Best for: The most demanding little devils
After the six-year-old niece of one of Moochies’ co-founders did a runner in a crowded shopping centre, Moochies launched in Australia in 2016 and currently has two models available in Oz with both soon to be on sale in the UK.
Currently wrapped comfortably around the other wrist of my daughter is the flagship option, the Odyssey, which comes billed as ‘the ultimate kids’ phone watch – a sizable claim that can only be substantiated in one way: trial by seven-year-old!
Okay, starting with full transparency, the review model sent was pink. Pink body, pink strap. And, despite desperately trying not to raise a little pink princess, she found her way to the magical land of rainbow-vomiting unicorns in candy castles all on her own, so, naturally, the Odyssey was winning from the off.
Coming with a free adult control app for both Android and Apple flavours of smartphone, the Odyssey features a built-in SIM card and the ability to top-up data and minutes as you go, so calls, video calls and text messaging are all on the cards, with a safe contacts list to ensure no unsolicited calls are incoming and no misplaced calls outgoing.
But, much more than that, the Moochies also offers nicely accurate GPS tracking, the ability to set up safe zones, no social media access, and the capability to send emergency SOS alerts. This is alongside health monitoring, steps counting, a class mode in which none of the disruptive/distracting stuff works, and even a couple of educational games to keep mini minds occupied.
Camera-wise, there’s a nice 5-megapixel snapper at your child’s disposal, with the results of such soul-stealing displayed on a perfectly proportioned 1.78-inch OLED touchscreen.
I must admit to finding this watch a little fiddly to set up and operate myself, but then clumsy man-fingers will do that. Fortunately, the dainty digits of my daughter suffered no such issues and, seeing as the Odyssey is designed to be used by children that probably tells you all you need to know on that score.
In summary, the Moochies Odyssey may have been borne out of primal panic, but has gone on to evolve into a tough-wearing, waterproof, all-singing, all-dancing smartwatch that, despite my daughter’s accidentally destructive tendencies and oddly extreme tech demands, has proved a very firm favourite.
Oh, and the swappable strap is available in many more colours than just pink.
- Compatibility: Android and iOS
- Connectivity: 4G SIM – installed, Bluetooth
- Display: 1.78-inch OLED, 368 x 448-pixels
- GPS: Yes
- Camera: 5MP
- Waterproof rating: IP68
