Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Coros Pace 3: Do You Prefer Lightweight Champ or Battery Beast?
By Elisabeth Christ
Published June 2024
In the ever-evolving world of wearable technology, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Coros Pace 3 stand out as exceptional choices for fitness enthusiasts. Although the highly anticipated solo buds have yet to be released, these two smartwatches offer a wealth of features that cater to diverse fitness needs. With each watch bringing its own strengths to the table, let’s dive into their specifics to see which one emerges as the better choice for your fitness journey.
Key Takeaways
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Coros Pace 3 both offer impressive features, but they cater to different user preferences. Priced at around $299.99, the Vivoactive 5 features a 1.3-inch AMOLED display with 416 x 416 resolution and lasts up to 11 days in smartwatch mode. It excels in health metrics like VO2 max and stress tracking, and supports over 20 preloaded sports apps with built-in GPS. In contrast, the Coros Pace 3, priced at approximately $229.99, emphasizes battery longevity with up to 20 days in regular use and 30 hours in full GPS mode. Its 1.2-inch memory LCD display and multi-system GPS support cater to serious athletes. The Pace 3 includes advanced performance metrics like running power and lactate threshold, making it ideal for those focused on athletic endurance and precise tracking.
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Better Choice for Battery Life
✓ 1.2-inch AMOLED display with 390 x 390-pixel resolution
✓ Advanced sleep tracking with detailed insights
✓ More than 30 preloaded indoor and outdoor sports apps
✓ Up to 21 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 How much they cost?
Garmin Vivoactive 5
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a mid-range fitness smartwatch, typically retailing around $300. This price point makes it accessible to fitness enthusiasts who desire a comprehensive set of features without delving into the higher price brackets of premium models. The Vivoactive 5 offers a robust combination of health tracking, fitness modes, and smart features, providing excellent value for its cost.
The Coros Pace 3 is priced similarly, generally available for around $230. Known for its focus on athletic performance and extended battery life, the Pace 3 offers a compelling package for serious athletes and outdoor adventurers. Its lower price point compared to the Vivoactive 5 makes it an attractive option for those prioritizing endurance and specialized training metrics without sacrificing key smartwatch functionalities.
#2 The Design
Coros Pace 3
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 features a sleek and sporty design tailored for active users. It includes a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels, ensuring clear and vibrant visuals. The watch is lightweight, comfortable, and suitable for all-day wear, with interchangeable bands that allow users to customize their look. Its durable build and high-quality display make it both functional and aesthetically pleasing, ideal for intense workouts and daily activities alike.
In contrast, the Coros Pace 3 sports a more utilitarian design, focusing on functionality and endurance. It features a 1.2-inch always-on memory LCD display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. While not as vibrant as the Vivoactive 5's AMOLED, it is designed to be easily readable in various lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. The lightweight polymer build and silicone bands contribute to its comfort during long training sessions, making it a practical choice for athletes who need a reliable and rugged watch.
#3 Health and Sleep Tracking
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Garmin Vivoactive 5 excels in health and sleep tracking, offering a comprehensive suite of features. It includes advanced sleep tracking with insights into light, deep, and REM sleep stages, helping users understand and improve their sleep patterns. The Vivoactive 5 also offers pulse oximetry, continuous heart rate monitoring, and stress tracking, providing a holistic view of the user's health. The Garmin Connect app enhances these features with in-depth analysis and trends over time, allowing users to make informed decisions about their health and wellness.
Coros Pace 3
Coros Pace 3 also provides robust health and sleep tracking capabilities. It includes continuous heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen level tracking, and advanced sleep analysis. The Pace 3's sleep tracking provides detailed insights into sleep duration and quality, helping users optimize their rest and recovery. Coros' focus on performance metrics ensures that athletes can track their health comprehensively, using the Coros app to analyze data and gain insights into their overall well-being.
#4 Fitness Modes
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Garmin Vivoactive 5 is equipped with a wide range of fitness modes, catering to activities like running, cycling, swimming, and yoga. It includes built-in GPS for accurate tracking of outdoor activities without needing a smartphone. The watch also offers customized workout plans and adaptive training guides, making it suitable for both casual fitness enthusiasts and serious athletes. With over 30 preloaded sports apps, the Vivoactive 5 ensures users have access to specific metrics needed for their preferred activities.
Coros Pace 3
Coros Pace 3 is designed with athletes in mind, offering a variety of fitness modes including running, cycling, swimming, and multisport training. It features built-in GPS with support for multiple satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou) for precise tracking. The watch provides advanced performance metrics such as VO2 max, lactate threshold, and running power, catering to serious athletes seeking to optimize their training. The Coros app further enhances these features with detailed analysis and performance insights.
#5 Performances
Garmin Vivoactive 5
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is powered by an efficient processor that ensures smooth performance across its features. It supports advanced metrics like VO2 max, fitness age, and stress tracking, making it a powerful tool for athletes looking to optimize their performance. The watch also offers smart notifications, music storage, and contactless payments via Garmin Pay, enhancing its functionality beyond fitness tracking. The robust hardware and versatile software ensure the Vivoactive 5 can handle everyday use and intense training sessions with ease.
Coros Pace 3 is built for performance, with a focus on endurance and accuracy. It features a powerful processor that supports advanced athletic metrics and seamless GPS tracking. The Pace 3 includes smart notifications, customizable data screens, and compatibility with third-party fitness apps, providing a versatile platform for athletes. Its lightweight design and robust feature set make it a reliable companion for rigorous training and outdoor adventures, ensuring users can track their performance accurately and efficiently.
#6 Battery Life
Coros Pace 3
One of the standout features of the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is its impressive battery life. It can last up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 8 hours in GPS mode with music. This extended battery life makes it ideal for users who engage in long outdoor activities or prefer not to charge their device frequently. The watch's efficient power management ensures all-day tracking and notifications without worrying about running out of battery.
The Coros Pace 3 is renowned for its exceptional battery life, lasting up to 20 days in regular use and up to 38 for standard full GPS use. This makes it a perfect choice for endurance athletes and outdoor adventurers who need a reliable watch for extended periods without access to charging. The battery performance of the Pace 3 is a key feature that sets it apart, ensuring users can focus on their training and adventures without the constant need for recharging.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Coros Pace 3
Final Thoughts
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Coros Pace 3
Deciding between the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and the Coros Pace 3 ultimately hinges on your fitness priorities and lifestyle. The Vivoactive 5 is perfect for those seeking a blend of style, comprehensive health tracking, and smart features at a mid-range price point. Its vibrant display and extended smartwatch functionality make it an excellent daily companion for health-conscious users. Meanwhile, the Coros Pace 3 stands out with its exceptional battery life and specialized performance metrics, making it the go-to choice for endurance athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who need a watch that can keep up with their demanding routines. Both watches offer robust features, ensuring that whichever you choose, your fitness tracking needs will be well met.
If you like to read more about Smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
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