10 Best Solar Powered Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition stands out as a tough and reliable smartwatch designed for outdoor and tactical use. Its rugged build meets U.S. military standards for shock, thermal, and water resistance, making it durable enough for rough environments. The standout feature is its advanced solar charging capability: the Power Glass lens can extend battery life significantly, offering infinite battery life in smartwatch mode with just a few hours of sunlight daily. This makes it a great choice if you want a watch that can keep going without frequent charging.

With a 1.27-inch round display and a relatively lightweight design (67 grams), it’s comfortable enough for all-day wear, though the 50mm case may feel large on smaller wrists. Besides toughness and solar power, it includes handy extras like a built-in LED flashlight with various modes, perfect for low-light situations or emergencies. For fitness and health tracking, it offers 24/7 monitoring of heart rate, sleep, respiration, and oxygen levels, plus specialized training features such as VO2 max and multi-band GPS for accurate location tracking.

While the battery capacity is modest, the solar panel effectively compensates in sunny conditions. The watch supports both Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth and has enough memory for your activity data. Its design is functional and tactical, suited for adventure seekers or those needing a resilient smartwatch with extended battery life. If you prefer a smaller or more traditional style watch, or mostly use it indoors, this model might be bulkier and the solar feature less impactful. This device is an excellent option for outdoor enthusiasts who value durability, long battery life through solar charging, and versatile tactical features.

The Garmin Instinct 3 is a rugged outdoor GPS smartwatch designed for active users who want a durable, reliable solar-powered watch. Its solar charging lens supports unlimited battery life under ideal conditions (about 3 hours daily in strong sunlight), which is impressive for extended outdoor use, though real-life results vary based on exposure. The watch has a tough 45mm fiber-reinforced polymer case with a metal bezel, built to military standards for shock and thermal resistance, and it is water-rated to 10 ATM, making it suitable for swimming and most water activities. The 0.9-inch round display is compact but clear, prioritizing function over flashy style.

Beyond basic timekeeping, it offers a range of health monitoring tools such as heart rate, sleep tracking, and Pulse Ox (not medical-grade), which are helpful for fitness enthusiasts. Navigation features include multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology plus a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, ensuring reliable positioning in challenging environments. The built-in LED flashlight is a thoughtful addition for outdoor visibility. Additional conveniences like Garmin Pay for contactless payments and smartphone notifications add to its versatility.

The relatively small screen and weight might not appeal to those seeking a more stylish or larger display watch. While the solar charging extends battery life, it still requires exposure to strong light to maintain that, so users mainly indoors might not benefit fully. This watch is ideally suited for outdoor adventurers needing ruggedness, solid GPS, and health tracking with solar charging as a helpful boost rather than the sole power source.

The Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical Edition is a strong choice for those seeking a rugged solar-powered watch, especially outdoor enthusiasts and tactical users. Its solar charging feature is impressive, offering unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode with just a few hours of daily sunlight, which reduces the worry about running out of power during extended outdoor activities. The watch is built tough, with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal bezel, designed to handle shocks and harsh conditions, meeting military standards for durability. Its 10 ATM water resistance means it can withstand swimming and water exposure comfortably. Design-wise, the 50 mm size is quite large, which suits active users but may feel bulky for everyday wear or smaller wrists. The black tactical look is functional but not meant for formal occasions.

Beyond durability and power, it packs useful tactical features like jumpmaster mode, stealth settings, waypoint projection, and compatibility with night vision goggles, making it a specialized tool for military or extreme adventure users. It also includes health monitoring like heart rate and sleep tracking, though it's not a medical device, so accuracy might vary. Navigation is reliable with multi-band GPS and a built-in compass. Some handy extras include a built-in flashlight and Garmin Pay for contactless payments, adding convenience without extra gear.

The watch operates with physical buttons rather than a touchscreen, which might take some getting used to if you prefer more modern interfaces. This device excels as a durable, feature-rich solar smartwatch for tactical and outdoor use but may feel oversized and specialized for casual users.