ConsFirst / Kids' smartwatches / Compare
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) vs Garmin Bounce 2
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on calls & messages. Garmin Bounce 2 wins on battery.
The biggest complaint about the Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) is battery may not last the day; for the Garmin Bounce 2 it's message delays and dropped calls. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) | Garmin Bounce 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in kids' smartwatches | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Parent-managed smartwatch | Cellular kids watch |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | — | 32% |
| Overall score | 3.7 | 3.4 |
| Location accuracy | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Calls & messages | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Parental controls | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Battery | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Plan cost | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $120 · $$ $120–250 · $$$ over $250 (watch only, before the plan). Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular)
- Battery may not last the day
Apple rates it at up to 18 hours. Tom's Guide says it often doesn't last the full 18 hours, and Wirecutter says it can run out before the day ends if a child messages friends and uses apps a lot. Parents' tester got a full day with average use.
- More distraction than kid-only watches
Wirecutter says kids can use Siri to find apps and games, join group chats and view photos and videos. You can block downloads and Siri, but kids can exit Schooltime with the crown, group chats can't be turned off, and per-app time limits aren't available.
- Pricey to break, confusing to set up
Wirecutter's tester's then-10-year-old scratched the screen within two weeks. Wirecutter also found parental controls more confusing to set up, since they're split between Screen Time and the Watch app. Tom's Guide notes most health features are switched off when the watch is assigned to a child.
Garmin Bounce 2
- Message delays and dropped calls
Amazon's review summary says communication is mixed, with some owners reporting message and call problems. Low-star Walmart reviews describe significant lag between messages, horrible LTE, and calls and texts that rarely went through. Wirecutter isn't a fan of the communication either, since you can only send and receive calls and texts through the app.
- Battery shorter than hoped
Amazon's summary says battery life is mixed, with some owners saying it dropped from a week to 1-2 days. Several Walmart reviewers complain of short battery life. Parents lists up to 2 days.
- Expensive, and some screens are hard to read
Wirecutter says it's about as expensive as the Apple Watch SE 3, and Parents notes it isn't a budget pick. Parents also says the round screen sometimes cuts off text. Amazon's summary calls value mixed, and one Walmart reviewer says the GPS was always way off.
Who should pick which
Pick the Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular) if
Older kids and teens in iPhone families
Normal texting and family group chats
A watch that doesn't look 'babyish'
Skip it if: You use an Android phone; Your child is rough on gear or likely to lose it; You want a watch with few distractions
Pick the Garmin Bounce 2 if
Parents who mainly want accurate, real-time location
Active kids (workout tracking, swim-proof)
Families on Android or iPhone
Skip it if: You want relatives to text the watch from their normal messaging app; You're on a tight budget; You need dependable messaging in weak-signal areas
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