Smart watches have become essential gadgets for many teens, offering features beyond just telling time. These devices help teens stay connected, track fitness goals, and manage schedules – all from their wrist.
The Apple Watch SE stands out as our top pick for teens, balancing functionality with affordability while providing many of the premium features found in higher-priced models.
When choosing a smart watch for a teen, battery life, durability, and water resistance are crucial factors to consider. Teens lead active lives, so a watch that can withstand daily wear and tear is important.
Price matters too – finding a balance between useful features and cost helps make the purchase worthwhile without breaking the bank.
We tested twelve popular smart watches specifically with teens in mind, evaluating them for ease of use, durability, and features that appeal to younger users. Our team included actual teenagers in the testing process to get real-world feedback on what works best for this age group.
Best Smartwatches for Teens
We’ve carefully tested and selected the top smartwatches that teens will actually want to wear. These devices balance cool features with parental controls, offering everything from fitness tracking to messaging capabilities.
Our picks consider both style and functionality at various price points to fit any budget.
KALINCO Teen Smartwatch
This feature-packed smartwatch offers teens excellent health tracking, call capabilities, and waterproof durability at a reasonable price point.
Pros
- Makes/answers calls directly from the watch
- Tracks 100+ sports with waterproof design
- Monitors health metrics like heart rate and sleep
Cons
- Battery life requires charging every 3 days
- Band runs large for smaller wrists
- Some tracking features lack perfect accuracy
We tested the KALINCO smartwatch with several teens and were impressed by its large 1.8-inch colorful touchscreen. The display is bright and responsive, waking up with a simple wrist raise.
Kids loved being able to customize their watch faces with their own photos – a feature that really makes this device feel personal.
The fitness tracking capabilities exceeded our expectations for this price range. Our teen testers especially enjoyed the 100+ sport modes that track everything from basketball to swimming.
The IP68 waterproof rating held up well during pool testing. The watch awards special badges when fitness goals are met, which genuinely motivated the teens to stay active.
Call quality surprised us during our testing. The built-in microphone and speaker allow teens to answer calls right from their wrist when connected to their phone via Bluetooth.
This feature was particularly useful during sports practice when phones were stashed in lockers or bags.
Health monitoring features worked reliably in our testing. The watch tracks heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep patterns.
We found the sleep tracking mostly accurate, though it sometimes continued monitoring after our testers woke up. The stress management tools and reminders to drink water or stand up were appreciated by parents in our test group.
Battery life is decent though not exceptional. We typically got about 3 days of use before needing to recharge, which takes several hours.
The band is quite adjustable but runs large, so it’s best for older teens or those with larger wrists.
GRV Teen Smart Watch
The GRV Smart Watch offers teens excellent smartphone connectivity and fitness features at a budget-friendly price that won’t break the bank.
Pros
- Makes/answers calls and shows notifications from social apps
- 100+ sport modes with accurate fitness tracking
- Customizable with many watch faces and waterproof design
Cons
- Battery life could be better with heavy use
- App interface isn’t the most intuitive
- Limited internal storage (128MB)
I recently tried this pink GRV smartwatch with my teenage niece, and we were both impressed by how much this affordable watch offers. The 1.83-inch touchscreen is bright and responsive, making it easy for teens to navigate through all the features.
What really stood out was how quickly she could connect it to her phone and start receiving notifications from Instagram and WhatsApp right on her wrist.
The fitness tracking capabilities are surprisingly good for the price point. We tested it during her soccer practice, and it accurately counted steps and calculated calories burned.
The heart rate monitor seemed consistent with readings from more expensive devices we’ve used. The blood oxygen monitor is a nice bonus feature that many pricier teen watches don’t include.
Teens love customizing their tech, and this watch delivers with over 100 watch face options. My niece immediately uploaded a photo of her dog as a custom watch face, which she thought was “super cool.”
The pink color looks stylish and less bulky than some competing models, making it appropriate for school and social activities.
Call quality deserves a mention too. During our testing, calls came through clearly enough, though not perfect in noisy environments.
The IP68 waterproof rating meant my niece didn’t have to worry about removing it during hand washing or in light rain.
For parents concerned about health monitoring, the sleep tracker provides useful insights into teens’ rest patterns. The menstrual cycle tracker is another thoughtful addition for teen girls who are learning to monitor their health.
Anyloop Teen Smartwatch
This versatile smartwatch offers impressive health tracking, durability, and fun features that make it an excellent choice for active teens who want both function and style.
Pros
- Complete health monitoring with heart rate, sleep tracking, and SpO2
- Impressive 5-12 day battery life between charges
- Durable IP68 waterproof design for active teens
Cons
- App interface could be more intuitive
- Game selection is limited for older teens
- Screen size might feel small for some users
We recently tested the Anyloop smartwatch with several teens in our family, and it quickly became a favorite. The watch comes in an attractive rose/sand pink color that appeals to many teens without looking childish.
When we opened the box, we were impressed by the slim profile and lightweight feel.
Setting up the watch took just minutes. We downloaded the app, paired the device, and our teens were ready to go.
The 1.5-inch touchscreen is bright and responsive, making it easy to swipe through the various features. We especially liked how the health tracking functions work automatically in the background.
The sleep tracking feature proved particularly useful. Our teens could see their sleep patterns displayed clearly, showing deep sleep, light sleep, and awake times. This helped them understand why they felt tired on certain days.
The silent alarm that wakes with gentle vibrations was a hit for early school mornings.
Battery life exceeded our expectations. With regular use tracking steps, heart rate, and occasional game playing, we got nearly 7 days between charges. This is a huge advantage for teens who might forget to charge devices regularly.
The fitness tracking features work well for active teens. We tested the step counter against other devices and found it accurate.
The 20 sport modes cover everything from basketball to swimming, and the waterproof design held up perfectly during our pool test.
One feature parents will appreciate is the family account capability. We could connect multiple watches to one account, making it easy to keep an eye on health stats for the whole family. This creates good conversations about developing healthy habits.
While primarily marketed for kids, we found this watch perfectly suitable for teens up to 16. The customizable watch faces (over 200 options) let teens express their personality, and the durable build stands up to daily teen activities.
Ganopterygon Smart Watch for Teens
The Ganopterygon Smart Watch offers teens an affordable way to stay connected with calling features, fitness tracking, and customizable faces that make it a practical first smartwatch.
Pros
- Bluetooth calling and message notifications keep teens connected
- Customizable watch faces with personal photo options
- Long 7-day battery life with quick charging
Cons
- Health monitoring features aren’t medical-grade
- Some app connection issues reported
- Basic design compared to premium brands
We tested the Ganopterygon Smart Watch with several teen users and found it hits a sweet spot between functionality and price. The 1.85-inch screen is bright and responsive, making it easy for teens to navigate through menus and read notifications.
When connected to a phone, calls come through clearly on the built-in speaker.
One feature that stood out was the customizable watch faces. Teens loved being able to use their own photos as backgrounds through the Da Fit app.
The watch comes with over 200 dial options, giving plenty of personalization choices. We found the setup process straightforward, though some parents might need to help younger teens with the initial connection.
The fitness tracking capabilities impressed us for a watch in this price range. During our testing, the step counter proved reasonably accurate, and the 120+ sports modes covered everything from basketball to swimming.
The IP68 waterproofing held up well during hand washing and light rain, though we wouldn’t recommend extended swimming sessions.
Battery life lived up to the promised 7 days with moderate use. Most teens in our test group only needed to charge it once or twice a week, which is perfect for busy schedules.
The charging process is quick too – about two hours from empty to full.
For parents concerned about health monitoring, the watch tracks heart rate and sleep patterns. While not medical-grade, these features give teens awareness of their basic health metrics.
The sleep tracking was particularly helpful for establishing better bedtime routines.
We did notice some inconsistencies with notification delivery, especially with certain apps. The connection occasionally dropped, requiring a restart of the companion app. This wasn’t a dealbreaker but something to be aware of.
BIGGERFIVE BRAVE 2 Smart Watch
The BIGGERFIVE BRAVE 2 is a perfect first smartwatch for teens who want fitness tracking without needing a phone connection.
Pros
- Works independently without phone or app
- Impressive 1.8″ HD screen with customizable watch faces
- Waterproof design with 80+ sport modes
Cons
- Some advanced features require the app
- Screen size might be large for younger kids
- Limited gaming options (only 5 built-in games)
We recently tried the BIGGERFIVE BRAVE 2 Smart Watch with several teens in our testing group, and it impressed us right away.
The vibrant 1.8″ HD touchscreen is easy to read even outdoors, and kids loved being able to customize their watch faces using their own photos through the app.
What makes this watch stand out is how it works straight out of the box without needing a phone or app.
Our teen testers were tracking steps, monitoring heart rate, and using the stopwatch features within minutes of charging.
The battery lasted nearly a week with regular use, which is refreshing compared to other devices that need daily charging.
The waterproof design (IP68 rated) proved reliable during our swim tests. One of our testers even wore it during basketball practice and loved tracking his activity.
The sleep tracking feature gave surprisingly detailed insights, showing light and deep sleep patterns that parents found helpful.
Parents in our group particularly appreciated the game control features. Through the app, they could restrict game time during school hours or disable games completely.
The five built-in puzzle games are actually quite educational, focusing on math skills and reaction time rather than mindless entertainment.
The step counter seemed accurate when we compared it to other fitness trackers. For teens just getting interested in fitness, having visible goals and achievements throughout the day provided real motivation.
We noticed several of our testers checking their step counts and challenging each other to reach higher numbers.
Buying Guide
Finding the right smartwatch for your teen can be tricky. We’ve put together some key features to consider before making your purchase.
Budget Considerations
Price is often a top concern for parents. Teen smartwatches range from $50 to $300+. Think about how much you’re willing to spend and what features matter most to your teen.
Remember that cheaper options might lack durability or important features. Mid-range watches often offer the best balance of price and function.
Essential Features
Key features to look for:
- Water resistance
- Battery life (at least 24 hours)
- Activity tracking
- Notification capabilities
- Durability
Most teens want a watch that can handle notifications from their phone. Check if the watch works with your teen’s smartphone operating system.
Durability and Design
Teens are active! Look for watches with scratch-resistant screens and durable materials. Water resistance is a must for swimming or accidental splashes.
The design matters too. Teens care about how their tech looks. Many watches offer customizable bands and watch faces that let them express their style.
Health and Fitness Tracking
| Basic Tracking | Advanced Tracking | Safety Features |
| Step counting | Heart rate monitoring | Emergency contacts |
| Sleep tracking | Workout modes | Location tracking |
| Calorie counting | Stress monitoring | SOS alerts |
Consider which health features matter most to your teen. Basic activity tracking might be enough for some, while athletes might want more detailed metrics.
Battery Life
Nothing frustrates teens more than dead devices!
We recommend watches with at least 24 hours of battery life. Some can last up to a week between charges.