There was a time when watch technology consisted of tiny cogs and you had to wind your timepiece every day to keep it running. When batteries came along, we no longer had to wind a watch or clock — unless we wanted to. The advent of rechargeable batteries brought longer watch life and smarter watches.
Solar power recharges the batteries and keeps whatever it’s connected to fully charged — as long as the sun keeps shining. Believe it or not, some devices also have the ability to recharge themselves using not just the sun’s rays, but artificial light, too. What are the benefits of solar wearables? The benefits of a solar-powered smartwatch are obvious, particularly for adventurous types: You don’t need to pack cables or battery packs, and there’s less risk of being left with a dead device. Plus, the convenience of keeping your watch charged potentially for weeks, and not just hours, can’t be understated.
The Garmin Instinct Solar is just $399. The Apple Watch Series 7 by comparison starts at $399, but if having off-grid power is more important to you than Siri, this buying decision may be a no-brainer.