Smart tech companies have always tried to market their products to an older demographic. Smartwatches, smartphones, and other smart tech have always seemed like a solely “adult” market. However, with the rapid increase in the popularity of smartphone technology among children, it seems these tech corporations have set their eyes on a new market – smartwatches for kids.
Call a spade a spade, but never call a smartwatch just a watch. Smartwatches have gone a long way from clunky digital displays with a few bland features to powerful multi-connectivity devices that sync seamlessly with our smartphones and other smart gadgets.
They have the potential to become important learning tools, fitness, and health trackers, as well as provide wholesome entertainment for your children. So we took the liberty of going through the best products available and highlighting some of the best kids smartwatches and what you should look out for when buying a kids smartwatch.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing The Best Smartwatch for Kids
We’ve all agreed that kid’s smartwatches are a great idea, but with so many products in the market, it’s hard to choose the right one. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of the most important factors to consider when choosing a smartwatch for kids.
The Child’s Age
The age of the child is very important for several reasons when choosing a kids smartwatch. Younger children may also appreciate a smartwatch with a more engaging and colorful interface. Bright colors, a child-friendly user interface, and an easily wearable wrist strap are all things you should add to your checklist.
Also, your child’s age will determine the sort of features the watch will require. Younger children may be satisfied with the educational and entertainment content you provide them, but older children may be more interested in controlling the type of content on their devices. This means that watches for older children should have more user flexibility, but still come with parental control options.
A Durable Design
Always choose a durable device when dealing with younger kids. Smartwatches for young children should take into consideration how active and physically inquisitive they can be. Choose devices with an alloy body, which means the watch is more resistant to denting or scratching.
Invest in a touchscreen that is made of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and above. This gives a fair amount of resistance against scratches and cracks. Also, look for a nylon watch strap. Even though silicone watch straps are not easily deformed, they have low tensile strength and can be torn more easily than nylon straps. Also, they are less breathable in hot weather. Avoid buying leather straps for young children due to moisture issues.
Features of the Smartwatch
Smartwatches for kids should have certain features that take into account the lives of children. Some important features are water-, dust-, and scratch-resistance. Being water- and dust-resistant is quite important. This is measured using a system called the IP rating (short for Ingress Protection rating). An IP67 is desirable and offers great dust- and water-resistance.
A watch with a GPS tracker is also a good idea. Not only does it help you track your child easily and ensure their safety, but it also makes the smartwatch easy to find if they lose it or it is stolen. A body position feature also lets you know when your child is standing up or laying down.
The functionality of the Smartwatch
Most smartwatches are filled with all sorts of features and applications, but not all of these appeal to children. Younger children will benefit more from educational and entertainment content that is colorful and engaging. Older kids may want to control their content, so a watch that offers adequate multimedia options and internet connectivity is necessary.
Also, take into consideration the individual hobbies and traits of the child. Children who are into sports and athletics will love a device with a fitness tracker. Children with a flair for photography may prefer devices with a high-quality camera and adequate storage space. You’ll also need to make sure it has games, Bluetooth music functions, a calculator, reminders, calendar, stopwatch, alarms, and all sorts of other features your child may need on a day-to-day basis.
Easy-to-Use Design
Children’s smartwatches may be used by kids even younger than six years old. Therefore they have to be designed in such a way that children can easily grasp and master how to operate them on their own. This feeling of independence is an important part of child development and this is a great way to teach that lesson.
Therefore kid’s smartwatches should have large dials, buttons, and touchscreens. Their interface should be basic and easy-to-use. Colorful and engaging content also helps capture the attention of the child and help them easily associate certain icons and functions with color and shape.
Battery Life
One of the issues that originally plagued the use of smart wear technology was battery life. However, now manufacturers can fit smaller but more powerful batteries onto increasingly shrinking devices. Most batteries in use currently are rechargeable lithium-ion batteries though some smartwatches still use replaceable non-rechargeable batteries.
How long a battery lasts depends on several factors such as usage, software, battery capacity (measured in milliamperes hours), number of charging cycles, and a host of other factors. Preferably look for smartwatches that can last as long as 3-4 days on a single charge.
Two-Way Communication
As we said, a smartwatch is much more than just a watch. It is also a communication device that allows your kids to stay connected with their family and friends. This can be through text messages, voice calls, and even video calls. If you want video conferencing that means you have to look for a smartwatch with a camera, preferably one which offers a clear video feed.
Also watches with 3G and 4G connectivity offer faster internet connectivity services and are generally preferred. Watches that offer this typically have a SIM card option or allow you to share data with your smartphone via WI-FI or Bluetooth.
Comfort and Design
Of course, there’s no need in buying a smartwatch for a child if they find it too uncomfortable to wear. When choosing a comfortable design keep in mind the weight of the watch, the strap material, and the body shape.
The watch should be light enough to allow children to wear them for extended periods without discomfort. Avoid metal straps as children find this to be too heavy for their delicate wrists. Silicone is a great material but is not breathable in hot weather, so nylon may be your best choice. Look for smartwatches with a rounded design as an angular watch may press uncomfortably into your child’s skin.
Best Smartwatch For Kids To Buy In Malaysia
Now that you know exactly what to look out for when choosing the best kids smartwatch, here’s our pick of the top smartwatch for kids to buy in Malaysia:
Fitbit Ace 2
The Fitbit Ace 2 is an upgrade of the already popular Fitbit Ace. It is a great fitness tracker smartwatch that offers several new features such as an upgraded sleek new design (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=duARxS7U0os), better water resistance, and a much larger Touchscreen Grayscale OLED display. Aside from that, both devices are very similar in functionality.
Specifications
Brand: Fitbit
Compatible Operating System: Android, iOS
Strap Material: Silicone
Display Resolution: 0.72-inch OLED, 128 x 72-pixel resolution
Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-polymer, 5-day battery life
Features: Grayscale OLED Touch Screen, 3-axis accelerometer, reminders, alarms, notifications, vibration motor 5 ATM waterproof
Warranty Type: Local Manufacturer Warranty
Warranty Period: 1 year
Pros
- Vibrant kid-friendly design
- Long battery life
- Interchangeable straps
Cons
- No heart monitor
- No advanced fitness sensors
- No games
Garmin Vivofit JR 3
The Garmin Vivofit jr 3 may be a great option for active kids who love Disney and Marvel. This is because the superb fitness tracker (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mkCX4QD5igU) smartwatch comes in a wide array of Marvel superhero and Disney Princess themes. The device is compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems, offers Bluetooth connectivity, a one-year replaceable battery, and a 2-year warranty.
Specifications
Brand: Garmin
Compatible Operating System: Android, iOS
Tracker Style: Wrist/Band
Strap Material: Silicone
Display Resolution: 112 x 112 pixels
Battery Life: Up to 1 year
Water Rating: 5 ATM
Warranty Type: Local Manufacturer Warranty
Warranty Period: 2 Years
Pros
- One year battery life means no need to charge the device
- 14 days data backup
- Great designs and themes
- Easy-to-use Bluetooth design
Cons
- The battery must be replaced when it runs down
- Does not encourage activity
SmartWatch Bluetooth Full Screen With Fitness Tracker
The SmartWatch Bluetooth Full Screen With Fitness Tracker is a great device for older kids who want to stay connected on the go. It offers several features (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0h0J5fUn_LQ) such as a large 1.78-inch touch display, several sensors for health and fitness monitoring, a fully customizable honeycomb UI display, and a Bluetooth dial-up feature that allows you to make and receive calls using your smartwatch.
Specifications
Brand: OEM
Compatible Operating System: Android, iOS
Strap Material: Silicone
Display Resolution: 1.78 HD IPS, 320*385
Battery: 320 mAh, Rechargeable
Features: Touch Screen, Bluetooth, dual SIM card, APP Control, IP68 waterproof
Warranty Type: Local Manufacturer Warranty
Warranty Period: 1 month
Pros
- App1 allows parents to monitor and control their child’s activities
- Has great fitness tracker functions
- Sedentary reminder
Cons
- No camera
- Has a limited warranty
Fitbit Ace
The Fitbit Ace is a great fitness tracker smartwatch. It offers great features like 7 days of detailed motion data, which is great for health enthusiasts (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6kyFUJs7yVU) trying to monitor their overall movement and activity. It also saves your daily totals for the past 30 days. The bright display, lightweight design, and sturdy build make it great for kids 8 years and older.
Specifications
Brand: Fitbit
Compatible Operating System: Android, iOS
Strap Material: Silicone
Display Resolution: 1.4 IPS, 128 x 36-pixel resolution
Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-polymer, 5-day battery life
Features: B&W OLED Touch Screen, 3-axis accelerometer, reminders, alarms, notifications, vibration motor IPX7 waterproof
Warranty Type: Local Manufacturer Warranty
Warranty Period: 1 year
Pros
- Vibrant kid-friendly design
- Long battery life
- Interchangeable straps
Cons
- No heart monitor
- No advanced fitness sensors
- No games
Smart Watch Full Screen Bluetooth With Fitness Tracker
The Smart Watch Full Screen Bluetooth With Fitness Tracker is a useful tool for encouraging young kids to be more active (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uVi5OT9lgTY). It offers features such as a large 1.78-inch touch display, heartbeat monitoring, step counting, a fully customizable honeycomb UI display, Bluetooth push connectivity, and much more.
Specifications
Brand: OEM
Compatible Operating System: Android, iOS
Case: Alloy
Strap Material: Silicone
Display Resolution: 1.78 HD IPS, 320*385
Battery: 220 mAh, Rechargeable
Features: 1.78 full screens, encoder knob, Bluetooth call, True heart rate, Step counter, Universal 42/44 various straps, Side button crown
Warranty Type: Local Manufacturer Warranty
Warranty Period: 1 month
Pros
- Fitfly app helps kids monitor their fitness easily
- Encourages healthy living and activity
- Good Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- No camera
- Limited warranty
Q12 Smart Watch LBS Kid SmartWatches
The Q12 Smart Watch LBS Kid SmartWatches was designed for parents who always want to stay connected with their kids. It has several unique features (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9C3mxdf5Q) such as a perimeter alarm which notifies you if your child leaves a certain area, a two-way call system, precise body-positioning, and real-time viewing.
Specifications
Brand: S_way
Compatible Operating System: Android, iOS
Case: Alloy
Strap Material: Silicone
Display Resolution: 1.44 IPS, 128 x 128
Battery: Rechargeable, 400 mAh
Features: SOS call, remote monitoring, voice micro chat, eye protection color screen, LBS base station positioning, Beidou positioning (no GPS positioning), IPX4
Warranty Type: None
Warranty Period: None
Pros
- Great fitness tracker
- Eye protection technology
- Body position technology and child perimeter tracker
Cons
- No camera
- No warranty
- Not waterproof
Xiaomi Mi Bunny MITU Baby Watch
The Xiaomi Mi Bunny MITU Baby Watch offers a range of awesome features (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ih0zmHE4rwM) like an AI assistant, two-way HD calls, 4G connectivity, a great AMOLED display, and much more. This smartwatch is packed with all sorts of educational content to boost your child’s learning ability and problem-solving skills.
Specifications
Brand: Xiaomi
Compatible Operating System: Android
Case: Alloy
Strap Material: Silicone
Display Resolution: 1.3 IPS, AMOLED, 240 x 240
Battery: Rechargeable, 780 mAh, magnetic charging, 4-day battery life
Features: Music Player, Phone Call, Text Message, GPS, Kids Tracker, Clock display, Heart Rate Tracking, Water-resistant, Built-in Mic, Touchscreen, Heart Rate Tracking, AI-assisted learning, IPX7 waterproof, Gorilla Glass 3 touchscreen
Warranty Type: Local Manufacturer Warranty
Warranty Period: 6 months
Pros
- Well-rounded features
- Great connectivity features
- AI-assisted learning
Cons
- Only compatible with Android devices
imoo Watch Phone Y1
The imoo Watch Phone Y1 is a great communication device (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iMW_oVGU-hk) because it possesses features like high definition audio calls, a GPS tracker, family chat features, Wi-Fi, and SIM card capabilities. It also allows your child to communicate easily with friends by supporting chat and call features between imoo smartwatch users. It also has a Class Mode to prevent unnecessary distractions while in school.
Specifications
Brand: imoo
Compatible Operating System: Android, iOS
Case: Alloy
Strap Material: Silicone
Display Resolution: LCD
Battery: Rechargeable, 680 mAh, Silicon Anode battery
Features: Two-way high-definition calls, text message supports, accurate satellite GPS and Base Station positioning, IPX8 waterproof, family chat feature, step counter, Class Mode feature, dedicated SOS feature.
Warranty Type: Local Manufacturer Warranty
Warranty Period: 1 year
Pros
- Two-way high-definition calls
- Base station positioning
- “Class Mode” feature
Cons
- Requires a SIM card for full function
Frequently Asked Questions Before Buying A Smart Watch For Kids
1. Are smartwatches suitable for kids of all ages?
Some parents worry that smartwatches are not suitable for children. However, we assure you that smartwatches for kids are specially designed to provide your children with wholesome, healthy, and educational content. Even children as young as 4 can start to benefit from the numerous benefits of smartwatches. They promote fitness, increase language skills and enhance problem-solving abilities through their unique features and applications.
2. How can I choose the best smartwatch for my kid?
When choosing a smartwatch for a kid it’s important to consider several factors. Besides technical factors such as the features and specifications of the watch, you have to consider the hobbies and personality of the child. Are they athletic? Artistic? Inquisitive? All these will help guide you in finding the perfect device for your child.
3.. Do smartwatches affect children’s health negatively?
Absolutely not. Many smartwatches also double as fitness trackers and health monitors. According to guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services say that children and adolescents age 6 and older require at least an hour a day of physical activity. A fitness tracker is a great way to encourage activity among young children by offering features such as step counters (also called a pedometer), heart monitors, and even body position sensors.
4. How can I control the type of content my child is exposed to on their smartwatch?
Another legitimate worry parents have is how they can control the type of content their child is exposed to on their smartwatch, especially older children who are more inquisitive and typically demand devices with internet connectivity. Several apps allow parents to monitor their children’s smartwatch usage simply by syncing the smartwatch with their mobile device.
The Bottom Line
After taking a careful look at all the great products on the list it’s now time to announce the clear winner. The title of the best kids smartwatch goes to – the Xiaomi Mi Bunny MITU Baby Watch.
This device offered the most well-balanced array of features on the list. This included great battery life, superb connectivity, durability, and a whole host of features that made it the best option when choosing a kid’s smartwatch Malaysia. The dedicated AI assistant was also one of the determining factors. Several other entries worthy of mention include the Fitbit Ace 2 and the Q12 Smart Watch LBS Kid SmartWatches.
