For all their bad rap, cell phones are a great way to monitor and keep in touch with your children when you’re not together. You can connect with them anytime and track their location, and they get a little freedom in return. When you decide your child is ready, the best cell phone for kids depends on their age, the intended use of the phone, and which parental control options you think they need. For example, a built-in GPS feature is handy for new drivers, while simplicity and limited contact lists (and sometimes even flip phones) are better for new phone users.

To evaluate the best cell phones for kids, we had parents test popular options with their children at home. Parent testers noted essential aspects of the phones, like how easy they were to use, what type of parental controls were available, and how they held up through daily use. Kids even told us what they thought of the phones.

Best Phone for Kids

We found the Pinwheel Pixel easy to use, sturdy, and well-designed, making it a solid choice for most kids. It uses Google Android technology, which had a surprisingly simple learning curve for one tester who was an iPhone user. The Pinwheel cell phone is durable, showing no dents or cracks and little wear and tear after drops and regular use by a 9-year-old. The battery lasts more than 24 hours, which is also a plus.

The parental control options available through Pixel’s Caregiver Portal are particularly impressive. The portal allows parents to approve contacts and app downloads. You can keep a close eye on all communication and text messages (including images) going in and out. The location tracking is also great; parents get alerts on their phones every time their child leaves a specified location.

Details:

• Compatible carriers: Compatible with all major carriers, including 5G

• Monthly cost: $15 for phone service, plus $15 a month for Caregiver Portal

• Display: 6.1 in.

• Features: Rear and front cameras, 4K video capability, wireless charging capability

• Parental controls: Caregiver Portal (with subscription)

• Price: $499 on Amazon Pixel 8a
  

Best Android

Samsung Galaxy S23

Its parental control features, but we also love it for older kids and teens because it’s a high-end option with some noteworthy features. The Samsung Galaxy S23 camera is excellent, and our tester felt that it was “superior” to an iPhone. We appreciate the straightforward setup, user-friendly interface, and amazing audio quality. It’s a solid option that stands up well to being dropped.

Parents access Samsung’s parental controls via a Google app on their own phone, which we found uncomplicated to navigate. A favorite feature for parents was the ability to lock the phone through the app, essentially shutting it down to kids as needed (although they can still call their parents if necessary). Parents can also monitor contacts, filter out content, restrict app usage, put controls on apps they may be spending too much time on, and limit what they can do on the browser. You can set up notifications on their location, see how much time they spend on all apps, and track the phone if it goes missing. Overall, it gives parents an in-control feeling.

Details:

• Compatible carriers: T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T

• Monthly cost: Depends on carrier

• Display: 6.1 in.

• Features: Camera, internet access, GPS tracking, text, talk, video chat, and more

• Parental controls: Control app usage, screen time, and content filtering; ability to lock the device remotely, approve or block app installation, and monitor screen time by app category

• Price: Amazon $699
  

Best for Teens

iPhone 14 Pro Max

This phone is a big win for any kid. No, it's not the latest-generation iPhone—but they'll barely miss the features and you'll love the deal that comes with getting an ever-so-slightly older phone. iPhone 14 Pro Max is an excellent, easy-to-use smartphone with an impressive A16 Bionic chip on board, plus a larger-than-life, 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display that delivers everything in jaw-dropping color and clarity. Here's what else we love:

• Everything at a glance. The Dynamic Display with Always On feature keeps your kids up-to-date on everything from weather to messages to activities at a glance—even when the Lock Screen is on.

• Emergency SOS via satellite. Get peace of mind even when your kids are camping, hiking or just off the grid, thanks to Emergency SOS that still lets them text emergency services when they don’t have cell service or Wi‑Fi.

• Pro-style camera. This phone has a powerful 48MP camera for mind-blowing detail. Plus, for parents who have a budding director or Hollywood hopeful in the family, Cinematic Mode shoots in 4K HDR at 24 fps (the film industry standard!)

• Priec: $929 at Amazon Click Here to see