The Garmin Instinct 3 just launched at CES and it’s a rugged and affordable rival to the Fenix 8

Garmin Instinct 3
(Image credit: Garmin)

Garmin has launched the Instinct 3 smartwatch range at CES 2025, with the line-up containing three watches including a Garmin Instinct with an AMOLED display for the first time.

There is also a new solar-charging Instinct 3 that offers potentially unlimited battery life, and a more affordable option in the Instinct E, which costs $299 compared to $399 for the Instinct 3 Solar and $449 for the Instinct 3 AMOLED. All three watches will be available to order from January 10, 2025.

All three of the watches now have a built-in-flashlight, and the AMOLED and Solar models come in two sizes — 45mm and 50mm. The distinctive, rugged design of the Instinct is kept, with colors including Neotropic and Electric Lime.

Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED

(Image credit: Garmin)

A new metal bezel adds to the Instinct 3’s durability, and all of the watches in the range are tested to military standard MIL-STD 810 for thermal and shock resistance while offering 10 ATM water resistance.

Battery life has always been a key feature of the Instinct range and that remains the case even with the Instinct 3 AMOLED, which can last up to 24 days in watch mode.

However, if battery life is your main concern the Instinct 3 Solar will be the watch for you, since it can last indefinitely in sunny conditions thanks to the upgraded solar panels on its front, which Garmin says are much more efficient than the ones on the Instinct 2 Solar.

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar

(Image credit: Garmin)

Other upgrades to the new watches include dual-band GPS for more accurate outdoor activity tracking. The watches also have all the sensors you expect from a top Garmin watch, including a pulse oximeter and altimeter, and offer 24/7 health tracking plus smart features like NFC payments.

The setup of the Instinct 3 range mirrors the Garmin Fenix 8 range, which also has solar, AMOLED and a cheaper E model. The Instinct 3 is likely to draw some customers away from the flagship Fenix 8, which is much more expensive, though does offer some key upgrades including offline maps.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Nick Harris-Fry
Senior Writer

Nick Harris-Fry is an experienced health and fitness journalist, writing professionally since 2012. He spent nine years working on the Coach magazine and website before moving to the fitness team at Tom’s Guide in 2024. Nick is a keen runner and also the founder of YouTube channel The Run Testers, which specialises in reviewing running shoes, watches, headphones and other gear.

Nick ran his first marathon in 2016 after six weeks of training for a magazine feature and subsequently became obsessed with the sport. He now has PBs of 2hr 27min for the marathon and 15min 30sec for 5K, and has run 13 marathons in total, as well as a 50-mile ultramarathon. Nick is also a qualified Run Leader in the UK.

Nick is an established expert in the health and fitness area and along with writing for many publications, including Live Science, Expert Reviews, Wareable, Coach and Get Sweat Go, he has been quoted on The Guardian and The Independent.

Read more
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 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 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
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
Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Instinct 3
I wore the Garmin Fenix 8 vs. Garmin Instinct 3 for two weeks — which is better?
Garmin Tactix 8
The new Garmin Tactix 8 might be the most hardcore Garmin watch ever made
Latest in Smartwatches
The coolest things the Apple Watch can do
A folding Apple Watch could follow the iPhone Flip — here’s what we know
Atari 2600 My Play Watch
It's not just Pebble — Atari is back with a watch that lets you play retro games on your wrist
Pebble Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 smartwatches
Pebble is back with two new smartwatches starting at $149 — how to preorder
Garmin Fenix 8 Sleep
New data reveals the average Garmin sleep score — do you sleep better or worse than most people?
Garmin Fenix 8 deal
Act fast! Unexpected discount sees Garmin Fenix 8 drop to its lowest price on Amazon
The coolest things the Apple Watch can do
7 best Apple Watch features you're probably not using, but should
Latest in News
A magnifying glass on top of the Steam logo in a web browser
Valve just pulled a malicious game demo spreading info-stealing malware from Steam
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari looks on during Sprint Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, on March 21, 2025. (Photo by Song Haiyuan/Paddocker/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
How to watch F1 Chinese GP 1 2025 online without cable – Sprint race, Qualifying
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, March 22 (#650)
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 — 7 biggest questions that need answers at Nintendo Direct April 2
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone
Segway g30lp
Segway recalls 220,000 electric scooters - what to do if yours is on the list