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Garmin Bounce vs Xplora X6Play: Which GPS Watch Should You Buy in 2026?

If you have landed on this page, I already know what happened. You narrowed your search for a kids GPS watch down to two finalists, and now you are stuck. The Garmin Bounce and the Xplora X6Play are, without a doubt, the two most common watches parents ask me about. My inbox is full of variations of the same question: "Dave, which one should I get?"

I get it. On paper, these two watches look remarkably similar. Both offer GPS tracking, two-way communication, parental controls, and enough durability to survive a second-grader's recess. But after strapping both watches on my kids for eight weeks of real-world testing, I can tell you the differences are significant, and which watch is right for your family depends on what you actually need.

My 7-year-old, Ethan, wore the Garmin Bounce on his left wrist. My 10-year-old, Lily, wore the Xplora X6Play. We tested them at school drop-off, soccer practice, the mall, two different parks, a birthday party at a trampoline park, and one slightly nerve-wracking afternoon at a crowded state fair. Here is everything I found.

Quick Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Garmin Bounce if:

• Your child is between 5 and 9 years old
• You prioritize GPS accuracy and battery life above all else
• You want a rugged, swim-proof watch with minimal distractions
• You already use Garmin products and like the ecosystem
• You prefer a watch that focuses on safety over entertainment

Choose the Xplora X6Play if:

• Your child is between 7 and 12 years old
• Your kid wants a camera and video calling
• You value a watch that your child will actually want to wear
• Communication features (real phone calls, not just preset texts) are a priority
• You want a watch that grows with your kid for a few years

Head-to-Head Specs Comparison

Design and Comfort

This is where first impressions matter, and the two watches take noticeably different design approaches.

Garmin Bounce

The Garmin Bounce looks and feels like a miniaturized Garmin fitness tracker. It is compact, lightweight at 37 grams, and sits close to the wrist. The silicone band is soft and pliable, and I noticed Ethan forgot he was wearing it within the first day. The watch face is simple, almost utilitarian, with a 1.3-inch color LCD that gets the job done but will not wow anyone.

The Bounce comes in a few color options, and the overall aesthetic leans sporty. It does not try to look like a tiny smartphone, which is actually a selling point for parents who do not want their kid to have a screen-centric device on their wrist. The physical button on the side is easy for small hands to find, and the combination of touch and button navigation felt intuitive even for Ethan.

The watch felt more comfortable on my 7-year-old's wrist because of its lower profile. The case does not protrude much, so it slid under jacket sleeves without catching, and he never complained about it digging into his wrist during writing at school.

Xplora X6Play

The Xplora X6Play is the bigger, bolder sibling. At 58 grams, it is noticeably heavier, and the 1.52-inch display makes it look closer to an adult smartwatch. The screen is brighter and more responsive to touch input, which my 10-year-old appreciated immediately. Lily described it as looking "more like a real watch" compared to the Bounce, and for a kid approaching middle school, that matters.

The build quality is solid, though the larger footprint means it may look oversized on skinnier wrists. For kids under 7, I would have concerns about comfort during long wear. The silicone band is comfortable but slightly stiffer than the Garmin's. It softened up after a week of daily use.

Bottom line on design: The Garmin Bounce wins for younger kids (5-8) on sheer comfort and wearability. The Xplora X6Play wins for older kids (8-12) who want something that looks more grown-up and offers a bigger, better screen.

GPS Accuracy and Safety Features

This is the section most parents care about, and rightfully so. You are buying a GPS watch primarily to know where your child is. Everything else is secondary.

Real-World GPS Testing

I tested location accuracy in four different environments over the eight-week period.

Outdoor park (open sky): Both watches performed well in wide-open spaces. The Garmin Bounce consistently pinpointed Ethan's location within 3-5 meters. The Xplora X6Play was slightly less precise, typically landing within 8-12 meters. For a park setting, both were more than adequate. I could see which section of the playground they were in.

School building: Indoor accuracy is where things get interesting. The Garmin Bounce uses multi-GNSS satellite support (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo), which gave it a clear edge. It reliably placed Ethan inside the school building with about 15-20 meter accuracy. The Xplora X6Play struggled more indoors, sometimes showing Lily across the street from the school or in the parking lot when she was inside the building. The X6Play's Wi-Fi positioning helped when connected, but it was inconsistent.

Shopping mall: At a busy Saturday mall trip, the Garmin Bounce kept Ethan's location accurate to one section of the mall. The Xplora X6Play had a harder time, losing precise positioning on the second floor and occasionally showing a location that was a full minute behind where Lily actually was. Neither watch was perfect indoors, but the Garmin was noticeably better.

State fair (crowded outdoor event): Both watches held solid GPS locks outdoors despite the crowd. Location updates on the Garmin came through every 1-2 minutes. The Xplora updated on a similar schedule. In this environment, the difference in accuracy was negligible, and both gave me the confidence to let the kids walk slightly ahead with their cousins.

Geofencing

Both watches support geofencing, letting you draw a virtual boundary on the map and get alerts when your child leaves the zone.

The Garmin Bounce geofencing triggered reliably within about 30 seconds of Ethan crossing the boundary I set around our yard. The Xplora X6Play took closer to a minute to send the alert, and there were two occasions where the notification came through almost three minutes late. Not a dealbreaker, but if rapid geofence alerts are critical for your situation, the Garmin has the edge.

SOS Features

Both watches have a dedicated SOS button, which is one of the most critical safety features on any kids smartwatch. On the Garmin Bounce, holding the side button for three seconds sends an SOS alert with the child's location to designated contacts. On the Xplora X6Play, the process is similar, with the added benefit of being able to initiate a phone call immediately after the SOS is triggered.

We practiced the SOS function several times with both kids so they understood how it works. Both systems worked as advertised, with alerts arriving on my phone within 10-15 seconds in every test.

Communication Features

This is where the two watches diverge the most, and it is probably the factor that will tip your decision one way or the other.

Garmin Bounce

The Garmin Bounce handles communication through preset text messages, voice messages, and emojis. Your child cannot type free-form texts or make traditional phone calls. Instead, you set up a list of quick-reply messages in the Garmin Jr. app ("On my way," "Pick me up," "I'm OK," etc.), and your child taps to send them.

Voice messages work well. Ethan could hold the button, record a short message, and send it to me or my wife. Audio quality was decent, though not crystal clear. It felt more like a walkie-talkie experience than a phone call.

For a 7-year-old, this was perfectly fine. He did not need to make phone calls, and the preset messages actually reduced the "I'm bored, can I call you?" factor during school hours. But I can see how a 10 or 11-year-old would find this limiting.

Xplora X6Play

The Xplora X6Play is essentially a wrist phone. It supports full 4G voice calls to approved contacts, video calling through the front-facing 5MP camera, and text messaging. Lily loved being able to call me directly from her wrist when soccer practice ended early. The call quality was surprisingly good outdoors and passable indoors.

Video calling is a standout feature. The image quality is not going to rival a smartphone, but for a quick "show me where you are" or "let me see your face," it works. Lily used it mostly to show me the dog doing something funny, which I consider a perfectly valid use case.

The 5MP camera also lets kids take photos, which they can share with approved contacts. Quality is basic, but kids love it. Lily took approximately 400 photos in the first week, most of which were of her shoes or the ceiling.

Bottom line on communication: If you want your child to make and receive actual phone calls, the Xplora X6Play is the clear winner. If you prefer minimal communication that keeps things simple and distraction-free, the Garmin Bounce's approach is intentionally restrained, and that is a feature, not a limitation.

Battery Life

Battery life is a practical concern that does not get enough attention in most reviews. A dead watch is not tracking anyone.

Garmin Bounce

The Garmin Bounce consistently delivered 2 to 3 days of battery life with GPS tracking active, messaging in use, and step counting running. On lighter usage days (weekends where Ethan was mostly at home), I squeezed close to 3.5 days out of it. Charging takes about an hour with the proprietary Garmin cable.

I got into a routine of charging it every other night while Ethan brushed his teeth, and we never had it die during the day. Not once in eight weeks.

Xplora X6Play

The Xplora X6Play is hungrier. With the larger screen, camera use, and phone calls, I consistently got 1 to 1.5 days of battery life. On days where Lily made several calls and took a bunch of photos, it barely made it through a full day. Charging takes about 1.5 hours.

We had two instances where the watch died during the school day because we forgot to charge it the night before. That is not ideal for a safety device. I ended up making nightly charging a non-negotiable part of Lily's bedtime routine.

Bottom line on battery: The Garmin Bounce wins decisively here. Nearly double the battery life means less anxiety about the watch dying when your child is away from home.

App Experience for Parents

The parent-facing app is something you will interact with daily, so it needs to be good.

Garmin Jr. App (for Garmin Bounce)

The Garmin Jr. app is clean, fast, and well-organized. The map view loads quickly and shows your child's location with a clear pin and timestamp. Setting up geofences is intuitive: you tap the map, draw a circle, name it, and you are done.

The app also integrates step-count data, active minutes, and a chore/task system where you can assign activities and reward them with in-app badges. Ethan got weirdly competitive about his step count, which I count as a parenting win.

Setup took about 20 minutes, including SIM activation and pairing. The app walked me through each step clearly. If you have ever used a Garmin product, the interface will feel familiar. If you have not, there is a slight learning curve, but nothing that requires a YouTube tutorial.

Xplora App (for Xplora X6Play)

The Xplora app is functional but less polished. The initial setup took closer to 30 minutes, partly because the SIM card configuration process was less intuitive. The app occasionally showed stale location data until I force-refreshed, which happened maybe once or twice a week.

The contact management interface is straightforward: you add approved phone numbers, and your child can only communicate with those contacts. Managing school mode schedules (blocking all features except SOS during class hours) is easy and worked reliably.

The Xplora app also includes a step counter, and there is an activity-based reward system where steps earn "Xplora Coins" that can be donated to UNICEF or used for in-app content. It is a nice touch that teaches kids about charitable giving, though the implementation felt slightly gimmicky.

Bottom line on apps: The Garmin Jr. app is the better experience. It feels like a mature product with years of iteration behind it (because it is). The Xplora app gets the job done, but you will notice the rougher edges.

Monthly Costs and Plans

Both watches require an active cellular plan to function. Neither watch comes with service included, so factor this into your total cost of ownership.

Both the Garmin Bounce and the Xplora X6Play use a nano-SIM and are compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T networks in the US. Most parents I talk to go with a T-Mobile Connect plan at around $10/month, which provides enough data and talk time for a kids watch.

Here is a rough breakdown of first-year costs:

The Garmin Bounce saves you about $40 upfront and has identical monthly costs. If budget is your primary concern, you might also want to look at our best budget smartwatches under $100. Over two years, that $40 difference stays the same since the service plans are equivalent. Neither watch locks you into a proprietary plan, which is a plus compared to some competitors that bundle their own expensive cellular service.

Durability and Water Resistance

Kids are not gentle with wrist-worn electronics. I did not set out to torture-test these watches, but normal kid life provided plenty of durability data.

Garmin Bounce

The Garmin Bounce is rated at 5 ATM water resistance, which means it is genuinely swim-proof. Ethan wore it in the pool twice and in the bath repeatedly. No issues whatsoever. The watch also survived being smacked against a metal playground pole, dropped on concrete getting out of the car, and worn during a mud-heavy backyard football game.

After eight weeks, the watch had a few superficial scratches on the bezel but zero functional issues. The screen was unscathed. Garmin builds tough hardware, and the Bounce upholds that reputation.

Xplora X6Play

The Xplora X6Play carries an IP68 rating, which means it handles splashes, rain, and brief submersion, but it is not designed for swimming. I did not push this boundary because the manufacturer is clear about the limitation. Lily wore it in the rain several times without any problems, and it survived a brief accidental dunk when she was washing her hands and the faucet sprayed directly onto the watch face.

Durability-wise, the larger screen made me more nervous about cracks, but it held up fine. The X6Play took a direct hit on a doorframe and survived with only a tiny scuff on the case edge. However, the screen does seem more prone to smudges and minor scratches compared to the Garmin.

Bottom line on durability: If your child is a swimmer or generally rough on their belongings, the Garmin Bounce's 5 ATM rating gives it a meaningful advantage. We go deeper on this topic in our guide to the best waterproof smartwatches for kids. The Xplora X6Play is adequately durable for everyday kid life but is not a pool watch.

Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

After eight weeks of testing, here is how I break it down.

Buy the Garmin Bounce if:

• Your child is 5-8 years old. The smaller size, lighter weight, and simplified communication features are perfectly suited for younger elementary kids.
• GPS accuracy is your top priority. The multi-GNSS system outperformed the Xplora in every environment I tested.
• Battery life matters to you. Getting 2-3 days between charges versus daily charging is a real quality-of-life difference.
• You want a distraction-free device. No camera, no video calls, no photo gallery. The Bounce is a safety tool first and a toy never.
• Your kid swims. 5 ATM swim-proof rating means you do not have to remind them to take it off at the pool.

Buy the Xplora X6Play if:

• Your child is 8-12 years old. The larger display, phone call capability, and camera give older kids features they will actually use and appreciate.
• Phone calls are important. Being able to call your child and have a real conversation from their wrist is a significant practical advantage.
• Your child wants a camera. The 5MP front-facing camera and video calling are features your kid will love, and the "cool factor" means they will actually want to wear the watch every day.
• You want a bridge device before a smartphone. The X6Play gives kids a taste of connected communication without handing them a full phone.

My personal pick

If I could only buy one watch for a kid under 8, it would be the Garmin Bounce without hesitation. The GPS accuracy, battery life, and durability are best-in-class, and for younger kids, the communication features are more than sufficient.

For a kid 9 or older who is starting to want more independence and communication capability, the Xplora X6Play is the stronger choice. Lily genuinely loved hers, wore it every day voluntarily, and used the calling feature in ways that made our family logistics smoother.

Both are excellent watches. You are not making a bad choice either way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both watches require a monthly plan?

Yes. Both the Garmin Bounce and Xplora X6Play need an active cellular plan with a nano-SIM card to use GPS tracking, messaging, and calling features. Most families use a T-Mobile Connect or AT&T prepaid plan at around $10 per month. Without a SIM card and active plan, the watches function only as basic step counters and clocks.

Can my child make phone calls on the Garmin Bounce?

Not traditional phone calls. The Garmin Bounce supports preset text messages, voice messages, and emojis sent through the Garmin Jr. app. If your child needs to make actual voice or video calls from their wrist, the Xplora X6Play is the better choice.

Is the Xplora X6Play safe for swimming?

The Xplora X6Play has an IP68 water resistance rating, which protects against rain, splashes, and brief accidental submersion. However, it is not recommended for swimming or prolonged underwater exposure. If your child is a regular swimmer and you want them to keep the watch on, the Garmin Bounce with its 5 ATM swim-proof rating is the safer option.

Which watch has better GPS accuracy?

In my testing across multiple environments, the Garmin Bounce was more accurate. Its multi-GNSS system (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) provided tighter location accuracy, especially indoors and in mixed environments like malls and schools. The Xplora X6Play was adequate for outdoor tracking but showed more variance in challenging indoor settings.

Can other kids or strangers contact my child through these watches?

No, both watches operate on an approved-contacts-only model. Parents manage the contact list through the companion app, and only numbers you have explicitly approved can communicate with your child. Both watches also prevent outgoing communication to unapproved numbers.

How long does it take to set up each watch?

The Garmin Bounce took me about 20 minutes from unboxing to fully functional, including SIM activation and app pairing. The Xplora X6Play took closer to 30 minutes, largely because the SIM configuration process was a few extra steps. Neither setup was difficult, but the Garmin process was smoother.

Do these watches work with Verizon?

As of early 2026, both watches are officially compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T networks. Verizon compatibility has been reported by some users with mixed results. For the most reliable experience, I recommend sticking with T-Mobile or AT&T. Check the manufacturer's website for the latest carrier compatibility updates before purchasing.

At what age should my child get a GPS watch instead of a phone?

This is the question I get most often. In my experience, a GPS watch is the right call for kids roughly between ages 5 and 12. Below that range, kids are rarely out of direct supervision. Above that range, many kids are ready for a basic smartphone. A GPS watch like the Garmin Bounce or Xplora X6Play gives you real-time location tracking and two-way communication without exposing your child to social media, web browsing, or app stores. It is the sweet spot between no device at all and a full smartphone. We explore this topic in depth in our smartwatch vs phone for kids guide.

Still deciding? Check out our full individual reviews of the Garmin Bounce and Xplora X6Play for even more detail on each watch. Or if you want to see how these compare to every top option, read our full 7 best GPS smartwatches for kids roundup.