Coros Pace 2 vs 3: Why You Should Upgrade
By Elisabeth Christ
Published April 2024
As a runner who keeps a close eye on the latest in sports technology, comparing the Coros Pace 2 and Coros Pace 3 naturally piqued my interest. Both models come from the same family but are tailored for slightly different user experiences. These watches promise to deliver cutting-edge technology without a hefty price tag. They are engineered to support athletes across various sports, providing detailed data to enhance training and performance. Let’s unpack their features to see how the newer model stacks up against its predecessor.
Key Takeaways
Deciding between Coros’ workhorse Pace 2 and the latest Pace 3? While both excel in battery life (30 vs 38 hours in GPS mode), the Pace 3 steps up with a touchscreen display for smoother navigation and Dual-Frequency GNSS for enhanced accuracy. It also boasts improved blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking for advanced health insights. Budget-minded runners might find the Pace 2's proven performance and ANT+ connectivity (absent in Pace 3) appealing. This breakdown helps you choose between a familiar, reliable option and the Pace 3's cutting-edge features.
Coros Pace 2
Better Choice for Battery Life
✓ low-energy component, 64-color MIP screen
✓ Do not disturb setting available
✓ GLONASS and BeiDou GPS support
✓ Up to 20 days of battery life
Coros Pace 3
Better Choice for Triathletes
✓ 41.9mm x 41.9mm x 11.7mm dimension with 32g weight
✓ 5ATM rating water resistance
✓ Built-in dual-frequency GPS & Gyroscope for cadence and stride
✓ Up to 24 days of battery life
#1 Price & Design
Coros Pace 3
The Coros Pace 2, priced at $200, offers a minimalist design that appeals to athletes looking for functionality without frills. It features a lightweight, 29g plastic case with a matte finish, and a memory-in-pixel display that ensures long battery life and visibility in various lighting conditions. Available in two classic colors, navy and white, it provides options for personalization with nylon or silicone bands, making it versatile for both training sessions and everyday wear.
In comparison, the Coros Pace 3 steps up the game with a slightly higher price point of $229, reflecting its enhanced design features. It maintains a similar weight at 32g but offers a more robust fiber-reinforced polymer case and a touchscreen-enabled mineral glass display. This model introduces a digital crown for navigation, enhancing user interaction without compromising the watch’s water resistance and durability. The additional band options and the introduction of touchscreen functionality make the Pace 3 an appealing upgrade in terms of comfort and usability.
#2 Features & Performance
Coros Pace 2
The Coros Pace 2 is a no-frills, performance-focused sports watch designed for athletes who need reliable functionality without unnecessary extras. It boasts a robust set of sensors that monitor everything from heart rate variability to altitude changes, providing athletes with detailed feedback about their physiological state and environmental conditions during training. This model excels in delivering precise and reliable GPS tracking supported by both GLONASS and BEIDU systems, ensuring accurate location data during complex routes or in challenging environments.
This sports watch also stands out for its user-friendly interface, which accommodates various sports modes tailored to running, swimming, cycling, and more complex activities like triathlons. Each mode offers customizable data fields, allowing athletes to focus on metrics specific to their training needs. Despite its focus on core functionalities, the Pace 2 lacks connectivity features such as music control and NFC payments, prioritizing sports performance over smartwatch features. However, it compensates with excellent battery life and a straightforward, minimalistic app interface that emphasizes data and performance analysis without overwhelming the user with too many options.
Coros Pace 3
In contrast, the Coros Pace 3 builds upon the solid foundation of the Pace 2 by introducing several significant upgrades, enhancing both user experience and functionality. It features a dual-frequency GPS for even more precise tracking in varied terrains and conditions. This is particularly beneficial for athletes who train in areas where GPS signals are often obstructed or reflected, such as cities with tall buildings or dense forests. Additionally, the inclusion of a gyroscope enhances the accuracy of cadence and stride data, making it invaluable for refining running techniques and efficiency.
The Pace 3 also expands its health monitoring capabilities with the addition of a pulse oximeter to assess blood oxygen levels and a barometric pressure sensor for anticipating weather changes—features that cater to outdoor adventurers and high-altitude athletes. The interface on the Pace 3 includes a touchscreen, which streamlines navigation and interaction, providing a more intuitive user experience compared to the button-only input of the Pace 2. Despite these advancements, the Pace 3 still lacks in some smartwatch functionalities, such as on-wrist music control and NFC payments, which could be a drawback for users seeking an all-in-one device. However, its enhanced sports and health metrics, coupled with turn-by-turn navigation and improved display clarity, position it as a highly competitive option for serious athletes focused on detailed performance tracking and environmental adaptation.
#3 Battery Life
Coros Pace 2
Battery performance is crucial for sports watches and the Coros Pace 2 offers an impressive 20 days of battery life in standard-watch mode with up to 30 hours in GPS mode. This longevity is ideal for athletes who partake in long-duration events or prefer not to charge their devices frequently.
Comparatively, the Coros Pace 3 improves upon this with an exceptional 24 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 38 hours when using GPS. This increase not only supports longer activities but also accommodates more frequent use of advanced tracking features without the need for daily charging. This extended battery capability makes the Pace 3 a standout choice for ultra-athletes and serious sports enthusiasts who need dependable longevity in their devices.
Coros Pace 2 vs Coros Pace 3
Final Thoughts
Coros Pace 2 vs Coros Pace 3
Choosing between the Coros Pace 2 and Coros Pace 3 ultimately depends on what you value most in a sports watch. If budget is a primary concern and basic sports functionality covers your needs, the Pace 2 offers excellent value with robust performance tracking and a solid battery life. However, if you're looking for enhanced navigational tools, a more durable design, and additional health monitoring features, the Pace 3 might be worth the extra investment. Both watches are formidable tools for serious athletes, but the Pace 3’s refinements deliver a more comprehensive and engaging user experience, making it a compelling upgrade for those who rely heavily on their sports technology.
If you like to read more about Smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
The Best Smartwatches in 2024
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vs Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Coros Pace 3
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