Kidizoom Smartwatch vs LeapBand

VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch vs LeapFrog LeapBand:
Which is the best wearable tech for kids?

VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch vs LeapFrog LeapBand is a big question for parents of tech-savvy boys and girls aged 4 to 9. So, if you're looking for some of the best advice on these great smart watches, then I'm here to help.

On this page, I'll give you the lowdown on both of these devices, and show you the specifications and capabilities of the Kidizoom Smartwatch and the LeapBand.

I'll also be taking a look at some of the accessories which are currently available for both watches and describe how easy these smart watches are to use and to maintain in tip-top condition.

Finally, I'll be giving you my own opinion on the Kidizoom Smartwatch and LeapFrog LeapBand and telling you which is the best wearable tech for kids.

VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch

The Kidizoom watch is smart by name and smart by nature

"We only spent a few minutes with the Kidizoom Smart Watch, and we were impressed with its crisp and vibrant graphics. It was extremely intuitive to use."
(mashable.com)

The Kidizoom Smart Watch, launched in July 2014, is a natural follow-up to VTech's hugely successful InnoTab kids' tablets. I say a natural follow-up, because VTech are clearly keeping their eyes on what's happening in the world of technology for grown-ups, and are matching it with equivalent educational devices for little-ones.

The VTech Kidizoom is certainly more than just a watch. As well as being designed to help kids learn to tell the time and use all of the functionality of a watch, such as a stopwatch, timer and alarm - the VTech Smart Watch is also so much more. Including the ability to take photos and video, record sound, and with pre-installed games apps, the Kidizoom Smart Watch is currently the most fully-featured wearable tech for kids.

Here are some of the technical specifications of the Vtech Smart Watch:

• Vibrant 1.41" color screen with touch and swipe actions
• 640 x 480 photo resolution, and up to 320 x 240 video resolution
• 128 MB built-in memory
• Connectivity to a PC/Mac with included micro USB cable for charging and file transfer

What's pre-installed on the Kidizoom Smart Watch:

Clock Display, Alarm, Timer and Stopwatch

Analog or digital clock faces can be displayed, with approximately 50 different variations in the clock display and colors. Select from a number of alarm sounds, or even record your own. There is also a countdown timer and stopwatch, with 5 fun stopwatch styles to choose from.

Photos, Video and Sound Recording

Multimedia apps for taking photos and video, including some basic editing with the addition of image effects. Sounds and voices can be recorded for up to 60 seconds duration - again with the ability to add some fun voice-changing effects on the recorded sound.

Games

Games pre-installed on the smart watch include a memory game 'Super Detective', where kids have to recognise faces on the screen, the picture game 'Rotating Puzzle', and a musical game 'Finger Dance', where kids have to tap music note icons while listening to music. 

See the Kidizoom Smart Watch in action

The promotional video from VTech:

What's in the box and optional extras

The VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch comes with a micro USB cable and user manual. It contains a built-in Li-ion polymer battery, which is not replaceable.

Download more apps and games for the Kidizoom Smart Watch from the VTech Learning Lodge (via connection through PC or Mac).

Get your wrists on this great kids' gadget

Available in a range of colors for all boys and girls

(genuine review comments from amazon.com)


VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch - Blue

"The timer and stopwatch is a great motivator for physical activity or to help clean up toys - how many toys can you pick up and put away before the time runs out?"



VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch - White

"My 5yo 'apple-kid' is loving his smart watch, and has become so much more aware of and responsible with time."



VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch - Green

"This is a fantastic and fun smartwatch for toddlers and preschoolers... and it's a great gift idea too."



VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch - Pink

"The watch also comes with three games. One of them is puzzles. It will randomly select a few pictures already included, but also uses the pictures you take and save as puzzles. My daughter thought it was fun to have puzzles of her family!"

My Verdict on the Kidizoom Smart Watch

The good, the bad, the meh!

I think VTech have really knocked it out the ball park with this great new tech offering for kids. If there are any upgrades in future years, I'd just love to see what improvements and additional features they pack in. Anyway, enough praise for now - let's try to be a little more objective.

So, first up, I really like the concept. But, having played around with the one I bought for my nephew (before I gave it to him, I hasten to add), I'm not entirely convinced that VTech aren't trying to do too much with the one device. Yeah, I like the variety of watch faces it can display and the the fact that it can take photos, record video and sound, but then there are the games as well, and more for you to download. At best, the games can be simple, engaging and make use of the smart-watch's features. At worst, the games can be simple, too easy to master and then boring. The manufacturer's recommended age for the Kidizoom Smart Watch is 3 to 9 years, but I find it difficult to see how it will keep kids hooked over such a broad range.

In my opinion, the Kidizoom is a little too big to wear as a regular watch. But, as we all know, it's more than just a watch, so I'm okay with this. Responsivity of the touch screen is good, I like the shape and the simple look, and the strap. This is made out of some kind of foam, which feels very durable and yet soft. The smart watch is also splash and sweat proof, but not suitable for showering, bathing or swimming. Keep the screen clean with a soft, dry cloth and a little breath, and it should carry on looking great on any kids' wrist.

Finally, the VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch is probably the coolest gadget for kids I've seen in a long time. I say probably, because it's up against its main rival - the LeapFrog LeapBand.

LeapFrog LeapBand

The LeapBand will literally have them playing LeapFrog

"The LeapBand encourages active play and healthy habits with 50 different games and other challenges... it connects to a website or app that lets parents monitor their children's activities and choose which challenges they can select, and which they can't."
(cnn.com)

The LeapBand leapt onto the scene at the same time as the Kidizoom Smart Watch, bringing us another one of the educational tech head-to-head battles we've seen between VTech and LeapFrog over the past few years. However, the premise behind the LeapBand is somewhat simpler than that of the Kidizoom - it's less about entertainment and gadgetry, and more about activity.

The LeapFrog LeapBand is an activity tracker. Much like its cousins designed for grown-ups, in the form of either wearable wrist bands or smartphone apps, the LeapBand suggests activities and actions, tracks progress and provides rewards - but it does all this with kids aged 4 to 7 in mind.

Here's a glimpse under the hood of the LeapFrog LeapBand:

• 1.44" high-resolution color LCD screen and navigation buttons
• Built-in accelerometer
• Rechargeable Li-ion polymer battery
• Connectivity to a PC/Mac with included micro USB cable

What's pre-installed on the LeapFrog LeapBand:

Mode Settings

There are 3 modes settings for the LeapBand: Move Mode (default, for tracking motion with no sound or screen activity), Player Mode (when the LeapBand comes to life at the touch of a button, and kids have access to the games and features), Quiet Time (the clock displays, but no sound or gameplay is available, even when a button is pressed - Quiet Time can be turned on/off).

Gameplay

Games pre-installed on the LeapBand include 10 active play challenges and 4 cool-down challenges. In addition to games designed to get kids active, such as Pet Boogie, where you create and practice a pet dance, the LeapBand also features games that teach healthy habits. Pet Chef needs your kids help to collect food and prepare healthy snacks. As kids get active and play, they earn points to unlock even more fun pets and accessories.

Personalization

Through LeapFrog Connect, parents can track their child's progress against activities, add up to 36 more challenges and unlock extra modes and settings, such as School Time and Night Time. Petathlon Games is another free app that can be downloaded to compatible iOS and Android devices, in addition to Wi-Fi enabled LeapFrog tablets.

See how the LeapBand inspires kids into action

The LeapBand commercial from LeapFrog:

What's in the box and optional extras

The LeapFrog LeapBand comes with a micro USB cable and parent guide / user manual. The built-in Li-ion polymer battery is not replaceable, and is charged through USB connection to a home computer.

Adjust LeapBand settings and personalize the activity-tracker experience by connecting to the LeapFrog Connect App (via PC or Mac).

Get your kids active with this wearable tech

Cool colors to match some cool moves!

LeapFrog LeapBand - Green

"Research shows that active play and physical movements are critical to children's health. LeapBand is designed to facilitate physical activities in a fun, imaginative, and engaging way."



LeapFrog LeapBand - Pink

"With virtual pets and an accompanying app that offers age-appropriate lessons about health and nutrition, LeapBand can be a great tool to support a child's healthy development."

My Verdict on the LeapFrog LeapBand

Do you agree with what I think about the LeapBand?

LeapFrog are no strangers when it comes to producing some excellent educational toys and gadgets for boys and girls of all ages. With the LeapBand, they've done it again. I think the concept is refreshing, and a neat twist on previous games apps that have involved the care of, and interaction with, virtual pets. But, are there any down sides?

Well, yes, I think there are a couple. Firstly, the device itself isn't as fully-featured as a watch when compared to the VTech Kidizoom. There's an analog display and a stopwatch function, but no digital display, timer or alarm. Secondly, I don't think it looks as good as the Kidizoom. The strap doesn't look or feel quite as comfortable (although it is a good strap and adjusts for a snug fit), but with the screen and the case it all tends to look a little, well... plastic.

I like the use of buttons for navigation, rather than relying on a touch screen - especially considering the size of the screen. I like the singular purpose of the LeapBand. It's an activity tracker, with those activities based around fun games and getting kids fit and healthy. As an activity tracker, and through those games, it actually achieves a lot. In common with other LeapFrog products, there's also a good amount of parental interaction and control, so that parents can check their child's progress against activities and also set gameplay to be available only at appropriate times.

The LeapFrog LeapBand is a different animal to the VTech Kidizoom Smart Watch, so making a direct comparison isn't really possible. It's for this reason that I'm gonna have to admit defeat and confess that I can't actually make a judgement as to which is the best of the two. They're both the best - just at different things.