The Garmin Instinct Solar stands out for its seemingly endless battery life with solar panels that charge while you're on the go. It has all the basic features of a GPS watch, with integration into the Garmin ecosystem.

Solar rechargeable, good feature set, all functionality is built into the watch without the need for the apps

Buttons are easy to push accidentally, can't use a screen protector, small screen, can't modularize the features like other Garmin products

At $300, the Garmin Instinct hits the sweet spot for both features and price. It offers a suite of practical outdoors and sports features that'll keep outdoors enthusiasts happy with a price tag that won't break the bank.

Affordable; Plenty of outdoors features; Rugged design; Comfortable

Low-resolution display; No third-party apps

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

Everything about the Garmin Instinct promotes necessity over enjoyment, from the simplified design and stripped back UI to the customisable format of the screens. The core focus of the watch is by far the navigation, and there's a steep learning curve to get to grips with it all.

Simple; customisable UI; Small and light; Good battery life; A lot of invaluable information for hikers

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

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;

While the Instinct might lack some of the richer outdoor features you’ll find on Garmin’s Fenix watches and the bigger battery life on the Instinct Solar, it still has all of the key things you’d want from an outdoor watch that’s kind on your bank balance and delivers where it matters.

Fun, light and comfortable design; Solid sports tracking performance; Navigation support; ;

Lacks full mapping features; No payment support; No Connect IQ app support

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;

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;