The problem of losing your wallet or important items is part of everyday life for many people. Apple probably had precisely this group of people in mind when it launched the AirTag (approx. 32 euros on Amazon), a compact tracking gadget in key fob format, in 2021. With the SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card, the smart tech manufacturer SwitchBot is now presenting an elegant solution that is tailor-made for wallets. In the SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card test, we took a closer look at the ultra-thin, networked wallet card.
Technical data
| Model | SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card |
| Dimensions | 85 x 54 x 2.5 mm |
| weight | 12 g |
| material | ABS + PC |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy |
| color | Black color |
| Operating temperature | -10°C to 45°C |
| Water resistance | IP67 |
| Rechargeable battery | 450 mAh (non-rechargeable) |
| System requirements | iOS 14.0+, AndroidOS 5.0+ |
| Price | € 24.99 * |
What can the SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card do?
The SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card is aimed at anyone who frequently misplaces their wallet or other small everyday items. The card is only the size of a credit card and extremely thin, so it can be easily stowed in any wallet. Alternatively, it can also be easily stored in rucksacks, bags or other objects that you would like to track. However, as it is larger than an AirTag in its basic form, it is less suitable as a key fob or, for example, as a tracking chip for your dog’s collar.
Even if it has a small hanging hole for this purpose. You will also look in vain for a variety of holders in which you can place the card. Accordingly, the possible uses are somewhat more limited than with the “original” from Apple, but it is a tailor-made solution for wallets and the like. In practice, the similarity to the AirTag is striking. Thanks to the integration into the SwitchBot app and the connection to smart home systems, the card can be easily located if it is lost.
As the card is much less conspicuous in a wallet or pocket than the now familiar AirTags, there is also a low risk that thieves will simply dispose of it to cover their tracks. The long battery life of up to three years is particularly noteworthy. This sets it apart from many other trackers on the market, which often need to be recharged more frequently. Read on to find out how the credit card-sized tracking gadget performs in practice.
SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card test: slim and functional
With a thickness of just 1.2 millimetres and a weight of just 12 grams, the Wallet Finder Card is very similar to a conventional credit card. It may be a little thicker, but it should fit easily into any pocket or purse. The slim design is also what gives the Wallet Finder Card a decisive advantage over other trackers. These are often bulky and therefore not suitable for the wallet.
For comparison: An AirTag measures 8 mm in thickness and is therefore more than six times as thick. SwitchBot has opted for a restrained black color. The matte surface of the card makes it resistant to scratches and ensures an appealing feel. According to the manufacturer, a high-quality plastic combination of ABS and PC is used here. This shows that SwitchBot not only attaches importance to functionality, but also to a minimalist, appealing design.
The card itself not only features the company logo and a stylish lightning-shaped pattern. SwitchBot has also provided the card with a hole in case you decide to use it as a kind of key fob. There is also a circular touch button on the top. We will explain what this is for later.
SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card test: Simple tracking via app
Setting up the SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card is very simple: it is paired with the smartphone via the SwitchBot app. This app is available for both iOS and Android and offers a clear user interface. Once connected, the card can be easily located.
The integration into existing smart home systems is practical: Users can use the app to integrate their card into existing automations so that, for example, a notification appears on the smartphone as soon as the wallet leaves the house. The card can also play a signal tone via the integrated loudspeaker to make it even easier to find.
However, it should be noted that the tracking is based on Bluetooth. This means that the range is limited to around 60 meters. In busy areas or in apartments with many walls, the connection can also be weaker. Nevertheless, the map offers sufficient functions for everyday use to quickly find lost items.
SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card test: More than just a tracker
Incidentally, not only the card can be tracked. Tracking is also possible in reverse – at least of your own iPhone. The Wallet Finder Card supports the “Apple Find My” standard. So if you lose your iPhone, for example because it has slipped into the crack of a sofa, you can locate it by pressing the circular button on the top. Once pressed, it plays a beep, which you then simply have to follow.
But the Wallet Finder Card also offers exciting possibilities in SwitchBot’s own ecosystem. Thanks to the built-in NFC chip, the card can be used to unlock the keypad of the SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro (Review, € 139.99 * at Amazon), for example. Simply hold the card against it and the door lock opens. Automations can also be set.
If you enter the immediate vicinity of a SwitchBot hub, such as the SwitchBot Hub 2 (Review, € 79.99 * at Amazon), you can have the light switched on, for example. It is also possible to open the curtains in conjunction with the SwitchBot Curtain 3 (Review, € 89.99 * at Amazon). The Wallet Finder Card establishes a Bluetooth connection to the hub.
SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card test: Long service life without recharging
A particular highlight of the SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card is its extremely long battery life of up to three years. This is achieved by a non-replaceable lithium battery, which spares the user from frequent recharging. While many competitor products have to be recharged or fitted with new batteries after a few months, SwitchBot scores here with a low-maintenance solution.
However, this also means that the card cannot be reused once the battery life has expired. Of course, this is not really sustainable. Conversely, this means that the card must be disposed of after three years at the latest. Whether the battery will actually last the stated three years is another matter. I would have preferred a battery or rechargeable solution here.
Conclusion
The SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card is a well thought-out solution for anyone who frequently misplaces their wallet or other small items. It impresses with its minimalist design, ease of use and long battery life. Its integration into the smart home system in particular makes it a useful addition for tech-savvy users. With a price of around 30 euros, it is also affordable and offers a solid price-performance ratio.
If you’re looking for a reliable and inconspicuous solution for locating your items, the SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card is the right choice. The only things I can really complain about are the somewhat limited application options compared to the AirTag and the non-rechargeable battery. The latter is simply no longer up to date in times of increasingly sustainable products.
SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card
Design & processing
Range of functions
Battery life
Ease of use
Price-performance ratio
91/100
The SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card is the perfect tracker for your wallet. However, the "disposable battery" tarnishes the otherwise positive overall picture.
