You'll never have to recharge the Garmin Instinct 2

Garmin Instinct 2 smartwatch biking
(Image credit: Garmin)

Garmin has unveiled the Instinct 2 series, a next-gen lineup of rugged smartwatches including a solar-powered variant that could theoretically last forever without being removed from the user’s wrist to charge.

As a follow up to the Garmin Instinct we tested in 2020, the Instinct 2 is the company’s first wearable device to promise infinite battery life when using the built-in solar charging standard on the 45mm model. While the solar charging panel alone can’t support frequent GPS use and some other common needs of the best sports watches, it can power the Instinct’s smartwatch mode (notifications, basic apps, and so forth) for an unlimited duration of time.

Again, the “smartwatch that never dies” claim applies to the Solar version of the Instinct 2. The Instinct 2 also comes in a standard, non-Solar version as well as Surf, Tactical and Camo editions with dedicated features. The Surf Edition comes loaded with a tide widget and Surfline Sessions compatibility, for example. All editions have exclusive color variations, too. 

In addition to special editions, the Instinct is available in an “S” version, (or a smaller size option) for the first time. The Instinct 2S is 40mm while the Instinct 2 is 45mm. We’ve seen this branding system employed on one of the best smartwatches, the Garmin Venu 2. As much as I liked the first-gen Instinct, it felt a little chunky for my wrist, so I’m curious about whether the 2S will be more comfortable to wear. 

Regardless, the Instinct 2 still kind of looks like a G-Shock, and I think that’s part of the lineup’s appeal. There’s no touchscreen like Garmin recently added to the Garmin Fenix 7. Instead a five-button array is used to navigate the various menus and workout displays. 

Speaking of working out, the Instinct 2 is outfitted with the upgraded heart rate sensor found in the Venu 2 and Fenix 7, and provides tracking for more than 40 activity types. The watch provides daily suggested workouts, as well as stress and body battery management, so you know your ideal effort levels. Even when you’re not out in the mountains or oceans, the Instinct appears primed to keep up with the best fitness trackers

The Garmin Instinct 2 has some key smartwatch upgrades, too. For one, it now supports Garmin Pay, so you can use the watch for contactless payments. It also works with Garmin Connect IQ, expanding the app options to third-party selections like Starbucks, AccuWeather and more.

Could the Instinct 2 be the best Garmin watch yet for the rugged adventurer? We'll need to test it ourselves before coming to any conclusions.

The Garmin Instinct 2 is available now starting at at $349 for non-solar versions and $449 for solar-capable models. 

TOPICS
Kate Kozuch

Kate Kozuch is the managing editor of social and video at Tom’s Guide. She writes about smartwatches, TVs, audio devices, and some cooking appliances, too. Kate appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom's Guide TikTok account, which you should be following if you don't already. When she’s not filming tech videos, you can find her taking up a new sport, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef.

Read more
Garmin Instinct 2.
Hurry! Garmin's longest-lasting smartwatch is on sale for 33% off right now
Garmin Instinct 3
The Garmin Instinct 3 just launched at CES and it’s a rugged and affordable rival to the Fenix 8
Close-up of the Garmin Instinct 3 smartwatch in orange and teal on a user's wrist with the default screen shown
I wore the Garmin Instinct 3 for six weeks and it's a near-perfect smartwatch for outdoor enthusiasts
Close-up of the Garmin Instinct 3 in 45mm on a user's wrist with the 'torch' flashlight shining
I wore the Garmin Instinct 3 for over a week — here's 5 things I like and 2 I hate
Close-up of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (left) next to the Garmin Instinct 3 (right) in a user's hand
Garmin Instinct 3 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: Biggest differences to consider before you buy
Close up of Garmin Instinct 3 GPS smartwatch in Neotropic/Twilight with a grey and orange case and sea foam green strap
I tracked my day at CES with the new Garmin Instinct 3 — and walked over 17,000 steps
Latest in Fitness Trackers
The Circular Ring 2, up close, with half of the device slightly obstructed by orange glass in the foreground
Circular Ring 2 is now available to pre-order — and you could save up to $310 right now
Garmin golf watch
I played a golf round with the Garmin Approach S50 smartwatch, and it's fantastic — here's why
Oura Ring 4 in Rose Gold held between a person's fingers
Oura Ring just got a huge new upgrade for women's health — what you need to know
Close up of the Amazfit Active 2 smartwatch next to the Fitbit Sense 2 with each showing the total step count for the day
I walked 6,000 steps with Fitbit Sense 2 vs Amazfit Active 2 — this one was more accurate
Close-up of the Amazfit Active 2 and Apple Watch SE next to each other on a user's wrist
I walked 7,000 steps with Apple Watch SE vs Amazfit Active 2 — here's the winner
Fitbit Charge 6 shown on man's wrist
Epic Fitbit sale at Amazon — our favorite fitness trackers are on sale from just $79
Latest in News
iPhone 16
Hoping for a new iPhone 16 color? You’re probably out of luck
iOS Photos app
iOS 18.4 Photos update makes it easier to sort, hide and delete your photos on iPhone — here’s what you can do
Dyson Purifier Cool (TP11) in office
Dyson just launched its new high-tech air purifier — right in time for allergy season
Nvidia RTX 5090
RTX 5060 breaks cover in Acer gaming PC — is Nvidia’s next GPU launch imminent?
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE renders
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 FE crushes its predecessor with 40% speed boost in leaked benchmark
The camera assembly on the Google Pixel 9
The latest Google Pixel update is breaking fingerprint scanners — but there may be a fix