ConsFirst / Kids' smartwatches / Compare
TickTalk 5 vs Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 - Adventure
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
TickTalk 5 ranks higher (#2 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on location accuracy, calls & messages. Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 - Adventure wins on parental controls, battery.
The biggest complaint about the TickTalk 5 is battery drains fast with use; for the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 - Adventure it's texting only through verizon's app. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| TickTalk 5 | Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 - Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in kids' smartwatches | #2 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$ | $ |
| Type | Cellular kids watch | Cellular kids watch |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | — | — |
| Overall score | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| Location accuracy | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Calls & messages | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Parental controls | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Battery | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Plan cost | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $120 · $$ $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
TickTalk 5
- 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.
Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 - Adventure
- 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.
Who should pick which
Pick the TickTalk 5 if
Kids who will make lots of voice and video calls
Kids who want music (iHeartRadio Family included)
Parents who want long location history
Skip it if: You need all-day battery with heavy use; You want to check live location instantly; You'd rather have the newer TickTalk 6
Pick the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 - Adventure if
Kids about 8 to 12
Parents who want few distractions and no camera
A low-cost first watch
Skip it if: Your family relies on group texts; Your child swims with it; Your child is older and may find it childish
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