The best smartwatch for a teenager is not necessarily the same as what is best for adults. When you’re looking to buy a smartwatch, it’s important to keep your teen in mind and ensure that they will be able to use it effectively.
To be honest, the best smartwatches for teenage boys and girls are the ones that will appeal to their interests or hobbies, with features they’ll enjoy using (i.e., apps). If you’re looking at a watch for your teenager then make sure it’s compatible with what they like: this means checking out brands that have a lot of compatibilities, as well as any other functions or features that might be important to them.
Before we get into the different factors you should consider before buying a smartwatch, let’s talk about why you might want to give one as a gift.
Is it worth buying your teenager a smartwatch?
- A smartwatch gives teens the ability to do all sorts of things without needing to take them off and put on different devices anymore – from reading texts, emails, or even social media to playing games, having a watch can make their life much easier.
- Smartwatches for teenagers are not just a tech trend, they also allow the wearer to stay in contact with friends and family without having to reach into their pocket while driving or studying for exams. You can’t put a price tag on safety!
- You don’t need to worry about your teen getting lost anymore. There are many smartwatches available nowadays with GPS capabilities that can keep track of where kids are and provide directions back home automatically.
- Kids who have trouble waking up in the morning will find themselves naturally being nudged awake by their watch, and if you set an alarm with vibrations or sounds they’ll be sure to wake up when it goes off.
- Teenagers can track everything from their wrist as there are many watches through which steps taken each day, heart rate, sleep patterns, calories burned, and even stress levels can be measured.
Finding The Perfect Smartwatch For Teenager
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a smartwatch for your teenager. With so many options available, it can be hard to make the best decision. Here is what you need to know before buying one for your teenage son or daughter:
Accessibility: Do they want a touch screen or do they prefer physical buttons?
Size: What size watch face would fit best on the wrist? Make sure that before buying any watch, take into consideration how large the screen size is because adults typically prefer larger displays while mostly, but not necessarily, the young people want something more compact. So buy the one according to their taste.
Comfort: Is this for school-age children who will be wearing it all day long or teenagers who only wear it for certain activities like sports, games, etc.?
Compatibility: Make sure you know if your recipient is Android or iPhone before purchasing a smartwatch.
Budget: Figure out how much you want to spend on a smartwatch for your teen before looking at prices. It’s important to know what watches fall within your price range so that you don’t end up getting something that is too expensive for you.
Style: Would they prefer something more delicate and feminine like an Apple Watches, or do they want something sportier like the Samsung Gear Sport?
GPS Feature: Do they need a watch with GPS or not. For example, If they do a lot of outdoor activities then maybe look into GPS watches – these can track where someone is on earth. Smartwatches have been getting a lot of attention lately because they offer parents peace of mind in the form of GPS tracking and emergency alerts.
Waterproof: Are they going to be using it while running or in other situations where it might get wet/sweaty? or Do you want the device to be waterproof so it can track swimming sessions or would that not really matter to you at all and if so, do they provide this feature without costing too much more?
Fitness and Activity Tracking: If you’re buying a watch for someone who’s into fitness then look at watches that have step counting features and offer heart rate monitoring: these are important stats to track when exercising because they give information about how the body responds during activity – this will help them improve their form as well as get more accurate data on calories burned over time.
A lot of new smartwatches also do sleep tracking and some even alert users with reminders to take breaks from sitting! This can be helpful for those who like working desk jobs but need alerts, not just for physical exercise but mental health too.
Phone Watch: If the person you’re buying for doesn’t have a smartphone, then a standalone smartwatch with SIM card can be helpful as they offer notifications and alerts when texts or phone calls come in from friends or family members.
Battery Life: Is battery life important to you? If yes, then how many days will the average charge last when using the watch in typical circumstances like making calls, texting messages and taking photos, etc.?
This article will present a review of the best smartwatches for teens and enlisted watches from top brands like Samsung, Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple.
**Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Top 7 Smartwatches For Teens in 2022
We’ve reviewed the 7 best smartwatches for teenagers to help make the process easier for you. Here are the favorites with links to each watch on Amazon so you can buy them out if interested.
1. Fitbit Versa – Best Fitness Watch For Teenager Age 13+
The first model in the list of best smartwatches for teenagers is the ever-green FitBit Versa smartwatch. It is available in four different colors and comes with small and large bands while the size of the dial remains the same.
What is the first thing that you look at in a smartwatch features list? It’s the tracker!
So Fitbit Versa has a brilliant tracker that measures the steps you have taken, your heartbeat, the calories you have consumed, your sleep time and the laps you have run or swam, and whatnot. Hence, it covers almost your whole day and works on establishing a healthy routine.
For example, a low-calorie reading will alarm you on your underpowered diet, a high heart rate will motivate you to look out on the routine and the ran laps will help determine the gradient of your stamina and this all can be achieved with 4-day battery life.
The body of the Fitbit Versa smartwatch is cast out of anodized aluminum so it makes it exceedingly lightweight and almost weightless to wear.
The App is fairly user-friendly and is supported by all smartphones. You can manage almost 15 exercise routines through the App and easily connect with the GPS of the phone to accommodate for more accurate location tracking.
The App, however, offers no aid to the night worker; the reminders for hours after midnight cannot be set on this watch which limits the range of the potential buyers.
The Fitbit can be synced to the phone and you can access everything including sports and news channels on this watch. Moreover, after tethering you can receive phone calls, messages, and other notifications on this smartwatch for teenagers. Besides many other cool features, it’s swim-proof too.
But it has received a positive response from a major portion of buyers.
The pedometer also seems to work fine if positioned at a particular posture and degree of tightness which is pretty hard to execute. You can’t always keep your wrist in a particular posture after all.
Fitbit Versa is the best fitness smartwatch for teenage boys and girls under $200.
Key Specifications
- 24/7 Heart Rate Track
- Water-Resistant To 50 Meters
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Built-in GPS
- Storage for 300+ Songs
- Weight 12 OZ
- Light weight
- Available in four colors and 2 band sizes
- Can be easily synced to phone and receives notifications
- Manages up to 15 exercise routines
- Tracks heartbeat, calories, steps and laps
- Plays 300+ songs
- Swim proof
- Pedometer works accurately at a particular angle and degree of tightness
- No slack cut to the night workers
- App not that user friendly for some (some complaints)
If you’re looking smart for your tween then check this guide: 10 Best Smartwatches For Tweens [10 to 12 Years]
2. GARMIN Vivoactive 3 – Best GPS Smartwatch For Teenager
Active teenagers are always on the run, and they need a smartwatch that can keep up with them.
Garmin Vivoactive 3 can be easily connected with a smartphone and you can receive notifications like calls, messages, app alerts, and more on a smartwatch when paired with it. Garmin Connect can also provide helpful alerts so you can update the watch for superior performance.
This best GPS smartwatch for teenagers will not only allow them to stay connected with their friends and family but also make fitness a fun experience from the comfort of their own wrist.
With its built-in GPS tracking feature and high-quality heart rate monitor, this Garmin smartwatch allows users to easily track their fitness activities including running, swimming (it’s waterproof), biking, and more without having to carry your phone along with you. Moreover, it tracks steps taken, calories burned, distance traveled, and sleep quality. Furthermore, you can have a history of your 14 days of activities.
Additionally, it keeps tabs on heart rate variability (HRV) which reflects how well the body responds to stressors like physical activity and restful sleep; this feature can be used to monitor recovery status after workouts or periods of illness or injury. This makes Garmin Vivoactive 3 smartwatch unique because not only can it track your daily activities but also helps you understand what’s going on inside your body by providing valuable insights into overall health.
Not only this, but this watch also specializes in making contactless payments. Cash payments can be made through this smartwatch to the banks that have supported cards, just like you do with your phone. You need not worry now if you are in a bank without your credit card, all can be done through your wristwatch.
The watch can store up to 500 songs which can be synced with headphones or hands-free to have a great listening experience while you are relaxing under the shining sun or running on cold mornings.
Garmin Vivoactive 3 also contains 15 preloaded sports apps like swimming, running, and yoga which can aid in your physical nourishment and easy access to the daily exercise routine. Of course, you can download more if you wish from the Connect IQ store.
With a battery that doesn’t lose its count for seven days but the battery life does tend to decrease while GPS is on which is understandable.
This version of the Garmin smartwatch is available in only two colors but has many clock faces and on the side of it, the glass screen is durable but only 1.2’’ which is kind of small and sometimes frustrating to use. And one last thing, there are only 16 ‘slots’ or ‘destinations’, whatever you call it, for your downloaded or installed files, therefore, you have to be careful about what you put in the watch.
It’s recommended for those teenagers who are interested in outdoor activities such as hiking and etc.
Key Specifications
- Online Cash Payment With Contactless Payment
- 2 Inches Of Diameter
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Built-in GPS
- Fitness Tracking
- battery lasts up to days
- Weight 1.4 OZ
- Can store about 500 songs
- Contain 15pre loaded sports apps
- Long battery life
- Availability of GPS
- Accurate tracker
- Option of contactless payment
- The screen is only 1.2’’
- There are limited slots for your downloaded material
- Bit expensive
3. Amazfit Bip – Economical Fitness Watch For Teens
Amazfit Bip is the best smartwatch that focuses on health and fitness tracking. It tracks your steps, distance traveled, calories burned, sleep quality, and heart rate monitoring without any extra bells and whistles you might not need.
Teenage boys and girls who want an affordable watch can use it at all times of the day without being embarrassed about wearing it out in public.
Amazfit Bip smartwatch is stylishly designed with a 1.28-inch display screen which is trans-reflective and the customers have confirmed that the display is evident even in bright sunlight as it contains five brightness levels. So you can see your stats clearly wherever you go – work, school, or play. Moreover, it is fashioned out of Gorilla Glass so it can withstand scratches effectively.
The battery life is nearly unrivaled, on a charge of 3 hours, this smartwatch can work for almost 30 days. Whether it is hard-wired with monster capacitors or a killer BMS, this timing is superb and surely an attribute to crave.
Now, coming towards the inside of this gadget. Amazfit Bip has a built-in GPS that is accurate and contains all the tracking capabilities that you can think of. A barometer to measure the pressure of the air around you; A heart rate sensor to measure your heartbeat and indicate if it is high or normal; an accelerometer and geomagnetic sensor to enhance the accuracy of your location tracking and positioning according to the global coordinates.
It allows you to remain connected with the rest of the people and world news with its incredible features. You can receive messages, calls, notifications, and alerts for social media, weather forecasts, and mobile apps.
The biggest drawback of this watch is the unavailability of a music player. You need to have a smartphone or connected headphones/handsfree with you all the time to enjoy music.
Key Specifications
- 28″ Display
- 2 Inches Of Diameter
- Built-in GPS + GLONASS
- IP68 Dust and Waterproof
- Real Time Activity Tracker
- Optical Heart Rate Monitor
- Battery Lasts Up To 30 Days
- Weight 1.1 OZ
- Low Price
- Larger display than the GARMIN Vivoactive 3
- The screen is scratch-resistant and trans-reflective.
- In-built GPS and other tracking capabilities
- Lightweight
- Available in four different colors
- No music player
- My Fit App is short in detail and some sets are a bit haphazard
4. Ticwatch E Super – Best Android Smartwatch For Teens
Ticwatch E super is expensive than the previous model but is certainly a product to crave for. Offering you one of the best voice assistants at your wrists, this watch not only offers easy connectivity but personifies your personality.
The stylish built and the classy conversion of your vocals into the script in a jiffy! It is certified with US military standard 810 G so it is shockproof and water-resistant.
Tic watch E Super is swim-proof and can be taken 50m below the water to monitor your swimming goals and performances, let alone spills and splashes. The non-slip buttons and the comfortable feel of the band make it an outstanding watch to be used outdoors.
As far as connectivity is concerned, it is near to great. The navigation system is integrated by GPS, Glonass, and Beidou that fashions out a supremely accurate location tracking scheme. There are six different sports modes that are very helpful for all the sportsmen out there.
The tracking is facilitated by Mobvoi’s AI algorithms and offers a diverse range of heartbeat counter, step counter, fitness schedule operator, and TicWatch E2 which is your fitness companion. But the most enriching feature of this watch is the presence of Google Assistant.
You can find routes, nearby restaurants while cycling, reply to a friend while running through speaking and coordinate with your team members while performing everyday house jobs.
Even when your hands are occupied, you can still reply back through the voice assistant. Convenience and functionality both come on board in this watch.
You can receive calls, notifications, messages, and alerts from Facebook, Tinder, WhatsApp, and other networking forums. It can play your music even if you are not connected with the phone if you know the suitable app to install.
It has a microphone but no speaker so the audio quality is not up to the mark.
Key Specifications
- Android 4.3+ And iOS 9.0
- Voice Assistant
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Built-in GPS
- Fitness Tracker
- Heart Rate Monitoring
- Up To 30 Days of Battery Life
- Weight 1.44 OZ
- Lightweight and stylish
- Multi-integrated navigation system
- Personal Google Assistant at your
- Expensive
- Low battery life
- No speakers so the audio quality is
5. Apple Watch Series 3- Best iOS Compatible Watch For Teenager
Apple Watch 3 received a very high 5-star rating, probably because of the standard that Apple ensures in its products.
It may look to have just the elementary features but the quality of the watch, coupled with the reliability is second to none.
The design is exquisite; a trademark of Apple’s smartwatches and comes with two band sizes for your wrists. The stainless steel covering ensures it is not affected by temperature, dust, or rust.
Apple watch 3 contains GPS and other tracking attributes. The heart sensor is optical which is more reliable. The Digital Crown allows the user to go to Home Screen, zoom, and scroll without obstructing the display by pinching and swiping.
Apple Watch 3 has a great water resistance capability. If you start swimming, you can turn on the water lock feature manually and carry on with your water activities for as long as you wish. After you are done, the water ejection button is pressed and the water ejects out of the speakers giving a sound. Isn’t that cool! The watch can notify you of your updated streak records in swimming by consistently monitoring your performance.
The talk Siri feature is a great improvement from the previous model and can be argued in terms of performance with the Google Assistant of Ticwatch E.
The audio quality is very good as well. Moreover, you can track your fitness routine by setting alarms, reminders, and notifications. All the apps of the choice can be installed on Apple Series 3 smartwatch.
You can also sync it with your house’s security system and it would indicate to you with an alarm and video footage if there has been trespassing.
The battery life is nearly 2 days which is pretty good for a watch that does not specialize in this attribute.
A teen may have been asking for their own phone or laptop but instead of giving them another screen like those devices offer, try gifting them with something more interactive and engaging like this Apple Watch 3. They’ll be able to use it like a phone and an iPod, as well as getting notifications for texts or calls.
The top feature of this watch is the speed, it runs very smoothly even when you have crammed it up with apps and music files. The waiting time is very less and you can respond to calls and notifications almost immediately.
The only limitation of this best apple watch for a teenager is that it’s compatible with an iPhone only. You cannot be connected to any other phone via this smartwatch.
Key Specifications
- GPS + GLONASS
- Built-In Wifi
- 768MB DRAM
- Optical Heart Sensor
- Digital Crown
- S3 With Dual-Core Processor
- Accelerometer And Gyroscope
- Swim Proof
- WatchOS 5
- Reliable and unproblematic
- Talk Siri feature
- Fast speed and stylish design
- Water-resistant to great effect
- Is only compatible with Iphone
6. DoSmarter – Perfect Smartwatch For Teen
More of a fitness tracker but this model convinced us about its inclusion because of the specialized functionality it provides.
Many teenagers who are very conscious about their fitness and workout routine, may find this tracker to be just perfect for them.
Available in four colors and a slim body design, this is assembled with almost every required fitness attribute.
DoSmarter can measure the steps, the calories burned, the blood pressure, and the pulse rate by using modern optical sensors.
It measures your BPM throughout the day and gives notifications regarding the health of your heart. The inbuilt GPS helps you in tracking your routes or finding a nearby place of interest.
DoSmarter watch also detects the sleep patterns accurately. It will notify you about the preset sleep time, the time you slept deeply and lightly, and wake you up without disturbing others through its silent vibration alarm.
It can be charged with the help of a USB and the battery timing is considerable 6-7 days.
For the first use and connection, touch the watch on the 1’’ screen and it will be detected as a W8 device on your smartphone. You can play with the settings and add files of your wish.
These are some minor features but the main feature remains the fitness tracking quality. It gives an accurate measurement and readings especially the sleeping patterns are a unique feature.
The price of this teenage smartwatch is very reasonable and comes under the category of best smartwatches under 50 dollars.
Key Specifications
- 1.96 Inch TFT Color Screen Crystal
- GPS + GLONASS
- Optical Sensors For BP
- Optical Heart Sensor
- iOS 8.0 or above, Android 4.4
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Battery: 120mAh
- Weight: 2.7oz
- Comprehensive fitness tracker giving all required info
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Very cheap
- Good battery timing of 6-7 days
- Not water-resistant
- Screen display is not clear in sunshine
7. Smileyyi Zeblaze THOR 4 – Smartwatch For Teen Without Phone
This is another intelligently crafted smartwatch that is equipped with a 5 Megapixel camera. Make others baffled by takings pictures and videos from the watch. It helps to make trips and occasions even more entertaining and full of fun.
Smiley Zeblaze Thor 4 features Android 7.0 OS with 1 GB RAM and 16 GB ROM. This massive storage capacity can easily be mistaken for a phone but no, it’s a watch!
Nano SIM can be inserted on the back and it can function as a GSM phone. Make direct calls and send text messages, whatever you like.
Thor 4 contains all standard smartphone functions which include phonebooks, Wi-fi, GPS, Calendar, Bluetooth, and media players.
You can play your favorite songs on it while running, jogging, or working on the laptop. It’s not finished yet…
This smartwatch is a tracker as well and can measure your heartbeat and steps. With good battery timing and several language integrations, it is a great product to try for your daily routine.
The languages include English, Indonesian, French, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, and many more. For a watch that offers such high levels of connectivity and storage, teenagers can certainly take advantage of it.
It is not waterproof, however, which is a deal-breaker and might come as a shock for some people because, at this price, this attribute must have kicked in.
Key Specifications
- 1.39 inch Super AMOLED Display Android 7.0 System
- CORNING Gorilla Glass 4
- 1 GB RAM + 16 GB
- 0MP Pixels Camera
- Built-in GPS
- GSM Cell Phone
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Battery: 580mAh
- Android 7.0
- Weight: 2.1oz
- Massive storage
- Android 7.0 OS
- Can be used as a smart phone by inserting Nano SIM
- Good tracker as well
- Not water-proof
Final Conclusion
Like every other article on The Gadget Masters, we have presented a fair analysis of the products and would leave the final verdict to the readers themselves. Everyone buys these unique pieces for different reasons and have different standards.
If you’re looking for the cheapest smartwatch then you can go for DoSmarter but if you are looking for an economical and standard-functioning watch, we would suggest Amazfit Bip.
Similarly, if you are looking for enhanced functionality, you can choose either the Garmin Vívoactive 3 or the Ticwatch E but the latter comes with a comparative disadvantage of low battery life.
Those who don’t want to get in the hassle to compare several models for their merits and demerits can opt for Apple Watch Series 3 without any doubts. To use this best apple watch you must have an iPhone. It is fully equipped with all the features and provides unrivaled performance in terms of reliability. If money is not an issue, you must go for it.
Fitbit Versa is one of the best fitness watches and has its own advantages but is a bit expensive and not suitable for night workers. Other than this, it is a pretty good take.
Smartwatch For Teenagers with Sim Card vs Bluetooth
When it comes to choosing the best smartwatch for teenagers, there are two things that you should know about – the SIM Card and Bluetooth.
The SIM card is a phone number that allows you to make and receive phone calls with your watch. It also allows you to use data on your watch which is really important for teenagers who want to stay connected. A smartwatch with a SIM card will allow them to chat with their friends, access social media networks, take pictures, and even use video chat apps like FaceTime or Skype.
On the other hand, a smartwatch with Bluetooth does not come with a SIM card but will allow you to sync all of your notifications from your phone and take calls without having your phone in front of you. If the person doesn’t have a lot of data or money, but still wants to be connected, this is a great option.
- Solar Panels: Are They Worth The Personal Investment? - August 18, 2022
- Garmin Watch Comparison: Which Garmin Watch is Best for Me - June 3, 2022
- Best Military And Rugged Smart Watches 2022 - June 3, 2022
Last update on 2023-03-19 at 21:03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API