In recent years, Apple AirTags have taken the consumer market by storm. From keeping track of keys and wallets to ensuring you don’t leave a bag behind at the airport, AirTags are lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to use. But can an AirTag for equipment be trusted to protect high-value industrial assets?
For organizations managing critical tools, medical devices, or mobile machinery, equipment tracking is about more than personal convenience. It's about operational continuity, security, and avoiding expensive downtime. This is where enterprise-grade GPS trackers and dedicated solutions like Link Labs’ AirFinder come into play.
Below, we break down how AirTags stack up against enterprise-grade GPS trackers, examining range, security, battery life, scalability, and overall ability to protect equipment.
Apple’s AirTag is a small Bluetooth tracking device that integrates into the “Find My” network of millions of iPhones and Apple devices globally. This network passively detects nearby AirTags and anonymously relays their location to the owner.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive (~$29 per tag)
- Small and lightweight
- Seamless integration with Apple devices
- Long battery life (1 year, user-replaceable coin cell battery)
Limitations:
- Designed for consumer use, not industrial ruggedization
- Limited number of tags assigned to a single Apple ID
- Relies on proximity to Apple device users to update location
- No direct GPS functionality
- Limited data integration for enterprise fleet and asset management platforms
Enterprise GPS trackers, like Link Labs’ AirFinder SuperTag, combine GPS, cellular, WiFi sniffing, and BLE technologies to track assets over wide geographies, indoors and outdoors. These devices often include advanced features like geofencing, motion sensing, tamper alerts, and integration into equipment tracking dashboards.
Advantages:
- True real-time GPS location visibility
- Global coverage with cellular connectivity
- Can switch between WiFi/GPS/BLE for power savings and location accuracy
- Durable, industrial-grade design for harsh environments
- Integrates into enterprise asset tracking software for comprehensive visibility
- Simple configurability to solve your specific business needs
- Geofencing and alerting
Limitations:
- Slightly higher upfront cost per unit for commercial-grade materials and components
- Requires commercial LTE-M subscription
- Slightly larger form factor
Using an AirTag for equipment might be tempting due to its low cost and ease of use. However, industrial operations have higher standards for reliability, security, and actionable data. Here’s why enterprise-grade GPS trackers remain the gold standard:
✅ Real-time global visibility
✅ Secure data flow for compliance
✅ Integration with asset management systems
✅ Durability for harsh environments
✅ Scalable for large fleets or distributed operations
While AirTags remain excellent for personal items or small-scale internal tools within a single building, they do not provide sufficient coverage or enterprise integration to protect equipment critical to operations, revenue, and customer commitments.
In the debate between AirTags vs. enterprise-grade GPS trackers for equipment tracking, the choice comes down to your use case:
- For consumer applications or static indoor equipment in dense Apple user areas: AirTags offer convenience at minimal cost.
- For industrial applications needing true reliability, security, and scale: Enterprise-grade GPS trackers, especially solutions like Link Labs’ AirFinder SuperTag, deliver unmatched value.
Want to learn how to deploy GPS-based or hybrid location tracking solutions that keep your assets visible and protected 24/7? Contact Link Labs today to discuss a custom deployment strategy for your organization.