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Wirecutter's top pick for younger kids: it's one of the most intuitive watches for kids and parents, has no camera, and School Mode still allows SOS calls. But texting only works through Verizon's app, location can be slow, and Wirecutter's unit never reached its rated battery life or survived a pool dip.
Subscription: Required: Verizon watch line, $10/mo; you don't need to be a Verizon phone customer (Wirecutter)
Top complaints
- Texting only through Verizon's app
Wirecutter says you can't text the watch's number from a normal phone: every contact who wants to text must install the app, and group texting is limited. One tester gave up because the child kept missing family group texts.
- Slow location and short battery
Wirecutter says location tracking can be inaccurate and slow to update and uses a lot of battery. Verizon rates the battery at up to 3.6 days of use, but Wirecutter's never lasted three days.
- Water damage and Verizon hassles
Wirecutter's earlier Gizmo Watch 3 stopped working after a short swim despite its IP68 rating, and some owners report watches cracking or breaking after contact with water. Wirecutter was billed for Verizon Mobile Protect after declining it, and calls Verizon's Gizmo privacy policy confusing.
What owners love
- Simple for kids and parents
Wirecutter calls it one of the most intuitive kids watches to use and manage, and says it works more reliably and feels better made than the other kids watches it tested.
- Few distractions
No camera, a few limited built-in games and no way to add apps. School Mode blocks calls, messages and games while still allowing SOS calls to a guardian (Wirecutter).
- Clear calls and lots of message options
Wirecutter found calls clear, and kids can send voice messages, emojis, 30 preset texts, typed texts or speech-to-text to up to 20 approved contacts. Calls from unapproved numbers don't connect.
- Your family relies on group texts
- Your child swims with it
- Your child is older and may find it childish
- Kids about 8 to 12
- Parents who want few distractions and no camera
- A low-cost first watch
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Best smartwatch for younger kids (updated 2026-08-11). Flaws: app-only texting, shorter-than-rated battery, slow location, only splash-proof in practice, and it may look too 'kiddie' for older kids.