Garmin Instinct 3
Exact average 79.7 · 5 printed, 2 estimated · printed scores only: 84
The Quantified Scientist's review has no printed score; we read it as 61/100. The other 6 average 83.
Image: Garmin7 professional reviewers tested the Garmin Instinct 3, and 5 recommend it. Most praised: battery life and health tracking.
Reviewed by Tom's Guide, TechRadar, Android Central and 4 more
The catch: It has no full offline maps and limited smart features.
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What 7 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 90Tom's Guide
A near-perfect outdoor smartwatch with dependable battery, accuracy and tough build, chosen by the reviewer over rivals.
Read Tom's Guide review - 90TechRadar
An excellent outdoor fitness watch with reliable GPS and long battery life, a classic Garmin experience at a lower entry price.
Read TechRadar review - 80Android Central
A rugged, long-lasting watch with solid Garmin training tools and a nicer display.
Read Android Central review - 80Trusted Reviews
A better outdoor watch than its predecessor thanks to the AMOLED screen and multiband GPS.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 78OutdoorGearLab
A dependable, durable outdoor watch that covers the essentials with a bright AMOLED screen and flashlight.
Read OutdoorGearLab review - 79est.DC Rainmaker
The Garmin Instinct 3 is a highly capable and durable outdoor watch with excellent battery life and GPS accuracy, but it is held back by a lack of mapping features and initial software bugs.
Read DC Rainmaker review - 61est.The Quantified Scientist
The Garmin Instinct 3 is a solid, rugged device that performs adequately for most users, but it lacks modern features like a touchscreen and the latest heart rate sensor.
Read The Quantified Scientist review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
Watch a video review
- DC Rainmaker on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 79
- The Quantified Scientist on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 61
From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
No clear pattern.
Other smartwatches critics rate highly
Compare the Garmin Instinct 3 with another product →
Common questions
Is the Garmin Instinct 3 worth it?
Most critics think so: 5 of 7 recommend it. It has no full offline maps and limited smart features.
Do critics agree about the Garmin Instinct 3?
One critic disagrees: scores range from 61 (The Quantified Scientist) to 90 (Tom's Guide), a spread of 29 points across 7 reviews. The Quantified Scientist's review has no printed score; we read it as 61/100. The other 6 average 83.
What is the best alternative to the Garmin Instinct 3?
The Coros Nomad (critic score 89), top pick, narrowly.