Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 255: Everything You Need to Know
By Elisabeth Christ
Published April 2024
As a data-driven runner who craves a lightweight companion on my wrist, I'm constantly on the lookout for the perfect GPS watch. Lately, two contenders have been vying for my attention: the Coros Pace 3 and the Garmin Forerunner 255. Both boast cutting-edge features and impressive specs, but which one reigns supreme? Let's dive in and dissect their strengths to see which watch emerges victorious for runners like us.
Key Takeaways
The feather-light Coros Pace 3 with its extended battery life (up to 40 hours in GPS mode) and focus on core running metrics like training load and fatigue analysis is ideal for data-centric runners. Garmin's Forerunner 255 counters with multi-band GPS for enhanced accuracy, built-in music storage on select models, and advanced training features like PacePro pacing strategies. This breakdown helps runners decide between a streamlined, lightweight experience focused on core metrics, versus a feature-packed watch with broader functionality.
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
Garmin Forerunner 255
Better Choice for All-Around Functions
✓ Customizable data screen via Garmin Connect app
✓ 1.3-inch display color MIP display with 260 x 260 resolution
✓ Elevate V4 sensor equipped for heart rate and blood oxygen levels readings
✓ New race prediction widget
#1 Price & Design
Coros Pace 3
At $229, the Coros Pace 3 is an attractively priced option for athletes looking for high functionality without breaking the bank. It boasts a sleek design with a fiber-reinforced polymer case and a 1.2-inch mineral glass LCD screen that offers clarity and durability. Weighing just 32g, its lightweight and slim profile make it almost unnoticeable on the wrist during long runs or workouts. The watch offers practicality too, with water resistance up to 5 ATM and touchscreen capabilities, enhancing the user experience with responsive navigation. The Coros Pace 3 also offers personalization through two band options: silicone and nylon, catering to different preferences for comfort and style. Its digital crown and additional button provide intuitive control, making it easy to access various metrics and settings without fumbling through menus. This design is rounded off with a focus on accessibility, offering a simple yet effective interface under the “Progress,” “Activities,” and “Explore” tabs that enrich user interaction with actionable insights and navigational tools.
Meanwhile, the Garmin Forerunner 255 is priced at $400 for the music-capable version, reflecting its more advanced features. Available in two sizes (42mm and 46mm) and various colors, it provides options that cater to all wrists and tastes. Unlike the Coros Pace 3, it lacks a touchscreen but incorporates five tactile buttons that facilitate navigation, which can be preferable for those who use their watch in wet conditions or prefer physical feedback. Design-wise, the Forerunner 255 uses a color memory-in-pixel (MIP) display, offering a resolution of 260 x 260 that ensures readability in various lighting conditions. Its case is robust, covered by chemically strengthened glass, enhancing its durability for all sporting activities. This model's design is focused not only on functionality but also on customization, with numerous watchface options available for download, allowing users to tailor the device to their personal aesthetic preferences.
#2 Features & Performance
Garmin Forerunner 255
Let’s start with the Coros Pace 3. The device boasts a suite of high-precision tools tailored for detailed training analysis. It features a built-in dual-frequency GPS, which ensures more accurate location tracking by utilizing multiple satellite systems, thereby enhancing route tracking during runs, hikes, or bike rides. The device supports up to eight data fields per page, allowing athletes to view extensive workout metrics at a glance. This can include real-time data on pace, elevation, heart rate, and more, all displayed simultaneously for on-the-go monitoring.
This watch also excels in health monitoring; its rear sensor array is comprehensive, tracking heart rate variability (HRV) during sleep and regular BPM measurements throughout the day. These metrics are essential for athletes focused on recovery and overall cardiovascular health. Additionally, the Coros Pace 3 calculates both aerobic and anaerobic training effects, providing insights into the specific benefits each workout offers to their training goals. While the watch lacks built-in music control features and contactless payment options, it compensates with other advanced capabilities like Pulse Oximeter for altitude acclimation, barometric pressure readings for weather alertness, and even turn-by-turn navigation for route exploration. Despite some missing smartwatch features, its performance-focused design makes it a robust choice for athletes who prioritize training over connectivity.
Coros Pace 3
On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 255 steps up as a multifunctional training device equipped with Garmin's latest Elevate V4 sensor technology. This sensor not only tracks heart rate but also gathers data on blood oxygen levels, providing insights into breathing rates, HRV, and stress levels. These measurements contribute to the watch's Body Battery feature, which aggregates data on heart rate variability, stress, and activity to gauge overall energy levels, helping athletes optimize their training and recovery times. Additionally, the Forerunner 255 offers advanced sleep tracking with a Morning Report feature, which combines sleep quality metrics with recovery and readiness insights to prepare the user for the day ahead. Performance tracking is where the Forerunner 255 truly shines, with its array of sport modes and customizable data screens that can be tailored through the Garmin Connect app.
The watch supports a wide range of activities from running to more niche options like triathlon and ultra-running, ensuring that all types of athletes can track their specific training sessions effectively. Garmin's new race prediction tool and the ‘Up Ahead’ feature are particularly innovative, providing race day aid station markers and performance estimates that help athletes plan their strategies in real-time. For those who enjoy music while training, the Forerunner 255 music version supports storage for up to 500 songs directly on the device, compatible with Spotify and Deezer, along with Garmin Pay for hassle-free payments on the go. These features, combined with comprehensive health insights and a highly customizable interface, make the Forerunner 255 a top contender for athletes who value a blend of performance metrics and smartwatch capabilities.
#3 Battery Life
Garmin Forerunner 255
The battery life of the Coros Pace 3 is impressive, offering up to 24 days in smartwatch mode and 38 hours in GPS mode, making it one of the best in its class for endurance athletes. This extended battery life means fewer interruptions in training for charging and can be particularly beneficial during prolonged races or back-to-back long training days.
In comparison, the Garmin Forerunner 255 offers up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 30 hours in GPS mode. While it doesn’t match the Coros Pace 3 in longevity, it still provides ample power for most training needs, with the added benefit of only requiring about two hours for a full charge. This makes it suitable for regular training schedules where the watch can be charged between sessions without hassle.
Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 255
Final Thoughts
Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 255
Choosing between the Coros Pace 3 and Garmin Forerunner 255 depends largely on what you see most in your training companion. If extended battery life and a focus on core athletic performance without the distraction of smart features are your priority, the Coros Pace 3 is an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a device that integrates advanced health tracking with practical features like music storage and contactless payments, the Garmin Forerunner 255 offers a more rounded user experience. Both watches stand out for their robust capabilities and design, but your personal training needs and lifestyle will dictate the best fit. Whether you’re an ultra-marathoner or a multi-sport enthusiast, either of these watches will undoubtedly elevate your fitness regime.
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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