The previous version of Tile Mate felt like a major step backward for the company's low-cost key finder. However, the new Tile Mate (2022) takes things one step further by righting all the wrongs, adding more range and better water resistance.

The Tile Pro (2022) remains the best key finder, but if you don't want to pay $35 for that device, the $25 Tile Mate is a great alternative given the improvements in this 2022 edition.

At $25, the Tile Mate is $10 cheaper than the Tile Pro. The main trade-off is communication range, with the Tile Pro able to connect to cell phones up to 400 feet, while the Mate can connect up to 250 feet. For many users, these tradeoffs will be worth the $10 savings. (More on that later.)

The Tile Mate's $25 price is also comparable to other top key finders. Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag starts at $30, which is the same price as Apple's AirTag. Apple's key finder includes ultra-wideband connectivity for more precise locating, a feature missing from the Tile tracker until the Tile Ultra arrives in 2022.

Unlike the Tile Pro, which has been redesigned for the 2022 version, the Tile Mate (2022) looks much like its predecessor. It has the same square design as before, but the new Mate is slightly larger overall; Tile has tried to unify the look of the key finder, and the Tile Mate has the Tile logo in the center. (If you're anything like me, this happens frequently.)

The biggest change to the Tile Mate (2022) is Tile's decision to discontinue replaceable batteries with this model. Instead, like the latest versions of the Tile Slim and Tile Sticker, the Mate will run on a non-replaceable battery, which should last for three years. (Our Tile Pro vs. Tile Mate vs. Tile Slim vs. Tile Sticker showdown takes a closer look at the differences between these trackers.) The Tile app tells you where to find e-waste where you can dispose of your old Tiles.

If you are comfortable, Tile Mate is IP67 waterproof. This makes the new Mate more durable and on par with the rest of the Tile lineup.

The new Tile Mate is used in the same way as before. Attach the tracker to what you want to monitor and pair it with your Android phone or iPhone via Bluetooth; you can manage your Tile Mate with the Tile app, which also has a button that sounds an alarm when a key (or anything else attached to the Tile) is not found. As mentioned earlier, the Tile tracker has a two-way search feature that can buzz your phone.

The Tile Pro (2022) is Tile's loudest tracker when a loud alarm is needed. However, in most cases, the Mate's alarm is loud enough. When the Key Finder is tucked away in a coat pocket in the closet, I can hear the alarm from a remote room in my house. In a public park with lots of ambient noise, the Tile Mate's alarm could be heard from over 100 feet away. Incidentally, the Tile Pro alarm sound could be heard from about 150 feet away.

As for range, Tile has extended the distance that one can connect to the new Tile Mate, raising the displayed range from 200 feet to 250 feet; testing the Tile Mate (2022), we were able to go 200 feet away without any problems. The Tile Mate (2022) was able to go 200 feet away without a problem. This is a definite improvement over the previous Tile Mate, which had trouble reaching 100 feet. It is worth noting that performance may vary due to physical obstacles and signal interference. We also tested the Tile Mate (2022) at a nearby ferry dock, where keyfinder reach was much shorter. Of course, this is the case with all the key finders I have tested, which speaks more to the fickleness of Bluetooth connectivity than to the Tile Mate.

Like all of Tile's new trackers, there is a QR code embedded in the back of the Mate. (Scanning this QR code sends a message to you via contacts saved in Tile's app.) A scan-and-secure feature aimed at detecting unfamiliar Tile attempting to track your location will be available in 2022.

Tile continues to offer a subscription service for $2.99/month, adding additional features such as alerts when you go out without your Tile Mate and the ability to share your tracker with an unlimited number of people. However, the core features of Tile Mate do not require a subscription, so one could get the most out of the device without paying for Tile Premium.

While nothing can match the range of the Tile Pro, one could argue that the 400-foot range is not a necessity but a nice to have; the 250-foot range promised by the Tile Mate (2022) is adequate for most people and the alarm sounds loud enough to be heard from a distance. These are fairly acceptable trade-offs for a $10 discount, especially if you are not bothered by the lack of replaceable batteries.

Apple's AirTag offers more features for only $5 more than the Tile Mate, and the Chipolo One has a more colorful look and disposable battery for the same price as the Mate. However, given the improvements in this latest version, it is hard to surpass the value offered by the Tile Mate.