Garmin Instinct 3 Review
Incredible battery life and extensive tracking metrics make the Garmin Instinct 3 our favorite GPS watch for hiking
Our Verdict
The Garmin Instinct 3 is an excellent watch at a great price, considering the comprehensive feature list. It goes far beyond standard ABC features (altitude, barometer, and compass), with advanced fitness tracking metrics, sleep tracking, VO2 max calculations, multi-band GPS navigation, and more.
The battery life continues to improve with each new version—and the solar model has a nearly unlimited battery life in specific watch modes. My testing shows it's delivering on the solar charging promises.
For the first time in the Instinct line, there is an AMOLED display version. The display is crisp, easy to read, and gorgeous. However, you'll sacrifice battery life with the AMOLED version, and there is no AMOLED solar option.
We were disappointed to see that Garmin discontinued the smallest size versions with the Instinct 3. The Instinct 2S is 40 mm, and the smallest Instinct 3 is now 45 mm. That difference may not seem like much (5 mm), but it is noticeable for people with smaller wrists, like me.
For someone who once doubted the value of wearable tech (and resisted the smartwatch revolution for years), I've become a full-fledged convert. And all of this adds up to our favorite GPS watch for hiking.
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED
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Specs
GPS: Yes
Battery Life: Varies by model (see battery life table below)
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Compass: Yes
Mapping: No
Weight: Varies by model
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Charging Cable: USB-C cable with proprietary connector
Warranty: 1 year
Comparison Table
| HIKING WATCH | MSRP | DISPLAY TYPE | GPS FUNCTIONALITY | MUSIC STORAGE | BUILT IN MAPS | SOLAR CHARGING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | $400+ | Monochrome | ||||
| Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED | $450+ | Color | ||||
| Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire | $1,100-$1,200 | Color | ||||
| Garmin Enduro 3 | $900 | Color | ||||
| Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire | $1,000+ | Color |
What's New with the Garmin Instinct 3
The physical appearance of the Garmin Instinct 3 hasn't dramatically changed from the Instinct 2 series, but Garmin has packed in some impressive upgrades:
AMOLED display option: Brighter, full-color, more vibrant display with significantly better visibility in direct sunlight (though at significant battery cost)
Increased battery life
New health metrics: Including heart rate variability
Additional memory: AMOLED models have 4 GB
SatIQ technology: Improves battery life
Advanced sleep tracking: Provides long-term sleep insights and personalized recommendations
No longer a small model: 45 mm is now the smallest size
Lighter in weight
Sleep coach
Garmin share
Nap detection
On-device Connect IQ store
View images from notifications (on Android AMOLED model only)
Garmin Share
Live event sharing
Incident detection alert on phone
Training load focus
Load ratio
Workout benefit
On-screen workout animations and muscle maps (AMOLED versions only)
Additional activity profiles (e.g., indoor walking, obstacle racing, cyclocross, BMX, and more)
The increases in battery life over the Instinct 2 series weren't as dramatic as the jump from the original Instinct to the 2, but they're still notable improvements. In the solar models, the increased battery life is mainly due to the solar charging efficiency.
You can read our in-depth, long-term review of the original Garmin Instinct and Garmin Instinct 2 to see how the Instinct line has improved over the years.
| Model | Battery Life: Smartwatch Mode | Battery Life: GPS Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Instinct 3 Solar 45 mm | 28 days/ unlimited with solar* | 40 hours/ 130 hours with solar** |
| Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm | 40 days/ unlimited with solar* | 60 hours/ 260 hours with solar** |
| Instinct 3 AMOLED 45 mm | 18 days | 32 hours |
| Instinct 3 AMOLED 50 mm | 24 days | 40 hours |
| Instinct 2 | 28 days | 30 hours |
What We Liked
Incredible battery life in the AMOLED models
130 or 260 hours of battery life in GPS mode with solar for the 45 mm and 50 mm solar models, respectively
Unlimited battery life in the solar models in Smartwatch mode
Multi-band GPS dramatically improved location accuracy, especially in challenging environments like urban canyons and dense forests
In-depth running features, such as cadence, race predictor, and lactate threshold
Training stats, such as HRV, VO2 max, heat, and altitude acclimatization
Huge range of activity profiles that continues to expand (but still no backpacking activity!)
Garmin Pay means I don’t have to carry my phone or credit cards on a run
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar vs AMOLED
For the first time in the Instinct line, Garmin offers a choice between the traditional MIP (memory-in-pixel) display and the new AMOLED display option. This decision significantly impacts battery life, visibility, and overall user experience, so you should consider the pros and cons with each.
The Instinct 3 Solar uses the same high-contrast MIP display technology as previous models, while the new AMOLED version has a vibrant, full-color display similar to what you'd find on the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) or Garmin fenix 8. Here's how they compare:
Battery Life
Battery life is the biggest difference between the Solar and AMOLED models. The MIP display Instinct 3 Solar offers the legendary battery life we've come to expect—unlimited in smartwatch mode with adequate sun exposure, compared to 24 days for the AMOLED version. In GPS mode, the difference is equally dramatic: 260 hours for MIP versus 40 hours for AMOLED. If battery life is your priority, the traditional MIP display is the clear winner.
| Instinct 3 Solar 45 mm | Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm | Instinct 3 AMOLED 45 mm | Instinct 3 AMOLED 50 mm | Instinct E 40 mm | Instinct 3 45 mm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lens Material | Power Glass | Power Glass | Chemically strengthened glass | Chemically strengthened glass | Chemically strengthened glass | Chemically strengthened glass |
| Size | 45 x 45 x 14.9 mm | 50 x 50 x 14.4 mm | 45 x 45 x 14.9 mm | 50 x 50 x 14.4 mm | 40 x 40 x 13.6 mm | 45 x 45 x 14.2 mm |
| Fits Wrist Size Circumference | 137 - 204 mm | 141 - 213 mm | 137 - 204 mm | 141 - 213 mm | 107 - 179 mm | 132 - 213 mm |
| Display Resolution | 176 x 176 pixels | 176 x 176 pixels | 390 x 390 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 166 x 166 pixels | 176 x 176 pixels |
| Weight | 52 g | 58 g | 53 g | 59 g | 41 g | 48 g |
Visibility
In direct sunlight, the MIP display remains incredibly readable—possibly even better than the AMOLED version despite the latter's increased brightness. Where AMOLED shines (literally) is in low-light conditions. The vibrant colors and high contrast make it much easier to read at dusk or at night without using the backlight.
User Experience
The AMOLED display offers a more premium, smartphone-like experience with full color. In general, the watch face is easier to read and interpret. Neither model has a touchscreen, however.
Price
The AMOLED display version costs an additional $50 over the solar MIP model. It's a small price increase for a large increase in functionality (if you're not concerned with battery life).
My Choice
I stuck with the traditional MIP display Solar model. Because my activities of choice are thru-hiking and bikepacking, battery life was the most important factor for me (I also forget to charge my devices in regular life until I get a warning message).
How much does battery life matter to you? Are you frequently away from charging opportunities for long periods, such as backpacking, mountaineering, or thru-hiking? Do you engage in long-endurance activities with heavy GPS use, such as ultra running or biking? Are you someone who never remembers to charge their devices? If so, I'd recommend the solar version.
However, keep in mind that the battery life of the AMOLED models is still incredible, just not as incredible as the solar models. For comparison, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 only lasts 12 hours in GPS mode, while the 45mm (small size) Instinct 3 AMOLED has 32 hours of battery life in GPS only mode. So if you're not concerned about battery life, I'd recommend the AMOLED version. The AMOLED display is so much better than the memory-in-pixel monochrome display on the solar version.
Which size Garmin Instinct 3 should I get?
There are no differences in features between the 40mm and 50mm Instinct 3 models. The differences are as follows:
Size
Obviously, the 50mm models are bigger than the 45mm models. If you have a smaller wrist circumference, I recommend getting the 45mm size.
My wrist circumference is 163 mm, and the 45mm is about as big of a watch as I'd be comfortable wearing on a daily basis. The Instinct 2 came in a smaller 40mm version, the 2S, and I was disappointed to see that Garmin discontinued this size.
If you're not sure, I recommend trying on both sizes at a retailer such as REI. Many local running shops carry Garmin wearables as well.
Weight
The 45mm models are 6 grams lighter than the 50mm models. While that doesn't seem like much, it makes a noticeable difference in comfort during all-day wear. A heavier watch can mean frequent readjustment on your wrist unless you wear the band very tight.
Battery Life
If you need maximum battery life, get the 50mm model. The battery life difference remains significant—in some cases, dramatically so. For example, in GPS mode, the battery life doubles from 130 hours (Solar 45 mm) to 260 hours (Solar 50 mm). While not as dramatic with the AMOLED versions, the battery life increase is still impressive: from 32 hours (AMOLED 45 mm) to 40 hours (AMOLED 50 mm). The extra battery life is clutch if you're an ultramarathoner or thru-hiker.
Hello, World!
Price
The 50mm versions are $50 more than the 45mm versions.
Bottom line: if you have a smaller wrist AND you aren't as concerned with battery life, get the 45mm size. Otherwise, get the 50mm size.
If 45 mm is too big, consider the Garmin Instinct E, which comes in a 40mm size, but lacks many of the core features of the Instinct 3 line (here is a comparison of Instinct 3 and Instinct E features).
Should I Upgrade from the Instinct 2 to the Instinct 3?
This is the big question for existing Instinct 2 owners. Is the Instinct 3 worth the cost of a new watch plus the hassle of upgrading? I think it depends on what features matter most to you.
Multi-band GPS with SatIQ Technology
If accuracy is important to you—especially if you frequently run or hike in areas with poor GPS reception like urban canyons or dense forests—the multi-band GPS alone might be worth the upgrade. Garmin's SatIQ technology means that you're only burning extra battery when you absolutely need it.
AMOLED Display
The AMOLED display might be enough to convince some Instinct 2 users to upgrade. It really is beautiful. The MIP display feels a little last century.
Live Event Sharing
If you're into sharing your activities publicly, Garmin's live event sharing may make the upgrade worth it.
If those features don't excite you and your Instinct 2 is working fine, you could probably wait for the next generation.
If you're looking for even more functionality than the Instinct 3 offers, such as topographic maps, consider the Garmin fenix 8.
Ease of Use
Modern smartwatches are complicated. The number of functions is impressive. Therefore, we like to evaluate the ease of use of the watches we test. How hard is it to get up and running? Is it intuitive to use? How much of a time investment is learning how to work this watch?
I highly recommend watching YouTube tutorials. This method is by far the best way to learn how to use your Instinct 3. The videos from DC Rainmaker and Gauging Gadgets are still excellent resources, though updated for the Instinct 3.
After watching a few videos, the Instinct 3 was surprisingly easy to use. My advice is to practice, practice, practice before you head out on your hike or run, so you don't need to worry about it when you're in the field.
I've also found frustration with the software updates. I've run into memory problems with the installation of new software versions, requiring me to delete all courses and activities before the update would install.
Navigation
The Instinct models lack preloaded maps (in contrast with the fenix 8). Nevertheless, the Instinct remains capable of providing navigation assistance through these key functions:
Saved Location
Saved Location allows you to drop a waypoint at your current location. For instance, you might drop a waypoint at the trailhead parking area, your hunting base camp, or the spot you leave the established trail if you're going off-trail.
Back to Start
You can use the "Return to Origin" feature to navigate back to your starting point (for example, on a hike or trail run). You can choose between retracing your exact path or following a straight line (as the crow flies).
Courses
You can create routes within the Garmin Connect app and transfer them to your device. You can also import courses into the Garmin Connect app from other apps, such as Gaia and Ride With GPS, and then send them to your watch. I can usually find GPX tracks for trails or rides on websites such as Gaia and Fastest Known Time. It's also a great feature if you're running or urban hiking in an unfamiliar city.
Sight 'n Go
Using Sight 'N Go, you can point your watch toward a visible landmark you'd like to reach, like a peak, and the watch will maintain your heading. I relied heavily on this feature during the Oregon Desert Trail, where much of the route is cross-country travel across open landscape. I identified my target destination and locked it into my device. This prevented me from repeatedly looking at the Gaia app on my phone (and saved precious phone battery life).
Coordinates
You can manually input the latitude and longitude coordinates of your destination, name it, and navigate to it.
Track Me
The Track Me feature logs your position during an activity. When you get home, you can see the route you followed on a map.
Garmin Connect App
The Instinct 3 watches are compatible with both Androids and iPhones. All of your performance data can be seen with the Garmin Connect app.
Gear Tracking
One of my favorite uses of the Garmin Connect app is tracking my gear. Specifically, I like to track the mileage of my trail running shoes and bikepacking bike. You can set the maximum distance for each gear item (when it needs to be replaced) and the app will automatically add it to the activity you specify.
For example, for gravel biking, I have the app track the mileage of my Surly ECR, and it automatically adds the mileage to my biking activities. It's cool to see how many miles I have on my bike in total.
Hydration
You can track your hydration in the Garmin Connect app by setting your own goal or using the default goal (based on recommendations of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences). The older I get, the more I realize it's all about staying hydrated and maintaining your electrolyte balance! I always carry a water filter, even on a day hike.
Women's Health
You can also track your menstrual cycle with the Garmin Connect app.The app will provide nutrition and training suggestions based on your symptoms and cycle. If you're trying to conceive (or to not conceive), it provides fertility predictions.
During pregnancy you can track your weight gain goals and glucose levels.
Sidenote: we do have concerns about using this function in a post-Roe v Wade world. We don't know if Garmin collects and stores this information, but I would assume that they do, and go from there.
Training
The Garmin Connect app has amazing training capabilities. You can make your own training plan or use a Garmin pre-loaded training plan from the app. The pre-loaded plans cover yoga to strength training and range from 5 to 70 minutes. The watch will guide you through the workout plan.
Battery Modes
The Instinct 3 has different battery modes, each of which has a different impact on battery level. It's important to know the differences so that you can preserve battery life when you need to.
Smartwatch Mode
Smartwatch mode has wrist-based heart rate monitoring and activity tracking only. It does not use GPS. The solar models have unlimited battery life in Smartwatch mode.
Battery Saver Mode
Battery saver disables many of the features that use the most battery life. You can customize battery saver mode on your watch, but the factory settings use a low-power watch face, disconnects your phone, turns off the wrist heart monitor, turns off the pulse oximeter, and disables the automatic backlight. It does not use GPS. The AMOLED 50mm can last up to 30 days in Battery Saver mode.
GPS Only Mode
GPS Only mode is the most battery efficient mode if you're using GPS. The battery life in GPS mode varies by watch; see the summary table. Depending on the conditions, your actual battery life in GPS mode may be less than shown – significantly, in some cases. For example, heavily forested mountainous areas that are more challenging to get a satellite lock will drain the battery faster.
All Satellite Systems Mode
All Satellite Systems mode does just that – uses all three satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) for improved positioning accuracy. Compared with GPS Only mode, the battery life decreases in this mode.
From my experience, all satellite systems isn't necessary for hiking. However, another tester, whose goal is to walk every street in New York City, found that GPS-only wasn't enough to track his progress accurately.
All Satellite Systems + Multi-band Mode
If you're looking for the most accurate positioning, you'll need to use the multi-band mode on your watch. It uses more than one signal from each satellite on different frequencies. As you'd expect, this uses the most battery life of all the GPS modes.
Max Battery GPS Mode
Max Battery GPS Mode sets the GPS to what Garmin calls "UltraTrac mode". UltraTrac extends battery life by recording sensor data and track points only once per minute. On my Continental Divide Trail hike in New Mexico, I used the UltraTrac GPS mode on my Instinct 2S and found the distance off by at least 10% (compared with the mileage shown on the maps), which is no better than using step count.
Expedition GPS Mode
Expedition GPS mode records your GPS location once per hour to the watch and also uses low power mode. All other accessories and sensors are turned off. You can also manually add a GPS waypoint at any time. You can't change the data fields shown on the watch face in Expedition mode.
However, you can change the frequency of the GPS points from every 60 minutes to every 15 to 90 minutes (in 15-minute increments). The watch can also automatically stop recording your GPS location after sunset.
Expedition mode is best for multi-week activities where you won't be able to charge your watch, such as backpacking or bikepacking, and you want to preserve as much battery life as possible. It could also work well for an FKT attempt (fastest known time), where you must prove your actual location and time.
Functions and Features
The number of functions and features Garmin got into this watch is really impressive. The following table summarizes the features:
| Instinct 3 Watches | Instinct 2 Watches | Original Instinct Watches | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display Type | Monochrome MIP or full-color AMOLED | Monochrome | Monochrome | |
| Resolution | 176 x 176 or 390 x 390 pixels | 176 x 176 pixels | 128 x 128 pixels | |
| Physical Size | 45 x 45 x 14.9 mm | 45 x 45 x 14.5 mm | 45 x 45 x 15.3 mm | |
| Weight | 52 or 53 grams | 52 grams | 52 grams | |
| Memory | 128 MB or 4 GB | 32 MB | 16 MB |
Global Navigation Satellite System
Wait for the GPS lock for best tracking results!
The Garmin Instinct 3's multi-band GPS can connect to three Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS):
Global Positioning System (GPS), owned by the United States
Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), owned by Russia
Galileo, owned by the European Union
The multi-band capability means it can receive signals from the same satellites on multiple frequencies, significantly improving the accuracy in challenging environments.
Garmin's SatIQ Technology is now included on the Instinct 3 models, which determines when multi-band is needed (e.g., dense forests or urban canyons). This can greatly improve battery life since multi-band is only used when it's necessary.
You can choose which GNSS you want to use on your watch. The choices are:
GPS only
GPS + GLONASS
GPS + Galileo
The advantage of using more than one GNSS is improved speed and accuracy. For example, using GPS alone means the receiver only has 30 satellites to choose from. However, by also using Galileo or GLONASS, the number of satellites nearly doubles. To determine your location the watch needs 4 satellites, so more satellites mean it can pinpoint your location faster. In urban canyons or mountainous areas where your view of the sky is limited, multiple GNSS systems are especially helpful.
The Garmin standard setting is GPS + GLONASS, and we recommend not changing that.
Altimeter, Barometric Pressure, and Compass (ABC)
All Instinct 3 models have an altimeter, barometer, and compass (ABC).
The altimeter does not need to be calibrated manually since it is automatically calibrated with the GPS. However, you will need to calibrate the altimeter manually from time to time if you use your watch regularly in battery-saver mode where the GPS is turned off.
Storm Alert
The barometer automatically gives you storm alerts. A storm alert is triggered when there are sudden barometric pressure changes over a period of time that you can specify. In the mountains where you don't have a good sky view, storm alerts are helpful.
Compass and Sight 'N Go
I used the compass extensively with the Sight 'N Go feature on my thru-hike of the Oregon Desert Trail (ODT). There is a lot of cross-country hiking on the ODT with no visual obstructions. I'd set my next point, and the watch would point in that direction.
Accelerometer
The accelerometer provides speed and distance, even if the watch loses its GPS signal or you're working out indoors (think treadmill). The accelerometer is calibrated every time you use the watch outdoors with a GPS signal, which is why using one watch for multiple people isn't recommended.
Thermometer
The Instinct 3 has an internal thermometer sensor. Since the sensor can be affected by body heat, the temperature readings aren't terribly accurate.
However, the sensor is less affected by body temperature in water, so it's extremely useful for measuring water temperature when diving or swimming in open water.
Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor
The Instinct 3 has a wrist-based pulse oximeter that measures your blood's oxygen saturation. It's simple to take a measurement using the Pulse Ox widget. The pulse ox measurement will tell you how well you acclimate over time when you're at altitude.
Garmin Elevate Wrist-Based Heart Rate Monitor
Garmin recommends wearing the watch above the wrist bone (closer to your shoulder along your arm) and snug enough that it doesn't move during exercise for the best results. The watch is also compatible with chest heart rate monitors. If both are present, the watch will use the chest heart rate monitor rather than the wrist-based monitor.
You can set the watch to alert you when your heart rate exceeds or drops below a target heart rate. This feature is really helpful if you're trying to keep your heart rate in a specific zone.
You can also broadcast your heart rate from the watch to a compatible device, such as a Garmin bike computer. Unfortunately, it will not transmit to a Peloton bike.
Respiration Rate
The respiration rate (breaths per minute) provides data for Garmin's Health Snapshot, heat and altitude acclimation, and breathwork activity.
VO2 Max
VO2 Max is the maximum rate of oxygen that your body can use during exercise at your maximum performance. It's an indicator of cardiovascular fitness and will increase as your fitness level increases. To get your VO2 max from the Instinct, you'll need to use a chest heart rate monitor.
Sleep
This feature is one of my favorites of the Instinct. The sleep function measures the total time you're asleep and breaks it into deep, light, and REM sleep. It gives you a sleep score and how balanced your sleep is overall. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I'm getting lots of "well-balanced" sleep!
Body Battery
The Instinct 3 combines your heart rate variability, activity, sleep, and stress data to determine your "body battery level." A score of 0 to 100 tells you when your body battery is full and ready for activity or drained and needs a recharge (recovery, not necessarily sleep). It works best if you wear your watch 24 hours a day.
Most days, I wake up with a battery level of 90 to 100. It rises throughout the night and reaches 100 right around 6 am. My body's battery fluctuates throughout the day and is drained by exercise and stress. And it seems pretty accurate—I can clearly see when stress occurs throughout my day, and I can think back to those times and remember what was happening.
Coffee lovers note that caffeine does not affect your Body Battery level!
Calories Burned
Like most modern fitness watches, the Instinct 3 tracks calories burned during the day. Calories are shown separately for active calories (burned during activity) and calories burned during the rest of the day. You can set an alert on the Instinct to notify you when you reach a specific number of calories burned during an activity.
Intensity Minutes
The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. The Instinct tracks moderate and vigorous activity (with your heart rate data) and adds them together. Vigorous activity minutes are doubled before being added to the moderate-intensity minutes.
Activity Profiles
The Instinct 3 supports an incredibly diverse set of activities—a total of 93 activities. 93! From pickleball to backcountry snowboarding, the list is comprehensive. We won't go into the details of each activity, but it's worth learning how to use the watch for the activities you do most often.
Notably missing: backpacking. C'mon Garmin!
Instinct 3 vs Instinct E
With the Instinct 3, Garmin discontinued the smallest size, 40 mm. However, they also introduced the Instinct E, which is available in 40 mm and 45 mm sizes. It's $100 less than the Instinct 3 Solar and $150 less than the Instinct 3 AMOLED.
Here are the main differences between the Instinct 3 and Instinct E:
The Instinct E is not available in a solar option
The Instinct E has significantly less battery life
The Instinct E does not have training readiness or training status features
The Instinct E does not have an LED flashlight
The Instinct E does not have Garmin Pay
The Instinct E does not have multi-band GPS
The Instinct E does not use SatIQ technology
The Instinct E does not have a gyroscope (which is used for better accuracy in UltraTrac mode)
The Instinct E is missing some activity profiles, such as triathlon, backcountry skiing, and obstacle racing
Bottom line: the Instinct E is a heavily stripped-down version of the Instinct 3. If you can afford it, we recommend the Instinct 3 for battery life and GPS capabilities.
What Could Be Better
While the Instinct 3 Solar is a fantastic watch, there are still a few areas for improvement:
The discontinuation of the 40mm size excludes people with smaller wrists or simply want a smaller watch
The menu system can be convoluted for newcomers
Still no backpacking activity profile!
It does not transmit to Peloton bikes
The watch feels a bit thick and clunky on my wrist
The software can be challenging and frustrating
The charging cable remains proprietary instead of using USB-C
Bottom Line
The Garmin Instinct 3 builds on the excellent foundation of the Instinct 2 series with meaningful upgrades that outdoor enthusiasts and everyday users will appreciate. The multi-band GPS, Connect IQ compatibility, and enhanced health metrics make it a worthy upgrade for many users.
For new buyers, it's an easy recommendation, especially if you value long battery life, durability, and comprehensive activity tracking. The even-better solar charging capability continues to be a game-changer for extended adventures.
After several months of testing, the Instinct 3 Solar has earned a permanent place on my wrist. Whether I'm bikepacking, thru-hiking, or monitoring my recovery at home, it's proven to be an incredible watch that just keeps getting better with each generation.
Where to Buy the Garmin Instinct 3
REI
Pros: 10% dividend for REI Co-op members
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED
Amazon
Pros: free shipping for Prime members
Garmin
Pros: all styles and colors are available
Other Watches to Consider
Garmin fenix 8
GPS: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 29 days* (Smartwatch Mode); up to 84 hours* (GPS Mode)
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Compass: Yes
Mapping: Yes (pre-loaded maps in sapphire versions only)
Weight: Titanium: 3.24 oz (92 g); stainless 3.60 oz (102 g)
Water Resistance: 330 feet
Warranty: 1 year
If you're looking for a watch with full mapping capabilities, the Garmin fenix 8 is worth a look. Many versions come with pre-loaded maps, and AMOLED and solar versions are available.
For more, read our review of the Garmin fenix 8.
Garmin fenix 8
GPS: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 36 days* (Smartwatch Mode); up to 120 hours* (GPS Mode)
Altimeter: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Compass: Yes
Mapping: Yes (pre-loaded maps)
Weight: 2.22 oz (63 g)
Water Resistance: 330 feet
Warranty: 1 year
If you're looking for maximum battery life and mapping capabilities, the Garmin Enduro 3 is it. The battery life is ridiculously good.
Garmin Enduro 3
Best for: Runners, but also hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts who value data and durability
Battery life: Smartwatch mode: up to 13 days; GPS mode: up to 40 hours
GPS tracking: Yes
Smartwatch notifications: Yes
Heart rate monitor: Yes
Fitness tracking: Yes
Waterproof: Water resistant to 50 meters
Altimeter: Yes
Maps: Must be downloaded
If you're looking for a watch with navigation and mapping capabilities at a great price, the Coros APEX 2 is worth a look.
For more, read our review of the Coros Apex 2.
Coros Apex 2
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Naomi Hudetz is co-founder and director of analytics and digital innovation and leads business strategy and revenue operations for Treeline Review. She brings decades of private sector experience in project management, budget and pricing projection, and long-term business vision, strategy, and goals.
Naomi left her corporate career to pursue her passion for the outdoors. She received the Triple Crown award for hiking for completing the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails and has hiked numerous other distance routes including the Great Divide Trail across the Canadian Rockies (twice), Grand Enchantment Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, the Arizona Trail, (most of) the Idaho Centennial Trail, the first known thru-hike of the Blue Mountains Trail, and the Oregon Desert Trail. She recently bikepacked the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.
She previously served as Treasurer of the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West, and is currently on the board of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. She’s based in White Salmon, Washington.
