Customer Reviews for Garmin Instinct 3 Solar GPS Smartwatch, Black & Charcoal, 50mm (GRM0293500)
Item # : 24632765
Model # : GRM0293500
- Make a bold statement with this rugged GPS smartwatch, featuring a 1.1-in. display with solar charging lens and unlimited battery life with solar charging (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000-lux conditions)
- Engineered with a super-tough 50-mm fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal-reinforced bezel
Price is $461.99
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Over 30
56 reviews
Most helpful positive review
Posted Dec 26, 2025
Works as expected
Mainly used for biking, running and walking. It seamlessly transmits HR to Garmin Edge, no extra HRM needed and charges in the sun while riding outside. Much more advanced fitness feature sets then the Apple Watch SE I had before. Best is it needs to be charged about 10 days vs. everyday.
VS
Most helpful critical review
Posted Jul 31, 2025
Not what I suspected
Gps and compass not acurate keep on disconnecting from my phone
DJPetya
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Dec 26, 2025
Works as expected
Mainly used for biking, running and walking. It seamlessly transmits HR to Garmin Edge, no extra HRM needed and charges in the sun while riding outside. Much more advanced fitness feature sets then the Apple Watch SE I had before. Best is it needs to be charged about 10 days vs. everyday.
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Rossco87
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Dec 6, 2025
Great battery, rugged, waterproof beast of a watch
I upgraded from the instinct 1 and love how this watch is still as rugged, better battery and solar charging. It’s still simple yet has all the features and widgets you need.
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Csbs
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Dec 6, 2025
Nice, but..
I thought this would be a big upgrade from the solar instinct 2 50mm, but disappointingly it is not. Just a bit quicker on Garmin connect. No other big improvements. The orange ring Garmin added is kind of pointless. Should’ve saved my money and waited for another new solar instinct
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1q6g
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Dec 1, 2025
Great solar watch
I have had the Instinct 3 solar (50mm) for a few weeks now and I couldn't be happier with it. I have been walking with the watch exposed on my wrist and after a few weeks of usage it still shows 94% battery life due to the solar charging. I haven't tried a lot of the other features yet, but am satisfied with the solar part.
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Westie1
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Nov 30, 2025
Nice
Have had about three weeks great so far but need an easy to follow instructions to set it up.
Love the large watch face
Love the large watch face
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Jeff1967
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Nov 29, 2025
Upgrade from Instinct 2
Had this for over a month and it has done well. I had the Instinct 2 Solar for over 3 years and this was an upgrade. I really like the larger face of the 50 and the battery life.
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GGGGH
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Nov 21, 2025
Great Watch!
Runs forever with the solar feature and does everything I want a watch to do. Looks great, also!
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Big Country02
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Nov 16, 2025
Amazing watch
It is indeed a wonderful convenience to no longer need to carry a charging cable for your device. The smooth operation of the watch contributes to a pleasant user experience. This freedom from constant charging anxiety allows for a more seamless integration into your daily routine. Enjoying the effortless functionality and the pleasant feel of the watch is a true benefi...
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Dawhis
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Nov 10, 2025
Lots of great Features!
I bought this 2 weeks ago. Still learning to fully navigate all of the different features. But I enjoy not just the tech side. But also the look of it. Fully recommended this product
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Buzmeg2
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Nov 10, 2025
Great battery life
Only charged it once out of the box, now two months running (can't believe it holds so well).. Mainly using it for step, heart rate and exercise data.
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TydiriumST321
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Nov 3, 2025
Intermittent
I'm really enjoying my Instinct 3! My grip is that I don't always get text messages but get notifications from apps that IO don't care about and am flooded with them. The rest of the watch features are terrific, and battery life is good.
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Response from Staples :
It sounds like you may need to adjust some settings on your phone to ensure that your watch is getting the notifications you want. I recommend starting with the FAQ I've linked here:
http://ms.spr.ly/6420tHyDj
If you still need assistance after that, please contact Garmin Support at 800-800-1020.
Garmin, November 4, 2025
tbone911
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Oct 28, 2025
Loaded with features but unable to do simple
I bought this a month ago because I was tired of charging my apple watch. It's been great for that as a smart watch. My main complaints are: 1) The battery life/display bug that was not fixed with the latest update (which I had to get connected and Express to enable!); and 2) That it does not have a silent, vibrating alarm to wake up in the morning (or if it does, it ...
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Response from Staples :
Thank you so much for voicing your concerns. You can edit your alarm to be a vibration by following the steps here:
http://ms.spr.ly/6429t8ovB
As for your experience with the battery life and display of your watch, it sounds like we may need to investigate this further. Please call Garmin Support at 800-800-1020 so we can discuss this with you in detail.
Garmin, October 28, 2025
Jake2
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Oct 26, 2025
Nice watch and GPS
Works great, tracking distances and have it paired with GPS Dog collars, super easy to watch and keep track of dogs and points in big fields with tall cover!
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joetangsoo
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Oct 23, 2025
Long Battery Life
I bought this to replace my Venu, and it was worth it.
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Tug#
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Oct 16, 2025
Instinct 3 / 50mm / Solar
Had the original Instinct and could not have been happier with them. Up graded to the Instinct 3 and they did not disappoint. Went with the 50mm face for easier reading and the solar version for longer battery life.
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JJ boglarich
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Oct 14, 2025
Watch
I bought this a couple weeks ago and it’s a good watch, however the battery doesn’t last as long as I thought.
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Response from Staples :
I've linked a support article on tips to improve battery life below.
http://ms.spr.ly/6426sN064
But if you still feel there is a separate battery concern, please contact our support team at 800-800-1020, option 4 then option 2, Monday through Friday 7a-7p CST.
Garmin, October 14, 2025
JP10
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Oct 1, 2025
Very poor solar capability.
Own an old Casio that is still only being charged via solar after 25 years. This watch have very limited solar capability and need to be charged via cable so useless on a long adventure. Returned
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Rick james
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Sep 25, 2025
Instinct 2 now an instinct 3
I had an instinct two that still works and was absolutely bulletproof for 5 years. My instinct 2 went through junkyarding wrenching on cars being dropped all kinds of stuff and the thing was great. I have a feeling that this instinct 3 will be of the same quality. Garmin genuinely builds a quality product. Very pleased. I decided to purchase the instinct 3 solar due to ...
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REHatch
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Sep 22, 2025
Game Changer
This watch not only does what watches are supposed to do, but it educated and motivates as well. I have probably learned more about my physical health while learning how to navigate and operate my new Garmin Instinct 3 than any other time in my life. I like being able to see the numbers and then be able to see what they mean, how they are calculated, and why they matt...
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Al624
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Sep 6, 2025
Garmin 3
After my Garmin watch stopped working, I went back to my old Samsung watch. I finally decided to get another Garmin. You never know what you use until it isn't there to use anymore. Really like my Garmin watch.
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