I review smartwatches — and my favorite Garmin is finally back on sale

Close-up of the Garmin Instinct 3 on the writer's wrist — (Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)

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Garmin makes a lot of smartwatches. With dozens of models to choose from in 2026, the options can feel overwhelming. That’s where I come in, your friendly neighborhood smartwatch expert. I’ve tested nearly every current Garmin model, and the Garmin Instinct 3 is my favorite. Better yet, it’s on sale right now thanks to Prime Day.

Amazon has the Garmin Instinct 3 discounted by $100, dropping the cost of the 45mm AMOLED model — my preferred variant — from $449 to $349. Of course, we may see Garmin’s longest-lasting smartwatch go even lower as the week goes on.

So, while you decide whether to jump on this Garmin Instinct 3 deal ASAP or wait another day or two to see if this deal gets a little sweeter, here are the three biggest reasons it’s my favorite Garmin smartwatch in 2026 and also my go-to wearable for logging outdoor adventures.

Tough-as-nails design

Garmin Instinct 3 on a user's wrist in the snow — (Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom's Guide)

Even the latest Apple Watch Series 12, arguably the best smartwatch in 2026, can’t match the Instinct 3’s epic water resistance rating of 100 meters (the same as the Apple Watch Ultra 4), enough for high-impact water sports and even scuba diving (the Series 12 is rated at 50 meters).

The Instinct 3 also boasts a shock-resistant design with an oversized, metal-reinforced bezel providing ample screen protection. As an added design bonus, this Garmin sports a powerful LED flashlight hidden in the top of the watch case.

Epic battery life

The Instinct 3 comes in several sizes and with either a bright AMOLED screen or a less impressive but longer-lasting MIP screen with solar-charging capabilities. Even if you opt for the AMOLED model, the Instinct 3 can last up to 24 days or 86 hours with continuous GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring running.

An accurate and reliable outdoor companion

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the Garmin Instinct 3 has proven time and again to be as reliable as smartwatches that cost more than double its price. This is why it’s my go-to for logging outdoor adventures, snowboarding, hiking, mountain climbing, city cycling, e-mountain biking, and more.

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Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others.

An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community.