I knew something was amiss as I stood at the baggage carousel after my return flight from Paris and my fellow passengers collected their bags one by one. My trusty rolling suitcase was nowhere to be seen. But I knew there was no reason to panic. Before handing over my suitcase at check-in at the Charles de Gaulle airport, I had tucked a sophisticated little tracking device into it. So, with just a few taps on my iPhone, I could see that my bag had apparently never left Paris. (Merde!)

Over the years, I’ve come to depend on Apple’s AirTags to keep track of just about all my easy-to-lose valuables. They’re not only good for luggage, I also use them to track wallets, bikes, keys and even my car. I tell everyone who will listen that you can never have too many of these handy devices. That’s why it’s worth taking advantage of the Memorial Day sales at both Amazon and Best Buy that slash the price of a four-pack of AirTags down to $75.  

Here’s how the Apple AirTag that was in my suitcase on that fateful trip works. It uses an ingenious method of tracking itself, detecting its location from nearby iPhones and using them to anonymously piggyback the coordinates to a secure server where I could look it up on my iPhone. Until just a few years ago, this would have seemed like a scene straight out of a spy movie.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

Instead of wondering if my belongings were stuck on an abandoned luggage cart or strewn across the tarmac, I could see in almost real time that my suitcase was still chilling at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. I was able to calmly tell the airline my bag didn’t make the flight, and it made arrangements to have it delivered to me a few days later.

Apple AirTags are all about peace of mind

By itself, an AirTag isn’t much. A 1.26-inch smooth round puck that looks like a glossy white breath mint, it sinks to the bottom of a bag or dangles from a key chain (with a compatible key ring, sold separately). It’s meant to disappear.

Activating the AirTag was a simple process of pairing with my iPhone. And then, because it obviously doesn’t really do anything out of the box, I forgot about it.

But the next time I couldn’t find my keys? Sorcery. My iPhone didn’t just tell me they were somewhere nearby — it walked me directly to them, thanks to the AirTag’s built-in Ultra Wideband chip. Suddenly, all that time I’d spent retracing my steps and overturning couch cushions in the past felt like ancient history.

Now I have AirTags in or attached to every significant item I’d want to keep track of: My everyday laptop bag, my camera backpack, the suitcase I use most when traveling, my key chain, my car and a smaller sling bag I take on walks. I can pull up the Find My app on any of my Apple devices (or sign in to iCloud on any web browser) and see where my items are and the last time the AirTags registered their locations.

AirTags aren’t just for my everyday items. People I know in the movie business tell me that AirTags are tossed into nearly every bag and Pelican crate, not solely to ensure that the valuable equipment inside doesn’t walk away but to quickly differentiate equipment amid similar looking containers. Some of my friends also attach AirTags to their pets’ collars (though experts say there are better ways to track pets).

AirTags are also useful for things that you want to keep close by

Being able to detect my luggage a continent away provided a sense of relief, to be sure. But at the local level, my AirTags will also trigger an alert when I get too far away from them. For example, if I accidentally forget my camera bag in the car when I stop somewhere for lunch, a Find My notification appears telling me I’ve left it behind. It works the same for newer AirPods models as well.

Impulse Buys Under $25 That Make Surprisingly Great Gifts

+17 More

See all photos

Sharing is now a big part of AirTag tracking

My family has two cars, and I wanted to be able to track them both. But it used to be inconvenient to pair the AirTag in the car my wife drives to her iPhone (and the one in my car to my iPhone).

To guard against unwanted tracking, an AirTag will notify nearby iPhones of its existence, so whenever I drove my wife’s car without her in it, I got a notification that an AirTag was traveling with me. (If the owner is near the AirTag, the alert does not appear.)

However, ever since the release of iOS 17, AirTags are shareable, which solves this problem. I shared my AirTag with my wife, and she with me, so regardless of which car I’m driving, I can find it more easily in a crowded parking lot without getting constant, unnecessary alerts.

A new feature to AirTags that arrived with iOS 18.2 is the ability to temporarily share an AirTag’s location with someone I trust. In my luggage example above, if the suitcase was in the airport with me, but the airport’s staff hadn’t yet been able to locate it (not uncommon during peak travel times), I could share its location with an attendant who could quickly retrieve it from areas inaccessible to the public.

Apple AirTag specs

• Diameter: 1.26 inches (31.9 mm)
• Height: 0.31 inches (8 mm)
• Weight: 0.39 ounces (11 g)
• Splash, water and dust resistance: Rated IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
• Battery: Replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery

The only minor annoyance about AirTags

An AirTag includes Bluetooth, the U1 Ultra Wideband chip and an NFC chip to share basic details when it’s in Lost Mode. That’s all powered by a CR2032 coin cell battery, which in my experience lasts roughly a year before I need to replace it.

I get notified when a battery is starting to get low, although there’s no gauge to see how much is left until it goes into the red. And it’s easy to change batteries. But my small fleet of AirTags means I need to swap multiple ones each year. I buy them in packs of 20 that I slowly work through.

AirTags also make great gifts

Apple AirTags consistently appear in our gift guides throughout the year because you can always find another use for one. They’re often reduced in price when sold in packs of four. And there’s an ever-growing ecosystem of ways to mount them, from sturdy vaults that adhere to a car to discrete fabric holders that will keep your favorite classic bomber jacket from flying away. Whenever I show someone how I use AirTags on a bag or keychain, I kind of wish I had a pocket of AirTags to hand out because once someone sees how it works, they’re sold.

Looking to save on more things that’ll make your life easier? Check out our roundup of all the best early Memorial Day deals going on now. 

When will this deal expire?

We don’t know how long this deal will last, but it’s a limited-time offer so it could expire at any time. We expect the discount will probably continue through Memorial Day, but there’s no guarantee. We recommend placing your order sooner rather than later if you want to purchase the AirTags at this low price.

From communicating to working, we all rely on our devices for just about everything, which makes it essential to always keep them powered. A good-quality power bank, a charging block or an extra cable can come in handy when you’re running low on battery, but many of these humble accessories can be pricey. If you’re looking to save, we have good news.

Right now Woot is offering charging blocks, cables and wireless chargers for as little a $6 as part of its Memorial Day sale. We’re spotting several must-haves at massive discounts, and these deals are live until May 30 or until supplies run dry — which means you need to act fast.

If you’re in need of a fast charging block, this three-pack of OtterBox 20-watt USB-C chargers costs just $12, and a single one is just $6 right now if you just need one. For reference, one of these charging blocks costs $14 at Amazon. These charging blocks don’t include a USB-C cable, but you can find a set of USB-C to Lightning fast charging cables for older Apple devices marked down to just $15at Woot. And a single one of these cables is now $21, which means you’ll get more value from this Woot deal.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

Other cool finds include this Dumterr 3-in-1 wireless charger for just $10, which saves you $17. For folks with different needs, this Anker power bank two-pack is just $25 now, which saves you $15. Woot also has more OtterBox gear, Samsung chargers and cables at massive discounts, so browse through all the options for your charging needs. We’re staying on top of every Memorial Day deal we possibly can so you can keep saving on essentials under $25 and other products too.

Why this deal matters

Woot typically sells items for far less than its competitors, and the discounts are due to overstocks, returns and bulk sales. These deals on charging accessories represent an even further discount that lets you score essential gadgets for as low as $6. Not only that, but Amazon Prime members can score free shipping, which can help maximize savings.

If you’re like me, to get through the day you probably need your earbuds, phone and devices. That also means constantly scanning for electrical outlets and strategizing which gadget deserves to be charged first. Thankfully, there are gadgets that can take care of more than one precious device at a time, and they can be had for less this Memorial Day. Twelve South is now offering its wares for up to $50 off, and Amazon is matching many of its offers.

The Twelve South 2-in-1 ButterFly wireless charger is one of the highlights of this sale. It’s now down to just $80, saving you $50 off its usual asking price of $130. This portable charger lets you power two devices while you’re on the go, and it can fold up, so you can put it in your pocket or purse for safekeeping. Twelve South is also behind the ButterFly SE, a more budget-friendly alternative that works with iPhones and Apple Watches. This is down to $70 right now and saves you $30.

Twelve South also makes MagSafe chargers capable of charging even more devices, such as the HiRise 3 Deluxe, which is now only $80. This MagSafe charger is perfect for ensuring your phone, smartwatch and earbuds can all be powered at once.

Finally, the PlugBug with FindMy is the perfect USB-C charger for anyone who wants a traditional charging block that can be easily tracked. The 50-watt version is now just $60, bringing it down from its usual price of $70. We suggest looking through the entire set of deals available at Twelve South and Amazon, because selection might vary.

If you’re in need of a charging device but aren’t sure if these deals are for you, check out our list of Memorial Day deals under $25, which features some standout offers.

Why this deal matters

Twelve South makes a variety of chargers that are perfect for your smartphone, earbuds, smartwatch and other devices. Its Memorial Day sale offers ample opportunity to save, and Amazon is matching many of the markdowns as well.