Smile Zemi Tablet Review

This post is sponsored by Smile Zemi. All opinions are 100% our own.

Smile Zemi Tablet Review: Is It Worth the Investment for Your Elementary Schooler?

After spending the last few weeks watching my son, Landon (now 11 and in 5th grade), dive into his new Smile Zemi tablet, I thought it was time to share our experience. As a mom, finding educational tools that balance learning and fun is a win. Smile Zemi promises just that, and it’s packed with features that might make it a worthy investment for your family.

Here’s what we found:

What is Smile Zemi?

Smile Zemi is a tablet-based learning system for kids in grades 1 through 5. It’s tailored to improve academic performance in math and English Language Arts (ELA), aligning with Common Core Standards. What’s unique about Smile Zemi is its focus on learning only—no web browsing, no distracting games. It’s designed to be a safe, structured space where kids can focus.

Key Features include:

• Real-Time Progress Tracking: Parents can monitor progress and study time via smartphone.
• Creative Elements: Kids can create avatars, customize wallpapers, and even use the tablet’s camera for fun photo projects.
• Award System: Collection cards and awards add a fun reward-based element for little achievements.
• MSRP: $329.99, plus a $99.99 monthly subscription.

Our Personal Take

Pros:

1. Good Size and Portable: It’s around the size of an average tablet, which means it’s easy to carry around. It comes with a protective case, stylus, and charging cord, so it’s ready to go wherever you’re heading.
2. Totally Independent Use: Landon quickly figured out how to navigate the tablet on his own, which was amazing to see. There were quite a few times he voluntarily picked it up to work on lessons, without me having to ask him!
3. No Distractions: Because it’s strictly an educational tablet, there’s nothing to distract kids from their tasks—no random pop-ups, no unrelated apps, and no videos to click through.
4. Travel Mode: Once you download the lessons (an internet connection is needed for that part), you can switch to Travel Mode, which lets kids work without Wi-Fi. This feature was fantastic on long car rides and while waiting for his sister’s activities to wrap up.
5. Real-Time Curriculum Updates: The Smile Zemi team can add or adjust lessons in real-time, keeping things fresh and relevant.

Cons:

1. The Cost: The subscription is $99.99 a month. While that is certainly a major investment, Smile Zemi aims to reduce (or eliminate) the need for tutoring. When I compared it to what we’d spend on a tutoring center, plus travel, the subscription fee began to make more sense.
2. Limited Grade Range: Smile Zemi only covers grades 1 through 5. It would be wonderful to see them extend the curriculum to at least 8th grade to give kids like Landon more years to benefit from it.
3. Minor Freezes: Over a few weeks, we had the tablet freeze up once or twice, but a simple restart got it back up and running.

What Landon Thinks

For a kid who’s usually on the go, Landon enjoyed the freedom Smile Zemi offered, especially with the stylus. I’ve noticed him actively working on math problems, taking pride in writing them out longhand. He’s even come home from school and mentioned how the lessons on Smile Zemi helped with his classwork!

Final Verdict: Is It Right for Your Family?

Smile Zemi delivers a thoughtful, distraction-free environment that prioritizes learning. If you’re looking to give your child a leg up academically and can justify the subscription cost, this could be a solid option. It’s an investment, but if you’ve been exploring tutoring or other educational aids, Smile Zemi might be the answer.

For families with elementary schoolers who thrive on independence and reward-based learning, Smile Zemi provides a tech-savvy way to build essential skills without the typical screen-time distractions.

You can find lots of information and order your own Smile Zemi tablet right from their website. You can also follow their Instagram for updates and promos!