Monthly or yearly subscription fees ensure continuous coverage, as well as real-time tracking via dedicated apps; you also can set up email or text notifications if a vehicle leaves its dedicated area or if the SOS button has been pressed. Some units even let you monitor a live audio feed for added peace of mind in the event of an emergency. Battery life is an important factor to consider when shopping for a car GPS tracker. Most units have integrated, rechargeable batteries that can last for weeks. Others have removable, rechargeable batteries, letting you have several on standby for quick change-outs when the unit needs power. We’ve gathered our top picks below and broke down their most important features to help you decide which is right for you. The integrated battery has a life of up to two weeks on a full charge, letting you basically set it up and leave it alone. You can buy additional batteries so you can keep one at-the-ready when the unit needs a charge. The compact design is great for placing the unit in a glovebox, center console, or seat pocket, and magnetic attachments let you place it in a wheel-well or on the chassis frame. The monthly operation fee gives you access to all features, as well as 24/7 customer service. The built-in, rechargeable battery lasts an impressive six months on a full charge, meaning it has virtually zero maintenance. You can set up text and email alerts for tracking parameters, so you can react quickly to elderly parents or teens who may need help. The free mobile app updates every 15 seconds for near real-time tracking with color-coded routes and driving habit information. The company also provides roadside assistance for battery or fuel issues and flat tires, letting your teen access emergency help even if you can’t get to them. MOTOsafety also has a driving coach program to help reinforce good driving habits and keep your teen drivers safe on the road. The unit, itself, requires a $19.99 monthly fee and a 4G LTE cellular connection to operate. The rechargeable battery lasts up to two weeks on full power, meaning it has virtually zero maintenance. With two different subscription packages, you can customize the data you want to track with a price that fits within your budget. The unit also has an SOS feature to alert you to roadside emergencies like dead batteries or accidents. It can be used on cell phone networks in over 200 countries, letting multinational companies use a single model for their entire fleet; this is perfect for international shipping via tractor trailer or box truck. The app gives you updates every 15, 30, or 60 seconds, as well as clickable coordinates to double-check if employees are where they should be. The companion app lets you set up a geo-fence that alerts you when the vehicle leaves the dedicated area; this is great for letting your parents go to church, the store, or appointments on their own, while giving you peace of mind if they get lost. It also has an SOS feature for roadside emergencies like dead batteries, flat tires, or accidents. It can be used in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and the companion app lets you set up unlimited profiles for keeping an eye on multiple family members. The companion app lets you set up a geo-fence and access up to 90 days of trip history. The integrated, rechargeable battery lasts up to three weeks on a full charge. The tracker has a magnetic plate for easy placement on a chassis frame, wheel well, or bumper. With the included SIM card, you can quickly and easily set up your account and unit for use right out of the box. Americaloc offers two free months of use upon activation, with continued coverage available in monthly or yearly subscription blocks; this is perfect for anyone who only temporarily or intermittently needs a tracker. The integrated battery lasts about two weeks on average, but also has multiple power modes to help preserve battery life even longer. Taylor Clemons is an expert on gaming hardware and other consumer technology, such as car GPS trackers. She has covered these fields on various websites for more than three years.
What to Look for in a Car GPS Tracker
Price
GPS trackers can run anywhere from $25 to over $100, so it’s important to think about what you want to spend. But there’s more than just the upfront cost to take into consideration—many operators charge a monthly fee to store your vehicle’s GPS data in the cloud. If you’re looking for long-term data. but don’t want to pay monthly, it might be worth paying more upfront to avoid these kinds of charges.
Special Features
If the only thing you want from your device is tracking, your decision is probably pretty straightforward—but many of the options on our list can do a lot more. From daily driving reports and Alexa integration to diagnosing engine trouble, these models have many different features that may be relevant to your needs.
Power
The question of battery versus plugged in is relevant for most electronics, and car GPS trackers are no exception. Many of these devices have long-term batteries, while others connect to your car. It’s important to consider whether you want to worry about recharging or replacing batteries, or whether you’d like the device to always be on whenever your car is running.
