Luckily, several phones cater to kids, giving parents a reliable and affordable option for their children. The best phones for kids should be durable but easy to use, especially for younger kids. We’ve reviewed the best phones for kids, considering the price, internet access, size, features, and battery life. Many of our picks encompass many features and functions based on your budget or how much autonomy you want to give the young ones in your life. Plenty of guides are available on setting effective online boundaries for your kids, and buying one of the best phones for kids can make all the difference when trying to meter their screen time. Here are the best phones for kids from top brands, including Nokia, Motorola, and Verizon. It’s compatible with Alexa too, making it easy for kids to ask for directions or check bus times. While the camera quality isn’t the best, it’s more than good enough for an entry-level phone. However, before purchasing, keep in mind that the G7 is a true smartphone, with access to the internet. Before trusting kids with the responsibility of a smartphone, you might want to establish some boundaries or install a parental control feature. Overall, it’s an excellent first smartphone for kids and teens, who are sure to love the privilege of having the internet at their fingertips. Screen Size: 5.7 inches | Resolution: 1512 x 720 | Processor: 1.8 GHz octa-core | Camera: Dual 13MP and 8MP | Battery Life: 40 hours The 4.2 also includes dual cameras and editing features, making it lots of fun when you want to get creative. However, the performance of this phone can be slower, especially when you’re running multiple apps. The Nokia 4.2 runs on Android One software, which is a good thing too—it maximizes security and minimizes bloatware, keeping the phone as streamlined as possible without unnecessary memory usage. Sure, for a smartphone under $200, it doesn’t compare to the latest iPhone, but it’s more than enough to keep the kids happy and provide parents with peace of mind. Screen Size: 5.71 inches | Resolution: 720 x 1520 | Processor: Snapdragon 845 | Camera: Dual 13MP and 2MP | Battery Life: 48 hours It’s simple to use for texts, calls, or downloading apps from the Google Play Store, but it also stands out for its music. With its portable size and 16GB of built-in memory, there’s plenty of space for downloading all your favorite songs. With the included Bluetooth, you can also pair the phone with wireless headphones. However, it’s worth mentioning that the battery life isn’t as long as some of the other phones reviewed here, so you might find yourself frequently reminding your kids to plug in their chargers before bed. Screen Size: 2.45 inches | Resolution: 240 x 432 | Processor: Quad Core 1.1GHz | Camera: Dual 8MP and 2MP | Battery Life: 12 hours The comfortable and durable watch is available in both pink and blue, with a colorful screen that’s easy to use. Even better, the watch is waterproof, making it great for active kids. Parents will also enjoy the parental controls and safety features, which include a GPS locator and ongoing reminders. These are set up via the companion app that parents use on their own phone. As an added bonus, the GizmoWatch 2 is also a fitness tracker, where parents can create rewards when kids meet their step goals. Kids have about four days’ worth of battery life per charge. Screen Size: 1.4 inches | Resolution: 300 x 300 | Processor: Quad-core 1.2GHz | Battery Life: 96 hours The unique square design is bright and colorful, with simple controls that young kids can use. The Relay is easiest to use with a backpack latch or armband, but both require additional purchases. It’s also built tough, meeting military-grade drop standards and water resistance guaranteed up to 1.5 meters. Using the parental app, you can program phone numbers for kids to “push to talk,” letting them call you instantly. Parental controls also let you set up geofencing, which notifies you when kids enter or exit the pre-selected boundaries. Your device should last about two days on a single charge, and the Relay also supports Qi wireless charging. The Relay is fantastic for a reliable, screen-free device with low monthly fees and simple usage. Battery Life: 48 hours Screen Size: 5.81 inches | Resolution: 2340x1080 | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G | Camera: 12.2MP rear and 8MP front | Battery: 3,140mAh Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based reviewer who has been covering tech for Lifewire since 2019. He specializes in reviewing phones, tablets, and other mobile devices, and has reviewed hundreds of phones to help give you the best recommendations.
What to Look for in a Phone for Kids
Wearable
If you have a younger child, consider a wearable phone that’s designed specifically for kids. Since these phones are worn like watches, young children are less likely to lose them. Most of these phones are only able to send and receive calls from pre-approved numbers, so you don’t have to worry about whom your kid is talking to when you aren’t around.
Battery Life
Unless you want to shoulder the task of reminding your kid to plug their phone in every night, a decent battery is pretty important. Look for a phone that supports fast charging over USB-C, too—if it’s within the budget. When just a few minutes of charging can add hours of battery life, you never have to worry about not being able to get into contact with your kid.
Feature Phones vs. Smartphones
Feature phones are less expensive than smartphones, and they can help insulate your kid from problems like cyberbullying via apps. Some feature phones include built-in MP3 players and FM radios, if you want your kid to have some entertainment options. If you do go with a smartphone, make sure to familiarize yourself with the available parental controls first.
