The 7 Best Phones for Kids in 2021

Best Overall: Nokia 3310

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Many parents are looking for a reliable and easy-to-use phone without internet access—often, kids aren’t ready for the responsibilities that come with smartphone ownership. In that case, you can’t go wrong with the Nokia 3310 3G. While it may look like the nostalgic "brick phone" that parents used to play Snake on when they were kids, this is the 2021 version, complete with 3G, four vibrant color choices, and a 2MP camera. It’s very affordable as well.

It can do everything kids need a phone to do—call, text, play music, and take photos. The Nokia phones have always had standout performance when it comes to battery life, and the 3310 is no exception. Users can enjoy up to 22 hours of talk time, which you’re unlikely to find on any other phone. It's easy to use and navigate too, with large buttons that work well for little hands and a center key that doubles as the "select" button. The 3310 doesn’t have a huge amount of internal storage space, but that aside, it’s one of our top choices for kids.

_{Screen Size: 2.4 inches | Resolution: 320 x 240 | Processor: 460MHz | Camera: 2MP | Battery Life: 22 hours}

Best Smartphone: Motorola Moto G7 Play

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Some parents want their children to have the features and convenience of a smartphone but without the high cost of an iPhone or Samsung. If you’re looking for a fantastic entry-level smartphone, don’t look past the Motorola Moto G7 Play. This durable phone can withstand the inevitable drops and scratches that kids will throw at it, so it’s a reliable choice for clumsy hands. The battery life is also fantastic at up to 40 hours, and so is the price point. If your child happens to lose it, it’s not the end of the world. A fingerprint sensor is also available for phone locking. 

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}

Best Budget Smartphone: Nokia 4.2

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Sometimes it makes sense to go for the cheapest possible option for your kids, as children can be tough on phones. While cheap doesn’t often equal quality, in the case of the Nokia 4.2, we were impressed by how many great features are packed into such an affordable phone. The large, stylish smartphone is available in both black and pink. It includes biometric face unlock, fingerprint scanning, 32GB of storage space, and an HD+ screen, great for selfies or browsing the web. Battery life is decent, so your children can easily get through the day on a single charge. 

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}

Best Mini Smartphone: Unihertz Jelly Pro Phone

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The Unihertz Jelly Pro is billed as the smallest 4G-enabled smartphone in the world, but it’s also a perfect beginner device. It’s just slightly larger than a pack of gum, which might be inconvenient for adults, but small hands are sure to love the fun size of this phone. The touchscreen is receptive and the buttons fit well into the hands of kids. Despite its small size, the phone still offers fast performance and everything you’d want in a kid-friendly smartphone. Thanks to 4G support, kids can enjoy fast texting and downloads from the major networks. 

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}

Best Wearable: Verizon Gizmowatch 2

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If you’re looking for a way for your child to keep in touch but don't think they're quite ready for a phone, the GizmoWatch 2 is a fantastic alternative. The GizmoWatch is a smartwatch linked to Verizon’s 4G LTE network, which parents can use to program in a total of ten trusted contacts, or 20 for messaging. Kids can then call or text their contacts straight from the watch, with the watch able to handle both incoming and outgoing calls. There’s no Wi-Fi connectivity, but since this watch is aimed at younger kids, that’s probably a good thing.

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}

Best Screen-Free: Republic Wireless Relay

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If you’re looking for a simple way to keep in touch with your kids, but don’t need them to have a screen, check out the Republic Wireless Relay. Think of it as a two-way walkie-talkie that operates on a 4G LTE network, with the option to connect wirelessly if you’re out of range of a cellular network.

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}