Trackers for keys and the like have been around for a while now, but only now that Apple and Samsung have joined the game are they really making waves with their simple idea: Helping us find things everyday objects by making a noise.

The Apple and Samsung trackers only work within their own ecosystem so you need to have an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. The Tile and Musegear trackers will work with both iPhones and any Android smartphone. But there's more to it than just compatability.

Apple's AirTag is the easiest to set up - all you need to do is hold the tracker next to your iPhone, tap on “Connect,” and you're done. The Tile and the Musegear Finder 2 are also simple to set up.

The Samsung tracker, on the other hand, is quite tedious to set up, requiring firmware updates and the installation of a smartphone app.

All of the trackers we tested did their main job of helping you find lost items equally well, indicating the location with an acoustic signal.

The AirTags from Apple and the Pro version of the SmartTags from Samsung also support object finding by showing the item in an augmented reality (AR) view when you're within a few metres of it.

This feature requires a radio connection using Ultra Wideband (UWB). You also need to have an iPhone or Samsung device that supports UWB. The Tile Pro and the Musegear Finder 2 don't support UWB so AR isn't an option.

While AR search for the last few metres inside your apartment or office is more of a gimmick, UWB technology makes a big difference if you've lost your key ring outside of your own four walls.

Beyond Bluetooth range, the Tile and Musegear won't work, but the Apple and Samsung trackers can use UWB to report their position to any of the countless iPhone or Samsung Galaxy devices in the vicinity.

In principle, this crowd search method should also work with the Tile Pro using Bluetooth, but the Tile app has to be installed on the smartphones of people in the area and they need to have Bluetooth switched on.

The Tile and Musegear trackers have an advantage over the Apple AirTags: You can use them to ring your smartphone, even when the the phone is set to silent.

Unlike the previous model, the Musegear Finder 2 unfortunately can no longer be used to trigger a smartphone camera remotely.

Smartphone owners who attach great importance to data protection will appreciate the fact that registration is no longer necessary with the Finder 2. Location data isn't transmitted either.

In our test the Tile Pro impressed above all with its long Bluetooth range of over 130 metres under ideal conditions. It also beeps a bit louder than the Apple and Samsung trackers.

The Tile Pro costs US$35 while the Musegear Finder 2 is around US$5 cheaper. The Galaxy SmartTag+ costs US$40 , but the model without UWB can be had for US$30 .

Apple charges US$29 for its AirTag. However, it comes without an eyelet to attach it to something so you'll need to buy a keyring or a loop. Fortunately there are cheaper versions available than Apple's pricey ones.

 - dpa