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Coros Pace 3 Review

Offering enhanced battery life and additional sensors without a significant price hike, this watch is ideal for athletes and those who desire all-day health tracking
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Coros Pace 3 Review
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Price:  $229 List
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Manufacturer:   Coros
By Matthew Richardson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 3, 2024
73
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 16
  • Accuracy - 30% 9.0
  • Activity Use - 20% 7.5
  • Everyday Use - 15% 7.0
  • Extra Features - 15% 5.0
  • Wearability - 10% 7.5
  • Battery Life - 10% 5.4

Our Verdict

The Coros Pace 3 remains a standout choice for an affordable GPS watch, beating much of our test lineup in value and catering to a broad spectrum of users and budgets. It has exceptional battery life and sports one of our favorite screens that remains clear and readable in a wide variety of conditions. For those seeking a streamlined experience with minimal smartwatch distractions, the Pace 3's simplicity is highly appealing. Its ultralight design is guaranteed not to slow you down, and we imagine that most users will be more than satisfied with this affordable model. To see how it measures up to the rest of our lineup, check out our full review of the best GPS watches.
REASONS TO BUY
Low profile design
Great battery life
Very accurate
Low cost
Breadcrumb route navigation
REASONS TO AVOID
Plastic construction
Limited software features
Music by mp3 only
Editor's Note: We updated this review on July 3, 2024, to adapt the article to our new rating metrics.

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Bottom Line This watch excels as an affordable GPS companion, offering value and dependable accuracyGreat craftsmanship and design with an updated UI, menu, and AMOLED displayWe prefer a slightly larger screen for enhanced readability, those with smaller wrists will love the Forerunner 165An entry-level GPS watch that does everything you need without the advanced features found on the most premium modelsLacking an always-on display is a huge bummer for those who like their like the watch face to be viewable to others, still, this is an acceptable option
Rating Categories Coros Pace 3 Suunto Race Garmin Forerunner 165 Garmin Forerunner 55 Amazfit Active Edge
Accuracy (30%)
9.0
9.3
9.3
9.0
7.5
Activity Use (20%)
7.5
8.5
6.5
6.0
6.5
Everyday Use (15%)
7.0
7.5
7.0
7.0
5.0
Extra Features (15%)
5.0
6.5
7.5
5.5
5.0
Wearability (10%)
7.5
9.5
8.0
6.5
6.0
Battery Life (10%)
5.4
6.3
4.6
4.6
4.5
Specs Coros Pace 3 Suunto Race Garmin Forerunner 165 Garmin Forerunner 55 Amazfit Active Edge
Measured Main Body Size (Diameter) 41.9 mm 49.0 mm 43.0 mm 42.0 mm 46.5 mm
Measured Thickness 11.8 mm 13.3 mm 11.6 mm 12.5 mm 12.0 mm
Measured Screen Width 31.0 mm 36.0 mm 30.4 mm 26.5 mm 33.5 mm
Measured Weight 1.50 oz 2.93 oz 1.40 oz 1.31 oz 1.90 oz
Screen Type MIP AMOLED AMOLED MIP TFT
Measured Charging Time 113 min 84 min 103 min 111 min 120 min
Battery Life Claims by Manufacturer Full GPS: 38 hours - 10 hours with music; All Systems On: 25 hours - 9 hours with music; Dual Frequency: 15 hours - 7 hours with music; Daily Use: 17 days - 15 days with daily stress monitors In time mode: 26 days
With 24/7 Tracking and Mobile Notifications: 12 days
Training Mode with GPS: 40h / 50h / 70h / 120h
Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days;
Battery Saver Smartwatch mode: Up to 20 days;
GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 19 hours;
All-Systems GNSS mode: Up to 17 hours
Smartwatch mode: 2 weeks;
GPS: 20 hours
Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days; Battery Saver Mode: Up to 24 days; Heavy Usage: Up to 10 days;
GPS: Up to 20 hours
Measured Battery Life with GPS 34 hours 50 hours 19 hours 19 hours 18 hours
Sensors Included Heart rate, altimeter, barometer, compass, blood oxygen level Heart rate, altimeter, barometer, compass, blood oxygen level Heart rate, altimeter, barometer, compass, blood oxygen level Heart rate Heart rate, blood oxygen level
Navigation Breadcrumb, back to start Detailed, back to start Breadcrumb, back to start None Breadcrumb, back to start
Music Options Downloaded control, storage Control only Control only Control only Control only
Touchless Payment No No Yes No Yes - limited
Sleep Tracking Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Water Resistance (Max Depth) 50m 100m 50m 50m 100m
Main Software App Coros App Suunto Garmin Connect Garmin Connect, widgets for other features Zepp App
Compatible with Other Software Ecosystems Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Watch Face Material Mineral Glass Sapphire crystal Chemically strengthened glass Chemically strengthened glass Glass
Battery Type Rechargable lithium ion Rechargable lithium ion Rechargable lithium ion Rechargable lithium ion Rechargable lithium ion
Bezel Material Glass fiber reinforced polyamide Stainless steel Fiber reinforced polymer Stainless steel Dual-color plastic
Case Material Glass fiber reinforced polyamide Glass fiber reinforced polyamide Fiber reinforced polymer Glass fiber reinforced polyamide Dual-color plastic
Strap Material Silicone Silicone Silicone Silicone Semi-transparent TPU
Tools Required to Change Band No No No No Yes
Model Tested Standard Stainless steel Standard Standard Standard
Size Tested One size only One size only One size only One size only One size only
Warranty Offered 2 year 2 year 1 year 1 year 1 year

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Coros Pace 3 continues to impress at an entry-level price point. It has the performance and price point to suit most users and budgets. Excellent battery life is packed into an ultralight size and weight. With roughly 30+ hours of GPS time or two weeks of normal daily use, charging will be one less thing to worry about. If you are looking to minimize smartwatch-type distractions on your wristwatch, we find the simplicity of Pace 3 extremely appealing. A wide spectrum of users can benefit from this model, and serious athletes will appreciate the long-lasting GPS tracking and diverse data metrics. Those more concerned with daily health tracking also get a wide variety of metrics like sleep stats, daily steps, and resting heart rate.

Performance Comparison


We made sure to test the Coros Pace 3 in a variety of conditions and terrain types to give you detailed thoughts. Here is our lead tester in Utah headed out in the morning for a day in the canyons.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Accuracy


We calculated our accuracy score by evaluating the GPS chipset and heart rate sensor of each watch. For GPS testing, each watch was taken on a known 2.8-mile course, and the distance recorded by the watch was compared to this 2.8-mile benchmark. For heart rate testing, we ran with a watch on each wrist for 0.5 miles, comparing the readings to those from the scientifically validated Polar H10 chest strap. The overall accuracy score was found by combining the findings of both these tests.


To keep GPS conditions consistent, we tested on the same day to avoid possible weather differences. For heart rate testing, each watch was securely tightened to ensure a uniform fit. We exported all data and matched the timestamps to ensure a fair comparison between the chest-worn heart rate monitor and the GPS watches.

coros pace 3 - the pace 3 did exceptionally well in our gps testing, especially on...
The Pace 3 did exceptionally well in our GPS testing, especially on less technical terrain.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

The Coros Pace 3 had one of the most accurate heart rate readings of any Coros model we tested, being +/- 1.54 BPM compared to our Polar chest strap. The model also showed pretty good GPS accuracy for our hill GPS test, being +/- 0.14 miles off. The model was even closer to other known mileages on less technical terrain.

coros pace 3 - heart rate analysis between the coros pace 3 and the polar h10 chest...
Heart rate analysis between the Coros Pace 3 and the Polar H10 chest strap.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Activity Use


The Pace 3 is one of our favorite models for activity use; it simply works. There is little to clutter the experience, and it's our go-to recommendation for those who simply want to record workouts. Where other units get bogged down in features, the Pace 3 is simple and easy to use.

One of our favorite aspects of the Pace 3 is the excellent MIP display; it's crisp and easy to read in various conditions. Data pages are easier to cycle now with the addition of the touchscreen; we still prefer the scroll wheel, though, as it leads to more predictable use. Navigation is also now enabled on the Pace 3 series. While not fully detailed, breadcrumb mapping is often quite helpful if you are looking to backtrack or follow an uploaded route.

With the addition of a dual frequency chipset in the Pace 3, you can now expect even greater accuracy in technical terrain or in cities with challenging lines of sight.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Some could find the smaller case of the Pace 3 more difficult to read cluttered data pages. We found this model best for sports where you'd only want to see a few metrics at once, like distance, pace, and time. Coros has a wide variety of modes and sports, and more are added with each update. For a list of all the enabled sports modes, we'd suggest checking out the manufacturer's product page.

Everyday Use


While some look at Coros and see fewer features, we tend to see a simple platform that saves you money. Realistically, any of the watches in our lineup do the basics quite well. Daily HR, sleep stats, and performance levels are easy to keep track of in the Coros app. This data can also be transferred to other health apps of your choice if you have multiple health trackers.

coros pace 3 - with a clean look, the coros app makes tracking your stats easy.
With a clean look, the Coros app makes tracking your stats easy.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

The Coros companion app is easy to use and has less clutter than some of the competition. You can also build routes and explore trails if you're in a new area. We don't personally use this often since we have other dedicated navigation apps.

By paring your phone, you can receive notifications and access features like Find My Phone. Coros also implements a glance/toolbar system for easy-to-access data pages like altimeter, barometer, and steps. The circular toolbar also gives you access to quick change settings. If you feel overwhelmed by the dense feature sets found on other watches and want to save some money and focus on the items most used, this is a great option for you.

Extra Features


We've tested nearly every Coros watch that has come onto the market, and we've long been impressed with the simplicity of the Pace models. The newest iteration, the Pace 3, has included features like a touch screen, music downloads, and breadcrumb mapping. Significant software updates continue to be implemented in the lineup, allowing new access to features previously only on higher-end models.


That said, from our testing, it's clear that the feature set is not the main priority. Coros focuses mainly on build quality and battery life. Opting for simplicity over software features, Coros has been able to keep the price down, allowing for a low entry point to a great GPS watch. Both Garmin and Apple put more emphasis on software, which drives up the cost of their watches. The standout features of the Coros Pace 3 are its health, GPS tracking, and battery life. When using this watch, we often miss features found on more premium watches, like contactless payment, music controls, a flashlight, and Spotify integration. But if you are simply looking for longer battery life and GPS tracking and care about little else, this is probably the watch for you.

coros pace 3 - the coros pace 3 is designed with simplicity in mind, if you want...
The Coros Pace 3 is designed with simplicity in mind, if you want minimal distractions you should consider this model.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Wearability


Weighing in at only 1.5 ounces, you won't even feel the Pace 3 on your wrist. Even though the case is plastic, it still feels robust and durable. The screen and its E Ink-like display are fantastic in direct light, offering great contrast and readability. It does suffer in lower light conditions as the backlight is less powerful than higher-end models.


The tooless strap design increases in width by 2mm, which we are happy to see as the previous model felt a little thin. Unfortunately, it still has a double-sided clasp, which is a bit annoying — we'd prefer having to thread the strap only once. Both the backlight button and scroll don't feel quite as nice as the metal materials on more premium models, but they allow for a lower weight. This may not seem like a big deal, but the Pace 3 is noticeably lighter than others, and for serious running athletes, we can see the appeal. We are impressed with the quality at this price point, but we feel there could be some subtle changes, especially when coming out with a new-generation watch.

coros pace 3 - two strap options exist, and we prefer the standard band seen above...
Two strap options exist, and we prefer the standard band seen above, although we wish you only had to thread the strap once to take it on and off.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Battery Life


Coros shines when it comes to battery life, and even with this smaller case size, there are still 30+ hours of continuous GPS tracking with the Pace 3. This extended battery performance allows budget-minded ultra-endurance athletes to have multi-day life, assuming they take some time to rest when the GPS is off. With most entry-level watches, you generally sacrifice battery life, but Coros continues to provide a substantial amount of hours no matter the cost. If needed, you can also charge while still recording.


There aren't any low-power modes on the Pace 3, which is probably because it's largely not needed, and generally, the only outcome is a decrease in accuracy. We tested this watch in a wide range of environments, from hot to cold, and found no influence on the battery. Another plus is the ability of the watch to quickly charge, taking less than two hours to charge, depending on our charging setup. This excellent battery is another instance where Coros focuses on hardware performance over battery-draining software features.

coros pace 3 - we made sure to test in a wide range of weather conditions. cold is...
We made sure to test in a wide range of weather conditions. Cold is notoriously harsh on batteries, but the Coros Pace 3 had no issues keeping a charge.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Should You Buy the Coros Pace 3?


Standing out for being incredibly lightweight and well-featured for the price, we'd highly recommend the Pace 3. This watch is best for athletes who don't desire an ultra-rugged-looking design or a ton of fancy features. It has minimal clutter and just works. Most of the higher-end watches fit in a niche category where you spend a premium on battery, design, or features. The Pace 3, while not the best, does everything quite well and at a price that cannot be beaten. For most users, you can stop looking because this is the model for you.

What Other GPS Watches Should You Consider?


If price is a factor, but you can spend a little more, we'd recommend the Garmin Forerunner 965, which offers a great blend of performance and value. If you are after smartphone integration, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers one of the best user experiences and feature sets. For the most serious athletes who perform in technical terrain, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar is where it's at.

coros pace 3 - if we had to pick just three watches after testing in a wide range...
If we had to pick just three watches after testing in a wide range of activities and conditions, we'd recommend either the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar, Apple Watch Ultra 2, or the Coros Pace 3.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Matthew Richardson