Why I keep this Bluetooth tracker tag on my keychain instead of an AirTag – and don’t regret it

Rolling Square AirNotch Pro Dual finder tags

ZDNET's key takeaways

• These tags have two buzzers for loud, omnidirectional sound
• Two CR2032 batteries mean you get almost two years before needing to swap batteries
• They work with both iOS and Android.

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While I'm a firm believer that AirTags are the best of the best when it comes to finder tags for iOS users, that leaves a lot of Android users scrambling in the dark for a decent way to keep track of their keys and luggage.

Fear not, because Rolling Square has you covered with the newly released AirNotch Pro Dual finder tags.

Also: This AirTag alternative fits in my wallet and works just as well with Android phones

First off, these tags are compatible with both Apple's Find My and Google's Find Hub networks, so if you find yourself changing platforms at some point in the future, you don't have to buy a whole bunch of new tags. To switch between networks, you simply reset the tags and pair them with the new device.

Water and dust resistant

Each tag is built to take a beating, with a CNC-machined aluminum frame, ribbed ABS plastic shells, and Torx screws holding everything together. The result is a tag that is IP68 rated for water and dust resistance, drop-proof, and perfectly capable of surviving months and years attached to your keys.

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Talking of attaching it to keys, I love the fact that Rolling Square has made this tag so you can actually attach it to your keys without having to buy an accessory. There's a loop built into the tag, and there's even a split ring in the box. Nice touch, Rolling Square (and I hope Apple is paying attention to this).

Good for 20 months

The tag is also built to be found.

Powered by two CR2032 batteries that are good for 20 months, it features dual buzzers (20mm and 15mm) on opposite sides for 360° omnidirectional sound, giving you the best possible chance of hearing it when it is at the bottom of a bag or behind the sofa cushions. For low-light conditions, there are photoluminescent glow-in-the-dark elements built into the shell.

I've tested the unobstructed range of this tag, and it's easily findable at 300 feet. Indoors, I could find it hidden behind a couch in a different room. The buzzers were also loud enough to hear from dozens of feet away outside, and from a different room indoors.

ZDNET's buying advice

Rolling Square AirNotch Pro Dual finder tags are a premium product with a premium price tag — $40 is not cheap. But how many minutes do you waste every day looking for your keys, and how much will it cost in locksmith fees if you lose your keys one day?

Also: Finally, Bluetooth trackers for Android users that function even better than AirTags (and they're on sale)

These are now the tags — along with the AirCard Pro Dual — that I recommend to all Android users. No, they don't offer precision finding that the AirTags offer, but they beat the AirTags in pretty much every other way.