Best Car GPS Trackers

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 1, 2023
If you want to protect your car or valuable belongings from being stolen, or monitor your teenage children when they are not at home, you can do all this with a GPS tracker. Here we offer you a review of five best Car GPS Trackers we've found. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Data Transfer
Tracking Precision
Cold Status
Hot Status
Interface
Receiver
Frequency
Battery
Warranty
 
PROS

In the web application from Vyncs, there is a pairing and tracking function for several trackers at once, which is important for use by logistics companies. By the way, this service is very inexpensive, so even a small commercial enterprise can afford it.

CONS

Updates occur every 180 seconds (60/30/15 sec upgrades available).

OUR VERDICT

This device is perfect for monitoring compliance with the rules of the road, so it is recommended for people who have a family member who only recently received a driver's license. The ability to always track the location and speed online will prevent car theft.

detailed parameters
Data Transfer

GPS, GSM, GPRS

Tracking Precision

100% accuracy

Cold Status

180 s

Hot Status

~30 sec

Interface

Socket for connection to the OBD II port of the car, SIM card slot

Receiver

Internal GPS and GSM antennas

Frequency

850/900/1800/1900MHz

Battery

No, powered by car only

Warranty

Limited lifetime (while subscription is active)

PROS
This car GPS tracker is easy to set and activate. It has an unlimited plan, and you can monitor your car, your children, or your belongings via tablet, smartphone, PC/MAC. The reporting is based on Google Maps, Google Earth, and you can get reports via either text messages or E-mail.
CONS
There is no official application, so it is not very convenient to track using a smartphone or a tablet.
OUR VERDICT
This real time GPS tracker is an excellent choice both for personal use and for placing inside a vehicle. It also has a very high precision.
detailed parameters
Data Transfer
GPS, GPRS (GPRS multi-slot class 12, GPRS mobile station class B), TCP, UDP, SMS
Tracking Precision
100%, ±0.1 ppm
Cold Status
30 s
Hot Status

1 sec

Interface
MMCX RF Connector, Mini USB, 2 digital inputs (1 positive trigger for ignition detection, 1 negative trigger input for normal use)
Receiver
External GPS receiver
Frequency
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Battery
1300 mAh Li-Polymer No reporting - 400 hrs 10 min report - 150 hrs 5 min report - 130 hrs
Warranty

Limited lifetime (while subscription is active)

PROS
Easy to set vehicle GPS tracker. The device connects in mere moments, has a wide range of features, and includes a full driver's training course for teenagers.
CONS
There is no battery, which means no backup power.
OUR VERDICT
MotoSafety is a wonderful GPS tracker to effectively determine the path your teenage kid or elderly relative drives.
detailed parameters
Data Transfer
GPS, 3G
Tracking Precision
100% using the Google Maps
Cold Status
approx. 40 s
Hot Status

approx. up to 15 sec

Interface
A slot for connecting to the car's OBD II port, or a wired option
Receiver
Internal GPS
Frequency
approx. 850 to 1900 MHz
Battery
No battery, only charges from the car
Warranty

Limited lifetime (while subscription is active)

PROS
This GPS tracker for car is delivered with a microphone, so you will be able to listen to what is going on inside your car. The monitoring is performed in real time. The device has a memory card slot.
CONS
The SIM card for this auto GPS tracker has to be purchased separately.
OUR VERDICT
Sourcingbay vehicle GPS tracker has great specifications and a wide range of additional features. Its steel housing is also extremely durable.
detailed parameters
Data Transfer
GPS, GSM, GPRS
Tracking Precision
approx. up to 5 m
Cold Status
35 s
Hot Status

1 sec

Interface
GSM/GPS receiver connector, a SIM card slot, a pop-up switch, a microSD slot, a monitor microphone jack, a shock sensor port, a harness port, a backup battery switch
Receiver
External GPS and GSM receivers
Frequency
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Battery
800 mAh Li-Ion Battery, up to 80 hours of operation
Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

Together with the device comes a practical plastic case with double magnets that allow you to securely lock the tracker to the bottom of the car. The case is firmly closed and protects the gadget from dirt and dust.

CONS

During active operation, you need to charge every 3-4 days.

OUR VERDICT

If you are looking for an affordable gadget that will always know the current location of the car - make your choice in favor of this set. Stable apps for iOS and Android provide advanced functionality like current speed, mark on the map, receiving emergency notifications, etc.

detailed parameters
Data Transfer

GPS, GSM, GPRS

Tracking Precision

100% accuracy

Cold Status

~60 s

Hot Status

~30 sec

Interface

Mini-USB slot (cable included)

Receiver

Internal GPS and GSM antennas

Frequency

850/900/1800/1900MHz

Battery

Built-in rechargeable battery (up to 2 weeks in standby mode)

Warranty

Limited lifetime (while subscription is active)

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Vyncs VYNCSLINK-001

Tracking Precision

One of the great benefits of technology is that we are now able to easily do things that were impossible to do a number of years ago. One of those things that we can do quite easily now is tracking our vehicles through GPS. The Vyncs VYNCSLINK-001 GPS Tracker (OBD-II) is one device that gives us the ability to keep an accurate eye on your vehicle, while always knowing where it is and where it is going. This is accomplished by the state-of-the-art GPS and accelerometer chip that is built in to the device, which maintains a constant broadcast of the vehicle's location as well as showing in which direction it is moving, if any.

The tracking abilities of this device work in conjunction with the tracking service that is enabled with a one-time fee of $29.99, which can be refunded if the device is returned within the first 30 days. The tracking service works for an entire year upon payment, without the need of a monthly subscription or contract. Along with the device, you are also given access to an iOS or Android app that lets you use your mobile device to keep tabs on where your vehicle is.

Review of Vyncs VYNCSLINK-001 GPS Tracker (OBD-II)

Power Source

The device, when activated, maintains a steady broadcast of its precise location once every three minutes. which also includes data collected by the accelerometer which shows in which direction the vehicle is headed. Although this default broadcast time may need to be less frequent than many people will desire, it can always be adjusted to more frequent settings, including down to 15 seconds. As this device does not utilize a battery, there is no need to worry about recharging it, as it draws power through the OBD-II port. It even can automatically go into sleep mode when no location requests are being received in order to save power draw. Anyone looking for a good quality GPS tracker should find this model to be more than suitable for their needs.

Vyncs VYNCSLINK-001 GPS Tracker (OBD-II) in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $79.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01HSODG10

 

Spy Tec STI GL300

Tracking Precision

The Spy Tec STI GL300 GPS tracker for cars detects a vehicle's location 100% precisely, its maximum error rate is ±0.1 ppm. These numbers are due to the real time GPS tracking. An additional point is that it has a 3-axis acceleration meter that allows for even higher accuracy with its motion detection feature. You can place this auto GPS tracker on the outer surface of your car for even better location determination. Although, if you plan to do this, we would recommend you to purchase a waterproof magnetic case for the device protection.
Review of Spy Tec STI GL300 Mini Portable Real Time GPS Tracker

Functional Features

The Spy Tec GPS platform makes data monitoring and reporting available any time and with any device, be it your smartphone, tablet, Mac, or PC. This tracker also provides you with the geo-fencing and reporting, which is extremely useful if you need to monitor a teenager's vehicle: you will be able to just set a specific area, and in case the car goes beyond these boundaries, the real time GPS tracker will notify you immediately. Also maybe it will be interesting for you to know that this car GPS tracker system has an SOS button. When someone pushes this button, the location data of the device will be sent to the phone number you set beforehand.
Spy Tec STI GL300 Mini Portable Real Time GPS Tracker in the use

Feed and Battery

The Spy Tec STI GL300 vehicle GPS tracker is equipped with a Li-Polymer battery with a capacity of 1300 mAh, that allows this car GPS tracker to work for two whole weeks without recharging! If you do not need constant reporting, the tracker will work for 400 hours. With every 10 minute reporting it will be 150 hours, and with every 5 minute reporting the operation time reduces to 130 hours. Which is still quite long, don't you agree? This is one of the most powerful batteries that vehicle GPS trackers use.

Detailed review of Spy Tec STI GL300 Mini Portable Real Time GPS Tracker

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $49.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B00JG8KCLO

 

MotoSafety MPVAS1

Tracking Precision

The MotoSafety GPS Tracker & Driving Coach provides you with a 100% precise location. And Google Maps app helps this GPS automobile tracker with not only this, but also assists with determining the direction of movement, the speed, and other data. This car GPS tracker system will enable you to monitor your vehicle in real time. The free MotoSafety mobile application, which you can download for your Android or iOS devices, works from almost every place around the Globe. Or you can choose to receive notifications via e-mail or text messages.

Review of MotoSafety MPVAS1 GPS Tracker & OBD GPS Device

Functional Features

This GPS automobile tracker has a very peculiar functional feature, if you purchase this you will be able to set a curfew for the car. It is an extremely helpful feature if you have a teenage kid with a driver's licence - if your child is driving after set hours you will be notified about it in no time. MotoSafety car GPS tracker system also has the so-called Driving Coach feature, so you will always know about your teen driver's exceeding of speed limits, harsh braking, or rapid starts. Monitoring driving behavior may also be appropriate for elderly drivers. This way you will have fewer reasons to worry about your parents or grandparents.
MotoSafety MPVAS1 GPS Tracker & OBD GPS Device in the use

Feed and Battery

Installing the MotoSafety GPS Tracker & Driving Coach will take only few seconds. Just plug it into your car's OBDII port. The port is located under your car's dashboard. This GPS automobile tracker can be used on any and all types of vehicles, cars and trucks alike, that were manufactured after 1996. Feeding of this real time GPS tracker is managed directly from the vehicle, the battery is not provided.

Detailed review of MotoSafety MPVAS1 GPS Tracker & OBD GPS Device

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $29.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B006TZ8A5W

 

Sourcingbay GPS103A1

Tracking Precision

Tracking precision of the Sourcingbay Tracking Drive Vehicle Car Tracker is ±5 meters, a little more than the length of the average car itself. It is a really high precision to detect the location of your vehicle on the map. All this the auto GPS tracker owes to a great data transfer quality via GSM and GPRS networks, and via Global system of satellite positioning, the GPS. The Sourcingbay vehicle GPS tracker has great cold and hot status parameters, and also a wide range of operational frequencies.

Talking about functionality, the Sourcingbay Tracking Drive Vehicle Car Tracker is a pretty high-level device. If you decide to purchase this real time GPS tracker, within the scope of supply you will find two receivers (GPS and GSM) for external placing. Also note that there is a microphone which comes with the car GPS tracker. You can use the microphone to listen to what is going on inside your car. This car GPS tracker system will be a great buy to use by the businesses engaged in cargo shipping or providing other transportation services.

Review of Sourcingbay GPS103A1 Tracking Drive Vehicle Car Tracker

Feed and Battery

The Sourcingbay Tracking Drive Vehicle Car Tracker has a fairly powerful Li-Ion battery. This battery is able to provide you with up to 80 hours of autonomous operation, in case the car GPS tracker goes into backup power consuming. The main power source is the vehicle itself. The capacity of the battery is 800 mAh, and this is pretty good considering rather small size of this GPS automobile tracker.

Sourcingbay GPS103A1 Tracking Drive Vehicle Car Tracker in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B008FLOWAU

 

Optimus Tracker Optimus 2.0

Tracking Precision

There are quite a few GPS trackers on the market today, but many of them seem to be missing some key features that truly make them useful. Being able to not just track your vehicle, but also being able to receive alerts whenever a change in the vehicle's status occurs is extremely useful. Although many GPS trackers don't really have this functionality, the Optimus Tracker Optimus 2.0 GPS Tracker includes it as a necessary function of the device. This GPS tracker sends out updates on the vehicle's status every 30 seconds, which can be updated to 10 seconds, providing a level of accuracy that most other GPS trackers can't match.

This GPS tracker contains two parts - the tracking device along with a twin magnetic case that lets you attach it to any metal part of a vehicle. The metal casing of the tracker is quite solid and air-tight, which protects it from all manner of bumps and jolts on the road while also keeping the internals of it protected from dust and dirt. The GPS tracking service costs $19.95 per month, and does not require a contract, so you can cancel the service at any time.

Review of Optimus Tracker Optimus 2.0 GPS Tracker

Battery

This tracker provides constant updates to your iOS or Android app that let's you check the status of the vehicle at any time. What's more, you can even receive alerts from the device whenever a change in the vehicle's status is detected, including for movement, speeding, or even entering or leaving certain areas. You can even receive alerts for low battery status, which lets you know when it is time to recharge the device. The battery life from a full charge and running at constant use lets it run for 3 or 4 days between recharges. With these and many other features, this GPS tracker is one of the best values available.

Optimus Tracker Optimus 2.0 GPS Tracker in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $49.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B01KKVKQ66

 

What Is a Car GPS Tracker?

A car GPS tracker is a specific device intended to monitor various vehicles. It is able to receive GPS signals from the satellites, and, if required, it can also read data from digital and analog transmitters installed in your car or externally. GPS automobile trackers are widely used by companies engaged in cargo carriage, they allow business owners to lessen the car's fuel consumption by controlling the driver and the path the car goes. You can also use a GPS tracker to monitor the speed and driving behavior of your elderly parents or a teenage kid fresh from getting a driver's license.

For drivers we'd also recommend considering our recent reviews on audio equipment and backup cams with which traveling by car on short and long distances will be a much more enjoyable experience.

What Features to Compare

At first, before you decide on your GPS automobile tracker you should look at GPS tracker's Tracking Precision. The navigation system determines the vehicle location with its satellite-borne receiver, and then transfers the data via communication channels to the user's server or mobile device. The user then is able to receive the data either using particular software, a browser (from the provider company's website), or via mobile network channels. There are particular standards for tracking precision - the margin of error for car GPS trackers must not be more than 5 meters. When precision is noted, look into the time for the Cold Status and the Hot Status. These are the time lapses in which the GPS tracker for car is able to determine the location of a vehicle via satellite and transfer the data to the server for storage. Cold Status is the time from the moment you turn your vehicle GPS tracker on, or your car starts after the down time. Usually it should not exceed 40 seconds. The Hot Status is the time from when the car starts to move after a short stop. For the majority of car GPS tracker system this parameter goes from 5 to 15 seconds.

The second parameter you should pay attention to is the Functional Features of your GPS tracker for car. The auto GPS tracker may have an internal or external receiver (this depends on the device model, type, and data transfer ways). Modern car GPS trackers have 4 different options to transfer data: the satellite-to-tracker transfer (the data goes via GPS signals), the tracker-to-cellphone transfer (via GSM signal), the tracker-to-server transfer (via GPRS), and the server-to-computer transfer (via the Internet). Cellular communication and Internet connections are provided by installing a traditional SIM card that continuously transfers data to a server or any kind of user's device with incoming message support. Car GPS tracker systems may have an internal memory, or provide a possibility to install an external memory card. This way your auto GPS tracker will store the path information even if there is no GSM connection. Some GPS automobile trackers provide an extremely useful geo-fence feature. This feature allows you to define an area on the map, and if the car leaves the boundaries of this area the GPS tracker will send you an SMS message to the phone number you set. To widen the number of features you can connect your real time GPS tracker to additional digital or analog devices. Nowadays you can receive various data concerning your vehicle directly from its on-board computer. Additionally, we can say that some of the most high-end vehicle GPS trackers allow you to do an audio monitoring, i.e. to listen to your car's passenger compartment using a headset or a microphone.

And the last parameter you should consider is the car GPS tracker's Battery. A lot of vehicle GPS trackers have an embedded battery, but this battery is a backup energy source. The main source is the in-vehicle network. The in-vehicle network provides the real time GPS tracker with feeding and battery recharging. This is a default work mode of an auto GPS tracker. If for some reason the in-vehicle feeding is turned off, the car GPS tracker system will start to work from the internal battery. Every GPS automobile tracker has different autonomous operation time, everything depends on the particular model and the distance from the mobile network transmission stations. Battery operational time of the GPS tracker for car usually starts from 3 hours and can be quite long. Additionally, please note the temperature range for the car GPS tracker system and its battery to operate properly, as some models might be insufficient for some regions. For the most car GPS trackers the operational temperature is approximately from -20°C to +55°C (-4°F to 131°F).

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