This solar-powered Garmin watch is a perfect companion for this triathlon season and it is now $152 cheaper

The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar strikes a great balance between price, durability and advanced fitness-tracking features, delivering excellent value for budget-conscious outdoor enthusiasts — and now it is even cheaper at Walmart.

By Anna Gora

published 16 May 2025

in Deals

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar on a green background — (Image credit: Future/ Garmin)

Summer is just around the corner and this means one thing — the season for outdoor activities is about to start. Whether you are a professional triathlete, a budding marathon runner or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, a good GPS watch can make a huge difference to your sun-soaked adventures. The best part? You do not have to pay through the roof to reap the benefits. Take the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar, for example.

We are big fans of the Instinct series here at Live Science. When we reviewed the smaller Garmin Instinct 2S Solar in September 2022, we liked it so much that we ranked it as the best option for triathletes in our guide to the best Garmin watches. Now, this model has been superseded by the newer Garmin Instinct 3, but we still consider it a fabulous pick for outdoor enthusiasts who are not willing to splash an eye-watering $1,000 on the more premium Fenix 8.

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Garmin Instinct 2S being tested by our reviewer — We reviewed the Garmin Instinct 2S in September 2022 and really liked it.(Image credit: Jess Downey)

The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar has everything you may need to succeed in your outdoor endeavours, especially if you are a triathlete preparing for the upcoming sporting season. This rugged watch has been built to U.S. military standard 810 for thermal, shock and water resistance, so it can withstand even some of the toughest running tracks and open waters, and thanks to its large solar-charged display, it will never run out of battery on a sunny day. It looks and feels great, too. The Instinct 2X Solar is not as heavy and chunky as some of the more premium Garmin watches, making it a great option for all-day wear.

Reviews consensus: The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is a perfect mid-range adventure watch. It combines a durable build with exceptional battery life and user-friendly design, plus it packs a wide range of health- and outdoor-related features. The cherry on top? It costs less than most of the more premium Garmin watches. However, most reviewers also complained that the Instinct 2X Solar does not have full mapping support and it lacks some of the more advanced smartwatch features.

Anna Gora is a health writer at Live Science, having previously worked across Coach, Fit&Well, T3, TechRadar and Tom's Guide. She is a certified personal trainer, nutritionist and health coach with nearly 10 years of professional experience. Anna holds a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, a Master’s degree in Nutrition, Physical Activity & Public Health from the University of Bristol, as well as various health coaching certificates. She is passionate about empowering people to live a healthy lifestyle and promoting the benefits of a plant-based diet.