If Google’s new Pixel Tag is a bit too lozenge-shaped to fit comfortably in your wallet, smart home tech company Eufy has recently released a more suitable item tracker.
It’s the SmartTrack Card E40. It looks and feels like a normal credit card, and I’ve tried it. Here’s why it’s going to replace the tracker that’s in my wallet.
All the right specs
In just the right-size package
The Eufy SmartTrack Card E40 is the same size and shape as a regular credit card, so it slips easily into wallets or purses. It weighs 11 grams and is 1.7mm thick.
It’s inconspicuous in black, but the reflective Eufy logo gives it some personality. A physical button sits on the front, with a bright LED above it.
The E40 supports Google Find Hub and Apple Find My, so it’s versatile enough to stay with you regardless of whether you stick to the same phone brand in the future.
Eufy claims the 140mAh internal battery will last about five months on a single charge, and it recharges via wireless charging. It charged without a problem on my Anker Prime Wireless Charger.
It has an 80db alarm. Double tap the button on the front to activate the ringtone on your phone, and use the QR code on the back to store your personal details in case you can’t find it.
The card is made of PVC and is bend- and water-resistant, but it does not have an IP dust-and-water resistance rating.
Connecting the SmartTrack Card E40
Works with Android and iOS
I connected the SmartTrack Card E40 to the Google Pixel 11 Pro. The Find Hub alert appeared on the home screen automatically, and it took only a few button taps to set up.
The siren is loud enough to be heard when the card is out in the open, but it’s muffled if it’s covered.
The card can be reset with a few button presses and is ready to connect to Apple’s Find My. The process is equally quick and simple, and the card’s location in the app is precise.
Eufy does not mention features like Bluetooth Channel Sounding for compatible devices.
Annoyingly, the E40’s left-behind alert only works with Apple’s Find My. It needs to be suitably far away from your home and phone before a distance alert is pushed through.
Why it beats my other card-shaped tracker
A little more convenient
I’ve been using the KeySmart Dual Band Smart Card tracker in my wallet since I tried it at the beginning of the year.
I’m going to replace it with the Eufy SmartTrack Card E40 for several reasons. I get a separation alert on the Eufy card, which is difficult on the KeySmart, plus I like the obvious button on the card. It’s hard to find on the KeySmart card without looking.
The other reason is charging. The KeySmart didn’t work with my Anker Prime Wireless Charger, but the Eufy connected to the wireless charging pad without a problem. It makes the E40 easier to live with.
Unfortunately, the E40’s battery is supposed to last a shorter time on a single charge. The KeySmart’s long 11-month battery life seems easily achievable. It still shows a fully charged icon in the Find My app, seven months after I charged it up.
How much does the Eufy SmartTrack Card E40 cost?
Does it beat the Google Pixel Tag?
You can buy the Eufy SmartTrack Card E40 from Eufy’s website for $35. This makes it slightly more than the $30 Pixel Tag, and slightly less than the $40 KeySmart Card.
Depending on what you want to track, the Pixel Tag has a few benefits over the Eufy card. It has an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, and the CR2032 battery lasts about a year and is easy to replace at home.
If you have a compatible phone, it can use Bluetooth Channel Sounding and Ultra Wideband connectivity for precise item location.
However, the 5mm thickness means it isn’t that suitable for use in a wallet, no matter what Google says.
The Eufy SmartTrack Card E40 is available to buy now. The Google Pixel Tag will be released in the US on November 11. Apple’s similar AirTag is also available and only works with Apple products. It costs $29.
