Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Instinct 3 Solar GPS Smartwatch 45 mm Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Whitestone with whitestone/bolt blue silicone band - (2025)
Average customer rating
4.4
(95 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 95 reviews
5 Stars
64
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
4
1 Star
3
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Instinct 3 Solar GPS Smartwatch 45 mm Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Whitestone with whitestone/bolt blue silicone band - (2025)
Customer Rating
5
SMART WATCH SOLAR
on October 26, 2025
Posted by: ABEGON749
I BROUGHT THE GARMIN SMART WATCH A MONTH A GO.
THE QUALITY OF THE WATCH IS EXCELLENT
THE WATCH WORKS AS ADVERTISED
SETTING UP AND CHARGING NO PROBLEM AND ITS SOLAR COMPATIABLE
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND ITS GREAT FOR OUT DOOR .
THE QUALITY OF THE WATCH IS EXCELLENT
THE WATCH WORKS AS ADVERTISED
SETTING UP AND CHARGING NO PROBLEM AND ITS SOLAR COMPATIABLE
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND ITS GREAT FOR OUT DOOR .
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
I like the metrics the watch keeps track of
on October 27, 2025
Posted by: Okay, Mick
I am glad I got the watch, I wish I would have gotten the 55 instead of the 45 to more easily read the watch display, but that’s on me and not Garmin. I love the data it provides and helps me with what I need to improve
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great Outdoor Watch
on October 28, 2025
Posted by: Johnny B.
I selected the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm to replace my old Casio while providing the functionality of a modern smartwatch. My goals were to have a rugged outdoor watch equipped with a barometric pressure sensor, compass, and altimeter, while also receiving notifications and health information, as my Fitbit had stopped accurately tracking floors, steps, and mileage.
What I Love about my Instinct 3 Solar
Solar Charging Battery Life - The solar charging battery life is outstanding, lasting nearly a month without charging and even longer with sufficient sunlight exposure. I opted for the 45mm version instead of the 50mm due to its more manageable size and lower price, despite the 50mm's longer battery life.
MIP Display - The MIP (Memory In Pixel) display impresses me with its clarity and vividness in all lighting conditions. The adjustable backlight is exceptional, surpassing any other watch I've owned.
Comfortable Fit - This watch fits more comfortably than my old Casio. Its lightweight design makes it easy to forget it's on my wrist.
Torch Functionality - I underestimated the utility of the torch (flashlight) feature, but it has become a go-to tool for me. The intensity settings, including a red light mode, are particularly useful.
Health Information Customization - The health information features are robust and customizable via the app, allowing me to see what I need at a glance.
GPS Flexibility - I love the ability to choose which satellites are used for GPS tracking. This flexibility helps me balance battery life according to my activities.
Areas for Improvement
Lack of Detailed Maps - While the watch includes basic maps for larger towns, it lacks detailed mapping capabilities. I can import courses to the watch, and it provides turn-by-turn directions and distance information for upcoming course points, this is a great feature as it tells me how far ahead important items are ahead of me.
Older Garmin Sensor - The watch does not include the latest Garmin sensors. For example, while my current Fitbit Charge 5 offers skin temperature and ECG, I don’t view this as a significant drawback given the plethora of features available on the Garmin.
Missing Climb Pro Feature - I was disappointed to find that the Climb Pro feature, which I found remarkable in previous Garmin models, is not included in the Instinct series. I hope this feature may be added in future software updates, although I am concerned it could be tied to the detailed maps found in other models, but missing form the Instinct series.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Good watch, long learning curve
on October 28, 2025
Posted by: Lavick
I was pleased to have Garmin service help me set up and understand the watches abilities. Otherwise I was ready to return. Also the ability to set up much of its "things" on the phone made it so much easier. Otherwise you're toggling forever on the watch. One thing I dislike is that there isn't an analog face that I can use. Prior to purchase Garmin told me I there was one!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Struggling
on October 31, 2025
Posted by: Grahamk
I am struggling to record a pool swim. I find the guides a little difficult....could be me
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Care, October 31, 2025
I'm linking a support article about Using Pool Swim Workouts below.
http://ms.spr.ly/6428tEqBa
If you are still having trouble getting setup please contact our product support team as they would be more than happy to get you set up. You can reach them at 800-800-1020, option 4, then option 2. They are available Monday through Friday 7a-7p CST.
http://ms.spr.ly/6428tEqBa
If you are still having trouble getting setup please contact our product support team as they would be more than happy to get you set up. You can reach them at 800-800-1020, option 4, then option 2. They are available Monday through Friday 7a-7p CST.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Learning curve
on November 2, 2025
Posted by: Dj4surf
Awesome watch that I use daily for training in water and on land. Watching videos helped me get the functions down, I had a tough time at first. Now I can’t live without this watch during training it is absolutely valuable to anyone who values knowing how effective your workouts are going. Thanks Garmin
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Nice product… not for me.
on November 2, 2025
Posted by: CJinAZ
I purchased the new Instinct 3 - 45mm, Solar in October and thought it would be a good replacement for my Garmin Instinct which I used for walking/running and Approach S60 which I used for golf as the Instinct 3 had the ability for both walking/running and golf. Unfortunately, I was not impressed with the golfing features of the watch so am returning and will just continue to use two watches for my activities.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great watch
on November 10, 2025
Posted by: JSyk
I bought this watch as an replacement of nice Vivoactive 3 about month ago. The reason was that the battery on Vivoactive was loosing a battery capacity. I have to charge it every day, and if using GPS for bicycling, it last only 2hr. The Instinct 3 solar last 20 days if I activate Pulse Ox for night. If PulsOx is set for all day, than only 10 days. If I do not use PulseOx at all, it shows on the display that it could last those 28 days as it is advertised. If I put the watch on power safe mode, it should last 64 days. I tested the solar; 3 hours on sun increased power for only one day. I was hoping for more. But it is still better than Vivoactive 3. In other hand I like Vivoactive3 better because of touch screen. Also, the Vivoactive has larger real-estate on the display. It is much simpler watch, and easier to operate. Sleeping mode and other features like altimeter are much more sophisticated than Vivoactive3. One minor think I do not like is a sharp edge below those two bottoms scraping my wrist. Also, no maps, but that I knew.. I hope I get use to it.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin