The 10 Best Kids Smartwatches Under $100

Finding a smartwatch for your child that balances fun, safety features, and durability without breaking the bank is genuinely challenging.

The market is flooded with options ranging from basic toy watches to capable fitness trackers and even GPS-connected devices, and the price differences don’t always reflect quality.

Whether you’re a parent looking for a first wearable for a five-year-old or a gift-giver hunting for something a ten-year-old will actually use, the sheer variety of kids’ smartwatches under a budget-friendly ceiling can be overwhelming. Smartwatches for children sit in a uniquely tricky category: they need to be tough enough to survive a school day, simple enough for younger kids, and feature-rich enough to hold attention.

This guide covers the best kids smartwatches priced well within reach of most families, drawing on manufacturer specifications, expert review consensus from across the tech and parenting press, and verified buyer feedback from thousands of confirmed purchases.

REMOVU’s research team assessed each model against consistent criteria and rated it on our 0 to 10 REMOVU Score, so you can see at a glance how each pick compares.

Our top-ranked picks span toy-style watches for younger children, fitness-focused trackers for tweens, and even a 4G-connected option for families who want real communication features. Read on for the full breakdown.

Kids Smartwatches Buying Guide

Buying a smartwatch for a child is a very different decision from buying one for an adult. The priorities shift toward durability, child-appropriate features, ease of use, and safety rather than premium materials or ecosystem integration.

The subsections below walk through the most important things to evaluate before committing to a purchase. If you’re also exploring related fitness trackers or kids tablets, many of the same principles around durability and child-safe software apply.

Age Range and Intended Use

The single biggest mistake buyers make is ignoring age appropriateness. A watch marketed for ages 3 to 12 is a very wide range, and a feature set that excites a ten-year-old will confuse a five-year-old.

Younger children (roughly 3 to 6 years old) benefit most from simple toy-style smartwatches that focus on games, cameras, and learning functions like calculators and alarms.

These are essentially interactive toys with a wrist form factor, and brands like Phyulls, Cosjoype, and Melontti play firmly in this space.

Older children (7 to 12 and into their early teens) tend to get more value from fitness-focused smartwatches with real health sensors, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and step counters.

BIGGERFIVE, for example, specifically targets the 5 to 16 age range with models that function closer to a genuine fitness tracker than a toy.

For tweens who are active in sports or after-school activities, a watch that meaningfully tracks movement and sleep quality will hold their interest far longer than one loaded with mini-games alone.

Think carefully about whether the primary use case is entertainment, health monitoring, or communication before narrowing your choices.

If you want the watch to serve as a lightweight communication device as well, that adds another layer of complexity.

Only a handful of children’s smartwatches in this price tier include calling or messaging capabilities, and most of those require a cellular plan. Factor in that ongoing cost when evaluating sticker price.

GPS and Connectivity Features

For many parents, the appeal of a kids’ smartwatch comes down to one word: location.

GPS tracking gives caregivers real-time visibility into where their child is, which is particularly valuable for children who walk to school, attend activities independently, or are simply at an age where some independence is appropriate but full autonomy isn’t quite right yet.

However, GPS functionality requires either a cellular connection (a SIM card and a data plan) or a paired smartphone nearby.

True standalone GPS watches like the Berilona 4G model include a SIM card and operate on their own cellular connection, making them the most capable safety tools but also the most involved to set up and maintain.

Many watches in this category advertise GPS without actually offering standalone tracking.

They use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to relay location data only when connected to a parent’s phone, which is far less useful if your child is out of Bluetooth range.

Read specifications carefully: look for “standalone GPS” or “4G LTE” if true independent location tracking matters to you.

Watches labeled “no phone needed” often mean the child doesn’t need a phone to use the watch’s features, not that GPS operates without any network infrastructure.

SOS features are also worth scrutinizing. Most kids’ smartwatches include an SOS button that sends an alert to a pre-set parent number, but the reliability of that feature depends entirely on whether the watch has cellular connectivity.

On a Bluetooth-only model, SOS works only when paired. On a 4G model with an active SIM, it works anywhere the cellular network reaches.

Waterproofing and Build Durability

Children are hard on wearables.

A kids’ smartwatch will be dropped on playgrounds, worn in the rain, splashed in sinks, and occasionally submerged in pools. Waterproofing ratings matter far more for children’s watches than for adult smartwatches, where most users actively protect their devices.

Look for an IP (Ingress Protection) rating of at least IP67, which means the watch can withstand submersion in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.

IP68 is better still, offering deeper or longer submersion protection, and several of our top picks from BIGGERFIVE and Monowul carry that rating.

Beyond water resistance, consider the overall build. Cheap plastic housings crack under impact, and screens without any protective coating scratch quickly.

While you shouldn’t expect Gorilla Glass on a budget children’s watch, reading verified buyer reviews for mentions of cracking, hinge problems, or strap durability gives a much more realistic picture than spec sheets alone.

Nylon or silicone straps generally outlast thinner rubber alternatives, and adjustable clasp designs accommodate growing wrists better than fixed-size bands.

Display Quality and Ease of Use

Screen size and touch responsiveness make a significant difference to how much a child actually uses the watch day-to-day. Most watches in this category use 1.8-inch or similar color touchscreens, and the quality gap between models is meaningful.

A bright, responsive screen with legible icons is genuinely easier for younger children to navigate independently, which reduces the number of times they’ll ask you to “fix” the watch.

HD touch panels with good outdoor visibility are worth prioritizing, since children wear these devices outside most of the time.

User interface design matters just as much as raw specs. Some watches use simplified icon-based menus well-suited to early readers, while others rely on text menus that require a certain reading level.

If the intended wearer is under seven, prioritize watches with image-based navigation. Older children generally adapt to any interface quickly, so the focus shifts to responsiveness and responsiveness to light touches rather than layout simplicity.

Health and Fitness Tracking Accuracy

A growing number of affordable kids’ smartwatches include heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, step counting, and multiple sport modes. These features are genuinely useful for active children and parents who want to encourage healthy habits, but accuracy varies considerably.

Entry-level optical heart rate sensors in budget wearables tend to be less consistent than sensors found in adult fitness trackers from established brands.

For casual step counting and general activity awareness, the accuracy level in most picks here is more than adequate. For medical or serious athletic monitoring, a children’s smartwatch is not the right tool regardless of price.

Sleep monitoring is similarly useful as a rough guide rather than a clinical measurement.

Verified buyer feedback for the BIGGERFIVE and Monowul models suggests their sleep and heart rate data is consistent enough to be meaningful for parents tracking general wellness trends.

Watches that advertise “100+ sport modes” are often capturing a wide net of activities rather than offering distinct sensor profiles for each, so treat those mode counts as a rough feature indicator rather than a precision specification.

If wearable fitness tracking is a priority in your household, our roundup of fitness trackers covers dedicated adult options that may complement a child’s watch.

Parental Controls and App Ecosystem

The quality of the companion app, where one exists, can make or break a kids’ smartwatch experience for parents.

A well-designed parental app lets you set class mode (disabling most functions during school hours), manage contacts, control screen time, and review location history.

The Berilona 4G model’s parental app, for instance, is central to its functionality as a communication and safety device.

Several other picks in this guide work entirely without an app or paired phone, which has its own appeal: simpler setup, no ongoing app maintenance, and no privacy concerns around data shared through a third-party service.

If parental controls matter to you, research the specific app associated with each watch before buying. App store ratings and recent reviews from verified users are the most reliable signal of how well the software actually works.

An otherwise excellent watch becomes frustrating if the companion app is buggy, poorly translated, or no longer receiving updates. Watches labeled “no app needed” sidestep this issue entirely, trading control features for simplicity.

Why You Should Trust Us

REMOVU is an independent review publication with no affiliation to any manufacturer or retailer.

Every product in this guide was evaluated by our research team using a consistent, structured methodology: we analyze published specifications, assess expert review consensus from across the technology and parenting press, and weigh verified buyer feedback drawn from thousands of confirmed purchase reviews.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback.

Each watch receives a REMOVU Score on a 0 to 10 scale reflecting overall value, feature set, build quality, and real-world performance relative to its category and price tier.

We update our picks as new models enter the market and as long-term buyer feedback shifts the consensus on existing products. REMOVU may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase through a link in this article.

That relationship does not influence our rankings, scores, or recommendations in any way. Products are ranked by REMOVU Score, not by commission rate or brand relationship.

Our goal is straightforward: give you the clearest, most honest picture of what each watch actually delivers so you can make a confident decision for your child.

Final Thoughts

The kids’ smartwatch market has expanded rapidly, and the good news is that genuinely useful devices are now available at prices most families can manage.

Whether you need a playful toy-style watch for a young child, a proper fitness tracker for an active tween, or a 4G-connected safety device for a child who’s gaining independence, there’s a well-rated option in this guide for you.

Here are our standout picks with the danh hiệu each has earned based on their REMOVU Scores and strengths.

• Best Overall: Berilona 4G Kids Smart Watch Phone GPS earns the top spot with the highest REMOVU Score in this roundup. Its standalone 4G cellular connectivity, GPS tracking, video calling, parental app with class mode, SOS functionality, and bundled SIM card make it the most capable and safety-focused pick for families ready to take children’s wearables seriously.
• Best Standalone Fitness Tracker (with App): BIGGERFIVE Kids Smart Watch No Phone Needed (Blue) is the top choice for parents who want genuine health monitoring without requiring a child’s phone. IP68 waterproofing, heart rate and sleep monitoring, and a wide age range make it consistently reliable for active kids.
• Best Fitness Tracker with App Support: BIGGERFIVE Smart Watch for Kids (Nylon) pairs app compatibility with the same robust fitness feature set as its sibling, making it the stronger pick for parents who want optional deeper data access alongside solid standalone functionality.
• Best Budget Fitness Pick: Monowul Smart Watch for Kids delivers heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, IP68 waterproofing, and video and music playback at a mid-range price without requiring any app or phone pairing, making it an excellent no-fuss option for younger teens.
• Best Toy-Style Watch for Younger Kids: Melontti Kids Smart Watch balances a child-friendly feature set including dual cameras, puzzle games, and a music player with IP67 water resistance and a bright touchscreen, hitting a sweet spot for primary school-age children who want something fun to wear.

If you’re exploring related categories, kids tablets are worth considering for children who want a larger screen for learning and entertainment at home, while our coverage of phones, tablets, and wearables provides a broader view of connected devices for children and families.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is appropriate for a first kids’ smartwatch?

Most toy-style kids’ smartwatches are designed for children aged 3 and up, with simpler interfaces suited to younger users.

Fitness-focused models with health sensors and companion apps are generally better suited to children aged 6 or 7 and older, who can engage meaningfully with step counts, sleep data, and sport modes.

4G smartwatches with calling and GPS are typically most useful from around age 6 to 8, when children start having more independent time away from caregivers.

Do kids’ smartwatches require a monthly subscription or data plan?

Most affordable kids’ smartwatches in this price range do not require any subscription. Toy-style and fitness-focused models work entirely without a phone or data plan.

However, if you choose a 4G-connected model like the Berilona, you will need an active cellular plan (or a compatible SIM card) to use the calling, GPS, and messaging features.

Some manufacturers bundle a starter SIM card, but ongoing monthly costs vary by carrier and plan. Always confirm connectivity requirements before purchasing.

Are the health sensors in kids’ smartwatches accurate enough to be useful?

For general wellness awareness, yes.

Step counters, sleep pattern monitors, and optical heart rate sensors in well-reviewed kids’ smartwatches provide data that is consistent and directionally accurate enough to encourage healthy habits and give parents a broad picture of their child’s activity levels.

They are not medical-grade instruments and should not be used to monitor health conditions or replace professional advice. Think of them as motivational tools and general wellness guides rather than clinical monitors.

Dedicated fitness trackers aimed at adults generally offer more sensor precision if accurate biometric data is the primary goal.

What does IP67 or IP68 waterproofing actually mean for a kids’ watch?

IP67 means the watch can be submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes without damage, making it safe for rain, splashes, and accidental pool contact.

IP68 indicates a higher level of protection, typically rated for deeper or longer submersion, though exact specifications vary by manufacturer. For children who swim regularly, IP68 is preferable. For everyday splash and rain resistance, IP67 is adequate.

Neither rating covers high-pressure water jets (like a garden hose), so standard machine washing of the watch itself is not recommended regardless of rating.

Can a kids’ smartwatch replace a smartphone for communication?

A 4G kids’ smartwatch can handle voice calls, video calls, and basic messaging to pre-approved contacts, which covers the core communication needs many families have before a child is ready for a full smartphone.

It won’t browse the internet freely, run social media apps, or handle the full range of smartphone functions, which many parents consider an advantage rather than a limitation.

For families wanting a middle ground between no connectivity and a full smartphone, a 4G smartwatch is a genuinely practical option.

If you’re weighing the broader connected-device landscape for your family, our smartphones category covers options for when children are ready to move up.

How long does battery life typically last on a kids’ smartwatch?

Battery life varies significantly depending on the feature set. Toy-style watches with games, cameras, and music players typically last one to two days of moderate use before needing a charge.

Fitness tracker-style kids’ watches often manage two to five days between charges when continuous health monitoring is running, since their simpler displays and fewer active features draw less power.

4G-connected models tend to have shorter battery life due to the cellular radio, often requiring daily charging. Checking verified buyer reviews for real-world battery reports is more reliable than manufacturer claims, which are typically measured under controlled and optimistic conditions.

Related Guides

• The Best Kids Smartwatches with GPS for Every Family
• Kids Smartwatches for Toddlers Worth Buying
• The Best Kids Smartwatches for Every Age and Budget

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