Garmin Instinct 3 Solar vs Coros NOMAD
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar has the edge: it lasts longer (28 days), is lighter and is rated 10 ATM. The Coros NOMAD still has offline maps, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
-
Battery life
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar wins
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar lasts up to 28 days against 22 days.
-
GPS
Coros NOMAD wins
The Coros NOMAD adds maps on the wrist.
-
Display
Coros NOMAD wins
Both are MIP, but the Coros NOMAD's screen is bigger (1.3 in against 0.9 in).
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar wins
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar is lighter: 52 g against 61 g.
Other differences
- Maps Coros NOMAD wins
The Coros NOMAD shows downloadable maps on the wrist; the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar only shows a breadcrumb trail.
- Water rating Garmin Instinct 3 Solar wins
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar is rated 10 ATM against 5 ATM, better for snorkelling and water sports.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar if…
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 28 days in smartwatch mode.
- You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 52 g.
- You snorkel, surf or swim in open water: it's rated 10 ATM.
Choose the Coros NOMAD if…
- You hike or explore new routes: it has maps on the wrist, no signal needed.
- You want maps and stats easy to read: it has the bigger screen.
- You load music or maps onto the watch: it has 32 GB.
Full spec comparison
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar leads on battery life and size and durability, while the Coros NOMAD leads on GPS and navigation.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Coros |
| Series | Instinct | — |
| Versions | Instinct 3 – 50 mm, Solar, Instinct 3 – 45 mm, Solar, Tactical Edition, Instinct 3 – 50 mm, Solar, Tactical Edition | Silicone band, Nylon band |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Garmin | Coros |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | — |
| Storage | 0.125 GB | 32 GB |
| App store | Yes | — |
Display
The Coros NOMAD is ahead on the display.
It has a bigger screen, and the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | MIP | MIP |
| Display name | — | 3rd Generation Memory-in-Pixel |
| Screen size | 0.9 in | 1.3 in |
| Resolution | 176 x 176 | 260 x 260 |
| Colour display | No | — |
| Always-on display | — | Yes |
| Touchscreen | — | Yes |
| Controls | — | touchscreen, buttons, crown, action button |
Design & durability
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar is ahead on size and durability.
It is lighter, is rated 10 ATM and comes in 2 sizes, and the Coros NOMAD doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 45 / 50 mm | 47.8 mm |
| Dimensions | 45 x 45 x 14.9 mm | 47.8 x 47.8 x 14.8 mm |
| Thickness | 14.9 mm | 14.8 mm |
| Weight (case) | 52 g | 61 g |
| Weight with band | — | 61 g |
| Case material | fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber Reinforced Polymer |
| Bezel material | fiber-reinforced polymer/aluminum | Fiber Reinforced Polymer + Aluminum alloy |
| Lens | Power Glass | Hardened Mineral Glass |
| Band material | silicone | Silicone / Nylon |
| Band width | 22 mm | 24 mm |
| Band fitting | QuickFit 22 mm | Quick Release |
| Fits wrists | 137-204 mm | 130-210 mm |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Operating temperature | — | -20 to 50 °C |
Battery
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer (28 days), and the Coros NOMAD doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 28 days | 22 days |
| Battery (GPS) | 40 hours | — |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 24 hours | 34 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 28 days; Battery saver: 65 days; GPS: 40 hours; All satellite systems: 28 hours; Multi-band GPS: 24 hours; Max battery GPS: 4.2 days | Smartwatch: 22 days; All satellite systems: 2.1 days; All satellite systems: 15 hours; Multi-band GPS: 34 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 14 hours; Max battery GPS: 2.3 days; Max battery GPS: 16 hours |
| Solar charging | Yes | — |
| Battery type | Lithium ion | Li-ion |
| Charging | proprietary-plug | USB-C |
| Full charge time | — | 120 min |
GPS & navigation
The Coros NOMAD is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It has offline maps and uses more satellite systems, and the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS |
| Automatic GNSS mode | Yes | — |
| Maps | Breadcrumb trail | Downloadable maps |
| Navigation features | back-to-start, waypoints | Checkpoint, back-to-start, Deviation Alert, Touchscreen-Enabled Map Control, Safety Alerts |
Health & sensors
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar is ahead on health tracking.
It tracks sleep in more depth, and the Coros NOMAD doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, barometer, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer | optical HR, ECG electrode, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, thermometer |
| Heart-rate sensor | Garmin Elevate | — |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | — |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | — |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | — | Yes |
| Respiration rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep coaching | Sleep stages |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | Body Battery | — |
| Readiness score | Training Readiness | — |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | — |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | Via phone | Via phone |
| Incident detection | Yes | — |
| Live tracking | Yes | — |
Training
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar is ahead on training features.
It has more training metrics, and the Coros NOMAD doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Sport profiles | — | 40 |
| Auto activity detection | Yes | — |
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | — |
| Swim tracking | Pool and open water | — |
| Underwater heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, lactate threshold, HRV status | VO2 max, training load, race predictor, lactate threshold, recovery time |
| Adaptive coaching | Yes | — |
| Running dynamics | Yes | Yes |
| Wrist running power | Yes | — |
| Strength rep counting | Yes | — |
| Heart-rate broadcast | Yes | — |
| External sensors | ANT+, foot pod, power meter, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights, CT10 club tracking | foot pod |
| Smart trainer control | Yes | — |
Smart features
The Coros NOMAD is ahead on smart features.
It has more storage (32 GB), and the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | Android | — |
| Microphone | — | Yes |
| Contactless payments | Yes | — |
| Payment service | Garmin Pay | — |
| Music storage | — | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |
| Flashlight | Yes | — |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Coros NOMAD |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | golf, tactical | fishing |
| Diving | — | None |