to purchasing something that might save you thousands of dollars. There's not a whole lot to know to get started, though. These considerations will get you in the right place.

One of the most important details to consider before you buy is whether a monthly fee is attached to the tracker you're interested in. This does not mean that performance is secondary to pricing or that tracking services aren't worth paying, just that you don't want to be taken by surprise. Some monthly fees can be as high as $30, which adds up to a considerable amount over a year.

You might hear about active or passive GPS trackers while you search around, and it's important to know the difference. To put it simply, active tracking gives you real-time readings of a vehicle's location, whereas passive trackers tell you where a vehicle has been. Most car owners are looking for active GPS trackers as they transmit the data to an app or site for security purposes.

Many GPS trackers are waterproof by design and may even be paired with an IP67 rating. You shouldn't count on it, though. Double-check the description to make sure any tracker you're considering is suited to your intended location.

GPS trackers for cars exist on a wide spectrum when it comes to pricing. As you can see, our selection here has prices ranging from $15-$100. How much you pay largely depends on quality, features, and tracking forms. Of course, the initial investment should be only part of your concern, as monthly subscription dues directly impact your overall investment.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.