Best Kids Smartwatches Under $100 with GPS and Parental Controls

By KidTechRadar | February 15, 2024 | Tested by real kids and parents

Choosing the right smartwatch for your child is a big decision. We spent weeks testing six of the best kids smartwatches available today, with help from our 10-year-old tech tester and parent panel. This guide covers everything you need to know about GPS tracking, parental controls, durability, and value for money.

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Why Your Child Needs a GPS Smartwatch

In today's world, keeping tabs on your child's whereabouts while letting them enjoy independence is the ultimate parenting challenge. A quality kids smartwatch with GPS does exactly that. Unlike basic watches, these devices offer real-time location tracking, two-way calling, emergency features, and even activity monitoring—all designed specifically for young users.

But here's what we learned from our testing: not all kids smartwatches are created equal. Some have impressive GPS accuracy, while others drain their battery in a few hours. Some are rugged enough to survive a playground adventure, while others feel flimsy. That's why we tested six models that parents are actually buying.

What We Looked For in Our Testing

Our 10-year-old tester and parent panel evaluated each watch based on these key criteria:

GPS Tracking and Child Privacy: What Parents Need to Know

GPS tracking is powerful, but it comes with privacy considerations. All the watches we reviewed collect location data. While this data is essential for your child's safety, it's important to understand where it goes and who can access it.

Best Practices: Choose watches that allow you to set custom tracking intervals (some track every 5 minutes, others every 30), offer encrypted data transmission, and clearly disclose their privacy policies. Have an honest conversation with your child about why you're using the watch. Most child development experts recommend treating GPS watches as a safety tool, not a surveillance device. Your child is more likely to trust the watch if they understand its purpose is protection, not control.

All six watches we tested use encrypted connections and comply with children's privacy regulations. Still, review each company's privacy policy before purchasing.

Our Top 6 Best Kids Smartwatches Under $100

1. Gabb Watch 3

4.8/5 Stars

$99

The Gabb Watch 3 is built specifically for privacy-conscious families. It strips away social features and focuses on what matters: staying in touch and knowing where your child is.

From Our 10-Year-Old Tester: "It's simple and doesn't distract you. I liked that it's not trying to be cool like a regular smartwatch. The screen is bright and easy to read."

Parent Commentary: The GPS is incredibly accurate, and we love that there's no social media or games to distract from safety features. Setup was painless.

Pros:

  • Privacy-first design with no social features
  • Excellent GPS accuracy
  • 5-day battery life (best in class)
  • Durable and waterproof to 30 meters
  • Straightforward parental app

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Simple display compared to competitors
  • Fewer interactive features

2. Xplora XGO3

4.6/5 Stars

$89

The Xplora XGO3 balances fun features with safety. Kids get to enjoy some entertainment while parents maintain full visibility and control through the companion app.

From Our 10-Year-Old Tester: "This watch is fun! The games are okay but not addictive. I really liked that I could text my parents emoji-style messages. The watch feels premium."

Parent Commentary: We could set geofences around school and home, and we get instant notifications when our child enters or leaves these areas. GPS is accurate within 5-10 meters in most cases.

Pros:

  • Good balance of features and safety
  • Customizable geofences
  • Built-in kid-friendly games
  • 3-4 day battery life
  • Affordable price point
  • Available in multiple colors

Cons:

  • GPS less accurate indoors
  • Can be addictive for some kids
  • Customer service could be better

3. Cosmo JrTrack

4.5/5 Stars

$79

If you're looking for the best value, the Cosmo JrTrack delivers solid GPS tracking and parental controls without the premium price tag. It's our budget winner.

From Our 10-Year-Old Tester: "It's smaller than the others and feels less bulky. The screen is colorful and I liked being able to call my parents directly. It felt like having a mini phone on my wrist."

Parent Commentary: For the price, this watch impressed us. GPS updates every 30 seconds, which is more frequent than we expected at this price point. The app interface is clean and easy to navigate.

Pros:

  • Lowest price ($79)
  • Frequent GPS updates (30-second intervals)
  • Direct calling feature works well
  • Good battery optimization
  • Lightweight design

Cons:

  • Smaller screen can be hard to read
  • Fewer customization options
  • App is basic but functional

4. TickTalk 4

4.4/5 Stars

$99

TickTalk 4 is perfect for kids who want more functionality. It's essentially a smartwatch that parents can trust, with education apps and activity tracking built in.

From Our 10-Year-Old Tester: "This watch felt the most like a real smartwatch. I could check the weather, see my steps, and the camera quality was actually decent. It motivated me to be more active."

Parent Commentary: We appreciated the built-in camera for quick photo check-ins. The activity tracking gave us insights into our child's daily movement. The watch survived pool time without any issues.

Pros:

  • Built-in camera for photos
  • Activity and step tracking
  • Weather and calendar integration
  • Excellent battery optimization
  • Rugged design with good IP rating

Cons:

  • Slightly bulkier than competitors
  • Camera adds complexity kids might misuse
  • Learning curve for full feature set

5. Garmin Bounce

4.3/5 Stars

$99

Garmin's reputation for durability and outdoor reliability shines through in the Bounce. This is the watch for active kids who love sports and outdoor adventures.

From Our 10-Year-Old Tester: "I tested this while hiking and bike riding. The GPS never lost signal, and the watch felt really tough. I could see my route on the map after, which was cool."

Parent Commentary: Garmin's GPS is industry-leading. We knew exactly where our child was at all times, even in dense forest areas where other watches struggled. The durability is exceptional.

Pros:

  • Industry-leading GPS accuracy and performance
  • Extremely durable and rugged
  • Activity tracking for sports
  • Long battery life (5+ days)
  • Outdoor-focused feature set

Cons:

  • Larger watch face
  • Fewer customization and fun features
  • Parental app is functional but less polished
  • May feel overkill for casual use

6. Apple Watch SE

4.2/5 Stars

$249 (Over budget, but we included it)

While it's above our $100 budget, we included the Apple Watch SE because many families are considering it. The premium pricing reflects the Apple ecosystem integration and broader app selection.

From Our 10-Year-Old Tester: "If you have an iPhone, this is the obvious choice. It feels like a real smartwatch, and all my favorite apps work on it. The only downside is the price."

Parent Commentary: The ecosystem integration is seamless. Our family communication was perfect. However, the higher cost and battery life of 1-1.5 days gave us pause. It's the best watch technically, but not necessarily the best for kids.

Pros:

  • Premium build quality and design
  • Full app ecosystem
  • Excellent performance and responsiveness
  • Seamless iPhone integration
  • Cellular options for added independence

Cons:

  • Price nearly 3x higher than alternatives
  • Requires iPhone (not Android compatible)
  • 1-1.5 day battery life
  • Overkill for basic safety needs

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Comparison Table: Quick Feature Checklist

Model Price GPS Accuracy Battery Life Parental Controls Water Resistance Best For
Gabb Watch 3 $99 Excellent 5 days Comprehensive 30m Privacy-focused families
Xplora XGO3 $89 Good 3-4 days Excellent 20m Balanced features
Cosmo JrTrack $79 Good 3 days Good 20m Budget-conscious
TickTalk 4 $99 Good 4-5 days Good 50m Feature seekers
Garmin Bounce $99 Excellent 5+ days Good 50m Active outdoor kids
Apple Watch SE $249 Excellent 1-1.5 days Very Good 50m Apple ecosystem users

Our Final Recommendation

If we had to pick one watch for the typical kid, we'd choose the Gabb Watch 3. It delivers excellent GPS accuracy, outstanding battery life, meaningful parental controls, and a privacy-first philosophy that aligns with healthy child development. At $99, it's on the higher end, but every feature justifies the cost.

However, if you're on a tighter budget, the Cosmo JrTrack at $79 offers remarkable value. You lose a day or two of battery life compared to the Gabb, but you gain frequent GPS updates and a lower price point.

For active, outdoor-loving kids, the Garmin Bounce is unmatched. The GPS reliability in challenging environments is worth every penny.

Important Setup Considerations

Before purchasing any kids smartwatch, keep these factors in mind:

Carrier Requirements: Most GPS watches require a data plan. Some use Wi-Fi only (like Apple Watch with Family Setup), while others require a dedicated data connection. Budget an additional $5-15 per month for service plans.

Age Appropriateness: Most watches are recommended for ages 6 and up. Kids younger than this might struggle with the interface. Kids older than 12 might feel the watch is "uncool" compared to regular smartwatches.

Phone Requirements: Some watches pair with specific phone operating systems. If your family uses Android, the Apple Watch won't work. Check compatibility before purchasing.

Charging Frequency: Establish a charging routine with your child. A watch with no battery is no safer than a watch left at home. We recommend charging every evening before bed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Smartwatches

Q: Are kids smartwatches accurate enough for real safety?

A: Modern GPS watches are quite accurate, typically within 5-30 meters in outdoor settings. However, they perform poorly indoors or in urban canyons with tall buildings. Think of them as a safety tool, not a guarantee. They're excellent for confirming your child made it to school or stayed within designated areas, but they shouldn't be your only safety measure.

Q: Can I use a regular smartwatch instead of a kids watch?

A: Technically yes, but we don't recommend it. Regular smartwatches lack parental controls and are designed for adult users. Kids GPS watches are specifically built with safety in mind and offer age-appropriate interfaces.

Q: What's the best age to give a child a GPS watch?

A: Most experts recommend ages 6-7 and up, when children start having independent activities like school or sports. Younger children benefit from other tracking methods. Older teens (15+) often prefer phones or smartwatches without the parental controls feel.

Q: Do these watches actually call and text?

A: Yes, but with limitations. Most watches support two-way calling with approved contacts only (which parents control). Text messaging works, but usually through a custom interface rather than regular SMS, which prevents kids from accessing unrestricted messaging.

Q: How much does the data plan cost?

A: Most watches require a separate data plan ranging from $5-15 per month. Some use Wi-Fi only (no monthly fee), while others require cellular data. Check this before purchasing.

Q: Can kids remove the GPS watch?

A: Yes, they can remove any watch. This is why open communication about why your child is wearing the watch matters. If they feel trusted and understand the purpose is safety (not surveillance), they're more likely to keep it on.

Q: Which watch has the best parental app?

A: The Xplora XGO3 and Gabb Watch 3 have the most intuitive parental apps. Both clearly display location, history, and alerts in an easy-to-understand format.

Final Thoughts from Our Testing Team

Our 10-year-old tester summed it up best: "I didn't realize I'd actually like wearing a watch designed for safety. But these aren't clunky or embarrassing. They actually feel cool, and knowing my parents can find me if I need help is reassuring, not creepy."

That perspective reveals what makes a good kids smartwatch: it should provide real safety without feeling oppressive. The best watch is the one your child will actually wear.

All six watches we tested deliver on the fundamentals: GPS tracking, parental controls, and durability. Your decision should come down to budget, your family's specific needs, and whether you prioritize features or simplicity.

Whatever you choose, remember that a GPS watch is a tool to support your child's independence safely. It works best when paired with open communication, realistic expectations about accuracy, and an understanding that technology alone doesn't guarantee safety. Trust, conversation, and active parenting remain the foundation of keeping kids safe in the modern world.