Two of the best swim-proof fitness trackers for kids compared head-to-head. The Garmin wins for younger kids prioritizing privacy and durability, while the Amazfit offers more features at half the price for families less concerned about data security.
Amazfit
Garmin
R3 Research Verdict
Two of the best swim-proof fitness trackers for kids compared head-to-head. The Garmin wins for younger kids prioritizing privacy and durability, while the Amazfit offers more features at half the price for families less concerned about data security.
Research-backed recommendation
For kids ages 4-10, the Garmin vívofit jr. 3 is our clear recommendation. The 1-year battery alone is transformative—no charging routine, no dead watch before school. Add in COPPA-compliant privacy from a US company, proven durability, and kid-specific features, and it's worth the premium.
For teens 12+ who want more features, the Amazfit Band 7 delivers outstanding value. The AMOLED display, heart rate monitoring, and 120 sport modes rival trackers twice the price.
This is the elephant in the room. Amazfit is owned by Huami (now Zepp Health), a Chinese company that:
Garmin, headquartered in Kansas, offers:
For your child's biometric data, this matters.
Choose Garmin if:
Choose Amazfit if:
Quick summary of each product's strengths and weaknesses
Amazfit
Pros
Cons
Garmin
Pros
Cons
A quick breakdown of how these products compare head-to-head
Amazfit is significantly cheaper, though Garmin frequently goes on sale
Garmin eliminates charging entirely with a replaceable CR2025 battery
Both are truly swim-proof for pool and ocean use
Mozilla rates Amazfit "*Privacy Not Included" - Garmin has dedicated kids privacy policy
Amazfit has a notably better display
Amazfit offers more health metrics
Both provide reliable step counting
Garmin has kid-specific features like Toe-to-Toe challenges and licensed themes
Both work standalone, but Garmin is better designed for kid independence
Garmin is specifically built for rough kid use
Personalized recommendations based on your priorities
Detailed attribute-by-attribute breakdown
| Attribute | Amazfit | Garmin | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Amazfit is significantly cheaper, though Garmin frequently goes on sale | $49.99 | $89.99 (often $59.99 on sale) | Amazfit |
| Battery Life Garmin eliminates charging entirely with a replaceable CR2025 battery | 18 days | 1 year (replaceable) | Garmin |
| Water Resistance Both are truly swim-proof for pool and ocean use | 5 ATM (50m) | 5 ATM (50m) | Tie |
| Privacy & Data Security Mozilla rates Amazfit "*Privacy Not Included" - Garmin has dedicated kids privacy policy | Chinese (Huami/Zepp), data shared with Xiaomi | US company (Kansas), COPPA compliant | Garmin |
| Display Amazfit has a notably better display | AMOLED color, bright | Color LCD, can be dim outdoors | Amazfit |
| Heart Rate Monitoring Amazfit offers more health metrics | Yes, 24/7 | No | Amazfit |
| Step Accuracy Both provide reliable step counting | Accurate (tested) | Accurate (industry standard) | Tie |
| Kids-Specific Design Garmin has kid-specific features like Toe-to-Toe challenges and licensed themes | Generic fitness band | Designed for kids with themes (Disney, Marvel) | Garmin |
| Standalone Use Both work standalone, but Garmin is better designed for kid independence | Works without app for basics | Full functionality after initial setup | Garmin |
| Durability Garmin is specifically built for rough kid use | Good | Excellent - kid-tough design | Garmin |
Amazfit is significantly cheaper, though Garmin frequently goes on sale
Garmin eliminates charging entirely with a replaceable CR2025 battery
Both are truly swim-proof for pool and ocean use
Mozilla rates Amazfit "*Privacy Not Included" - Garmin has dedicated kids privacy policy
Amazfit has a notably better display
Amazfit offers more health metrics
Both provide reliable step counting
Garmin has kid-specific features like Toe-to-Toe challenges and licensed themes
Both work standalone, but Garmin is better designed for kid independence
Garmin is specifically built for rough kid use
At MSRP, Amazfit ($50) is nearly half the price of Garmin ($90). However, Garmin regularly goes on sale for $60 during holidays, back-to-school, and Prime Day—making the gap much smaller. Consider: the Garmin battery lasts a year vs. charging the Amazfit every 2-3 weeks.
Wait for Garmin sales during Amazon Prime Day (July), back-to-school (August), Black Friday, or holiday season—it typically drops to $60. At that price, the Garmin is the better value for most families with young kids.
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