Customers regard the Instinct 2 Solar 45 mm Smartwatch's battery life and durability as exceptional, with many praising its long-lasting power and rugged construction. The solar charging feature is also frequently highlighted as a beneficial addition, while the GPS accuracy and comprehensive sleep tracking capabilities receive positive feedback. However, some users express concerns about the display's readability, particularly indoors, and the heart rate monitor's accuracy.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 221 reviews
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Cons mentioned:
Display
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
My first Garmin - Instinct 2 Solar
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
My wife bought this watch for me as an anniversary gift as my Fitbit charge 2 was more than 7 years old. I was reluctant at first, given that there is no touch screen, no color display and almost looks like a regular Casio. After a lot of whining, my wife persuaded me to try it for a week. Boy! What a watch! There are so many interesting features and health trackers that you will discover new ones every day.
The best thing I like about this watch, is the ability to customize everything. From the items displayed on the watch face to the more intricate details of your weight, calories burnt etc, there a whole plethora of data waiting for you, all the while being easy to understand!
The battery life of awesome, if you switch the pulse ox and gps to manual. I consistently get 30 days on a single charge with about 90 mins of charging.
This is a no nonsense health tracker. Although I would have loved this to have the ecg, the heat monitor does a pretty good job as it lets you set thresholds. I use this for walks, swim, elliptical and treks and have been really amazed at what it can do. I don’t even feel the need for a color display or touch screen as I am now used to the controls, they are very intuitive.
I recommend this watch for any health enthusiast as it can be a loyal companion in your fitness journey.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Durability
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Love my garmin instinct 2. Highly recommend.
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Posted . Owned for 1.5 years when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I was looking for a watch that is rugged, great battery life, light-weight, and connects with phone. It tracks workout stats, you choose from hundreds of exercises or create your own. Around 18 days of battery life! Looks great, feels great, checks off all of the boxes. I would highly recommend.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great for Fitness and Outdoors, but Lacks Some Sma
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I’ve had the Garmin Instinct Solar for a few months now, and it’s completely changed how I track my exercises and hikes. The battery life is impressive — I get close to a month on a single charge, which is perfect for long outdoor trips. However, when I turned on the high heart rate notification, the battery life dropped to about two weeks since it would go off 3–4 times a day. The fitness tracking features are top-notch, and it’s been really reliable overall. My only wish is that it had more “smartwatch” features, like the ability to text and take calls directly from the watch. Overall, it’s a great fitness-focused watch with incredible battery life.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Sleep tracking
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Awesome and going strong after 2 years.
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Posted . Owned for more than 2 years when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
It has been a could of years since I purchased this and it is still working perfectly. The battery will last for 6 days at least and much longer if I turn off some health functions. I provides helpful sleep and health information and tells time in a hyper visible maximally helpful way.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
What else can you ask for
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Posted . Owned for 8 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This watch is everything, perfect for everyday use, great for work , travel , great lasting battery, easy to set up and use, very stylish, has everything you can ask for in smart watch or regular cobine. I recommend giving it a try if you havent yet.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great item!! Customer support lacking.
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Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Overall, LOVE the watch thus far!! The service or lack thereof at the store I went to was horrible. Myself and another customer literally stood at the watch case for and extended period of time. Each of us asking for help and being brushed off. The other customer left without purchasing, but I stayed. Please hire more staff to help customers, especially for items that are locked up.
As far as the watch, it's been great! I love all the features and all the data that is collected while wearing this! It's helped me far more than I thought it would. I haven't had too mucb of an opportunity to test the solar charging aspect as the weather hasn't permitted, but so far, it seems to hold a charge pretty great. I do not have my text/call notifications on for the watch, so that may help with battery life.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Durability
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great rugged watch
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Posted . Owned for 4 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This watch although limited in features makes up for in durability and battery life and speaks a lot about the lifestyle of the one who wears it. If your an individual who spends a lot of time outdoors or a sports enthusiast. then this watch has all the features you need.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Garmin Solar great for tracking health & movement.
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Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I’ve had plenty of other smart watches which I use for running, tracking sleep and other health related monitoring. My Garmin Solar is the best! I’ve had to physically plug it in twice in 60 days. I get great sleep, stress, motion and heart monitoring daily and it’s the first thing I check at night and in the morning.
I’m a very active senior, so knowing how my body is doing is really important to me.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Perfecto
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Posted . Owned for 11 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
One of the best purchases that I have did in the decade.Wearing it almost all the day.Perfect for all the rugged activities.It great and the battery is loong lasting.I have changed the straps and its the best watch you could ever have.matches with all the attires too
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best watch I ever had
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I love this watch. It has all the features of a smartwatch without the colored screen. It is very easy to get used to this system. The battery life is incredible good giving me more than 20 days. I track all my work outs. I work outside so the solar charge is a plus. I configured the screen with all the info I need. Im very happy and I dont have to worry about charging my watch everyday.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I've had this watch for a couple months now and it does everything I want and more. I switched from a galaxy watch because I wanted something more rugged and I hated having to charge my watch every night. I've only had to charge it once since I've gotten it. Seriously recommend.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Solar charging
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Love this watch and needed upgrade
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Hello hello. I am upgrading from a 2018 Forerunner 225 and the feature upgrade is insane. I am able to do a lot more customization with the IQ store. I love the solar aspect of it coupled with the battery saving options.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review.
Pros mentioned:
Durability
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
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Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I was waiting to buy this watch. Finally bought it last week. I have never been happier. Delivers the best quality for which Garmin is known for.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Material it’s strong excellent to do sports
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I like the watch a lot especially because it’s solar I do a lot camping for days or treking and sometimes I don’t have time to charge the watch but with the solar they give the chance to keep doing my sports without worrying that my watch would die soon
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best smartwatch I've had so far!
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Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Absolutely loving my upgrade from Instinct Solar! Especially love that my watch has month long battery life, with potentially unlimited battery life if it gets enough solar charge daily! Keep up the good work Garmin!
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
BEST WATCH
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
this is the best watch i ever purchased i did not regret buying this , the battery life on this thing is like no other
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Solar charging
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
solar watch epic
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Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
coolest watch ever! solar charging barely have to plug it in!
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from GarminProductExpert
Posted .
Thank you for your review. Garmin
Pros mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Descent
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Posted . Owned for 6 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Excellent battery life, can go 24 days without charging easily but….can’t answer calls, can’t use apps, and it’s a bit difficult to see sometimes.
I only use it for the gym, it’s rugged and tough but other thank that that’s basically it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Durability
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
this is a great buy! and it was a pleasure to rece
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
this is a great buy! and it was a pleasure to receive this watch.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Durability
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Awesome watch
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Amazing watch, love how garmin is so durable and also shows all the most essential info on the screen