Key takeaways
- Approved contacts: Some watches allow only parent-added numbers, while others can communicate with a companion app or other watch users.
- Voice versus video: Video calling uses more battery and data. It is helpful for occasional reassurance but may be unnecessary for a young child.
- Standalone cellular service: A watch with LTE can call when away from a parent’s phone, but it needs an active plan and compatible coverage.
- Emergency behavior: Learn exactly what happens when the child presses the emergency button, which adults are contacted, and whether location is included.
The best kids smartwatches for calling and everyday use depend on whether your priority is simple parent-approved communication, reliable location sharing, long battery life, or the lowest ongoing cost.
For most families, Garmin Bounce is a balanced choice for younger children who need calling, messaging, GPS location, and school-friendly controls. Apple Watch SE is the strongest option for an older child already in an iPhone household, while Xplora X6Play and TickTalk 5 focus more specifically on child-safe calling and location features. The right pick is less about having the most apps and more about matching the watch to your child’s independence and your willingness to manage a cellular plan.
Our top picks
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Best kids smartwatches at a glance
| Watch | Best for | Calling and messaging | Location features | Typical battery claim | Ongoing cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Bounce | Young children gaining independence | Voice calling and text messaging through approved contacts | GPS location, location assistance, and guardian-controlled contacts | Up to about 2 days, depending on use | Usually about $10–$15 per month for LTE service |
| Apple Watch SE | Older children in an iPhone family | Calls, messages, and emergency communication through Apple’s Family Setup where supported | GPS, location sharing, and Find My features | About 18 hours under typical stated conditions | Watch purchase plus a compatible cellular plan, commonly about $10–$25 per month |
| Xplora X6Play | Children who need restricted communication | Calls and messages with parent-approved contacts; no open social-media inbox | GPS tracking, safe zones, and location history depending on service plan | Often around 1–2 days, depending on tracking and call frequency | Commonly about $10–$20 per month, varying by country and plan |
| TickTalk 5 | Families wanting more calling and messaging flexibility | Voice and video calling, messaging, and approved-contact controls | GPS location and geofencing through the companion app | Often about 1 day with regular cellular use | Commonly about $10–$20 per month, depending on carrier arrangement |
Battery figures are manufacturer-style estimates rather than guarantees. Frequent calls, video, live location tracking, weak cellular reception, and cold weather can reduce runtime substantially. Cellular compatibility and service pricing also vary by country, so confirm coverage before buying.
Which kids smartwatch is best for each family?
Best balanced choice: Garmin Bounce
Garmin Bounce suits a child who is ready to walk to a friend’s house, attend activities, or spend short periods away from a parent but does not need a general-purpose smartphone. It supports parent-managed contacts, calls, text messaging, GPS location, and safety-oriented controls without presenting the full distraction of an app store.
Its approximately two-day battery target is useful for school routines, although families should still charge it overnight. Garmin’s familiar sports-watch design may also appeal to children who want an activity tracker rather than a device that feels like a phone. The main limitation is that LTE service is required for calling and location away from Wi-Fi, and the watch is not a substitute for a fully featured smartphone.
Best for an iPhone family: Apple Watch SE
Choose the cellular Apple Watch SE when the adults already use iPhones and want strong integration with contacts, location sharing, emergency functions, and family account management. It has the broadest everyday smartwatch experience in this group, including activity tracking, alarms, timers, and a large ecosystem of apps.
The trade-off is ownership complexity. Battery life is generally shorter than child-focused watches, and the watch may require daily charging. Family Setup availability depends on country, carrier, and Apple hardware requirements. It is also easier for an older child to encounter a wider range of notifications and functions, so parents should configure contacts, app access, communication limits, and school-time settings before handing it over.
Best for restricted communication: Xplora X6Play
Xplora is designed around the idea that a child can call trusted people without receiving unrestricted internet access. Approved contacts, school mode, GPS location, and safe zones are more central to the product than entertainment apps. That makes it a practical choice for a first connected device, particularly for children who are not ready for a smartphone.
Check the precise service package before purchase. Some functions, such as location history or certain family features, can depend on the subscription tier. GPS should be treated as an outdoor location aid rather than a room-by-room locator: buildings, dense neighborhoods, and indoor settings can produce delayed or less precise positions.
Best for frequent two-way communication: TickTalk 5
TickTalk 5 is aimed at families who want more communication options, including voice and video calling, while retaining an approved-contact list. Its larger feature set can be useful for children who regularly move between school, activities, and multiple caregivers.
More communication features also mean more charging pressure. A child who makes frequent calls or uses video can use a full day’s battery faster than a child who only checks in briefly. Parents should establish a charging routine and confirm that the service plan works on the intended cellular network.
Calling options: what matters more than the contact list
“Calling” can mean different things across children’s watches. Before comparing models, check these four details:
- Approved contacts: Some watches allow only parent-added numbers, while others can communicate with a companion app or other watch users.
- Voice versus video: Video calling uses more battery and data. It is helpful for occasional reassurance but may be unnecessary for a young child.
- Standalone cellular service: A watch with LTE can call when away from a parent’s phone, but it needs an active plan and compatible coverage.
- Emergency behavior: Learn exactly what happens when the child presses the emergency button, which adults are contacted, and whether location is included.
A child who only needs “I arrived” and “Please pick me up” may be better served by a restricted voice-and-text watch than by a model with video, games, and a large app ecosystem.
Location features: useful, but not continuous certainty
GPS location is most useful for checking whether a child reached school, a sports practice, or a known destination. Safe zones can notify a parent when a watch enters or leaves a defined area. These features are less dependable inside large buildings, underground spaces, or areas with poor cellular service.
Location tracking also affects battery life. For example, suppose a watch lasts 36 hours with light use but only 20 hours when location updates and calls are frequent. If it is worn for 12 hours each weekday, the family may need a daily evening charge plus an occasional midday top-up. That charging routine is more important in practice than a headline battery number.
Durability and comfort for everyday wear
Most children’s watches use a plastic or polymer case, silicone strap, and a glass touchscreen. These materials keep weight down, but the strap and charging connection are usually the first parts to show wear. A rough size guide looks like this:
| Specification | Practical range to expect | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Case width | About 40–46 mm | Larger screens are easier to read but can feel bulky on a small wrist |
| Weight | About 40–60 g | Heavier watches may be uncomfortable during sleep or sports |
| Strap material | Usually silicone or TPU | Flexible and washable, but vulnerable to stretching and tearing |
| Water resistance | Often rated for splashes or shallow water, not diving | Water resistance does not guarantee protection from soap, saltwater, or impact |
Look for a secure buckle, a replaceable strap, and a charging port that is easy to keep dry. Wipe sweat and dirt from the case and strap with a slightly damp cloth, then dry them before charging. Do not charge a wet watch, and do not assume a water-resistant rating covers swimming unless the manufacturer explicitly says so.
Monthly fees and the real first-year cost
A cellular watch has two costs: the hardware and the service. A $150 watch with a $15 monthly plan costs approximately $330 before taxes and activation charges in the first year:
$150 hardware + ($15 × 12 months) = $330.
A $250 watch with a $10 monthly plan would cost about $370 over the same period. The cheaper-looking device is not automatically the cheaper choice, especially if it requires a more expensive plan or has features your family will not use. Ask whether the plan includes calls, messages, GPS updates, roaming, replacement service, and cancellation without a long commitment.
A simple decision guide
- Choose Garmin Bounce if you want a balanced first watch with calling, GPS, and activity features.
- Choose Apple Watch SE if your family uses iPhones and your child is old enough for a broader smartwatch experience.
- Choose Xplora X6Play if restricted contacts and reduced smartphone-like distraction are the priorities.
- Choose TickTalk 5 if frequent voice or video communication matters more than maximum battery life.
Whichever model you choose, set up the contact list, school mode, emergency process, location permissions, and charging routine together with your child. The best kids smartwatches are the ones a child can wear comfortably, operate safely, and keep charged when the family actually needs to reach them.
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