The Gabb Watch 3 is a solid kids smartwatch for ages 6-12 that prioritizes safety over features. GPS tracking, geofencing, and calling all work reliably. No internet, no social media, no games. Plans start at $12.99/month with a $30 activation fee. The main drawback is battery life at 14-18 hours and the locked Verizon-only network.
The Gabb Watch 3 sits in an odd spot. It’s a smartwatch that deliberately does less than the competition. No browser, no app store, no camera. For most adults, that sounds like a downgrade. For parents of an 8-year-old? That’s the entire selling point.
I tested the Gabb Watch 3 on my son for 6 weeks of daily wear, including school, sports practice, and weekend outings. Here’s what actually matters.
- GPS location updates every 15 minutes by default, with on-demand refresh for real-time tracking through the MyGabb app.
- IP68 water and dust resistance with Gorilla Glass 3 survived 6 weeks of rough kid use with only minor scuffs.
- Battery lasts 14-18 hours under normal use, meaning nightly charging is non-negotiable.
- Up to 100 parent-approved contacts with full-text keyboard, speech-to-text, and voice messaging.
- Runs exclusively on Verizon's network with no Wi-Fi fallback, so coverage gaps mean no connectivity at all.
What Is the Gabb Watch 3?
The Gabb Watch 3 is a standalone 4G LTE smartwatch designed for kids ages 6-12. It has its own phone number, its own SIM card, and doesn’t need to pair with a parent’s smartphone to work.
The watch runs on Gabb’s proprietary software, which strips away everything parents worry about. No web browser. No social media. No downloadable apps. No games beyond a virtual pet that encourages physical activity. What’s left is calling, texting, GPS tracking, and a step counter.
Current pricing: the Gabb Watch 3 costs $149.99 upfront, plus a $30 one-time activation fee. Monthly plans run $12.99/month (2-year contract), $14.99/month (1-year), or $17.99/month (month-to-month). That’s more expensive than the old $9.99/month pricing the original Gabb Watch launched with.
GPS Tracking and Safety Features
This is where the Gabb Watch earns its price tag. The MyGabb parent app gives you a map view of your child’s location at any time. The watch pings its location every 15 minutes automatically. You can also tap “refresh” for an on-demand update whenever you want.
How Accurate Is the GPS?
During my testing, the GPS placed my son within about 50 meters of his actual location outdoors. Indoors, accuracy dropped to roughly a block radius, which is typical for any GPS watch at this price point. It’s not AirTag-level precision, but for a parent wondering “is my kid still at school?” it works.
One thing to note: GPS accuracy depends entirely on cellular signal strength. In our suburban neighborhood with strong Verizon coverage, tracking was consistent. A friend in a rural area reported more frequent “location unavailable” messages.
Safe Zones (Geofencing)
You can set up custom geofences from 100 to 750 meters around saved locations. When your kid crosses that boundary, you get a push notification.
I set a 500-meter zone around my son’s school. Pickup alerts came through within 2-3 minutes of him leaving the zone. Not instant, but reliable enough. The slight delay matches the 15-minute ping interval. If you need faster alerts, hit the refresh button in the app as pickup time approaches.
Emergency SOS
Press and hold the side button, and the watch calls the designated SOS contact. My son tested this once accidentally during a soccer game. The call connected in under 10 seconds. It’s a straightforward feature, but knowing it works matters.
Lock Mode for School
Lock Mode disables all functions except the SOS call and clock display. You schedule it through the app. During school hours, my son’s watch was essentially a regular watch that could still reach us in an emergency. Teachers appreciated this.
Calling, Texting, and Communication
The Gabb Watch 3 supports up to 100 parent-approved contacts. That’s a big jump from the original Watch’s 10-contact limit. Kids can call any approved contact directly from the watch.
Call quality surprised me. Two-way conversations were clear on both ends, even outdoors with wind noise. The speaker is loud enough for a playground. My son never complained about not hearing me, and I could understand him clearly on my end.
For texting, kids get three options:
- 20 preset messages you customize in the app (“On my way home,” “Practice is done,” etc.)
- Full-text keyboard for typing custom messages
- Speech-to-text for voice-dictated messages
- Voice messages and emojis
The full-text keyboard is cramped on a 1.41-inch screen. My son’s fingers are small, and he still struggled with accuracy. He used speech-to-text or preset messages 90% of the time. That’s probably fine for most kids.
Design, Comfort, and Durability
The Gabb Watch 3 weighs about 2 ounces with the silicone band. It’s light enough that my son forgot he was wearing it, which is the best compliment a kids watch can get.
The 1.41-inch full-color touchscreen uses Gorilla Glass 3, which held up well. After 6 weeks of playground slides, soccer, and general roughhousing, the screen had zero scratches. The polycarbonate body picked up some scuffs on the edges, but nothing structural.
IP68 water and dust resistance means it handled hand washing, rain, and sweaty play without issues. I wouldn’t take it swimming despite the IP68 rating. SafeWise’s review notes the same recommendation. IP68 covers accidental submersion, not sustained swimming.
The wireless charging on the 3e update is a welcome improvement over the Watch 3’s pogo pin charger. Just drop the watch on the charging pad. No fumbling with alignment.
Battery Life: The Biggest Weakness
Here’s the honest answer: 14-18 hours. That’s Gabb’s own estimate, and it matched my experience almost exactly.
On a school day with light use (a few calls, some texts, background GPS pings), the battery lasted from 7 AM until about 9 PM. On heavier days with more calling, it died by 6-7 PM. That’s cutting it close if your kid has after-school activities.
Nightly charging is mandatory. There’s no getting around it.
For comparison, the GizmoWatch claims 48 hours, though real-world performance is typically shorter. The TickTalk 4 claims similar battery life to the Gabb Watch. None of these kids smartwatches are going to last a weekend trip without a charger.
What Parents Need to Know Before Buying
Verizon-only network. The Gabb Watch runs exclusively on Verizon's cellular network. No Wi-Fi calling, no alternative carriers. If Verizon coverage is weak in your area, the watch won't perform well. Check Verizon's coverage map before buying.
A few more things worth knowing:
Monthly cost adds up. At $12.99/month on the cheapest plan, you’re spending $311.76 over two years plus the $149.99 device and $30 activation. Total two-year cost: $491.75. That’s not pocket change for a device your kid might outgrow.
No Wi-Fi. The watch relies entirely on cellular data. In buildings with thick walls or basements where cell signal drops, the watch loses all connectivity including GPS. A Wi-Fi fallback would solve this, but Gabb hasn’t added it.
MyGabb app required. All management happens through the parent app, available on both iOS and Android. Setup takes about 15 minutes including activation and contact setup.
Gabb Watch 3 vs the Competition
| Feature | Gabb Watch 3 | GizmoWatch 3 | TickTalk 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $149.99 | $169.99 |
| Monthly Plan | From $12.99/mo | $10/mo add-on | From $9.99/mo |
| Network | Verizon only | Verizon only | T-Mobile / AT&T |
| GPS Tracking | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Camera | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Video Calling | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Water Resistance | ✓ IP68 | ✓ IP67 | ✓ IPX7 |
| Battery | ⚠ 14-18 hrs | ✓ Up to 48 hrs | ⚠ ~24 hrs |
| Internet Access | ✓ None | ✗ Limited | ✗ Limited |
The Gabb Watch’s biggest differentiator is what it doesn’t have. No camera, no video calling, no internet access of any kind. If your primary concern is keeping a connected device as locked down as possible, Gabb wins that category. If your kid wants video calls with grandparents or a camera for school projects, look at the GizmoWatch or TickTalk instead.
For a deeper dive into specific matchups, see our TickTalk vs Gabb Watch comparison.
- Zero internet access eliminates cyberbullying, predator, and content risks
- GPS tracking with customizable geofencing works reliably
- IP68 water resistance and Gorilla Glass 3 handle rough kid use
- 100 parent-approved contacts with full-text keyboard and speech-to-text
- Wireless charging (3e update) eliminates finicky pogo pins
- 14-18 hour battery requires nightly charging without exception
- Verizon-only network with no Wi-Fi fallback
- No camera or video calling
- $491.75 total cost over 2 years (device + activation + plan)
- GPS pings every 15 minutes, not truly real-time
Bottom Line
The Gabb Watch 3 does exactly what it promises: give kids a way to call, text, and be located, without giving them the internet. If that’s your priority, buy it. The GPS tracking works, the build quality is solid, and the parental controls leave zero loopholes.
Skip it if battery life is a dealbreaker, if you need carrier flexibility beyond Verizon, or if your kid is old enough to want a camera and video calls. In those cases, the GizmoWatch or TickTalk 4 offer more features at similar price points.
FAQ
How much does the Gabb Watch 3 cost per month?
Plans start at $12.99/month on a 2-year contract, $14.99/month for 1 year, or $17.99/month with no contract. The watch itself costs $149.99 plus a one-time $30 activation fee. Total 2-year cost runs about $491.75.
Does the Gabb Watch work without a phone plan?
No. The Gabb Watch requires an active Gabb Wireless service plan to use any features, including GPS tracking, calling, and texting. Without a plan, the watch only displays the time.
Can kids access the internet on a Gabb Watch?
No. The Gabb Watch has no web browser, no app store, and no way to access the internet. This is by design. There's no workaround or hidden setting to enable internet access.
Does the Gabb Watch have a camera?
No. Unlike the GizmoWatch 3 and TickTalk 4, the Gabb Watch 3 does not include a camera. This means no photos, no video calling. Gabb made this choice intentionally to reduce potential risks for younger children.
What carrier does the Gabb Watch use?
The Gabb Watch runs exclusively on Verizon's 4G LTE network. You cannot use it with AT&T, T-Mobile, or any other carrier. There's no Wi-Fi calling option either, so Verizon coverage in your area determines whether the watch works well.
Can you call 911 from a Gabb Watch?
Not directly. The watch can only call numbers in the parent-approved contact list. However, the SOS button lets a child instantly call their designated emergency contact (usually a parent) with a long press of the side button.
How long does the Gabb Watch 3 battery last?
Gabb rates it at 14-18 hours. In my testing, light school-day use lasted from 7 AM to about 9 PM. Heavier calling days cut that to 6-7 PM. Plan on charging every night.