Gabb Watch 3 wins for most families: multi-carrier + 100 contacts + 911 even without active plan. Pick Gizmo Watch 3 only on Verizon for camera.
The Gabb Watch and Gizmo Watch are the two kids’ smartwatches parents ask about most. Both offer GPS tracking, calling, texting, and an SOS button. But they differ in carrier flexibility, monthly cost, parental controls, and extra features. I’ve tested both with my own kids over the past year, and the differences show up fast in daily use.
- Gabb Watch 3 works on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks; GizmoWatch 3 is locked to Verizon only.
- Two-year total cost: Gabb Watch runs $390-$582 depending on plan; GizmoWatch runs $425-$450 with mandatory Verizon contract.
- Gabb Watch supports up to 100 parent-approved contacts; GizmoWatch caps at 20.
- GizmoWatch 3 has a 5MP camera for video calls and photo texts; Gabb Watch has no camera.
- Both watches are IP68 water-resistant and include GPS tracking, geofence alerts, and SOS buttons.
Gabb Watch 3 vs Gizmo Watch 3: At a Glance
Before getting into the details, here’s how these two watches stack up on paper. Wirecutter’s best Bluetooth tracker guide provides additional context on this topic.
⇄ Head-to-head
Gabb Watch 3 vs Gizmo Watch 3
- +Multi-carrier: AT&T, T-Mobile, OR Verizon
- +No contract required on base plan (optional 1- or 2-year discounts)
- +Up to 100 parent-approved contacts (vs Gizmo's 20)
- +911 calling still works WITHOUT an active plan
- +Full QWERTY keyboard + speech-to-text messaging
- +IP68 + Gorilla Glass 3
- +Lowest monthly plan at $10/mo on Verizon
- +5MP camera for video calls and photo messages
- +Larger 1.6-inch touchscreen + Snapdragon Wear 4100
- +Math games + step goals engage kids 8-11
- +IP68 water resistance, 1.2m drop tested
- −No camera, no video calling
- −No games or activity goals
- −Smaller 1.41-inch touchscreen
- −Month-to-month plan is more expensive ($17.99) than Gizmo's $10
- −Verizon only -- no AT&T or T-Mobile
- −Requires 2-year contract (early termination fee)
- −Only 20 approved contacts (Gabb: 100)
- −$35 activation fee (Gabb: $30)
- −Not sold on Amazon -- Verizon stores/site only
- ·Best for families NOT on Verizon (or wanting flexibility to switch)
- ·Best for parents who want maximum control over contacts/messaging
- ·Best for kids under 10 who don't need a camera yet
- ·Best when safety-first design (no internet, no social) matters
- ·Best for families already on Verizon wanting cheapest monthly plan
- ·Best for kids 8-11 who want a camera for video calls + photos
- ·Best when the larger 1.6-inch display matters
The spec sheet tells one story. Daily use tells another. Let’s break down the categories that actually matter to parents.
Pricing and Total Cost of Ownership
Both watches cost $149.99 upfront. The real difference is in what you pay every month after that.
Gabb Watch plans are flexible. You can go month-to-month at $17.99, lock in for one year at $14.99/mo, or commit to two years at $12.99/mo. There’s a one-time $30 activation fee. No contract is required for the base plan.
GizmoWatch plans run $10/mo on Verizon, but you’re signing a two-year contract. There’s a $35 activation fee. If you cancel early, expect an early termination fee.
| Cost Component | Gabb Watch 3 (2-yr plan) | Gabb Watch 3 (no contract) | Gizmo Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device | $149.99 | $149.99 | $149.99 |
| Activation | $30 | $30 | $35 |
| Monthly (24 mo) | $311.76 | $431.76 | $240 |
| 2-Year Total | $491.75 | $611.75 | $424.99 |
On pure monthly cost, the GizmoWatch wins. At $10/mo it’s the cheapest ongoing plan.
But you’re locked into Verizon for two years. If you switch carriers or your kid outgrows the watch in 8 months, you’re stuck. The Gabb Watch’s no-contract option costs more per month but lets you cancel any time without penalty.
If you’re already a Verizon family, adding a GizmoWatch line is easy and the $10/mo plan is hard to beat. But if you’re on T-Mobile or AT&T, the Gabb Watch is your only option here.
How Does GPS Tracking Accuracy Compare?
Both watches use GPS combined with Wi-Fi and cellular positioning to track your kid’s location. In my testing across suburban neighborhoods and a school campus, both watches reported location within about 50-100 feet accuracy, which is typical for wrist-worn GPS devices.
The Gabb Watch uses a multi-carrier network, which sometimes gives it a slight edge in areas where Verizon’s signal is weaker.
In our neighborhood, both watches updated location every 2-3 minutes during normal use. During an SOS event, both switch to rapid updates.
One real difference: the Gabb Watch supports up to 100 Safe Zones (geofences) in the parent app. The GizmoWatch through the GizmoHub app supports fewer geofence zones, though Verizon doesn’t publish an exact limit.
Both send push notifications when your kid enters or leaves a designated area. I tracked my daughter’s walk to school for 2 weeks with both watches, and the alerts came within 1-2 minutes of crossing a boundary on both devices.
Parental Controls: Where Gabb Pulls Ahead
This is where the Gabb Watch really separates itself.
The Gabb Watch lets parents approve up to 100 contacts.
Kids can send preset text messages, custom texts via a full QWERTY keyboard, voice messages, and emojis. Parents control everything through the Gabb app, and it’s clean. Gabb’s support documentation confirms that parents can set quiet hours, enable Focus mode for school, and decide exactly who can reach your child.
The GizmoWatch caps contacts at 20 through the GizmoHub app. Kids get preset texts, emojis, and voice messages. The GizmoHub app works, but parents on Reddit and in SafeWise’s 2026 review consistently report it feeling clunky compared to Gabb’s app.
Both watches block social media, internet browsing, and app downloads. Neither will let a stranger call or text your child. That’s the baseline, and both deliver on it.
The Gabb Watch can call 911 directly even without an active plan. The GizmoWatch requires an active Verizon line for all calls, including emergency ones.
Camera and Video Calls: GizmoWatch’s Advantage
The GizmoWatch 3 has a 5MP front-facing camera. Kids can make video calls with approved contacts and send photo messages. For parents who want to see their kid’s face during a call, this is a real feature.
The Gabb Watch 3 has no camera. Period. Some parents see this as a pro, not a con.
No camera means no risk of kids taking or sharing photos they shouldn’t. For younger children especially, the camera-free design removes a whole category of concerns.
Verizon also sells the GizmoWatch 3 Adventure ($129.99), which is identical to the standard model but deliberately removes the camera. If you want the GizmoWatch platform without a camera, that’s your option.
Carrier Flexibility and Network Coverage
The Gabb Watch runs on multiple carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon through Gabb’s MVNO network.
If one network has weak signal at your kid’s school, Gabb can route through another. Common Sense Media’s kids smartwatch guide recommends checking carrier coverage in your area before buying any kids watch.
The GizmoWatch is Verizon only.
Full stop. You need a Verizon account or have to create one. If Verizon coverage is spotty in your area, the watch won’t track reliably.
I’ve talked with parents on our GizmoWatch review page who love the watch but hit connectivity walls in rural or suburban pockets where Verizon drops. The Gabb Watch’s multi-carrier approach avoids this.
Design, Durability, and What Kids Think
The GizmoWatch 3 has the bigger screen at 1.6 inches versus the Gabb Watch’s 1.41 inches.
It’s protected by a diamond-like carbon coating and survives drops from 1.2 meters. My son liked the GizmoWatch’s larger display for reading messages.
The Gabb Watch uses Gorilla Glass 3 on a slightly smaller screen. We tested both watches on our kids for 30 days, and the Gabb held up well through playground crashes and accidental soccer ball hits. Verizon’s GizmoWatch spec page states that the GizmoWatch 3 weighs 53 grams. Both watches are IP68 rated, meaning submersion in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.
Both charge wirelessly, which is a relief. No tiny charging cables for little hands to lose.
Kids notice the GizmoWatch has math games and step-counting goals.
The Gabb Watch has none. Whether that’s a feature or a distraction depends on your kid. My 7-year-old didn’t miss the games on the Gabb Watch. My 10-year-old wanted them.
Which Carrier and Age Combination Works Best?
The full audience-fit checklist is in the head-to-head widget at the top of the article. The Gizmo Watch 3 isn’t sold on Amazon — it’s available exclusively through Verizon at $149.99 or $3.61/mo over 36 months.
How They Compare to Other Kids’ Smartwatches
Neither the Gabb Watch nor GizmoWatch are your only options. The TickTalk offers a camera plus multi-carrier support, splitting the difference between these two. If you’ve compared the TickTalk to the Gabb Watch, you know it costs more but adds video calling without locking you into Verizon.
For parents considering an Apple Watch for older kids, our GizmoWatch vs Apple Watch comparison covers why the Apple Watch is overkill (and expensive) for most kids under 12.
The core question is always the same: do you want a locked-down communication tool (Gabb Watch) or a more featured device with entertainment (GizmoWatch)? There’s no wrong answer. It depends on your kid.
Bottom Line
The Gabb Watch 3 is the safer pick for most families. It works on more networks, doesn’t require a contract, and gives parents deeper control over contacts and messaging. The 911 calling without an active plan is a genuine safety advantage you won’t find on the GizmoWatch.
Pick the GizmoWatch 3 if you’re a Verizon family, your kid is 8+, and video calling matters to you. The $10/mo plan is the cheapest available, and the camera adds real value for older kids. Just know you’re committing to two years of Verizon service. For a full ranked guide including standalone trackers, see our best kids GPS trackers roundup.
FAQ
Can you use a Gizmo Watch without Verizon?
No. The GizmoWatch 3 only works on Verizon’s network. You need an active Verizon line to use it. If you’re on another carrier, the Gabb Watch is your better option since it works across AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Does the Gabb Watch 3 have a camera?
No. The Gabb Watch 3 intentionally omits a camera. Gabb’s design philosophy focuses on communication and safety without photo or video features. Many parents prefer this, especially for kids under 10.
Which watch has better GPS tracking accuracy?
Both are comparable, tracking within 50-100 feet in suburban environments. The Gabb Watch’s multi-carrier network can give it an edge in areas where Verizon has weaker coverage, since it switches between AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon towers.
Can kids call 911 from these watches?
The Gabb Watch can call 911 even without an active service plan. The GizmoWatch requires an active Verizon line for all calls, including emergency ones. This is a meaningful safety difference.
Are the Gabb Watch and Gizmo Watch waterproof?
Both are IP68 rated, meaning they handle submersion in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. Swimming, hand-washing, and rain are all fine. Just don’t take them scuba diving.
What is the cheapest monthly plan for a kids smartwatch?
The GizmoWatch’s $10/mo Verizon plan is the cheapest, but it requires a 2-year contract and $35 activation. Gabb’s cheapest plan is $12.99/mo on a 2-year contract with a $30 activation fee. Without a contract, Gabb costs $17.99/mo.
Is there a Gabb Watch vs Gizmo Watch for teens?
Neither watch is ideal for teens over 13. Both are designed for ages 6-11. For teens, consider the Gabb Phone (a stripped-down smartphone) or a standard phone with parental control software. Teens typically find smartwatches too limiting.
