The Garmin Instinct Solar is the smaller sibling of the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar and it comes equipped with a range of casual and hardcore features that many people who like outdoor life and fitness will find useful.

Extra long battery life; Tough exterior; Plenty of useful outdoor features; Always-on screen (memory-in-pixel); Light

Monochrome screen; Straps are not hinged; All-plastic case doesn’t radiate quality

The Garmin Instinct Solar might not be the most attractive multi-sports watch around. but it just might be the most practical, with incredible battery life thanks to its Power Glass lens, which keeps it topped up in daylight.

Exceptional battery life; Well designed interface; Great range of activities; including triathlon

Plastic case looks a little cheap; Black and white display

Garmin Instinct: Besides a few minor flaws, the Garmin Instinct is an excellent expedition companion

Rugged MIL-STD design; Superb battery life; Reasonable price

No Garmin Connect IQ apps; Breadcrumb navigation only

For the outdoor adventurer, the Garmin Instinct is indispensable: built to military standards, it offers useful course tracking and rugged construction at an affordable price point. A vivid array of colors, a 100-meter water resistance, and a vented silicone band add to its back-to-basics appeal.

Rugged Build Quality; Lightweight; Magnetic Compass

Text responses only available for Android users; Lacks HRM when swimming

The Garmin Instinct Solar is a tangibly improved version of the original, and plenty of people will find the benefits of the $100 premium easy to quantify. The battery life and advanced power modes are superb, the GPX navigation and hiking tracking excellent.

Big battery improvements via solar; More control over battery; Clear screen

“The Garmin Instinct is a good adventure smartwatch at a great price.”

Affordable; Plenty of outdoors features; Rugged design; Comfortable

Low-resolution display; No third-party apps

From the dial to the strap, Garmin Instinct smartwatch is absolutely rugged and shock-proof. They are not afraid of external adversity due to the moisture-proof shock-resistant case and sensors. The watch has built-in flagship activity trackers.

Backcountry fitness junkies take note, the Garmin Instinct Solar has more data than you will ever need, and enough battery to go the distance (as long as you’ve got sun).

The Garmin Instinct Solar might not be the most attractive multi-sports watch around. but it just might be the most practical, with incredible battery life thanks to its Power Glass lens, which keeps it topped up in daylight. It's not just a re-release of the 2018 Instinct either, with a new blood oxygen sensor and customizable power modes added to an already very impressive specs sheet.

Exceptional battery life; Well designed interface; Great range of activities, including triathlon;

Plastic case looks a little cheap; Black and white display

This Garmin fitness watch has the best battery life of its entire range - and that alone is enough to sell it. You don't have to compromise on sports or health tracking capabilities to get it, and - in summer - the already great battery life is boosted by the sun thanks to solar charging.

Really long battery life; Solar charging gives extra life in summer; Accurate activity and fitness tracking; Relatively affordable;

Monochrome display has limitations; No onboard music or Garmin Pay;