We’re all mindful of keeping our car secure, especially if it’s needed for work purposes and devices such as magnetic vehicle trackers that fit in your car can help you keep track of your vehicle if the worst happens.
The advantage of these magnetic trackers is that they can be hidden discreetly in your vehicle so that any thieves will be unaware that their movements are being monitored. They are compact devices that are roughly the same length and width of a small phone, and can be hidden in a number of cleverly-thought places throughout a vehicle. Under the boot carpets for example, or possibly underneath the backseat may be good examples.
Magnetic vehicle trackers can also be used in a professional environment if you need to keep track of vehicle locations for scheduling or mileage use purposes. The transmitted location data can be accessed through a dedicated software application or a web-based interface.
The best magnetic vehicle trackers 2024 at a glance:
The best magnetic vehicle tracker: Winnes GPS TK905 GPS Tracker – Buy now from Amazon UK
Editor’s pick: PAJ GPS Tracker – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best pay-as-you-go option: 104 PRO Magnetic GPS Tracker – Buy now from Amazon UK
If you do have the misfortune of having your car stolen, a magnetic vehicle tracker should help give real-time updates of your car’s whereabouts. This can save you time and police resources in the recovery of your vehicle. The other advantage is that if you’re security-conscious and you want to check on your vehicle while it’s parked up on a day out, you can do so with a magnetic tracker via the compatible app on your phone. We’ve listed our favourites ranging in budget, capabilities, and battery life.
The best magnetic vehicle trackers 2024
The best magnetic vehicle tracker
This is dustproof, waterproof, and shock-resistant to give you confidence that you will get the results you need regardless of the terrain. The lithium-ion battery claims to have a 90 working day lifespan. This would depend on how long the working days are and how much the GPS has to work.
You will need to purchase a SIM card separately, which will be a slightly annoying bit of extra admin for some users.
Pros
- Long battery life of up to 90-days
- Accurate location tracking of up to 5-metres
- IP58 waterproof rating makes it somewhat durable
Cons
- Separate SIM card required, which adds a bit of extra admin
Editor's pick
You can opt for different subscription plans ranging from a monthly plan to a bi-yearly one. The subscription begins at £4.50 a month, but either way, there is no free trail involved unlike other competitors. You do have a sim card included, which does take away some of the admin.
Pros
- Choice of subscription methods, depending on your preferences
- Sim card included, which takes away some hassle
- Great quality, compact tracker that can be hidden well
Cons
- No free trails available on any of the subscription plans
Best for multiple notifications
A handy feature the SALIND GPS Tracker has is setting multiple notifications for different scenarios; for instance, if the vehicle is speeding, the GPS can send a message to your phone. Handy if you’re in control of a fleet of cars.
Pros
- Built-in SIM card, which will be convenient for some
- Multiple notifications available, which allows you to keep a close eye on things
- Long battery life of over a month (claimed)
Cons
- The app’s useability could be improved
Best budget magnetic vehicle tracker
This budget option won’t give you parameters like Geo-Fencing or push notifications for speed limit breaches. Still, it will allow you to pick out exactly where your vehicle is using your iPhone.
Pros
- Small and compact, which may be ideal for some
- Inexpensive solution, especially if you use an Apple device
- Easy to track, if you're familiar with iPhones
Cons
- Easy to misplace and not as advanced as others
Best pay-as-you-go option
Pros
- Minimal set-up required, which makes it easy to use
- Up to 90-days from a single charge, meaning it can last a while
- Integrated features such as route history and real-time speed
Cons
- No weatherproof properties, which may limit capabilities slightly
The tracker has an IP65 waterproof rating as well as the ability to provide coverage across all of Europe and 176 countries in total. The 5,000mAh battery lasts up to 30-days on standby, but it's recommended you charge it up every fortnight or so, if it's in regular use.
Pros
- 12-month free trail if you opt for the pricier option
- Compact device that can be hidden in a number of places
- IP65 waterproof rating, which comfortably protects it from dust gathering
Cons
- Subscription required, no matter which variant you opt for
- Battery life isn't as impressive as other trackers
FAQs and things to remember with magnetic vehicle trackers
Why use a magnetic tracker?
There is a problem with some standard trackers – because they are often visible, wanton thieves know what they are looking for and can remove the tracker before making off with your pride and joy. Thus, your vehicle could be lost forever.
A magnetic tracking device is a more discreet way of tracking your car from your phone, laptop or PC. The advantage is obvious; thieves may not know a tracker is on your vehicle and may not notice it before driving away. Another advantage is that these are interchangeable quickly. You can even get car key trackers for even more peace of mind.
Let’s imagine you have a fleet of vehicles, and for security purposes, you’d like to know where each car is at any one time; a handy magnetic tracker that you can change between your vehicles will help you understand where drivers are if they’re delivering goods and be able to relay that information to your customer.
Do magnetic vehicle trackers need charging?
Yes, these devices aren’t hardwired in; they will require charging once every so often. Battery life depends entirely on usage, but as outlined in our product selection, battery life of some trackers is notably stronger than others.
How long do magnetic vehicle tracker batteries last?
The battery life varies from product to product. The battery life claims themselves tend to be based by either the devices being on standby or if the tracker runs actively for one hour per day. It can range from anywhere between 10-90 days, and more often than not, the longer-lasting trackers tend to be the more premium options.
Are magnetic trackers better than hardwired ones?
The main pro about magnetic vehicle trackers is they can be placed almost anywhere, hidden within the vehicle. You can take them out at any time to charge them up and easily replace them with other trackers.
This becomes trickier with hardwired units, but the main advantage to the latter is that you don’t have to worry about battery life. Wired-in trackers run off the car’s power and you can just sit back and monitor the vehicle from there. With magnetic units, you will have to get used to a charging schedule after learning how long your unit lasts.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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