Verizon Gizmo Watch Review

Verizon currently sells two smartwatches for kids ages 6 through 12: the Gizmo Watch 3 and the Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure.

Our team thinks both options are easy-to-use and budget-friendly with low monthly fees and optional financing. You don't have to be an existing Verizon customer to buy these watches, but you should live in an area with a strong Verizon signal for accurate location tracking and clear reception. 

Below, we'll describe the key differences between the Gizmo Watch 3 and Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure, compare them to other smartwatches for kids, take a look at real parent experiences and our own hands-on test results, explain how their features work, and help you decide if they're the best choice for you and your child. 

Should you get the Gizmo Watch 3 or the 3 Adventure? Your choice ultimately boils down to whether you (and your child) want these features:

• A 5MP selfie camera with the ability to text photos and make short video calls (Gizmo Watch 3).
• A larger, more durable screen (Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure)
• Easier charging (Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure)
• Lower price (Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure)

Each watch also comes in different colors (mostly shades of blue).

The original Gizmo Watch 3 doesn't try to do too much at once. Instead, it sticks to the basics that parents expect from a kids smartwatch: an SOS button, secure communication, location tracking, school mode to limit distractions, some kid-friendly tools (like a flashlight) and a few simple yet educational games. 

One of the few kids smartwatches with video calling, the Gizmo Watch 3 could be a great way to get some face time with your child while they're staying at grandma's. Our team of testers say the video is surprisingly clear. If your child prefers another form of communication, they can do it all with the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3: leave voice messages (complete with silly voice effects, like robot or monster), make audio calls, use talk-to-text, write with a full text keyboard, choose from preset text messages, or send emojis, photos, and video clips.

Of course, there are also some fun things for the kids, like a step tracker and a few brain games.

• Go ahead and buy the Gizmo Watch 3 if you definitely want a kids smartwatch that supports video calling.
• Pivot to the Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure if video calling isn't a priority and you'd like a lower-cost option.
• Keep shopping if your kiddo knows more than 20 people who may want to call or text them. (The myFirst Fone R2 supports video calls and offers unlimited contact slots.)

The Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 has earned 3.9 ★ from over 2,200 reviews on Verizon.com. Here's what we learned from those reviews:

Pros

• Clear video
• Age-appropriate
• Reasonable price
• Good location accuracy
• Good battery life
• User-friendly
• Kids love it

Cons

• Quite a few parents have recently reported charging issues
• Some parents say the watch quickly stops working
• It can be tough to get help from customer service

Our team of family safety experts recently tested the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 hands-on. It was a hit! Here's a summary of their testing notes:

• Easy and fast setup. The watch "talks" you through the setup process, and the Gizmo Hub parental control app kicks off with a brief tutorial.  
• More than a step tracker. Kids can log walking, running, jumping, biking, and hiking.
• Useful tools: Testers weren't expecting such a thorough weather app that shows not only the current temperature, but also the air quality index, UV index, pollen index, and a three-day forecast. The watch has a flashlight mode where kids can choose the color of the light or make it flash.
• Long-lasting battery. The Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 lasted about 48 hours with regular use, step-tracking can be disabled to preserve battery life, and the watch limits use to a few core functions (calling, texting, and emergency services) when entering power-saving mode at 30% battery life.
• Quality camera and audio. Photos and videos look better than many other kids smartwatches. Kids can add emojis and frames to photos before sharing them via text.
• Easy-to-use parent app. "Gizmo Hub is one of the more intuitive parent apps," one of our testers said. "There's only two menus where you can edit settings on the watch, so you're not searching all over the place to find what you need." Our testers also appreciated that volume could be controlled from the app.
• GPS could be better: Testers noticed that GPS wasn't as accurate when their child was inside versus outside, and the smallest geofencing radius is 700 feet. "My kid would be three blocks away at that point," said a tester. "I also wanted to set up location updates every 60 minutes, but I had to manually put in the days and hours I wanted. Maybe that helps with battery life? But it seemed tedious." 
• Fun stuff: Some kids smartwatches have zero games, but what's the fun in that? The Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 offers five games that teach math, spelling, memory, and logic. And for your kid's purely silly side, there's a sound generator (yep, it toots). The watch is compatible with Bluetooth, so it pairs with headphones. 

Bottom line: The Gizmo Watch 3 is an easy-to-use kids smartwatch for on-the-go video calls and entertainment. 

After a software upgrade levelled the playing field between the  Gizmo Watch 3 and the Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure, there are only a few differences between these watches. Here's what you can expect with the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure:

• No camera or video calling
• A slightly larger screen with built-in scratch resistance
• Different charger that triggers "nightstand mode"
• $50 cheaper price

We like the scratchproof screen on the 3 Adventure. Verizon customer service told us it's made of diamond-like carbon (DLC), and that the edge of the watch is slightly higher than the screen for additional drop protection.  

We also love "nightstand mode" in the Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure. It's so cool that other kids smartwatches are starting to replicate it. When the watch is on the charger, the screen lights up and displays the date, time, and alarm—just like a digital alarm clock. 

• Go ahead and buy the Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure if you're looking for an affordable yet durable watch.
• Pivot to the Gizmo Watch 3 if video calling is non-negotiable. 
• Keep shopping if: You're looking for a watch with specific features like music, different apps, or worldwide tracking.

On the Verizon website, 285 reviewers give the Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure an average rating of 4★. Here's some common feedback:

Pros

• Good battery life.
• Good cell reception.
• Good amount of features.
• Fast, accurate location tracking.
• Charger is easier for kids to use.

Cons

• The watch is larger than the Gizmo Watch 2 and may be difficult to fit under long sleeves.
• Parents can't monitor the texts their child sends to other people (this is pretty typical of kids smartwatches).
• Rare technical issues, like not being able to turn the watch on.

Some parents didn't realize that this watch didn't have a camera, but Verizon now includes the phrase "No Camera" in the watch's headline to clarify. 

Parents also complained that there were no replacement chargers or screen protectors available for this watch. Verizon has since released both in its online shop:

• $19.99 for a Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure Wireless Charger
• $29.99 for a ZAGG InvisibleShield Fusion for Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure

Bottom line: The Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure is a great alternative for Verizon customers who don't want a camera in their child's smartwatch.

Not sure if the Gizmo Watch will do what you want it to do? In this section, we'll explain how the top features work so there's no surprises.

Like most kids smartwatches, parents have full control over who can send and receive messages. There are 20 contact slots, and any number that isn't listed as a contact will be automatically blocked. This protects your child from spam/scam calls and prevents them from dialing random numbers.  

You can assign different permissions to each contact:

• Buddy: can send and receive calls
• Gizmo Buddy: can send and receive calls and texts from another GizmoWatch
• Caregivers: can send and receive calls and texts, see real-time GizmoWatch location, and receive various alerts
• Guardian: same as Caregiver but with the ability to add and remove contacts, turn the GizmoWatch on and off, and change its settings

With the exception of Gizmo Buddies, all contacts must send communications through the Verizon GizmoHub app, which is free to download. You can't place calls or send texts through your phone's normal keypad and text center.

Through the GizmoHub smartphone app, you can view your child’s location to confirm that they made it to school or are still at a friend’s house. Best of all, you can do so without seeming like a nagging parent, since your child won’t know that you’ve looked up their location.

Your child can also manually check in by tapping the location symbol in the watch menu. Contacts marked as guardians or caregivers will be notified of the child’s location.

The app generates a location history report, and you can refresh the screen at any time to see their real-time location. However, the battery drains faster with more frequent check-ins.

You can also receive location-based alerts, also known as geofencing or safe zones. First, you have to set up and name the locations you want to monitor, such as school, home, the park, the library, or friends’ houses.

A circle appears around each location on the map. This is the geofence (digital perimeter). You’ll get notifications when the GizmoWatch enters or exits this boundary.

You can adjust the size of the circle on the map by tapping and dragging. The minimum radius is 700 feet, which is several blocks in any direction. The maximum radius is 16,404 feet, or about 3 miles in any direction.

The only downside is that this won’t work well in apartment complexes or other large buildings. You won’t necessarily know which floor they’re on.

All GizmoWatches feature an “auto answer” option for parents. If your child isn’t answering calls, enable this mode from the parent app to turn their watch into a two-way speaker. Your call will automatically be answered after 10 seconds.

A new smartwatch is exciting, and your child might need a little help focusing on school. You can set up a period of time when the watch won’t work except for emergency calls. 

Other than switching on school mode, there’s no way to limit the watch’s daily use or receive alerts about excessive usage. Parents do have the option shut down the device through the GizmoHub app.

Many other kids smartwatches let you choose your own cellular provider, but you're stuck with Verizon if you want a GizmoWatch. 

That's fine if you live in a Verizon coverage area, but stinks if you need something like AT&T or T-Mobile instead. 

Verizon verifies coverage during the checkout process, so you shouldn't be in for a surprise once the GizmoWatch arrives. Still, it doesn't hurt to double-check the FCC’s map (check the “Verizon LTE Data” box). Zoom in to confirm your exact area is covered.   

One of the things we like about Verizon's Gizmo Watches is that they're simple. Verizon didn't try to cram every feature under the sun into these devices, and that keeps them user-friendly and affordable. 

Still, if you're looking for something specific, you might want to pass on these watches. Here's what you won't find in the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 and Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure.

Kids can't dial 911 on the Gizmo Watch, and that's designed to keep them out of trouble in case they call in a false alarm.

In an emergency, kids can activate an SOS button by pressing and holding for five seconds, then swiping on the touch screen to place the call.

You can set up only one contact as the designated emergency number. If you’re not available, the phone doesn’t cycle through to a back-up number. Your child would have to manually go through their contact list and place another call.

Not having 911 as a backup option isn't unusual in a kid's smartwatch, but some do offer it, including the Bark Watch, TickTalk 5, and Cosmo JrTrack4.

It seems like a swing-and-miss to add Bluetooth earbud compatibility to the Gizmo Watch 3 but fail to offer music of any kind. The TickTalk5 and Cosmo JrTrack4 do play kid-friendly music.

Aside from the pedometer, there are no health-tracking features for active kids. The Garmin Bounce offers numerous health-tracking options, the Gabb Watch 3e uses a virtual pet to encourage kids to stay active, and the myFirst Fone R2 has a heart beat monitor.

Don't count on a Verizon GizmoWatch to help you keep track of your kid on an international vacation—it won't work. The myFirst Fone R2, TickTalk5, Angel Watch, and Xplora X5 Play do have worldwide coverage.

If the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 and 3 Adventure don't meet your needs, consider our other favorite kids smartwatches. Here are our recommended alternatives:

• For more contact slots, choose the myFirst Fone R2, Gabb Watch 3e, Bark Watch, TickTalk 5, or Cosmo JrTrack 5.
• For communication that doesn't require contacts to download an app, choose the Bark Watch or Cosmo JrTrack 5.
• For a direct-to-911 option, consider the Bark Watch, TickTalk 5, or Cosmo JrTrack 5.
• For gamified activity, choose the Gabb Watch 3e.
• For international use, consider the TickTalk 5.

The Gabb Watch 3e is one of the most popular kids smartwatches. See how it compares to the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 and 3 Adventure in our head-to-head review.  

The cost of the watch itself can be paid upfront or in monthly installments.

• Gizmo Watch 3: $149.99 upfront or $4.16/mo. for 36 months with 0% APR financing
• Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure: $99.99 upfront or $2.77/mo. for 36 months with 0% APR financing

You'll also pay the following:

• $40 upfront activation fee
• $10/mo. cellular fee

Shipping is typically free, but you can pay for faster delivery. If you decide to return the watch, you'll be charged a $50 restocking fee.

Verizon sells a variety of accessories for the Gizmo Watches. Here's a sample:

• Chargers (about $20)
• Screen protectors (about $30)
• Colorful silicone bands (about $20)
• Colorful nylon bands (about $35)
• Wristband decorations (about $25)

After comparing both of Verizon's kids smartwatches, we believe there's no clear winner. Both the Gizmo Watch 3 and Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure are thoughtfully designed for kids and their parents.

We like the Gizmo Watch 3 because it offers video calling, which is a rare feature in kids smartwatches. But the Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure is a nice camera-less option that's one of the most affordable yet high-quality kids smartwatches around. The best choice really depends on the features that are important to you and your child.

Both options are among the most affordable kids smartwatches on the market, especially when you factor in the generous 36-month financing and the relatively low monthly service fee.