Skip to main content

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar vs Polar Grit X2 Pro

Quick verdict

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm60 h GPS60 gMIP

Choose the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm if…

  • You want maximum battery: 60 h of GPS and 40 days in watch mode
  • You prefer a sunlight-readable MIP display with solar charging
View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)
Polar Grit X2 Pro43 h GPS64 gAMOLED

Choose the Polar Grit X2 Pro if…

  • You need full-colour offline maps to navigate on route
  • You want an AMOLED display and sapphire glass
View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)

For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm. Only Polar Grit X2 Pro brings onboard topo maps for navigation. On budget, Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm is the more affordable option.

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm or Polar Grit X2 Pro? GPS battery (60 h vs 43 h), weight (60 g vs 64 g), maps and multi-band, with a clear verdict and a check of whether each lasts your whole race.

Pick by what you need

  • If you need maps and navigation on your wrist → Polar Grit X2 Pro
  • If you run ultras or very long outings (60 h of GPS) → Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm
  • If you want the lightest (60 g) → Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm
  • If you want to save without giving up the essentials → Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm

Radar: where each watch wins

Absolute 0–100 scale, no exaggerated gaps: a tie stays a tie. Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm leads on 4 of 6 axes.

Radar of Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm versus Polar Grit X2 ProSix axes: GPS battery, everyday battery, lightness, maps, multi-band GPS, and display with extras.GPS batteryEverydaybatteryLightnessMapsMulti-bandGPSDisplay& extras
Radar of Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm versus Polar Grit X2 Pro
AxisGarmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mmPolar Grit X2 Pro
GPS battery50/10036/100
Everyday battery100/10033/100
Lightness58/10052/100
Maps0/100100/100
Multi-band GPS57/10050/100
Display & extras0/10050/100

GPS: 120 h = 100 · Weight: 35 g = 100, 95 g = 0 · Multi-band: by its battery (60 h = 100) · Display: AMOLED + music.

Spec-by-spec comparison

SpecGarmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mmPolar Grit X2 Pro
GPS battery60 h43 h
Multi-band battery34 hYes
Smartwatch40 days10 days
Weight60 g64 g
Maps–✓
Multi-band✓✓
Music––
DisplayMIPAMOLED
PriceMid-rangeHigh-end
Where to buyView on Amazon(opens in a new tab)View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)

GPS battery = each manufacturer's standard GPS mode; multi-band = dual-frequency (maximum accuracy). On Suunto, Polar Grit and Amazfit T-Rex the GPS figure already corresponds to dual-band mode. Figures verified against the manufacturer.

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mmGarminGarmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm

Ultra-rugged GPS watch with solar charging: up to 40 days in smartwatch mode (unlimited with sun), 60 h GPS and 34 h multi-band. Military-standard case, LED flashlight and dual-frequency GPS. For those who prioritise toughness and battery over onboard maps on their mountain outings.

View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)
Polar Grit X2 ProPolarPolar Grit X2 Pro

Polar's adventure multisport watch: 1.39" AMOLED display with sapphire, dual-frequency GPS and full-colour offline topo maps. 43 h of battery in training mode and MIL-STD-810H military standard. Top-tier recovery and training metrics for demanding trail and outdoor use.

View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)

Will it last your race? Real battery across 300 races

We estimated a mid-pack runner's finish time for every race in our calendar (distance, elevation and terrain) and added a 25% safety margin. Here's the result:

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm lasts 294 of 300 races

Polar Grit X2 Pro lasts 285 of 300 races

RaceBattery neededGarmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mmPolar Grit X2 Pro
Mongolia Trail Run170 km · 3800 m+43 hLastsLasts
Las 100 Millas de Boñar – Noche Roja161 km · 4560 m+43 hLastsLasts
Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls185 km · 3500 m+45 hLastsDies
Grand Raid des Cathares161 km · 7000 m+50 hLastsDies
Ultra Trail Gran Vuelta al Valle del Genal167 km · 7500 m+52 hLastsDies
Zugspitz Ultratrail by UTMB167 km · 8205 m+54 hLastsDies
Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB168 km · 9000 m+56 hLastsDies
Grand Raid de La Réunion180 km · 10200 m+62 hDiesDies

Estimate for a mid-pack runner on the longest distance, standard GPS on ultras and multi-band on races under 12 h. Tap a race to see the watches we recommend for it.

Verdict

For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm. Only Polar Grit X2 Pro brings onboard topo maps for navigation. On budget, Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm is the more affordable option.

Analysis: where they really differ

A rugged solar watch against an adventure watch with a screen and maps. The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar stands out for battery life (60 h of GPS and 40 days in watch mode), a sunlight-readable MIP display, toughness and multi-band GPS, but it has no onboard maps. The Polar Grit X2 Pro steps up with an AMOLED display, sapphire glass, full-colour offline maps and the best recovery and sleep analysis, with 43 h of GPS at 64 g. If you want an indestructible watch with almost endless battery, the Instinct; if you want to navigate with maps and look after recovery, the Grit X2 Pro.

Choose the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm if…

  • You want maximum battery: 60 h of GPS and 40 days in watch mode
  • You prefer a sunlight-readable MIP display with solar charging
  • You want a rugged watch without paying for the high end

Choose the Polar Grit X2 Pro if…

  • You need full-colour offline maps to navigate on route
  • You want an AMOLED display and sapphire glass
  • You prioritise Polar's sleep and recovery analysis
View on Amazon: Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm(opens in a new tab)View on Amazon: Polar Grit X2 Pro(opens in a new tab)

Frequently asked questions

Which lasts longer, Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm or Polar Grit X2 Pro?
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm offers 60 h of GPS battery and Polar Grit X2 Pro offers 43 h, so Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm lasts longer for long efforts.
Which one is lighter?
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm weighs 60 g and Polar Grit X2 Pro weighs 64 g; Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm is the lighter of the two.
Do both have onboard maps?
Only Polar Grit X2 Pro includes onboard topo maps.
Which is better for trail running and ultras, Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm or Polar Grit X2 Pro?
Polar Grit X2 Pro: 43 h of GPS and onboard maps to navigate routes without relying on your phone.
Is it worth paying more for the Polar Grit X2 Pro?
The Polar Grit X2 Pro sits in a higher segment and in return adds: onboard maps. If you won't use those features, the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm gives you the essentials for less.
Can I listen to music without my phone?
Neither the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm nor the Polar Grit X2 Pro stores music onboard; you'll need to carry your phone.

More comparisons you might like

See all 14 watches compared
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar(opens in a new tab)Polar Grit X2 Pro(opens in a new tab)