Garmin Instinct 2 - Solar Graphite
$399.99
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The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar watch is a versatile and durable fitness tracker that excels in battery life and functionality. Guests appreciate its rugged design, making it suitable for various outdoor activities, from hiking to firefighting. The solar charging feature enhances its longevity, while the user-friendly interface allows for easy navigation of its many features. Overall, it serves as an excellent companion for those leading an active lifestyle, providing essential health metrics and tracking capabilities.
Summary created by AI from text of reviews reflecting recent feedback provided across different star ratings (includes incentivized reviews)
4.5 out of 5 stars with 473 reviews
quality: 5 out of 5
value: 5 out of 5
100% would recommend
2 recommendations
5 out of 5 stars
24 January, 2026
originally posted on Garmin
Works perfect for my routines
The watch works perfect for my workout routine and tracking. I am still learning new functions that I will add with time. Battery lasts well.
3 out of 5 stars
16 January, 2026
originally posted on ExpertVoice.com
Great functionality! Hard for a former Apple Watch user to learn interface. Hard to see screen.
I love the functionality of this watch. But after nearly 2 years, I had to retire it. Mainly because it was hard to see the watch face. I just upgraded to the forerunner 570 and the AMOLED screen makes all the difference. Also, unless you are away from electricity for multiple days, the solar charging function is more gimmick than useful feature. The battery lasts a long time and you don't get much out of a solar charge either way. The battery on the 570 without the solar charging is absolutely fine for those of us that are active daily for long periods of time using the GPS but still come back to an electric outlet.
1 out of 5 stars
1 January, 2026
originally posted on Garmin
Watch says it’s a solar watch doesn’t work
I get about 10 days. Solar doesn’t work. Let it sit outside in the direct sun a full day and it lost 3% power.
5 out of 5 stars
20 December, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Great watch
Garmin solar instinct, 2 is a great watch the look and function is very good is accurate and has a lot of good options I’d recommend getting it I’m now looking at the instinct 3 as a daily wear and keep the instinct 2 as a work watch
3 out of 5 stars
14 December, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Good watch functions bad housing and band
I bought my Instinct 2 about a month ago when I suspected an issue with my Vivoactive 3 (turns out it was likely a bug with an app I had installed causing excess battery drain). When the watch arrived I noted the band was rubber, something I've had problems with with smartwatches from Samsung. I noted it was silicone and figured I'd chance it. I want to point out that the Vivoactive 3 also came with a rubber strap but I swapped it out when I discovered that the watch body didn't cause a reaction but the band did. This is because the housing uses a different kind of material that my skin didn't react to, and the leather strap I made was also non-reactive (I've previously had issues with nylon, as well as nickle plating due to a light nickle allergy, hence the solid brass hardware). After a week of continuous wear I thought maybe Garmin had resolved whatever issue the rubber bands were causing for some folks. By the end of the second week however, I'd started to react and the results after a week of non-wear are pictured below in the first two photos. I'm actually in the process of tooling up to make a replacement band/bracer for the Instinct 2 so I can wear it without issue. I'm also going to see if I can figure out a cover for any remaining bits of fhe 2 that might come in contact with my skin. But the watch itself has been worth the trouble so far.
5 out of 5 stars
7 December, 2025
originally posted on ExpertVoice.com
Best Watch for work
I absolutely love this watch. I get it dirty while working and then you can just wash it right off like it is a dish in the sink. Never have had any issues with the watch not working. Wish Garmin would update their app to automatically update without opening the app. The battery lasts and lasts on this watch and that was a key buying point for me
2 out of 5 stars
3 December, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Certain features are hard to navigate
I'm trying to like this watch but it's not very intuitive. For example, to start a walk it took a while to figure out. I use a tutorial on my phone. To end the walk I end up in endless menus and unable to get back to just show the time. I also found if the walk is not ended the GPS drains the battery significantly. The sleep score is also questionable IMO. I can get 9 hours of sleep with a good HRV and the watch shows "poor". And that's if the watch records the sleep at all. Most days the sleep score shows up a few hours after I wake. I'm still in the process of deciding to return the watch. I have the return label and waiting for an epiphany. I'm usually pretty good at tech stuff but this watch has me stumped. I would hope later a model would have significant improvements.
4 out of 5 stars
10 November, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
super features, still learning
i upgraded from a vivoactive3 to instinct 2 solar, happy with it
5 out of 5 stars
27 October, 2025
originally posted on ExpertVoice.com
(no review title)
Works great, charges well overall. I'm outside most days, but still may have to put on a physical charger once a month or so.
4 out of 5 stars
23 October, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Enjoying so fae
I bought this about six weeks ago to replace the first generation Instinct I have. Overall this second generation has better features and more options so I do like that. I am a little disappointed in the battery life. It’s lasting about 7-9 days depending on how much GPS I use. I was expecting the solar to be a little better than this. Battery life is similar to Gen 1.
5 out of 5 stars
16 October, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Excellent value!
This watch replaced my Instinct Solar I through Garmin's out of warranty exchange program and I could not be happier with both the product and the high level of service. I had a good 5 years on the old watch so my familiarity with these watches is fairly high and I am blown away how good this next generation is. I believe I will stay in the Garmin family for a long time.
5 out of 5 stars
3 October, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Nice upgrade
I had the original Instinct Solar and the elevation feature began to malfunction. Garming readily offered an upgrade to the Instinct 2 Solar. I'm very happy with it. Overall, functionality is much smoother. I really only have one complaint and this is true of the 1 and the 2: the GPS (on/off) gets turned off inadvertantly when tracking.
4 out of 5 stars
3 October, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Great watch but has problems.
I bought the watch about a month ago, the read out is two small and its hard to control but it could be me. I've had three strokes so my brain ain't what it use to be and neither are my eyes. Wish the screen was a bit bigger and the numbers more visible. Still having said that its still a nice watch.
1 reply from Care team - 4 months ago
If you have concerns or questions about your new Instinct 2 Solar, we'd love to help with this. You can give us a call at 800-800-1020, and a Support associate will assist with anything you need. 🙂 *KC
5 out of 5 stars
2 October, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Great when changing time zones
Just sync with the satellite when arriving at a different time zone.
5 out of 5 stars
1 October, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Great watch!
I got lucky to buy one, it has been a great watch for me. Has so many features that I get to use.
5 out of 5 stars
30 September, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Best all around watch
Bought this watch to upgrade from my Vivo 3. This watch is everything I wanted it to be. Stays charged for up to 19 days where my last watch was 3 at the max. At first didn't like the buttons instead of the touch screen, but after using it for some time it is a way better option. Would recommend this watch to anyone who is outdoors alot.
5 out of 5 stars
22 September, 2025
originally posted on ExpertVoice.com
(no review title)
battery life has been great, I love using this for work!
5 out of 5 stars
19 September, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
My second garmin instinct
Perfect watch for tracking workouts and I love the app.
5 out of 5 stars
10 September, 2025
originally posted on ExpertVoice.com
Great watch
I love this watch. I use it for anything from climbing and adventuring into the mountains to working as a firefighter paramedic. I love the solar function, the battery life lasts forever. It has a good balance of ruggedness and toughness as well as functions. As a first responder it is perfect for tracking my health statistics, while also performing well and staying tough in different environments. Love this watch.
5 out of 5 stars
9 September, 2025
originally posted on ExpertVoice.com
Not going back.
The black and white screen, the simple inputs, and the ridiculously good battery life has trumped all other garmins I've owned. Smart enough to be useful, not too techy to be in the weeds of itself.