Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Instinct E GPS Smartwatch 45 mm Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Black with Charcoal Band - (2025)
Average customer rating
4.2
(67 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 67 reviews
5 Stars
44
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
1
1 Star
7
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Instinct E GPS Smartwatch 45 mm Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Black with Charcoal Band - (2025)
Customer Rating
4
on July 12, 2026
Posted by: Rambler
I have had this watch for a couple of weeks. I bought it to pair with my bike heart rate. I am not a tech savvy person, so I had to work at navigating some of the screens. Now I think I have most of it but still need to learn more. I have tried to broadcast the heart rate to my EDGE 540 bike computer and cannot seem to get it. In retrospect I may have been better off getting the touch screen version. Having to push buttons to find and change screens takes more time and does not seem as easy to navigate. Switching to the stopwatch or timer feels clumsy. It may still be that I need to learn how to set my preferred screens but as of now I am still learning.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
on July 10, 2026
Posted by: Edwardo
Great watch! Lots of features! Having fun learning how to use them all.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Enhanced from older Instinct watches
on July 10, 2026
Posted by: pilot23
An enhancement from the last Instinct watch that I owned. I like the automation and classifications for working out. I still in discovery mode regarding adding other work areas, like flying.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Instinct E -45 is an awoke watch!
on July 10, 2026
Posted by: My Instinct E
The Instinct E - 45 is great watch. It rs very accurate, easy to set up, and use. I used You Tube videos to acquainted myself with the watch and learn the different functions. It has been a great upgrade from the Fitbit I used fir quite shimmering.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Awesome watch
on July 10, 2026
Posted by: Jesse J
My wife bought me the Instinct E for father’s day. I really like it. I had the original Instinct for 5 years and I really liked it. The Instinct E is a great upgrade from the original. I really like it!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Nice v!!
on June 29, 2026
Posted by: Petecat
The best for ptece of mind. So many features in a great looking watch !!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Maybe it will grow on me?
on June 27, 2026
Posted by: C.Doug
This my fourth Garmin, and it's by far my least favorite. I had a fenix 6 before this (my fenix 6 abruptly died, and no longer charges), and the feel of this one kind of reminds me of the old G-Shock watches. It's not stylish at all, so I will only wear it for my workouts and then switch to something with personality. I plan to put it to the test in a short race, so I will report back.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Issues
on June 25, 2026
Posted by: Issues
Not pleased with it. Multiple times I have to turn it off and back on because it does not connect or sync.
I would upgrade to the more advanced model but do not want to pay that much and continue to have the same issues. Also, it is not user friendly to move to the correct app or connecting activities
I would upgrade to the more advanced model but do not want to pay that much and continue to have the same issues. Also, it is not user friendly to move to the correct app or connecting activities
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin