Garmin Instincte 2S - Solar Graphite
$399.99
ColorGraphite
In Stock
Eligible for registries and wish lists
At a glance
About this item
Additional product information and recommendations
Discover more options
Related Categories
Guests also viewed
Guests are saying
The Garmin Instinct 2S Solar is a versatile smartwatch that excels in tracking various activities, from running to hiking, while offering impressive battery life and solar charging capabilities. Guests appreciate its rugged design and ease of use, making it suitable for outdoor adventures. However, some users have noted issues with the wristband size and certain features not meeting expectations. Overall, it provides a solid balance of functionality and durability for fitness enthusiasts.
Summary created by AI from text of reviews reflecting recent feedback provided across different star ratings (includes incentivized reviews)
4.3 out of 5 stars with 179 reviews
5 out of 5 stars
13 January, 2026
originally posted on Garmin
3 yrs later and my Solar Instinct is a perfect
My Solar Instinct has been invaluable to me for me reasons. I purchased it at the end of 2022 to wear during my Pacific Crest Trail hike. I am a 65 year old female, 62 when I started my through hike on the PCT. I now live on my son's goat farm and work outside in rain and sun. I milk the 100+ female goats and muck out barns. This watch has endured the harsh conditions like a champion. It has never failed me. I use it for monitoring my sleep, heart rate, steps taken, weather, date, time, reading my phone text, alarms and souch more. It holds a charge for days. I have even answered my phone calls using it. I use it to find my phone many, many times. I am a big fan. I wear 24 hours a day. I luuuuuuuvvvv this smart watch highly recommend it!!??
5 out of 5 stars
8 January, 2026
originally posted on Garmin
Nice watch and sports tracker
I’m enjoying the watch. Great battery life. I track walks and hikes with watch ( I have an edge 840 for Mtb rides, my main hobby). I like all the stats available in the connect app on phone too!
1 out of 5 stars
9 December, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Terrible
I bought this watch because I liked the battery life and sleep tracking. Unfortunately I could not figure out how to work this watch - I was pushing all the buttons all the time trying to get a workout tracker going, I think eventually I hit the right button, but the second night I wore the watch, it didn’t track my sleep. I don’t know if I accidentally disabled it, but it was so infuriating to try to use this watch that I just wanted to throw it against the wall. Do yourself a favor and get an easier to operate watch.
5 out of 5 stars
6 October, 2025
originally posted on ExpertVoice.com
(no review title)
Absolutely love this watch. I wear it almost every day, even when I'm not doing outdoor activities. I especially appreciated Garmin making a smaller version, because some of these tracking smartwatches are just giant on smaller wrists. This one does allllmost everything the big ones do, without feeling obtrusive.
5 out of 5 stars
30 September, 2025
originally posted on ExpertVoice.com
(no review title)
I don't think I'd bother getting the solar version if they continue making that as an option, when you're actually active it seems nearly impossible to actually take advantage of that. The rest of the watch does exactly what I wanted, without too much other junk to worry about. Basically just wanted something to record basic health info and track mountain bike rides and it does both of those well.
4 out of 5 stars
26 September, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Poor readability.
I bought the Instinct 2S Solar several weeks ago and am still fumbling through settings on the watch! The small brochure that came with it was of little help. I had to watch some YouTube videos to set some of the less basic settings. Not intuitively designed! The other issue is the tiny script. I’m a young 60 and wear readers, but not in the pool- some tweaks to background lighting and increases font size would be helpful. While I know there is a learning curve, I am generally a quick study. This watch is a bit frustrating, hence the 4/5 stars!! Could also be some glare on the watch face. Visibility is my main issue.
3 out of 5 stars
26 September, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Problems with good tutorials
Only average until I can learn how to use it. I totally like the watch but am overwhelmed with how to find approiate tutorials. Beware as some of the tutorials on line have unexpected charges and some appear to be scams.
1 reply from Care team - 4 months ago
Hi there and thank you for taking the time to write this! Here is a direct link to all of our tutorial videos that we have created for that watch! http://ms.spr.ly/6421ssYEN
5 out of 5 stars
23 September, 2025
originally posted on ExpertVoice.com
(no review title)
Very durable, amazing battery life. Not huge into the daily metrics but nice to follow long term trends
4 out of 5 stars
21 September, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
interesting
Nice watch, lots of features, but I won't use most of them . wrist band is difficult to use, about two holes shot. I take it off when I shower, not sure I trust the fact that it is waterproof. I am looking forward to trying out the few features that appeal to me.
4 out of 5 stars
5 September, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Overall a good buy
I primarily bought this watch for the solar charging, step count, and sunrise/sunset times (helps with my job). I do seem to have a couple quirks with it that I can't figure out yet, although there's the potential this is user error. I can't seem to get the solar charging to work, but thankfully the battery life is long so I don't have to charge every day or two, which is a major reason I've never bought a smartwatch before this. (Note: logging during hiking will go through battery much faster than logging the hike afterwards.) It seems I have to log an activity (i.e. hiking), it won't automatically log a workout like one my apps does, which is fine. I connected it to my FitOn app hoping that at least those exercises would automatically sync up, and while they're obviously connected in some way, the exercises don't show up on my Activity list, so I still have to log the workout. It's entirely possible there are easy fixes to these issues. Overall, I do like the watch and am happy with my purchase! I like that it's customizable in several ways, and I enjoy the sleep report it gives me each morning. I like that I can fit a ton of information on the screen, but it doesn't feel too bulky, even with my small wrists.
1 out of 5 stars
15 August, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Seized up
The watch has some good features however, the watched faced seized up and would not unlock and change features. Glad I did not use this watch for a through hike or any activity I would have depended on it.
5 out of 5 stars
3 August, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
My first “smart” watch, Gen Xer, and after a bit of research I’m so happy with choosing Garmin! I looked at a few other name brands and they have the watch that I was looking for. Very easy to use, hardly needs to charge with the solar capability, not pretentiously large, great app, tech that pertains to me and skips the noise - oh and military grade rugged. I upload the health metrics to ai and it helps me to stay on track. I’ve been using now for just under a month and I’m very happy with my purchase.
5 out of 5 stars
1 August, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
New watch instinct 2 s solar
Replaced a first gen Instinct. So Many new performance metrics! Also can do heart rate during a swim. Only quibble is the short wrist strap so I’m going to have to purchase a longer one
1 out of 5 stars
26 July, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Very disappointed
Very difficult to set up. The watch kept resetting and I couldn’t get past setting up Garmin pay which I did not want to do. Also the band is too small for a male with a 7” wrist. I returned this after struggling with it for 2 hours.
5 out of 5 stars
14 July, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Very useful
I've used both a Samsung smartwatch as well as a Fitbit. I find the Garmin Instinct the best I've used so far. I like the no frill appearance and the plethora of information on the watch face. I trust the information accumulated because it is a Garmin. If I had to give one criticism, it woyld be the lack of colorful nonsilicone replacement bands.
5 out of 5 stars
14 July, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Motivation plus!
I could not be happier with my purchase over 3 years ago; the Garmin Instinct S2 Solar! Awesome technology, every activity at your fingertips and the ability to create a manual workout. Looking back at weight, miles I have run or walked, weight training etcetera, has motivated me to achieve every goal and more! I was hesitant to purchase since I am a petite female, 67 years young. My fitness age is down to 58.5, per Garmin watch app. Best decision ever to buy!
3 out of 5 stars
11 July, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Inaccurate heart rate for treadmill mode
Love the design and look. But two fatal flaws: 1) heart rate can be very unreliable for treadmill mode. I know my approximate hr from previous Apple Watch data. My range for a mid-effort run is 140-170 but Garmin would give me a constant 100, or even 70-80 for treadmill. I could use run mode to get an hr closer to reality, but that's not optimal because run is supposed for outdoor 2) the watch strap that comes with the watch is not breathable. It gets uncomfortable after a long run or wearing it to sleep after a few nights. Have to spend extra for a better band. (Also, sometimes the watch couldn't detect sleep data. But that's a smaller issue compared to the two major flaws)
1 reply from Care team - 7 months ago
I'm sorry to hear that has been your experience with the watch. We would love to troubleshoot and get this to meet your expectations. Please contact our support team Monday through Friday 7a-7p CST at 800-800-1020. -Garmin
5 out of 5 stars
9 July, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Great watch and great support
i've had this watch for a years and used it to its full potential. finally cracked the screen after years of daily use and Garmin sent a new watch immediately and let me use my cracked one until i recieved the new one. once i recieved the new one i sent the cracked one to them and the process was seamless.
2 out of 5 stars
28 June, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Not user friendly
Not very user friendly, smaller buttons and unnecessary features to clog up what it’s needed for.
5 out of 5 stars
11 June, 2025
originally posted on Garmin
Instinct 2S
Excellent watch. Health apps are spot on. Size is perfect.