I made my AirTag last ten years on one battery – here’s the uncomfortable truth

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Apple Air Tags have revolutionized every aspect of my life. From finding my keys and wallet in the morning to keeping an eye on my luggage while traveling, not a day goes by that I don’t open the Find My app to find something I’m missing or to check if something is still in the right place.

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But I have two bugbears about AirTags. First, the shape is strange and does not lend itself to being directly attached to things. The second problem is the battery life of one to two years. The battery life issue is particularly frustrating and I constantly have a few AirTags that need new batteries. I have now resorted to buying CR2032 coin cell batteries by the dozen.

Well, a company called ElevationLabs has solved both problems with the TimeCapsule battery case with a 10-year lifespan. As the name suggests, this is an example of an AirTag that can power it for up to ten years.

Robust and IP69 certified

The housing is made from a sturdy, fiber-reinforced composite construction, complete with a gasket that seals it to an IP69 rating (completely dust-tight and resistant to high-pressure water jets and steam cleaning), along with high-quality CNC-machined fasteners. An Allen key is even included for installation.

All you need to do is add an AirTag and a few AA batteries.

Speaking of batteries, ElevationLabs recommends using Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries, and I endorse this. These batteries provide excellent life and stable power output, and in the many years I have used them I have never experienced a leak. Avoid using cheap alkaline batteries for a project like this, as you risk damaging both the AirTag and the case if the battery bursts and leaks its corrosive goo everywhere.

Assembly is simple

Get everything ready, open the AirTag and set the battery and battery cover aside. Insert the batteries into the case, place the AirTag on the metal power plate, place the lid on and screw it in place.

A word about the screws: they just need to be tight enough to gently compress the gasket. I suggest working slowly and tightening one screw at a time until they are finger tight. There’s no need to go all beast mode.

I was curious about the overall quality of the TimeCapsule, its dust and water resistance, and whether having the AirTag in a case reduces its effectiveness.

The build quality is exceptional and the fit and finish are excellent. The housing is robust and completely waterproof and dustproof. I dropped it and stepped on it without a care in the world.

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As for the AirTag’s range in and out of the case, I tested this in the narrow streets of Marrakech and found no difference in detection range or location accuracy. I did notice that the enclosure muffles the speaker a bit, but it was still audible over the hustle and bustle of the environment.

Buying advice from ZDNET

Apple Air Tags are great, but the ElevationLabs TimeCapsule Battery Holder with 10 year warranty enhances their functionality for a variety of applications. While the AirTag is perfect for attaching to keys or concealing in a wallet or handbag, the TimeCapsule is ideal for use in luggage, camera cases, toolboxes, vehicles or similar situations where the extra size is not an issue.

A single TimeCapsule costs $20, while a pack of four costs $40, so opting for the larger package is a good idea.

The only concern I have is that Apple might change the form factor of the AirTag soon. So my advice is to have AirTags on hand for any TimeCapsule cases you buy and maybe keep a few spares on hand.