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Kids & Family · Buying guide

Best Kids Smartwatch for Calling & Texting in 2026

Plenty of parents want a way to reach their child without handing over a smartphone. A kids smartwatch can cover that, but communication features differ significantly from one model to the next.

Before choosing, it is worth checking voice calling, text messaging, video calling, emergency communication and the parental controls around contacts and school hours. This page compares only capabilities Buybili has verified — anything unconfirmed is shown as “Not verified” rather than a Yes or a No.

Take the 2-Minute Kids Smartwatch Quiz Compare All Kids Smartwatches

Quick picks

Each label comes from the product's positioning in Buybili's verified dataset.

Best for Communication

TickTalk 5

Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Video calling: Yes.

Best First Smartwatch / Younger Kids

Gabb Watch 3e

Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Video calling: Not verified.

Best Value / GPS Safety

COSMO JrTrack 5 SE

Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Video calling: Not verified.

Best for Content Monitoring

Bark Watch

Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Video calling: Not verified.

Best for Active Kids

Garmin Bounce 2

Voice calling: Not verified · Text messaging: Yes · Video calling: Not verified.

Best for Fitness & Games

Fitbit Ace LTE

Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Video calling: Not verified.

Best for Apple Families / Older Kids

Apple Watch SE 3 GPS + Cellular

Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Video calling: Not verified.

Communication comparison: 7 kids smartwatches

Where a specification has not been verified, it shows “Not verified” — never No.

Gabb Watch 3e

Voice calling
Yes
Text messaging
Yes
Video calling
Not verified
Direct 911 calling
Not verified
GPS
Yes
Safe zones / geofencing
Yes
School mode
Yes
Open web browser
No
Social media
No
Monthly service requirement
Required (Gabb service plan)

Garmin Bounce 2

Voice calling
Not verified
Text messaging
Yes
Video calling
Not verified
Direct 911 calling
Not verified
GPS
Yes
Safe zones / geofencing
Yes
School mode
Yes
Open web browser
No
Social media
No
Monthly service requirement
Required (Garmin LTE subscription)

Fitbit Ace LTE

Voice calling
Yes
Text messaging
Yes
Video calling
Not verified
Direct 911 calling
Not verified
GPS
Yes
Safe zones / geofencing
Yes
School mode
Yes
Open web browser
No
Social media
No
Monthly service requirement
Required (Ace Pass subscription)

TickTalk 5

Voice calling
Yes
Text messaging
Yes
Video calling
Yes
Direct 911 calling
Yes
GPS
Yes
Safe zones / geofencing
Yes
School mode
Yes
Open web browser
No
Social media
No
Monthly service requirement
Required (TickTalk service plan)

Bark Watch

Voice calling
Yes
Text messaging
Yes
Video calling
Not verified
Direct 911 calling
Yes
GPS
Yes
Safe zones / geofencing
Not verified
School mode
Not verified
Open web browser
No
Social media
No
Monthly service requirement
Required (Bark service plan)

COSMO JrTrack 5 SE

Voice calling
Yes
Text messaging
Yes
Video calling
Not verified
Direct 911 calling
Yes
GPS
Yes
Safe zones / geofencing
Yes
School mode
Yes
Open web browser
No
Social media
No
Monthly service requirement
Required (COSMO service plan)

Apple Watch SE 3 GPS + Cellular

Voice calling
Yes
Text messaging
Yes
Video calling
Not verified
Direct 911 calling
Yes
GPS
Yes
Safe zones / geofencing
Yes
School mode
Yes
Open web browser
Not verified
Social media
Not verified
Monthly service requirement
Required (Cellular plan required for Family Setup)

Which watch is best for communication?

  • Most communication options: TickTalk 5
  • Simple communication for younger kids: Gabb Watch 3e
  • Communication + parental content monitoring: Bark Watch
  • GPS-focused alternative: COSMO JrTrack 5 SE
  • Apple ecosystem: Apple Watch SE 3 GPS + Cellular

Not sure which watch fits your child?

Take the 2-Minute Kids Smartwatch Quiz →

The 7 watches in detail

Gabb Watch 3e

Best for: Best First Smartwatch / Younger Kids

A simple, tightly closed first device for younger kids. It runs on gabb service plan within the Dedicated kids-watch service ecosystem, with location shown as gps location in the parent app.

Communication features

  • Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Voice messaging: Not verified.
  • Video calling: Not verified · Direct 911 calling: Not verified.
  • Approved contacts: Yes · School mode: Yes.

Limitations

Video calling and games are not verified; requires a Gabb plan. Service: Required (Gabb service plan). Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

Check on Amazon

Garmin Bounce 2

Best for: Best Premium / Active Kids

Active kids who will use activity tracking every day. It runs on garmin lte subscription within the Garmin Jr. ecosystem, with location shown as lte + gps location in garmin jr. app.

Communication features

  • Voice calling: Not verified · Text messaging: Yes · Voice messaging: Yes.
  • Video calling: Not verified · Direct 911 calling: Not verified.
  • Approved contacts: Yes · School mode: Yes.

Limitations

Video calling is not verified; subscription required for LTE features. Service: Required (Garmin LTE subscription). Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

Check on Amazon

Fitbit Ace LTE

Best for: Best for Fitness & Games

Kids motivated by movement-based games and activity goals. It runs on ace pass subscription within the Fitbit / Google ecosystem, with location shown as lte + gps location in the parent app.

Communication features

  • Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Voice messaging: Not verified.
  • Video calling: Not verified · Direct 911 calling: Not verified.
  • Approved contacts: Yes · School mode: Yes.

Limitations

Games may be a distraction; subscription required. Video calling is not verified. Service: Required (Ace Pass subscription). Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

Check on Amazon

TickTalk 5

Best for: Best for Communication

Families who want the widest calling and messaging options. It runs on ticktalk service plan within the Dedicated kids-watch service ecosystem, with location shown as gps location in the parent app.

Communication features

  • Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Voice messaging: Yes.
  • Video calling: Yes · Direct 911 calling: Yes.
  • Approved contacts: Yes · School mode: Yes.

Limitations

Games are not verified; requires a service plan. Service: Required (TickTalk service plan). Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

Check on Amazon

Bark Watch

Best for: Best for Content Monitoring

Parents who want message and content monitoring built in. It runs on bark service plan within the Dedicated kids-watch service ecosystem, with location shown as gps location in the bark parent app.

Communication features

  • Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Voice messaging: Not verified.
  • Video calling: Not verified · Direct 911 calling: Yes.
  • Approved contacts: Yes · School mode: Not verified.

Limitations

Video calling and games are not verified; requires a Bark plan. Service: Required (Bark service plan). Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

View at Bark

COSMO JrTrack 5 SE

Best for: Best Value / GPS Safety

Location-first safety at a lower upfront cost. It runs on cosmo service plan within the Dedicated kids-watch service ecosystem, with location shown as gps location in the cosmo parent app.

Communication features

  • Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Voice messaging: Not verified.
  • Video calling: Not verified · Direct 911 calling: Yes.
  • Approved contacts: Yes · School mode: Yes.

Limitations

Video calling and games are not verified; requires a COSMO plan. Service: Required (COSMO service plan). Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

Check on Amazon

Apple Watch SE 3 GPS + Cellular

Best for: Best for Older Kids / Apple Families

Older kids in an Apple household. It runs on cellular plan required for family setup within the Apple ecosystem, with location shown as gps + cellular location via find my / family setup.

Communication features

  • Voice calling: Yes · Text messaging: Yes · Voice messaging: Yes.
  • Video calling: Not verified · Direct 911 calling: Yes.
  • Approved contacts: Yes · School mode: Yes.

Limitations

A broader app ecosystem than dedicated kids watches. Service: Required (Cellular plan required for Family Setup). Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.

Check on Amazon

Calling vs texting vs video calling

These are three separate capabilities, and a watch that supports one does not automatically support the others. Voice calling is a live two-way call. Text messaging is written, usually with approved contacts and sometimes limited to preset replies or emoji. Voice messaging sends a short recorded clip rather than starting a call.

Video calling is the least common of the group and is verified on only one watch in this comparison. Where our data does not confirm it, we show “Not verified” instead of stating it is unavailable.

Decide which of these your family will actually use day to day, then verify that exact feature with the manufacturer for the plan you intend to buy.

What parents should look for

  • Approved contacts: who can reach the watch, and who controls that list.
  • School-time controls: a school mode that limits functions during class hours.
  • GPS and location: parent-app location and safe zones, where verified.
  • Emergency communication: SOS and direct 911 calling vary by model; check the comparison table above.
  • Monthly service: every watch here needs a plan, so factor the ongoing cost in.
  • Open internet and social media: the dedicated kids watches have none; broader devices do more.
  • Age and independence: a first device suits different needs than one for an older child.

Calling and texting questions

Can kids smartwatches make phone calls?

Most can. Voice calling is verified on the Gabb Watch 3e, TickTalk 5, Fitbit Ace LTE, Bark Watch, COSMO JrTrack 5 SE and Apple Watch SE 3. Voice calling is not verified on the Garmin Bounce 2, so our comparison shows 'Not verified' rather than assuming it.

Can kids smartwatches send text messages?

Text messaging is verified on all seven watches compared here. Messaging is normally limited to a parent-approved contact list rather than open messaging with anyone.

Which kids smartwatch allows video calling?

Video calling is verified only on the TickTalk 5. For the other six watches, video calling is not verified in Buybili's data, which is not the same as confirming it is unavailable.

Do kids smartwatches need a phone plan?

Every watch in this comparison requires a monthly service plan or cellular subscription. Plan pricing and availability change often, so confirm the current cost with the manufacturer or carrier before buying.

Can a kids smartwatch replace a smartphone?

For calling and texting with approved contacts, a kids smartwatch can cover the basics. The dedicated kids watches here have no open web browser, no social media and no app store, so they do far less than a phone. The Apple Watch SE 3 is a broader device with an app store and games verified.

Keep reading

Buybili does not currently operate its own product-testing laboratory. Recommendations are based on verified manufacturer specifications, product capabilities and publicly available independent information. Quiz results match those characteristics to the priorities you select.

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