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Tom's Guide
29-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I hiked up New York's highest waterfall with the Apple Watch 10 vs Garmin Instinct 3 — 5 things I learned
Kaaterskill Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall in New York State, with a height of 260 feet. This fantastic two-part waterfall is located in the Eastern Catskill Mountains, roughly 120 miles north of New York City. And it was positively raging when I hiked to it earlier this month while on a press trip with AllTrails (where I tested the app's promising new Custom Routes tool). Of course, when life hands you an epic hike to an incredible waterfall, what do you do? Why, record the trek on as many devices as you can muster and compare all the data, of course! And that's exactly what I did. Not only did I capture the journey on not one but two smartwatches, I also recorded it using the Strava app on my iPhone, along with the AllTrails app. This isn't the first time I've pitted the Apple Watch Series 10 against the Garmin Instinct 3. Oh contrare. And it certainly won't be the last. After all, these are two of my favorite smartwatches currently on the market. I appreciate the Instinct 3 for its impossibly long-lasting battery, playful and durable design, accurate fitness tracking and helpful training tools. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 10 is my go-to full-featured smartwatch, thanks to a delightfully vibrant and easy-to-read display, lightweight case and access to more apps than I have time in my life to try out (though here are some favorites from the Apple Watch app store). The latest Apple Watch is also a reliable fitness tracker, even if the Instinct 3 proved more accurate in the last walk test showdown between the two. The Apple Watch Series 10 is a pleasure to have on the wrist thanks to a slender, lightweight case and immersive display. It's also jam-packed with useful smart tools, like on-wrist translations and global tide tracking. Plus, the Series 10 is compatible with a seriously enormous range of third-party apps, making it easily one of the best full-featured smartwatches you can buy today. The Garmin Instinct 3 is a super-rugged and sporty smartwatch with class-leading battery life, support for an enormous range of workout types (including lots of extreme sports), impressive training tools and super-accurate location and holistic tracking. It also boasts a handy and unique onboard "torch" LED flashlight for navigating in the dark. Despite heavy rain and rough terrain, I enjoyed every moment of my roughly four-mile hike in upstate New York. This was partly because the Timberland Motion Access hiking sneakers I was testing kept my feet bone dry. However, gorgeous surroundings and quality company all contributed to a grand time. Oh, and the giant waterfall. I can't forget the giant waterfall. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. And with that, on to the hike data and takeaways. Apple Watch 10 Garmin Instinct 3 Strava app AllTrails app Distance 3.8 miles 3.5 miles 4.4 miles 3.9 miles Elevation gain 2,011 feet 673 feet 638 feet 650 feet Steps no data 8,690 steps 8,082 steps n/a Average heart rate 123 bpm 121 bpm n/a n/a Max heart rate 157 bpm 156 bpm n/a n/a Calories burned 815 calories 711 calories n/a 1,000 calories Distance data is a little bit scattered, with nearly a mile separating the shortest distance of 3.5 miles (Garmin) from the longest of 4.4 miles (Strava). Meanwhile, the Apple Watch 10 and AllTrails app measured roughly the same ground covered at 3.8 and 3.9 miles, respectively. The average of these four distance values equals 3.9 miles, suggesting that, indeed, Garmin likely undercounted by roughly a half mile and Strava probably overcounted by a slightly less egregious amount. It's worth noting that I was careful to start and stop tracking all four methods without taking any additional steps. So, no, user error is not a factor here. While Garmin, Strava and AllTrails each noted elevation gains in the neighborhood of 650 feet, give or take 25 feet, the Apple Watch Series 10 measured my climb as roughly three times that amount. When it comes to calculating elevation gain, the best Apple Watch models tend to be fairly accurate; in a recent walk test between the Series Watch 10 vs Instinct 3, only 5 feet separate Apple's climb data from Garmin's. So what in the world happened here? The short answer is, I have no idea. Clearly, something severely skewed Apple's data well beyond reality for this hike, which is a great reminder that even the top fitness trackers and best smartwatches sometimes muck up fitness data. Note: I won't stop mentioning this until Cupertino addresses my grievance. Apologies in advance for sounding like a skipping CD. The latest watchOS 11.4 software still doesn't support step count tallies for individually tracked workouts. Sure, your Apple Watch provides a daily step count total, but that's not enough. I want to know exactly how many steps I took during my afternoon walk or epic weekend hike. In 2025, Apple is one of the only major brands that restricts step-count data to daily totals. Meanwhile, Amazfit, Fitbit, Garmin, Google, and Samsung all provide both individual tallies for exercises like walks and hikes, along with daily totals. Perhaps Cook and Co. will bring the Apple Watch up to speed with the competition when watchOS 12 debuts later this summer. All we can do is hope! With step count data from just the Garmin Instinct 3 and Strava, I can say for certain that I walked at least 8,000 steps during my hike to and around Kaaterskill Falls. Unfortunately, what I don't know is whether my actual total is closer to 8,100 steps as recorded by Strava or 8,700 steps as noted by Garmin. A difference of roughly 600 steps over a four-mile hike is significant. For example, when I last pitted the Instinct 3 vs Apple Watch 10 in a 5,000-step walk test, Garmin's step count total was just six steps off from Strava's and four steps away from my actual (manual) count. However, in a more recent hiking comparison between the Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Garmin Instinct 3, more than 500 steps separated Garmin's tally from Strava's, a result more in line with this hike's data. With so much conflicting data, it's reassuring to see nearly identical average and max heart rate data between the Apple Watch Series 10, which I wore on my right wrist, and the Garmin Instinct 3, worn on my left. Looking ahead, I'd like to rerun this test on a similar-length hike. However, this time I'll manually count my steps to know for sure which device is most spot-on. I'll also be sure to carry but not wear the Apple Watch 10 until I get to the trailhead, and then note my day's step count total as soon as the hike has concluded. With that, I should be able to say for sure which of these two popular smartwatches is more accurate for tracking hikes. Until then, the Instinct 3 remains my top choice over the Series 10 based on its prior victory over Apple. Now the question is, can the Series 10 reclaim that title? Stay tuned.
Tom's Guide
27-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
How to choose a smartwatch for hiking — 5 things to look for
I love to hike, and I also love testing the latest smartwatches. So naturally, I have some strong opinions on what makes the ultimate smartwatch for hikers. Of course, if you'd rather physical product recommendations, check out my five favorite smartwatches for hiking round-up. That said, the five options in that piece are far from your only choices. With so many models to choose from, ranging in price from less than $100 to more than $1,000, here are the five most important things to consider when shopping for the perfect smartwatch that will track your next hike like a champ. The best smartwatches for hikes have onboard GPS. This means the watch tracks your location rather than piggybacking off your smartphone, which might have died 5 miles back at the bottom of your backpack. Want the best GPS-tracking accuracy? Keep an eye out for smartwatches that boast dual- or multi-band GPS. In simple terms, the more bands, the more reliable and precise the tracking. High-end smartwatches — like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra — have dual-band, but you don't need to spend big, big bucks on a device for top-notch GPS. The $399 Garmin Instinct 3 has multi-band, as does the $279 Amazfit T-Rex 3. The one downside of onboard GPS is that it can be a major drain on battery life. This is why most smartwatch manufacturers list both a standard battery life rating, along with a separate rating for battery life when using GPS tracking. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. For example, the Apple Watch Series 10 is rated to last up to 18 hours under normal use but just 7 hours when using GPS to track an outdoor workout. In actuality, that's likely closer to 6 hours. For this reason, the Series 10 likely wouldn't be my top choice for an avid hiker. The Apple Watch Ultra 2, on the other wrist, can last up to 12 hours with GPS tracking (longer in low-power mode, still with GPS). The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED, meanwhile, can GPS track for more than 24 hours on a single charge; the Instinct 3 Solar can track for a whopping 40 hours. The lighter, more affordable Garmin Forerunner 165 — a personal favorite of mine — can GPS track your adventures for up to 17 hours. The second most important onboard piece of tech you'll want in a proper hiking smartwatch is an onboard altimeter to keep tabs on elevation changes. This is especially important when you're hiking somewhere with lots of elevation gain, like the Cascade Mountains, where I live. While devices without an altimeter or barometer to track elevation/pressure changes will still usually report 'climb' data for your hike, in my experience and testing, these metrics often need to be taken with a grain of salt because they aren't super precise. One of my favorite things about rocking a smartwatch while hiking is being able to check in on our stats on the fly, mid-trek. Of course, a bright screen, preferably AMOLED, is a must if you want to be able to read your watch's screen in direct sunlight without some serious squinting. The crème de la crème of bright and beautiful smartwatch displays are on devices like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, but even sub-$100 smartwatches boast impressive screens in 2025, including the Amazfit Active 2. Durability is another factor worth considering, especially if you're like me and prone to bumping and scraping your wearables against everything from car doors to rocks. While most modern smartwatches have scratch and shatter-resistant glass protecting their displays, devices like the Instinct 3, T-Rex 3 and Galaxy Watch Ultra have the added protection of an oversized bezel. Many of the highest-end outdoor adventure smartwatches feature the ability to save map regions for offline navigation when you're off-the-grid/outside of cell range. Garmin and Polar's offline maps are the gold standard when it comes to ease of use, in my experience, with turn-by-turn directions, topographic maps and points of interest marked. However, Garmin saves the feature for only the brand's highest-end models, like the Fenix and Enduro Series, which will both set you back a pretty penny. Polar makes the barrier to entry a bit more reasonable. The Polar Vantage M3 has offline maps and starts at around $400. Budget-friendly models like the $99 Amazfit Active 2 and T-Rex 3 also offer support for offline maps, but the user interface is a bit rough around the edges, and the usability is nowhere near as good as Garmin's or Polar's.
Tom's Guide
26-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I test smartwatches for a living — and these are my 5 favorite models when I go hiking
You don't need to break the bank to score a solid smartwatch for tracking hikes and other outdoor adventures. Models like the $99 Amazfit Active 2 have all the basics like onboard GPS, offline maps and solid battery life. However, higher-end models like the Garmin Instinct 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 bring exceptional durability and other nifty features — including a built-in LED flashlight on the Garmin — into the equation. Want something supremely comfortable and reliable? The Garmin Forerunner 165 might be your jam. Having tested dozens of smartwatches while hiking the mountains of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, I know firsthand which models are primo trail companions and which are better left in the car. With that, here are my five favorite smartwatches for hikers in 2025. The Garmin Instinct 3 is one of my favorite smartwatches currently available. This is thanks to its rock-solid location tracking, range of useful wellness tools, support for tons of outdoor activities, and, perhaps most importantly, its long-lasting nature. The Instinct 3 comes in several varieties, including with optional solar charging capabilities. With enough time in front of the sun, the Instinct 3 Solar can, in theory, last forever without needing to visit a wall outlet or USB slot. The standard AMOLED model, meanwhile, will keep on ticking for well over two weeks. The device is also built to take on whatever the outdoors can toss at it, with 100 meters of water resistance and an oversized metal reinforced bezel to protect the screen. The Garmin Instinct 3 starts at $399 for the smaller 45mm Solar model and increases to $449 for the larger 50mm Solar edition. The 45mm AMOLED model is $449, and the larger 50mm AMOLED version is $499. The Garmin Forerunner 165 is technically a mid-entry-level running watch, but all the things that make it great for first-time marathoners also make it exceptional for hikers Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Stacked with some of Garmin's best workout training and recovery tools, not to mention impressive sleep tracking capabilities, it's also an exceptional value, easily found for under $200. For hikers, in particular, it keeps tabs on key metrics like elevation gain, pace and distance. It also has safety features, including LiveTrack and Incident Detection. Battery life when using GPS tracking should also be good for even the longest day hikes, up to 19 hours. It also comes in two lightweight, easy-wearing sizes and boasts a bright AMOLED touchscreen paired with physical buttons for when your hands are extra sweaty mid-hike. The Garmin Forerunner 165 starts at $249 but can often be found for $50 off. There's also a Music edition of the Forerunner 165, which has, you guessed it, onboard storage for tunes. That model will cost you an extra $50, but like the standard model, it often goes on sale. If you want a super-rugged smartwatch that'll take a licking and keep on ticking (okay, that's an old Timex slogan) without spending Apple Watch Ultra 2-type cash, then the Amazfit T-Rex 3 is worth a look. This oversized beast has a massive 1.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen that maxes out at an impressive 2,000 nits. This is paired with a whole bunch of physical buttons, all tucked nearly into a rather cool-looking octagonal case with a big ol' stainless steel bezel. Battery life with GPS tracking should easily get you through 36 hours or more of hiking. With 100 meters of water resistance, dual-band GPS, and even support for offline navigational maps, it's kind of amazing that the T-Rex 3 can be yours for around $250. The beastly Amazfit T-Rex 3 is priced at $279 but can easily be acquired for between $25 and $50 off. It only comes in one size, and though the nearly 49mm case won't be for everyone, the T-Rex 3 is a mighty-fine alternative to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The Amazfit Active 2 has nearly all the same bells and whistles as the T-Rex 3, just squeezed into a more streamlined, easy-wearing case. Starting at less than $100, this admittedly handsome-looking smartwatch has onboard GPS, supports 160+ workout types, sports a bright AMOLED touchscreen and can track a hearty day's workout with plenty of battery to spare, making it one of the best bang-for-your-buck wearables in 2025. However, the most shocking feature, given the price, is support for offline navigational maps. While a little rough around the edges and somewhat limited in capability compared to, say, Apple, Garmin and Google's take, this is a tool ordinarily only found on far pricer smartwatch models. Also worth noting: Amazfit is very good about responding to user feedback with firmware updates, and even within the few months that have passed since I reviewed the Active 2, it's already seen several enhancements. The Amazfit Active 2 comes in two variants. The standard $99 model has an aluminum case and glass screen. The higher-end Active 2 premium edition ups the ante with a tougher sapphire crystal screen and stainless steel case for an extra $30. Neither Garmin nor Amazfit makes smartwatches with cellular connectivity. Fortunately, brands like Apple, Samsung and Google do. My favorite cellular-connected smartwatch is the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Similar to the best Garmin watches, the Ultra 2 is jam-packed with impressive safety features, like fall and crash detection, along with Emergency SOS. It also makes for a mighty good hiking partner thanks to a long-lasting battery — up to 35 hours when tracking a hike with GPS enabled — a tough-built design with 100 meters of water resistance, and accurate location and holistic tracking. You also get a sweet, customizable 'Action' button (plus, a side button and digital crown) along with a super-bright and immersive touchscreen. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in a variety of case colors, including black (shown here), each for $799. Cellular connectivity comes standard, though you're not required to have a data plan to use the Ultra 2.
Phone Arena
22-05-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
Rugged excellence Garmin Instinct 3 gets its first-ever discount on Amazon
Garmin Instinct 3, 45mm: $50 off $50 off (11%) This limited time sale at Amazon brings you the first-ever Garmin Instinct 3 discount. For a short while, you can buy the rugged GPS watch with impressive GPS and heart rate tracking accuracy for $50 off its original price. Get yours and save before it's too late. Buy at Amazon Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: $145 off at Amazon $145 off (36%) The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar might be a better fit for budget-conscious users who don't need an AMOLED display on their timepiece. This fella offers unlimited battery life with daily solar charging and is $145 off at Amazon. Buy at Amazon Receive the latest mobile news Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Looking for a rugged wearable with an AMOLED display, multi-day battery life, and many fitness features? Look no further than the Garmin Instinct 3 ! Released earlier this year, the 45mm AMOLED version will typically set you back nearly $450, but not right a limited time, Amazon lets you save 11% on this impressive GPS watch. That's some $50 in savings, which may sound modest, but it's the unit's first-ever discount. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is also on sale at the e-commerce giant, offered for 36% off its ~$400 asking spent some time with the Instinct 3 and were absolutely thrilled with it. First off, it's quite lightweight for a rugged device, which is always a plus. More impressively, it supports various built-in activity profiles, including less common ones like ice skating, horseback riding, and that's just the beginning! You've got specialized workout features like training readiness, acute load, training status, and more. Those let you discover the optimal time for working out, how productive your training sessions are, and more. Another highly appreciated extra is the built-in flashlight that makes nighttime activities much more we've noted in our Garmin Instinct 3 review , the device delivers highly accurate GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring. However, it doesn't support ECG apps, since it uses an older heart-rate sensor — not a dealbreaker for most, but still worth pointing the bright side, battery life is excellent. You get an incredible 18 days in smartwatch mode. Even with an always-on display, the unit can stay on your wrist for about a week between thing to note before jumping on this sale is that the Instinct 3 doesn't have a touchscreen. While it uses an AMOLED panel, you still navigate through widgets and apps using physical the Instinct 3 is one of the best Garmin watches you can find in 2025. It's considerably cheaper than options like the Fenix 8 Series, but checks all the boxes you could need in a durable sports watch. Get yours at Amazon and save $50.
Tom's Guide
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Tom's Guide
Smartwatches Face-Offs
Garmin Instinct 3 vs. Coros Pace Pro: Which sports watch should you get? The Coros Pace Pro and Garmin Instinct 3 are both excellent sports watches that are designed to suit different needs, with the Pace Pro being sportier and the Instinct 3 better for adventure.
