Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Watch vs Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Watch

9.0/10 Excellent

4.6★ (8,400 owners)

Solar charging, unlimited battery theoretically, MIL-STD-810, training metrics, 45mm.

Full Review

Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm

9.0/10 Excellent

4.4★ (4,800 owners)

AMOLED, Fitbit sensors, ECG, Google Assistant, Pixel integration, 24hr battery. Google's flagship watch.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Watch	Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	9.0/10
Owner Rating	4.6★ (8,400)	4.4★ (4,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Watch: Solar charging, unlimited battery theoretically, MIL-STD-810, training metrics, 45mm. Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm: AMOLED, Fitbit sensors, ECG, Google Assistant, Pixel integration, 24hr battery. Google's flagship watch. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Watch

Solar charging with unlimited theoretical battery in sufficient sunlight — wear it and forget charging
MIL-STD-810H certification for extreme environments — the most rugged Garmin reviewed
Fiber-reinforced polymer case withstands drops, impacts and pressure
Full Garmin training metrics — Body Battery, Training Readiness, all sport modes
Under £250 — the most affordable solar GPS watch reviewed with Garmin's full feature set

Retro square display design is distinctive but less sophisticated than round AMOLED alternatives
No touchscreen — button-only navigation
Display resolution lower than AMOLED alternatives — less visually refined

Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm

Best Google integration: Google Assistant, Maps, Pay and YouTube Music natively on the watch
Fitbit health sensors including ECG, SpO2 and body temperature — comprehensive health suite
Pixel phone users get exclusive features: seamless connection, battery sharing and personalised charging
24-hour battery is adequate for most users with charger access overnight
Emergency SOS via LTE enables calls without the phone present

24-hour battery trails Huawei GT4, Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and all Garmin alternatives significantly
Best value requires owning a Pixel phone — non-Pixel Android misses several headline features
Wear OS app ecosystem smaller than Apple Watch despite improvements

FAQ

Which is better, Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS or Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm?

Is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS worth the extra cost?

The Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS best suited to?

Solar charging, unlimited battery theoretically, MIL-STD-810, training metrics, 45mm.

Who is the Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm best suited to?

AMOLED, Fitbit sensors, ECG, Google Assistant, Pixel integration, 24hr battery. Google's flagship watch.

What are the main downsides of each?

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Watch: Retro square display design is distinctive but less sophisticated than round AMOLED alternatives; No touchscreen — button-only navigation. Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm: 24-hour battery trails Huawei GT4, Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and all Garmin alternatives significantly; Best value requires owning a Pixel phone — non-Pixel Android misses several headline features.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Watch sits at 4.6★ from 8,400 verified Amazon owners, and Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm at 4.4★ from 4,800.

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