Garmin Fenix 8 Solar Review

The Fenix series has long received our top recommendation, but with a continually growing price tag, it no longer feels right to recommend it to everyone. Garmin has blended the more premium Epix and Fenix lines together, now offering solar and AMOLED options. The Fenix line previously represented performance and battery life, but now the model feels like it's stepped into luxury territory. It's still an excellent watch, and the design materials stand out among the competition. For better or worse, Garmin has started to add features that go against a more sport-focused model.

As Garmin has mastered battery life, accuracy, and wearability, it has had to make efforts to show improvements elsewhere. As previous Fenix fans, we'd argue we don't need additional software features, including items like voice assistants or dive modes. Sure, there is a subset of the population that would want and use these features, but is the Fenix series the best place to put those? Garmin thought so, and that's why we consider this update a change in the mindset of the lineup.

In a way, though, this update has made the decision-making process easier. Regardless of your preference between AMOLED and Solar MIP, if you want the most bells and whistles, the Fenix series is the watch for you. If your priorities lie more in ground-based GPS activity recording and battery life, we'd recommend the Garmin Enduro 3 to backcountry users. The Garmin Forerunner 965 is recommended for runners and those who want a light, sleek design.

Performance Comparison

Accuracy

We determined our accuracy score by assessing both the GPS module and the heart rate monitor in each watch. For GPS testing, we tracked each watch over a set 2.8-mile route and compared the recorded distances to the precise 2.8-mile reference. For heart rate accuracy, we wore a watch on each wrist and ran a 0.5-mile distance, then cross-referenced the recorded readings with the Polar H10 chest strap, a highly reliable device for heart rate measurement. The scores from both tests were averaged to produce an overall accuracy rating. To ensure consistency, GPS tests were conducted under identical weather conditions on the same day, while heart rate testing involved a consistent level of watch tightness. All collected data was exported and aligned by timestamp to enable a precise comparison between each watch and the chest strap.

Thanks to the dual-frequency and MULTI GNSS capabilities, this watch could easily locate satellites, even in remote areas with difficult lines of sight. We observed minimal data inaccuracies. When compared to our other devices, the Fenix 8 Solar recorded a distance of 2.74 miles, just 0.06 miles off the actual 2.80 miles. In terms of heart rate accuracy, it averaged +/- 1.46 BPM, thanks to its latest sensor technology. This performance sets it apart from other brands we've tested.

Activity Use

The Fenix 8 maintains its dominance at the top of the lineup for activity use. The 47 mm case is big enough to fit loads of data within display pages, making it great for use while running or biking. The new MIP screen does a great job blending display quality and battery life. For the best visibility in all conditions, get the AMOLED option, but realize that the battery life will be reduced on that version.

The updated UI on this model is also excellent. Updates to the activity display lock make it easy to swipe away when accessing the map navigation or wanting to change music. Hundreds of metric options are available depending on your sport modes, and these are easy to customize within the companion application if you don't want to do it via the watch. Detailed maps are accurate and now pre-downloaded, covering most of the US. These show trails and have good zoom levels to provide detail without overwhelming the map screen.

Everyday Use

When buying this model you can be confident that you are getting the most technical health features and sensors on the market. Sleep scores, heart rate, and body battery have long been features of premium models, but these have been trickling down to cheaper options. Now, the Fenix 8 boasts items like ECG, Blood Oxygen, Training Readiness, and Recover. You'll also get helpful new features like having the ability to send calls and texts with a paired device. All sizes, including the 43 mm, will also have the newly updated women's health features and options.

Garmin has perfected the touch screen but maintains dedicated buttons. The touch screen is great for moving the maps, scrolling through glances, and adjusting settings. The dedicated buttons are great for starting/stopping activities, scrolling through data pages, and activating the lap key. Each of these dedicated buttons also has the ability to implement hotkeys for items like the flashlight, alarms, and music controls.

The recently redesigned Garmin Connect app offers a more intuitive user interface, making it easier to interpret your data. You can quickly access recent activities, monitor daily health metrics, and adjust watch settings directly from the app. Garmin has integrated these insights well throughout the app, but you can also view the same data on your watch. The app is where you manage routes, which can be sent to the watch for on-the-go navigation. Adding GPX files is especially convenient, whether you're creating a route on the spot or receiving one just before an adventure. While the app's vast features can feel overwhelming initially, it becomes more navigable with use.

Extra Features

The Fenix 8 offers the most features out of any Garmin product. While the high cost covers the premium materials, it also covers the increase in internal hardware and software. Now offered are Garmin assistants that use the internal microphone to complete tasks like starting a workout or creating timers. It can also be used when paired with your phone to answer phone calls or talk with Siri. You can also now play music from the watch. There are also new dive modes that have been pulled from other more dive-specific watches in the lineup.

While these features are cool, they aren't something we feel is needed, at least from our use case. However we're sure there are some users coming from the dive/smartwatch side of things that will see the benefit. Luckily, Garmin continues to offer the best lineup of widgets and tools like Garmin Pay, external apps like Spotify, and integration, among other products like Garmin inReach.

We're huge fans of this watch's “resume later” feature. While it might not be essential for everyone, we appreciate having a device that continues to function like a regular watch, even during workouts. So, if you stop by a coffee shop or run errands mid-ride, the watch can function just like normal. When you're done, resuming your workout afterward is quick and effortless.

Finally, we can't emphasize enough how useful the flashlight feature is. Garmin is still the only brand offering this, and it's incredibly valuable, particularly in remote areas. With a quick double-tap on the light button, the flashlight turns on, and the latest software now lets you adjust the brightness directly from the same screen. This makes it easy to keep using the watch while modifying the flashlight's intensity.

Wearability

The 47 mm case size continues to provide the best blend of readability and wrist size. Our lead tester, Matthew, thinks you should consider the 51 mm, but if you're set on the 47 mm or smaller 43 mm, then consider the Fenix 8. The AMOLED provides great visibility and clarity but lacks battery life, and the all-day modes are less subtle than the MIP display. You should opt for MIP if you want a more subtle experience and don't need the brightness that comes with AMOLED.

The removable straps are excellent on the Fenix 8 — they have more tactile indexing than the previous version, but they use the same clasp system, so older straps will be backward compatible. Sapphire lens prevents scratches, so we'd specifically recommend the Fenix for climbers or those in rocky environments. The multi-color titanium case is flashy and aesthetic. Some will find the price increase justified as this new design is cooler and more intricate. If you've felt the Fenix series was boring in the past, you may be more compelled by this updated design.

Battery Life

We tested the battery running GPS without solar inputs and received 64 hours of continuous recording. Garmin claims 66 hours of run time, which can be expanded to 92 hours with solar input. Depending on your climate zone, the solar charging feature could help a ton or be a non-factor. In the desert Southwest, we easily experience days of 100k lux, which helps the battery last seemingly forever. This is even more beneficial on the Fenix 8 as Garmin has drastically improved the solar capabilities.

You can expect multiple weeks of battery life without GPS recording, with daily activities we generally need to charge our model every week plus/minus a few days depending on the length of activities. We'd recommend the Fenix for ultra-athletes or those who want extensive battery life. The Garmin Enduro 3 is a cheaper way to get more battery, but the model is thicker and only comes in the 51 mm case size. Expect the 43 mm to have less battery and the 51 mm to have more battery than the 47 mm version which we tested. If you like to do a lot of navigation via your watch or plan on having large courses, the Fenix could be a welcome upgrade over cheaper options.

Should You Buy the Garmin Fenix 8 Solar?

If you're looking for the best Garmin has to offer, then the Fenix 8 is for you. Garmin continues to offer the best hardware and software in the business, so we think you won't be disappointed with your purchase. For those who don't need the latest and greatest, there are other options on the market that make more sense when considering value. You could also look for past models on sale that almost match the Fenix 8 in all metrics. This is still a watch we highly recommend, and the Fenix series continues to be at the top of Garmin's main offerings.

What Other GPS Watches Should You Consider?

The Garmin Forerunner 965 receives our top recommendation for most people. It's slim, offers great battery life, and is at a price most can stomach. While not as durable as the Fenix 8 it still offers an exceptional feature set. For backcountry users, we'd recommend the Garmin Enduro 3, which receives our top pick award for battery life and usage in rugged environments. Built for serious athletes, we love the 51 mm case size display, which offers great readability even when moving fast.