Best Kids GPS Tracker | TheHomeownersToolkit

The Best Kids GPS Trackers and Wearables

The bottom line:AngelSense is a discreet and watchful guardian

AngelSense is a kids’ GPS tracker that can keep your little one safe at school, play, and everywhere in between. Its comfortable design won’t interfere with your kiddo’s range of motion. And it locks tight onto school bags or clothes to stay with them from home to bus to classroom and beyond.

AngelSense’s parent app provides you with frequent updates and virtual fence capabilities so you can see your kids arrive safely at school and friends’ houses after school. You can even contact them through the device if needed.

Our approach

In our tests, we found the best GPS trackers for kids instill confidence in parents and eliminate distractions for kids. So while location accuracy was crucial, features like screen size and time were also accounted for.

That said, kids can still benefit from games or activity tracker features on products like smartwatches that keep them entertained. It was important to us that these trackers were easy to carry too, so we also took size and range into account.

1. AngelSense Kids’ GPS tracker: Best overall

AngelSense GPS tracker was created with one purpose in mind: to help protect children with special needs. But it works for any little ones.

Beyond the plethora of tracking capabilities—from safety-zone setup to 30-second updates—AngelSense’s Listen-In function lets parents listen to how their child’s day is going, ensuring they’re not mistreated, neglected, or lost.

PROS

AngelCall two-way voice
Listen-in function
Location updates every 30 seconds

CONS

High monthly fees

With AngelCall two-way voice, you can talk to your child at any time, and they don’t need to worry about buttons or clicking on anything to chat. Plus, you can see what your child has been up to with diary logs that input data every 30 seconds.

AngelSense’s great features do come at a price. Plans start around $30 and go up from there, depending on whether you pay up front or in installments.

Get the AngelSense device for free

Parents with children who wander know that stay-at-home orders won’t always keep their kids safe inside. For a limited time, AngelSense is offering its device free of charge—you only have to pay the monthly subscription costs!AngelSense has also added new features like a step counter, late arrivals and departures alerts, and a longer battery life.

Standout feature: Regular updates

AngelSense sends consistent updates throughout your day, so you can check in, listen in, and hold onto your peace of mind while your kids go about their day.

3. Verizon GizmoWatch 2: Smartwatch pick

The GizmoWatch 2 is a slick smartwatch packed with features for kids and parents to enjoy. They can text and call you from their watch, track their steps, and set reminders for their day.

The newest version of the GizmoWatch comes with space for 10 programmed numbers for family, neighbors, and trusted friends. If your child finds themselves in an emergency or wants to check in, they can select one of these numbers and send a pre-written message or call for help through the GPS watch.

PROS

Step tracker
Two-way communication
No distracting games or apps
GPS boundaries

CONS

Flimsy watchband material
Quickly draining battery
Only two color choices

In addition to regular GPS tracking, you can set GPS boundaries to keep your kids safe. If they cross a boundary, you’ll get an automatic alert. This feature is especially handy if you’ve got a wanderer. You can see their location through the parents' app and check their status live.

The most common complaint from parents we saw was that the band was made of cheap material or was too easy for their kids to remove.

The battery also tends to drain quickly, so you'll need to charge the watch often. But if you're willing to sacrifice features like step tracking or live location updates, the battery will last much longer.

And call us picky, but we'd also like to see more colors available than just pink and blue. More color options could get your kids excited to wear their slick new watch.

Standout feature: Fitness tracker

You can keep an eye on your children while they get excited about fitness. The GizmoWatch allows kids to set exercise goals, count steps, and schedule reminders for activities like sports or dance lessons.

Pay monthly or up front

Because the GizmoWatch is available through Verizon, you can add it to your existing phone plan or pay for it all at once. As a one-time payment, it costs $99.99 or $4.16 per month for 24 months.

4. Jiobit: Best tiny tracker

The Jiobit tracker is lightweight and smaller than an Oreo—making it easy for little ones to wear all day. But there’s no way to call or listen in with the Jiobit, so if two-way communication is a must-have, this device won’t fit the bill.

Speaking of bills, Jiobit offers a one-year contract plan at $8.99 per month or a month-to-month plan for $12.99 per month.

The Jiobit tracker can go up to one week without charging. But its real-time GPS may drain the battery if your child is on the move often. This means you don’t have to worry about charging it daily, which gives you one less thing to worry about before bed every night.

PROS

Risk-free trial
Long battery life
Secure, durable attachments

CONS

No voice communication

Jiobit can attach securely with a built-in loop, waistband clip, secure loop, strap clip, or an outer sleeve attachment.

While the Jiobit offers accurate GPS tracking, there’s no speaker, so your child can’t call for help, and you can’t listen in to make sure they’re okay.

Standout Feature: Self-learning

Jiobit has learning technology that will remember your child’s routines, routes, and regular locations. That means Jiobit knows if your child goes somewhere they aren't supposed to or doesn't arrive where they need to be.

5. GeoZilla GPS tracker: Best for travel

For kiddos who tend to wander during outings, the Geozilla GPS tracker has you covered. Its worldwide GPS coverage and SOS feature make it easy for your kids to get in touch if they get separated.

This tiny wearable tracker has an impressive battery that lasts up to five days (or 120 hours) and can pinpoint the tracker within 15 feet.

You can adjust the update frequency to make the battery last longer to change the frequency of updates (basically, the more frequent the updates, the higher drain on the battery).

PROS

Worldwide coverage
Five-day battery
Compatible with iOS, Android, and Apple Watch

CONS

Not waterproof

Geozilla has an optional Premium subscription with a bunch of bonus features that make tracking and communication easier. The extra perks include location history, place alerts, schedule alerts, and even to-do lists.

You can opt for a seven-day free trial followed by a $79.99 yearly contract or pay $49.99 every three months (about $16 monthly).