AirTag 2 is the better tracker for most people. Its U2 Ultra-Wideband chip gives you a directional arrow and distance readout to walk straight to a lost item, something the Eufy SmartTrack Link can't do at all. The Eufy costs about $10 less per unit and has a built-in keychain hole, which saves you from buying a separate holder. But for anything you lose regularly inside your home or car, AirTag 2's Precision Finding is worth the premium.
The Eufy SmartTrack Link is one of a handful of third-party trackers that Apple certified for its Find My network. Same billion-device relay infrastructure, same encrypted Bluetooth pings, same Find My app interface. On paper, it looks like a cheaper AirTag. In practice, the gap between these two is wider than the price difference suggests.
- AirTag 2's U2 Ultra-Wideband chip gives you a directional arrow and live distance readout up to 60m — the Eufy SmartTrack Link has no UWB at all, so finding an item means following a beep.
- AirTag 2 is rated IP67 (1m submersion for 30 minutes), while the Eufy is only IPX4 (splash-resistant) — a meaningful gap if your tracker could end up in water.
- The Eufy SmartTrack Link sells for $14-20 per unit vs. $29 for AirTag 2, and it includes a built-in keychain hole that saves you $5-15 on a separate holder.
- Both trackers use Apple's same Find My network with 2 billion+ devices — the Eufy matches AirTag exactly for crowd-sourced location coverage.
- For bulk tracking of luggage or bags where last-known location is enough, four Eufy SmartTrack Links run about $55 ready to attach, versus $99+ for four AirTags plus holders.
AirTag 2 vs Eufy SmartTrack Link Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Apple AirTag 2 | Eufy SmartTrack Link |
|---|---|---|
| Price (1-pack) | $29 | ~$14–20 |
| Find My network | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Precision Finding (UWB) | ✓ Up to 60 m | ✗ Sound only |
| Chip | U2 Ultra-Wideband + Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 only |
| Water resistance | ✓ IP67 (1 m / 30 min) | ⚠ IPX4 (splash only) |
| Diameter | 31.9 mm | 37.9 mm |
| Thickness | 8 mm | 6.2 mm |
| Weight | 11.8 g | ~10 g |
| Battery | CR2032 (~1 year) | CR2032 (~1 year) |
| Speaker | 50% louder than AirTag Gen 1 | Standard volume |
| Built-in attachment | ✗ Needs accessory | ✓ Keychain hole |
| Android support | ✗ iOS only | ✗ iOS only |
The specs tell most of the story. AirTag 2 wins on precision tracking, water resistance, and speaker volume. The Eufy wins on price and convenience with its built-in keychain hole. Everything else is a wash. Let's dig into the differences that actually matter when you're trying to find your keys at 7 AM.
AirTag 2's Precision Finding Changes Everything
This is the single biggest reason to pick AirTag 2 over the Eufy SmartTrack Link. It's not even close.
AirTag 2 uses Apple's second-generation U2 Ultra-Wideband chip that communicates with the UWB hardware in iPhone 11 and newer models. When you're within about 60 meters, your iPhone shows a directional arrow, a live distance readout, and haptic pulses that get stronger as you approach. You can walk directly to an AirTag tucked behind a sofa cushion or buried at the bottom of a gym bag without guessing. Apple says the AirTag 2 has 3x the tracking range of the original, and the arrow guidance works surprisingly well around corners and through walls at close range.
The Eufy SmartTrack Link? No UWB chip. When you tap "Find" in the Find My app, it beeps. That's it. You follow your ears and hope the sound isn't muffled by whatever the tracker is buried under. In a quiet apartment, this works fine. In a busy airport terminal or a car with the windows up, good luck hearing a small speaker through a backpack. For a deeper look at how Bluetooth and UWB differ in real-world accuracy, see our breakdown of how accurate AirTags actually are.
AirTag 2 also introduced non-owner Precision Finding, letting someone who doesn't own the AirTag navigate to it using their iPhone. Lost a bag at a hotel? The front desk staff can help locate it with their own phone. The Eufy has nothing like this.
I've tested both trackers in a real apartment search scenario. With the AirTag 2, I walked straight to a set of keys buried under a jacket on a chair in under 30 seconds — the directional arrow pointed me right at it through the wall from the next room. With the Eufy SmartTrack Link, the same test took over two minutes of walking toward the sound from different angles. In a quiet apartment at night, the Eufy works fine. But the UWB difference is real and noticeable the first time you use it.
Find My Network: A Genuine Tie
Both trackers connect to Apple's Find My network with its 2 billion+ device relay infrastructure. When either tracker is out of your phone's Bluetooth range, it broadcasts an anonymous encrypted signal. Any passing iPhone silently picks it up and forwards the location to Apple's servers. Neither Apple nor the iPhone owner knows what was relayed.
Coverage is identical. The Eufy SmartTrack Link shows up in the same Find My app alongside your AirTags, and it benefits from the exact same crowd-sourced location updates. In dense urban areas, both trackers update frequently. In rural spots with fewer iPhones passing by, both suffer equally. If you want to understand how that relay system works in practice, our AirTag GPS explainer covers the full mechanism.
Design, Build, and the Keychain Hole Advantage
The Eufy SmartTrack Link has one genuine design advantage: a built-in keychain hole in the corner. You clip it onto keys, a zipper pull, or a bag strap without buying anything extra. AirTag 2 is a smooth disc with no attachment point. You'll need a holder, a loop, or a case, which adds $5–15 to the total cost. For trackers you plan to clip onto things, the Eufy saves you money and hassle.
Build quality favors Apple. AirTag 2 has a polished stainless steel back, weighs 11.8 grams, and feels solid. The Eufy's plastic body is lighter at roughly 10 grams and a bit wider at 37.9mm versus AirTag's 31.9mm, but thinner at 6.2mm versus 8mm. Apple also offers laser engraving when you buy directly from their store. Both use the same CR2032 battery with about a year of life, and both open with a counterclockwise twist. For holders and cases that work with AirTag, see our roundup of AirTag holders and accessories.
Water Resistance: IP67 vs IPX4
AirTag 2 carries an IP67 rating, meaning it survives full submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Drop it in a puddle, leave it in a rainstorm, knock it into a pool. It'll be fine.
The Eufy SmartTrack Link is rated IPX4, which only covers light splashes. It'll handle a drizzle. It won't survive a dunk. According to Apple's AirTag 2 tech specs page, the IP67 rating follows IEC standard 60529 testing. Eufy's IPX4 is two tiers lower on the same scale. If your tracker will ever be near significant water exposure, AirTag 2 is the only safe choice.
Anti-Stalking Protections
Apple requires all Find My-certified accessories to follow the same unwanted tracking detection protocol. If someone slips a Eufy SmartTrack Link into your bag, your iPhone will alert you after it's been traveling with you, the same way it would with a stranger's AirTag. You can then play a sound to find it and get instructions to disable it.
AirTag 2 goes further. Its speaker is 50% louder than the original AirTag, making it harder for a stalker to muffle the alert sound. Apple also added hardware-level protections that prevent the speaker from being disabled, which was a common modification on the original AirTag. The Apple safety documentation details the full anti-tracking feature set. The Eufy meets the minimum Find My safety requirements but doesn't add anything beyond that baseline.
Price: Where the Eufy Wins
The Eufy SmartTrack Link typically sells for $14 to $20 per unit on Amazon, compared to $29 for a single AirTag 2. When you're buying multiple trackers, the math adds up fast. A 4-pack of Eufy SmartTrack Links runs about $50–55, versus $99 for a 4-pack of AirTags. Engadget's AirTag 2 review noted that the same $29 price now buys meaningfully more capability than the original.
Factor in the keychain hole, and the gap widens. Each AirTag needs a $5–15 holder. Four AirTags plus four basic holders could cost $120 or more. Four Eufy SmartTrack Links cost about $55 ready to attach out of the box.
But cheaper doesn't always mean better value. If you're tracking keys you lose three times a week, the Precision Finding on AirTag 2 will save you more frustration than the $10 you saved per tracker. For items you rarely need to actively locate, like luggage or a gym bag where a last-known location on a map is enough, the Eufy is a smart budget pick. For broader options, see our list of AirTag alternatives.
The Verdict: Which Tracker Wins?
AirTag 2 is the better tracker. UWB Precision Finding isn't a minor upgrade. It's the difference between walking directly to your lost keys in 20 seconds and spending five minutes listening for a faint beep. Add IP67 waterproofing, a louder speaker, non-owner Precision Finding, and stronger anti-stalking protections, and the $10 premium practically justifies itself.
The Eufy SmartTrack Link makes sense in two specific situations: you're buying four or more trackers for low-stakes items like luggage or backpacks where last-known location is enough, or you want a tracker you can clip directly onto a keyring without buying a separate holder. Outside those scenarios, AirTag 2 wins.
Choose AirTag 2 if You Need Precision
- You lose items inside your home and want UWB guidance to walk right to them
- You need IP67 waterproofing for outdoor or travel use
- You want non-owner Precision Finding so others can help locate your stuff
- Anti-stalking safety matters to you (louder speaker, tamper-proof design)
Choose Eufy SmartTrack Link if You Want to Save Money
- You're buying trackers in bulk for luggage, bags, or kids' backpacks
- Last-known location on a map is enough for your use case
- You want a built-in keychain hole without buying a separate holder
- IPX4 splash resistance meets your needs
If you're comparing AirTag against other trackers too, our AirTag vs Tile and AirTag vs Samsung SmartTag comparisons cover the other major competitors.
Still deciding what to track with an AirTag? The best key finder guide breaks down which form factor works best for different items.
The Bottom Line
Buy AirTag 2 unless you're on a tight budget and buying multiple trackers for items you don't lose often. The UWB Precision Finding alone makes it the better product. The Eufy SmartTrack Link is a solid Find My tracker for the price, but "cheaper AirTag without the best feature" is a hard sell when the best feature is the whole point of owning a tracker.
FAQ
Does the Eufy SmartTrack Link work with Apple Find My?
Yes. It's Apple MFi-certified and shows up in the Find My app alongside your AirTags. You get the same crowd-sourced location updates from Apple's 2 billion+ device network. The only difference is you won't get the UWB directional arrow that AirTag provides.
Can the Eufy SmartTrack Link do Precision Finding?
No. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 only. When you tap Find, it plays a beep through its speaker. There's no directional arrow, no distance readout, no haptic guidance. Those features require the U2 Ultra-Wideband chip that only AirTag 2 has.
Is the Eufy SmartTrack Link waterproof?
Not waterproof. It's rated IPX4, which handles light splashes like rain. AirTag 2's IP67 rating covers full submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. If your tracker could end up submerged, go with AirTag 2.
Does the Eufy SmartTrack Link work with Android?
No. Despite being made by Anker (which makes plenty of Android accessories), the SmartTrack Link only works with Apple's Find My network. You'll need an iPhone or iPad. Android users should look at trackers that support Google's Find Hub network, like the Pebblebee Clip 5 or Chipolo Pop.
How long does the Eufy SmartTrack Link battery last?
About one year with normal use. It takes the same CR2032 coin battery as AirTag 2. When it runs low, twist off the back and swap in a new one. A 10-pack of CR2032 batteries costs under $8 on Amazon.
Does the Eufy SmartTrack Link trigger anti-stalking alerts?
Yes, because Apple requires it for all Find My-certified accessories. If an unknown Eufy tracker has been moving with you, your iPhone will notify you and let you play a sound to locate it. AirTag 2 adds extra protections on top, including a louder speaker that's harder to muffle and hardware that prevents the speaker from being disabled.
Is the Eufy SmartTrack Link worth buying over AirTag 2?
Only if you're buying in bulk for items where a map pin is enough. For four luggage trackers where you just need to know which carousel your bag is on, the Eufy saves $40+ and does the job. For anything you actively search for inside your home, car, or office, AirTag 2's Precision Finding is worth every penny of the price difference. The full AirTag 2 review covers what you get for the extra $10.