I found cheap accessories that made my AirTags twice as useful (and secure)

Elevation Labs accessories

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• These are tough, water- and dirt-resistant AirTag holders that will last years.
• They go a long way to preventing bad guys from removing your AirTags from secured items.
• They work on everything from suitcases, camera bags, jackets, and even your cat or dog!

I’ve mentioned more than once my undying love for Apple AirTags. These devices have made my life so much less stressful, and I have them attached to pretty much everything I could possibly lose.

However, that sleek UFO-like saucer shape makes them difficult to attach to items easily. Over the years, I’ve bought all sorts of holders for them, made custom 3D-printed holders, and even taken them apart so I could modify them to fit into a wallet.

But Elevation Labs — the company behind the AirTag TimeCapsule that gives it a 10-year runtime on a set of AA batteries — also offers a variety of holders designed to attach AirTags to different objects.

Also: Can you make an AirTag last 10 years? It took me seconds to do it

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing three different AirTag holders, and they’re the best-in-class holders I’ve come across. They’re durable, make it hard for bad guys to find and remove your tag, but allow you to access the tag to replace the battery when you need to.

This is a secure and low-profile tag holder. It uses 3M VHB adhesive to attach to surfaces.

Strong VHB adhesive bonds the holder to the item.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

VHB is one of the best heavy duty mounting tape adhesives available, and if you clean the surface properly, this will attach almost permanently. The holder is made of tough, glass-reinforced composite that’s so strong it can even be run over by a car without being damaged.

Also: I found AirTag alternatives that are tough, loud, and compatible with Android phones

The glass-reinforced composite is super tough!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Additionally, the holder is specifically designed with angled sides to make it difficult to knock off. It’s rated IP69 for dust and water resistance and includes a gasket to seal the AirTag from the elements. The AirTag is securely held inside the holder and requires a special tool to remove it.

A special tool is needed to open the holder to remove the AirTag.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

This holder, like the previous one, is made of tough, glass-reinforced composite. It’s designed to attach an AirTag to a strap or fabric using specially designed security screws that pierce the fabric for a secure fit. (Don’t worry, you get the appropriate screwdriver for the fasteners.)

Also: How to find out if an AirTag is tracking you – and what to do about it

Security fasteners are used to secure the holder in place.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The holder also includes a gasket to keep water and dirt away from the AirTag, ensuring durability in different environments.

Also: I built a custom AirTag that Apple will hate me for (and how you can do it, too)

Elevation Labs claims this to be the first AirTag fabric mount that is quick and easy to install on luggage, purses, bags, or jackets.

Also: The best Bluetooth trackers: Expert tested

The adhesive is incredibly strong, reaching full adhesion after 24 hours. Once adhered, it’s practically bonded to any nylon, polyester, vinyl, rubberized fabric, or GORE-TEX surface. However, it doesn’t work on stretchy, fibrous fabrics or suede.

The perfect way to attach an AirTag to fabric items.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The holder is specially engineered to withstand impacts from items shoved into a bag, making it ideal for camera bags, golf bags, purses, handbags, expensive jackets, and anything else you want to keep track of.

ZDNET’s buying advice

Elevation Labs has been hitting it out of the park with its products. The TimeCapsule, which replaces the button cell with two AA batteries, simply revolutionizes AirTag use, and these holders do much the same.

These tags come in single, two-pack, and four-pack options, with prices ranging from $15 to $35, depending on how many holders you need. I highly recommend them without hesitation. 

Also: This is the best AirTag alternative for Android users, and I love its safety features

If you use AirTags, you need to check out what Elevation Labs has to offer. And if there’s something else you want to attach an AirTag to — everything from your cat, dog, mountain bike, car, or wallet — Elevation Labs has the holder you need to make this easy.

No home-craft fabricobbling something, or trying to 3D print something that works (or, as I’ve done before, just duct tape the AirTag to the item — yeah, that looked bad!).

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