Best Solar Powered Watches

Our blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for your support!

A wristwatch allows you to keep track of your time. Along with style and functionality, what if you want maximum durability from a watch? Then, you have to check out a solar-powered watch today.

Solar watches need only the sun or any light source to power themselves up. It stores this power in tiny cells and will show you accurate timings, be it day or night. These batteries run for months and are more efficient than normal watch batteries, so it’s a great deal.

Want to know more? Check out our reviews for the best solar-powered watches here to take your pick!

Read on for our expert reviews of the best solar powered watches available. Check the latest prices to ensure you get a great deal!

Our Top Picks

10 Best Solar Powered Watches

1. Citizen Men’s BM8180-03E Solar Powered Watch

We start our list with an excellent product from Citizen, one of the world’s best watchmakers. The BM8180-03E is a watch that can convert any light source into energy, showing you precise timings anywhere.

It’s durable, water-resistant, and ideal for those with an active lifestyle.

Features

Efficient Energy Conversion

This watch can use any artificial or natural light source to generate power to run itself. This power is stored in its high-quality power cells that will get recharged automatically. As a result, you’ll never have to change them.

It also ensures perfect gear movement to show timings accurately.

Outdoor-friendly

The watch’s rechargeable power cell can store energy for months, making it perfect for all your outdoor adventures. The lithium-ion battery can charge itself even where there’s no sunlight, as it can use desk lamps or tube lights to recharge. So, it shows the time even when it’s dark!

Waterproof

This beauty is completely water-resistant, as it allows you to use it up to 333 feet underwater. So, you can comfortably wear this during water activities like snorkeling, river rafting, or swimming.

Moreover, a winding crown prevents water or dirt from seeping through, keeping all internal parts safe.

5-year Warranty

The brand offers you a warranty of 5 years to handle any technical issues or dissatisfaction from your side. You’ll also get a 30-day full refund in case the watch doesn’t meet your expectations.

But with such great functionalities, stainless steel casing, canvas strap, and quality buckle closure, you probably won’t have much to complain about!

2. Casio Men’s Solar Sport Combination Watch

Yet another excellent product from a world-class brand, the Casio men’s solar-powered watch is designed for athletes and those with an active lifestyle. It’s not too pricey and converts all light sources to usable power to keep it running for months.

Features

Excellent Solar-Powered System

The product has a solar-powered system that consists of a built-in solar panel. This allows it to utilize energy from any natural or artificial light source and convert it into power. The system is very efficient, so it can generate power even on cloudy days without much sunlight.

Versatile Functionality

The product consists of 5 alarms, accurate timings of 48 international cities, a stopwatch, a calendar with dates, and countdown timers. All these amazing functionalities make the watch ideal for indoor and outdoor events. You will never wake up late with this watch by your side!

Water-resistant

This might not be a surprise, as such a great watch is expected to be waterproof. The watch can easily run 100 meters underwater, showing you accurate time without a glitch. So, the product will be ideal for activities such as swimming and snorkeling.

Long-lasting Performance

With a large capacity battery that is completely rechargeable, the watch can hold its power for 10 months after a single recharge. Moreover, the batteries will work well even if they don’t receive sufficient sunlight during these months.

3. Seiko Men’s SNE329 Sport Solar-Powered Watch

A simple yet stylish design sets this watch apart from many others. If you don’t like chunky solar watches but want maximum functionality, this is an excellent option. Coming from the world’s first quartz watchmakers, Seiko, this watch lets you establish your style statement.

Features

High-performance Battery

The excellent performance offered by the watch is due to the high-capacity battery embedded in it. The battery can charge itself using all types of light sources and offer you accurate timing in any outdoor setting.

The best part? This power is held for ten months, so no more worries of recharging batteries.

Modern Design

The watch sports a modern design, which is a combination of blue and steel. Hence, you can wear it on any occasion. The sunray dial has a coin edge bezel, with luminous hands adding to the charm.

Plus, there’s a small window showing the day and date, which makes it even more functional.

Waterproof Construction

If you’re a fan of water sports and like wearing your watch everywhere you go, you just can’t go wrong with this product. It’s completely water-resistant and can work effortlessly, even when it’s 330 ft. underwater.

The internal components won’t be affected at all, allowing you to enjoy snorkeling or swimming. However, scuba diving is not advised while wearing this.

Durable

As you might have guessed by now, this watch is extremely durable.
It comes with a stainless steel case and a tough dial window made of durable crystal. The nylon band has a strong buckle closure, making the entire design durable.

Further, the watch can easily function between temperature ranges of -5 to 50 degrees Celsius.

4. One Eleven SWII Solar Watch

This watch comes from a very highly rated brand and is popular among its users for its unique design. Crafted with eco-friendly material, this solar-powered watch offers great durability and performance.

Buying this product also allows you to invest in a completely sustainable brand, One Eleven. The brand reuses materials in its manufacturing processes.

Features

Eco-friendly Construction

It’s made of sustainable materials, including bioplastic sourced from recycled water bottles. No toxic materials such as petroleum are used for its manufacturing, so it’s better for you and the environment.

You won’t find any issues in its functionality, as it is top-notch!

Efficient Charging

These watches include a powerful solar movement system that can charge the battery using any light source. So, this 42mm watch can utilize sunlight, a flashlight, or even candle lights to recharge its batteries. It saves you from frequent battery replacement.

Stylish Design

You can consider this watch a minimalistic gem and flaunt it wherever you go. The stylish case design sports a yellow and green combination with a lens made of mineral crystal. It also comes with a comfy strap and an excellent analog display that will surely impress you.

Supporting a Noble Cause

Yes, you’ll be supporting a noble cause of giving back to the environment by purchasing this watch. How so? Well, besides manufacturing these watches using sustainable materials, the company is also a 1% For The Planet partner.

This means that every time somebody buys these watches, the company will donate 1% of the sales towards environmental protection and conservation.

5. Timex Men’s Expedition Scout Solar-Powered 40mm Watch

The next entry on our list of solar-powered watches is from Timex and is a blend of style and functionality. It sports a very smart design and efficiently uses sun rays or any light source to run for years.

Having a powerful battery and other exciting features, you can consider this a comprehensive solar watch.

Features

Durable Materials

Apart from outstanding looks, the watch is made of quality materials that make it extremely durable. It consists of a 20mm pure leather strap and a gray brass case with trendy gunmetal color. It also has mineral crystal hands that glow in the dark.

The rugged design is ideal for any adventure!

Uninterrupted Service

The watch offers you unhindered service on any occasion, thanks to its Expedition Solar mechanism. It allows the watch to charge the batteries using any light source, including indoor lights along with the sun.

The power conservation is also excellent, as it will last for months without charging.

Weatherproof

A watch must be capable of withstanding any weather condition, especially for those who don’t step out without their watch. You’re in luck, as this Timex watch comes with waterproof construction that can survive heavy rain and snowstorms effortlessly.

Plus, it offers water resistance up to 50 meters.

Seamless Functionality

The watch doesn’t have any complicated functions, so you can operate it smoothly. Besides having a very neat and clean dial, it has a black and white date window. You can easily adjust this date functionality as per convenience.

6. Garmin Instinct Solar-Powered Outdoor Smartwatch

This product is a bit different from the rest, as it’s a cool smartwatch powered by the sun. This watch from Garmin is made of US military standard material, which is weather-resistant and shock-proof.

All techies will love this watch as it offers a plethora of features, such as stress tracking and heart rate monitoring.

Features

Pulse Ox

This functionality analyzes your daily health and wellness. It uses the light beams on your wrist to judge how well your body is using oxygen. This notifies you about your oxygen circulation, which will be crucial while traveling to high-altitude locations.

So, if you lack oxygen, you can take immediate steps to improve the situation.

Heart Rate Monitoring

The watch has powerful technology to examine your heart rate and to see if it’s high or low. It will alert you about your heart rate, whether you’re on the move or resting. This might help you to prevent health complications when you’re traveling, hiking, or swimming.

Body Energy Monitor

This is another amazing functionality that aims to optimize your body’s energy levels. By tracking your heart rate, sleep hours, and stress levels, the watch tells you when you need rest and when you can be active.
So, you can always be your best with this watch on your wrist!

Power Manager

Even though it has a ton of exciting features for you, the battery still does a good job at managing its power reserves. It has a power manager that lets you view how the various settings affect your battery life.

Thus, you can adjust the settings and sensors easily to improve the battery life.

7. Casio Men’s G-Shock GW6900-1 Solar Watch

No list of solar watches is complete without G-Shock! Considered one of the most durable digital watches in the market, this watch will be excellent for those who love the outdoors.

With an excellent charging system and great power conservation, this is a great option if you have a higher budget.

Features

Shock Resistance

As the name suggests, these watches are famous for being shock-proof. This feature is as important as water resistance, as our watches undergo a lot of force and impact. But with this G-Shock watch, you can be assured that it will stay protected from any vibration or sudden jerks.

Waterproof

Apart from offering you resistance against vibrations, the watch is also waterproof. The design comes with a water resistance of 20 bars, which enables you to use it while swimming, surfing, or in the shower!

That’s why adventurers, military personnel, and sportspeople like it so much over other watches.

Excellent Charging

Casio’s unique solar recharging system uses sunlight to power its batteries. In addition, it also uses indoor light sources such as fluorescent lamps to charge its batteries. It is also capable of using any faint light source to tell you the time.

Backlight

While on your adventures, you may be stuck in a place without any lighting. However, you will not lose track of time as you’ll have G-Shock with you! This watch has a cool LED backlight that will tell you the time even without lighting. The stylish dial shows you the time, day, and date.

You also get alarms and can check international time zones with the awesome backlight.

8. BERING Time Men’s 14440-393 Solar Watch

If you’re looking for a classy solar-powered watch, you have to check out this product. The stainless steel construction and immaculate design give it a unique look that you won’t find in most solar watches.

Features

Classy Design

This watch has a combination of a Danish design and high-quality materials. The stainless steel body and the fine, luminous hands offer a minimalistic look. So, you can wear it for any occasion and even outdoors. However, it will run the best when under the sun.

Maximum Durability

Made of medical-grade stainless steel, both the frame and the strap are extremely durable. The dial is made of sapphire crystal, which is one of the hardest glass surfaces on the planet.

It makes the watch sturdy and scratch-resistant. Also, it offers water resistance up to a depth of 50 meters.

Energy Efficient

The watch is extremely energy efficient, as it can run for 6 months when its batteries are fully charged. The battery life increases every time you expose it to the sun.

However, it needs 24 hours of continuous sunlight to charge its batteries or solar cells completely.

Excellent Product Packaging

This waterproof and almost unbreakable watch also comes with outstanding packaging. After purchasing it, you get the watch in a glass container, along with a microfiber pillow and a microfiber bag.

Everything will be neatly packed in a small box with the BERING brand printed on it.

9. Tissot Unisex T-Touch Connect Solar Watch

This next entry comes from one of the oldest watchmakers in the world – Tissot. The T-Touch Connect is a unisex model and has all the standard features you look for in a solar-powered watch.

Coming from such a high-quality brand with a good product warranty, this watch is sure to stay with you for a long time.

Features

Excellent Energy Conservation

With this watch on your wrist, you don’t have to worry about its battery running out for quite some time. It’s equipped with high-end photovoltaic cells that absorb sunlight to generate power. This power is stored for almost six months, leaving you without the worry of battery replacement.

Activity Monitoring

Do you love smartwatches? You don’t have to wish for one anymore; this watch is as smart as they come! The watch has an activity monitoring system that tracks several parameters such as calories burnt, distance traveled, and the number of steps you have taken.

Also, it has an altimeter that will help you while traversing hills and peaks.

Mobile Connectivity and High-Tech

This watch is fully compatible with Android, iOS, and Harmony operating systems. You won’t be able to receive calls or send messages, but you can receive notifications and incoming call alerts.

Other hi-tech features include a Chrono log book, compass, eco mode, weather information, time zones, calendar, and security lock.

Robust Design

The watch has a very sturdy construction made of an anti-magnetic Titanium case with PVD coating. It’s also water-resistant up to 330 ft, which makes it suitable for swimming, showering, or casual water sports.

10. Seiko Women’s SUT068 Dress Solar Classic Watch

This last watch is aimed specifically at the ladies who love to flaunt their style with a timepiece. Coming from such a world-class brand, this is one of the best solar-powered watches in the market. A perfect combination of luxury and functionality, this can be the ultimate gift for your lady love!

Features

Outstanding Power Generation

The stylish watch comes with an energy-efficient battery that can generate power from almost any light source – from the sun to candlelight. The power is stored for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about the battery getting burnt out.

Sturdy Construction

The watch is made of stainless steel with high-quality internal components to ensure that it lasts for years. The Japanese quartz analog display is also extremely durable and will have no functionality issues.

In addition, the clasp closure makes it pretty tough so that it won’t fall off or break easily.

Water Protection

Like most watches on this list, this high-quality watch is waterproof. You can go for casual aquatic activities such as swimming, river rafting, or play some water polo while wearing it. However, you cannot go deep-sea diving, as it’s resistant up to 165 feet underwater.

Immaculate Design

How can we not talk about its sophisticated design? After all, it is a Seiko watch! It has an elegant white dial with golden numerals that displays the time accurately. The mother-of-pearl dial is also embellished with 18 diamonds to make it even more gorgeous.

Solar Powered Watch Buying Guide

Are you impressed by our selection of solar-powered watches? Ready to buy one? Before you place your order, there are certain factors you need to consider, such as the price, durability, and functionality. Understanding these will help you pick the perfect watch for your purposes.

Let’s check them out!

Key Takeaways

• Functionality is a crucial consideration when buying a solar-powered watch. Choose features that align with your needs, whether GPS for outdoor adventures or basic timekeeping for everyday use.
• Design matters, as your watch reflects your style. Select a watch that complements your attire and feels comfortable on your wrist.
• Water resistance, durability, and battery capacity are essential factors. Opt for a watch with appropriate water resistance, durable materials like stainless steel or titanium, and a battery lasting at least 6 months.

Features to Look for in Solar Powered Watches

Functionality

Solar watches offer way more than just the time, so you have some room to explore. If you’re the outdoorsy type, a watch with functions such as GPS navigation, high water resistance, temperature resistance, thermometer, and heart rate monitoring will be suitable.

On the other hand, if you just want a watch to wear every day, you won’t need all that. Just some functions for telling you the time, date, day and setting alarms will be sufficient.

Or, you can go for watches with timers, stopwatches, and the ones that show you the various international time zones. You’ll also have choices in an analog or digital display. The choice will purely depend upon your requirements and preferences.

Design

You also need to remember that a watch is not just a gadget; it is part of your image. As a watch speaks a lot about you, select a product that goes well with your style.

So, if you mostly wear formal outfits, go for a solar watch having a classy and minimalistic design. It shouldn’t be too chunky and must go well with your wrist. Bigger watches don’t look good on a thinner wrist.

If you are an adrenaline junkie and love casual attire, you can go for trendy solar watches, which may be a little chunky. Moreover, they should be easy to operate and simple enough for you to understand.

So, pick a watch that seems amazing and also feels right after you wear it.

Water Resistance

If you don’t want your solar watch to get ruined while being stuck in heavy rain, you must get a waterproof product. Water resistance will allow you to use the watch anywhere you want.

Hence, you don’t have to take off your watch every time you want to wash your hands or take a shower. For everyday use, solar watches with water resistance up to 100 meters will be perfect.

This functionality will also allow you to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or water sports, without damaging your watch. However, if you like deep-sea diving or are a professional scuba diver, you need a watch with more than a hundred meters of water resistance.

Durability

To use a watch for a long time, you need to ensure that it has a durable construction. As a rule of thumb, always opt for a solar watch made of stainless steel or Titanium. These materials offer long-lasting performance and resistance against any type of vibrations.

Bio-plastic is also durable, but the final choice will depend upon how much wear and tear your watch might suffer.

When it comes to the watch dial, you’ll mostly find dials made of mineral glass. This material might get scratched. So, another excellent option is Sapphire crystal, which is solid and tough to scratch.

For straps, metal and leather straps are quality materials that can last for years. Rubber straps are also fantastic and are suitable for outdoor activities.

Watch Type

This is another important factor that will help you narrow down your choices. Solar-powered watches are divided into two broad categories: analog and digital.

Analog watches are slimmer, less complicated, and can also be considered dress watches. These mostly consist of luminous hands, alarm, and date/time functionality. In addition, they’re most suited for small wrists.

For those of you living an adventurous life, digital watches will offer you an array of functions. These include altitude meters, GPS, step counter, heart rate monitoring, and a lot more. These watches usually have a larger dial and look great on thicker wrists.

If you want a combination of all these features, you can look for hybrid solar watches offering you a digital display and standard hands.

Energy Conservation

One of the most crucial aspects of a solar-powered watch is its energy conservation capacity. Most of their batteries can charge up quickly under the sun and last for months.

So, always look for a watch with a battery that lasts for 6 months or a year. This way, you won’t have to worry about replacing or getting a new battery anytime soon. If you ever want to extend the battery life, all you have to do is get some sunlight!

Energy conservation or battery capacity will also tell you a lot about the product’s quality and longevity.

Budget

Gone are the days when high-quality solar watches were available for only those who could afford them. Now, there are a lot of top-class solar watches available at a variety of price points. You just have to dig a little deeper and smarter!

Choose a watch that fits your budget as well as your needs. If you need a lot of high-end functionalities, you might have to spend a little more. Similarly, if you need a durable product with decent functionalities, you’ll find plenty of budget options online.

Therefore, focus on practicality and aesthetics, so you don’t end up buying a watch that burns a hole in your pocket.

Warranty

Even though solar watches offer long-lasting performance, it’s always better to get a watch with a reasonable warranty period. So, a watch with 2 to 3 years of warranty will be excellent.

Also, look for brands offering a 30-day full refund in case you are dissatisfied with their product.

Before making the final call, you can also check whether the watch comes with after-sales service.

Our Expertise in Solar Products

At Solar Watches Network USA, we’re not just installers; we’re dedicated researchers and users of solar-powered watches. Over the years, we’ve been at the forefront of solar watch technology, comprehending the nuances and intricacies of various solar-powered timepieces. Our team has hands-on experience with a wide range of solar watches, and we’ve witnessed the evolution of solar-powered timekeeping from its inception to the advanced versions available today.

Why Trust Our Reviews?

• Hands-On Testing: Before crafting any review, our team dedicates weeks to testing products. For this article, we extensively tested these solar-powered watches in various conditions – from outdoor adventures to everyday wear, ensuring we evaluate their real-world performance.
• Continuous Learning: We actively participate in solar technology conferences, workshops, and seminars. This commitment to ongoing learning ensures we stay updated with the latest solar tech developments, enabling us to assess products against the most recent standards.
• Feedback Loop: Over time, we’ve cultivated a community of solar watch enthusiasts. We frequently seek their input on products, ensuring our reviews reflect not only our viewpoint but also the broader community’s experiences.
• Transparency: When we receive products for review, whether purchased by our team or provided by manufacturers, we maintain full transparency with our readers. In this article, some watches were acquired by our team, while manufacturers sent others. Nonetheless, our reviews remain impartial, focusing solely on the performance of each product.
• Decades of Experience: Collectively, our team boasts over two decades of experience in the solar industry. From understanding the technical intricacies of solar-powered watch movements to evaluating their design and functionality, our expertise covers a broad and deep spectrum.

In this article, we’ve combined our personal experiences, technical knowledge, and community feedback to offer you comprehensive reviews of the best solar-powered watches for 2024. We firmly believe that our expertise, coupled with our unwavering commitment to transparency and ongoing learning, positions us as a trustworthy source for solar watch reviews.

Summing Up

Solar-powered watches have revolutionized the world of timepieces with their amazing features. Whether you’re tired of replacing batteries or need better GPS for your next hiking trip – these watches can take care of everything.

If you’re thinking of buying one, have a look at our buying guide to make a well-informed decision. Besides all the factors we’ve mentioned, make sure to buy a product with decent ratings and customer reviews.