Garmin Instinct 3 Solar vs Garmin Instinct E
The Instinct 3 Solar is the better watch on paper: it lasts longer (28 days) and lasts longer on GPS (40 hours). Pick the Instinct E only if it matters to you that it is lighter.
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Key differences
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Battery life
Instinct 3 Solar wins
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar lasts up to 28 days against 14 days.
-
GPS
Instinct 3 Solar wins
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar adds multi-band GPS for more accurate tracks.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Both have MIP screens of a similar size.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Instinct E wins
The Garmin Instinct E is lighter: 41 g against 52 g.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Instinct 3 Solar if…
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 28 days in smartwatch mode.
- You do long runs, rides or hikes: it's rated for 40 hours with GPS.
- You want to sleep better: it scores each night and tells you what to change.
Choose the Instinct E if…
- You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 41 g.
- You want it to slide under a sleeve: it's 13.6 mm thick.
Full spec comparison
The Instinct 3 Solar leads on battery life, while the Instinct E leads on size and durability.
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 | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
| Series | Instinct | Instinct |
| Versions | Instinct 3 – 50 mm, Solar, Instinct 3 – 45 mm, Solar, Tactical Edition, Instinct 3 – 50 mm, Solar, Tactical Edition | Instinct E – 45 mm |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Garmin | Garmin |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Storage | 0.125 GB | 0.125 GB |
| App store | Yes | Yes |
Display
The screens are closely matched.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | MIP | MIP |
| Screen size | 0.9 in | 0.86 in |
| Resolution | 176 x 176 | 166 x 166 |
| Colour display | No | No |
Design & durability
The Instinct E is ahead on size and durability.
It is lighter and is slimmer, and the Instinct 3 Solar doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 45 / 50 mm | 40 / 45 mm |
| Dimensions | 45 x 45 x 14.9 mm | 40 x 40 x 13.6 mm |
| Thickness | 14.9 mm | 13.6 mm |
| Weight (case) | 52 g | 41 g |
| Case material | fiber-reinforced polymer | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Bezel material | fiber-reinforced polymer/aluminum | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Lens | Power Glass | chemically strengthened glass |
| Band material | silicone | silicone |
| Band width | 22 mm | 20 mm |
| Band fitting | QuickFit 22 mm | QuickFit 20 mm |
| Fits wrists | 137-204 mm | 107-179 mm |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
Battery
The Instinct 3 Solar is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer (28 days) and lasts longer on GPS (40 hours), and the Instinct E doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 28 days | 14 days |
| Battery (GPS) | 40 hours | 21 hours |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 24 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: 14 days; Battery saver: 35 days; GPS: 21 hours; All satellite systems: 14 hours; Max battery GPS: 43 hours; Max battery GPS: 17 days |
| Solar charging | Yes | — |
| Battery type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| Charging | proprietary-plug | proprietary-plug |
GPS & navigation
Both have built-in GPS with similar capabilities.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | — |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Automatic GNSS mode | Yes | — |
| Maps | Breadcrumb trail | Breadcrumb trail |
| Navigation features | back-to-start, waypoints | point-to-point navigation, breadcrumb trail, back-to-start, TracBack, course guidance, projected waypoint, Sight 'N Go |
Health & sensors
The Instinct 3 Solar is ahead on health tracking.
It tracks sleep in more depth, and the Instinct E doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, barometer, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer | optical HR, SpO2, barometer, compass, accelerometer, thermometer |
| Heart-rate sensor | Garmin Elevate | Garmin Elevate |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep coaching | Sleep score |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | Body Battery | Body Battery |
| Readiness score | Training Readiness | — |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | Via phone | Via phone |
| Incident detection | Yes | Yes |
| Live tracking | Yes | Yes |
Training
The Instinct 3 Solar is ahead on training features.
It has more training metrics, and the Instinct E doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Auto activity detection | Yes | Yes |
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | — |
| Swim tracking | Pool and open water | 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 effect, recovery time, race predictor, HRV status |
| Adaptive coaching | Yes | Yes |
| Running dynamics | Yes | Yes |
| Wrist running power | Yes | — |
| Strength rep counting | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate broadcast | Yes | Yes |
| External sensors | ANT+, foot pod, power meter, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights, CT10 club tracking | ANT+, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights |
| Smart trainer control | Yes | — |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | Android | Android |
| Contactless payments | Yes | — |
| Payment service | Garmin Pay | — |
| 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 | Garmin Instinct E |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | golf, tactical | tactical |