Garmin 255 is the smarter all-rounder; COROS Pace 3 crushes battery and weight.
I’ve been toggling between these two on daily runs, race prep, and strength days. If you’re stuck on the garmin 255 vs coros pace 3, both are excellent, but they lean different ways. The Garmin brings richer coaching and smart features. The COROS is featherlight and lasts for ages. I tested both on roads, trails, and the track. Here’s what actually matters so you can pick the right one for your goals.
Garmin Forerunner® 255, GPS Running…
Built with a slim design and an always-on, full-color display that’s light on the wrist and easy to read even in direct sunlight — with…
COROS PACE 3 GPS Sport…
Comfort, Lightweight, Durable: Designed as the ultimate running watch, the COROS PACE 3 GPS sports watch merges an 11.7mm ultra-slim profile and 30g featherweight design…
Is Garmin 255 Good?
Yes—especially if you want deep training tools and better “smartwatch” perks. The Garmin 255 gave me reliable GPS, clear recovery guidance, and rich insights. Training Readiness, HRV Status, and Morning Report helped me plan smarter, not harder. If you like coaching, structured plans, and data you can act on, this is a great fit.In real runs, it shined. On a tempo run through tall buildings and tree cover, multi-band GPS kept my pace steady. Before a weekend race, the Race Widget and suggested workouts dialed in my taper. Syncing routes, playing music (on the Music model), and tapping Garmin Pay after a long run felt seamless.
Garmin Forerunner® 255, GPS Running Smartwatch, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery, Slate Gray
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Multi-band GNSS for strong accuracy in tough signal areas
- Training Readiness, HRV Status, Body Battery, Morning Report
- Garmin Coach, daily suggested workouts, Race Widget
- Optional Music model with offline music; Garmin Pay support
- Up to 14 days smartwatch, ~30 hours GPS (mode dependent)
What I Like
- Coaching and recovery tools help plan the week with confidence
- GPS holds pace well under trees and near tall buildings
- Safety features and LiveTrack add peace of mind
- Connect IQ ecosystem adds data fields and apps
- Course sync and breadcrumb navigation are simple and reliable
What Could Be Better
- No touchscreen; all-button control only
- Battery life is solid, but shorter than COROS Pace 3
- Music storage only on the Music version
My Recommendation
If you want powerful training guidance and better smartwatch perks, choose Garmin 255. It’s a dependable daily driver at a fair street price.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Data-driven runners | Training Readiness, HRV, and strong coaching tools |
| Everyday smartwatch use | Payments, richer apps, and solid notifications |
| Urban and mixed routes | Multi-band GPS keeps pace steady in tough spots |
Is Coros Pace 3 Good?
Yes—if you crave a super-light watch with huge battery life and strong GPS. COROS Pace 3 nailed my multi-day weeks with fewer charges and a comfy fit. It’s ideal if you value simplicity, long runs, and race weekends without a charger in your bag.On a trail long run with steep climbs, the barometric altimeter and breadcrumb navigation were on point. I also loved the nylon strap: it disappeared on my wrist. Dual-frequency GPS held solid through dense trees. The app is clean and fast. EvoLab metrics (like Training Load and Recovery) are simple but helpful for planning.
COROS PACE 3 GPS Sport Watch –Lightweight, Comfortable Running Watch, 17-Day Battery Life, Accurate GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Navigation, Sleep Tracking, Training Plan, Run, Bike, and Ski-Chalk Nylon
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Dual-frequency GNSS for high-accuracy tracking
- Up to ~24 days smartwatch, long GPS endurance
- Barometric altimeter, breadcrumb navigation, back-to-start
- Touchscreen with digital dial; very light with nylon strap
- On-watch music storage and simple training plans
What I Like
- Battery life that easily covers big training blocks
- Featherlight and comfy for all-day wear
- GPS accuracy stayed stable on trails and in canyons
- EvoLab metrics are clear and not overwhelming
- Great value for the features and performance
What Could Be Better
- Fewer smart features; no tap-to-pay
- Smaller app ecosystem than Garmin
- Dual-frequency mode drains faster (expected)
My Recommendation
Pick COROS Pace 3 if you want light weight, long battery life, and clean training tools at a strong price.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Marathon and ultra plans | Battery easily lasts long sessions and race weekends |
| Minimalist runners | Simple app, clear metrics, no clutter |
| All-day comfort | Very light watch with soft nylon band |
garmin 255 vs coros pace 3: Side-by-Side Test
I wore both watches together on roads, trails, track workouts, and commutes. Below is how the garmin 255 vs coros pace 3 stack up where it matters most.GPS Accuracy & Sensors: Which Tracks Cleaner Lines?
Both kept me on pace in cities and forests. Dual-frequency on both helps a lot.| Feature | Garmin 255 | COROS Pace 3 |
|---|---|---|
| GNSS modes | Multi-band + multi-GNSS | Dual-frequency + multi-GNSS |
| Altimeter | Barometric | Barometric |
| Optical HR + SpO2 | Yes + Pulse Ox | Yes + SpO2 |
| Overall track quality | Excellent in urban canyons | Excellent in dense woods |
Both are highly accurate; call this a draw in the garmin 255 vs coros pace 3 GPS fight.
Training & Coaching: Who Guides You Better?
If you want structured guidance and recovery cues, Garmin is deeper.| Tool | Garmin 255 | COROS Pace 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Training Readiness / HRV Status | Yes, very polished | HRV and Recovery via EvoLab |
| Daily suggested workouts | Yes (run/cycle), adaptive | Yes (plans, workouts) |
| Race planning widgets | Race Widget, predicted times | Race planner via app |
| Coaching programs | Garmin Coach and more | Simple, effective plans |
Garmin 255 leads the garmin 255 vs coros pace 3 battle for coaching and recovery insights.
Battery Life & Charging: Who Lasts Longer?
This is where COROS shines. It just keeps going.| Mode | Garmin 255 | COROS Pace 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch (typical) | Up to ~14 days | Up to ~24 days |
| GPS-only | Up to ~30 hours | Up to ~38 hours |
| All-systems / Dual-frequency | Strong but shorter | Strong; still lasts longer overall |
| Charge frequency (my use) | Every 5–7 days | Every 10–14 days |
In battery life for garmin 255 vs coros pace 3, the COROS Pace 3 wins by a mile.
Display, Controls & Comfort: Which Feels Better Day to Day?
Buttons vs touchscreen + dial. Weight also matters a lot here.| Aspect | Garmin 255 | COROS Pace 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Transflective MIP, great outdoors | Always-on LCD, touchscreen |
| Controls | 5 buttons | Dial + buttons + touch |
| Weight | Heavier than Pace 3 | Very light, comfy with nylon |
| Everyday comfort | Good | Excellent |
For daily comfort in garmin 255 vs coros pace 3, the COROS Pace 3 feels almost weightless.
Navigation & Routes: Which Helps You Stay on Track?
Both do breadcrumb courses well, with turn prompts if set up.| Nav feature | Garmin 255 | COROS Pace 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Breadcrumb navigation | Yes, reliable | Yes, reliable |
| Turn alerts | Yes on compatible courses | Yes on compatible routes |
| Full maps | No | No |
| Back-to-start | Yes | Yes |
Navigation is a tie in the garmin 255 vs coros pace 3 showdown—both are simple and solid.
Smart Features & Ecosystem: Which Feels Smarter?
Garmin acts more like a smartwatch; COROS keeps it simple.| Smart feature | Garmin 255 | COROS Pace 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Payments | Garmin Pay | No |
| Music | Music model with offline storage | On-watch storage, basic |
| App store | Connect IQ apps/fields | No app store |
| Safety/LiveTrack | Yes | Limited |
For smartwatch perks in garmin 255 vs coros pace 3, Garmin 255 takes it easily.
Value for Money: Where’s the Best Deal?
Street prices change, but COROS often undercuts Garmin while nailing the basics.| Value area | Garmin 255 | COROS Pace 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Training depth | Richer for price | Good, simpler |
| Battery per dollar | Good | Excellent |
| Overall package | Great if you want smart perks | Great if you want core performance |
| Typical pricing | Higher | Lower |
In pure value, the garmin 255 vs coros pace 3 battle leans to COROS for most runners.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Pick Garmin 255 if you want deeper coaching, better recovery tools, stronger smart features, and a polished ecosystem. It’s my choice for structured training, city running, and everyday smartwatch use.Pick COROS Pace 3 if you want light weight, long battery life, and clean training tools at a friendlier price. For marathons, ultras, and travel, it’s hard to beat. In garmin 255 vs coros pace 3, both are winners—choose based on what you value most.
FAQs Of garmin 255 vs coros pace 3
Which is better for marathon training in the garmin 255 vs coros pace 3?
Garmin 255. The training guidance, HRV Status, and Race Widget make planning simple. COROS Pace 3 still works great if you prefer long battery and a lighter watch.Who wins battery life in garmin 255 vs coros pace 3?
COROS Pace 3. It lasts longer in daily use and GPS. That’s its superpower.Do both support music and navigation?
Yes, both have on-watch music and breadcrumb navigation. Garmin’s Music model is richer for playlists; COROS is simpler but works.Which is more comfortable for small wrists?
COROS Pace 3. It is very light and soft with the nylon strap. Garmin 255 is comfortable too, but heavier.Do either have full maps?
No. Both offer breadcrumb routes and turn alerts, but no full-color maps. If you need maps, consider a higher-tier model.
Rubel Miah is the Senior Editor at MyStyleGrid.com, where he brings a sharp editorial eye and an unshakable love for fashion to everything he does. A true style addict, Rubel lives and breathes trends, from streetwear to high fashion, and has a knack for turning inspiration into impactful stories. With years of experience in fashion journalism and digital media, he curates content that empowers readers to express themselves through style. When he’s not editing features or forecasting the next big thing, you’ll find him hunting down vintage pieces or capturing street style moments around the city.
