AngelSense GPS Tracker Review

We can tell that a lot of thought and love went into making the AngelSense GPS kids tracker.

AngelSense’s features directly address the challenges kids with special needs and parents face every day. We also consider AngelSense one of the best GPS trackers for people with dementia, since its location tracking makes it easy to locate anyone who's lost.

We tested the original AngelSense GPS tracker and loved it. You won't find a more accurate GPS device for live location updates, indoor tracking, and location sharing. Plus, the AngelSense customer service team is the best in the business.

We picked AngelSense as the best overall kids GPS tracker in our first-ever Kids Safety Awards. 

AngelSense sells two devices: a small tracker designed for people of all ages and a new GPS watch designed for kids around ages 10 and up.

The official retail prices are $229 for both the tracker and the watch. But AngelSense launches frequent promotions and discounts throughout the year. In their latest promotion, the device was free as long as you signed up for a one-year contract.

When you sign up for an AngelSense tracker, you’ll need to select a payment plan too. You can pay about $65 each month for a month-to-month plan, about $50 per month for a 1-year contract, or pay up front for an annual plan at around $540 (equal to about $45 per month).

Other than price and contract, there isn't much difference between AngelSense’s three subscription plans. You'll pay higher device and activation fees on the month-to-month plan, but you'll have access to all of the device's features no matter which service plan you choose.

Each AngelSense GPS device you buy needs its own service plan. Fortunately, AngelSense offers a discount for additional subscriptions. In the US, they're about $30 per month or $300 per year.

Unless it's waived during a promotion, every AngelSense device and service plan has a one-time activation fee:

• $59 for the month-to-month plan 
• $19 for the one-year contract plans

Shipping is free if you don't mind waiting a couple weeks for your AngelSense order. Otherwise, you can choose to pay about $20, $30, $40 or $70 for Standard, Express, Second-Day, or Next-Day shipping.

Finally, you can buy AngelSense accessories to make sure your loved one is comfortable wearing the small tracker. We've listed the prices below. Jump to that section.

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It’s common for kids with autism or sensory issues to have trouble with clothing. Whether it’s texture, fit, or feel, a simple t-shirt or pair of pants can cause severe discomfort. AngelSense took this into account when they designed wearables for the device.

AngelSense is the only kids’ GPS we reviewed that puts this kind of thought into its tracker. In fact, they recently added a belt clip and watch band so your child has many different ways to wear AngelSense. What's comfy one day might not be tolerable the next, so we love that there are so many accessories to choose from.

AngelSense also sells a lanyard ($5.00) and some waterproof bags ($23.99), but there's no reason you can't use a lanyard or bag you already have on hand to save a bit of money.

AngelSense also offers a 5-pack of iron-on patches for $5.00. You can add your phone number with a permanent marker so that people know who to call if your child is lost.

Finally, an extra magnetic pin remover costs about $20, and extra pins cost around $2 each.

AngelSense's online buying process isn't super intuitive. You can only add accessories to your order after buying the AngelSense device. Current AngelSense customers can buy accessories through the AngelSense app. 

AngelSense does way more than just show your child's location on a map or alert you when your child leaves a predefined safe zone. This device learns your kid's routine—right down to their school bus route—and immediately lets you know if there's a deviation.

A recent AngelSense upgrade also introduced indoor location tracking, which uses Wi-Fi hotspots to figure out where your child is at school, in the store, in your apartment building, etc. It's the only kids GPS tracker on the market with this feature.

And if your kiddo likes to play hide-and-seek in the worst possible moments, you can activate a device alarm and follow the sound to find them.

But AngelSense's genius doesn't stop there. If your child has wandered off and you need to ask the police for help (such as if you're 20 minutes across town and need to make sure your wandering child is safe now), you can send a temporary tracking link to dispatch—or to anyone you know nearby. 

AngelSense's battery lasts about 24 hours, which means you'll need to remember to charge it every night. It lasts such a short time compared to other kids' GPS trackers because AngelSense provides more frequent location updates and constantly analyzes your kid's routine. We think that's a good trade-off for kids at risk of wandering. 

AngelSense not only counts your child's steps, but also monitors their activity level at different locations throughout the day. This can give you important insight about how much exercise your child got during the school day. 

The latest version of the AngelSense GPS tracker also includes automatic fall detection, which alerts you if your loved one falls and doesn't move—an indication they need immediate help. This feature is especially helpful for aging adults who spend time alone but are at risk of falling. Learn more in our fall detection guide.

AngelSense does a great job introducing new customers to its product. Expect plenty of video guides, step-by-step instructions, and even a personalized onboarding call. Here's a quick overview of the AngelSense setup process.

1. You'll get an AngelSense username and password when you purchase the tracker.
2. Download the AngelSense app from the Google Play or Apple App store, or visit app.angelsense.com.
3. Sign in using the provided login information and then follow the on-screen instructions to create or edit your loved one's profile. 

Once the tracker arrives, charge it for at least two hours. Once connected to the charger, it will turn on automatically.

AngelSense then recommends that you take the device for a drive at least 1.5 miles away from home so it can connect to local cell towers. Taking it outside also helps it get a clear GPS signal. 

Don't be alarmed if your AngelSense has a poor battery life the first couple of weeks. It uses more power initially as it learns your loved one's routine and automatically sets up geofences at common locations.  

The AngelSense service staff employs parents of special needs children to help you with your questions. When you contact them with questions, you can share your own experiences with them or get insight from their families. They'll also give you a call to help set up the device and introduce you to all of its features.

When we tried the live chat, we connected with a supportive rep who answered our questions quickly.

The AngelSense Help Center FAQs page provides information about the tracking device and payments, while the resource page covers lifestyle and parenting tips.

The AngelSense FAQs page can answer questions you have about the device while the resource page connects you with counselors, independent living experts, and other resources that can help you provide care for your child.

If you can pay whatever's necessary for the best kids GPS tracker, go with AngelSense. It's undeniably the best for real-time location tracking, indoor tracking, geofencing, and smart alerts. It's just expensive.

If you need something that's gentler on your budget, consider Jiobit. This device also learns your child's routine and gives intelligent alerts, but it doesn't have any audio or voice calling capabilities. You'll have to find your own sensory-friendly wearables for it too.

Other than Jiobit, we recommend looking at kids smartwatches as alternatives to AngelSense. While AngelSense still reigns supreme for location tracking, smartwatches introduce more communication options, like texting and video calling. 

AngelSense is fantastic for people with special needs. No other GPS tracker on the market comes close to matching the nuance of its tracking and emergency features.

But all of those features are expensive and drain the device's battery. If your child or loved one isn't at risk of wandering off, some of these features may be overkill. Check out our other recommended kids GPS trackers for more affordable alternatives.

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