Garmin inReach Messenger Plus vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm
Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.
Compact satellite messenger with enhanced messaging features. Only 4.1 oz.
Full details →Rugged solar-powered GPS watch. 36-90 days smartwatch battery with solar charging capability.
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Garmin inReach Messenger Plus 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 63 g (54%) lighter than the Garmin inReach Messenger Plus (116 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.