8 Best Solar Powered Smartwatch 2025 in the UK

The Garmin Forerunner 255 GPS smartwatch excels in several areas crucial for a solar-powered smartwatch, though it doesn't feature solar charging. Its battery life is impressive, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours in GPS mode, making it reliable for long-term use without frequent charging. The display is a 1.3-inch round screen, suitable for clear visibility during workouts. The watch is lightweight and boasts robust durability, including water resistance, which makes it ideal for outdoor activities and sports enthusiasts.

On the fitness and health tracking front, it shines with advanced features like HRV status monitoring and adaptable daily workout suggestions. The Garmin Coach offers customizable training plans, enhancing its usefulness for runners at any level. Safety and tracking features, including multi-band satellite GPS and incident detection, provide peace of mind by allowing users to share their location with trusted contacts.

Smart connectivity is another strong point, with Bluetooth integration for notifications from paired smartphones, and Garmin Pay for contactless payments. This adds convenience for users who prefer a tech-forward approach to daily tasks. However, the watch lacks solar charging capabilities, which might be a dealbreaker for those specifically looking for solar-powered options. Also, its design focuses more on functionality than style, which may not appeal to users looking for a fashion-forward piece. Nonetheless, its comfort during wear and comprehensive feature set make it a valuable tool for runners and fitness enthusiasts seeking detailed insights and reliable performance tracking.

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar GPS Smartwatch, Tactical Edition, presents a strong option for those looking for a rugged, solar-powered smartwatch. Its standout feature is solar charging, providing potentially unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode, making it ideal for extended outdoor adventures without frequent charging concerns. This feature is especially beneficial for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

The watch is incredibly durable, boasting water resistance up to 100 meters, and designed to withstand thermal and shock impacts. Its fibre-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass add to its rugged appeal, ensuring it can handle tough environments.

Fitness and health tracking abilities are well-covered with built-in sports apps for various activities like running, biking, and swimming, along with advanced metrics such as VO2 Max. For those keen on tactical features, the watch includes a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, and supports multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo), which are valuable for precise navigation.

On the connectivity front, it supports Bluetooth and provides smart notifications, enhancing its functionality as more than just a fitness tracker. However, the smartwatch's display size is on the smaller side at 0.9 inches, which may not suit users who prefer larger screens for ease of readability.

The design, while rugged, may not appeal to everyone due to its utilitarian aesthetic, and its focus on tactical and adventurous features might not meet the needs of users seeking a more fashion-forward or versatile smartwatch for everyday use. Despite being marketed under the women's department, the design and size can cater to a broad audience looking for durability over style.