Garmin Instinct 2 vs Fenix 6 (Pro) Review - Should You Upgrade to New or Old? Full Comparison 

Thanks for your help yesterday! I decided to go with the Fenix 6 pro

I found this review absolutely perfect, thank you. Appreciate it. The actual practical elements, such as how clear the display is (in the box etc), and how the battery life is in everyday use has been very useful. I totally agree with your comment about chest straps: they are far more accurate!

Great review, very in depth. I had no idea about the battery life issues with the brightness turned up. This definitely help me decide on what watch I am buying. Thanks.

Really liked your review. Very informative! Quick question on the fenix. Is the size and weight of it comfortable enough for every day wear?

Thanks for the video! This was exactly what I was looking for as I'm trying to decide between these two.

Great job!

Thanks! Great comparison 👌

Thanks for the comparison. Right now the prices are very similar with the sales so they are more competitive.

I have both the Fenix 6 and Instinct 2. This review helped me decide to move on to the Epix 2. Thanks?

Awesome comparison! Just need my fenix to last until the 7 goes on sale lol.

I wish they had a watch more geared towards people who do resistance and strength training.

Thank you for this great video! These days, Instinct 2 is $250 USD while Fenix 6 is $330. I had Fenix 5 for about 3 years (screen died) and loved it. Then moved to Fitbit for a year and now want to come back to Garmin. I like the new sensors on Instinct 2 while F6 is almost a couple of years old, which in tech is ancient. I love the looks of F6 over I2 but the price point of I2 seems affordable. So confused between these 2.

I have an original Instinct, just over a year old, and having a discussion with Garmin as battery life has dwindled to only 12 hours. Among other things, I use the watch for altitude while flying paramotor, which means I can't push buttons to activate the backlight. The screen on the Instinct has excellent visibility without the backlight, and I have been very happy with its features. However, as I may be replacing it, I have looked at the Fenix 6 Pro, mainly because of the mapping feature. I am past doing big exercise routines, hikes etc, so don't really need all those, but do use sleep monitoring, body battery, and on many occasions it would be nice to have the map rather than do Google map on the phone. I am concerned about the screen readability on the Fenix, without backlight, and can not tell on your videos whether the wrist movement you are doing to show the screens is activating the backlight (apart from the one where you state "no backlight on Fenix'. Could you clarify , and it would be worth showing the screens without backlight. I notice most youtubers are constantly clicking the buttons to show backlight while comparing watches, not helpful

Great video. I just picked up the fenix 6 Pro for $479 Canadian. I really couldn't say no to that price!

The instinct 2 got a big update... But good comparison. I never found maps useful on a watch .

I'm still hesitating between those 2 models. Thanks for your amazing work with this video. Really good quality video

I love the fact that you compare battery life with things like screen brightness. Those little details absolutely make all the difference.

Hey dude! This is exactly the comparative discussion I was looking for. Though this video is a year old now, it's still incredibly relevant. Let me divulge a little my situation, would love to hear your thoughts. I'm not an athlete or anything close, in fact i'm forced to sit on my ass most of the day for work, but I do enjoy my sports, in particular hiking, long walks around town, cycling, occasional swimming, and football. I've always used a fitbit charge 2, which was great whilst it lasted though it now needs a replacement. In my research i've discovered garmin watches, and for my budget around £150-250, I instantly saw the Instinct 2 solar as a brilliant option, particularly the robust battery. As mentioned before i'm no athlete, so I'm unlikely to see the minute differences in the accuracy of the sensors, though I do enjoy reading into the data and allowing that to encourage and inform my workouts and sports. Also enjoy the sleep trackign data! Now i've seen the Fenix 6 pro is roughly around the same price, i was a little concerned as its almost 4 years old. Though in your video you summarised that the Fenix 6 pro is the better option, but in the comments it seems you later veered towards the instinct 2? What are your thoughts for someone who is just trying to get into a more healthy lifestyle and isn't too obsessed with the most accurate data but just needs the general metrics and coaching tools that garmin offers? Starting to think a fenix 6 is the right option...particularly as I enjoy hiking, and i'm not a skilled navigator, so the mapping functions and ability to load in GPX seems great, though even the instinct 2 provide a breadcrumb trail. Are there any other options in the garmin lineup i should be looking into? My friend is suggesting the venu 2 is not bad, but to me it feels like it would break easily with one tumble.

Hi quick question fenix 6 pro sapphire @ $560 vs instinct 2x tactical @ $670 what would you take?

Excellent review! I have the Instinct 1 and recently upgraded to the Fenix 6 Pro. The everyday use aspect (screen size, speed, build quality) really makes a big difference. I’ve noticed the Fenix 6 Pro pricing fluctuating over the past few weeks. With some patience and searching, you can sometimes find pricing on manufacturer refurbished options that include 2 year warranties for sub-$430. At the current pricing levels, it seems like a no-brainer over the Instinct 2 for many use cases.

I've ordered the the Instinct 2s Solar and the Fenix 6 pro Solar for black Friday. Even costs aside i can't decide which one i want to keep. 😅

If you could get a 6x pro for $100 less than an instinct 2x, which would you choose?

Hi from Greece I have the fenix 6x pro which is a unique watch in all its features, the only problem I see when I run is the gps accuracy, on the map it shows me running on the roofs of the houses and the route is not a straight line but a zig zag .... I'm thinking of buying the forerunner 955 only for the multi band GPS (because garmin fenix 7 sapphire is too expensive for me)...... ... what's your opinion is it worth it? or should I stay with the 6x pro and wait for the next model ?????

Hi mate and to anyone else who may know that would be able to respond to my question 👋🏻 . It's mentioned in the video that the elevate 3.0 on the Fenix 6 pro does not lose any accuracy with regard to any of the health and wellness features . Would this also apply to HR monitoring being reasonably close to accurate as part of those metrics for day to day general use , in order to keep a tab on my heart rate '? I currently have the instinct 2 standard and I like it and find it good , but I'm also fond of the Fenix 6 pro and it's at the same price currently and I was considering taking it back and swapping it to the Fenix 6 pro whilst in return time frame . I find the instinct, whilst good , a bit basic feeling and I like the idea of Spotify , garmin pay and mapping for my occasional hikes .So , Is the Fenix 6 pro , regarding health and wellness tracking, including reasonable HR monitoring accuracy , for general day to day use and occasional hiking trips , represent a good purchase still'? Any insight appreciated . Really appreciated your review between these two. Think I'm leaning towards th Fenix 6 pro from your conclusion , but just wanted to understand if the HR monitoring mentioned at 75%accuracy , is sufficient to gain clarity on HR stats for general day to day use . If it helps with HR accuracy, me main usage for the watch is mostly day to day, walking and occasional hikes. Thank you . Regards. 🕊️🙏

Thank you for mentioning Ukraine. We really appreciate your support. And of course thanks for interesting review.

Watching this after deciding to return my 7x lol. I just found features to price the 7x is just not worth it. Grabbing the 6x and a chest strap. Thanks for the video brother.

Thank you for you feedback

Hi I wanted to ask if I turn off all of the battery draining features in Fenix 6 solar can I get unlimited battery life if I live in a very sunny country?or at least battery life to match instinct 2 solar?

I have seen the instincts 2 vs other other watches including other Garmin watches and the instinct, is a lot better than all of the other including the Fenix 7. I’ll take the instinct over the fenix 6 because of the new sensors. The point of getting a smart watch is to make things better and easier why would I get an external heart rate sensor. Finally, I hate to say it but the Apple watches are still Number #1 for fitness it’s the most accurate smart watch even for weight lifting.

I bought the Fenix 6 Pro in the sales, GPS was way off and after googling seems to be a common issue so for running couldn’t be relied upon. Returned and ordered the Instinct 2

Hello. I can't decide which will be better. Needs something for harsh conditions, mud, water and high scratch resistance. I work as a miner and I would like to take my watch with me to work. After that, workouts in the gym and a bicycle. I like the Fenix ​​very much, but I'm worried about endurance.

Hey man, I have heard that the fenix has problems with gps, what do you know about that, are those problems fixed ?

An update to your testing that would be useful is how does the Fenix 6 VS the Instinct 2 track with heart rate for the harder sports to track with wrist based activities such as SUP, Kayaking, rowing and swimming. Then how do both watches track those harder sports in accuracy. I have found no information comparing these sports and could make a big difference for the end user depending on what their activities are.

I get my military discount on Garmin stuff, picked up the Instinct 2 Solar Surf for £300.

This review seems to downplay the better 'always on' visibility of the Instinct 2's LCD screen. That, combined with lightness, makes me think it is more serviceable as a watch, instead of a smartwatch ~

instinct 2 solar has been lasting me nearly a month with about 30-60 minutes of GPS use a day

thank you for great review and for bringing attention to war in Ukraine

Дякую, за слова підтримки на початку відео! Дуже приємно! 🙏

Just got instinct 2 solar until the price got down 7, then will sell the solar 2 get the 7👌

Will this work with the Polar H7 chest strap?

I would love to see an update for the Instinct 2x comparison to the Fenix 6 proas it added quite a few of the features you mentioned were missing (training readiness, multi-band GPS, etc.). I am really torn between a Fenix 6 pro (or sapphire), and the Instinct 2X Solar. So many features overlap and then there are so many new ones. I am just getting back into exercising so not sure which ones will stick, but I do walk a lot and will do some lifting, plus the occasional golf game (not sure I really need full maps and both can do the approach app). Thanks in advance if anyone can assist.

I recently bought a Fenix 6 Pro renewed from Amazon for £230

I have the fenix 6 pro but i find the maps not very usefull. It is really a hell to navigate in and it is lacking sometimes. I usually don't listen to music either when running. I also think the fenix line is way to expensive. Wheb out in the cold you have metsl on your arm wich of course gets cold and the watch is very heavy. In my experience the fenix 6 pro cathes the gps signals a little faster than the instinct, but overall i would go for the instinct 2 solar because, it is really value for money.

Hello friend, just to know if this is correct. You mentioned that you tried sleep tracking and other wellness stuff and that the results between devices were similar? I just want to know if the data is reliable, on RU-vid there is a scientist who compares the results and they don't match, they are not even close

Did they add training load focus to this device? Some online people are claiming that they did. I would like to know from someone reliable...

fenix is not an option for me, i thought instinct 2 solar but now not sure bcos of 255, not sure what is better for mainly mtb/cycling and some walking. also battery is important.

Thank you for your support from Ukraine!

Hello. Super thanks for the support. I'm from Ukraine. Serving in SOF Ukraine. I want to choose my watch. I understand that the coolest option is Tactix 7 solar. Due to the fact that they work great with navigation and very good autonomy. But their cost is very high. What do you all advise?

I can't fathom how you are struggling to read the Instinct's monochromatic screen? Do you live in perpetual twilight?

What watch you wore on your wrist? Fenix 7, for sure !! 😂

Great comparison, thanks from Ukraine man, it’s means a lot 🇺🇦

Thank you for this video and for supporting of Ukraine!

Fénix 6 pro vs 255 ?

I wanted to see a comparison of these two watches, and here I was surprised by the words of support for Ukraine. I am from Poland and it is very important to us. Thank you!

Thank you from Ukraine, Kharkiv.

Many thanks for supporting our people in Ukraine🙏

Thank you for mentioning Ukraine! Can’t believe it’s a year…shish. 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

Biden gave this video a thumbs up

Дякую за твою позицію по Україні, друже! Слава Україні! Слава ЗСУ!!!

Thank you for your words on Ukraine...people are being killed by Putins war and we need to never forget that.

no really useful information 4 - 6 minutes into the video

Lol, I came here for watches not to hear about Ukraine

Many thanks from ukrainian people🫶🏻💪