A kid’s smartwatch has to balance parental control and safety with a child’s increasing need for independence and creative expression. Our top pick—the TickTalk 4—does the best job of pulling this off. It features the most contact slots, communication options, and compatible cell networks of all the watches we reviewed. It’s also the only one to offer music streaming and a 911 function.
But if you’re looking for something very specific (like temperature tracking, one-way audio, or fun games), another watch may be right up your alley. We tracked down the best options.
Here are the best kids smartwatches
- : Best overall
- : Best for SOS calls
- : Budget pick
- : Best for active play
- : Best for younger kids
Compare the best smartwatches for kids
|
Product
|
Watch price
 |
Video calling
|
GPS tracking
|
Max. number of contacts
|
Compatible cell networks
|
Learn more
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |
 |
$189.99 |
 Yes |
Yes |
53 | Red Pocket, T-Mobile, Metro PCS, SpeedTalk |
View on TickTalk |
| Best for SOS calls |
 |
$179.99 |
Yes |
Yes |
25 | Red Pocket (AT&T) | View on Angel Watch |
| Budget pick |
 |
$99.99 + $35 activation fee |
 No |
Yes |
10 | Verizon | View on Verizon |
| Best for active play |
 |
$169.99 |
No |
Yes |
50 | T-Mobile recommended | View on Amazon |
| Best for younger kids |
 |
$54.99 |
No |
No |
– | N/A | View on Amazon |
*Amazon.com price as of 7/2/2021 at 7:30 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
1. TickTalk 4: Best overall
The TickTalk 4 keeps parental anxiety at bay with GPS tracking, geofencing, and an SOS button. And it caters to kids themselves by streaming music or stories through iHeart Radio Family. The only downside is its price tag: $189.99. Other watches have similar functions but come at a lower price, so it’s worth checking out a few of the other options (like the Verizon GizmoWatch 2) if you’re on a budget.
Geofencing and GPS tracking Parental-controlled contact list SOS button Music or story streaming Video calling
Not compatible with Verizon or Sprint No games Expensive up-front priceFull of features for kids and parents alike
We love that the TickTalk 4 isn’t just a smartwatch for parents; it includes features that kids enjoy too. Your child can choose how to communicate, whether it’s through video calls, voice calls, voice messages, preset text messages, emojis, GIFs, or photos. It’s just enough variety to allow them to explore some creative expression, but they won’t have access to a full keyboard.
Kids can also use the TickTalk 4’s camera to take pictures, selfies, or videos. Other features include a step counter, do not disturb/school mode, and a reminder list.
Great for kids with lots of friends or family members
The TickTalk 4 has the largest contact list of all the kids smartwatches we reviewed: up to 53 other friends or family members can be added to the “approved contacts” list.
You have full control over your child’s contact list through the parent app. The watch includes a firewall that blocks unknown numbers from calling your child. So if you haven’t added someone’s number to the mobile app, they won’t be able to contact your kid.
You can also set up group chats for your child via the parent app.
SOS button and 911 dialing
The TickTalk 4 includes an SOS button that dials one designated contact when pressed for five seconds. But what about 911? We’re really impressed that the TickTalk 4 designers developed a way for kids to dial 911 on a keyboard-less watch. All they have to do is press the silver button once and the red button twice to contact emergency services.
The TickTalk 4 is the only kids smartwatch in our list that allows kids to contact 911.
Compatible with multiple carriers
We love that the TickTalk 4 is compatible with numerous cell service providers, including T-Mobile, Metro PCS, and SpeedTalk. The TickTalk 4 manufacturers recommend using a $10 Red Pocket plan; this watch includes a Red Pocket-compatible SIM card.
Sprint and Verizon customers cannot add the TickTalk 4 to their current plan.
2. Angel Watch: Best for SOS calls
The Angel Watch is a kids GPS tracker, health tracker, and phone service rolled into one. We’re really impressed with the Angel Watch’s SOS feature and love that it gives parents the ability to check in on their kids without interrupting them. It’s perfect for kids with special needs who might need a little extra love from afar while discovering their independence.
Geofencing and GPS tracking Parent-controlled call list SOS button Video calling Vital sign readings
Doesn't work well with all service providers No gamesNew: A mix of contact control and freedom
You remain in complete control of who gets to call your kiddo. The parent app lets you add up to 10 cell phone contacts. You can also designate an additional 11 family members or friends who can voice call, video call, and text.
One of our original criticisms of the Angel Watch was that it seemed to be geared toward monitoring a child rather than helping them transition to a modern digital lifestyle. Angel Watch now has a "friends" feature that gives your child a little more freedom to connect with their peers without parental oversight.
If your child meets another Angel Watch user at school, sports practice, camp, etc., they can sync their watches to share voice messages and pictures. No permission needed. The watches have to be connected to WiFi and have their Bluetooth signals turned on. Then, the kids just have to hold their watches at least 3 inches apart and follow the on-screen instructions. Up to four friends can be added this way.
Angel Watch also pairs with Line for unlimited contacts.
Persistent SOS button
You can designate three contacts as emergency numbers. When your child presses the SOS button for three seconds, the watch automatically dials each number in the list on a repeated loop until someone picks up. This is the fastest SOS button we found—and the only one that continuously tries to get a hold of someone.
Video calling and stealthy check-ins
Best of all, this kid’s smartwatch includes a camera for video calling. Sometimes you just need visual confirmation that your child is all right, and sometimes your kiddo needs the same kind of comfort.
Want to check in discreetly? The parent app has a “sound guardian” option that lets you tune in to the watch’s audio without placing a call. Maybe you’re worried your child is being bullied on the bus; you can listen in to assess the situation.
Health monitoring features
The Angel Watch also helps parents monitor the health of their child via a vital sign sensor that rests against the skin. The watch can detect four vital signs:
- Body temperature
- Blood pressure
- Blood oxygen
- Heart rate
As neat as this sounds, the Angel Watch Company warns that these readings may not always be accurate. It’s also totally up to the parents to monitor vital signs and take action if needed. This device won’t send out an alert if there’s a worrisome deviation from the norm.
The Angel Watch is the only kids smartwatch on our list to track vital signs.
On a less dire note, this watch also counts your kid’s steps and estimates the total distance covered and calories burned. If your child wears this watch to bed, it will also track sleep quality.
Price of the Angel Watch
The Angel Watch does flaunt a hefty price tag of $179. You’re strapping this to your kid’s wrist and hoping for the best, but there’s a decent chance it’s going to get chucked into a pool or smashed on the concrete “just to see what would happen.” So we understand if you hesitate at the price. However, we think the price is reasonable considering the features available.
You also pay for convenient set-up when you buy an Angel Watch. All US customers now receive a Red Pocket SIM card with their purchase. Red Pocket Mobile uses the AT&T cellular network and offers no-contract service plans starting at $10 per month for Angel Watch customers. This integrated service offers online activation for easy, plug-and-play setup.
We wish there were games
The only thing missing from Angel Watch is some sort of game or entertainment. But some parents might consider this an advantage since it could help to reduce screen time.
At least your kiddo can have fun choosing from a variety of wristband colors for a healthy dose of self-expression. There are seven colors available for about $15 each. The watch itself comes with either a blue, black, or rose wristband and watch face surround.
3. Verizon GizmoWatch 2: Budget pick
Take away the Angel Watch’s camera and vital sign sensor and you have the Verizon GizmoWatch 2. It costs $99 up front and requires a $35 activation fee. Then, you’ll pay $10 per month for service. Although it’s not necessarily cheap, it offers an impressive list of features for a relatively low price. We just wish it had a camera.
Geofencing and GPS tracking Parental-controlled contact list SOS button Reminders and to-do lists Activity tracking
Requires Verizon plan Cannot be submerged No camera Only one gameGPS tracking, geofencing, and quick dialing
This kids smartwatch emphasizes parental control and safe communication over games and other forms of entertainment. Built-in emergency features include real-time location tracking and a quick-dial button. Parents can also set up a geofence perimeter and receive alerts when their child strays a little too far from home.
Kid-friendly features are lacking
Kids can use these extra features:
- Pedometer
- Jumping game
- To-do list
- Timer
- Alarm
- Stopwatch
Our inner child isn’t too thrilled with this list, and we doubt your actual child will be either. The GizmoWatch 2 is clearly no-nonsense, and we wonder if some kids (especially those on the older side) might not feel motivated to wear it without fun features like a camera, music, or more games. If you want to keep screen time to a minimum, then a lack of games could be a major selling point.
GizmoHub app parental controls
We love that the GizmoWatch 2 is designed for easy parental control. It uses a smartphone app called GizmoHub where you can do things like updating your child’s contact list. Only ten contacts can be added.
Parents can also switch the watch to quiet mode via the app. This allows incoming calls to show up on the screen but silences the ringtone and any of the watch’s sound effects. You can also set up specific quiet times to ensure, for example, your child’s ringtone doesn’t disrupt their class.
Another neat feature offered through the app is “auto answer.” By toggling this setting, the watch will automatically pick up your call after ringing for ten seconds. This lets you listen in to check on your child or talk through the watch in an emergency.
The Verizon GizmoWatch 2 is the only kids smartwatch on our list with auto-answer capabilities.
Communicating through the GizmoWatch
The GizmoWatch allows anyone in the 10-person contact list to send text messages as per usual. In other words, they type out a message and send it. But the child can only send premade responses or emojis. Parents customize the response list through GizmoHub.
If your child wants to communicate something a little more complex, they can send a voice message or make a phone call.
4. Xplora X5 Play: Best for active fun
*Amazon.com list price as of 7/2/2021 at 7:30 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Xplora X5 Play stands out from the crowd because it features games alongside the usual safety precautions. It’s also the only kid’s smartwatch in our top five list with an IP68 rating, which means it can be submerged in water. If you spend a lot of time at the pool, lake, or beach and need a watch that won’t go kaput when your kid forgets to take it off, this is the one for you.
Geofencing and GPS tracking Parental-controlled contact list SOS button High-quality camera Gamified activity tracking
No video calling SIM card not included Does not work with all cell providersSafety first
Parents retain full control over who’s in their child’s contact list. Up to 50 contacts can be added, so your kid can keep up with their ever-growing list of friends. Like other smartwatches for kids, the Xplora X5 limits the child’s text responses. In this case, the child can only send an emoji, image, or voice message.
This watch also includes an SOS feature that activates when the side button is pressed for 10 seconds, which is slightly longer than the Angel Watch (three seconds) and TickTalk 4 (five seconds).
Like the other watches we’ve discussed so far, the Xplora X5 Play includes a GPS tracker to help you locate your child at any time. You can also set up a geofence “safety zone” to receive an alert when your child goes out of bounds.
Selfie camera but no video calling
This smartwatch includes a 2MP selfie camera and stores around 1,000 photos and videos. We’re impressed by the video and audio quality. In fact, we expected video calling to be included in this smartwatch since it has such a nice camera. But that’s the major downside of the Xplora X5 Play; you can’t hop on a video call with your kid.
Fun features
We understand that too much screen time is a huge concern for 21st-century parents, so you might balk at the thought of a smartwatch with games. Is your kid going to just sit around all day staring at their wrist? Not with the Xplora.
We absolutely love that this smartwatch uses an interactive game platform called “Goplay” to encourage children to be active. With Goplay, your child earns one coin for every 1,000 steps logged on the watch. Coins can be redeemed on the Goplay platform to play virtual games or purchase products.
The Xplora X5 Play is the only kids smartwatch on our list to offer both GPS tracking and games.
Physical fitness aside, we think this is a great incentive for kids to wear this GPS-tracking watch at all times.
Limited cell networks
The Xplora X5 works best with the T-mobile network and does not work with Verizon, Sprint, or U.S. Cellular. You’ll also need to purchase a SIM card separately.
5. Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch: Best for younger kids
*Amazon.com list price as of 7/2/2021 at 7:30 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Little Tikes Tobi Robot smartwatch reminds us of the Tamagotchi keychains popular in the ’90s. Kids get to feed and interact with the animated face on this smartwatch. It even has arms and legs that pop out from the side of the watch. (Don’t worry, it’s not as creepy as it sounds.)
Retailing for just $54.99, it’s one of the most affordable kids smartwatches on the market. But it really can’t compete with the other watches on our list in terms of features. In fact, it seems to be meant for entertainment and learning rather than safety or as a stepping stone of independence.
Storage for up to 3,000 photos Games Fitness tracker No monthly payments
No GPS tracking or geofencing No SOS button No calling or messagingThis isn’t a GPS smartwatch, nor does it support texting or calling. That’s probably because it’s meant for kids as young as four years old, who probably remain under direct supervision anyway. But if your little one feels super left out when their older sibling gets a cool new gadget, this is what you could give them to keep them entertained.
This watch features a camera and impressive storage. Your budding photographer can store up to 30 minutes of video footage or 3,000 pictures. They can also add stickers to their photos.
Tobi also includes some basic games and an activity tracker/fitness tracker. If one of your kid’s friends also has a Tobi watch, they can send each other photos or emojis.
The good news is that you don’t need to purchase a monthly cellular plan for this watch because it cannot place phone calls.
We waffled back and forth about whether to make the VTech Kidizoom DX2 our fifth pick or to keep it as an honorable mention. It’s been one of our top picks in previous iterations of this list, but it just can’t hold a candle to some of the newest kids smartwatches on the market.
The VTech Kidizoom is nearly identical to the Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch in terms of functionality:
- No GPS tracker
- No communication
- No SOS button
- Camera for photos and videos
- Games
We decided to use price as a tie-breaker. The VTech Smartwatch Kidizoom DX2 retails for $62.99.
But we do love that there are plenty of extra learning games you can add to this smartwatch via the VTech Learning Lodge. Your kid won’t get bored if you add a new game to the watch every so often. And they might learn some neat skills like telling time.
Imoo Watch Phone Z6: Luxury pick
The Imoo Watch Phone Z6 costs $259, making it the most expensive smartwatch for kids by a longshot. It has a waterproof design and a neat flip-up camera to allow kids to easily take pictures that aren’t selfies.
The Imoo reminds us of the Verizon GizmoWatch 2 since it doesn’t emphasize gameplay, but it does have the camera that’s missing from the GizmoWatch 2.
The Imoo doesn’t work with the Verizon Wireless network but is compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T.
Cosmo JrTrack Kids Smartwatch: Best to avoid
Retailing at $120 and requiring a $19.99 monthly service plan, the Cosmo JrTrack Kids Smartwatch should have some kind of unique offering to make it competitive with other brands. But we found no such standout feature. Instead, we noticed a decent number of reviewers commenting about inaccurate GPS, spotty service, and poor functionality overall. There are more reliable and affordable options.
Kiwip: Best for families in Europe
We’re keeping an eye on the French kid’s smartwatch Kiwip. If it becomes available in the US, it could disrupt our top five rankings. We’re impressed with its features and love the way it acts as a voice-controlled smart hub, gamifies activity and fitness tracking, and allows children to safely connect with each other.
Final word
The TickTalk 4 earned our vote as the best smartwatch for kids because it includes virtually every safety feature that parents want in a kids smartwatch—including the ability to visually confirm their child’s safety with a video call. But we’re especially impressed that its kid-oriented features strike a balance between “boring after one use” and “borderline addicting.”
Although it is an expensive purchase, it offers a lot of features for the price when compared to other kids smartwatches.
How we reviewed the best smartwatches for kids
There are a lot of features packed into smartwatches for kids. To narrow down the contenders, we prioritized the following:
- GPS tracking
- Video calling
- SOS button
- Parent-controlled contact list
- Fun games or activities
We scoured the internet for smartwatches that met our priority list and compared their features and prices to find the best deals. We also read hundreds of user reviews to evaluate each contender’s performance and customer service.
FAQ
No. The GizmoWatch2 is locked to Verizon. When you purchase the GizmoWatch2 online as a new customer, you’re prompted to purchase a Verizon plan for $10 per month.
The Xplora X5 Play and the Imoo Watch Phone Z6 have the highest level of water resistance of all the kids smartwatches we reviewed. The TickTalk 4, Angel Watch, and GizmoWatch 2 can handle being splashed by water but shouldn’t be submerged.
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