Top-tier Smartwatches for Students in 2025
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, smartwatches have become an essential tool for students of all ages. They offer a blend of fitness, health, and communication features that cater to the diverse needs of students. Here's a breakdown of the top smartwatches for each age group, budget considerations, and a comparison table to help you make an informed decision.
For Young Children (Around 4 Years and Up)
The best overall kids' smartwatch is the Garmin vivofit jr.3. Suitable for ages 4 and above, it tracks steps, sleep, chores, and includes alarms and calendars. It has exceptional battery life (one year), is swim-friendly (5 ATM waterproof), and connects to parents’ phones via Bluetooth for monitoring. Another option is the Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch, designed for kids, which supports 4G, HD video calls, real-time GPS tracking, and activity monitoring. It features a durable, splash-resistant build ideal for daily wear by active children, and provides parents real-time location and communication tools.
For Preteens and Teens
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 LTE or Watch 8 supports a special "Galaxy Watch for Kids" software for younger students, with GPS tracking, messaging, calling, and parental controls to prevent distractions during class. For older students (high school to college), the Galaxy Watch 8 is a full-featured Android smartwatch offering on-wrist messaging, a variety of apps, AI assistant for study help, and health metrics monitoring. It gets software updates through 2029, providing long-term use. However, it is not compatible with iPhones.
For College Students and Older (Including Fitness Focus)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 remains a top choice for Android users, with Wear OS 6, AI features, health tracking (sleep, skin temp, antioxidant index), and messaging apps. For those with a focus on fitness, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 offers comprehensive fitness plans and health tracking. For runners and multisport athletes, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is ideal, offering advanced metrics, custom workouts, recovery tracking, and a bright AMOLED display.
iPhone users on a budget might find the Apple Watch SE 2 a suitable option, offering a rich feature set and excellent integration with iOS.
Budget Considerations
For children, the Garmin vivofit jr.3 is reasonably priced (~£65), with a very long battery life making it economical. The Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch offers 4G and video calling features, which may come at a higher price. For budget smartwatches overall, the Amazfit Active 2 (around $99) is recommended as the best cheap smartwatch with a balance of design, battery, and features. The Apple Watch SE 2 is considered the best cheap Apple watch but costs more than the cheapest Android options.
Suitability Summary
| Age Group | Recommended Smartwatch(s) | Key Features | Compatibility | Budget | |--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------| | Young children (4+) | Garmin vivofit jr.3, Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch | Simple tracking, parental control, GPS | Android/iOS (Xiaomi) | Low-Mid | | Preteens & young teens | Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 LTE (with Kids software), Watch 8 | GPS tracking, messaging, study helper AI | Android only | Mid-High | | High school & college | Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, Garmin Vivoactive 6, Garmin Forerunner 265, Apple Watch SE 2 | Health & fitness tracking, apps, messaging | Android / iOS | Mid-High | | Budget option for students| Amazfit Active 2 | Classic design, great battery, budget | Android/iOS | Low |
In conclusion, the Garmin vivofit jr.3 and Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch stand out for young children focused on safety and monitoring. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 leads for students needing versatile smart features and fitness tracking (Android only). Fitness-focused college students might prefer Garmin's run-focused watches. iPhone users are often best served by the Apple Watch SE 2. Budget options like the Amazfit Active 2 offer a solid smartwatch experience for cost-conscious students.
In the world of technology and home-and-garden gadgets, those looking for a smartwatch for young children might find the Garmin vivofit jr.3 or Xiaomi Smart Kids Watch suitable, as they offer simple tracking, parental control, and GPS. For preteens and teens, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 LTE (with Kids software) or Watch 8 are recommended, offering GPS tracking, messaging, study helper AI, and compatibility only with Android devices. College students with a focus on fitness may prefer the Garmin Vivoactive 6 or Garmin Forerunner 265, which cater to runners and multisport athletes, while iPhone users on a budget might find the Apple Watch SE 2 a more suitable, albeit more expensive, option. Lastly, the Amazfit Active 2 is considered a budget-friendly choice for students, offering a classic design, excellent battery life, and a balance of design, battery, and features, compatible with both Android and iOS.
