Chipolo is a Slovenian manufacturer of tokens that make it easier to find keys and the like. The product line had a huge boost when Apple launched its AirTags. Chipolo enriched the market with the ONE Spot and Card Spot.
There are currently two product series here – the standard Chipolo tokens, in One and Card format (One as a key fob, Card in EC card size, so that it can be easily stowed in a wallet) and the same form factors in the Spot series. The standard tokens can be used with the Chipolo app, the Spot series is based on the Apple “Find My” infrastructure. Today we are testing the Chipolo ONE Spot for you.
Specifications
| Range | 60m / 200ft range for sound reproduction |
| Size | 37.9 x 6.4mm |
| Water resistant | Splash-proof (IPX5 standard) |
| Battery | Up to 1 year, replaceable battery – CR 2032 |
| Compatibility | iPhone / iPad – Find My App (German: Wo ist?) required |
| Price | ONE Spot: € 34.00 * Bundle (2x Spot, 1x Card): € 90.00 * |
Configuration in the Where is? App
The setup of the Chipolo ONE Spot is very simple. You open the “Where’s?” app on your iOS device. App, press the “+” button and select “Add another object”. Bluetooth is required for this.
While the search is running, you press the center of the ONE Spot and an acoustic signal sounds. You are then guided through the rest of the configuration on your device – you can give your ONE Spot a name, select an emoji for the display, and then you can set up a reminder when you leave the ONE Spot lying around and it is out of range. And we’re done.
What can the Chipolo ONE Spot do?
The biggest features of the ONE Spot are showing the location on the map and locating by beep. The advantage of the Apple AirTags is the better routing to the location of the token – but this is only possible with the newer iPhones. Here the Chipolo ONE Spot refers to the normal map – Apple itself has a direct overlay for this.
Location tracking is fine so far – it’s not accurate to the meter, but you know the token is at home, for example. Location tracking by sound is suitable and works very well: the signal is loud enough that you can hear it across the apartment.
Another feature is the function that you can mark the token as lost. In this case, you can store contact information – if a stranger finds the token, he can read this data with his iOS device.
Can someone track me with the Chipolo ONE Spot?
The question quickly arises: What happens if someone slips me a token? Can he then track me permanently?
This is where a protective mechanism from Apple comes into play. If an unknown Chipolo token (or Apple AirTag) is in your vicinity, your iPhone is notified and the token begins to make sounds. For the whole thing to make sense, this only happens when the token is not within range of your own device. So you don’t have to worry about annoying your colleagues in the office, for example.
Battery – How does the exchange work?
According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts up to a year. Fortunately, the Chipolo ONE Spot includes a battery that is easily and quickly replaceable. There is a small indentation on the side of the token – you can simply open the ONE Spot with your fingernails to reveal the battery. Here it is a standard CR 2032 – individually you get these in various specialty stores for about one euro, currently cost at Amazon 20 pieces 7.99 €.
Conclusion
Well – what do we have to say about the Chipolo ONE spot? It advertises its features appropriately and can deliver on them. It is an alternative to the AirTag from Apple itself and fulfills any claims. A comparison to competing products from the Android universe does not make sense at this point, since the ONE Spot only works with Apple’s “Where is?”.
So why buy AirTags? There are only two minor aspects that make the AirTags better: Apple’s workmanship or haptics are of a higher quality and the navigation to the token itself is more nicely solved.
Apart from that, the Chipolo ONE Spot is more or less equivalent. If you want to save about 5€, you will definitely be happy with the Chipolo ONE Spot. However, we would like to see a slightly higher price advantage so that the decision is easier. The price difference of the bundles is more significant – if you need 4 tokens, you pay 85€ for Chipolo, whereas it is 119€ for Apple.
In general, it should be mentioned at this point that there are also other bundles – e.g. a Card Spot bundled with two ONE Spots – for 80 €. Thus, the evaluation of the value for money turns out to be a bit difficult. As a standalone product it is okay, in a bundle we would classify it as good to very good.
In summary – the Chipolo ONE Spot delivers what it promises and has definitely convinced us as an alternative to the AirTag!
Chipolo ONE Spot
Workmanship
Hardware
Performance
Value for money
92/100
Solid AirTag alternative!
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