Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • 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 › Sport Watches
Garmin
Garmin Instinct 2S Solar

Garmin Instinct 2S Solar

4.2(90 ratings)

Best price now

$399.99at Academy SportsChecked Nov 9

Compared across 5 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Visit Academy Sports

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

  • Last seen at $399.99 at Academy Sports on Nov 9.
  • Checked at 5 stores.

Our take on the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar

The Instinct 2S Solar is Garmin's small-case rugged sports watch, built for people who want a tough GPS watch that rarely needs charging. Its solar lens stretches battery life in daylight, and it carries multi-band-ready GPS, heart rate, SpO2, barometer and compass in a 40mm plastic case rated to 10 ATM. The trade-off is a monochrome MIP screen with no color and no touch, and only 32MB of storage, so it does the basics well but lacks maps and music. Reviewers like the light 43g feel and the long battery, but some find the small screen and stiff buttons fiddly.

Best forRunners and hikers who want a small, light GPS watchOutdoor users who want long battery life and solar chargingSwimmers and triathletes needing 10 ATM water resistanceBuyers who prefer buttons over touchscreens
Pros
  • Solar charging extends battery life in daylight
  • Small 40mm case and 43g weight suit smaller wrists
  • 10 ATM water resistance for swimming and showering
  • Built-in heart rate, SpO2, barometer and compass
  • Button controls work with gloves and wet hands
Cons
  • Monochrome MIP screen with no color or touch
  • Only 32MB storage, so no maps or music
  • No USB port; charging relies on the proprietary cable
  • Small display can be hard to read at a glance
  • Plastic case feels less premium than metal rivals

Garmin Instinct 2S Solar prices at every store

  • Academy SportsNew

    In stock

    $399.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Academy Sports
  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $399.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Target
  • Kohl'sNew

    In stock

    $399.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Kohl's
  • TWISTNew

    In stock

    $407.12+ $18.63 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit TWIST
  • The Twister GroupNew

    In stock

    $407.12+ $18.63 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit The Twister Group

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

Garmin Instinct 2S Solar price history

Lowest price we've seen: $399.99 on Nov 9 at Academy Sports. Tracked across 5 stores since Nov 9.

What reviewers say

  • 4.2 / 590 ratings

Owners rate the Instinct 2S Solar highly for its toughness, light weight and battery life, especially with solar assist. Complaints center on the dim monochrome screen, small display size and limited smart features compared with color-screen rivals.

What people mention
  • BatteryPraisedOwners say the battery lasts days or weeks and solar charging tops it up outdoors.
  • DisplayCriticisedReviewers call the monochrome MIP screen dim and small, hard to read at a glance.
  • BuildPraisedUsers describe the watch as tough and light, surviving knocks and water.
  • SizeMixedThe 40mm case suits smaller wrists, but some find the screen too small for notifications.
  • FeaturesCriticisedBuyers note the lack of maps, music and color screen compared with pricier Garmin models.

Specifications

Color (Strap)
BlackSource
Navigation System
GPS, GLONASS, GalileoSource
USB
NoSource
Watch Strap Material
SiliconeSource
Thickness (")

Questions and answers

Is the Instinct 2S Solar worth it over the standard Instinct 2S?
The Solar adds a solar lens that extends battery life in daylight. If you spend time outdoors and want fewer charges, it is the better pick; otherwise the standard model covers the same features.
Does the Instinct 2S Solar have maps or music?
No. It has only 32MB of storage and a monochrome screen, so there are no onboard maps and no music storage. Navigation relies on GPS tracks and breadcrumb routing.
Can I swim with the Instinct 2S Solar?
Yes. It is rated to 10 ATM (100m) and supports pool and open-water swim profiles, so it is fine for swimming and showering.
How long does the battery last?
Garmin rates it for days to weeks depending on GPS use, with solar charging adding more time in bright daylight. Heavy GPS tracking drains it fastest.
Does it work with iPhone and Android?
Yes. It pairs over Bluetooth with both iPhone and Android through the Garmin Connect app for notifications, activity sync and settings.
What is in the box?
The watch, a proprietary charging cable and documentation. It has no USB port, so you need the included cable to charge it.
Where is the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar cheapest?
At Academy Sports, for $399.99, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar?
Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 90 ratings.
Where can I buy the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar?
5 stores we checked sell it, including Academy Sports, Target, TWIST, The Twister Group, Kohl's.

Stores we've priced the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar at

  • Kohl's deals and prices
  • Target deals and prices

More from Garmin

  • G
    Garmin Approach J1 Junior Golf GPS Smartwatch 43mm
    Garmin Approach J1 Junior Golf GPS Smartwatch 43mm
  • G
    Garmin Descent Mk3i with Silicone Band 43mm
    Garmin Descent Mk3i with Silicone Band 43mm
  • G
    Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar Edition
    Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar Edition
  • G
    Garmin Descent Mk3i with Silicone Band 51mm
    Garmin Descent Mk3i with Silicone Band 51mm
  • G
    Garmin Descent Mk3i with Titanium Band 51mm
    Garmin Descent Mk3i with Titanium Band 51mm
  • G
    Garmin Approach G12
    Garmin Approach G12
  • G
    Garmin Descent Mk3 43mm
    Garmin Descent Mk3 43mm
  • G
    Garmin Approach S42
    Garmin Approach S42
All Garmin deals and products →

More gps watches

  • G
    Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
    Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
  • G
    Garmin fenix E AMOLED
    Garmin fenix E AMOLED
  • G
    Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm
    Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm
  • G
    Garmin Vivoactive 6 Slate
    Garmin Vivoactive 6 Slate
  • G
    Garmin Instinct 3 45mm
    Garmin Instinct 3 45mm
  • G
    Garmin Enduro 2
    Garmin Enduro 2
  • G
    Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar
    Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Solar
0.524Source
Smartphone Compatibility
iPhone, AndroidSource
Color Screen
NoSource
Water Resistant
YesSource
Series
Garmin InstinctSource
For Kids
NoSource
Width (")
1.575Source
Storage
32MBSource
Weight (oz)
1.517Source
Width (Strap) (")
0.787Source
Water Resistant (classification)
10 ATM (100m)Source
Wireless Communication
Bluetooth, ANT+Source
Height (")
1.575Source
Color (Watch)
BlackSource
Case Material
PlasticSource
Screen Type
MIPSource
Sports
Swimming, Triathlon, Cycling, Golf, Multisport, Running, FitnessSource
Heart Rate Monitor
Built-InSource