Best Kids' Landlines of 2026: Tin Can vs Pinwheel Home
Updated 2026-11-10 · By the Touch Grass editors
The best kids' landlines are Tin Can (about $100) and Pinwheel Home (from about $68). Both run on Wi-Fi, are voice-only, and only connect parent-approved contacts. Both have free plans for calls within their own network and 911. Pick whichever your kid's friends use, since free calls only work brand to brand.
A kids' landline is a home phone that your kid can use on their own. No screen, no texting, no apps. They pick it up, call Grandma or a friend you've approved, and hang up. It's a good first step for kids around 5 to 12 who want to talk to people but don't need to be reachable on the go.
The modern versions plug into a wall outlet and use your Wi-Fi, so you don't need a phone jack or a cable company. Two brands lead in 2026.
| Landline | Price | Free plan | Paid plans | Returns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tin Can | about $100 | Other Tin Cans + 911 | Party Line $9.99/mo, any approved number (first month free) | 45 days |
| Pinwheel Home | Spark about $68, Classic about $79 | Other Pinwheel phones + 911 | Friends & Family $6.99/mo (up to 5 outside numbers), Unlimited $9.99/mo | See Pinwheel's refund policy |
What is a kids' landline?
A kids' landline is a voice-only home phone that runs over Wi-Fi and only connects contacts a parent approves. It sits in one spot in the house, so calls happen in shared space. For a longer explainer, see what is a kids' landline.
Best overall: Tin Can
Tin Can is the best pick if your kid's friends or school already use it. It's a corded phone that plugs into the wall, runs on Wi-Fi, and has no apps, texting or games.
- Price: about $100. Tin Can's site also lists multi-unit discounts.
- Free Can2Can plan: calls any other Tin Can, plus 911.
- Party Line plan: $9.99/mo, first month free. Adds regular phone numbers. Every number still needs your approval.
- Parent controls: approve who can call in and out, and set calling hours. Tin Can says 911 still works during quiet hours.
- Extras: speed dial, speakerphone, voicemail with a custom greeting.
- Returns: 45 days.
Tin Can got a lot of attention in 2026. Bloomberg called it "the hottest phone for kids right now," with some schools adopting it together. That network effect matters, since free calls only go to other Tin Cans.
Not for: families with no friends on Tin Can who don't want a monthly plan. Pinwheel's cheaper paid tier may suit you better.
Best budget pick: Pinwheel Home
Pinwheel Home is the cheaper landline and has the most flexible plans. It's a voice-only Wi-Fi phone in two styles: Spark, a lighter handset in bright colors (about $68), and Classic, styled after 1990s phones (about $79).
- Free Pinwheel Circle plan: calls other Pinwheel phones and 911. On this plan the phone gets a short Pinwheel Code instead of a full phone number.
- Friends & Family: $6.99/mo for a full 10-digit number and up to five outside numbers.
- Unlimited: $9.99/mo to call any approved outside number.
- Parent controls: approve contacts, block spam and robocalls, set calling schedules.
- Extras: speed dial and voicemail. On paid plans, the number can later move to a Pinwheel mobile phone.
Pinwheel launched in the US in July 2026, and TechCrunch covered it as a direct competitor to Tin Can.
Not for: kids whose whole class is already on Tin Can, unless you're happy to pay for a plan that reaches outside numbers.
How much does a kids' landline cost per year?
Between about $68 and $210 in the first year. The math, before tax:
- Pinwheel Spark, free plan: $68.
- Pinwheel Classic, free plan: $79.
- Tin Can, free plan: $100.
- Pinwheel Spark + Friends & Family: $68 + (12 × $6.99 = $83.88) = about $152.
- Pinwheel Spark + Unlimited: $68 + (12 × $9.99 = $119.88) = about $188.
- Tin Can + Party Line: $100 + (11 paid months × $9.99 = $109.89) = about $210.
Prices change and sales happen, so check the retailer for today's price.
Which kids' landline should you buy?
Buy the one your kid's friends already have. Free calling only works within each brand, so a Tin Can can't call a Pinwheel for free, and the reverse is true too.
- Friends on Tin Can, or a school that uses it: Tin Can on the free plan.
- Mostly calling grandparents and a few relatives: Pinwheel Friends & Family at $6.99/mo covers up to five outside numbers.
- You want the lowest upfront cost: Pinwheel Spark.
- You think you'll want a mobile phone from the same company later: Pinwheel, since the number can move to a Pinwheel mobile phone.
Ask around at pickup or in the class group chat before you buy. For a full side-by-side, read Tin Can vs Pinwheel.
What are the downsides of a Wi-Fi landline?
It only works at home, and only when the power and internet are on. Tin Can says calls may fail during power or internet outages and advises having a backup way to reach emergency services. If your kid needs to reach you from the bus stop or a friend's house, a calling watch is the next step. See best kids' smartwatches without internet.
Frequently asked questions
Do kids' landlines need a phone jack?
No. Tin Can and Pinwheel Home both run over your home Wi-Fi and plug into a regular wall outlet for power. Tin Can specifies a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band.
Can a Tin Can call a Pinwheel phone?
Not for free. Free calls only work within each brand. Calling across brands needs a paid plan, and the details differ, so check both brands' plan pages first.
Can kids' landlines call 911?
Yes. Tin Can includes 911 on its free plan, and Pinwheel says emergency calls work on free and paid plans. Both depend on Wi-Fi and power, so keep a backup.
Can my kid call my cell phone from a Tin Can?
Only on the Party Line plan, which is $9.99/mo with the first month free. The free plan only calls other Tin Cans and 911.
What age is a kids' landline for?
Both brands are aimed at roughly ages 5 to 12. Families often use one until their kid needs to reach them while out of the house.
Can strangers call a kids' landline?
Both brands only connect contacts a parent approves. Pinwheel also lists spam and robocall blocking.
Sources
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