Key Differences Between Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 265/265S

While the Garmin Forerunner 265/265S has long been a top contender in the running smartwatch market, the launch of the Coros Pace 3 has made many users reconsider whether it’s worth spending an extra $300 on the Forerunner models. The 265S is quite similar to the 265, with only slight differences in size and battery life, yet both come at the same price point.

If you’re unsure which running smartwatch to choose, I’ve got you covered. In this Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 265/265s comparison, I’ll break down the key differences and share my verdict on which one is truly the better option. 

Without further ado, let’s start with the verdict first!

My Verdict on Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 265/265S

Yes, the Coros Pace 3 is unimaginably cheaper than the Garmin Forerunner 265/265S, but does that alone make it the go-to? Right off the bar, the answer is a clear NO! It’s much more affordable and offers a battery life the Garmin Forerunner 265 can only dream of, but when it comes to advanced metrics, it falls horribly short—these features are practically nonexistent. 

To give you a general overview, the Garmin Forerunner 265/265S offers a regular smartwatch experience with their vibrant colors, music, and notifications.

That said, Coros Pace 3 takes a slightly different approach here. It’s mostly focused on being a lightweight, no-nonsense training tool. 

While it does support music playback (you can upload MP3 files and listen via Bluetooth headphones) and notifications for calls and messages, it doesn’t aim to be a full-on smartwatch the way the Forerunner 265 does. Instead, it prioritizes battery life and accurate GPS tracking.

Before we start digging into their key differences in the next section, let me help you get in the right mindset so you can be halfway to making your decision.

Go for Coros Pace 3 if you: – Seek a budget-friendly option. – Prioritize extended battery life. – Crave a lightweight design. – Need dual-frequency GNSS for precise tracking. – Are fine uploading MP3 files for music playback. -Find basic notifications sufficient.

Go for Garmin Forerunner 265/265S if you: – Want advanced health metrics. – Appreciate an AMOLED touchscreen. – Require music storage and streaming. – Value contactless payments. – Seek robust build quality. – Utilize comprehensive training tools.

Best Overall: Garmin Forerunner 265/265S

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds—a solid smartwatch and a reliable fitness tracker—the Garmin Forerunner 265/265S is the one. I have to say its AMOLED screen is really easy to read in sunlight, and the tracking accuracy is spot on, whether you’re running, swimming, or cycling, and so on. You’re also getting a durable design that won’t let you down during intense workouts or outdoor adventures. It’s the complete package if you want a watch that does it all.

Best Budget-Friendly: Coros Pace 3

The Coros Pace 3 is a no-brainer when it comes to the more affordable option. I was stunned when I saw the price difference, and for the money you pay—you get a running watch that gets the job done. So, there’s that! For a fraction of the cost of the Garmin, it still delivers precise tracking for your runs, cycling, and swimming. On top of that, you get up to 38 hours of GPS tracking—seriously impressive for the price. If you’re focused on getting solid performance without the extra features, this one’s your best bet.

Best for Advanced Health Metrics: Garmin Forerunner 265/265S

Here’s my take: If you’re already getting a smartwatch to track your activity, it makes sense to pay a little more for the advanced health metrics Garmin offers. The Forerunner 265/265S includes features like VO2 max, heart rate variability, and training readiness—advanced metrics that the Coros Pace 3 lacks. For anyone serious about tracking their fitness, these metrics can be a game-changer. So, there’s that, too!

Best for Battery Life: Coros Pace 3

I know how tiring it can be to charge your watch every few days, especially if you’re always on the go. One of the best features of the Coros Pace 3 is its battery life—it lasts up to 38 hours on a GPS-tracked run and up to 24 days in regular use. This is a huge advantage if you’re planning long hikes or races and don’t want to worry about recharging halfway through. It’s one of the longest-lasting watches in this category.

Best for Display Quality: Garmin Forerunner 265/265S

The Forerunner 265/265 S’ display is much better than what Coros Pace 3 offers. The AMOLED screen is bright, sharp, and easy to read, even in bright sunlight. 

Best for Music and Notifications: Garmin Forerunner 265/265S

And yet again, the Forerunner 265/265S takes the lead here. You can store music directly on the watch and get notifications for texts, calls, and apps without pulling out your phone. For me, this is a game-changer on runs—skipping songs and checking messages without missing a beat.

2 Major Differences—Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 265/265S

As the saying goes, “all good things come to those who wait.” We’re now going to dive into a juicy comparison between the Coros Pace 3 and the Garmin Forerunner 265/265S, so you’ll be fully aware of what each smartwatch brings to the table.

And just to clarify, this isn’t a product review. I’ve done a deep dive into their key differences and read almost every article along with all the Reddit threads out there. On top of that, I think I’ve watched all the comparison videos on YouTube and dug up some hidden gems from each source to condense here.

Let’s now see how their specs stack up against each other.

Feature	Garmin Forerunner 265/265S	Coros Pace 3
Display	AMOLED (1.3-inch)	Transflective (1.2-inch)
Battery Life	13 days (smartwatch) / 24 hrs GPS	24 days (regular) / 38 hrs GPS
Weight	39g	30g
Heart Rate Monitoring	Yes	Yes
Music Storage	Yes	Offline MP3 Playback
Notifications	Yes	Basic Notifications
Advanced Sports Metrics	Yes	No
Price	~$500	~$266

Below, you’ll find the two major differences between the Coros Pace 3 and the Garmin Forerunner 265/265S. One of these could potentially be a deal-breaker once you dive deeper.

Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 265/265S: Battery Life

Winner: Coros Pace 3 🏆

In my experience, a smartwatch’s battery life is often one of the deciding factors. The Forerunner 265/265S offers solid battery life, with up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and around 24 hours with GPS tracking. But, let’s be honest: for a high-end smartwatch, Garmin can do much better than that.

That said, the Coros Pace 3 takes things to a whole new level with up to 24 days of regular use and 38 hours of GPS tracking. Now, that’s something I can appreciate—especially for long-distance runners or hikers who need their watch to last through those extended sessions.

Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 265/265S: Sports Tracking and Advanced Features

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265/265S 🏆

Here’s the juicy bit with all the hidden gems. The Garmin Forerunner 265/265S comes with a ton of advanced features like daily suggested workouts, race predictions, and training load analysis. These kinds of features are designed for athletes who want to make the most out of their training sessions. 

The Forerunner 265 will even assess your readiness for a workout based on your recent training, sleep, and stress levels. A feature for days, if you ask me…This is especially useful if you’re juggling multiple sports and need a reliable coach on your wrist. 

The Coros Pace 3 is a solid performer for general fitness tracking, but it falls miles behind the Forerunner 265/265S in this department. It lacks advanced metrics the Garmin offers. Sure, you get all the essential tracking like heart rate, distance, and pace, but if you’re someone who likes to dive deep into data for recovery or optimizing performance, the Pace 3 may feel a bit basic. 

It’s definitely a deal breaker for me, especially since I can easily collect these metrics with my smartphone. Bottom line—it’s going to sound a bit harsh but Coros Pace 3 has really nothing unique to offer

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Aether X Limited Edition Designer Smartwatch

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The CIGA Design X Series Eye of Horus watch combines modern style with ancient Egyptian inspiration. Its transparent case lets you see the intricate self-winding movement, which has over 150 parts and 24 jewels. With a 40-hour power reserve and 21,600 vibrations per hour, it offers both precision and reliability. 

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Conclusion

The Coros Pace 3 is definitely a budget-friendly option, but it doesn’t offer much beyond what a smartphone already does. The long battery life and reliable GPS tracking are great, but when compared to the Garmin Forerunner 265/265S, the Coros model starts to feel a bit limited. The Garmin, on the other hand, offers so much more. 

For anyone serious about fitness, it’s a standout with features like workout readiness assessments, which factor in your training, sleep, and stress. Add in daily suggested workouts and advanced metrics, and it’s clear that the Forerunner 265/265S provides a much more comprehensive and insightful experience. All things considered, the Garmin takes the lead as the more well-rounded, feature-packed smartwatch.