Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Bounce Kids Smartwatch Two-Way Text & Voice Messaging Location Track - Green Burst - (2022)
Average customer rating
3.9
(56 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 56 reviews
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
11
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
6
1 Star
5
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Bounce Kids Smartwatch Two-Way Text & Voice Messaging Location Track - Green Burst - (2022)
Customer Rating
1
The watch doesn't work in Brazil.
on January 26, 2026
Posted by: Marllus
I bought the watch in the US, but when I arrived in Brazil to activate the LTE, I saw that it doesn't work.
There is no information about this on the device, and now? Is there an alternative for this problem?
There is no information about this on the device, and now? Is there an alternative for this problem?
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Watch burned my daughter’s skin
on January 23, 2026
Posted by: Sadmom
This watch has created a red burn mark type patch on my daughter’s wrist. She can no longer wear her watch.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
FULL Regret
on December 27, 2025
Posted by: Sjgw137
I bought this for Christmas because my kid wanted a watch for swimming and to text us and her bestie. This watched read like it had everything.
The texting is ONLY through the app, not through other mediums. The text "you can text with the app" gave is the idea that it was a bonus feature, not the only feature. The jr app doesn't alert our other Garmin watches to the messages like regular texting does, so I have to watch the phone at all times. We had hoped to enable texting with one friend and grandparents, but they cannot get the Jr App, so we have wasted a purchase on a key point of buying this watch.
The swim feature, which is the only sport she does, is JUNK. Pressing a button every lap is not a feature. It's not even something an adult would do.
The texting is ONLY through the app, not through other mediums. The text "you can text with the app" gave is the idea that it was a bonus feature, not the only feature. The jr app doesn't alert our other Garmin watches to the messages like regular texting does, so I have to watch the phone at all times. We had hoped to enable texting with one friend and grandparents, but they cannot get the Jr App, so we have wasted a purchase on a key point of buying this watch.
The swim feature, which is the only sport she does, is JUNK. Pressing a button every lap is not a feature. It's not even something an adult would do.
I have never felt like I wasted my money on a Garmin but now I have wasted money on a watch and a useless texting plan for a year.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Unreliable, hardly functional, unusable
on August 16, 2025
Posted by: Disappointed mom
After a year of use, we have replaced this with a Fitbit watch. The core functionality of the Bounce was beyond poor: location and messaging rarely worked. Not only did these functions fail more often than succeed, but we got false alarms on location - random alerts that the watch was 20 miles or so away from its actual location.
On top of that, the usability is beyond poor. It's been a year, and I STILL struggle to find options in all the disorganized menus, on both the app and the watch. Gestures and navigation are inconsistent, and poorly thought out.any functions can only be initiated from the watch, when it would make most sense to be able to initiate from the app as well, such as syncing.
I cannot believe this was a Garmin product. This watch has absolutely ruined Garmin's reputation for me, and I am quick to warn others against purchasing this and other Garmin products now. I had trusted Garmin since ~2005 for GPS over any other product. Not anymore.
On top of that, the usability is beyond poor. It's been a year, and I STILL struggle to find options in all the disorganized menus, on both the app and the watch. Gestures and navigation are inconsistent, and poorly thought out.any functions can only be initiated from the watch, when it would make most sense to be able to initiate from the app as well, such as syncing.
I cannot believe this was a Garmin product. This watch has absolutely ruined Garmin's reputation for me, and I am quick to warn others against purchasing this and other Garmin products now. I had trusted Garmin since ~2005 for GPS over any other product. Not anymore.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great option prior to needing a phone
on July 11, 2024
Posted by: ArCK
Tween not interested in a phone, but doing more on own. Great option to utilize for communication while tracking activity
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Not reliable
on June 20, 2024
Posted by: MplsMom
I am so sad to report that the application has been very unreliable! I miss messages from my son unless I close and reopen the app nearly every single time he sends a message or voice message. This could be tragic in the case that he needed to communicate important information! The microphone built into the watch is also underwhelming, though I can hear what he says well enough. He loves the step tracking feature. It would be great if the watch sent the child reminders to charge the watch overnight to encourage independence with upkeep.
Response from GarminBy Garmin Fitness, June 21, 2024
We are sorry to hear about the issue that you are having and would ask that you reach out to our team so that we can get the details from you and offer further assistance. Thank you for posting a review.
Please reach out to our team at: product.support@garmin.com
Bounce Support:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=714945&tab=topics
Please reach out to our team at: product.support@garmin.com
Bounce Support:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=714945&tab=topics
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Love it
on June 19, 2024
Posted by: Mom99
We were looking for a non-phone, waterproof option for our daughter. She loves being outside with her friends, but we don’t know where she was and had no way of contacting her. This watch is perfect for that. It works great.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Almost there!
on June 19, 2024
Posted by: MMHayden3
Got this for our 11 year old who wants a phone. We’re trying to hold off as long as we can but we do need a way to reach her when she’s running around the neighborhood or away and sleep away camps. It’s great for tracking and sending a quick message. I wish we could call her on it. I also wish we could add phone numbers to message her without allowing them to track her. I’d like my mom - her grandma to be able to message her without knowing where she (and I) are 24/7. So close Garmin!!! Maybe an update could make these things happen??
Response from GarminBy Garmin Fitness, June 19, 2024
Thank you for your review and experience with the Bounce. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Bounce Support:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=714945&tab=topics
Bounce Support:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=714945&tab=topics
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin