Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 best GPS tracker for kids to keep your family safe is the Jiobit Smart Tag.
- GPS trackers for kids are surprisingly cheap, with some costing as low as $15.
- With a reliable GPS tracker, you can track your kid’s whereabouts in real time and receive prompt notifications if they wander off.
- When shopping for the best GPS tracker for your kids, consider the tracker’s size, battery, price, app connectivity, and smart alerts.
As a parent, you cannot always keep an eye on your child. One minute they are standing next to you at the grocery store and the next, they are wandering off to the candy section. However, thanks to GPS technology, you can now track your kid’s movement.
A GPS tracking device can be a smartwatch, phone, or tag, depending on your child’s age. For example, you cannot give a five-year-old a smartphone, as they may not be mature enough to use it.
The GPS tracker’s features also matter. For instance, some trackers have a geofencing alert feature that allows you to set boundaries your child shouldn’t cross, whether at school or at home. If they cross these virtual boundaries, you will receive a notification.
So, after carrying out due diligence, we have created a list of the six best trackers for kids that will keep your family safe.
- Best Overall: Jiobit Gen 2
- Best for Kids with Disabilities: AngelSense Personal GPS Tracker
- Best on a Budget: Tracki GPS Tracker
- Best for Kids Aged 5-12: TickTalk 4
- Most Versatile: Invoxia Real Time GPS Tracker
- Best for Active Kids: XPLORA X5 Play
#1 Best Overall GPS Tracker for Kids: Jiobit Gen 2
- 7-10 day battery life
- The advanced, patented beacon technology leverages the combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
- Location history timeline
- Water-resistant
The Jiobit Gen 2 tops our list as the best GPS tracker on the market. It offers the perfect blend of a minimalistic design and top-notch performance.
Weighing 18 grams, this Oreo cookie-sized GPS tracker has a simplistic design that doesn’t have switches, external buttons, and other technical hardware features. Moreover, it comes with straps that make it easy to put on your child when they are going to school.
But the main appeal is this tracker’s technology. The Jiobit Smart Tag uses real-time tracking technology, which gives accurate notifications of your child’s location, irrespective of distance.
We must also mention that this GPS tracker supports both cellular data and Wi-Fi connectivity. This means you can set and receive geofencing alerts whenever your child steps outside the designated areas. Moreover, Jiobit has an SOS mode feature, which you can trigger, irrespective of your location.
Additionally, it takes a village to care for a child, and the Jiobit Smart Tag allows you to build a care team that helps you track your kid. Lastly, this GPS tracker comes with an ample battery. Jiobit has confirmed that this tracker packs enough juice to last at least 30 days on a single charge.
Our only criticism of this near-perfect GPS tracker is that it is expensive and comes with additional monthly billing. For example, you must pay a monthly subscription fee despite buying it for $129.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This GPS tracker uses Wi-Fi and cellular data, giving you accurate notifications. | The tracker’s monthly subscription makes it expensive to use. |
| The Jiobit has an extensive 30-day battery. | |
| This GPS tracker is light and discrete. |
Check out the Jiobit Gen 2 on Amazon.
Best GPS Tracker for Kids with Disabilities: AngelSense Personal GPS Tracker
- Safest GPS tracker for autism, special needs, and dementia
- SOS call button
- Accurate real-time tracking
- 60 voice minutes per month
Next, we have the AngelSense Personal GPS Tracker, one of the best trackers for parents or guardians of kids living with disabilities. Thanks to this tracker’s 4G connectivity, you can quickly locate your child in real-time using an Android or iOS device.
Moreover, this tracker boasts a geofencing feature, allowing you to create virtual fences and receive notifications whenever your child strays away from the fenced areas. You can also access a detailed timeline report of your child’s movements at the end of the day.
Adding to the AngelSense Personal GPS Tracker’s value is its Live Safe Ride Transit feature, which allows you to track your child when they are on the move, like on a school bus or Uber. But what impressed us the most was the supportive customer care service you get if your child has disabilities.
Additionally, this GPS tracker has a tamper-proof design, which is handy for parents with autistic children with elopement or bolting issues. Lastly, this tracker has a simplistic, discrete design, so you can use it as a sleeve, belt, wristband, or belt clip.
Everything about the AngleSense Personal GPS Tracker seems perfect. Unfortunately, you will have to pay high monthly subscription fees, which is this tracker’s main drawback.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The AngelSense Tracker has a slot for a 4G SIM card, allowing cellular network connectivity. | You must pay monthly subscription fees to access all the features. |
| This tracker has geofencing technology. | |
| The tracker provides a daily timeline report of your child’s movements. |
Take a look at the AngelSense Personal GPS Tracker on Amazon today.
Best on a Budget: Tracki GPS Tracker
- 4G LTE + 3G + 2G combined
- Rechargeable battery life is up to 5 days
- Works with GPS satellites when outdoors and Wi-Fi when indoors
We must include the Tracki GPS Tracker, one of the most affordable GPS trackers for kids. Thanks to Tracki’s optimized tracking system that comes with a safe zone notification feature, you will always be with your kids even when you’re not there.
Moreover, you will experience tracking accuracy like never before; this tracker gives you breadcrumb details of your child’s paths. Also, with encrypted data, Tracki safely stores your kid’s tracking details for up to 5 years, which is impressive.
Additionally, unlike some trackers, Tracki’s SOS panic button is effective, and you can activate it even when miles away from your child. This is unexpected for a GPS tracker that only costs $15.
Design-wise, the Tracki GPS Tracker is small and discrete, as seen from its 1.75” x 1.5” x 0.55” dimensions. It also packs enough juice to last one month; this is mainly possible when using the battery-saver mode feature. Unfortunately, you must pay a monthly subscription, which is the only shortcoming of purchasing this tracker.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is very affordable, costing only $15. | Tracki has a monthly subscription fee, which is an additional expense. |
| The tracker has an effective SOS panic button. | |
| It has a long-lasting battery. |
Check out the Tracki GPS Tracker on Amazon.
Best GPS Tracker for Kids Above the Age of 5: TickTalk 4
- Accurate GPS location tracking and emergency SOS
- 1.54-inch screen
- Kid-tested for durability with IP67 water resistance
- Drop-proof and shock-proof technology
The TickTalk 4 makes it to our list for being the best GPS tracker for kids between 5 and 12 years of age. With a GPS tracking feature, you can pinpoint your child’s location accurately, thanks to its internal 4G cellular SIM card.
Moreover, unlike other trackers, the TickTalk 4 boasts a red panic button on the side that acts as the SOS emergency feature. Your child can press the panic button to contact the saved SOS number when in distress.
Additionally, with a 5MP camera on the TickTalk 4, your child can video call or voice call you when in trouble, giving you assurance about their current location and well-being.
TickTalk concedes that 5-year-olds are clumsy and playful. As such, the manufacturers designed the TicTalk 4 to be water-resistant and kid-proof, guaranteeing its durability.
Lastly, let’s talk about this GPS tracker’s expansive battery. The TickTalk 4 comes with a 1000mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery. This guarantees at least 62 hours of battery life, which we don’t usually see in most trackers.
Our main criticism is this tracker’s bulky design, which makes it non-discrete. Furthermore, it lacks geofencing technology, which we all look for in GPS trackers. Potential buyers may also be put off by the recurrent $9.99 monthly subscription plan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The TickTalk 4 uses a 4G cellular SIM card, supporting real-time tracking. | It has a monthly subscription plan. |
| This tracker has a long-lasting battery. | The TickTalk 4 is non-discrete due to its bulky design. |
| The tracker’s 5MP camera lets your child video call you when in distress. |
Check out the TickTalk 4 on Amazon.
Most Versatile GPS Tracker for Kids: Invoxia Real Time GPS Tracker
- 24/7 monitoring
- Location updates every 30 seconds or 2, 5, 10, and 30 minutes
- Rechargeable in 90 minutes
- Bluetooth, 4G, LTE-M connectivity
Fifth on our list is the Invoxia Real Time GPS Tracker, one of the most versatile GPS trackers for kids. Thanks to its GPS tracking technology, you can use Invoxia to trace your kid or motorcycle, which adds to this tracker’s versatility.
Unlike other trackers mentioned on this list, this tracker is more intelligent, as it adapts to the environment. For instance, Invoxia primarily uses Bluetooth to determine your kid’s real-time location. However, it switches to Wi-Fi if the Bluetooth connection is weak.
Finally, it switches to GPS to determine your child’s accurate location. Moreover, if you have been busy at work the whole day, you can still see your child’s location history to determine all the places they visited to keep up with their daily movements.
We must also mention that the Invoxia GPS tracker has a geofencing feature, which alerts you whenever your child leaves the designated safe zones. Furthermore, with a 300mAh lithium-ion battery, you will get enough juice to last you several weeks, so you don’t have to worry about the tracker switching off unexpectedly.
One of our biggest criticism of this tracker is that it doesn’t have fast charging technology; it takes roughly 90 minutes to charge. Also, weighing 30g and with 105 x 27 x 9.5 mm dimensions, this tracker isn’t as discrete as other trackers in the market.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Invoxia’s intelligent tracking abilities are impressive. | The lack of a fast charger is unwelcoming. |
| This tracker has a long-lasting battery. | This tracker isn’t discrete. |
| It is versatile, as you can also use it to track your motorcycle. |
Check out the Invoxia Real Time GPS Tracker on Amazon.
Best GPS Tracker for Active Kids: XPLORA X5 Play
- Lets you make and receive calls from pre-saved numbers
- Features an SOS button that notifies emergency contacts of the child's location
- Option to set up Safety Zones around key locations
Lastly, we have the XPLORA X5 Play, a smartwatch tracker ideal for active kids. We all know that using a GPS location tag for kids is difficult, as they may easily lose them while playing. However, with XPLORA, your child can wear the GPS tracker on their wrist.
Thanks to this tracker’s GPS locater, you can virtually monitor your child’s movements in real time. The locations are accurate, as this GPS tracker operates on a 4G SIM card. Speaking of the SIM card, you can call your child to check up on them or if they take a different route from school.
Adding to the XPLORA X5’s value is the safe zone notification feature, which allows you to create a virtual geofence of the school and get an alert if your child leaves. Moreover, you can ask your child to take pictures if you notice something unusual because the XPLORA X5 has a 2MP camera.
Also, the battery isn’t an issue with this tracker. It boasts an 800mAh battery with a standby time of 72 hours. Our only problem with this tracker is that you must pay a monthly subscription plan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The XPLORA X5’s GPS locator accuracy is impressive. | The XPLORA X5 is expensive. |
| This tracker has a 4G SIM card, making communication with your child easy. | You must pay a monthly subscription fee, which is an additional expense. |
| It has a long-lasting battery. |
Check out the XPLORA X5 Play on Amazon today.
How to Pick the Best GPS Tracker for Kids: Step by Step
How do you know the tracker you’re eyeing will keep your family safe? Also, does the tracker’s price match its quality?
You may have heard about GPS trackers for kids, but you may not know what to consider when shopping for these devices. Luckily, we’ve created a detailed list of factors to consider when selecting the best GPS trackers for kids:
- Size
- Battery
- App connectivity
- Smart alerts
- Price
Let’s look at each one in more detail.
Size
Trackers like Tracki are small and light, making it easy for your child to carry it everywhere they go. Moreover, buying a small GPS smart tag makes it easy to clip the tracker onto your child’s clothes or belt, making it discrete.
Lastly, you may opt for a GPS tracker that comes as a smartwatch. Though such a GPS tracker may not be discrete, it is handy for situations where parents fear their children may lose the tracker.
Battery
GPS trackers have varying battery capacities, with some lasting a week and others a month. A good GPS tracker for kids should have a battery that can last at least a whole day, allowing you to charge it at night.
Moreover, you wouldn’t want to lose your child’s real-time location because their GPS tracker can only last a few hours on a single charge.
App Connectivity
Buy a GPS tracker for kids that comes with a standalone app that supports remote monitoring. Otherwise, you may miss out on some essential features that are integral to ensuring your kid’s safety.
For example, most apps allow you to create virtual geofences or check your child’s timeline history at the end of the day. Moreover, the apps send notifications about your child’s current location, including alerts, when they veer off their usual routes or leave the designated safe zones.
Smart Alerts
The primary role of a GPS tracker is to know your child’s accurate location. However, this may be insufficient to keep your child safe. As such, get a GPS tracker for kids with additional intelligent alerts.
For example, look for a tracker that has an SOS feature, gives you prompt alerts when your child crosses the designated virtual fences, and alerts you when the tracker’s battery is low.
Such a GPS tracker will likely cost you a few extra bucks. However, the accompanying peace of mind will be worth the money.
Price
The amount of money you are willing to spend on a GPS tracker determines the model you choose. Once you have assessed each tracker’s features, choose one that meets your budget and gives you value for money.
Also, consider the tracker’s subscription plan to avoid overpaying. This is especially important when the tracker’s subscription plans do not offer any significant benefits, like an SOS feature or retrieving previous timeline records.
What to Know Before Buying a GPS Tracker for Kids
Ensure the GPS tracker for kids you buy is GPS-enabled and supports both 4G cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity. We do not recommend buying a device that connects solely to Bluetooth.
Such trackers are only effective within a specific range, beyond which they may give inaccurate location coordinates or no coordinates at all.
The SOS panic button matters. Any GPS tracker without a panic button makes it hard to know your child is in distress. Your child may be within the designated area, but they may be unsafe.
An SOS panic button adds an extra security measure that keeps your kid safe. Additionally, some trackers have parental control features, which is a bonus.
Using a GPS Tracker for Kids: What It’s Like
Using a GPS tracker for kids is easy. You only need to create an account with the tracker’s standalone app and choose a connection plan to activate your device. The next step is to start tracking. You can also customize your child’s GPS tracking to get alerts.
For instance, you can create virtual fences to create a safe zone in which your child can move freely. You can also customize the tracker to receive alerts whenever your child leaves the designated zones.
Moreover, you can track your child’s movement, especially when they’re heading to school, to ensure they arrive safely. All in all, buy a tracker that offers the most benefits at a reasonable price.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Net Vector/Shutterstock.com.
