Garmin's Adventure series of smartwatches now feature an OLED screen and come in a variety of sizes, making us impressed with the rugged Garmin Instinct 3 smartwatch. Review by Andrew Williams, published March 12, 2025.
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(Photo: © Andrew Williams) Live Science's Verdict
The hiking-friendly Instinct 3 lacks the mapping support that Garmin's more affordable models lack, but it's otherwise a solid, durable watch that's surprisingly more comfortable than it looks.
TODAY'S BEST DEALS $400 at REI.com $442.95 at Amazon $449.99 at Backcountry.com Benefits
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Surprisingly light and comfortable
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Wide range of functions for hiking and fitness
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Clear and crisp OLED display
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Long lasting battery
Cons
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May cause skin irritation in some users.
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This is one of the bulkiest watches from Garmin.
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Lack of observation maps
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No music support
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If you love spending a lot of time outdoors, the Garmin Instinct 3 watch might be the perfect choice for you. Launched in January 2025, this outdoor and adventure watch is a more affordable alternative to the Fenix series. The lineup debuts a bright, vibrant OLED display.
We're looking at the 50mm OLED version, which is the largest model with the technology and costs $499.99/£429.99.
- Garmin Instinct 3 (Black) on Amazon for $442.95
There's also a 45mm model available in a similar design, with less bright transflective screens but even longer battery life and solar charging capabilities. Also new this year is the more affordable and compact Instinct E.
Some of our comments apply specifically to the Garmin Instinct 3 with 50mm
Sourse: www.livescience.com
