A phone alternative
If your child is too young for their own cell phone but you still want them to be able to contact you to check in or in case of emergency, the Fitbit Ace LTE is a good option. It isn’t the first kids’ GPS and cellular watch, but it’s the first from Fitbit. And it offers some compelling features. But the subscription requirement, access to on-wrist games, and lack of sleep tracking might make you think twice.
For
- Comes with cellular connectivity
- Includes GPS location tracking
- Charges quickly
- Gamifies fitness to get kids moving
Against
- Requires a recurring monthly fee
- Not needed if they have a phone
- No sleep tracking
- Significantly shorter battery life
A kids’ starter tracker
The Fitbit Ace 3 is a simple device designed for younger kids that can track their activity and sleep while letting them personalize on-screen characters, get reminders to move, and more. It’s limited in functionality but for some parents (and kids), that’s all you want. At its current price, it’s a great tracker to test the waters before diving into something more feature rich.
For
- No subscription required
- Detailed sleep tracking
- Simpler band design
- Great battery life
Against
- Limited functionality
- Older model in need of a refresh
- No connectivity without a phone
