Technology

Second-Gen AirTags Hit Lowest Ever Price at Amazon, Target, and Costco

Aug 11 views

Key takeaways

Apple's second-gen AirTag four-pack is $89 at Amazon and Target, matching its all-time low price
Costco members receive a free fifth AirTag with purchase, offering the best overall value
Key upgrades include an improved UWB chip for better Precision Finding, extended Bluetooth range, and a louder speaker

Apple's latest AirTag trackers have dropped back to their most competitive price point, with both Amazon and Target offering the four-pack bundle for $89 — a $10 reduction from the standard $99 retail price. Costco is sweetening the pot further for its members by throwing in a fifth AirTag at no additional cost, making it arguably the strongest deal currently available for iPhone users looking to track their belongings. These prices match the all-time low previously seen on the bundle, meaning now is genuinely one of the best windows to buy.

The second-generation AirTag, released earlier this year, introduced Apple's latest ultra wideband chip, which delivers meaningfully improved Precision Finding performance compared to its predecessor. Precision Finding uses on-screen directional arrows and distance readouts within the Find My app to guide users straight to a misplaced item. The upgraded chip also extends Bluetooth range, making it faster and more reliable to locate tags even across multiple floors of a home.

Apple Watch users with a Series 9 or newer device can also leverage Precision Finding directly from their wrist, which adds a genuinely useful hands-free dimension to the experience. On top of that, the second-generation model ships with a noticeably louder built-in speaker, making it easier to locate a tag by sound alone when visual guidance isn't cutting it.

Beyond the hardware improvements, Apple has layered in several software features that are particularly relevant for frequent travelers. AirTag sharing now supports up to five people tracking the same item simultaneously, and the Share Item Location feature lets users temporarily pass an AirTag's location data to participating airlines — including United, Delta, and American Airlines — which is handy for monitoring checked luggage. These features give the AirTag a practical edge over many rival Bluetooth trackers that have gained access to Apple's Find My network.

One recurring criticism remains: Apple still hasn't added a built-in lanyard hole, so users will need to purchase a separate loop or holder to attach AirTags to bags, keys, or luggage. The upside is that the device still runs on a standard, user-replaceable CR2032 coin battery, which means you can extend the tracker's lifespan without buying a whole new unit. At $89 for four, the value proposition is hard to argue with right now.

The bigger picture

The timing of this price drop is interesting given the growing competition in the Bluetooth tracker space. A number of third-party manufacturers have now gained access to Apple's Find My network, giving iPhone users more options than ever before. However, the critical differentiator for Apple's own hardware remains the tight integration of the ultra wideband chip with Precision Finding — a feature that no third-party tracker can fully replicate because it requires Apple's proprietary UWB stack to function at its best.

From a competitive standpoint, Tile and other tracker brands are in an increasingly difficult position. While they benefit from being listed on Apple's Find My network, they simply cannot offer the same granular indoor navigation experience that AirTags provide. Apple has cleverly used UWB as a moat, and each hardware generation widens that gap further. The addition of Apple Watch support with Series 9 and later also strengthens the case for staying within Apple's ecosystem rather than mixing and matching devices from different brands.

For consumers, the more pressing question is whether this deal signals that Apple is clearing inventory ahead of another hardware refresh or simply responding to market pressure. Either way, $89 for four trackers — or an effective fifth free unit at Costco — represents strong value. Readers who have been sitting on the fence should watch whether this pricing holds through the summer travel season, as demand for luggage-tracking solutions typically spikes during peak travel months.

LagPing's take

We flagged this deal because tracker technology sits at a genuinely interesting crossroads right now — it's one of those everyday gadget categories that has quietly become more sophisticated and more contested over the past two years. At LagPing, we don't just chase deals for the sake of it; we highlight them when the product in question has a compelling technical story and when the price genuinely changes the calculus for readers who've been hesitant. The second-gen AirTag's UWB improvements are real and meaningful, not just marketing copy, and that makes this discount worth calling out. We also think the Costco angle is underreported — a free fifth unit is a significant bonus for families or households tracking multiple items. Expect us to revisit how the tracker market evolves as more competitors push to close the gap with Apple's Precision Finding capabilities.

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