StoreDeal.ai store
Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • Use in AI assistants
  • deal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026
  • Walmart
  • Best Buy
  • Target
  • TVs
  • Laptops
  • Headphones
  • Apple
  • Gaming
  • Vacuums
  • Kitchen
  • Toys
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
© Deal.ai Inc.
TermsPrivacy
Deal.ai › Garmin › Smartwatches
Garmin
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

4.4(289 ratings)

Best price now

$324.99at Best BuyChecked 1 h ago

19% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 7 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Visit Best Buy

Ask our agent about this product

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

Price facts

  • Lowest price today: $324.99 at Best Buy (checked Nov 11, 2026).
  • Checked at 7 stores.

Our take on the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

The Instinct 2 Solar is Garmin's rugged outdoor GPS watch with a monochrome MIP display and a solar lens that tops up the battery in daylight. It carries the full sensor set: heart rate, SpO2, barometer, compass and multi-band-free GPS with GLONASS and Galileo, plus 10 ATM water resistance and MIL-STD-810 toughness. It suits runners, hikers, swimmers and triathletes who want long battery life and sunlight readability over a color screen and smart features. Against the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch it trades apps, NFC payments and a bright color display for weeks of runtime and abuse tolerance; against the Instinct 2 it adds solar charging, and against the Fenix line it is lighter and cheaper but plastic-cased with a lower-resolution screen.

Best forOutdoor hikers and trail runnersMultisport and triathlon trainingSwimmers and water sportsBuyers who want long battery life without daily charging
Pros
  • Solar charging extends runtime in daylight
  • Rugged MIL-STD-810 build with 10 ATM water resistance
  • Accurate GPS, heart rate, barometer and compass
  • Light at 1.87 oz with a comfortable silicone strap
  • Works with both iPhone and Android
Cons
  • Monochrome 176x176 MIP screen looks dated next to color watches
  • No NFC, so no contactless payments
  • Plastic case feels less premium than the Fenix line
  • Small 0.9-inch display and limited 32MB storage
  • No music storage or phone-free streaming

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar prices at every store

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $324.99Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • Tech for LessNew

    In stock

    $387.97Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Tech for Less
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $387.97Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Newegg
  • Academy SportsNew

    In stock

    $399.99Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Academy Sports
  • Kohl'sNew

    In stock

    $399.99Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Kohl's
  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $399.99Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Target
  • Dick's Sporting GoodsNew

    In stock

    $399.99+ $9.99 shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Dick's Sporting Goods

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar price history

Lowest price we've seen: $324.99 on Nov 11 at Best Buy. Tracked across 7 stores since Nov 11.

What reviewers say

  • 4.4 / 5289 ratings

Owners rate it highly for battery life, toughness and dependable GPS, and many wear it for weeks between charges. The common complaints are the dim, low-resolution monochrome screen and the lack of smart features like payments and music.

What people mention
  • BatteryPraisedOwners say it runs for weeks per charge and solar top-up stretches that further outdoors.
  • BuildPraisedReviewers report it shrugs off scratches, mud and pool sessions.
  • DisplayCriticisedThe monochrome low-resolution screen is called dim and dated compared with color watches.
  • GPS accuracyPraisedRunners and hikers find distance and route tracking reliable in trees and open ground.
  • Smart featuresCriticisedBuyers miss contactless payments and music storage found on rival watches.
  • ComfortPraisedThe light weight and silicone strap make it easy to wear overnight for sleep tracking.

About the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is a GPS smartwatch in the Garmin Instinct series. It has solar charging to extend battery life and a built-in GPS for tracking outdoor activities. Navigation uses GPS, GLONASS and Galileo.

The case is plastic and the strap is silicone. The 0.9-inch MIP display has a resolution of 176x176 and is not a color screen. The watch is water resistant to 10 ATM (100 m).

It has a built-in heart rate monitor, along with a compass, accelerometer, barometer, sleep tracking and blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking. Sport modes cover running, cycling, swimming, golf, triathlon, multisport and fitness. It connects to iPhone and Android phones over Bluetooth and ANT+.

Case material
Plastic
Strap
Silicone
Colors
Black, Blue, Gray
Display
0.9 in MIP, 176x176, not color
Water resistance
10 ATM (100 m)
Navigation
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Connectivity
Bluetooth, ANT+; no NFC
Compatibility
iPhone, Android
Dimensions
1.772 in wide x 1.772 in high x 0.571 in thick
Weight
1.87 oz

Specifications

Color (Strap)
Black, Blue, GraySource
Watch Strap Material
SiliconeSource
NFC
NoSource
Thickness (")
0.571Source
Smartphone Compatibility

Questions and answers

Is the Instinct 2 Solar worth it over the standard Instinct 2?
If you spend time outdoors, yes. Solar charging meaningfully extends runtime and the rest of the watch is the same. Indoors most of the day, the standard Instinct 2 gives the same tracking for less.
How long does the battery actually last?
Garmin rates it in weeks in smartwatch mode, with solar adding more in good light. Heavy GPS use drains it faster, so expect days rather than weeks with daily long workouts.
Can I swim and shower with it?
Yes. It is rated 10 ATM, so swimming, showering and snorkeling are fine. It is not built for scuba diving.
Does it work with an iPhone?
Yes. It pairs with both iPhone and Android over Bluetooth, and notifications and activity sync work on either.
Can I pay or store music on it?
No. There is no NFC for contactless payments and no music storage, so carry your phone or card for those.
What is in the box?
The watch with a silicone strap and a charging cable. It uses a Garmin proprietary charger, not USB-C.
Where is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar cheapest?
At Best Buy, for $324.99, 19% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar?
Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 289 ratings.
Where can I buy the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar?
7 stores we checked sell it, including Best Buy, Tech for Less, Newegg, Academy Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods.

Stores we've priced the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar at

  • Best Buy deals and prices
  • dickssportinggoods.com deals and prices
  • Kohl's deals and prices
  • Newegg deals and prices
  • Target deals and prices
iPhone, AndroidSource
Water Resistant
YesSource
Weight (oz)
1.87Source
Water Resistant (classification)
10 ATM (100m)Source
Wireless Communication
Bluetooth, ANT+Source
Height (")
1.772Source
Color (Watch)
Blue, Gray, BlackSource
Features
Compass, Accelerometer, Sleep Tracking, Blood Oxygen Level (SpO2), BarometerSource
Case Material
PlasticSource
Sports
Swimming, Triathlon, Cycling, Golf, Multisport, Running, FitnessSource
Heart Rate Monitor
Built-InSource
Battery Technology
Li-IonSource
Screen Resolution
176x176Source
Navigation System
GPS, GLONASS, GalileoSource
USB
NoSource
Screen Size (")
0.9Source
Battery Type
Built-in BatterySource
Color Screen
NoSource
Series
Garmin InstinctSource
For Kids
NoSource
Tech For Less deals and prices

More from Garmin

  • G
    Garmin Vívomove Trend Hybrid Smartwatch 40 mm
    Garmin Vívomove Trend Hybrid Smartwatch 40 mm
  • G
    Garmin Venu 4 45mm
    Garmin Venu 4 45mm
  • G
    Garmin Venu 3S 41mm
    Garmin Venu 3S 41mm
  • G
    Garmin Forerunner 265 Multisport Smartwatch 46mm
    Garmin Forerunner 265 Multisport Smartwatch 46mm
  • G
    Garmin Venu 2 Plus
    Garmin Venu 2 Plus
  • G
    Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)
    Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)
  • G
    Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition 47mm High Performance Smartwatch
    Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition 47mm High Performance Smartwatch
  • G
    Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) 51mm High Performance Smartwatch
    Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) 51mm High Performance Smartwatch
All Garmin deals and products →