The Garmin Instinct is a line of GPS watches produced by Garmin, introduced in 2018. Marketed as a "strong and rugged outdoor watch", it is described by TechRadar as a more affordable alternative to the Garmin Fenix series of GPS sports smartwatches.
Models The first-generation base model of the Instinct was released in 2018 at a list price of $299.99 in the United States, alongside a model that can be charged by solar power that started at $399.99. Tom's Guide found the model's design to be reminiscent of the Casio G-Shock. The watch is available in four colors and its case is 45mm in diameter, with a polymer bezel and 22mm silicone Garmin QuickFit strap. The first-generation Instinct has a MIL-STD-810 rating and is indicated to be able to withstand up to 10 atmospheres of pressure. Its fully round backlit memory-in-pixel (MIP) LCD screen is always on and sports a display resolution of 128×128 pixels, but lacks a touchscreen, requiring the use of five physical buttons for navigating menus. The watch integrates with the Garmin Connect app on Android and iOS, but does not support the Garmin Connect IQ app store. The watch features a compass and support for Garmin's inReach satellite communications network, providing SMS support over the Iridium satellite constellation. It is marketed with a two-week battery life that is reduced to 16 hours while in GPS mode, although it can be extended to 40 hours in UltraTrac mode, which reduces GPS tracking rates. Garmin also announced the Instinct Esports Edition, marketed towards esports players, which broadcasts biometric data like the wearer's heart rate and "stress level" to streaming media platforms via the watch's STR3AMUP app. The slimmer Instinct 2, announced in February 2022, features an overhauled design, and additional color options, with its 45mm version released at $349.99 in the US. Its solar-charged variant was released at $449, marketed as having "unlimited" battery life. The Instinct 2 comes in three screen diameter variants: the 40mm variant features a 156×156 pixel screen; the 45mm and 50mm variants both feature a 176×176 pixel screen. The second generation added support for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, run pacing and multi-sport activity tracking. Unlike its predecessor, the Instinct 2 supports Garmin Pay and the Garmin Connect IQ app store. Garmin also announced the Instinct 2 Dezl Edition, marketed towards truck drivers. The Instinct 3 was announced in January 2025, featuring an AMOLED screen, aluminum-reinforced bezel and built-in LED flashlight. The Instinct 3 comes in a 45mm diameter variant with a 390×390 pixel screen and a 50mm diameter variant with a 416×416 pixel screen, with the 45mm version starting at $449 in the US, £389 in the UK and AU$829 in Australia. The 45mm variant's "smartwatch"-mode battery life is rated to last up to 18 days, down from the Instinct 2's 28 days. The Instinct 3 is the first series in the product line to use Garmin's SatIQ technology, using multiple bands for satellite positioning across GPS, GLONASS and Galileo constellations. The Instinct E series, available in 40mm and 45mm case sizes, was announced alongside the Instinct 3, featuring an MIP screen, no solar-charged variant, no flashlight and no aluminum bezel.
Comparison of models
References
External links Media related to Garmin Instinct at Wikimedia Commons