Editorial Note: This content was researched and produced by Motor1.com‘s expert review team. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission but do not impact our advice or recommendations. Learn More
Ben Kasierski is a North Carolina native who covers the latest automotive and motorcycle products. He has tested hundreds of car detailing products – including tire shines, car wash soaps, and full detailing kits – as well as gadgets to make life easier for the everyday driver like key finders and GPS trackers. Trans Asia Line Tracking
An informative OBD-port tracker with a low monthly cost.
A GPS tracker with consistent updates and locating features.
A battery-powered GPS tracker with features such as text alerts and geofencing.
An affordable tracker with powerful storage capabilities.
A premium tracker packed with potential upgrades.
The best GPS trackers for cars report a vehicle’s location in real-time and transmit driving data to a user’s cell phone. They can also report factors such as average vehicle speed and health, as well as provide roadside assistance in emergencies.
Trackers come in an array of shapes, sizes, and prices, with many requiring a monthly subscription for their services. Our expert review team has tested the best GPS trackers for cars to narrow down the top choices on the market.
There are many useful functions of having a GPS tracker either in your car or in an owned car. That said, GPS trackers can be easily abused, so carefully consider how you plan to use this product before purchasing. We do not condone using these devices to track people without their consent and in most states, installing a GPS tracker this way is illegal.
While researching and testing the best car GPS trackers, we looked for options that balanced excellent value for consumers with premier functionality. We chose options that could be stowed easily and provided tracking information speedily. To aid consumers’ purchasing power, we also looked for models with affordable acquisition costs and subscription fees.
We named car GPS trackers from Bouncie , LandAirSea , and BrickHouse as our top three picks for car GPS trackers. Other models that made our list include offerings from Tracki , Vyncs , and Spytec , which are more specialized options.
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
The car GPS trackers in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching retailers like Amazon, RealTruck, and Advance Auto Parts for top products, looking at factors such as warranties, updates, customer ratings, and prices.
Our product testing team then ordered the car GPS trackers that best met these standards. A team member tested each product on one of our testing vehicles, taking note of how navigable the car GPS tracker’s app interface was, how well it tracked, and the design of the device itself. Each car GPS tracker was given a rating out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria.
Learn more about how we tested car GPS trackers here.
Because of its ease of use and affordability, the Bouncie GPS Car Tracker is our pick for Best Overall car GPS tracker. Downloading the app, signing up, and plugging in the device takes only a few minutes and instantly gives you access to real-time tracking.
Bouncie uses 4G LTE to transmit driving data, so a subscription is required. Most GPS tracker subscriptions are anywhere between $20 and $25 per month, while Bouncie only costs around $9 and even offers more features than competitors.
Below is a snapshot of how the Boucie GPS tracker performed during testing:
Below are the pros and cons of the Boncie GPS tracker we noted during testing:
Between the Bouncie‘s accuracy as a tracker and its superb value, we rated it at 4.8 out of 5.0 stars. Although it stopped tracking when our car wasn’t running, everything else about it made up for this minor design flaw.
We recommend the Bouncie Car GPS Tracker for anyone who wants an affordable, accurate means of tracking themselves or their loved ones on the road. Its ease of use makes it perfect for anyone unfamiliar with GPS devices.
The Bouncie gave us real-time location updates every 15 seconds with remarkable accuracy. We had few issues with blind spots or service failures. One drawback is that the Bouncie turns off when the car isn’t on, so don’t expect to track your car if it has been towed.
Easy installation was a huge plus with the Bouncie. We were able to plug it in and go. The app took little time to set up and had a friendly interface, too.
The total cost of the Bouncie, including a year-long subscription, is roughly $175. This gives you access to resources including location tracking, reports on car health, and insights to improve your driving. Many competitors charge extra for features like these, making Bouncie a great value.
Positive reviews commended the Bouncie’s real-time notifications, with one customer going as far as to claim the tracker saved her son’s life when his car accidentally rolled over in an accident. Other satisfied customers enjoy being able to track their parents, grandparents, or young drivers with ease. The Bouncie GPS Car Tracker is also Amazon’s Choice for best GPS trackers for cars.
Top negative reviews say that consumers did not know the trackers would turn off with their cars.
As our favorite battery-powered positioning system, the LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker delivers exceptional tracking. Its frequent refresh feature provides accurate coordinates within 6.0 feet of your car’s location, and users can receive updates as frequently as every three seconds.
The device latches onto metal surfaces of your car with its built-in super strength magnet. Its battery normally lasts between one to two weeks when providing updates, but can survive up to six months when in low-power mode.
You can see how the LandAirSea 54 GPS tracker performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of LandAirSea 54 GPS tracker:
We liked the LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker’s physical design and tracking abilities. Its subscription is a bit expensive, but it provides detailed driving history in an accessible interface, earning it 4.8 out of 5.0 stars.
We believe the LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker is suitable for anyone who doesn’t mind time between updates and is comfortable with leaving a tracker under their car. While extra features come at a price, the basic subscription plan provides suitable peace of mind.
We had no issues with the 54 GPS Tracker’s real-time tracking, which can be as accurate as up to one-second intervals based on your subscription plan. It provided us with accurate trip information and a clear map to follow our testing car. One thing we wish the app would have done was automatically activate notifications.
Setup was relatively simple. The tracking device must be held to the sky in an outdoor area to locate satellites, so we had to do some light stretching. We found that the best spot for it is the undercarriage of your vehicle, but the tracker was small enough to fit in the glovebox, too. We had slight issues with the LandAirSea app’s payment system.
At the lowest monthly subscription rate of $19.95, the LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker will run for about $270 per year. This includes a free one-year warranty as long as you are enrolled in a subscription. Users who prepay for an annual subscription can get a rate as low as $9.95 per month.
The LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker has earned its spot as the number one bestseller on Amazon for car GPS trackers. Positive reviews highlight LandAirSea’s helpful technical support and compact design.
Negative reviews center around claims that customers have lost their trackers while driving because the magnetic body did not stick well in wet road conditions.
The BrickHouse Security Spark Nano 7 is a battery-powered GPS tracker designed to be small and lightweight. An optional waterproof magnetic case allows for exterior placement.
While this tracker will work to monitor your personal vehicle, the subscription plan may be a little costly for just this purpose. If you want to monitor a commercial vehicle or a fleet of vehicles, the data, geofencing options, and ability to manage multiple trackers at once may be very helpful.
You can see how the BrickHouse Security Spark Nano 7 performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the BrickHouse Security Spark Nano 7:
We tested not only the Spark Nano 7, but also the BrickHouse Security TrackPort 4G . Both devices performed similarly in our testing. The difference between these two GPS trackers is that the TrackPort must be plugged into a vehicle’s OBD-II port. BrickHouse also offers a hard-wired option, the Livewire Volt .
BrickHouse offers three tiers of service: basic, plus, and premium. Depending on the tier, location updates are provided every five seconds (premium), thirty seconds (plus), or sixty seconds (basic). According to some customers, the tracking information at the lower tiers is less precise.
We tested these devices at the highest level of service, which was accurate to within several feet. However, the tracking works best when the GPS tracker is moving. While parked, the live tracking software would sometimes misplace the tracker by a couple hundred feet.
Because the Spark Nano 7 is battery-powered, it must first be charged. It takes about five hours to fully charge this device, but once charged, it can run for a long time without dying. A full day of use only drains about four percent of the total battery life.
We attached the Nano 7 underneath our test vehicle using the waterproof magnetic case. The magnets on this case are strong and we had no concern that the tracker might accidentally come off.
The BrickHouse Security tracking software is simple to use, though there are a lot of options. It is designed to easily generate reports and data about the activities of multiple tracking devices. It also has features useful if you are only tracking a single car, such as the ability to set up text alerts whenever your vehicle leaves (or enters) a certain area.
BrickHouse provides a lot of information, detail, and features in their tracking software, but this all comes at a cost. The highest level of service costs $34.99 a month. According to some customer reviews, the lowest level of service, at $17.99 a month, isn’t as accurate.
Most reviewers claim to use this GPS tracker to monitor either a commercial vehicle or a teenage child. In both cases, most are satisfied with this tracker. The magnetic mount is effective and the long battery life allows the Nano 7 to operate for several days without charging.
Some appreciate the amount of detail that goes into the tracking software and are happy with how accurately locations are tracked. Multiple reviewers described a responsive and helpful customer service team.
Not everyone considers these trackers accurate. For several reviewers, the 60-second update interval is too inconsistent. Another complaint has to do with the cancellation process, which cannot be done simply online but requires calling customer service.
The Tracki 4G Mini GPS Tracker is a highly versatile device you can attach to your car using a magnet, belt clip, keychain, or lanyard, making it perfect for use beyond your vehicle. It can provide updates every 15 seconds and has highly accurate geofencing capabilities, too.
This tracker also comes with a lifetime warranty. Should the 4G Mini stop working at any time, you can reach out to Tracki and receive a replacement device free of charge.
Below is how the Tracki GPS tracker performed under our testing criteria:
Below are some pros and cons of the Tracki GPS tracker:
Not only is the versatility of the Tracki 4G Mini GPS Tracker device useful, but the app comes preloaded with a number of features to help you have a productive experience. The only real con is the battery life, but overall we rated the Tracki at 4.8 out of 5.0 stars.
With its great design and navigable app, we recommend the Tracki 4G Mini GPS Tracker for anyone who likes to have customizable tracking options at their disposal. Users should be willing to commit to a prepaid subscription plan for the best value.
The 4G Mini provided updates every 15 seconds with accuracy within 50.0 feet of the device’s location. We liked that the app provided us with speed alert updates while driving. One flaw we found was the low battery life, which required the 4G Mini to be charged every two to three days.
At first, we were a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of features provided by the Tracki app. It lets you do everything from geofencing to viewing your driving history from up to five years ago, but after a few uses, we felt comfortable with the app. The 4G Mini was very easy to place anywhere in our car, and the additional attachments allowed undercarriage installment.
With a $19.95 per month subscription, drivers get access to all of the 4G Mini’s features. Tracki also offers six-month, one-year, and two-year prepaid plans that cost less per month but will cost more upfront. Although the prices rival those of competitors, drivers must be willing to commit to their 4G Mini for an extended period.
Some customers note positive experiences and highly recommend the 4G Mini for its small size and reliable warranty. Others cite the 4G Mini for its limited tracking range and software malfunctions.
The Vyncs GPS Tracker for Vehicles provides loads of driving data at a price. The basic plan is free, but users must purchase pricey upgrades to receive more frequent updates.
While these costs are high, this device uses an international SIM card, so it can be used virtually anywhere. It also attaches through an OBD-II port which means no recharging is necessary.
We recommend the Vyncs GPS Tracker for Vehicles for drivers who like to know their vehicle’s whereabouts as well as receive consistent health updates. If you’re willing to pay more for added benefits, it can be a great choice.
Below are the pros and cons of the Vyncs GPS tracker we found in our review:
We give this product a score of 4.7 out of 5.0. Its tracking capabilities and features for the basic plan are good, plus we like how simple the setup is. The only real kicker is the cost of the upgrades.
The tracking features on the Vyncs were thorough for a basic plan. We were able to receive driver scores, notifications for safe and unsafe driving patterns, and even vehicle health updates including fuel level and emissions.
This was the best tracker setup we tested. Plugging it into our car required little effort, and the Vyncs app walked us through the activation process.
Purchasing the Vyncs device is costly. Its upfront total cost amounts to around $120, and then upgrades can pile on even more. If you aren’t worried about having fast updates and extra driving data, the basic plan works well.
Top positive reviews are mostly for fleet users, which track business vehicles en masse. Other single-user reviews discuss how they enjoy knowing their vehicle’s health status.
Those who leave negative reviews call the Vyncs tracker “frustrating,” arguing that its interface repeatedly charged them for monthly fees when they weren’t due and customer service response times were poor.
For drivers who like a steady stream of notifications for tracking purposes, the Spytec GPS GL300 Tracker is a go-to option. Spytec’s app automatically provides updates when the tracker starts moving. The app also has an inviting interface with plenty of useful specifications.
If you’re looking for a car GPS tracker that gives you excellent updates, the Spytec GPS GL300 Tracker is for you. Check out more on what we had to say about this tracker here. We recommend it for anyone who doesn’t mind paying a higher monthly subscription for better features and prefers an uncomplicated interface.
You can see how the Spytec GL300 faired during our team’s testing:
Below are pros and cons of the Spytec GL300 identified by our reviews team:
We give this product a score of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars. While the GL300 can be stored nearly anywhere in a vehicle and updates vehicle locations frequently, the setup and cost lost it some points in our book.
We were impressed with how well this device updated us on our vehicle’s location. It was able to find our vehicle within a few yards consistently. The app even alerted us when the tracker stopped moving using the Time Machine feature.
Setting up the GL300 was slow. Spytec required multiple password inputs that were more confusing than secure, and after all this, the device still took hours to activate on the app. Besides this, the app had a similar interface to Google Maps that we enjoyed using.
We activated our GL300 tracker with the basic $19.95 per month plan and found it workable. The device was durable, and the app worked well for the price.
Positive reviews compliment the GL300’s tracking accuracy and swift cancellation policy. Some customers complain about monthly subscription costs that they did not know existed.
Before you shop for GPS trackers for your car, consider the following factors to help you determine how you want it to function. It is also important to be sure that you have a clear understanding of how GPS trackers work before making your purchase.
There are two types of GPS tracking devices: real-time and delayed time.
There are several designs for GPS tracker placement, including:
Many car GPS trackers require a subscription to function. These subscriptions are generally monthly or annual depending on the company. The average GPS tracker subscription is anywhere between $20 and $25 per month for a basic plan but can cost more for premium features such as driving habits. Trackers can sometimes also have activation and cancellation fees as well.
Not all GPS trackers have a monthly subscription cost. Some allow you to pay an annual fee, which can range between $100 and $300 depending on the data plan. Although, similar to car insurance , many providers will offer a discount for paying an annual fee versus month-to-month plans.
While you can use an AirTag as a tracking device, they’re not suitable for real-time tracking of vehicles. AirTags do not offer data updates as quickly as most GPS trackers are better for locating stationery items.
Many car GPS trackers are designed with SIM cards built for international use, meaning you can be safely covered anywhere from Canada to Mexico – and anywhere in between.
Many insurance companies offer discounts for using a car GPS tracker. This is because the device serves as another form of anti-theft protection and encourages safe driving.
In this article, we explained some of the benefits of a car GPS tracker and some of the common costs associated with the investment. Additionally, our team examined how GPS trackers can be installed and the differing levels of data brands can provide.
Below are our top picks:
Below are some frequently asked questions about car GPS trackers:
The best car GPS trackers are designed to help you track driving data. This data can be used for reporting driving habits , locating a stolen vehicle, fleet management for business owners, or keeping track of a teenager or elderly family member’s location.
As long as you own the car, you are legally allowed to track it. However, it is illegal to track a vehicle without the owner’s permission.
Our pick for the best GPS tracker for cars is the Bouncie GPS Car Tracker . It tops our list for the installation point, price, and tracking updates.
Cars can track in real-time via small devices that either attach magnetically to the OBD2 port or simply store it in the vehicle.
Our pick for the longest range is the LandAirSea 54 . It also has a battery life of up to six months.
Trackers cost anywhere from $50 to $100, although subscriptions vary depending on longevity and location refresh rate.
If you have a luxury vehicle or operate a fleet of vehicles, a car GPS tracker may offer better peace of mind.
For each GPS tracker, we bought the base-level tracking subscription. All tracking apps were accessed using iOS 15 on an iPhone 12 Pro. Next, each of the GPS trackers we tested was placed in the same testing vehicle and tracked over 24 hours. It should be noted that the Bouncie and Vyncs GPS trackers were tested separately since our vehicle only has one OBD-II port.
You want a GPS tracker that works consistently without failure or faulty tracking. Trackers in this review that had real-time updates and accurate readings received a good rating. Trackers that stayed powered on even when the car was not running scored highest in this category.
When testing and setting up any electronic, our team wants a product that’s going to be easy to install, quickly connect to our smartphone, and use reliably. GPS trackers that had a plug-and-play setup, great app user interface, and precise tracking information scored highest in this category during our testing process.
To determine the value of each GPS tracker, we not only considered the initial price but also the monthly or annual subscription options and what amenities were included. GPS tracker subscriptions that include driving tips, precision tracking, car health reports, and more, all at a fair price, scored highest in this category.
In addition to price and installation method, we also looked at the value of each car GPS tracker’s subscription tier offered for consumers. This included variables like the refresh rate of information, activation fees, and user experience of each brand’s mobile application. Across these categories, every GPS tracker was given a rating out of 5.0. Here are what those ratings mean in simple, concrete terms:
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here .
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
Ben Kasierski is a North Carolina native who covers the latest automotive and motorcycle products. He has tested hundreds of car detailing products – including tire shines, car wash soaps, and full detailing kits – as well as gadgets to make life easier for the everyday driver like key finders and GPS trackers.
As a member of both the APA and IMPA, Charles Noyes has devoted himself to creating and refining quality content covering automotive products and accessories, motorcycle products, RV products, and more. As the lead editor serving the product review team, he has personally reviewed, critiqued, and fact-checked over 200 product reviews.
Enterprise Fleet Management Copyright ©️ 2023 Motor1.com. All rights reserved.