Garmin Bounce 2 Review: 5 Reasons to Buy, 3 Reasons to Avoid

Garmin Bounce 2: An Overview

• 💡 The Garmin Bounce 2 is a kids' smartwatch designed for parents seeking GPS tracking, two-way calls, and activity monitoring without a full smartphone.
• 🎯 It aims to provide peace of mind through features like GPS tracking and geofencing alerts.

Key Advantages of the Bounce 2

• 📍 GPS & Safety: Offers GPS tracking with geofencing alerts for entering/leaving designated zones. While improved over the original, dual-band GPS has not been enhanced, leading to potential inaccuracies in tall buildings, under dense trees, or during fast travel like bus rides.
• 💬 Communication Features: Supports direct calls, two-way texting with an on-device keyboard, and voice messages, enabling constant contact between parents and children (requires a subscription).
• ✨ Design & Display: Features a stylish, premium design and an AMOLED display, which offers better image quality compared to the LCD on the original Bounce model.
• 🏊 Durability & Waterproofing: Rated 5 ATM waterproof, making it suitable for swimming and water activities, ensuring robustness for active children.
• 🎮 Interactive Kids Features: Includes educational games, activity tracking with goal setting (e.g., steps), and music capabilities (including Amazon Music) to engage children.

Drawbacks of the Bounce 2

• 💰 High Price: Priced at $300, it's double the cost of the original Bounce and potentially expensive compared to other kids' smartwatches. This makes it harder to recommend for existing Bounce owners.
• 🔋 Battery Life: Offers only up to 2 days of battery life, similar to the original, requiring frequent charging and potentially inconvenient for continuous use.
• 💸 LTE & Subscription Costs: Requires a monthly or annual subscription (approx. $10/month or $100/year in the US/Canada) for essential features like communication, location tracking, and safety functions. This adds significant ongoing cost on top of the initial device purchase.
• ⚠️ Connectivity Issues: User reports indicate occasional LTE connectivity issues, and GPS tracking may be less reliable indoors or under tall buildings. The device can sometimes be unresponsive.