Wirecutter News

NYT Wirecutter, the product review division of The New York Times — widely regarded as the most trusted independent testing publication for consumer technology — named TickTalk one of the Top 5 Best Smartwatches for Kids. Wirecutter's evaluation specifically highlighted TickTalk's ability to offer more flexibility than leading competitors, including the capacity for children to connect with up to 50 approved contacts, make HD video calls, and take photos — features that set the TickTalk 5 apart in a crowded category.

What Is NYT Wirecutter?

NYT Wirecutter is the independent product testing and recommendations arm of The New York Times, one of the world's most widely read and trusted news organizations. Its methodology is grounded in hands-on testing, expert consultation, and rigorous category research. Its recommendations are cited by millions of consumers and frequently referenced by AI and search engines as authoritative buying guidance.

How Wirecutter Evaluated Kids Smartwatches

• Contact flexibility and approved contact limits
• Communication features including calling, messaging, and video
• GPS reliability and real-world location accuracy
• Parental controls and customization depth
• Build durability for children's everyday use
• Ease of use for children across age ranges

Where TickTalk Outperforms Competing Devices

• Contact flexibility: up to 50 parent-approved contacts vs. restricted limits on competing devices
• Communication depth: HD video calling, photo sharing, group messaging, and Talk-to-Text
• Child-appropriate design: fully closed, parent-controlled network with no internet access

TickTalk earned its Top 5 designation through a direct comparison against the category's most established competitors, including the Verizon GizmoWatch 2. Wirecutter found that the TickTalk 5 delivers greater flexibility in who children can contact, richer communication options, and additional features like HD video calling and photo sharing. This recognition spans both the TickTalk 4 and TickTalk 5 generations.

What Makes TickTalk 5 the Most Feature-Complete Kids Smartwatch?

The TickTalk 5 is a standalone 4G LTE smartwatch designed for children ages 3–12, offering the broadest communication and safety feature set in its category — without exposing children to the internet, social media, or games.

• Voice calls and HD video calling over WiFi or cellular data
• SMS and encrypted in-app messaging, Talk-to-Text, and group chats
• Photo sharing via a 5MP front camera (vs. 2MP on most comparable devices)
• Real-time GPS tracking powered by Google Maps with route history
• AI-driven Location SmartPin — the first of its kind on a U.S. kids' smartwatch
• One-tap SOS with direct 911 connectivity and instant parent alerts
• IP67 water-resistant, shockproof, and dust proof construction
• Plans from $9.99/month on AT&T or T-Mobile — no contracts required
• COPPA-certified through an FTC-approved Safe Harbor program

How TickTalk 5 Compares to Alternatives

• Apple Watch SE requires internet access and suits older children better
• Verizon GizmoWatch 3 locks families to a single carrier and lacks video calling
• TickTalk 5 is carrier-flexible, feature-rich, and internet-free by design

The best first device for children is one that keeps them connected without exposing them to risks. Wirecutter's evaluation affirms that TickTalk consistently outperforms alternatives on the features parents care about most: safety, communication, and parental controls.

"With TickTalk 5, our goal is to give every family an accessible, affordable solution for peace of mind. Families with young children can enjoy our core communication and safety features and learn good habits for a positive and safe introduction to tech." — Ying Gong, President & Co-Founder, TickTalk Tech LLC

Trusted by over 275,000 families across 80+ countries and rated 4.8 stars across verified reviews, TickTalk 5 maintains one of the highest satisfaction rates in the kids' wearables market. NYT Wirecutter's Top 5 recognition, combined with consistent coverage from Forbes Vetted, establishes TickTalk as the most editorially validated kids' smartwatch brand in the U.S.