The 5 Best Smartwatches for Kids: Reviewed and Ranked

Key Points

• Our #1 Best Overall smartwatch for kids is the Gabb Watch 2.
• While many kids can use a smartwatch from the age of 5, this will depend on your own child and their needs.
• With many of these smartwatches, your child will be able to track their activity, sleep, and location at any time. Many also allow texting and calling.
• Keep these criteria in mind before purchasing a kid’s smartwatch: age, durability, battery life, ease of use, and GPS capabilities.

If you’re a parent who wants to keep their child safe and connected, but without a cell phone (or in addition to a cell phone), a great way to do this is to give them a smartwatch. While some are more for games and fun, others offer messaging and GPS options.

After reviewing the options available on the market, our favorite choices for the best smartwatches for kids are as follows.

History Computer’s Top Picks for Best Smartwatches for Kids

#1 Best Overall Smartwatch for Kids: Gabb Watch 2

Best Overall

Gabb Watch 2

• GPS and tracking functionality
• 1.4-inch screen size
• Up to 25 parent-managed contacts
• 20 customizable text message presets, voice-messaging, and emojis

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The Gabb Watch 2 is our overall top smartwatch for kids for a few reasons. First, the watch targets kids between the ages of 5 and 11, which means it’s a great first smartwatch to start your child with. It’s also water resistant, has a 48-hour battery life, and offers cellular service with parental controls.

The watch is also fairly affordable since it starts at under $200. But it’s important to remember that you’ll also have to pay $14.99 each month for it to work as a cellular-type device. However, if you pay for a full year, you can get 50% off the watch itself.

The Gabb watch allows unlimited calls and texts like a cell phone would. But, they can only have up to 25 pre-approved contacts at one time. And, the watch blocks out the internet and social media apps.

There’s also a step counter for activity tracking and GPS tracking. When you set up the watch, you can create “Safe Zones” for your child, as well. Basically, setting this up will mean that you receive a text message whenever your child leaves or arrives at a location, like home or school.

A fun perk with this watch is that your child can also have a virtual pet. There are nine to choose from and the watch allows your child to raise and take care of it each day. So, if you liked Tamagotchi as a kid, this is pretty similar!

Best for Parents on a Budget: XPLORA X5 Play

Best for Parents on a Budget and Active Kids

XPLORA X5 Play

$149.99

• 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

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11/28/2023 05:17 am GMT

If you want to test out a smartwatch or aren’t ready to spend a lot of money for one, an affordable smartwatch for kids is the XPLORA X5 Play. First, the watch has its “GoPlay Platform,” which offers rewards to kids for being active.

This isn’t mandatory, but your kid could win virtual cash or rewards by running, swimming, walking, playing sports, and more. Next up, the smartwatch has a 50-contact contact list, which can be preset so your child can contact any of their trusted adults or friends.

And, the 1080p camera allows them to take photos and videos. Along with all of that, the smartwatch comes with an SOS button, GPS tracking, and more to keep your child safe or get themselves out of a situation they don’t want to be in.

Each of the contacts on the smartwatch can call and text it, as well as share photos, videos, and even music. And the SOS button can be pressed for 10 seconds if your child is in an emergency. If your child uses this, the watch will contact you first, and also notify the second emergency contact via text.

If you don’t answer, the watch will automatically dial the second emergency number. The watch won’t stop trying to reach you and the second contact until someone answers. This smartwatch may be cheaper than other options on this list, but its safety features are top-notch and can keep your child safe.

Best for Younger Kids: SPACETALK Adventurer 4G

Best for Younger Kids

SPACETALK Adventurer 4G

• Powered by Google Maps
• SOS feature
• Uses the 4G technology of AT&T, T-Mobile, and other virtual mobile operators
• Gorilla Glass touchscreen (IP67 water resistance)

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The SPACETALK Adventurer 4G is the best smartwatch for younger kids. Let’s be honest, younger kids can be rough with technology. So, you wouldn’t want to give your young child an expensive smartwatch that’s easy to break.

Its target ages are 5 to 12, and it has an IP67 waterproof rating, so it can last in water for up to 30 minutes. It also allows for video and voice calling, as well as texting if needed. What’s more, your child will only be able to contact pre-approved contacts, so you won’t have to worry about them reaching random people.

This smartwatch also offers real-time GPS tracking for parents, but that’s because it requires cellular service. This is $18 a month but includes unlimited text, talk, and data.

A few perks of this smartwatch include being able to set the phone to inactive while your child is in school or supposed to be asleep. It also doesn’t allow your child to access the internet or social media.

It also has a built-in SOS button that will notify you immediately if you’re their emergency contact or if your child removes the watch. And, of course, it’s not just a smartwatch for texting and calling! It also has a heart rate monitor and activity tracker.

Best for Tweens and Teens: Apple Watch SE

Best for Tweens and Teens

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

$241.50

• Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and Emergency SOS
• Fitness, heart rate, and sleep trackers
• Water-resistant up to 50 meters
• Send texts, make calls, and listen to music
• Increased performance through Apple’s S8 processor (20% faster)

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11/27/2023 07:11 am GMT

The Apple Watch SE is great for kids 12 and up. While many tweens and teens will be gearing up to get their first cell phone, or already have one, they can still benefit from a smartwatch. And this one has an IPX7 waterproof rating, so they can even swim with it!

Unlike some of the other smartwatches on this list, the SE offers apps and social media, so we recommend having parental controls set up if you don’t want your child to access them.

If you get your child the GPS + Cellular watch version, the watch will get its own number. However, you can still control who your child can communicate with and limit their access while in school or when they’re supposed to be asleep. You’ll also be able to track their location in real-time if they have the watch on.

A few other cool features include being able to play games and access music and other apps. And if you get the cellular version, you’ll need to add it to your phone plan. The price may vary, but you’ll typically pay anywhere from $10 to $25 per month.

Best for Taking Photos: PROGRACE Kids Smartwatch

Best for Taking Photos

PROGRACE Kids Smart Watch

$23.99

• 90-degree rotatable camera
• 1.54-inch IPS touchscreen
• 5 built-in games
•  Includes a health motion sensor

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11/27/2023 08:33 pm GMT

If you only want to get your child something that they can use for entertainment and fun while on the go, the PROGRACE Kids Smartwatch is your best bet. Before we talk about all that comes with the watch, though, it’s important to mention that it does not come with GPS tracking or an SOS button.

This option is a great starter watch for kids going to preschool and all the way up to age 12. It also offers many different features, including a step counter, built-in FM radio, and a slot for an SD card so your child can listen to their own music.

And, the watch has an earphone port, so you won’t be disturbed while your kid rocks out. The PROGARCE smartwatch also includes games, a rotatable camera, and a flashlight if your kiddo needs to get up in the middle of the night.

The camera can rotate 90 degrees, so your kiddo can even take selfies. And the pre-installed games include Ninja Run, Welcome the God of Wealth, Whac-A-Mole, and Brave Money. With the touchscreen, it’s easy to play them.

However, one of the only cons, besides the lack of tracking capabilities, is the clock on the watch. It can only be set to a 24-hour clock, which may be hard for young minds to keep track of. Overall, it’s still a fun-to-use smartwatch with features kids will love.

How to Pick the Best Smartwatches for Kids: Step by Step

When choosing a smartwatch for your kid, there are four main points to keep in mind:

• Age
• Durability
• Battery Life
• Ease of Use
• GPS

Let’s review these criteria in more detail.

Age

While every child is different, you should always try to follow the smartwatch’s manufacturer’s recommended age range. This is because watches with an older age range may be hard for a younger child to work with, and watches for younger kids may be too “young” for an older child that needs more functionality.

Durability

Kids’ items need to be tough and durable, especially if the kids are younger. No one wants to pay $100+ dollars just for their child to be able to break the gadget in less than a day.

So, be sure to look into the material of the watch, read reviews, and check its water-resistance and impact-absorbing options.

Battery Life

While most smartwatches can run for 48-72 hours on a single charge, others lose that battery life over time. Most kids aren’t going to remember to charge the watch every time it’s low, especially when they’re younger. So, be sure to choose one with the highest battery life possible.

Ease of Use

The watch needs to be easy to use, both for you as the parent and for your child. That way, they know how to operate it, including the SOS buttons and how to call someone. No one wants to deal with a hard-to-use tech device.

GPS

A GPS tracker may be on your must-have list, and for good reason. Especially for older kids who may need to go to activities, school, or home without their parents.

If knowing where your child is is important to you, only choose a watch that has GPS capabilities. But keep in mind that this may mean you have to pay a monthly fee to access those features.

What to Know Before Buying Smartwatches for Kids

Before you choose a smartwatch for your child, be sure that they are responsible enough to handle an electronic device. Also, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, including the age your child should be.

And, last but not least, always set up your own rules before gifting your child their new item, so they know how to properly use it!

Using Smartwatches for Kids: What It’s Like

Smartwatches can be a great way to introduce your child to technology and responsibility. And not only that, but many offer a way to keep your child safe and able to contact you should a need arise. If you’re thinking about using one of the best smartwatches for kids, we highly recommend the above options!

The image featured at the top of this post is ©New Africa/Shutterstock.com.