Should you buy a solar smartwatch? The cost of a solar smartwatch is almost one and half times the regular smartwatch model for some Garmin smartwatches.
For sure, you would get incremental battery backup with solar charging on smartwatch. But, does the additional cost offer the right return on investment for your purchase?
Indoor use
If you spend considerable part of the day indoors, you would not get ample time for solar charging to be effective for your smartwatch. Solar charging requires at least 2 hours of bright sunshine exposure.
So, for most indoor users, we suggest getting a conventional smartwatch and save money on the way.
Outdoor users
Solar smartwatches are a fit case for outdoor enthusiasts. People who tend to spend considerable time under the sun would gain incremental battery backup through solar charging. For such users, spending additional money in getting a solar smartwatch would be a fit case for perfect RoI or Return on investment.
Some specific outdoor application areas for a solar smartwatch would include the following activities:
- Hiking
- Camping
- Running
- Marathon running
- Outdoor works like marketing, surveying etc.
Remember, the practical utility of having a solar smartwatch would be justified if the solar smartwatch is under bright sunlight for at least 2 hours a day.
Garmin has published a clear guideline about effectiveness of solar charging. It says that solar charging can be effective only if the smartwatch is under bright sunlight of 50,000 lumens or more for at least 2 hours in a day.
Another aspect you may consider is the fact that solar charging does help in building battery backup. The incremental backup allows you to use conventional charging at a reduced frequency. This would prolong the life of battery of your smartwatch.
The bottomline, therefore, is to get a solar smartwatch for persistent, long, and strong exposure to the sun.