This Affordable Gadget Solves an AirTag’s Biggest Weakness

It costs less than an AirTag, too.

Published December 19, 2024

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As someone who has owned AirTags for years, one of my biggest gripes is their battery life. Apple rates an AirTag’s battery life at about a year, but that can vary based on usage (mine typically last closer to 1.5 years), and that’s just not that long.

Once you are notified that your AirTag’s battery is low — you receive an alert on your iPhone — you have to replace its CR2032 coin-cell battery with a new one. It’s simple and inexpensive, but also bit of an inconvenience.

Well, this $20 gadget for Elevation Lab promises to solve that.

Elevation Lab TimeCapsule

A 10-year battery life

Elevation Lab’s all-new TimeCapsule is an AirTag enclosure that, with the help of two AA batteries (not included), greatly extends the battery of AirTag.

According to the brand, the TimeCapsule has 14 times the capacity of a CR2032 coin-cell battery and can give your AirTag a 10-year battery life.

A new power source

To use the TimeCapsule, you’ll need to unscrew the AirTag’s back so its upper housing rests on TimeCapsule’s custom-built contact point. This way, the AA batteries will power the AirTag.

You can discard the AirTag’s back and the CR2032 battery as the TimeCapsule doesn’t require them.

Rugged, fully waterproof

Not only does the TimeCapsule promise to extend an AirTag’s battery life, but it also adds toughness. The TimeCapsule has a “premium fiber-reinforced composite construction” that is held together by “premium CNC machined screws.” So it’s really drop-resistant.

And the TimeCapsule is fully waterproof with an IP69 rating, whereas an AirTag has an IP67 rating (which is still good). And thus can handle exposure to higher-pressure water and more harsh environments.

If there is a downside to the TimeCapsule, it’s that it adds bulk not going to work if you use an AirTag for pet tracking. There’s also no integrated loop, so you can’t attach it to a bag’s strap.