Toddler Tech: VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch VS LeapFrog LeapBand

It is super exciting that VTech and LeapFrog have developed smart wearables for kids! I am pleased to give you the rundown on both devices so that you can pick the one that best suits your families needs. Meet the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch and the LeapFrop LeapBand!

First up, lets take a closer look at the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch:

The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch is the smartest watch for kids! Perfect for young photographers, this durable smartwatch makes it easy to take photos and record videos on the go. They can also use the touch screen to explore their creativity with fun photo effects, frames and filters. The watch helps kids learn how to tell time by letting them choose between digital and analog displays. They can also choose between more than 50 clock face designs. It also includes a timer and alarm with a variety of fun animations to choose from. A voice recorder lets kids record their voice and play with five voice-changing effects. The Smartwatch also includes four learning games with the ability to download more from Learning Lodge using the included micro USB cable, which can also be used to upload photos and videos as well as recharge the battery. The Kidizoom Smartwatch is also splash proof, making it perfect for everyday play. (Splash and sweat proof. Do not submerge and not suitable for showering or bathing). More than just a watch, it’s the Kidizoom Smartwatch.

Retail Price: $59.99 

Colors available: Blue, White, Pink, and Green

Age Recommendation: 4-7 years

Features:

Camera with photo effects

Video recorder

Voice recorder

Touch screen

4 learning games

Splash proof for everyday play (Splash and sweat proof. Do not submerge and not suitable for showering or bathing)

Rechargeable

Digital and analog watch displays

Timer and alarm clock

50+ clock face designs

Durable design

Connects with VTech's Learning Lodge™ 

Tech Specs:

1.41" sensitive color touch screen

Photo Resolution: 640 X 480 (0.3 MP)

Video Resolution: 320 X 240 pixel or 160 X 120 pixel @15 fps

Video Length limit per file: 60 seconds

Focus Range: 1.5 feet

Internal Memory: 128 MB built-in memory (shared with program

data, actual memory available for user storage

will be less

Storage capacity:

Photos: approx. 800

Videos: approx. 6 minutes at 320 x 240 pixels,

approx. 15 minutes at 160 X 120 pixels

File Format: Photos: Standard Baseline JPEG

Video: AVI (Motion JPEG)

Micro USB 2.0 cable (included) for connection with computer

Battery: Li-ion Polymer battery (battery is not replaceable)

 Compatible with PC/Mac

Let's compare to the LeapFrog LeapBand: 

 Discover the only activity tracker made for kids that encourages active play and healthy habits with 50 fun challenges, featuring a customizable pet pal: the LeapFrog LeapBand! Kids can earn energy points-then unlock rewards for being active, caring for a pet pal and completing challenges on LeapBand. It's fit made fun-just for kids! LeapBand comes with 10 imaginative and active play challenges, as well as 4 cool-down challenges. Plus, parents can easily add up to 36 more challenges in LeapFrog Connect so kids can have fun completing challenges like "Walk like a crab" or "Spin like a helicopter." The more active kids are with their LeapBand, the more fun they'll have with games and rewards. As they earn points, kids can unlock up to 8 pets; play up to level 10 with each pet before unlocking a new one! With each level of play, get rewards like a variety of toys for their pet. Keep kids engaged and learning with mini-games like Pet Boogie, and Pet Chef. In Pet Boogie, create and practice a pet dance; and in Pet Chef, help a pet collect food and make healthy snacks. Plus, they can play in their pet's world: Visit the Pet Parlor to pamper pets with a glitter soap bath, or collect new pet toy rewards in Pet Play.

Retail Price: $39.99 

Colors available: Blue, Pink, and Green

Age Recommendation: 4-7 years 
 
Features: 

Experience the first activity tracker made for kid - LeapBand is fit made fun!
Preload LeapBand with 50 active challenges that get kids moving, like "Pounce like a lion!"
Parent controls on LeapFrog Connect make it easy to set play times, challenges and more.
Encourages active play, nurturing and healthy choices.

Tech Specs:
LeapBand
1.44" LCD hi-res color screen
Rechargeable li-polymer soft shell battery
Water resistant
Accelerometer
Micro USB 2.0 port
Product dimensions 2.5Wx1.8Hx2D (inches)
Packaged weight 0.5 (lbs.)
Wrist strap minimum 0.9Hx1.57W (inches)
Wrist strap maximum 1.77Hx2.04W (inches)

 Compatible with PC/Mac

Pros and Cons:
VTech Kidizoom
Pros: Comes in white color also, has camera/video function, more game oriented, voice recording function, Splash proof
Cons: Parental controls aren't as great, less fitness oriented, power switch is on back of watch and difficult to get to

LeapFrog LeapBand
Pros: Pricepoint is lower, parental controls are more substantial, more fitness oriented, water resistant
Cons: No camera/video function, less game oriented, no voice recording function

The Verdict:
The one thing that would have definitely swayed my opinion of one over the other would have been GPS tracking functionality. Alas, neither have that. I feel as though the video and camera function on the Kidizoom are great, but for a slightly older child with an expressed interest in media. Ben loves moving around, and loves animals, so the LeapFrog is great in that way. Anything to get a child engaged and actively moving is an excellent thing! Plus, the LeapBand totally reminds me of all of the fun I had with my Tamagotchi growing up! I appreciate the fact that there is a "School Mode" on the LeapBand, and that the parental controls are more substantial. Here are the parental control options for the LeapFrog LeapBand: On Device: Silent Mode - hold left arrow button down for 5 seconds. This will put the device into and out of quiet mode, LeapFrog Connect: School Mode and Night Mode - This mode can be scheduled up to two times in a 24-hour period. School Mode and Night Mode can be turned off only through LeapFrog Connect. No audio, animation, or gameplay is available but the LeapBand continues to track their motions. The parental controls on the Kidizoom are limited in that the options per day are either 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or no time limit. I really don't want Ben fooling around with games or pictures at school!
For my family's needs, the LeapFrog LeapBand is the Smartwatch we will be buying!

What smartwatch are you interested in for your child? Comment below!