Why You Should Use Garmin Smartwatches with Solar Charging
March 24, 2025
What are the benefits of a Garmin product with solar charging, and how does it work? Let’s break it down.
The battery life on Garmin smartwatches lasts a long time — we’re talking days and weeks instead of hours. With solar charging available as an additional benefit on select Garmin smartwatches (and other Garmin outdoor products), you may even be able to measure your battery life in months — or it may be unlimited.
How does solar charging work in a smartwatch?
A single semitransparent layer of solar cells bonded between the glass and the display of the smartwatch make solar charging work. This layer, which consists of two different densities of solar traces, collects energy from the sun and converts it into electricity to charge the battery.
You may not even be able to tell that a smartwatch has a solar component to it. The solar panel is see-through and stretches across the entire watch face display to attract solar energy, giving you that extra boost of charge.
The solar-charging technology features either a Power Glass™ or Power Sapphire™ solar charging lens, strategically placed between the watch’s display and the cover lens. The solar component of the Power Sapphire lens is protected under a solar-powered sapphire layer — the second-hardest transparent material (just behind diamond).
Fun fact: Solar charging was first launched in a Garmin device in 2019 within the fēnix® 6 series.
Why use solar charging?
It’s all about battery life. Solar charging gives you the power you need to take advantage of your time outside, extend your battery life and, ultimately, do what you love longer.
While not intended as the primary charging source, solar intensity is prominently displayed on the watch face or the solar intensity widget, indicating the amount of sunlight received. This feature is beneficial for those who relish outdoor activities because it extends battery life with no effort. The solar charging is subtle and seamlessly integrated without compromising the watch’s functionality.
With our Instinct® 3 Solar series, you may be able to reach unlimited battery life1. You’ll notice an infinite symbol in place of the number of days left on your smartwatch.
Worried about viewing your watch face in direct sunlight? No need. Garmin solar powered smartwatches employ memory-in-pixel display technology, which enhances readability in direct sunlight without the need for a backlight.
And if you forget to charge your watch before you head out for an adventure and it eventually dies, you can leave your watch out in the sun, and it will power back on.
You’ll find solar charging on more than just Garmin smartwatches. Take the solar powered Approach® G20 golf handhelds, for instance, which lets golfers play round after round without needing to charge it before their next tee time.
Plus, on compatible cycling computers, such as Garmin Edge® 840 Solar and Edge 1040 Solar, solar energy translates into tangible metrics, such as “ride gained,” offering riders a clear understanding of the solar component’s impact — approximately 20 extra minutes of battery life for every hour of riding with solar charging in the sun.
Which Garmin products have solar charging?
Solar charging technology has been incorporated in the following product lines:
How do you get the best solar charge?
To maximize your solar-charging experience, ensure the lens or screen directly faces the sun, wear your watch on the outside of your wrist and avoid covering it with clothing.
Weather conditions and sun positioning may impact charging efficiency. Your watch can use solar charging whether it’s on or off, but solar charging while it’s off can yield a greater impact.
Now that you have a better idea of how solar charging works, take the first step toward pursuing your passions by exploring Garmin smartwatches with solar-charging capabilities.
1Assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions