Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Falls to £179.99

The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar is available for £179.99 at Ernest Jones ahead of Black Friday, according to T3. That is down from £339.99, a 47% saving, and £20 below the previous £199.99 deal. For endurance athletes who want a tough training watch rather than a tiny AMOLED smartwatch on the wrist, this is a seriously compelling price.

The 2023 Instinct 2X Solar is no longer Garmin’s newest model, having been superseded by the Instinct 3 series. That matters if you specifically want the updated hardware and improved solar charging of the newer range. It matters less if the brief is reliable outdoor training: multi-band GPS, Training Readiness, Training Status, HRV Status and advanced sleep monitoring are all here. Multi-band GPS is the key performance feature for runners and hikers training around difficult terrain or built-up areas, where positional accuracy can get messy.

Battery life remains the big reason to buy this watch. Garmin claims up to 40 days in smartwatch mode, with the potential to extend that indefinitely given sufficient solar exposure. Real-world solar gains depend on how much time the watch actually sees daylight, so we would treat the indefinite claim as a best-case possibility, not a promise for indoor workers. Still, it suits long trail blocks, bikepacking and athletes who are tired of planning sessions around charging. The built-in LED flashlight is also properly useful for pre-dawn runs, late finishes and campsites.

There are compromises. The case is a substantial 50mm, so it will overwhelm some wrists, and the monochrome display lacks the rich visual appeal of an AMOLED watch. It is also an older platform, so buyers chasing Garmin’s newest features should look at the newer Instinct line or consider the broader premium-watch discounts such as the [Fenix 8 deal](/en/articles/garmin-fenix-8-drops-to-559-after-fenix-9-2026-10-27).

Verdict: at £179.99, the Instinct 2X Solar is an excellent value pick for outdoor runners, cyclists and adventure-focused athletes who prioritise battery endurance, navigation and durability over a colourful screen and compact fit.