Baby & Family · Head-to-head
Garmin Bounce 2 vs Verizon Gizmo Watch 4
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Kids Smartwatches: 6 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Garmin Bounce 2 pairs a clear plan requirement with a parent app that handles school mode, location requests and messaging. The Verizon Gizmo Watch 4 is the better fit when your family already uses Verizon and you want the plan to stay simple.
Garmin Bounce 2
Buy itAn LTE kids watch with a full parent app, school mode, on-request location tracking and a clearly documented subscription.
- The owner's manual spells out which features need the LTE subscription: voice calling, text and voice messaging, LiveTrack, assistance, and chores and rewards.
- School mode can silence the watch, or silence it and restrict games and messages, during hours the parent sets, and the child can still request assistance.
- Rated 5 ATM, with an estimated battery life of up to 2 days that Garmin says varies with connected features and LTE conditions.
- Calling, messaging and location all stop working without an active LTE subscription and network coverage, and the watch must be set up through the Garmin Jr. app.
- Assistance is not a path to emergency services: Garmin says the app does not contact emergency services on your behalf.
- Garmin's product pages and manual do not name the cellular carrier, so check the coverage page before buying, especially in rural areas.
Verizon Gizmo Watch 4
Buy itVerizon's own kids watch, with video calling, safe zones, school mode and a dedicated low-cost watch plan.
- Verizon lists a 1.6 inch scratch-resistant screen, video calling, up to 40 trusted contacts and a distraction-free school mode.
- Watch removal alerts and custom safe zones are managed in the Verizon Family app, which Verizon says is included with a Gizmo watch service.
- Verizon's FAQ explains the location order: GPS first, then Wi-Fi, then cellular, with accuracy that varies from a few yards to up to a mile on cellular.
- It needs the Unlimited for Gizmo plan, and Verizon says data slows to up to 600 Kbps after 15 GB in a month.
- Verizon's FAQ states that Gizmo watches are not compatible with 911 or similar emergency numbers.
- It is tied to Verizon service, so families on another carrier add a new line just for the watch.
Side by side
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Garmin Bounce 2 Our pick | Verizon Gizmo Watch 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Parents who want one app for school hours, location and messaging, and who are comfortable with a monthly subscription. | Families already on Verizon who want video calling and safe zones on a simple plan. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $ · budget |
| Calling | Voice calls and voice or text messages | Voice and video calls |
| Location as the maker states it | LiveTrack on parent request, ends after 30 minutes unless extended | GPS, then Wi-Fi, then cellular |
| Parent app | Garmin Jr. | Verizon Family |
| School or quiet mode | School mode | School mode |
| Plan requirement | LTE subscription from Garmin | Unlimited for Gizmo plan |
| SOS or emergency button | Assistance alerts family, does not contact emergency services | Not compatible with 911 |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | Water-resistant, rating not stated in Verizon's launch release |
| Battery as the maker states it | Up to 2 days estimated | Up to 3 days |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Garmin Bounce 2 if
parents who want one app for school hours, location and messaging, and who are comfortable with a monthly subscription.
Know before buying: calling, messaging and location all stop working without an active LTE subscription and network coverage, and the watch must be set up through the Garmin Jr. app.
Pick the Verizon Gizmo Watch 4 if
families already on Verizon who want video calling and safe zones on a simple plan.
Know before buying: it needs the Unlimited for Gizmo plan, and Verizon says data slows to up to 600 Kbps after 15 GB in a month.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Garmin Bounce 2 - An LTE kids watch with a full parent app, school mode, on-request location tracking and a clearly documented subscription. Choose the Verizon Gizmo Watch 4 instead if families already on Verizon who want video calling and safe zones on a simple plan.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Kids Smartwatches: 6 Compared (and One to Skip).