Tags are small key-ring or stick-on devices (often they can be used in either mode). Cards are thin and credit-card sized.

Button batteries are used in all models where the battery can be removed. The type of battery determines its size.

The CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of the safety score (70%), range score (15%) and ease of use score (15%). We emphasise the safety score due to the potential hazards of the button or coin batteries these products contain.

The safety score is based on our lab testing, and/or the alternative test reports supplied by the manufacturer. 

Range is measured indoors and outdoors. These results are combined into a single range score. A high score generally indicates good performance both indoors and outdoors.

We assess the steps required to set up the tracker, install the app and then register the tracker. This includes the clarity of the instruction manual and whether the user interface is intuitive. We also test and score how easy it is to use the app when tracking an item as well as versatility, which refers to the various ways the tracker can be attached to items.

Whether the product passed testing to the mandatory safety standards for button and coin batteries (based on either our own laboratory testing, or the manufacturer's legitimate test report to one of the other allowed test methods).

Whether we've based the safety test result on our own CHOICE lab result, or a legitimate external lab's report (supplied by the manufacturer). See How we test for why we've taken this approach.

Measured in metres, this is tested in a sporting field with no obstructions. Testing is paused if anyone walks in the line of sight between the phone and tracker, and an assistant stands near the tracker to make sure it isn't stolen or moved.

Speaker loudness is measured in decibels (dB) at a distance of one metre from the tracker but doesn't contribute to the overall score.

Alert duration is recorded in seconds but doesn't contribute to the overall score.

Recommended retail or typical retail price for a single unit at the time of testing. Prices per unit are usually cheaper for multi-packs. 

Specific model number of the product we tested (where applicable).

Whether the tracker app works on iPhone, Android, both, or specific models only.

An ingress protection (aka IP) rating shows the level of water and dust resistance in the tracker. Generic terms like "waterproof" or "splashproof" can be good indicators, but they're quite broad compared to a specific IP rating.

Whether an adhesive pad is supplied so you can stick the tracker onto the item to be tracked.

This will ping your phone if the Bluetooth signal goes out of range or if it detects that you've left it behind.

Some manufacturers let the tracker be tracked by the app on multiple devices at the same time. This can be handy if the tracker is attached to something that more than one person uses, such as car keys. 

Whether the manufacturer tracks your location and device usage through the app. This may be done to improve tracking results (by using your smartphone to help locate other people's devices and vice versa), but may increase data privacy risks if the data is not anonymised and kept secure by the manufacturer.

This security feature protects your location data where applicable.

Whether the manufacturer shares your location data with third parties.