Top 5 Kids Smartwatches
with GPS and calling
Our #1 pick is the Gabb Watch 3e. A first “phone” that lives on the wrist. We compared the 5 best kids smartwatches on Amazon for calling, GPS tracking, parental controls and the monthly plan you’ll pay for.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 10, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
For most families, the Gabb Watch 3e is the kids smartwatch to buy. It gives your child their own phone number for calls, texts and group chats with parent-approved contacts only, real-time GPS with Safe Zone alerts, and an SOS button. It runs Gabb OS, which means no browser, no social media and no app store, so there is nothing on the wrist to scroll. It is built for ages 5 and up, with IP68 water resistance and Gorilla Glass 3.
If your child is sporty, the Garmin Bounce 2 adds Garmin’s GPS sports tracking for runs, rides and pool swims, plus two-way calling and texting through the Garmin Jr. app. Parents who want the deepest controls should look at the Cosmo JrTrack 5 SE, whose School-Fi mode limits distractions automatically when the watch arrives at school. On a tighter budget, the original Garmin Bounce keeps texting, voice messages and location tracking for much less, and the myFirst Fone S3+ adds video calling at the lowest price here.
Skip the Gabb if your child already has a phone, or if you mainly want fitness tracking. Every watch here needs a monthly service plan for calls and GPS, so the true cost is the watch plus the plan. Also note that kids watches as a category get mixed owner reviews: the common complaints are connection drops in weak coverage areas and battery life that falls short with heavy use. Read the plan terms and the return window before you buy.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Overall Gabb Watch 3e Kids phone watch |  Best for Active Kids Garmin Bounce 2 LTE kids smartwatch |  Best Parental Controls Cosmo JrTrack 5 SE Kids phone watch |  Best Value Garmin Garmin Bounce LTE kids smartwatch |  Best Budget myFirst Fone S3+ 4G video-call watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 90 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 85 / 100 | 82 / 100 |
| Best for | A first phone with no internet | Sporty kids who run, ride and swim | Parents who want school-day limits | Texting and tracking on a budget | Video calls at the lowest price |
| Typical price (checked October 10, 2026) | $210–$240 | $280–$300 | $120–$140 | $110–$150 | $60–$80 |
| Communication | Calls, texts, group chat | Calls, texts, voice messages | Calls, SMS/MMS, video messages | Texts and voice messages | Voice and video calls |
| Suggested age | 5+ | See listing | 6+ | See listing | See listing |
| Service plan | Gabb plan required | Garmin LTE subscription | Cosmo plan required | Garmin LTE subscription | eSIM, myFirst plan |
| Battery life | See listing | Up to 2 days | See listing | Up to 2 days | See listing |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Overall
Gabb Watch 3e
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $210–$240 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)The Gabb Watch 3e works most like a real first phone. The listing says kids get their own number for calls, texts and group chat, but only with contacts a parent approves in the MyGabb app. GPS updates in real time, Safe Zones alert you when your child arrives or leaves, and one press of SOS alerts a parent. There is no browser, social media or app store, which is the main reason parents pick Gabb. It is IP68 water resistant with Gorilla Glass 3, and it charges on a magnetic pad. The trade-offs: it needs a Gabb plan, and owners report mixed battery life.
Pros- Own number for real calls and texts with approved contacts
- No internet, apps or social media at all
- IP68 and Gorilla Glass 3 for rough play
Cons- Needs a Gabb service plan on top of the watch price
- Owners report battery life varies with heavy GPS use
- Pricier than budget phone watches
- 2. Best for Active Kids
Garmin Bounce 2
BeastScore 88 / 100Typically $280–$300 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)The Bounce 2 is the kids watch for families who already trust Garmin. The listing says it adds two-way calling to the original Bounce’s texting and voice messages, all through the Garmin Jr. app on a parent’s phone. Location tracking comes with boundary alerts, and the assistance feature sends live location and calls family contacts. Its edge is the built-in GPS sports apps for running, biking and pool swimming. Battery is rated up to 2 days, and Garmin manages the LTE plan, so you don’t switch carriers. It is the most expensive watch here, and owner reviews so far are mixed.
Pros- Real calling plus texts and voice messages
- Garmin GPS sports tracking for runs, rides and swims
- Up to 2 days of battery, LTE plan handled by Garmin
Cons- Most expensive watch in this guide
- Calls and tracking need an active Garmin subscription
- Mixed early owner reviews
- 3. Best Parental Controls
Cosmo JrTrack 5 SE
BeastScore 86 / 100Typically $120–$140 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)The JrTrack 5 SE has the most detailed controls on this list. Its headline feature, School-Fi, recognizes when your child arrives at school and limits distractions automatically, with no schedule to set. The listing says it supports real SMS and MMS texts, calls, photos, voice notes and video messages, and only parent-approved contacts can reach it. A dedicated location chip powers real-time tracking, Safe Zones and location history. Parents can add apps from a kid-safe library, set time limits and read text history. It is newer, with a smaller pool of owner reviews, and it needs a Cosmo plan.
Pros- School-Fi limits distractions automatically at school
- Parents can see texts and manage apps and time limits
- SOS plus optional 911 calling
Cons- Newer model with fewer owner reviews to go on
- Needs a Cosmo service plan
- Battery life is not stated on the listing
- 4. Best Value Garmin
Garmin Bounce
BeastScore 85 / 100Typically $110–$150 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)The original Bounce is the best-reviewed watch here and costs far less than the Bounce 2. The listing says it handles two-way text and voice messages between the watch and the Garmin Jr. app, with real-time location and alerts when your child enters or leaves set boundaries. The Assistance feature sends a message with live location to family contacts. It is swim-friendly, has a bright color touchscreen and lasts up to 2 days per charge. The big gap: there are no live voice calls, only voice messages. If you just need to send “come home for dinner,” that is enough.
Pros- Much cheaper than the Bounce 2
- Swim-friendly, tough build with a color touchscreen
- Up to 2 days of battery life
Cons- No live phone calls, only voice and text messages
- Needs an active Garmin LTE subscription
- 5. Best Budget
myFirst Fone S3+
BeastScore 82 / 100Typically $60–$80 on Amazon (checked October 10, 2026)The myFirst Fone S3+ is the cheapest way to get video calling on a kid’s wrist. The listing says it has a built-in eSIM for instant activation and includes a first month of service. One press of SOS sends parents an alert with a 30-second sound recording and live location. Kids chat with approved family and friends in the closed myFirst Circle app, with no ads and no unknown contacts. It also has a heart rate alert and an MP3 player for offline music. It is the North America version. Owner reviews are mixed, so watch the return window.
Pros- Video calling for a fraction of the Garmin price
- eSIM activation with no physical SIM to manage
- SOS sends an alert plus a short sound recording
Cons- Mixed owner reviews on reliability
- Plan continues after the free first month
- Camera and music are distractions some parents won’t want
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Gabb Watch 3e. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Calling & textingGabb Watch 3e · 9.2/10
- GPS trackingGarmin Bounce 2 · 9.4/10
- Parental controlsCosmo JrTrack 5 SE · 9.4/10
- DurabilityGabb Watch 3e · 9.0/10
- Battery lifeTie
- ValuemyFirst Fone S3+ · 9.2/10
Gabb Watch 3e
Real calls and texts with approved contacts, GPS and SOS, and no internet at all.
- Own phone number
- No apps or browser
- IP68 + Gorilla Glass 3
Quick tips before you buy
Every watch here needs a monthly plan for calls and GPS. Add a year of service to the price before you compare.
Pick a watch where only parent-approved numbers can call or text. All five picks here work that way.
Live GPS drains batteries fast. Make charging part of the bedtime routine so the watch lasts the school day.
Kids forget to take watches off. IP68 or a swim-friendly rating saves you from a dead watch after bath time.
Quick answers
What is the best smartwatch for kids with GPS and calling?+
The Gabb Watch 3e is our top pick. It gives kids their own number for calls and texts with parent-approved contacts, real-time GPS with Safe Zones, and no internet. The Garmin Bounce 2 is the pick for sporty kids.
Do kids smartwatches need a phone plan?+
Yes. Calling, texting and live GPS all need cellular service. Gabb, Cosmo and myFirst sell their own plans, and Garmin manages the LTE subscription for the Bounce watches. Budget for the plan as well as the watch.
What age is right for a kids smartwatch?+
Most are designed for roughly ages 5 to 12. Gabb says 5 and up, and Cosmo says 6 and up. Around 5 to 7 is when many kids start walking to friends’ houses or going to after-school clubs alone.
Can kids use a smartwatch at school?+
Many schools allow them if they are quiet in class. The Cosmo JrTrack 5 SE limits distractions automatically at school, and Gabb has a Focus Time setting. Check your school’s policy first.
Can strangers call a kids smartwatch?+
Not on the watches here. Calls and messages only work with contacts a parent approves in the app, and unknown numbers are blocked.
Is a kids smartwatch better than a first phone?+
For younger kids, usually yes. A watch gives you calling and location without a browser, social media or app store, and it is harder to lose than a phone. Older kids who need group chats and apps may outgrow it.
Garmin Bounce vs Bounce 2: what is the difference?+
The Bounce 2 adds live two-way calling and GPS sports apps for running, biking and swimming. The original Bounce only does text and voice messages, but costs much less and has a stronger owner track record.
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