Best GPS car trackers 2023
A GPS car tracker can give you real peace of mind, but the best can do more than simply tell you where your car is. We've put eight to the test, and named the one you should spend your money on...
You might think that GPS trackers are only for fleet managers who need to know where multiple cars are at once, but they can also give private drivers peace of mind.
From rechargeable, keyring-style trackers to those plugged into a car’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) port or connected to the 12V battery, we’ve tested a selection for ease of fitting and set-up, tracking functionality and app quality. We’ve also factored in the initial purchase price and the monthly data and monitoring fee.
Top 8: GPS car trackers
8. Vodafone Curve
The Curve is an affordable and small tracker that comes with its own app and a free keyring attachment. It looks cool, but it only shows live location – not journey history – and there’s no geofencing or speed data. Not only that but it has to be charged every week – a real inconvenience if you want to keep it in your car. Ultimately, it’s well worth considering as a tracker for your pet or other personal items, but it’s not as ideal as a vehicle tracker.
What Car? says 2/5
7. Streetwize GPS tracker
This tracker comes with a SIM pre-installed if you buy it off the shelf, so it’s easy to get up and running. There’s no monthly contract, but it must be topped up with at least £10 every 120 days to keep it active. It’s quite basic; it just gives a live location via text message when you ask for it, but you can get extra functions if you’re willing to pay more. It needs to be charged every month or so, unless you attach it to your 12V battery with the supplied cables.
What Car? says 3/5
6. Rewire 104 Pro
Buy from Amazon
This magnetic and waterproof tracker can be switched from vehicle to vehicle if needed. The unit feels solid and durable, but it’s chunky, so it requires more space than our other trackers. The app shows journey history and has a ‘get route to this device’ option, as well as live location. It needs to be charged up every 90 days, though, or more frequently than that if you use the live tracking mode, rather than the lower-energy mode that records your location every few minutes.
What Car? says 3/5
5. Amatrac AM-T22
There’s no subscription to the Amatrac; you just have to pay for a SIM card so it can send and receive data. Set-up was fraught; it took a while to link it with the SIM card, and there’s no customer service phone number – only an email address. Once working, it offers live tracking, historic journey data and alerts, but the app isn’t as intuitive as the best here.
What Car? says 3/5
4. iTrack FS100
This uses the same hardware as the TruTrak and offers many of the same features, including a useful app with full tracking information, geofencing features, speed alerts and more. Set-up is straightforward, and because the device is connected to the car’s 12V battery, it doesn’t need recharging and is hidden away out of sight. Only the high purchase price lets it down.
What Car? says 4/5
3. Shield GPS
Price £28.99 | Buy from Amazon |Min monthly payment £4.99
The Shield GPS requires a separate SIM card, but once you’ve prised the device open and slotted the card in, it’s easy to get working. The app has journey tracking and live location features, plus it allows you to set speed alerts and geofence certain areas. The device is a great price and the monthly fee is reasonable – especially if you pay annually, which gives you a discount.
What Car? says 4/5
2. RECOMMENDED - Carlock Advanced Real-Time Tracker
This tracker fits into your car’s OBD port, but you might need the extra (£9) extension cable too, because it’s quite chunky to install. It’ll alert you when your car is started or exceeds a pre-set speed limit, and offers simple location and journey tracking. The app is the best here for ease of use and functionality. If the monthly fee were lower, it would have received five stars.
What Car? says 4/5
1. WINNER - TruTrak FMT100
This device fits to your car’s 12V battery. It doesn’t need charging, it’s hidden and it will fit any vehicle.
The sign-up process is simple, you don’t need to buy a separate SIM card and there’s a real person you can speak to on the phone who’ll activate the unit in minutes. The phone app shows live location, detailed tracking history and driving style, and you can set alerts for speed and the car entering set areas. Very effective, yet simple and well priced – it’s our winner.
What Car? says 5/5
The products or services referenced in this story have been reviewed independently by our experts. When you buy using the links on our site, we may earn a commission, but this will never influence our opinion or ratings.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
Read more product tests >>
Best pick-up trucks 2023
The best pick-up trucks are tough and dependable working vehicles that can serve as practical family cars at the weekend. These are the best pick-ups available in the UK (plus one electric model)
