{"id":24321,"date":"2021-05-15T05:40:59","date_gmt":"2021-05-15T05:40:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rbsitsoftwaresolution.com\/blog\/our-favorite-airtag-accessories-start-at-13-whats-here-whats-backordered.html"},"modified":"2021-05-15T05:40:59","modified_gmt":"2021-05-15T05:40:59","slug":"our-favorite-airtag-accessories-start-at-13-whats-here-whats-backordered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rbsitsoftwaresolution.in\/blog\/our-favorite-airtag-accessories-start-at-13-whats-here-whats-backordered.html","title":{"rendered":"Our favorite AirTag accessories start at $13: What’s here, what’s backordered"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple’s latest accessory, a tracking device called the\u00a0AirTag<\/span>, a Tile competitor that allows you to track down objects like wallets, bags and keys using Apple’s Find My app. A\u00a0single AirTag costs $29<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(\u00a329, AU$45), while you can get a four pack for $99 (\u00a399, AU$149). Alas, it doesn’t come with any sort of holder — you just get a naked disc — so that means, depending on your use case, you’ll need an accessory for what is also, essentially, an accessory. (Apple products tend to spur their own cottage industries for add-ons, even if they are accessories to begin with — AirPods<\/span> are a good example.)<\/p>\n

In some cases you’ll be able able to embed an AirTag into an object sans holder — just pop it in a purse or backpack, for instance — but with keys and other items may require a strap to house the AirTag. You may also may want to stick your AirTag onto an object (double-sided tape is an option); we expect to see plenty of AirTag mounts appear.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Are AirTags for you? Check out the\u00a0hands-on first take on the AirTags<\/span>\u00a0from CNET’s own Patrick Holland if you want a deeper dive. But if you’ve already ordered one — or multiple AirTags — read on for an overview of the first available accessories. With demand for AirTags sky high, many of these accessories — at least the non Apple ones — are backordered. In time, we do expect to see prices for AirTag accessories drop, but for now they remain somewhat high as people scramble to find holders and covers for their AirTags. Note that while we’ve only tried some of these, we have tested other accessories from these companies, so we feel comfortable recommending them. (We will be testing all of them in the near future.)<\/p>\n

Key chains and straps<\/h2>\n

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Belkin<\/span><\/p>\n

Belkin’s Secure Holder for AirTags comes in key-ring<\/a> or strap<\/a> versions in four color options. There’s nothing terribly fancy about them, but at $13, they both cost less than Apple-branded options shown below. Unfortunately, they are out stock till June.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Amazon<\/span><\/p>\n

While this faux leather key chain from Cyrill, a sub-brand of Korea-based Spigen, is nothing fancy, it’s currently in stock and costs $17. Some of Spigen’s other AirTag products are temporarily sold out. The black version costs $1 more.<\/p>\n

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Patrick Holland\/CNET<\/span><\/p>\n

The Apple-branded leather key ring costs $35 and comes in three colors: black, saddle brown and red.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Amazon<\/span><\/p>\n

With so many accessories out of stock, your\u00a0best bet may be to roll the dice on a no-name brand on Amazon. This Vaywet key chain cover comes in both two- ($12) and four-packs ($20). It looks a lot like other basic faux leather AirTag key chains and comes in a few color options.<\/p>\n

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David Carnoy\/CNET<\/span><\/p>\n

Caseology’s AirTag Vault is another straightforward key chain option that’s affordable at $15 but could shave a few dollars of its price over time. (Caseology is also a sub-brand of Spigen.) It’s one of the few AirTag accessories that was available at launch and has been pretty popular as a result. It comes with a carabiner but you could attach a standard key chain if you wanted. It should be back in stock fairly soon.<\/p>\n

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Amazon<\/span><\/p>\n

Spigen\u00a0is also selling an attractively simple key-chain AirTag holder, the Valentinus, for around $18. It’s made of faux leather. Alas, it’s temporarily out of stock but should be back in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n

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Apple<\/span><\/p>\n

Apple’s Loop, made for attaching your AirTag to a bag, costs as much as an AirTag. But it’s Apple’s official loop option and this polyurethane option is cheaper than the leather $39 Leather Loop<\/a>. (That doesn’t make it a good deal, but I’m just pointing it out.) It’s available in four different colors.<\/p>\n

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Nomad<\/span><\/p>\n

I like the design of Nomad’s leather AirTag key chain better than Apple’s, which leaves the AirTag partially exposed. This AirTag key chain hides it and looks more like a standard key chain. It’s designed to “weather” over time, getting slightly darker (particularly the brown version). It’s available in brown or black. It lists for $40 but Nomad is selling it for $30 if you preorder it.<\/p>\n

Nomad also makes a Leather Loop that’s also a key chain and lists for $25 (it’s on sale for $20 at launch). I prefer the more expensive model pictured here.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Spigen<\/span><\/p>\n

Spigen, known for its value iPhone cases, has its AirTag Case Rugged Armor ($25). It’s not quite as cheap as we hoped it would be, but maybe it will come down in price in time. It does have a rugged design with a nice carabiner and carbon-fiber elements.<\/p>\n

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Nomad\/Screenshot by John Falcone\/CNET<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to keep track of your glasses? (Yes, I often misplace mine.) Nomad’s Glasses Strap for the AirTag is the way to do it. Ingenious. The glasses strap lists for $40, but Nomad has it on sale for $30 at launch.<\/p>\n

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Nomad<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re looking to AirTag your pet, Nomad’s upcoming Rugged Pet ID Tag fits the bill (Nomad’s AirTag Keychain is essentially identical). According to Nomad, it’s constructed with a TPU-overmolded polycarbonate shell and comes with two enclosure options: an IP67 waterproof back and a speaker-hole back. For an extra $20, you can buy a customizable stainless steel insert cover that you can get engraved with your pet’s name and a way to contact you. No pet collar is included.<\/p>\n

Alas, the the Rugged Pet ID Tag and AirTag Keychain don’t ship till mid-August, but Nomad is offering a discount for preordering.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It’s worth bearing in mind that Apple says AirTags are not designed to track pets. Your pet would need to be within range of the Find My network for the AirTag to work, so if it runs off into the woods it won’t be much help.<\/p>\n

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Apple<\/span><\/p>\n

The AirTag Herm\u00e8s Key Ring costs $349 and does include “an exclusive AirTag Herm\u00e8s etched with the iconic Clou de Selle signature.” (Pricing it at $349 instead of $350 doesn’t make it seem any cheaper.) I have a feeling I’ll soon be seeing someone selling a knock-off of this key chain on a New York City street corner for $10, but the real McCoy is made of heritage Bar\u00e9nia leather or smooth Swift leather with contrasted saddle stitching.<\/p>\n

You can also get an AirTag\u00a0Herm\u00e8s Bag Charm<\/a> (it’s a fancy loop) for $50 less ($299) or the Herm\u00e8s AirTag Luggage Tag<\/a> for $100 more ($449). Currently, Apple isn’t offering a bundle price for all three, which would be cool.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other AirTag options<\/h2>\n

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Moment<\/span><\/p>\n

Moment, which makes and sells photo and video accessories for Apple products, including lens attachments, will have an enclosure accessory that allows you to mount your AirTag. “Made from a rugged aramid fiber shell and backed with a super strong adhesive, you can stick an AirTag to any flat surface,” Moment says. It won’t be available till July but you can preorder it.<\/p>\n

Moment also has to other mounts: The\u00a0Curved Surface Mount for AirTags<\/a> ($15) that’s made out of flexible silicone (rubber) and can adhere to surfaces that aren’t totally flat; and the Stretch Fabric Mount for AirTags<\/a> ($15) that’s designed to stick to fabrics, such as the inside of a bag, and other flat surfaces. Both of those mounts also ship in July.<\/p>\n

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Amazon<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don’t want to spend $15-$20 for a mount, these Gorilla Mounting Tape Squares are a cheaper option at $5 and can be cut to size for AirTags. AirTags have an IPX67 water-resistance rating, which means it can be fully submersed in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and is dust-proof. So it can withstand some punishment without a cover. After all, it doesn’t have a screen.<\/p>\n

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Amazon<\/span><\/p>\n

The AirTag uses a CR2032 coin battery, which should last about a year. You can find a 10-pack of those batteries on Amazon for less than $10. That’s the way to go, especially if you have multiple AirTags, and other devices that use CR2032 coin batteries.<\/p>\n

Always remember to keep these type of coin batteries away from small children so they don’t accidently swallow one. They can cause major injury if ingested.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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