The Tile Slim (2022) hasn't changed much from the tracker designed specifically for wallets that wowed us two years ago We were big fans of the previous Tile Slim, and this version is the perfect tracker to monitor your wallet because it fits perfectly

However, one of the promised changes, an increase in range, did not materialize in our testing of the Tile Slim This particular Tile tracker is still worthwhile, especially if you are looking for a thin device suitable for putting in tight spaces However, we are not as enthusiastic about this edition as we were about the previous model

The Tile Slim (2022) costs $35, up $5 from the previous model's price While this may seem like a small price increase in the grand scheme of things, it means that the Slim is now about the same price as the Tile Pro, one of the best keyfinders with a longer range and larger alarm

Also of equal price is Apple's AirTag, which offers ultra-wideband connectivity and allows for accurate tracking Of course, the round AirTag is not as suitable for carrying in a wallet as the Tile Slim

The Tile Slim is as design-conscious as ever: at 34 x 21 x 01 inches, it is roughly the same size as a credit card and can be easily slipped into a wallet, billfold, or purse like other key finders in Tile's 2022 lineup, the Tile Slim is IP67 waterproof rating

Because the Slim is so thin, there is no way to mount a replaceable battery Instead, the power supply inside the tracker should keep it running for three years, after which time it will have to get a new one This has led some to raise concerns about e-waste, but Tile has provided resources to help people find places to recycle their out-of-battery Slims

A modest design change Tile has made to the Slim is to unify the look of the trackers Available only in black, the Slim has the same sleek look as the Tile Pro and Tile Mate; the Tile logo is in the lower left corner of the tracker, and pressing it twice will trigger an alarm on your phone

Aside from this two-way search feature, the purpose of the Tile Slim remains the same Pair the tracker with your phone via Bluetooth and use the companion app to monitor the whereabouts of your wallet (or whatever holds the Slim) Pressing a button on the app triggers an alarm if the Slim is within range

New this year, a QR code is casually displayed on the back of the Tile Slim, allowing anyone who finds the lost wallet to scan the code and send a message notifying them of the wallet's whereabouts next year, Tile will be offering an unrecognized tracker trying to monitor you We imagine this will be especially useful since Slim is unobtrusive when placed in a wallet or pocket

According to Tile, the Slim can maintain a connection with a cell phone up to 250 feet away, the same range as the Tile Mate (2022) In my testing, that was not the case; the Mate certainly delivered on its promised range, but when I tested the tracker in a public park, the Slim tended to lose connection at about 80 feet At my local ferry depot, where there was even more interference, Slim lost connection at about 50 feet

Needless to say, this is disappointing, as not only does it fall short of the communication range listed for the Tile Slim (2022 meters), but it is also far short of the range I got with the previous version of this wallet tracker However, all of Tile's other trackers offer distances closer to the promised range

At least you can hear the Tile Slim alarm - I also heard it when I listened from a remote room with the tracker in my coat pocket in a closed closet

The Tile Slim can be used without paying for Tile's $299/month premium service The Premium service includes additional features such as an alarm if you leave the house without your wallet and the ability to share your Tile with an unlimited number of users I don't think I need many of the additional features that Tile Premium adds, but Tile says many of its customers use this service To each his own, I suppose

If you're looking for a key finder for managing your wallet, it's hard to beat the Tile Slim in its design It is equally disappointing that this new version doesn't come close to the promised range of improvements and feels like a step backward from the previous model

Considering the Tile Slim for tracking the whereabouts of purses and wallets is still fine, given its design and decent feature set But it's not as slam-dunk a decision as it used to be