Garmin Bounce vs Vivofit Jr. 3: Kids Smartwatch Compared
By Naila Syifa
Updated June 2024
Looking for a wrist-worn wearable for your tech-savvy child? The Garmin Bounce and Vivofit Jr. 3 are two popular options designed specifically for kids. One is a smartwatch while the other is a fitness tracker, how do they differ in terms of design, features, battery life, and price?
Let's compare both models across 7 key consideration aspects to help you decide which one is the better fit for your child.
Key Takeaways
Garmin Bounce is more advanced than Vivofit Jr. 3, offering features like phone-free messaging, location tracking, sports apps, and preloaded games. However, for younger kids that are still less independent, the Vivofit Jr. 3 is a better choice with robust activity tracking, on-phone games, year-long battery life, and fun designs.
Garmin Bounce
Kids Smartwatch
✓ Sports & Activity Tracking
✓ Phone-Free Messaging
✓ Games, Chores, Rewards
✓ LiveTrack & Assistance
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
Kids Fitness Tracker
✓ Activity Tracking
✓ Sleep Tracking
✓ Chores & Rewards
✓ Emergency Widget
#1 Price
Garmin Bounce
As a more well-rounded option, the Garmin Bounce is more expensive at US$149.99 compared to the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 at US$89.99.
The $60 price difference can be significant for budget-conscious parents, but both models are still relatively affordable compared to a kids smartwatch model from Google Fitbit, the Fitbit Ace LTE, which retails at US$229.95.
Read also: Fitbit Ace LTE vs Garmin Bounce
#2 Design & Display
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
Both watches have a kid-friendly design with cute patterns and a range of colors to choose from, but the Vivofit Jr. 3 also offers character-themed editions like Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney Princess, making it more appealing to younger kids.
Garmin Bounce is slightly bigger and bulkier than the Vivofit Jr. 3, featuring a 1.3" LCD display at 240 x 240 pixels resolution, which is clearer and color-richer than the Vivofit Jr. 3 with a 0.56" transflective MIP display with 112 x 112 pixels resolution.
Both watches have a wating rating of 5 ATM, meaning that they are water-resistant to 50m. This gives parents peace of mind in case the watch gets wet during playtime, while also making both models suitable for use during swimming and other water activities.
#3 Wellness Features
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
Garmin Bounce and Vivofit Jr. 3 both offer movement-based sleep tracking, which can help parents monitor their child's sleep patterns via the Garmin Jr. app, including bedtime, wake time, and sleep stages. This ensures childs get enough rest while also motivating them to build a healthy sleep habits.
Both watches also come with activity tracking features to indicate how active the child has been throughout the day, including the number of steps, distance traveled, and active minutes.
One difference is that Garmin Bounce also comes with built-in sports apps for running, cycling, and pool swimming, which allow tracking for these specific activities instead of a mere overall daily activity level. For example, kids can use the running app to track their speed, distance, time, elevation, and laps during a jog or sprint.
Garmin Bounce
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 doesn't have built-in sports app as offered by Bounce, but instead it allows kids to track Timed Activities. This lets them measure their steps and distance during specific activities like when playing soccer or basketball.
Timed Activities in the Vivofit Jr. 3 is as useful as the built-in sports in the Bounce when it comes to grasping kids' activity level during specific activities instead of just their overall daily activity. However, the metrics for Timed Activities aren't tailored to specific sports like running, cycling, or swimming as in the Bounce.
#4 Play Features
Garmin Bounce
One advantage that the Garmin Bounce has over the Vivofit Jr. 3 is its preloaded games, allowing kids to play right from the watch face. However, there are only 3 games available: math flash card, puzzle slider, and Toe-to-Toe timed step challenges.
This is still better than the Vivofit Jr. 3 which comes with no preloaded games, but if you want a kids smartwatch with more gaming options, you may want to consider Fitbit Ace LTE.
Read also: First look at Fitbit Ace LTE
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
Beyond the on-watch preloaded games, both Garmin Bounce and Vivofit Jr. 3 has fun features accessible through the Garmin Jr. app. Once kids complete their 60 minutes of daily activity challenge, they can unlock Adventure Maps, a series of fun and educational stories that take them on virtual adventures around the world.
There are also pop quizzes, fitness cards, tap challenge, matching games, and gems to reveal pictures in a virtual scrapbook, all of which are accessible in the app and can be unlocked by meeting activity goals.
#5 Connectivity Features
Garmin Bounce
When it comes to connectivity features, Garmin Bounce has clear advantage. It supports LTE connectivity, allowing kids to exchange phone-free texts and voice messages with up to 20 contacts right from the watch. Take note that parents and other contacts require the Garmin Jr. app to send and receive messages to and from the Garmin Bounce.
LTE connectivity in the Bounce also allows for location tracking. With the LiveTrack feature, parents can view their child's real-time location directly from the app, as well as getting notified when their kids enter and exit designated safe zones like school or home.
Assistance feature is useful for emergency situations. When kids activate the Assistance feature, Garmin Bounce will send an automated text message with the real-time location to designated emergency contacts.
All of the mentioned connectivity features are not available in the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3. Instead, the Vivofit Jr. 3 has an In Case of Emergency (ICE) Widget that contains the child's emergency contact information, which can be accessed by anyone who may help the child during an emergency situation.
#6 Parental Features
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
With the Garmin Jr. app, parents can manage both the Garmin Bounce and Vivofit Jr. 3 to monitor activity, adjust settings, and more. There is also a Chore management feature in the app, allowing parents to assign tasks and reward kids for completing them.
Garmin Bounce also features School Mode, which parents can activate during school hours to limit kids' access to the watch's features, limiting distraction while they're in class.
#7 Battery Life
Garmin Bounce
When it comes to battery life, the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is far ahead the Garmin Bounce. The wearable is powered by replaceable battery that can last for up to 1 year, allowing for continuous use without charging at all.
Garmin Bounce, with its more advanced features and LTE connectivity, requires more frequent charging, with a battery life of up to 2 days. It is quite a good battery life for an advanced kids smartwatch. Kids may feel bothersome to charge the device every couple of days, but it can also be a good opportunity to teach them responsibility and discipline.
Garmin Bounce vs Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
Final Thoughts
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
Both the Garmin Bounce and Vivofit Jr. 3 offer unique features and benefits for kids and parents. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the specific needs and preferences of the child and family.
The Vivofit Jr. 3 is a great choice for younger kids who don't need the advanced connectivity features, with its long battery life and fun designs.
The Garmin Bounce is better suited for older kids who are starting to become more independent, offering peace of mind for parents with its LTE connectivity and location tracking capabilities.
If you like to read more about kids smartwatch, check out our other relevant guides here:
Fitbit Ace LTE vs Fitbit Ace 3
Fitbit Ace LTE vs Garmin Vivofit Jr.
12 Cool Gadgets for Kids
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