Best GPS Tracker With Magnet
The 8 Best GPS Trackers With a Magnet (Easy Installation)
Looking for a GPS tracker with a magnet?
Great idea. These types of GPS trackers are way easier to install than hardwired trackers. Installation and synching to the app on your phone will take just a few minutes or even less.
Just find a hidden spot under the car, van, or truck, and slap it on. You’ll be good to go.
We put the top 10 magnetic GPS trackers to the test and ranked them based on usability, affordability, and accuracy.
These were the top performers according to our testing.
Let’s get into our reviews.
1. SpaceHawk Vehicle Tracker—Best With Powerful Surface Magnet
The SpaceHawk was far and away the best magnetic GPS tracker according to our testing.
We attached it and connected to the app in less than 3 minutes, and once we did, it performed better than any other magnetic tracker.
The location was accurate to within a few feet, updates came every few seconds, and we could share a live link with emergency personnel (thankfully, it was just a test!).
It also comes with:
- Geo-fencing
- Multiple types of alerts
- Compact and discreet design
- A waterproof casing
Here’s something VERY important to consider...
If you’re tracking a cheating spouse, wreckless employee, or new teen driver, you need a tracking device that actually works.
We know that you want something quick and easy, but is it really worth it? What happens if the tracker shows you the wrong location 500 feet away? Or what if, god forbid, your car or company vehicle gets stolen and the location doesn’t update for 5 minutes?
The thief could be in another state by then.
We see a lot of customers here trying to get the quickest and easiest solution, but when push comes to shove, the tracker doesn’t work. The location is off or the updates don’t come quickly enough.
What’s the point of getting a GPS tracker if it doesn’t work? The SpaceHawk isn’t the cheapest model, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind. It’s the best that money can buy. It’ll work when you need it to.
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AMAZON RATING |
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As of 3/29/2024 4.5/5
4.2 Stars | 22,306 Ratings |
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2. GL300 By SpyTec – Best GPS Tracker Magnetic Mount On Amazon
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GL300 GPS Tracker By SpyTec
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4/5
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The SpyTec GL 300 is one of the top-selling magnetic mount GPS trackers on Amazon, and is our runner up in this list.
It’s almost as accurate as the SpaceHawk, and updates came every 5 seconds (on an expensive monthly plan, though!) during testing.
It’s also about $10 cheaper to buy than the SpaceHawk, too.
Overall, it’s got all of the features you need in a magnetic GPS tracker, and it’s accurate, fast, and simple to use. There’s a reason that it has 4,000 plus positive reviews.
It’s not as accurate as the SpaceHawk, and the coverage area isn’t as wide (we dropped connection quite a bit), but it’s pretty dang good considering the price.
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AMAZON RATING |
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As of 3/29/2024 4.5/5
4.2 Stars | 5,217 Ratings
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Patrick Yandell Positive Review |
5/5
Amazon.com Review: March 9, 2024 The one thing I don’t like is that they don’t tell you about the monthly subscription of $35 per device before buying it. So I am only planning on using it if loved ones leave or if I leave for a vacation or something. |
John Locke Negative Review |
1/5
Amazon.com Review - March 14, 2024
Tried to set up? kept saying no to my passwords.? Then I get "contact customer service" with no link to customer service. It's obvious they don't care after they sell it... Buyers beware: spend the money and buy a good one. |
Below Is A Real SpyTec Customer Testimonial Via Amazon.com
3.Optimus 3.0 Mini GPS Tracker
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Optimus 3.0 GPS Tracker
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4/5
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The Optimus 3.0 Mini GPS tracker is a tiny GPS tracker that you can hide anywhere and your spouse, employees, or teens will never find it.
We recommend this for tracking fleets, though, because it comes with a lot of features on its subscription plan that you might not need.
One cool thing: The waterproof case is so strong that it can handle going through a carwash (perfect for fleets with dirty trucks).
Overall, this is an accurate and affordable tracker that lasts up to a month on a single charge with 1-minute updates. The only downsides are that you need to buy a separate magnetic case and that the subscription is $29.95/month!
If you need a tiny tracker for fleets that can handle any conditions, this is a great choice. If not, stick to one of the first two options.
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AMAZON RATING |
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As of 3/29/2024 4.5/5
4.4 Stars | 1,020 Ratings |
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Carlton Positive Review |
5/5
Amazon.com Review: August 1, 2023 I have had other GPS trackers in the past. This one is so easy to get up and running and works really well. So far, so good! |
Joe Velasquez Negative Review |
1/5
Amazon.com Review - October 7, 2023 I dislike paying for reviews. This product does not have the 5-star reviews listed on Amazon. I purchased this tracker to have peace of mind while my daughter is driving. This tracker is a failure all around. It does not give consistent alerts; the location and speed of the vehicle are reported incorrectly. This product is definitely a waste of money, and the seller should stop paying for reviews. I would recommend that if your looking for a tracker, stay clear of the Optimus 3.0 tracker. I will be returning it immediately. |
Check out what real users of the Optimus GPS app say by viewing the reviews on the Google Play Store.
4. Tracki GPS Tracking System – Affordable GPS Tracker For Vehicle Monitoring
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Tracki
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4/5
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Tracki is the most popular name in vehicle monitoring these days, and they are the #1 selling Amazon GPS tracker.
If you’re looking for the best “bang for your buck” magnetic vehicle tracker, this is it. If we had to guess, we’d say that 80% of our customers end up buying Tracki.
That doesn’t mean it’s the best, though. It’s kind of like the McDonald’s of vehicle tracking: we all know it’s not good for us, but we go there anyway.
Let’s cover some of the good stuff first.
Tracki is a lightweight and tiny GPS tracker for vehicles and assets that lasts up to 10 months in battery saver mode. And it’s dirt cheap to buy and get connected. It’s about $10 for the device, which is basically free.
So, it gets the job done, so to speak.
Now for the downsides...
It’s cheap for a reason. This is not the type of GPS tracker you want when your car, truck, bike, or big boy toy gets stolen. And it’s definitely not the type of tracker you want when you need to make sure your teen driver is safe.
Updates are slow, and the location isn’t very accurate (and that’s being generous).
You buy cheap, you get cheap. That’s all we’ll say.
If you just want to see if your husband really is at work when he says he is, then it’s fine. Grab it and save a few bucks. But if you’re serious about tracking a spouse, employee, or teen, or if you want to keep your assets safe, we don’t recommend it. It won’t work when you need it to. There are thousands of negative reviews complaining about how they couldn’t find their stolen car or track anything when they needed it the most.
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AMAZON RATING |
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As of 3/29/2024 4.5/5
4.1 Stars | 45,071 Ratings |
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Ollie L Positive Review |
5/5
Amazon.com Review: April 1, 2024 I use this to track my bicycle. I really appreciate the geofence function. Customer service is top-notch too; Tracki customer service was very helpful in responding to my queries quickly. I would highly recommend this product and company. |
Trenecia Logan Negative Review |
1/5
Amazon.com Review: April 1, 2024 The product would actually be okay if it worked. It keeps getting stuck and stays stuck for hours, like 4,5 hours or longer, which makes it useless!! |
See what American AF Dumpsters had to say about Tracki in their YouTube review
5.Spark Nano 7 By Brickhouse Security: The Best Personal GPS Tracker & Device To Locate Cars
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Spark Nano 7 By Brickhouse Security
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4.5/5
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The Spark Nano 7 by Brickhouse Security is a great mini tracker that’s perfect for tracking just one car or motorcycle.
Brickhouse is one of the best names in the game, and they’ve got great customer support and technology.
We loved how easy the app was to use and the fact that we got 30 days of location history. If you’re tracking a teen driver or suspect your spouse is cheating, it’ll be great to see where they’ve been over the last month.
The magnetic tracker is strong, durable, and waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about it falling off or getting destroyed in inclement weather.
It’s nothing special, and the subscription is a bit expensive considering it doesn’t have any standout features. But if you’re looking for a proven name in the industry, it’s not a bad choice.
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AMAZON RATING |
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As of 3/29/2024 4.5/5
4.5 Stars | 437Ratings |
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Devin Positive Review |
5/5
Amazon.com Review: March 28, 2024 So far I am satisfied not only with the product and its easy to follow instructions but also the customer service that was provided and super helpful. |
Nak Negative Review |
1/5
Amazon.com Review: March 28, 2024 0 stars. Open the Amazon box, and there's a card on the outside of the product box that says "Activate now.". I went to the website with my phone, tablet, and desktop. I got through step 1, putting in my name, email, and phone number. Go to step 2 to put in the product IMEI # and... nothing. It just sat there. I opened up the product box and read the directions. I get the app on my phone, which, by the way, has less than 4 stars. Now I see why. I got through step 1, and that was it. I get on the chat box with someone online. She said to use Chrome or Firefox. Did that, so... returned. I'm not going to mess around. |
6. Family1st LTE: Best Pocket-Sized GPS Tracker
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Family1st Portable GPS Tracker
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4/5
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Family1st is a small GPS tracking device that’s perfect for tracking children, spouses, and elderly family members because it provides granular details about car speed, location, and movement.
You can set up geo-fences (safe zones) and receive multiple types of alerts whenever a car or individual leaves those locations.
But it takes things a step further too. It has speed notifications and even speed bands that change color according to how fast someone is driving. It even has trip replays so you can see how the driver was behaving during the day.
Unfortunately, the company that supports the real-time tracking for vehicle surveillance does not provide phone support, and the technical support team is very slow to respond to inquiries (often 24-48 hours). Family 1st GPS costs $28.95, and the device offers a 6-month battery life when in standby mode. Please be advised this is not a tracker with no monthly fee as it is advertised in some places on their website. It requires a data plan. Those go up to $39.95 per month.
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Matt Blan Positive Review |
5/5
Amazon.com Review: February 21, 2024 I bought the product to keep track of my vehicle as it is a loaner. I only had to recharge the device about once every 3 months. I have had to get ahold of customer service for several different reasons unrelated to the product. They provided me with the best customer service that I have ever had. I would recommend their products and service to anyone!!! Thank you again Family 1st |
LisaR Negative Review |
1/5
Amazon.com Review: March 10, 2024 I worked for about 4 to 5 days before quitting. I charged it overnight, but the device still would not turn on. Was completely dead. Ended up returning. I would not recommend it. You can't put it anywhere hidden without it losing signal. |
7. Amcrest GL300GPS For Cars
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Amcrest GL300W GPS Tracker
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4.5/5
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Amcrest hidden GPS tracker is small, portable, and ideal for someone looking for a durable solution to monitor a car, kids, or mobile assets.
It has some of the best alert features that we tested, including speed notifications, harsh braking notifications, and proximity alerts.
During testing, the battery lasted several weeks, and the customer support was quick to solve issues for us.
Overall, it was pretty solid considering the price. Just nothing special.
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AMAZON RATING |
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As of 3/29/2024 4.5/5
4.3 Stars | 1965 Ratings |
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Kathy D Positive Review |
5/5
Amazon.com Review: October 11, 2023 Other than a better way to keep it charged, it works well. I wish it had the option to remove the battery and just plug it into the car's power somewhere all the time. Keeping a Li-Ion battery plugged in all the time ruins it eventually. |
Jake Negative Review |
1/5
Amazon.com Review: January 13, 2024 Does not give accurate readings. You’ll just see scribbles on a map that literally don’t make any sense and are impossible |
8. LandAirSea 4G GPS Tracker: Best For Real-Time Vehicle Surveillance
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LandAirSea 54
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4/5
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The LandAirSea 4G GPS tracker is our favorite tracker for covert surveillance on a person. It’s not really the best magnetic GPS tracker, but if you want to stick something in someone’s pocket, attach it to their shirt (for elderly or special needs family members), or hide it in their backpack, this is the perfect tracker.
It’s got fast alerts and accurate real-time location updates. It can fit right in a pocket, on a shirt, in a backpack, under a seat, or anywhere you think you can hide it.
This means it is easy to monitor your child as they walk to school, teen drivers as they travel, or employees who work in the field.
Bonus: LandAirSea also has the best customer support, so it’s even better for tracking children and the elderly. If anything ever happens, there’s a support team waiting to help you find them.
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AMAZON RATING |
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As of 3/29/2024 4.5/5
4.2 Stars | 22,306 Ratings |
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Read A Real Customer Experience With LandAirSea GPS Was Gathered From Amazon.com Below On 9/15/23
Steven P Positive Review |
5/5
Amazon.com Review: March 27, 2024 I have an RV rental business, and I have these in all of my rentals. I would not feel comfortable operating and renting without these. There are lots of accessories for the diversity of the applications. I love this thing and will forever be a customer. I run with 8 of these units and love every bit of it. Even the variety of plans and pricing. They thought of everything. Thank you!!! LANDAIRSEA |
Lavonda Feaster Negative Review |
1/5
Amazon.com Review:March 28, 2024 I tried to pay for package with both my credit cards, but it would not go true They say it has to be in US dollars I ordered from all around the world and never had any issues but this don't make sense |
Detecting a Magnetic GPS Tracking Device on Your Car
So you think there is a GPS tracking device on your car, now what?
The first thing you need to do is scan your car thoroughly. Make sure to give it a thorough lookover and check the most common hiding spots.
Some of the most common hiding spots are:
- Under the Car: Many GPS trackers attach here using a magnetic mount.
- OBDII Port: This is a common spot for trackers that’s right under your steering wheel.
- Beneath The Seats or Trunk: Grab a flashlight and look under the seats and in the trunk.
Additional Areas to Inspect:
- The glove box
- The center console compartment
- Inside the dashboard (consider a professional inspection)
- On your car’s bumper
If you can’t find one manually, you can get what’s called a GPS detector. These devices will go haywire if they sense a GPS detector. They’re kind of like a metal detector.
Always remember that unauthorized tracking infringes on privacy rights and is illegal. If you suspect someone is tracking you, contact the authorities.
However, law enforcement can use them legally under certain circumstances. The best course of action? Stay vigilant and inspect your vehicle regularly. If you value your privacy, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check these spots. Here is an article that goes into where to hide a GPS tracker on a car in much more detail.
Legal and Ethical Considerations of Using a GPS Tracker with Magnet
If you’re considering tracking your teen driver, child, spouse, or employees, it’s important to use GPS trackers responsibly and within legal boundaries. Different regions have varying laws about tracking vehicles or people without consent. So, always check local laws before using such a device. Remember, using a GPS tracker to monitor someone without their knowledge or consent can be illegal and unethical.
As a rule of thumb, if you own the vehicle, it should be fine to track it. Again, it depends.
You should be able to use magnetic GPS trackers for your vehicles or company fleet, but just make sure to brush up on the law first.
For example, if you’re an employer tracking company vehicles, ensure your employees are aware and consent to being tracked. This can be done with a simple GPS tracking policy. Transparency is key to maintaining trust and ethical integrity. Also, if you’re using these trackers for personal reasons, consider the implications on personal relationships and privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All GPS Trackers Have Magnets?
No, only some offer this feature. GPS asset trackers such as SpaceHawk and LandAirSea GPS 54 come equipped with a built-in magnetic mount. Others such as Tracki and SpyTec GL300 can be securely placed inside a magnetic, waterproof case. How do they work? With the help of satellites, these devices can determine your car’s location and update this data every 3 seconds. This information is swiftly sent to a remote server, refined, and then displayed on mapping platforms like Google Earth. The best part? This entire process, from locating to displaying, happens almost instantly. So, with a magnetic GPS tracker on your car, you can keep tabs on its location anytime, anywhere!
Is It Legal To Use A GPS Tracking Device?
Yes, GPS tracking devices, including those with magnets, are 100% legal to purchase and use. However, how you use them determines their legality. For instance, using a GPS tracker on a vehicle or asset you own is typically legal. This includes tracking company vehicles in a business setting. But it’s crucial to inform employees about the trackers in their vehicles. Remember, consent plays a big role in legal usage.
On the other hand, using these devices to track someone without their consent can be illegal. This is especially true in personal contexts, like tracking a spouse’s car. Such actions can invade privacy and lead to legal consequences. Always check local laws to understand the specifics of legal GPS tracking. While owning and using a GPS tracker is legal, always ensure your usage complies with legal and ethical standards.
For more information on GPS tracking laws, please visit LinkedIn.com
Will A Magnetic GPS Tracker Fall Off My Car?
No! Magnetic trackers are engineered with powerful neodymium magnets so they can securely attach to your car. If you place a hidden magnetic GPS tracking device under your vehicle, it will not fall off.
Do Magnets Interfere With GPS?
GPS technology uses radio waves from satellites orbiting the earth to function, and therefore, your asset GPS tracker will not be affected by magnets. However, certain situations or conditions can cause interference on a microGPS. Some of these include tall buildings that create urban canyon environments, parking underground, or driving in a parking structure that is surrounded by concrete where the fleet GPS tracker can’t get a line of sight to the sky. In these scenarios, the structures may block the radio waves and negatively impact the signal strength.
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