Want to see your kid's face, not just hear them? These are the only kids smartwatches with real video calling — compared on quality, camera, and value.
TickTalk 5
$159.99· 4.3/5 rating
| # | Watch | Price | Rating | Ages | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TickTalk 5Top Pick | $159.99 | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | 3-12 | Best Video Calling | |
| 2 | Xplora X6Play | $169.99 | ★★★½☆ 3.8 | 5-12 | Best Screen for Video | |
| 3 | Gizmo Watch 3 | $149.99 | ★★★½☆ 3.7 | 3-11 | Best for Verizon |
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Being able to see your child during a call — not just hear them — is a genuinely reassuring feature. Your kid can show you where they are, prove they're okay with a smile, or just share something exciting. But here's the catch most guides skip: very few kids smartwatches actually do video calling. A camera alone isn't enough (some camera watches, like the Bark, don't support video calls at all). So your real choice comes down to just three watches.
Here's the quick answer, then the details on each.
The TickTalk 5 has the best video calling of any kids smartwatch, full stop — its 5MP camera produces clear video with the smoothest frame rates and most reliable connections we've tested. It's also our overall top pick, adding accurate GPS, a 48-hour battery, and free music, for $159.99. Video calls require the TickTalk app on the other end, but voice calls work with any approved number. Read the full TickTalk 5 review.
The Xplora X6Play pairs full 4G video calling with the largest, sharpest screen here — a 1.52-inch touchscreen that makes video calls easier to see. Add a 5MP camera, the best school mode in the category, and GoPlay activity rewards, and it's a great all-rounder for $169.99. Read the full Xplora X6Play review.
The Gizmo Watch 3 offers solid video calling with its 5MP camera (calls are capped at three minutes to prevent overheating), plus kid-safe AI and long battery. It's Verizon-exclusive, so it only makes sense for Verizon families — but for them, it's the video-calling pick. Read the full Gizmo Watch 3 review.
Don't be fooled by a camera spec — these watches take photos but cannot do video calls:
If video calling matters, stick to the three watches above.
If you want to see your child during calls, the TickTalk 5 is the best choice — the smoothest video calling on our top overall pick. The Xplora X6Play is the pick if you want the biggest screen for video, and Verizon families should get the Gizmo Watch 3. See how they compare in our best kids smartwatches for 2026 roundup.
The TickTalk 5. Its 5MP camera delivers the smoothest, most reliable video calls in the category, and it's our overall top pick. The Xplora X6Play (best screen) and Gizmo Watch 3 (Verizon) are the other two watches with real video calling.
No — this is a common misunderstanding. Some camera watches, like the COSMO JrTrack 5 and Bark Watch, use their camera only for photos, not video calls. Only the TickTalk 5, Xplora X6Play, and Gizmo Watch 3 support actual video calling.
Not directly — video calling on these watches usually requires the matching app (TickTalk or GizmoHub) on the other end. Standard voice calls, however, work with any parent-approved phone number.
Yes, video calling uses more battery than voice calls. The TickTalk 5's 48-hour battery handles it best; the Xplora X6Play and Gizmo Watch 3 will need more frequent charging with heavy video use.
Looking at the whole picture? See our best kids smartwatches for 2026 roundup and best kids smartwatches with calling guide.
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