The Tile Pro (2022) remains the best key finder you can buy, even as Tile faces increasing competition from Apple and Samsung In this year's version of its top-of-the-line tracker, Tile has introduced a new design while maintaining the same best-in-class features that have made the Pro our top recommendation in recent years

The new look of the Tile Pro will not be to everyone's taste, especially when compared to the stylish design of the previous Tile But what makes the Tile Pro our favorite key finder is still alive and well in the 2022 version And the fact that all features are available no matter which device you use, something that the Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag do not, makes the Tile Pro (2022) the best key finder for the most users

At $34, the Tile Pro (2022) remains the most expensive of Tile's key trackers, $10 above the price of the new Tile Mate It is also $5 more than the price of Apple's SmartTag Purchasing the Key Finder as a bundle would lower the per-device price of the Tile Pro

Those familiar with the Tile Pro will first notice how different the 2022 model looks from past versions: the Tile Pro (2020) has a square shape with the Tile logo in the middle, which can be pressed to assist setup and access the interactive search function The Tile Pro (2020) had a square shape with a Tile logo in the middle that could be pressed to assist in setup and access the interactive search function The Tile logo/button remains on the Tile Pro (2022), but the new model looks more like a traditional key fob: rectangular with rounded corners

I have always been impressed with the attention Tile has paid to the look of its high-end key finder, as it was one of the ways the Tile Pro stood out from other trackers These days, Tile must be content to let the Pro do its thing Because the new design is almost indistinguishable from other trackers on the market; it's not that the Tile Pro (2022) is ugly or plain, it's just ordinary

At the very least, the new look has practical advantages The previous Tile only promised that the Pro could withstand water splashes This new version is IP67 waterproof, which means that even a small splash will not cause damage

This year's Tile Pro has a different look, but the feature set remains familiar to anyone who has used Tile products in the past Pair the tracker via Bluetooth with the Android or iOS app on your phone Then, simply launch the app, tap a button, and a very loud alarm on the key finder will sound to track anything connected to the Tile Pro

At a time when other key finders, such as the Apple Tag and Samsung's SmartTag Plus, support ultra-wideband and allow for more precise searches, the Tile Pro continues to rely solely on Bluetooth If you want that functionality, you may want to hold off until early next year, when Tile Ultra is expected to offer that functionality in Tile's key finder

Until then, the Tile Pro can do what Apple's AirTag cannot It allows the phone to buzz or beep when the key finder button is pressed I find this especially useful when I misplace my iPhone, which is actually more frequent than losing my keys The Tile Pro continues to have a replaceable battery, and it's easy to slide open the back panel when needed and replace it with a new CR2032 battery; according to Tile's estimates, that shouldn't be necessary for about a year

The Tile Pro (2020) looks different from its predecessor but performs much the same; using the iPhone app to locate the Tile Pro in a coat pocket in my closet, I could clearly hear the alarm from a room away When we tested the Tile Pro in a public park, we could clearly hear the alarm sound from 120 feet away, and the sound did not fade until nearly 150 feet away

Speaking of distance testing, Tile promises a range of up to 400 feet with the Pro Tracker In my tests in the park, I was able to pick up cell phone signals from over 200 feet away, so I would say this is fairly accurate Note, however, that performance may vary due to physical obstructions and radio interference Walking in a different direction in the same park, a nearby building blocked the Tile Pro signal at about 180 feet At another test location (where the incidence of radio interference was higher), we were only able to get 90 to 100 feet away before the connection was lostTile Pro has good range overall, but depending on where you are when you need to connect to the Key Finder, your mileage may vary

On the back of the Tile Pro is a very faint QR code that you have to squint to see This is really part of the loss and theft prevention feature that makes it easy to return a lost Tile truck; simply scan the QR code with your phone and your contact information will be shared through the Tile app; it's a more hit-or-miss way to return valuables than Tile's old "Notify me when found" feature It's a less hit-or-miss method Next year, there will be a Scan & Secure feature to ensure that someone is not using Tile to track your whereabouts without your knowledge

Tile continues to offer a $299 Tile Premium subscription that allows you to share an unlimited number of Tiles with other family members, receive free battery replacement, and receive alerts when you leave the house without your Tile Pro equipped item I feel I could do without the Tile Premium, and I would be happy with it

If you are a current Tile Pro user and are happy with the look of the key finder, there is no need to upgrade to the 2022 version of the Tile Pro which has essentially the same features You just need to replace the battery every year

However, those who need a new key finder and want one that offers the widest range, loudest alarm sounds, and most complete feature set on both Android and iOS should look to the Tile Pro (2022) In the crowded key finder field, the Tile Pro remains the best choice