The Best Kids GPS Trackers and Wearables of 2023

Want to keep your little one safe at school, play, and everywhere in between? We think Jiobit is the best kids’ GPS tracker. Jiobit'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.

But Jiobit's not as feature-rich as some of the other kids GPS trackers on the market, so we'll introduce you to our other favorites too. The Gabb Watch, for example, is a great wearable option that balance key features and affordability. 

Looking specifically for smartwatches? Check out our review of the best kids smartwatches.

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The GPS tracker in the Gabb Watch makes it easy to find your kid any time, whether they're at ball practice or the park. You can view their location in real-time on the MyGabb app or schedule automatic location updates every 15 minutes or so. You can also set up “safe zones”—like school, home, or friends' houses—and get notifications when your kid enters or leaves these areas.  The idea is that you can let your guard down a bit and not worry about your kid’s whereabouts unless you get that “exiting safe zone” ping.

AngelSense sends consistent updates throughout your day, so you can feel assured of your child's safety. Check in, listen in, and hold onto your peace of mind while your kids go about their day.

Beyond plenty of tracking capabilities—from safety-zone setup to 10-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.

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.

This wearable GPS tracker isn't just for kids, either. We recommend AngelSense for people with dementia prone to wandering off.

Read our full review of AngelSense.

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The Oreo-sized Jiobit Next improves on the original Jiobit with a longer battery life—up to 10 days versus 7 days—and 5G low-power network connectivity that puts less strain on the battery. This means you can check on your kid's whereabouts more often without sapping the battery. 

Jiobit's latest iteration also features antenna technology for more accurate indoor location-tracking, plus a new belt or backpack clip. 

Jiobit Next 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, and you'll get an alert on your phone.

There’s no speaker in either Jiobit model, so your child can’t talk to you if they need help, and you can’t listen in to make sure they’re okay. Check out AngelSense or TickTalk 4 for two-way talk.

Learn more by reading our in-depth Jiobit review.

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In addition to regular GPS tracking, you can set GPS boundaries (also called geofencing) 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 your child's location through the parents' app and check their status live.

TickTalk4 doesn't include games, but it does allow kids to stream family-friendly music and stories on iHeartRadio. We think this is a great compromise for limiting screen time while still giving kids an entertaining device they'll want to wear. It also doubles as a fitness tracker thanks to a built-in pedometer.

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AirTags don't cut it as a go-to kids tracker in our book—they have no emergency features and have some tracking limitations, which we explain in-depth in our Apple AirTag FAQ. 

But AirTags fill a gap in GPS trackers' functionality thanks to their Precision Finding feature. GPS trackers can show you your child's location within about 16 feet—which isn't always helpful in crowded areas or when trying to find a child who's really good at hiding. Precision Finding can get you to the AirTag's exact location thanks to its directional arrow and inch-by-inch distance countdown.

It's sort of like using the focus dials on a microscope or pair of binoculars: one gives a general view and the other zooms in much further. For best results, use them together.

Apple AirTags retail for around $29 each and don't need a monthly service plan. But you need a nearly $470 phone—the iPhone 11 and above—to use the Precision Finding tool.  

Learn more in our full Apple AirTag review.

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The GeoZilla GPS tracker offers worldwide GPS coverage and gave reasonably accurate location updates during our tests. But some of the advertised communication features didn't work right. For nearly $20 a month, it's not worth the money.

Read our GeoZilla review to get the full scoop.

Child GPS trackers like Active Halo from Amber Alert make the darkest scenarios a little brighter.

This child tracking device uses 4G LTE to track location, send alerts, and detect speed. The Amber Alert GPS locator helps you keep tabs on your child’s whereabouts at all times.

You can program up to 20 safe zones and get updates on your child’s location every five minutes. To prevent distractions during school, you can place the device in silent mode.

All of these features come at a price, though—the Amber Alert GPS Locator is one of the most expensive devices on our list.

Amber Alert GPS is the only device that alerts you if your child is close to a registered sex offender’s address.

OurPact is billed as a GPS tracker for kids, but we found that isn't its strong point. Since it's an app on your child's device, if your kiddo sets down their device and wanders away, then OurPact is useless. If you don't have a computer to sync it with your child's device, it's also useless. 

We did love it as an internet activity-monitoring tool to protect your child from online strangers or cyberbullying. You can see what your child is looking at, block websites and apps, and schedule screen time with ease. 

Learn more from our full OurPact review. 

The Tracki is a tiny, no-frills GPS tracker with geofencing and an SOS button. It's small enough to fit inside a child's pocket, or you can attach it to the included lanyard, keychain, or belt clip to turn it into a wearable tracking device for kids. The Tracki also comes with a silicone cover to protect it from water damage.

From your online account or companion app, you can set up geofence zones and change the frequency of location check-ins. The Tracki's battery lasts up to 72 hours with minute-by-minute check-ins. If you check in once a day, the battery can last more than a month. 

The Tracki itself costs around $20, but you'll pay that same amount each month for service. If you pay annually, the price lowers to around $10 per month. 

The Samsung SmartThings Tracker was discontinued in October 2021. It used the AT&T 4G LTE network to track anything—including your child's whereabouts. A button on the side let kids notify their parents when they were ready to be picked up or they needed help.

Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag trackers are similar but use Bluetooth instead of cellular technology. That means they have similar pros and cons to the Apple AirTag when used to track a child. 

My Buddy Tag has gone out of business.

It was a Bluetooth tracker disguised as a comfy wristband. One feature that set the My Buddy Tag apart was the water safety alert, which was great for pool or lake safety since it could help prevent drowning. We hope to see a similar feature prioritized in other kids wearables in the future.

Previously one of our top picks, Relay switched over to the business market and has no plans to restock their kids' GPS trackers. Only refurbished units are available, and they get scooped up fast. Existing customers shouldn't experience any service issues.

If you can get one, we think you'll like it. This innovative take on a kids' smartphone has GPS tracking, nationwide coverage, and one-touch communication. And its lack of a screen means you don't have to worry about monitoring your kid's screen time. Learn more in our full Relay review.

We chose Jiobit as best overall because it offers a good value, boasting generous battery life and accurate location tracking for a low monthly fee.

But you might prefer another tracker based on your family's needs:

• Gabb Watch is a great wearable option that offers a nice balance between key features and affordability.
• AngelSense is feature-heavy and great for kids with disabilities, but it's also the most expensive option.
• TickTalk4 includes video calling and other communication channels.
• An Apple AirTag shows your child's direction and distance relative to you, making it perfect for crowded events or vacation getaways.

With features like geofences, mobile app alerts, and activity tracking, GPS trackers for kids make family outings and their solo adventures a little safer. These simple devices give you the confidence to let them explore their world at a young age. 

Want to keep track of more than just your kids? Check out our full lineup of the best GPS trackers for any situation.

Whether you’re looking for a kids’ GPS tracking watch or a GPS tracking device you can conceal in a pocket, get to know the basics before making a purchase.

The best GPS tracker is comfortable and fun for kids to use, durable enough to last all day, and accurate in its readings. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• User-friendliness: Choose a tracker that’s easy for you and your child to use. It shouldn’t interfere with their range of motion or get in the way.
• Age range: Check the recommended age range on any tracker you’re considering. Some have anti-tamper features for older kids if you’re worried they will remove it.
• Durability: Kids play rough, so be sure their tracker can withstand all the roughhousing, horseplay, and hazards kids can throw at it. Look for waterproof models that can handle puddles and spills too.
• Range: Not all GPS devices are created equal. Those that use cellular 4G LTE tracking can handle long range connections if your kids visit somewhere out of state while Bluetooth devices are meant for close range.
• Alerts and notifications: Look for a device with adjustable settings to avoid false alarms or blowing up your phone. Your device should be customizable to let you check on your kids when you want and notify you when there’s trouble.
• Panic button: Some kids GPS devices come with a panic button that let your child alert you when something’s wrong or they need help.
• Two-way communication: This feature lets you speak to your child through their tracker like an intercom so you can ask them where they are or if they need help.
• Games: Features like games and step counters give kids more motivation to wear their tracker. After all, the device isn’t helpful if your child doesn’t want to wear or use it. Just make sure the games aren't too distracting.
• Real-time tracking: When you need to know where your child is, this is the most important feature. You can adjust the settings in your tracker’s app to send an updated location to you every minute to every fifteen minutes.

To get the best results for our lineup, we tested some of the best kids' GPS trackers ourselves. We got products like AngelSense, Jiobit, and Relay in-house to give them a spin. 

We tested each of these for features like location accuracy (hide and seek, anyone?), portability, and tracking range. 

We also wanted to make sure we picked products kids actually wanted to use. So features like games and activity tracking earned extra points in our testing. 

Learn more from our methodology page about how we conduct reviews like this one. 

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1. Federal Trade Commission, "COPPA Safe Harbor Program." Accessed August 24, 2022.
2. KidSAFE Seal Program, "Official Membership Page: Jiobit and Jiobit Next." Accessed August 24, 2022.