Hidden GPS Trackers – Top 7 Picks For 2024
Did you know GPS vehicle tracking allows parents to uncover the secret habits of their teen drivers, police to conduct surveillance operations, and business owners to have remote control access to their entire fleet of automobiles? When it comes to secretly tracking a car without them knowing, the best tracking solution is a hidden car GPS tracker. Now, let’s take a moment to learn exactly what is a hidden GPS tracking device, what information a GPS car tracker can provide, and finally, the 7 best hidden magnetic GPS devices for 2024!
SpaceHawk – Best Overall Hidden GPS Car Tracker
SpaceHawk is the first hidden magnetic GPS that allows anyone to be their own private detective. For less than $100, you can find out if an employee is misusing a company car, your teenager is driving recklessly, or your spouse is cheating. There is no easier way to find out the truth!
Features we love on this real time GPS tracker include the ultra-powerful magnet mount, waterproof design, user-friendly companion app (for both iPhone + Android), and free technical support for life. However, the feature that makes SpaceHawk stand above competitors such as SpyTec GL300 and Family1st GPS is the fast updates. This is because SpaceHawk GPS provides a real time location of your car every 3 seconds, which is 20x faster than most other GPS tracking systems.
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Watch a real customer experience with this GPS car tracker on YouTube!
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What Is A Hidden GPS Device?
So what exactly is a hidden GPS car tracker? Simply put, a hidden magnetic GPS device is a covert security product designed to track a vehicle’s location and its movements without the driver knowing. These small, battery-powered devices use GPS technology to determine the location of the vehicle. The data is then transmitted in real time to your mobile phone or computer where you can find out everything a driver is doing 24/7.
List Of The 7 Best Hidden GPS Car Trackers In 2024
Disclaimer: The goal of this article is to present a comprehensive list of top-performing products in the market without ranking or evaluating them. The GPS tracking systems mentioned all have unique features that cater to a diverse range of customer needs. We would encourage you to do your own research on each GPS tracker device before investing.
We looked at Amazon reviews, spoke with security experts, and compared product features when making this list. You can learn more about this process in the “methodology” section further in this article. After all the research, here are our picks for the 7 best hidden GPS trackers for your car!
Track-4: Most Durable Hidden GPS Asset Tracker
Track-4
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Trak-4 has nearly 3,000 verified Amazon reviews as of January 18th, 2023, with the average rating being 4.3 out of 5 stars. So clearly this is one of the more popular GPS trackers for vehicles and assets. And what did we love most about this vehicle GPS tracker? The rugged commercial housing is small enough to be covert but durable enough to handle tough elemental conditions. Oh, and they also have a solar-powered version if you want to track assets remotely for very extended periods!
Trak-4 GPS Specifications
- Dimensions: Approximately 5 inches long x 3 inches wide x 1.1 inches tall
- Update Frequency: Real-time GPS updates between 1-10 minutes
- Monthly Fee: $12.99 month-to-month or $6.99 per month if you pay for a year in advance
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Real Customer Experience Via Amazon Review
kenberg Positive Review |
Amazon.com Review - September 6, 2023 I used this GPS tracker to keep on my boat 24/7 to aid in a potential theft. The tracker works perfectly as expected, and the dashboard/portal is easy to use and view. I kept this in my boat 24/7 and only had to charge it maybe 2 or 3 times over the last year—that's really incredible. I worked with customer service once or twice, and they were always quick to respond and always helpful (I worked with Jason specifically recently). I would highly suggest this product to anyone needing GPS tracking on their item. |
Jon Negative Review |
Amazon.com Review - November 21, 2021 The first few days were okay. I have it set up to alert me when the battery is below 20%. Unfortunately, it died at 67%, and I didn’t know about it for a week. Thankfully, my car wasn’t stolen. I haven't heard from customer support yet. The website hasn’t updated its location since the fresh charge. Car theft is through the roof. I need to figure this out asap. |
SpyTec GL300 – Best Mini Portable With Waterproof Case
SpyTec GL300
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SpyTec GL300 is a 4G GPS tracker with approximately 13,000 verified Amazon reviews as of January 18th, 2022. This makes it one of the top 3 most purchased tracking systems on Amazon. However, if you want to hide the SpyTec tracker device under a vehicle you will need to purchase an additional waterproof case. Unlike SpaceHawk and the LandAirSea GPS 54, the SpyTec GL300 tracking system was not designed with a waterproof housing or strong magnet mount.
SpyTec GL300 Specifications
- Dimensions: 3.15 inches x 1.15 inches x 1.64 inches
- Weight: approximately 0.2 pounds
- Monthly Subscription: $30.00 per month or $300 for a year in advance.
- Internal battery: Li-polymer 2600 mAh.
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Real Customer Experience Via Amazon Review
Sara Hobbs Positive Review |
Amazon.com Review - September 13, 2023 I love this GPS tracker!! It’s amazing! And the tech support is beyond 5 stars! I have not had one single problem! It seemed like the battery was going down a little fast, but it actually has a battery saver mode, so I just changed it over, and I can tell a huge difference! But the best part is that it doesn’t function any differently than a full battery. Love, love, love! I would buy again! And 10 out of 10 recommend! |
Herb Hammond Negative Review |
Amazon.com Review - August 17, 2023 Monthly charge of $30, and I didn't mind paying, but that was before the new system. I am closing my subscription because it no longer gives accurate reports or locations since they started using cell phone towers. They went from 4-5 stars to I wouldn't waste my money on it, star 1. |
LandAirSea GPS 54 – Amazon Best Seller For Hidden Magnetic GPS
LandAirSea GPS 54
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What we love about this product is the awesome SilverCloud mobile app. Available on iOS and the Google Play Store, SilverCloud is the most user-friendly GPS tracking app for anyone who wants to monitor a car, truck, or asset.
LandAirSea GPS 54 Specifications:
- Dimensions: D: 2.275 inches H: 0.945 inches
- Battery Life: 6 Months On Power Save Mode
- Battery Type: Li-On rechargeable, 3.7V, 1500mAh
- Operating Temperature: -40° C to 60° C
- Monthly Subscription: Starting at $19.95 per month
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Real Customer Experience Via Amazon Review
Oceans Positive Review |
Amazon.com Review - January 7, 2024 I am happy to have the chance to get the person who might steal my trailer back. Crime is horrible these days. |
Nelle Ponton Negative Review |
Amazon.com Review -October 3, 2023 I have ordered two of these in the past, and they have worked with no problem. The third one I ordered worked for a week and now won't even charge. |
Tracki Mini- Cheapest GPS Tracker On Amazon
Tracki Mini
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Tracki mini is a 4G LTE GPS tracker that has over 37,000 verified reviews on Amazon as of January 18th, 2023. But what makes this realtime GPS tracking system stand above the Trak4 GPS tracker or Brickhouse Security Spark Nano? Price. Tracki mini is the cheapest hidden GPS tracker on our list coming in at a sales price of $18.88. However, the lowest price doesn’t necessarily make this tracker for car surveillance the best.
Some of the shortcomings of Tracki mini include the lack of waterproof housing, no magnet mount, and short-lasting battery life. Amazon does sell an additional waterproof case with a twin magnet mount accessory, but that does increase your purchase price substantially. However, if you want something affordable to track vehicles, assets, or personal items, we would encourage you to learn more about this car tracker device.
Tracki Mini Specifications
- Size: 1.75 inches x 1.5x inches x 0.55 inches
- Monthly Fee: $19.95
- Battery Life: 5 Days
- Lifetime Warranty – Lost or Damaged
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Real Customer Experience Via Amazon Review
Tammy Positive Review |
Amazon.com Review - November 6, 2023 This item is very accurate and reliable. You have to buy a subscription, but it's worth it if you lend your car out a lot or you're tracking something important. I can't beat the price. Easy to use. |
Doug Negative Review |
Amazon.com Review -October 3, 2023 Okay so I bought this based on stars which seemed pretty good but when I went to subscribe there was nothing but 1 star ratings, device error, impossible or complicated to cancel subscription, etc. I wasted my money on the device but I've decided not to mess with anything any farther. |
Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker – Best Car Tracker Device With No Monthly Fee
Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker
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Invoxia can easily be tucked into the visor, center console, or hidden under a seat so it is not visible to a driver. However, this mini GPS tracker has a design that also makes it versatile enough to track location points of cars, assets, and even people! Please note that this GPS tracker for car or assets is not waterproof so you will need to hide it inside the vehicle.
Invoxia Car Tracker Device Specifications
- Power – Up To 4 Month Battery Life
- Monthly Fee: One-Year Subscription To 4G LTE Included
- Size: 4.1 inches x 1.1 inches x 0.4 inches
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Real Customer Experience Via Amazon Review
Hasna Positive Review |
Amazon.com Review - December 28, 2022 Having this tracker has taken a load off my mind. The instant anti-theft alerts with the battery life have made me feel so at ease while I’m away from my bike, and the setup and installation are seamless. I will definitely be gifting some to friends for the holiday season. |
Hevin2826 Negative Review |
Amazon.com Review -October 9, 2023 This tracker did work initially, though it didn't provide anywhere close to every 30 second update in real-time, more like 10 minutes. I had made my peace with that based on the warning from the other buyers, but then it just stopped working all together, even when fully charged. |
Overdrive – Best GPS With Long-Lasting Battery
Overdrive
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Are you looking for the best fleet GPS tracker with long-lasting battery life? If so, we recommend you check out Overdrive by LandAirSea Systems. What makes this fleet tracking one of our favorite portable GPS trackers is the 12-month battery power (when on power save mode). This makes Overdrive great for asset tracking applications like safeguarding equipment or personal items on a job site.
Overdrive is a car GPS tracker device that is completely self-contained, designed with a powerful surface magnet, and backed by award-winning technical support for the life of the product. Our verdict? Overdrive is easily one of the vehicle tracking devices on the market today. However, the device is a little pricey compared to Tracki Mini and the LandAirSea GPS 54.
LandAirSea Overdrive Specifications
- Size: 2.8 inches x 2.8 inches x 1 inches
- Power: 12-Month Battery Life
- Warranty: One Year
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Real Customer Experience Via Amazon Review
T. Amos Positive Review |
Amazon.com Review - December 21, 2023 The hockey-puck-sized unit arrived quickly in a well-padded box with instructions. Must download tracking app to smartphone. Be sure to charge the unit via USB for at least 8 hours; we left it charging for 12 hours. The hidden location and device have a strong magnet for mounting to metal. Small and inconspicuous. The location synced within 5 minutes. I am able to view an aerial satellite view of my current location via the phone app. I haven't traveled on the road yet. It seems to be a solid waterproof device. |
R M Negative Review |
Amazon.com Review -July 16, 2023 Crashes every hour! There is nothing like babysitting your security system. How are these people able to charge for services they don't provide? |
Methodology – How We Evaluate Hidden Tracking Devices
When evaluating concealable GPS tracking devices, our methodology is similar to that used for OBD GPS tracker solutions, with the primary distinction being the portability and battery-powered nature of each car tracker. So what does that mean exactly? It means the criteria we evaluate GPS tracking systems include the GPS vehicle tracker size, usability, frequency and accuracy of updates, ease of accessing GPS data, companion app, battery life, cost, and finally monthly subscription fees. The following weighted metrics are used in our analysis:
- Overall Quality Of Hidden Magnetic GPS Tracker (25%)
- How Easy The Car Tracker Is To Hide (25%)
- Update Frequency, and Accuracy (10%)
- Price (10%)
- Battery Life (10%)
- Monthly Subscription Fees (10%)
- Interface Usability (Mobile App) (5%)
- Additional Features Beyond Tracking (5%)
You can learn more about our testing and evaluation protocols by visiting our methodology page.
Best Hidden GPS Tracker For A Car – FAQs
How Does A Hidden GPS Tracker For Car Work?
Multiple components need to be in place for a hidden GPS tracking system to be able to perform. First of all, any GPS unit requires the assistance of the network of Department of Defense satellites orbiting the Earth to calculate the position and other location-based data. Passive data loggers receive these GPS signals and log the corresponding location-based data to the tracker’s internal memory for download at a later time. Real-time GPS trackers receive satellite signals to triangulate position and other location-based data and then transmit the recorded information over a cellular network where the recorded information can be viewed live over the Internet.
Using a car tracking device only requires the device, accompanying software, and the Internet, assuming the GPS tracker is a real-time unit. All software was designed with the user in mind, with a heavy emphasis placed on simplicity.
Can You Hide A GPS Tracker Under Someone Else’s Car?
No, you generally cannot legally hide a GPS tracker under someone else’s car without their consent. The legality of installing a GPS tracking device on a vehicle varies depending on the state laws and specific circumstances.
In Texas, for instance, it’s a criminal offense to knowingly install a tracking device on a motor vehicle owned or leased by another person without their consent. This is considered a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by fines and potential jail time. However, there are exceptions, such as if you have the effective consent of the vehicle’s owner or if you are assisting law enforcement with proper authorization. For example, a parent might be able to track a minor child’s vehicle if they’re the legal owner or lessee of the car. But generally, placing a GPS tracker without the owner’s knowledge or consent is illegal​​​​.
It’s important to remember that in all 50 states, it is illegal to use a GPS tracker on a car that you do not own without consent. If you need to track a vehicle, it’s crucial to consult with a legal professional to understand the specific laws and regulations that apply in your state and to ensure that you are not violating anyone’s privacy or other legal rights​.
How Do You Detect A Hidden Tracking Device?
There are several ways to detect a hidden tracking device on a vehicle, but the simplest way is to do a physical and visual search of the vehicle. This means scanning the inside and outside of your car looking for any unusual or out-of-place items. Another option is to use a GPS bug detector, which can locate and identify any GPS tracking devices that may be hidden in the vehicle. The JMDHKK bug detector is one of the top-selling bug sweepers on Amazon and can be purchased for $43.99. Lastly, you can use an RF detector to help you detect any wireless tracking devices that may be hidden in your automobile.
TLDR: Perform a visual scan of your car for unusual items. Use a GPS detector or RF detector.
Where Are The Best Places To Hide A Mini Portable GPS On A Car?
Hidden car GPS trackers were designed not to be easily detected, but some of the locations you can find one on your car include:
- Underneath the car
- Inside the vehicle glovebox
- Underneath a seat
- Inside a speaker compartment
- Hard-wired to the 12-volt system
- Attached to the vehicle’s bumper
For more information on the best locations to hide a car GPS tracker please click here!
What Should You Do If You Find A Hidden GPS Tracker On Your Car?
First of all, remove it! A GPS tracker hidden in your car can safely be removed without requiring any technical experience. Simply, remove the tracker hidden in your car and then take out the SIM card. With the SIM card removed the realtime tracking device will no longer work. Lastly, you will want to report the GPS tracker car tracking device to the police. Law enforcement will document the unauthorized surveillance and can even help you find out who purchased the tracker hidden in your car by using the serial number of the device.
Do you still have questions about hidden GPS tracking devices? Give one of our security experts a call at 1-855-922-8100. GPS Tracker Shop is open 7 days a week to assist in all your real time GPS needs!
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Contents
- Hidden GPS Trackers – Top 7 Picks For 2024
- What Is A Hidden GPS Device?
- List Of The 7 Best Hidden GPS Car Trackers In 2024
- Track-4: Most Durable Hidden GPS Asset Tracker
- SpyTec GL300 – Best Mini Portable With Waterproof Case
- LandAirSea GPS 54 – Amazon Best Seller For Hidden Magnetic GPS
- Tracki Mini- Cheapest GPS Tracker On Amazon
- Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker – Best Car Tracker Device With No Monthly Fee
- Overdrive – Best GPS With Long-Lasting Battery
- Methodology – How We Evaluate Hidden Tracking Devices