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Parents' pick for sound quality: calls and video messages sounded like a phone, and location history can go back three months. Wirecutter found the app a pain to set up, live location slow to refresh and the touchscreen glitchy, and battery life is the main con in both reviews. TickTalk's own site now promotes the newer TickTalk 6.
Subscription: Required: TickTalk wireless on AT&T or T-Mobile networks, about $10/mo (Parents); TickTalk's site lists $9.99 and $19.99/mo plans
Top complaints
- Battery drains fast with use
Parents lists limited battery life as its con, saying it can drain very quickly depending on use. Wirecutter notes the radio can drain the battery, which is why you can limit it with parental controls.
- App setup and live location are clunky
Wirecutter says the TickTalk app can be a pain to set up, is more basic than Gizmo's, and doesn't let you refresh and see the child's live location quickly. Parents' tester, by contrast, set it up in under 10 minutes.
- Glitchy touchscreen
Wirecutter found the touchscreen sometimes too sensitive and other times not responsive at all.
What owners love
- Phone-quality calls
Parents says calls and video messages were crisp, and its tester said 'It sounded like he was calling me from a phone.' Wirecutter notes calls, texts and video calls with up to 53 contacts.
- Detailed location history
Parents found real-time tracking accurate and could store up to three months of location history.
- Music and direct texting
Wirecutter says iHeartRadio Family comes free and can be limited to Wi-Fi, and a recent update lets you text the watch directly without the app (not yet tested by Wirecutter).
- You need all-day battery with heavy use
- You want to check live location instantly
- You'd rather have the newer TickTalk 6
- Kids who will make lots of voice and video calls
- Kids who want music (iHeartRadio Family included)
- Parents who want long location history
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Parents: Best sound quality (updated 2026-09-23): clear sound, reliable tracking and easy setup. The con is limited battery life.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Worth considering if your kid wants music (updated 2026-08-11), but the app is basic and hard to set up, and the touchscreen was glitchy.