Tile Sticker (2022): A big leap forward for Tile's smallest key finder

Our Verdict

The Tile Sticker (2022) is a definite improvement over its predecessor with improved range and more consistent performance. Other key finders are more fully featured, but they tin't attach to the surfaces that the Tile Sticker can stick to.

For

Better range and functioning than previous Tile Sticker
Sticks to surfaces that other cardinal finders tin can't attach to
Compact pattern
Ii-style notice feature for locating misplaced phones

Against

Non-replaceable bombardment
Button for activating two-way find feature is difficult to press

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Tile Sticker (2022) is a definite improvement over its predecessor with improved range and more consistent operation. Other fundamental finders are more fully featured, but they can't attach to the surfaces that the Tile Sticker can stick to.

Pros

+
Better range and performance than previous Tile Sticker
+
Sticks to surfaces that other key finders tin can't attach to
+
Meaty design
+
Two-way observe characteristic for locating misplaced phones

Cons

-
Non-replaceable battery
-
Button for activating two-way observe feature is hard to printing

Tile Sticker 2022 specs

Size: 1.1 x 0.iii inches
Listed range: Upwardly to 250 anxiety
Tested range: 150 to 170 feet
Water resistance? IP67
Bombardment: Not-replaceable/3 years
Colors: Black

Fifty-fifty though the Tile Sticker (2022) is a near dopplegänger to its predecessor, you'd barely recognize this version of Tile's smallest central tracker. The original Tile Sticker, released ii years prior, was an interesting concept with disappointing execution and inconsistent range. "Lacks smoothen," I concluded in my original Tile Sticker review.

Tile's done enough of polishing since then. The new Tile Sticker retains its predecessor's compact blueprint and adds better performance to the mix. This is withal a key finder that serves a very specific purpose — a Tile tracker that can stick to surfaces instead of adhere to a key ring similar the Tile Pro or Tile Mate — but it'south one we tin more enthusiastically recommend to people looking for something to attach to luggage, laptops and other flat surfaces. The Tile Sticker certainly deserves a place among the best key finders.

Tile Sticker review: Price and availability

The Tile Sticker costs $30, placing information technology betwixt the $25 Tile Mate and Tile'south ii $35 trackers — the Tile Pro and Tile Slim — in Tile's key finder lineup.

Yous'll pay the same corporeality for an Apple AirTag as y'all would a Tile Sticker, though Apple's key finder lacks the Sticker's adhesive back. Of class, the Tile Sticker only connects to your telephone via Bluetooth, whereas trackers like the AirTag and Samsung'due south SmartTag Plus use Ultra Wideband to requite more precise locations of your valuables.

Tile Sticker review: Design and features

The Tile Sticker (2022) has the same circular shape every bit its predecessor, though this new version is fractionally taller — 0.31 inches compared to 0.28 inches. That would seem to compound an issue I had with the original sticker — because information technology's designed to stick on smooth surfaces, it can interfere with sleek designs of devices like laptops and tablets. I've attached the Tile Sticker to my passport, for example, and it's similar I've added a picayune knob to the cover. That complicates sliding my passport in and out of my pants pocket.

Tile Sticker 2022 stuck on passport — (Epitome credit: Tom'southward Guide)

Tile has gone with a more than stylized blueprint this time effectually, as it looks to unify the appearance of all of its central finders. The Tile logo remains in the middle of the Sticker, but the button for activating the tracker's very valuable two-manner finding feature for sounding an alert to locate your misplaced phone. Now there's a button on the side for that, which streamlines the look of the Sticker, even if I establish the button a little hard to depress.

As before, you can't fit a replaceable bombardment into a tracker this minor. Instead, the Tile Sticker relies on a not-replaceable battery that's supposed to last for iii years — the aforementioned fourth dimension the tracker'due south adhesive is rated to concluding, conveniently. (In my experience, the Sticker remains reliably stuck on almost surfaces. It certainly takes some effort to yank off, which y'all won't desire to do, every bit that can weaken the adhesive grip. This is a tracker that's meant to remain in identify until it's time to swap in a new 1.)

Tile Sticker 2022 next to stack of quarters — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Tile Sticker's compact size as well means it misses out on a feature plant on other Tiles in the current lineup: there'south no QR code embossed on the device that people can scan to help you recollect your lost item. Instead, yous're at the mercy of Tile's erstwhile arrangement where other nearby Tile users passing by tin can detect a missing Tile tracker and axle its last known location to you.

Tile Sticker review: Performance

Every bit before, you lot pair the Tile Sticker to your smartphone using either the Android or iOS version of the Tile app. From that app, you tin can tap a push to sound an alarm that volition aid you pinpoint the location of whatever misplaced item yous've fastened the Tile Sticker to.

Tile says that this version of the Sticker has a range of up to 250 feet, the same listed range for the Tile Mate and Tile Slim. In my testing, the Sticker didn't reach quite that far, just I was able to get a point from up to 150 feet away when testing the tracker in a public park. The Sticker usually dropped out of range anywhere betwixt 150 and 170 anxiety in this testing area.

Tile Sticker app — (Epitome credit: Tom'south Guide)

That's definitely an improvement on the old Tile Sticker, which was reliable for up to 40 feet at best and rarely stayed continued past lxx feet. You tin definitely expect more reliable performance from this year'southward Sticker.

The Tile Pro continues to boast the loudest alarm in the Tile lineup, but the alarm on this year's Sticker is loud enough to hear from 120 feet abroad. That's virtually equal to the Tile Mate's functioning.

Tile Pro, Tile Mate, Tile Slim, Tile Sticker — Tile'due south current key finder lineup — the Sticker is in the lower left corner. (Prototype credit: Tom's Guide)

Tile offers a $two.99/month Tile Premium service that adds actress features like alerts when you lot leave your home without whatever item is stuck to the Tile Sticker, plus the ability to share your Tile with an unlimited number of users. I haven't plant Tile Premium to exist and then essential that it's a must-have, but of all the Tile primal finders, it'south the 1 about suited for Tile Premium'southward smart alerts characteristic.

Tile Sticker review: Verdict

The tile Sticker serves a very specific purpose — it tin can attach to valuables with smooth surfaces that aren't peculiarly accommodating to conventional key finders. While the offset Tile Sticker felt like a work in progress, this 2022 edition is a more polished product that delivers what Tile promises.

Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom'due south Guide. He has potent opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics and sometime movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.