Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Instinct 3 GPS Smartwatch 45 mm AMOLED Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Citrine with Citrine Band - (2026)
Average customer rating
4.5
(145 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 145 reviews
5 Stars
108
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
3
1 Star
9
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Instinct 3 GPS Smartwatch 45 mm AMOLED Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Citrine with Citrine Band - (2026)
Customer Rating
3
Great hardware, but software is not perfect
on October 18, 2025
Posted by: halit.kk
Positive aspects:
The watch feels rock-solid yet lightweight, and despite not having a touchscreen, it’s surprisingly easy to navigate after just a few hours of use. The overall design looks great — rugged but stylish. The battery life is incredibly impressive, especially after years of using an Apple Watch. I can go for days without worrying about charging, which is a huge advantage.
The watch feels rock-solid yet lightweight, and despite not having a touchscreen, it’s surprisingly easy to navigate after just a few hours of use. The overall design looks great — rugged but stylish. The battery life is incredibly impressive, especially after years of using an Apple Watch. I can go for days without worrying about charging, which is a huge advantage.
Things that could be improved:
• Watch face customization: On the main screen, the small calendar section always starts the week on Sunday. It may not sound major, but for those of us outside the U.S., it’s distracting not to be able to change the first day of the week.
• iOS integration: As an iPhone user, I really wish there were iOS widgets to display some Garmin data (like steps or calories) on my lock screen or home screen. Also, quick replies to messages are available for Android users but not for iOS, which is disappointing.
• Bluetooth range: I’ve noticed the Bluetooth connection is very weak compared to other smartwatches. The signal drops even when my phone is just in the next room — and I live in a small apartment. This really shouldn’t happen with this kind of device.
• Sleep schedule system: This is my biggest frustration. The watch forces you to set a fixed sleep and wake schedule, and there’s currently no way to disable it. I often sleep and wake up at different times, so having to define a specific time each day doesn’t work for me. If the schedule ends before I actually wake up, it sends the morning report and stops tracking sleep — meaning I lose sleep data and also disabling the do not disturb mode. It would be so much better if Garmin allowed users to turn this feature off and let some people to put their watches to sleep mode when desired, not only scheduled.
• Watch face customization: On the main screen, the small calendar section always starts the week on Sunday. It may not sound major, but for those of us outside the U.S., it’s distracting not to be able to change the first day of the week.
• iOS integration: As an iPhone user, I really wish there were iOS widgets to display some Garmin data (like steps or calories) on my lock screen or home screen. Also, quick replies to messages are available for Android users but not for iOS, which is disappointing.
• Bluetooth range: I’ve noticed the Bluetooth connection is very weak compared to other smartwatches. The signal drops even when my phone is just in the next room — and I live in a small apartment. This really shouldn’t happen with this kind of device.
• Sleep schedule system: This is my biggest frustration. The watch forces you to set a fixed sleep and wake schedule, and there’s currently no way to disable it. I often sleep and wake up at different times, so having to define a specific time each day doesn’t work for me. If the schedule ends before I actually wake up, it sends the morning report and stops tracking sleep — meaning I lose sleep data and also disabling the do not disturb mode. It would be so much better if Garmin allowed users to turn this feature off and let some people to put their watches to sleep mode when desired, not only scheduled.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Long time between charges
on October 16, 2025
Posted by: Shootinweb
Originally received one with issues. After a couple of months of trying to make it work I was able to return it for a free replacement. The replacement works flawlessly and the weather data at a glance has been extremely useful for fishing. Battery lasts ridiculously long. Ease of customization is great. Can’t believe how much info is available at just a glance.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
So many features and stats!
on October 9, 2025
Posted by: MarcusH
I have had this watch for about 3 weeks now and can't stop checking my stats! It tracks so many stats for you to check out. Steps, heart rate, body battery, sleep, calories, stress, weather, HRV status, brpm, and many more! This is exactly the kind of watch I wanted. I purchased it right before a trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park and wanted it to track my hikes and a couple of other stats and it has blown me away with all the features. I used to have an apple watch and this Garmin watch does all the apple watch does and so much more! Never going back to apple!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
I Love the features it has
on October 7, 2025
Posted by: A.B.
It's a great watch. I'm loving the battery life and I don't have to turn on water resistant like Galaxy or IPhone. The health features are very good.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Instinct 3
on October 2, 2025
Posted by: DJ420a
No regerts, so far. Love everything about this watch, especially the battery life…coming from an Apple watch.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Love how durable it is.
on September 27, 2025
Posted by: Rkeith20522
I love the durability of it, my Apple Watch lasted maybe a week before I shattered it. All of the controls are buttons but once you get used to it it’s great! It’s crazy light weight (reminds me of a Casio in weight terms). It takes a while to learn it but it’s very user friendly afterwards. The Garmin map is great for mapping runs, the health tracking is insane and has helped me a lot with my fitness goals. 15 day battery life and I have all of the trackers on 24/7
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Instinct - easy peezy
on September 23, 2025
Posted by: Tsugg
I’ve been wearing the instinct for a few weeks now and I love the ease of use. Anytime I want info, a quick twist of my wrist gives me tons of information
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Expected more, disappointed
on September 22, 2025
Posted by: Illia
Bought Garmin coming from Apple Watch, too complicated. Comes with a tiny thick instruction manual that you can’t read even if you wanted to, didn’t really think I would need to actually read it!!! Way too many steps just to do a simple workout, turn on lamp, check a message. Only positive is the battery but I don’t wear my watch to sleep in so what does it matter. Too many buttons on the sides that do to much! I should’ve just purchased another Apple.
Response from GarminBy Care, September 23, 2025
Good morning! Sorry to hear that you are having some issues, the good news is we do have our watch manuals online if it is easier. You can also do a quick search if you are needing something specific. I included some helpful beginner tips to help you get familiar with the Instinct 3.
• "Instinct 3 AMOLED Series Owner's Manual" - http://ms.spr.ly/6426sqYno
• "Instinct® 3 AMOLED | Getting Started | Garmin Support" - http://ms.spr.ly/6427sqYnU
If you need additional support our team is always here to help, you can also use this link to search our several articles if you need to.
• "Product Support" -http://ms.spr.ly/6428sqYnq
The product support phone number is 800-800-1020, Press 4 then Press 2 for the Instinct series.
M- F, 7 AM - 7 PM CTL
• "Instinct 3 AMOLED Series Owner's Manual" - http://ms.spr.ly/6426sqYno
• "Instinct® 3 AMOLED | Getting Started | Garmin Support" - http://ms.spr.ly/6427sqYnU
If you need additional support our team is always here to help, you can also use this link to search our several articles if you need to.
• "Product Support" -http://ms.spr.ly/6428sqYnq
The product support phone number is 800-800-1020, Press 4 then Press 2 for the Instinct series.
M- F, 7 AM - 7 PM CTL
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin