The 5 Best Smartwatches for Teenagers in 2024 – By Experts

Regular old timepieces aren’t of much value to a Generation Z teen. Smartwatches are the thing now, and it’s not difficult to see why considering the host of modern perks that these newfangled gadgets have to offer, from fitness tracking to the ability to receive and make calls.

However, teens today are more tech-savvy than ever, so you can’t simply get your teenybopper the first smartwatch you lay your eyes on. You need to do some contemplation in order to figure out exactly what you want out of your smartwatch since no two smartwatches are the same.

That said, this article should serve as your guide to the contemporary world of smartwatches. In this article, you’ll learn about the best smartwatches for teenagers, and you’ll be briefed on a few factors that you must take into consideration in order to ensure the most bang for your buck.

List of the Best Smartwatch for Teenagers:

• VTech KidiZoom DX2
• Pebble 2 Smartwatch
• Amazfit Bip Smartwatch
• Fitbit Versa Lite Edition
• Samsung Gear Sport

Table of Comparison:

The 5 Best Smartwatches for Teenagers in 2024

After hours of extensive research, we can safely say that we’ve identified the best smartwatches for teenagers. Each one of the smartwatches we’ve rounded up is on this list for a reason, so it’s advised that you go through each review diligently in order to get your money’s worth.

1. VTech KidiZoom DX2

Intended for use by children from the ages 4 to 9 years old, the KidiZoom DX2 is equipped with an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate. Mainly designed as an educational tool, it features a lot of interesting features that help children learn things such as telling the time.

The DX2 features a soft and comfortable belt that’s flexible enough to fit all wrist sizes. To add, it comes in a host of 6 bright colors that most kids find captivating, namely Royal Blue, Pink, Floral Swirl, Vivid Violet, Red Flame, and Camouflage. Some versions feature unique wristbands.

The KidiZoom DX2 is equipped with a dual-camera system, meaning that your kid will be able to take selfies as well as pictures of whatever the smartwatch’s side camera is pointed at. The cam on the top has a resolution of 640×480. Not great, but considering the price, it’s a good bargain.

The awesome thing about the camera is that it allows you to use a ton of interesting photo filters and effects, which makes the DX2 an ideal watch if your kid is into photography. To add, the unit boasts a video recording option that allows you to record videos at a 320×240 resolution.

Another reason why the DX2 is a perfect choice for kids and teenagers is its impressive array of fun activities that it has to offer. To be more specific, the DX2 features a total of 5 built-in games, 3 action challenges that rely on its built-in motion sensor, and 3 other fun activities.

Into the bargain, the DX2 has a download center by the name of “VTech’s Learning Lodge.” The download center allows you to enjoy more downloadable content that gets updated on a regular basis. The smartwatch is also equipped with a few exciting and fun learning tools.

The DX2 also features a parental control function that allows you to limit how long your kid plays games on this watch. Battery-wise, the unit features a non-removable battery that can last 2 to 3 days on typical usage. Sadly, the KidiZoom DX2 doesn’t feature a GPS functionality.

Final Verdict

The KidiZoom DX2 from VTech is an ideal pick if you’re looking for a budget-friendly device that can offer your teenage kid countless hours of fun and education. Recommended for ages 4 to 9.

2. Pebble 2 Smartwatch

Pebble made its debut in the running smartwatches market with the Pebble Smartwatch back in 2013, so they’re relatively new compared to other brands on this list. Before being taken over by Fitbit, the company released its second offering, the Pebble 2, and it’s simply a superb unit.

The Pebble 2 features a lot more fitness-related features than its predecessor. It also features a heart rate tracker for convenience. Some of the main activities that this device can track include walking and running. The watch also includes a third activity tracker for general working out.

The Pebble 2 comes with a bit of a learning curve, especially with Pebble’s exclusive features. It takes some getting used to in order to sync the watch to the Pebble’s app and to download apps from the Pebble store. After a while, however, everything becomes pretty straightforward.

Display-wise, the Pebble 2 is equipped with an ePaper screen that shines quite bright, and that’s always on. You’ll notice that even in the brightest sunlight, you’ll be able to read the watch easily without straining your eyes. The face is also fairly resistant to scratches and drops.

Some of the Pebble’s standard features include standard time and date measurements, alarms, stopwatches, and a bunch of other features that you’d expect to see in a smartwatch. Moreover, you can sync the Pebble 2 to smartwatches, allowing you to sync information across.

As far as advanced features, the Pebble 2 is packed with a ton of fitness and non-fitness related features. It’s also worth noting that the Pebble store boasts a broad selection of apps for various uses. You can also download watch faces and layouts to personalize the Pebble 2 to your liking.

The Pebble 2 houses a battery that’s projected to last for about a week with minimal fitness use. With heavy use, the battery can keep the watch going for about 5 to 6 days. When the battery is completely depleted, all you have to do is use the cable that comes in the box to recharge it.

Final Verdict

If you’re in search of a smartwatch that can help you keep track of your fitness activities as well as your heart rate without spending a lot of money, the Pebble 2 Smartwatch is the way to go.

3. Amazfit Bip Smartwatch

The Amazfit Bip is another entry-level smartwatch that we think is perfect for teenagers. One of the most prominent features that help set this smartwatch apart is its incredible battery life, which spans up to 30 days. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another watch with the same battery life.

In terms of construction, the Amazfit Bip is pretty thin and lightweight. Looking at the smartwatch long enough, it becomes apparent that the design draws inspiration from the design of the Apple Watch with the rectangular frame and the bezel crown. The unit is available in 4 different colors.

If the design of the band doesn’t satisfy your stylistic preferences, you can easily swap it for just about any standard 20mm band on the market. While it’s not the best-looking smartwatch on the list, it does a pretty good job of integrating with different clothing styles, be it casual or formal.

The watch is equipped with a 1.28-inch color LCD touchscreen that’s very interactive and vividly bright. The screen also features the always-on function, so you won’t have to press any buttons in order to figure out what time it is. The watch features IP68 water and dust resistance rating.

The Bip smartwatch features a heart rate monitor and onboard GPS for convenience. However, it came to our attention that the heart rate monitor is rather inaccurate. The inaccuracy might be negligible for fitness enthusiasts, but it won’t be very convenient for monitoring heart health.

The unit also features a pedometer that you can use to count steps. However, when compared to a Fitbit smartwatch like the one we’re reviewing next, the inaccuracies of the pedometer that this unit features become glaring. Nevertheless, it still offers a pretty reasonable estimate.

Pairing this device to your smartphone is quite simple. All you need to do is download the Mi Fit App, include the Amazfit Bip as a device, and then activate Bluetooth in order to pair the device. All in all, the Amazfit Bip is capable of performing as well as mid-tier Fitbit units at a lower price.

Final Verdict

If battery life is your primary concern when shopping for a smartwatch, then you should certainly opt for the Amazfit Bip, especially since it can go head to head with mid-tier Fitbit trackers.

4. Fitbit Versa Lite Edition

The Fitbit Versa Lite isn’t different from the original Versa as far as the design. In fact, the Fitbit Versa Lite is pretty much identical to the original Versa. Both watches seem to have drawn a lot of inspiration from the design of the Apple Watch, only a little thicker and heavier.

The Versa Lite features a white silicone strap and a silver case, whereas the original Versa had a lavender strap and a rose gold case. We feel like the original Versa looked cool as it is, but it’s all about personal preference when we talk about designs, colors, and aesthetics in general.

One of the most notable aesthetic differences between the Lite and the original Versa is that the Lite features a single side button compared to the three buttons featured on the original Versa. It helps simplify the navigation process, and it makes for a more simplistic design.

Another thing that’s worth noting about the Fitbit Versa Lite is that it’s so lightweight that you can forget that you’re wearing it from time to time. And while we said that it looks like a thicker Apple Watch, the Fitbit Versa Lite still has a relatively low profile, just not as low as the Apple Watch.

The Fitbit Versa runs on the Fitbit OS 3, which is very well known for its smooth and responsive interface. We’d like to point out that the Fitbit Versa experiences a one-second delay whenever you pull up the Today dashboard or when you open apps such as Weather and Exercise.

The Fitbit Versa Lite is a fantastic smartwatch at the gym, as it does an excellent job of keeping tabs on the pulse and the number of burnt calories. In fact, Fitbit watches tend to be a lot better than Samsung units when it comes to identifying the cardio zone you’re in based on your pulse.

When it comes to battery life, the Fitbit Versa Lite lasts for about 4 to 5 days, depending on how extensively you use it, which is the same as a Galaxy Watch Active or a regular Versa. All in all, the Versa Lite’s robust workout features and reliable battery life make it an excellent choice.

Final Verdict

The Fitbit Versa Lite strikes the perfect balance between comfort, practicality, and pricing. It’s an ideal pick if you’re looking to keep tabs on your workout routines and fitness goals in general.

5. Samsung Gear Sport

The Samsung Gear Sport is more like the newer version of the Gear S2, and it’s equipped with a lot of safety features that we’re certain your teenage kid is going to enjoy. You can track up to 60 different workout routines with this watch as well as count steps, burned calories, and more.

The Gear Sport is equipped with all of the features that you’d expect from a smartwatch. It offers you the ability to precisely track your heart rate. Moreover, you can input your caloric intake, and the Gear Sport will help you achieve your dietary goals by balancing calories in and calories out.

The Samsung Gear Sport is also a fantastic choice for teenagers who are engaged in swimming activities, as it’s water-resistant up to 50 meters. Not only that, but the watch allows you to track your lap time, stroke type, heart rate, and burnt calories while you’re swimming.

Using this smartwatch, you’ll be able to get notifications from your phone right to your wrist. Just make sure that the device is connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. The watch also has a neat feature that sends you reminders to move if you’ve been inactive for a long period of time.

We have to say that the Samsung Gear Sport is one of the sturdiest smartwatches available. As the firm says, the unit offers “military-level durability.” The Gear Sport is featured in only 2 colors which are Black and Blue, with the latter having more of a subtle tone rather than a bright hue.

One of the Gear Sport’s more advanced features is the ability to link a pair of headphones to the smartwatch so that you can listen to music from Spotify without having to use your phone. However, you’ll need a Spotify Premium membership in order to be able to listen to music offline.

As far as the display, the Samsung Gear Sport features a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display that has a 360×360 pixel resolution. Thanks to its ability to offer sharp images, you can forget about motion blur when switching from screen to screen on this smartwatch. Highly recommended!

Final Verdict

In our humble opinion, we feel like the Gear Sport is the perfect smartwatch for teenagers, as it has a fashionable design, it’s packed with features, and that vivid display is just mwah!

What to Look for When Buying a Smartwatch

Considering the deluge of smartwatches in the market, pinpointing the right product for your kid can be quite challenging, which is why you need to take the following factors into consideration.

1. Your Child’s Age

Adolescence or the teenage period spans from the age of 13 to the age of 19. Depending on the age of your teenage child, your choice of smartwatches can vary. If your kid just turned 13, you’ll be better off buying a watch that isn’t too hard to figure out or too expensive.

If your child is older and more mature, you should steer clear of anything that looks remotely for children. You have to make a bit of effort in order to find a watch that strikes the perfect balance between stylishness, functionality, and comfort if you want to please your teenage kid.

2. Fitness Features

The vast majority of smartwatches on the market are equipped with a few fitness features, at the very least. There are also smartwatches that can keep tabs on the heartbeat, such as the Pebble 2 and the Samsung Gear Sport. A pedometer is another fitness feature to look out for.

If your teenage kid is into sports and working out, you need to make sure that the fitness tracker equipped within the watch can calculate the number of calories being burned, as it will help your kid keep track of his fitness goals. Find out what your kid needs before making the purchase.

For instance, if your kid is engaged in sports such as running, cycling, dancing, etc, you need to look for a smartwatch that can help your kid monitor such activities. Further, there are units that can help you track sleep patterns, distance traveled, and active minutes.

3. Battery Lifespan

The lifespan of a smartwatch’s battery is one of the most crucial factors to consider when in the market for a smartwatch. There’s nothing worse than having to recharge your smartwatch a few times a day. You need a watch that can last at least 2 or 3 days on a single charge.

Luckily, all of the smartwatches included on our list feature superb battery life, with the least one being 3 to 4 days. If battery life is your primary concern when buying a smartwatch, you need to consider buying the Amazfit Bip Smartwatch as it features a battery life that spans weeks.

4. Smart Features

Like we’ve already mentioned, fitness and health features are pretty much staples in almost all smartwatches. However, what really sets a smartwatch apart from the rest of the competition is its smart features. If your child is an older, more mature teenager, these features become vital.

Some of the smart features that you may want to look for in a watch include the ability to receive and make calls, receive notifications, make online payments, schedule alarms, gain access to a library of downloadable content, and lastly, the ability to listen to music via Bluetooth.

5. Compatibility

Another crucial factor that you must take into consideration is the smartwatch’s compatibility. It’s important to make sure that the watch is compatible with your Android or iOS device. Otherwise, you won’t be able to pair both devices together, which will vastly limit the watch’s potential.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As we were conducting our research for this article, we couldn’t help but notice a few questions that keep on recurring. This section is dedicated to clearing the fog around these questions.

Is an Apple Watch Good for a Teenager?

Apple smartwatches are available in a wide range of styles and price ranges, so you’ll definitely be able to find an Apple watch that meets your child’s requirements. If you’re hellbent on buying an Apple smartwatch, we recommend the highly-popular Apple Watch Series 3.

Do Smartwatches Need Data Plans?

Some smartwatches offer the ability to use data plans, and some don’t. The vast majority can be connected to a WiFi network or paired to a smartphone with the aid of Bluetooth in order to gain an internet connection. None of the units reviewed in this article require data plans.

Are Smartwatches Safe to Wear?

The frequencies (WiFi or Bluetooth) used by smartwatches or any wearable devices aren’t likely to cause any physical harm to the user. However, any sort of device that receives and transmits data can strike some very real security and privacy concerns.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, picking the best smartwatch for a teenager isn’t as straightforward as you might have thought. However, we’re quite confident that one of the above-mentioned products is going to meet your kid’s needs as well as your budget. Let us know which unit you’ve decided to buy.