Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Instinct 3 Solar GPS Smartwatch 50 mm Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Solar Sunburst with Sunburst/Gray Band - (2026)
Average customer rating
4.3
(105 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 105 reviews
5 Stars
70
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
5
1 Star
7
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Instinct 3 Solar GPS Smartwatch 50 mm Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Solar Sunburst with Sunburst/Gray Band - (2026)
Customer Rating
5
Excellent watch!
on May 6, 2026
Posted by: Wyw3
Very pleased with this watch (about one month in use), one of the best Garmin’s I’ve had. I use primarily for running (road, trail and treadmill), indoor rowing and for its heart rate and other features. Customization is excellent, battery life with solar charging has exceeded expectations and distance/mileage numbers are very accurate. Would highly recommend.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
2
Torch unreliable
on April 29, 2026
Posted by: IAWC
My first Instinct 3 50mm solar torch (light) completely failed to operate after 3 months.
Garmin sent me a replacement which was nice but the brand new replacement, the red option for the torch does not work right out of the box.
Great watch but if you need or want the torch feature, it is very unreliable.
Sad, I had higher expectations for Garmin.
Garmin sent me a replacement which was nice but the brand new replacement, the red option for the torch does not work right out of the box.
Great watch but if you need or want the torch feature, it is very unreliable.
Sad, I had higher expectations for Garmin.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Better instructions and descriptions needed!
on April 29, 2026
Posted by: Cape 11
So far so good but it is difficult to program and the instructions are of little use. There is little description of what all the various features are. The manual is on pages barely bigger than the watch. Going on line means asking a question about a specific problem that you don’t know. That is the reason you’re lookin at the help section.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great Garmin
on April 25, 2026
Posted by: JBD103
I’m replacing an Apple watch and have been very impressed with the functionality and long battery life.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Idea for future design
on April 21, 2026
Posted by: IgorZg
Dear Garmin,
I recently purchased my second Garmin watch, the Instinct 3 Solar.
Overall, I’m very pleased with the device—it’s exactly what I was looking for, especially as I prefer a watch without a touchscreen. However, I do have one significant piece of feedback regarding the design.
Since most people are right-handed, they typically wear their watch on the left wrist. For this reason, it would be more practical if the most frequently used buttons (Light/Up/Down) were positioned on the right side of the watch. This would make them easier to access and press, without having to reach across the watch with the other hand.
I hope you will consider this as a suggestion for future designs.
Kind regards,
Igor
Igor
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Fantastic watch with awesome features
on April 18, 2026
Posted by: Goinhtn
I bought this watch about 3 weeks ago I bought this watch about 3 weeks ago. and it meets all my and it meets All my and it meets all my expectations. all the health monitoring that I wanted all the health monitoring that I wanted. actually was out side today and was actually solar charging which is awesome I have not used the maps or the GPS or the compass yet but I know it has all those features and I'm anxious to use that I had the tactic 7 prior to this and I love that watch as well but this watch all I need it has all the bells and whistles I love the battery life it is absolutely phenomenal Garmin for making a great watch
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
A great upgrade from my old Instinct Solar 1.
on April 11, 2026
Posted by: Racer Fan
I debated whether to upgrade to the Instinct 3 Solar from the Instinct Solar (1?). I'm glad I did as the display is much better and the battery is a lot better. I’ve only had it for 2 weeks but I'm so satisfied, especially with the better battery.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Accurate and practical
on April 10, 2026
Posted by: David KA
Everything that was promised, had it for a month tracking workouts, can’t wait to get it on the ski slope next season.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin