A GPS watch allows to geolocate a child at any time of the day, which is reassuring when he has to come back from school alone. Halfway between a toy and a fashion accessory, this connected object is also a means of empowering little ones. But how to choose it when faced with the many models available on the market? To help you find your way, we offer you this complete buying guide, as well as our selection of the 4 best GPS watches to give to your children.
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Our selection
"As intuitive as a smartphone, this GPS watch will allow your child to stay in touch with you when he is at school or on…"
"Allowing you to stay in constant contact and to know at any time where your child is, these are the main missions of this GPS…"
"The Xplora X5 is one of the best GPS watches for children today, and that's an understatement. With this piece of technology, you can interact…"
"As long as your child keeps this GPS watch on his wrist, you will always know where he is, at any time of the day.…"
As intuitive as a smartphone, this GPS watch will allow your child to stay in touch with you when he is at school or on a field trip. Geolocatable from a smartphone via a simple application, its GPS beacon ensures peace of mind.
121 £ on AmazonAlthough this GPS watch for kids is not as advanced as an adult's watch, it provides entertainment and safety. Its GPS beacon can be tracked at any time on your smartphone. If your child deviates from the safe route you have predefined, you will be informed immediately by an alert. In addition, this watch has an emergency call button that will allow you to intervene quickly, in case your child is facing an unusual situation.
As this is a product intended for children, the manufacturer has taken care to equip it with fun features. Activity trackers, camera, voice messages and video calls, everything is there. Note that this watch comes with a SIM card, including a data of 500 MB, 250 minutes of calls to all operators and 200 SMS per month. It also comes in blue for little boys.
Allowing you to stay in constant contact and to know at any time where your child is, these are the main missions of this GPS watch. Even if it seems to be well made, the geolocation is precise and the communications are well audible.
44,14 £ on CdiscountDon't let the simple design fool you, this kids' GPS watch excels in many ways. You'll be amazed to learn that this entry-level watch has the best geolocation system you can ask for. In addition to GPS, this watch is equipped with LBS (Location Based Service) technology, which takes advantage of geographic positioning on a mobile operator's network. If desired, the user can receive real-time information on routes or addresses. This service requires a large computing capacity, which demonstrates the real efficiency of this model.
In addition to the tracking function and geolocation services, parents will be able to define a safety zone with an application to be installed on this watch. A cheap package is enough to access its many features. This watch is waterproof, but the child will have to keep it on him during his swimming lessons.
The Xplora X5 is one of the best GPS watches for children today, and that's an understatement. With this piece of technology, you can interact with your child at any time and know where he or she is.
135 £ on AmazonThe X5 is one of the most sophisticated GPS watches for kids on the market. Powered by a Qualcomm processor, it offers all the features of a smartphone, except for web browsing. Thus, the child will be able to use it to interact by call or voice message with 50 phone numbers predefined by the parents. The parents can also define, by means of an application, safety zones within which the child can move freely. If the child leaves these zones, a notification is quickly sent to the emergency numbers. A geographical triangulation procedure follows, allowing the child to be found quickly.
In terms of entertainment, this GPS watch has plenty to keep kids entertained. The GOPLAY application will keep them active throughout the day. The Reloj X5 also has a 2 megapixel camera, 1,000 photo storage and a 1.4" TFT screen. Note that this GPS watch is IP68 certified and is 2G, 3G and 4G compatible.
As long as your child keeps this GPS watch on his wrist, you will always know where he is, at any time of the day. If necessary or in case of doubt, you can reach him directly by phone call or SMS.
95,20 £ on AmazonThis GPS watch for children has been designed to meet your needs for peace of mind and safety. With the SeTracker application that can be downloaded for free from the store, you can track your children's movements and communications in real time from your smartphone. This same application also allows you to define a safety zone within which they are protected from any peril. Of course, the parents would be the first to be informed if the child were to leave this safety zone. In addition, the SOS button will allow him to quickly get help if he feels in danger.
Despite its somewhat cheap appearance, this GPS watch for children is resistant and waterproof. It is IP67 certified, but it is not recommended to carry it with you while swimming. On the entertainment side, the 4G-T16 has a camera, activity trackers and a math game, very useful for stimulating cognitive functions.
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The best GPS watch for kids of 2021
The best entry-level GPS watch for kids
The best high-end GPS watch for kids
The best GPS watch for kids at a competitive price
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| THE BEST | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | ALTERNATIVE | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
TCL MT40X
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SURHENHAP 4G GPS watch
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Xplora Reloj X5
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Torryza 4G-T16
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As intuitive as a smartphone, this GPS watch will allow your child to stay in touch with you when he is at school or on a field trip. Geolocatable from a smartphone via a simple application, its GPS beacon ensures peace of mind.
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Allowing you to stay in constant contact and to know at any time where your child is, these are the main missions of this GPS watch. Even if it seems to be well made, the geolocation is precise and the communications are well audible.
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The Xplora X5 is one of the best GPS watches for children today, and that's an understatement. With this piece of technology, you can interact with your child at any time and know where he or she is.
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As long as your child keeps this GPS watch on his wrist, you will always know where he is, at any time of the day. If necessary or in case of doubt, you can reach him directly by phone call or SMS.
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Weight
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Not disclosed
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50 g
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34 g
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50 g
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Autonomy
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72 hours depending on usage
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About 72 h but it depends on use.
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72 hrs in standby mode
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7 days
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Number of emergency numbers
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3
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Information not disclosed.
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10
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3
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Features
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Camera, camera, 4Gn connectivity, two-way video calling, activity trackers
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Video call, SMS, Wifi, LBS positioning, SOS button
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Pedometer, GOPLAY.
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Activity tracker, call, text, Wifi.
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SIM card
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Offer by carrier with 500MB of data, 250 mins of calling and 200 texts per month.
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Yes. This watch is compatible with all carriers.
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When a child feels in danger, he or she can alert the parents by pressing the SOS button for a few seconds. This results in two procedures, namely sending a distress alert to the phone numbers in the phonebook and immediately activating the geolocation. The best watches even have a feature that allows you to record voices on an internal storage medium. As reassuring as it is, one hopes that the child will not have to use this button, which can still avoid drama.
It is important that the GPS watch appeals to your child, otherwise, he or she will simply not want to put it on the wrist. Since taste and color are not debatable, ask him what kind of watch he wants to have. If you want to surprise him, make sure you choose an accessory that is somewhat in keeping with his hobbies or favorite cartoon characters. The goal is to make sure he never gets rid of his new GPS watch when he leaves for school.
Between the ages of 4 and 12, kids are real balls of energy. They never miss an opportunity to run around and heckle when they're with friends. So the GPS watch needs to be rugged enough to withstand their many activities, especially the screen. Of course, no watch is indestructible, but most are waterproof to 5 meters (IP67) and designed to withstand violent shocks. These categories of watches are great gift ideas for your kids.
Note that most kids' GPS watches are battery-powered. Once this battery is discharged, the geolocation function will stop which will force you to navigate in the fog. To avoid unnecessary worries, choose a model with a large battery capacity. Also favor GPS watches that come with the fast charge function, which is much more convenient.
The child will quickly get bored of his GPS watch if it does not have any fun features. To prevent this from happening, give them a watch that has a few fun options built in, such as games, ringtones, activity trackers and a camera. You'll know that no GPS watch is ever complicated enough for a child. As unlikely as it may seem, it won't take more than a week for a little one to understand and master its operation.
Despite its childish design, the GPS watch for kids is a real concentrate of technology thanks to which parents can geolocate and communicate with their children. In a way, the GPS bracelet is a miniaturized cell phone with a trackable beacon and a directory of several phone numbers that can be used to contact the wearer.
The best GPS watches have a feature that allows you to choose safe zones or draw safe routes such as school, home or a friend's house. When a child wanders away from one of these locations or their usual route, parents receive an immediate alert. From there, they can keep track of their child's whereabouts using a mobile application that can be downloaded from the store.
Unfortunately, a child's GPS watch is not as technologically advanced as an adult's. For the most part, the choice of safe areas and routes is limited, so parents must constantly configure the bracelet to their children's activities.
Be careful not to fall into the trap of tracking your child. Of course, your duty is to protect them, but they also have the right to their privacy, no matter how young they are. Think of the GPS watch as a way to make your child more responsible, not as a way to control their every move.
GPS watches for children are often accompanied by a SIM card slot, which can be configured in 2G, 3G and 4G. For the geolocation to work, the SIM card must have an internet connection. However, the SIM card is very important for this type of watch, because it makes two-way communication possible. To put it simply, a GPS watch with SIM card can be used to send messages and make voice calls. It is the must have when it comes to security.
The connected watch for children works in much the same way as an adult's watch. There are a plethora of features. Apart from the GPS and the SOS button, there are also more advanced applications such as activity trackers, heart rate monitor, VO2max, sleep analyzer and games of all kinds. This watch must be paired with the parents' smartphone so that they can geolocate it in real time. Unlike the GPS watch with SIM, the connected watch can not be used to communicate.
Even if it is not as high-tech as a smartphone, the GPS watch is a guarantee of safety for a child. Moreover, this smartwatch with a color touch screen will allow him to be fashionable, like his friends. As a parent, be careful to choose the applications that are installed in the watch. GPS tracking, safety zones, SOS button, voice chat, SMS, anti-loss sensor, these are the main features you should find in this gadget.
Unlike a GPS watch, the bracelet does not have a screen. It is discreet and unadorned. Presented in the form of a banal fancy jewel, this tracker is composed of a GPS receiver that records the location of the child, and a GSM GPRS transmitter that sends the geographical data to the parents using the Bluetooth network or the Internet. The range of this bracelet is about fifty meters and it does not offer any possibility to make phone calls.
Definitely, the GPS watch is safer for a child. Indeed, the GPS chip of the bracelet does not allow to follow the path of a child when he goes out of the school. This device is only effective for a family outing to a wildlife park or a forest. But as there is no screen, the tracking bracelet will not distract the child from his school work.
For safety
It's only natural for children to get into trouble. The GPS watch will not protect him directly from danger, but it will allow him to alert you with the SOS button. The distress message and the geolocation function will allow you to find him quickly if he has lost his way on the way home from school. A GPS watch for your child means less worries for you.
To communicate
GPS watches for kids with SIM cards can make and receive calls. This allows parents to stay in touch with their children at any time of the day. To keep them from being distracted by this high-tech gadget, all applications can be blocked during school hours.
A health asset
Like traditional connected watches, the GPS watch for children has sensors that record information related to their health. Step counter, calorie counter, sleep analyzer... this accessory allows you to monitor the well-being and balance of your child.
For entertainment
High-end GPS watches for kids offer many fun features, the most interesting of which is the camera that kids love. Others offer the ability to make video calls. If your child knows you're going to get them a location-based watch, expect them to ask for a high-tech product.
To be fashionable
Even at their young age, children already have a highly developed sense of fashion. You can't imagine how much fun they can have with a GPS watch on their wrist, especially if their friends have one too. These accessories will help them socialize. New friendships will be made on the playground with GPS watches alone.
In our opinion, the best brands of GPS watches for children in 2022 are :
Helping children combine outdoor activities and digital technologies is the mission this company has set for itself since its founding in 2016. To allow wolfies to discover nature safely, Xplora offers them state-of-the-art GPS watches.
TCL is an electronics manufacturer based in Huizhou in southern China. Immensely famous for its entry-level electronics and smartphones, TCL also excels in GPS watches for children.
Kiwip is a key player in creating geolocation devices for all family members. Reliable and design, Kiwip GPS watches save parents from unnecessary worries.
Present in the sector of connected geolocation devices since 2013, Weenect impresses with the excellent quality of its watches and bracelets. Aside from products for all family members, Weenect also offers geolocation devices for pets.
In business since 2008, this Chinese firm offers a myriad of connected products to consumers, including the famous GPS watches for kids. Its creations are so advanced that they compete with those of the big firms.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Unlock the SIM card
Protected by a PIN code, the new micro-SIM cards must be unlocked before they can be recognized by the GPS watch. Your smartphone will allow you to disable the code. Otherwise, ask the operator to do so.
Install the tracking application
Whether you use an Android or iOS smartphone, the installation method remains the same. You can install the app manually or by using the QR code. Ideally, choose an app that has received good feedback from other parents.
Register only trusted numbers
5 emergency numbers can be stored in the child GPS watch. The first two should be the parents'. For the remaining three, choose people you trust, such as a godparent or guardian.
Check the network
Once the SIM card is installed, the GPS watch should immediately pick up the network. To avoid unpleasant surprises, test the GPS and chat and call functions before handing it over to your child.
Subscribe to a cheap plan
In principle, a low-cost plan is enough to access all the applications that are offered. Configuring the watch should be no problem for you, since the secure apps are compatible with Android and iOS.
Yes, most children's GPS watches require a SIM card to operate. These models are advantageous, in that their GPS beacons are trackable from an application installed on a smartphone and using the cell phone network. In addition, the GPS watch with a SIM card allows two-way communication between the child and a few numbers stored in his phonebook.
To connect a child's GPS watch, you must first install a SIM card in it as well as a tracking application that you can follow in real time from your smartphone. Once it's connected to the cell phone network, all the installed apps should activate themselves, including the GPS and SOS button. Only the input of emergency numbers is done manually.
It's up to you to choose the operator, but if we can afford a tip, a low-cost package is enough for a GPS watch for kids. Essential features like the GPS beacon, SOS button and call will activate even with a cheap plan. Moreover, this type of plan will not distract the child when he is at school.
It is a question of safety above all. The GPS watch for children is an accessory that allows parents to have an eye on their children when they are not together. Remember that this connected object is primarily used to monitor and not to spy on the little ones. In case of problem, they can quickly warn their parents or guardians via the SOS button. This is the real purpose of this watch.
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