GPS devices have stormed the market. Nowadays, there are plenty of features that these are going to pack. Starting from real-time location tracking to geofencing to alerts regarding unsafe driving, these are capable of offering them all. However, most of them are large in size.
And if you want to discretely install these on something, you would want to get the mini versions of these. However, only the best GPS mini tracker would be able to keep the size small while not compromising one bit on the overall features. Many of these will bundle along with a companion app as well.
With that app, you should be able to receive roadside assistance and track the mileage of the vehicle you are in. Overall, these are highly feature-packed devices that you should consider investing in.
5 Best GPS Mini Tracker Review
Choosing one of these devices is like choosing a mobile phone. Some will pack features that are not usable at all, while some will have advanced modes that are actually beneficial. However, the following devices that we have chosen for you are the best in the class and pack plenty of functional features:
1. Spytec GPS GL300
Being able to provide you location data is something that most of the GPS trackers are going to be capable of doing. However, not all of them will be able to offer you the location information as fast as this one can.
To start with, it utilizes 4G satellite technology. Because of utilizing that satellite technology, it would be able to offer you location information faster than the other devices. And the technology that it packs is quite reliable as well. It has a processing time of .256 milliseconds.
Aside from being fast, the Micro GPS tracking device unit is super compact as well. It is only 1-inch thick. You will not have any trouble setting this one up to different things for how small and compact it is. It will easily fit in the backpacks, pouches of bikes, motorcycles, and other vehicles.
Other than that, the battery that it packs is relatively high in capacity as well. It can last for up to 2.5 weeks with a single full charge. As the battery is large in capacity, you are not going to have to replace it that often either.
Apart from that, the bundled app is compatible with both iOS and Android. And the app provides notification alerts reasonably fast. Also, the server that the company uses has an uptime rate of 99.99 percent. For that reason, worrying about the server being down is something that you would not have to do.
Besides the server that they utilize, the app has an intuitive UI. You should be able to navigate through the UI pretty easily. It will also allow you to customize boundaries, pull up the historical data, look into speed and the distance traveled.
Pros
- Offers location data exceptionally fast
- Utilizes highly reliable satellite technology
- Processes data in .256 milliseconds
- Small and compact in size
- Runs for up to 2.5 weeks
Cons
- Has a tricky setup process
2. LKTINA Magnetic Mini GPS
Though most of these devices will be able to pick up location information, there will be only a few that would be able to monitor and record sound. And this one that is being offered by LKTINA is one of those few.
First of all, the device is pretty simple to use. The setup process is fairly straightforward. All you have to do is insert a working SIM card and set it up on the thing you want to track. Because of the small and compact size that it has, you would not have to sacrifice too much of space for installing it either.
Alongside that, it utilizes two pieces of strong magnets. Those magnets will eliminate the need for any glue or any sort of attachment hooks. It will also stick to any metal object pretty easily. And for the outlooks that it has, it will not be a trouble for you to hide it.
Other than the outlooks, it utilizes Google Maps. For the utilization of Google Maps, you should be able to rely on it entirely. Also, for integrating Google Maps, you are going to get real-time location information from this. The amount of delay will be reasonably minimal as well.
Aside from that, it has a microphone inside. As there is a built-in microphone, you should be able to monitor the sound that is around it. This feature will come in handy during an emergency situation. Also, it will let you record the sound that is around.
Lastly, the battery that it packs is 400 mAh in capacity. It should be able to last for up to 6 days without any issues. And it bundles with a micro USB cable, which you can use to charge it.
Pros
- Capable of transmitting sounds
- Can record sounds
- Integrates Google Maps
- The setup process is easy
- Small and easy to hide
Cons
- Takes a long time to charge
- Housing is not durable
3. TKSTAR TK901
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Paying huge monthly bills for the SIM that you are going to utilize for the tracker can be a massive blow to your wallet. However, you are not going to have to worry about that if you get this one.
Unlike some of the other devices that are out there, this one works with most of the SIM cards. It works with 2G, 3G, and 4G cards. And you will not have to worry about setup fees. It does not have any contracts, which means nothing will hold you back from canceling the account.
Instead of that, you will have to buy a data plan for the SIM you are going to use. And you will not have to worry about buying a large data plan either. It should operate totally fine with the packs that are under 50 megabytes. The total data consumption in a month would be around 30 megabytes.
Alongside that, the real-time GPS tracker unit utilizes an advanced global positioning mechanism. The dual-mode positioning system that it uses has an accuracy of 16-32 feet. Because of such precision, the location information that you are going to receive will be reasonably accurate.
Other than that, it will let you track an unlimited number of devices using the same account. And for how compact the device is, setting this up will not be a problem either. You can slip this on in a backpack, pouches, bags, and other small areas without any issues.
The network reception of the device is quite efficient. It can pick up signals even when it is indoors. And you would be able to set up a Geo-fence zone. It will send you push notifications when the device is out of the zone.
Pros
- This GPS tracking device requires about 30 Mb in a month
- Does not have any contracts
- GPS accuracy is 16-32 feet
- Capable of tracking multiple devices with one account
- Works with 2G, 3G, and 4G SIMs
Cons
- The setup process is a bit tricky
- This GPS tracking device has a low capacity battery life
4. KCHEX Magnetic GF07
Discreteness is something that most of these devices will not be able to offer. Well, KCHEX did not take that lightly for this device that they have manufactured. And you will know exactly what we are referring to here after going through the review.
Unlike some of the other trackers, this one does not have any light. Because of not utilizing any notification or power light, it will not give away its position when you are discretely setting this one up somewhere. Instead of that, it has a small and compact form factor, which will make it easier for you to hide it.
Other than the form factor that it has, the unit is reasonably lightweight. You can carry it in your pockets, and you won’t feel it there. And as it has a built-in magnet, you would not have to go through any hassles in setting this one up. It will be fairly easy for you to attach it to the object you are planning to track.
Apart from being easy to install, it integrates Google Maps. For integrating that, it should be able to provide you real-time location information. And the delay that it has is relatively minimal too.
The built-in microphone of this real-time GPS tracker would be able to pick up noise and voices that are around the device. You are not using it as a voice-activated GPS device, so, the microphone is not for that. By dialing the SIM that you will install in it, you can monitor the sound that is around the object you have set this one up.
Besides that, the battery that it packs is 400 mAh in capacity. It is quite large compared to some of the other similar devices that are in the market. For that reason, it should last for up to 6 days without dying on you.
Pros
- Flaunts a built-in microphone
- Packs a 400 mAh battery life
- This GPS tracking device is integrated Google Maps
- Boasts a small form factor
- This gps tracker is easy to install
Cons
- The setup process is not that easy
- Comes with a vague installation manual
5. Automile Tracker Mini
Longer runtime is something that most brands have to compensate to keep the overall form factor small and compact. However, Automile has found out a unique solution, and they have integrated that into this unit that they are offering.
First of all, the unit integrates a 1000 mAh battery. The battery that the manufacturer has opted for is relatively small, which makes it occupy considerably less space inside. As a result, the form factor is still small and compact.
It should be able to last for a long amount of time without requiring any charge for integrating such a high-capacity battery life. And for the charging port, the manufacturer has gone for a USB-C port. This port is quite convenient and makes it one of the modern trackers that you will find in the market.
Aside from the USB port, the unit utilizes a widely compatible app. The app is available in both the iOS and Android app stores. It has a user-friendly UI, which will enable you to navigate through the functions easily. And even if you do not want to use the app, you can monitor the device using the web.
Other than that, the housing is reasonably sturdy as well. It is of quality materials. And it is sealed tight as well. The IP rating of the housing is IP67. For that reason, you would not have to worry about dust and water getting into it.
The unit packs a dedicated networking system. There will be no need to purchase a dedicated SIM card for it. And it works on LTE networks to provide you precise location information. The package includes adhesive tapes and zip-ties, which are going to make the installation process a breeze.
Pros
- This gps tracker Packs a 1000 mAh battery
- Boasts a USB-C charging port
- Offers an app for both Android and iOS
- Features a web-based monitoring system
- Housing has an IP67 rating
Cons
- The accuracy of the GPS is not that praiseworthy
- App of this GPS tracker lacks some of the advanced GPS features
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the small GPS trackers worth it?
Ans: Considering how easy it is to hide these and make them discrete, we would say that these are absolutely worth the money you will invest in them. These are also easy to install as well. Most of these will have a magnetic mechanism, which means you will not have to deal with adhesives as well.
Q: How small is a GPS chip?
Ans: The smallest chip that is commercially available is 4.1 x 4.1 x 2.1 millimeters. However, it requires other parts to operate. Those generally increase the overall size of the board a bit more. That is why these generally have approximately 1-inch sized boards.
Q: Would I be able to make a GPS device right at home?
Ans: Yes, it is absolutely possible for you to make a GPS device at home. However, you will need to have a good amount of circuitry knowledge. Alongside that, you would also have to know how the networking systems work.
Overall, it is a tedious process to make one of them by yourself. For that reason, we would recommend you to opt for a commercial one instead.
Q: Is it possible to know whether a GPS tracker is tracking me or not?
Ans: The best possible way would be to get yourself a bug sweeper detector or a quality RF detector. One of these devices will let you know whether there are any RF devices transmitting the signals from your place or not.
However, you might not be able to get your hands on one of these devices. In that case, you should check each of the daily things that you use. You should check your clothing, your wearables, and most importantly, the parts of your car.
Q: Do all of the GPS trackers have a monthly fee?
Ans: Almost all of the GPS trackers are going to require a monthly fee for the real-time broadcasting of location. However, if the device utilizes a separate SIM, you might not have to pay the fee to the brand. Instead, you have to buy monthly data packs.
Final Words
Now that you have proper knowledge regarding the best GPS mini tracker units that the manufacturers are offering in the market, hopefully, getting one of them will not be an issue for you. We hope that the one that you pick offers you accurate location information.
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