Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 vs. Gabb Watch 3e

The Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 beats the Gabb Watch 3e (the updated version of Gabb Watch 3) overall thanks to its camera, faster SOS button, location history, and audio drop-in feature. But the Gabb Watch is more affordable and has a super cute game that makes it fun for young kids to get moving and accomplish to-do lists.

These are both great kids smartwatches with a mile-long list of similarities. The best choice for you depends partially on your parenting style, but we think the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 is better suited for older kids and the Gabb Watch 3e fits the needs of younger kids best.

BTW, the Gabb Watch was named the Best Overall kids smartwatch in our first-ever Kids Safety Awards! 

Both Gabb and Gizmo are neck and neck when it comes to price. The major difference between the two is that Gizmo has a camera and an audio drop-in feature. 

If video calling capabilities are high on your list of must-have features for a kids smartwatch, the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 automatically wins over the Gabb Watch 3e.

Because the Gizmo Watch 3 has a camera, it also supports video calling and photo texting. The camera-free Gabb Watch 3e doesn't do any of that.

You and your child get the benefit of seeing each other’s faces when you’re apart, and you also have the opportunity to start coaching your kid about the do’s and don’ts of taking and sharing photos.

Video calling can be a hassle to set up since family and friends have to scan the watch’s QR code to be approved for video calls. This feature protects your child from strange video calls, but it makes it impossible to video chat with long-distance loved ones until you have a chance to get together in person.

Learn more in our full Verizon Gizmo Watch review.

If you don’t have a Verizon account and don’t want one, the Gabb Watch 3e is a good option. It is the best GPS- and call-enabled smartwatch for younger kids—say around age 6 and up—thanks to the fun virtual pet game with three new Gabb Go Pets and limited features.

The Gabb Watch 3e is rated with IP68 water resistance and an ultra-strong Gorilla Glass 3 screen to withstand whatever kids put it through.

It also features virtual pets that kids can feed, pet, and train with digital coins. They earn coins by logging steps on the watch’s pedometer and by completing tasks on their to-do lists.

Parents set up tasks on the phone app, so you can completely customize how hard your youngster has to work for those coins. It’s a nice way to incentivize them to brush their teeth, make their bed, and put their homework in their backpack.

Gizmo Watches have a drop-in audio feature that lets parents hear what’s going on around their child. Although we don’t consider this a critical feature for our rankings, it comes in handy if the child is unable to answer a call or if parents just want to make sure everything’s going well at a playdate.

The Gabb Watch for kids doesn’t have this “stealthy check-in” feature. When checking in, you’ll see your child’s real-time GPS location, and you’ll find a limited view of where they were in the past by looking at the notifications tab in the app.

Learn more in our full Gabb Watch 3e review or on our Gabb Watch FAQ page. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and learn how to protect your home, loved ones, and belongings.

The Gizmo Watch 3 and Gabb Watch 3e offer several similar features, including the ability to:

• Block unknown callers
• Send voice messages
• Send emojis
• Use templated text responses
• Track location in real-time
• Set up geofencing
• Work in the US
• Use to-do lists, alarms, and school mode
• Connect to a cell phone plan (Verizon or Gabb Wireless)

Neither of the two watches:

• Stream music
• Call 911
• Monitor health (other than counting steps)

You'll get just two perks by choosing the Gabb Watch 3e vs. the Gizmo Watch 3:

• More contacts with Gabb: The Gabb Watch 3e offers 100 contact slots compared to 20 on the Gizmo Watch 3.
• Flashlight on the Gabb Watch: The Gizmo Watch doesn't have one.

On the other hand, the Gizmo Watch 3 offers quite a list of features missing from the Gabb Watch 3e:

• Video calling with Gizmo Watch: The Gabb Watch can't make video calls because it doesn't have a camera.
• Location history Gizmo Watch: The Gabb Watch doesn't let you see where your kid has been — only where they are now.
• Calculator and weather app on the Gizmo Watch: Neither of these apps is available on the Gabb Watch.
• Drop-in audio on the Gizmo Watch: This popular feature isn't available on the Gabb Watch.
• Remote shut-down with the Gizmo Watch: You'll have to get your hands on the Gabb Watch before you can shut it down — which makes it a little harder to enforce screen time rules.
• Bluetooth compatibility on the Gizmo Watch: That means it pairs with Bluetooth headphones so you can get some peace. Remote volume control is your only option with the Gabb Watch.

Yes, Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 has things Gabb doesn't, like video calling, photo texting, drop-in listening, and five-second SOS calling. But, the Gabb Watch 3e is a great choice for parents who don't think their kids are ready for photo and video texting. It's also a good choice if you don't want to set up a Verizon account. So, we called this one a tie.

• Best Smartwatches for Kids
• TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch Review
• COSMO Introduces New JrTrack 3 Kids Smartwatch
• Angel Watch Review
• Garmin Bounce Kids Smartwatch Review