← Gear database

BioLite SolarPanel 5+ vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm is the lighter option — 197 g lighter than the BioLite SolarPanel 5+ (79% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
shopping_cart Check today's price on Amazon
Spec BioLite SolarPanel 5+ Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm
Weight 250 g · 0.250 kg · 0.55 lb 53 g · 0.053 kg · 0.12 lb
Brand BioLite Garmin
Category Electronics Electronics
BioLite SolarPanel 5+
250 g

5W solar panel with integrated 2200mAh battery.

Full details →
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm
53 g

Rugged solar-powered GPS watch. 36-90 days smartwatch battery with solar charging capability.

Full details →

HikeLoad is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

BioLite SolarPanel 5+ vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm wins — at 53 g it is 197 g (79%) lighter than the BioLite SolarPanel 5+ (250 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest electronics page, or browse the full gear weight database.

More electronics comparisons

BioLite SolarPanel 5+ vs Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph BioLite SolarPanel 5+ vs Polar Grit X BioLite SolarPanel 5+ vs Casio Pro Trek PRG-340 BioLite SolarPanel 5+ vs Garmin Epix Gen 2 Sapphire Smartwatch BioLite SolarPanel 5+ vs Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire 47mm BioLite SolarPanel 5+ vs Suunto Core All Black