Chipolo ONE Spot vs. CARD Spot: Which should you buy?

Chipolo Card Spot Lifestyle
Chipolo Card Spot Lifestyle (Image credit: Chipolo)

Though Apple's own AirTag is the tracker of choice for iOS users, there is a slew of third-party Find My trackers springing up. Chipolo offers a couple of different options to suit different needs, but how do you know which is right for you?

Chipolo ONE Spot vs. Chipolo CARD Spot: Breaking it down

Both of the Chipolo trackers being compared here integrate with the global Find My network and offer the exact same tracking smarts with the differences really coming down to shape and size. The form factor impacts some other specs, though, so we've broken them all down in full here.

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Header Cell - Column 0 Chipolo ONE SpotChipolo CARD Spot
Price$29$35
ConnectivityBluetoothBluetooth
Works with Find MyYesYes
Works with non-Apple devicesNoNo
Left-behind notificationsYesYes
Precision FindingNoNo
Built-in speakerYes, 120dBYes, 105dB
Battery lifeOne year (user-replaceable CR2032)Two years (non-replaceable, Renew & Recycle program)
Water-resistance ratingIPX5IPX5
ColorBlackBlack
Dimensions1.49 x 1.49 x 0.25 in3.35 in x 2.11 in x 0.09 in

Chipolo ONE Spot vs. Chipolo CARD Spot: ONE Spot is more of an AirTag competitor

Chipolo One Spot Held in hand

Chipolo One Spot Held in hand (Image credit: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore)

Since both the Chipolo ONE Spot and CARD Spot have the same level of Find My support, you are really comparing them based on other design characteristics and ways they can meet certain needs.

As you can probably guess from the physical shape, the ONE Spot is much closer to Apple's AirTag. That means it will serve you well as a keychain tracker or clipped to the side of your luggage or backpack.

Chipolo ONE Spot easily clips to keys, bags, and more.

Like the AirTag, it has a user-replaceable coin battery that lasts about a year and you can use the Find My app to see its location, make it ring, and set up Lost Mode if you don't think you're going to get the item back. It also offers left-behind notifications.

Thanks to a built-in keychain hole, something the AirTag lacks, you don't need to buy an additional AirTag accessory in order to attach it to your belongings. That being said, it's not quite as rugged, with an IPX5 label versus AirTag's IP67 water and dust resistance rating.

Chipolo ONE Spot vs. Chipolo CARD Spot: CARD Spot is best for the wallet

Chipolo Card Spot

Chipolo Card Spot (Image credit: Adam Oram / iMore)

The only real reason to pick the Chipolo CARD Spot over the ONE Spot is if you specifically need a tracker for your wallet. It's purpose-built for that use case and makes certain trade-offs to fit into such a tight spot.

The CARD Spot is super slim at 0.09 inches (which is about the same as a couple of credit cards) meaning it can slide into a card slot in your wallet without adding much bulk. While you can slip an AirTag or ONE Spot into a wallet's coin pocket, that would add a noticeable bulge to the side.

CARD Spot is purpose-built for sliding into your wallet.

The CARD Spot has the same water resistance rating as the ONE Spot and works with Find My in the same ways, but its thinness means that the speaker is a tad quieter (though still louder than AirTag) and there's no user-replaceable battery. In order to accommodate space for a coin battery, the CARD Spot would have to be considerably thicker but it's worth considering whether this is a trade-off you want to make.

Though the CARD Spot should last for two years before the battery dies, a year longer than the coin battery-operated ONE Spot, Chipolo does offer a Renew & Recycle program. Returning your expired CARD Spot back to Chipolo will get you 50% off a new one, though that's still more expensive than just replacing a CR2032.

Chipolo ONE Spot vs. Chipolo CARD Spot: Which should you buy?

Chipolo One Spot Front

Chipolo One Spot Front (Image credit: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore)

For most use cases, the Chipolo ONE Spot will meet your needs better. Its compact and keychain-equipped design means it can be attached to pretty much any valuable item if you want the peace of mind of Find My tracking.

Thanks to its form factor, the Chipolo CARD Spot should be the go-to for anyone who wants a Find My tracker specifically for their wallet. If you are happy with the quieter volume and lack of a replaceable battery, you can enjoy the same level of Find My tracking as the ONE Spot in a shape that will slide into a wallet much more easily.

Adam Oram

Adam Oram is a Senior Writer at iMore. He studied Media at Newcastle University and has been writing about technology since 2013. He previously worked as an Apple Genius and as a Deals Editor at Thrifter. His spare time is spent watching football (both kinds), playing Pokémon games, and eating vegan food. Follow him on Twitter at @adamoram.