10 Best Solar Powered Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar is a GPS running smartwatch designed for triathletes and runners, featuring solar charging capabilities. One of its standout strengths is the impressive battery life: up to 20 days in smartwatch mode, 49 hours in GPS mode with solar charging, and 110 hours in UltraTrac mode with solar charging. This makes it highly suitable for long training sessions and outdoor adventures. The solar cell efficiency is reliable, assuming consistent exposure to sunlight, which is crucial for maintaining extended battery life.

The watch is durable and lightweight, weighing just 1.9 ounces, and is water-resistant, making it robust for various weather conditions and activities. The design is modern and functional, with a 1.3-inch full-color display that's easy to read even in direct sunlight. The combination of touchscreen and button controls offers flexibility in navigation. Additional features include comprehensive health and performance tracking, such as sleep quality, heart rate variability (HRV) status, and training readiness. It provides full-color mapping and access to multiple global navigation satellite systems for accurate tracking, even in challenging environments.

However, the watch's optimal performance is heavily dependent on consistent sunlight exposure, which may not be feasible for everyone. Additionally, the number of features and data provided might be overwhelming for casual users who don’t need detailed performance metrics. The Forerunner 955 Solar is best suited for serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts who require detailed insights into their training and health metrics. Despite its focus on advanced features, it maintains user-friendly elements for everyday use.

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is a robust solar-powered GPS outdoor watch designed for adventure enthusiasts. One of its key strengths is its solar charging capability, which can potentially offer unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode with sufficient exposure to sunlight, making it highly reliable for extended outdoor use. The power reserve in GPS mode is also impressive, lasting up to 48 hours with continuous solar charging, which is beneficial for long treks and outdoor activities.

The watch's durability is another highlight, with a water resistance rating of up to 100 meters and rugged construction that includes thermal and shock resistance, ensuring it can withstand harsh environments. The fiber-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass add to its robustness, making it a dependable choice for outdoor adventures. Design-wise, the watch is functional and attractive, with a 1.27-inch display and a weight of just 52 grams, making it comfortable to wear all day. However, it may not appeal to those looking for a more classic or minimalist watch design.

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is packed with additional features, including multi-GNSS support, health monitoring, built-in sports apps, and smart notifications, which enhance its usability and make it a versatile tool for fitness and navigation. On the downside, the reliance on significant sunlight exposure (3 hours per day) for optimal battery performance may be a limitation for users in less sunny climates or those who spend a lot of time indoors. Additionally, the Pulse Ox feature, while useful, is not available in all countries, which might be disappointing for some users. The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who need a durable, feature-rich watch that can keep up with their adventures and provide extended battery life through solar charging.

The Garmin fēnix® 8 stands out with its advanced multisport GPS capabilities and a solar-charged display that promises up to 48 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. This is impressive for outdoor enthusiasts who spend ample time in the sun. Its durable, scratch-resistant sapphire lens and titanium bezel ensure long-lasting resilience, complementing its 40-meter dive rating, making it suitable for a variety of water activities including scuba diving. The built-in LED flashlight adds practical value for adventures after dark.

Additionally, it features a comprehensive suite of sport-specific workouts, real-time stamina tracking, and health monitoring tools, like heart rate, sleep, and pulse oximetry sensors, which are useful for athletes aiming to optimize their performance. The watch also supports smart features like Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for phone calls and voice assistant integration directly from your wrist. The dynamic round-trip routing and superior GPS accuracy enhance navigation during outdoor activities.

However, the reliance on specific conditions for optimal solar charging (3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux) might not always be practical for all users. Additionally, while packed with features, the watch is on the higher end of the price spectrum, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. Its complexity and advanced features may also present a learning curve for those new to multisport smartwatches. That said, the Garmin fēnix® 8 is well-suited for serious athletes and adventure seekers who demand high performance and durability from their gear.