Garmin Instinct 3 vs. Instinct E: Which Is Right for You?
The Garmin Instinct 3 and Instinct E are rugged smartwatches built for tough conditions, offering robust sports and health features. This comparison helps UK users choose between them.
Starting at £249 (Instinct E), £369 (Instinct 3)
Design and Build Quality
Both the Instinct 3 and Instinct E are designed for durability. The Instinct E features a fibre-reinforced polymer case, while the Instinct 3 has a metal-reinforced bezel for enhanced resilience. Sapphire glass protects both displays, though a screen protector is recommended. Each has three left-side and two right-side buttons for navigation, including a variable-intensity flashlight. The Instinct E lacks a touchscreen, relying solely on buttons. Both meet MIL-STD-810 standards for heat, shock, and 100m water resistance.
Sports and Outdoor Features
The Instinct 3 offers over 30 sports apps, including cycling, swimming, hiking, strength training, football, hockey, and yoga, providing detailed performance insights. The Instinct E supports fewer apps but covers popular activities, sufficient for most users. Key tools include:
- Garmin Coach
- Custom workout creation
- Intense training minutes tracking
- VO2 Max analysis
- HIIT workouts (AMRAP, EMOM, Tabata)
Health and Wellness Features
Both watches excel in health tracking, with widgets for recent workouts, sleep data, Body Battery, and Training Readiness scores, assessing recovery based on effort, rest, and sleep. Features include heart rate, advanced sleep analysis, Pulse Ox, HRV status, Health Snapshot (2-minute health check), and hydration tracking. Customise your Instinct 3 45mm for comfort.
Variants and Straps
Instinct E: Available in 40mm (£249-£259) and 45mm (£259-£279) sizes, with the 45mm offering a larger battery.
Instinct 3: Comes in 45mm (£369-£419) and 50mm (£419-£559) sizes, with variants:
- AMOLED (vibrant display)
- Solar (near-unlimited battery with sunlight)
- AMOLED Tactical
- Solar Tactical
Tactical models include Stealth Mode, Jumpmaster, Kill Switch, NVG Mode, Rucking Activity, and Ballistic Calculator. Explore Instinct 3 50mm straps.
Battery Life
| Size | Instinct E | Instinct 3 AMOLED (Tactical) | Instinct 3 Solar (Tactical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40mm | Smartwatch: 14 days Power-Saving: 35 days GPS: 21 hours Max GPS: 43 hours |
- | - |
| 45mm | Smartwatch: 16 days Power-Saving: 40 days GPS: 24 hours Max GPS: 50 hours |
Smartwatch: 18 days Power-Saving: 24 days GPS: 32 hours All Systems: 25 hours |
Smartwatch: 28 days/unlimited (solar) Power-Saving: 65 days/unlimited (solar) GPS: 40 hours/130 hours (solar) All Systems: 28 hours/50 hours (solar) |
| 50mm | - | Smartwatch: 24 days Power-Saving: 30 days GPS: 40 hours All Systems: 32 hours |
Smartwatch: 40 days/unlimited (solar) Power-Saving: 100 days/unlimited (solar) GPS: 60 hours/260 hours (solar) All Systems: 40 hours/80 hours (solar) |
Instinct 3 vs. Instinct E: Key Differences
| Feature | Instinct E | Instinct 3 (Solar, AMOLED/Tactical) |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size & Resolution | 40mm: 166x166 pixels 45mm: 176x176 pixels |
45mm: 390x390 pixels 50mm: 416x416 pixels |
| Memory | 128MB | 4GB |
| Weight | 40mm: 41g 45mm: 48g |
45mm: 53g 50mm: 59g |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM (100m) | 10 ATM (100m) |
| Sensors | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, heart rate, barometer, compass, accelerometer, thermometer | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo (SatIQ™), heart rate, Pulse Ox, barometer, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, ambient light |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+ |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm: 40x40x13.6mm 45mm: 45x45x14.2mm |
45mm: 45x45x14.9mm 50mm: 50x50x14.4mm |
| Smartphone Compatibility | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
Price, Colours, and Straps
Available in Black, Green, Grey, and Yellow, with limited editions at select retailers. Prices in the UK:
Instinct E:
- 40mm: £249-£259
- 45mm: £259-£279
Instinct 3:
- Solar 45mm: £369
- Solar 50mm: £419
- AMOLED 45mm: £419
- AMOLED 50mm: £469
- Tactical Solar 45mm: £469
- Tactical Solar 50mm: £509
- Tactical AMOLED 50mm: £559
Prices vary by retailer; check for deals. Swap straps for style or sport with our Garmin chargers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Play Music from the Watch?
No, neither model supports onboard music storage or Spotify playback, but you can control phone-based music.
Can I Receive Smartphone Notifications?
Yes, enable notifications (WhatsApp, calls, etc.) via the Garmin Connect app.
Can I Install Apps?
Yes, via the Connect IQ Store, though the app selection is limited compared to Fenix or Venu models.
Conclusion
The Garmin Instinct E and Instinct 3 are rugged, reliable choices for UK outdoor enthusiasts. The Instinct E (£249-£279) suits budget-conscious users with solid sports and health features. The Instinct 3 (£369-£559) offers advanced sensors, higher resolution, and variants like Solar and Tactical for adventurers and professionals. Both lack touchscreens and music storage but excel in durability and battery life.
Instinct E Pros:
- Robust, lightweight design
- Impressive battery life
- Interchangeable straps
- Affordable price
Instinct E Cons:
- No touchscreen
- Limited storage/apps
Instinct 3 Pros:
- Superior battery life
- Multiple variants (Solar, AMOLED, Tactical)
- Advanced flashlight
- Interchangeable straps
- Enhanced health/sports features
Instinct 3 Cons:
- No touchscreen
- Limited storage/apps
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