We Gave Our 3 Kids COSMO JrTrack 5 SE Smartwatches. Here's What Parents Should Know
Finding a good first phone for kids can be tricky. You want them to have a way to call and text family, but you also want to feel comfortable with who can contact them and what they have access to.
That's why we were excited to try the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE smartwatches with our three kids, ages 6, 9, and 11!
These kids' smartwatches offer calling, texting, GPS location tracking, and parental controls, all in a device that kids can wear right on their wrists.
We've been using all three watches during our everyday activities and family adventures, from playground visits and state parks to car rides and exploring the city. So far, all three kids have absolutely loved having their own watches!
But how easy are they for younger kids to use? How accurate is the GPS? And are they worth the monthly membership cost?
Here's our firsthand experience with the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE smartwatches and what I think parents should know before buying.
Disclosure: COSMO gifted our family three JrTrack 5 SE smartwatches and provided a complimentary three-month COSMO Membership for each watch so we could test them out. We are also COSMO affiliates, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through our links at no additional cost to you. All opinions are based on our own experience.
What Is the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE?
The COSMO JrTrack 5 SE is a smartwatch designed for kids ages 6–12. It works as a standalone cellular device with its own phone number, so kids can make calls and send messages without needing their own smartphone.
Unlike a traditional smartwatch that needs to stay connected to a parent's phone, the JrTrack 5 SE uses COSMO's cellular service to provide calling, texting, and location tracking.
Some of its main features include:
Calling and texting with parent-approved contacts
Photo, video, and voice messaging
GPS location tracking through the parent app
Customizable watch faces
A built-in camera
School-Fi routines and parental controls
Optional kid-friendly apps and music
Changeable watch bands
The watches require a COSMO Mobile membership for cellular service, which we'll cover further below.
For our family, the biggest appeal was being able to give the kids their own way to stay connected while still managing their contacts and communication through our phones.
What Our Kids Think of Their COSMO JrTrack 5 SE Smartwatches
We have three kids, ages 6, 9, and 11, and all three have absolutely loved their COSMO watches!
One of the things that impressed me most was how easy they were for the kids to use. Even our youngest, at six years old, has been able to navigate the watch and enjoy its features without any trouble.
They love being able to personalize their watch faces with their own pictures. It's a simple feature, but it's been a fun way for each of them to make their watch feel like their own.
They've also had fun exploring all the different features, from checking the time and weather to using the calculator, taking pictures, and sending messages.
And of course, being able to make phone calls and send voice messages right from their wrists has been a big hit, too!
A Fun Way for Siblings to Stay Connected
One of my favorite moments was watching the kids use their watches while playing at the playground.
They were running around playing hide-and-seek and tag, calling each other on their watches almost like little walkie-talkies!
It was adorable watching them find their own fun ways to use the watches, and they loved being able to call each other while they played.
It's been fun seeing how excited they are to have their own way to communicate, whether they're calling us, talking to each other, or staying in touch with other family members.
Counting Steps and Family Challenges
Another fun feature is the built-in daily step counter!
Kevin and I enjoy doing step challenges, so it's been fun having the kids able to track their steps on their watches, too.
Now they can join in on our family step challenges and see how many steps they've taken throughout the day.
It's a simple little feature, but I love that it gives us another fun activity we can all participate in together!
Calling and Texting With Parent-Approved Contacts
One of my favorite features of the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE is knowing our kids can stay connected with family and friends while we have peace of mind about who can reach them.
Through the COSMO parent app, we can easily add trusted contacts for each child, so they can call and exchange messages with the people we choose.
This is such a nice feature because it helps prevent unwanted calls and messages from unknown numbers. Honestly, sometimes I wish I could add that feature to my own phone! lol
Adding contacts is really easy, too!
We can select contacts directly from our phones and add them to each child's list. Since we have three kids using the watches, I especially appreciate being able to personalize their contact lists individually.
The kids can stay connected with us, each other, extended family, and other trusted people in their lives.
What Kind of Messages Can Kids Send?
The watches offer more than just basic phone calls!
Our kids have been able to:
Make and receive traditional phone calls
Send and receive text messages
Record and send voice messages
Take photos with the built-in camera
Send and receive pictures
COSMO also lists video and group messaging among the JrTrack 5 SE's capabilities, although those aren't features we've specifically tested yet.
One small downside we've noticed is that the buttons on the watch screen are pretty tiny when typing text messages.
That's understandable considering the size of the device, but typing longer messages can be a little more challenging than on a regular phone.
Thankfully, the voice messaging option gives the kids another easy way to communicate without having to type everything out.
Overall, we've been really happy with how easy it is for the kids to stay connected, whether they're making a quick phone call, sending a picture, or leaving a voice message!
GPS Location Tracking: How Accurate Is It?
Another feature I really appreciate is being able to check the kids' locations through the COSMO parent app.
Each child has their own profile, and you can add a picture of them to make it easy to tell who's who.
When you open the map, their little pictures appear at their reported locations, which is honestly pretty cute!
It's also convenient being able to see all three kids through the same app instead of having to manage separate accounts or devices.
Is the COSMO GPS Accurate?
In our experience, the GPS has been reasonably close, although it isn't always pinpoint accurate.
For example, sometimes when the kids are at home, the map will show a watch at a neighboring house rather than directly at ours.
It's usually very close to their actual location, but I wouldn't expect it to identify their exact position every single time.
For us, it's been a helpful way to get an approximate idea of where the kids are.
COSMO also offers additional location features, including location history, active tracking, and SafeZones that can send alerts when a watch enters or leaves a designated area.
We haven't tested every one of those options yet, but they're worth exploring if location tracking is one of your main reasons for considering these watches.
Using the COSMO Watches on Family Adventures
As a family that loves to travel and explore, we wanted something the kids could comfortably bring along wherever we go.
So far, we've used their COSMO watches during playground visits, state park outings, car rides, and trips into the city.
They've worked well throughout our outings, and we haven't experienced any service problems in areas where normal cellular coverage was available.
What I like most is that the watches have naturally become something the kids bring along, just like we bring our phones.
Whether we're heading out for an adventure or just going about our everyday routine, they have a way to call or message us, each other, and other trusted contacts.
The kids enjoy having that little extra sense of independence, and we appreciate being able to stay connected with them.
For our family, that's really where these watches shine.
Are the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE Watches Comfortable for Kids?
The watches themselves are a little on the thicker side, which is something to keep in mind if your child is used to wearing a smaller, traditional watch.
However, none of our three kids has complained about the size or comfort.
The included bands have worked well on all three of their wrists, despite their different ages, and they've been comfortable wearing the watches during our outings and everyday activities.
COSMO also offers additional watch bands in different colors, along with screen protectors and other accessories.
We haven't purchased any extras yet, but I'd love to get the kids different colored bands in the future so they can add a little more personality to their watches.
Battery Life and Charging
One thing we've noticed is that the batteries don't last quite as long as some of the traditional phones we've used.
For our family, charging the watches at the end of each day has worked best.
The charging process itself is really easy. The charger attaches to the back of the watch, so there's no tiny charging port to deal with.
As long as we remember to charge them each evening, battery life hasn't been a problem for our family.
Setting Up the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE and Using the Parent App
Getting started with the COSMO parent app was really straightforward.
The app allows you to create profiles for your kids, add trusted contacts, check their locations, and manage different watch settings.
I found it easy to navigate right from the beginning, which was especially nice since we were setting up three watches.
Our first two watches activated without any problems.
We did run into a small hiccup while setting up the third watch, but thankfully, a quick call to COSMO's customer support team helped resolve the issue.
They were able to fix the problem remotely using the watch's identifying number, so we didn't have to send it back or wait for a replacement.
After restarting the watch and reconnecting it to Wi-Fi, we were able to finish activating the membership without any further issues.
It was great knowing that help was readily available when we needed it!
What About School Mode?
The JrTrack 5 SE also includes COSMO's School-Fi feature, which allows parents to create routines that limit distractions during school hours.
We homeschool, and we haven't personally tested this feature yet.
However, it's something parents may want to look into if they're planning to have their child wear the watch during the school day.
How Much Does a COSMO JrTrack 5 SE Membership Cost?
The COSMO JrTrack 5 SE smartwatch is currently listed at $129.99 per watch, with a separate COSMO Membership required for cellular service.
The watches operate through COSMO Mobile rather than being added to your existing phone carrier's plan.
COSMO currently offers several membership options:
Membership | Monthly Equivalent | Billing |
Try It Out | $19.99 | Monthly |
6-Month Prepaid | $14.99 | $89.94 upfront |
1-Year Prepaid | $12.99 | $155.88 upfront |
2-Year Prepaid | $9.99 | $239.76 upfront |
There is also a one-time activation fee of $14.99 for each new line.
These are the standard prices listed by COSMO at the time of writing, so be sure to check their website for the latest pricing and promotions.
For our review, COSMO provided a promotional offer that covered our first three months of service and activation fees.
While we haven't had to pay those initial costs ourselves, I do think the ongoing service is reasonably priced for what the watches provide.
For us, having a way for the kids to call and text that gives them a sense of independence while still giving us peace of mind as parents makes the monthly cost worth it.
Of course, if you're purchasing watches for multiple children, you'll want to factor in the cost of having a separate membership for each one.
Pros and Cons of the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE
After using the watches with all three of our kids, here's what stands out most to us.
What We Love
All three kids, ages 6, 9, and 11, find the watches easy to use.
Parents can approve and manage contacts individually for each child.
Calling, texting, photos, and voice messages make it easy to stay connected.
GPS tracking lets us check the kids' approximate locations.
The parent app is straightforward and easy to navigate.
The kids love customizing their watch faces.
They've been comfortable for the kids to wear during our everyday activities and outings.
COSMO customer support was helpful when we needed assistance.
Things to Keep in Mind
The batteries need to be charged daily in our experience.
The on-screen buttons can be pretty small when typing messages.
The watches are a little thicker than a traditional watch.
GPS locations aren't always pinpoint accurate.
Each watch requires its own paid COSMO Membership.
None of these drawbacks has been a dealbreaker for our family, but they're worth knowing before purchasing.
Are COSMO JrTrack 5 SE Smartwatches Worth It?
For our family, absolutely!
We've been really happy with the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE smartwatches, and all three of our kids, ages 6, 9, and 11, love having their own.
What I appreciate most is that the watches give our kids a little more independence while still giving us peace of mind as parents.
They can call and message us, each other, extended family, and other trusted contacts, and we can check their approximate locations through the parent app.
Whether we're heading to a state park, spending the afternoon at a playground, exploring a city, or just going about our everyday routine, the watches have been easy and fun to bring along.
If you're looking for a first smartwatch for a younger child that offers calling, messaging, GPS location tracking, and parental controls, I think the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE is definitely worth considering!
Where to Buy the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE Smartwatch
Interested in trying the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE for your family?
You can shop the watches directly through COSMO's website, where you can also explore available colors, accessories, and current membership options.
Frequently Asked Questions About the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE
What age is the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE for?
COSMO recommends the JrTrack 5 SE for children ages 6–12. Our kids are 6, 9, and 11, and all three have found the watches easy to use.
Can kids call and text with the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE?
Yes! Kids can make calls and send text, photo, and voice messages with approved contacts. The watch has its own phone number and uses COSMO Mobile cellular service.
Can Kids Access Social Media or Browse the Internet on the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE?
Nope. The COSMO JrTrack 5 SE is designed without access to social media or open internet browsing. Kids can still enjoy features like calling, messaging, and kid-friendly apps, but without the unrestricted internet access that comes with a traditional smartphone.
Can strangers call a COSMO JrTrack 5 SE?
COSMO's approved-contact system is designed to block calls and messages from unknown numbers. Parents manage approved contacts through the COSMO app.
Does the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE have GPS tracking?
Yes. Parents can view their child's reported location through the COSMO app. In our experience, the GPS has generally been close, although it sometimes shows a nearby location rather than the exact spot.
Does the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE require a membership?
Yes. Each watch requires a COSMO Mobile membership for cellular service. COSMO offers a month-to-month option as well as prepaid plans with lower monthly-equivalent costs.
Can the COSMO JrTrack 5 SE work without a parent's phone nearby?
Yes. Once activated with cellular service, the watch can make calls and send messages without staying connected to a parent's phone. Parents still need a compatible smartphone to use the COSMO app for setup and management.
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