Coros Pace 3 Vs Garmin 245: Which Watch Wins For Runners

COROS PACE 3 wins on battery and GPS; Forerunner 245 shines in coaching.

You want a light, reliable running watch that tracks clean GPS, lasts long, and helps you train smarter. I’ve logged weeks with both the COROS PACE 3 and the Garmin Forerunner 245. The core dilemma is simple: the COROS PACE 3 offers better battery and newer GPS tech, while the Garmin 245 gives you beloved Garmin coaching and safety tools. I tested both on roads, trails, and treadmill. Here’s my hands-on coros pace 3 vs garmin 245 comparison to help you choose with confidence.

Is coros pace 3 Good?

Yes—especially if you care about battery life, lightweight comfort, and strong GPS. The COROS PACE 3 is ideal for runners who want long stints between charges, all-systems GNSS with dual-frequency, and a simple app that focuses on training load and recovery. It fits small wrists well, and it’s easy to wear all day.

On my early morning tempo runs, the PACE 3’s track navigation helped me stay on a new route without staring at my phone. During a weekend trail race, I switched to dual-frequency GNSS and got smooth tracks in a dense forest where many watches drift. I still had juice left days later. For coros pace 3 vs garmin 245, the real appeal here is efficiency and endurance.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• Up to 17-day smartwatch battery and long GPS life (up to 38 hours)
• All-systems, dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy in tough areas
• Lightweight build (especially with nylon band) and comfy fit
• Training load, running performance, and recovery insights (EvoLab)
• Bread-crumb navigation, barometer, SpO2, sleep tracking, and sport modes

What I Like

• Battery endurance beats most watches in this price range
• GPS tracks are clean in cities and on wooded trails
• Simple button + crown controls; quick to start a workout
• Navigation is easy to follow on runs without a phone
• The app focuses on training data, not fluff, which saves time

What Could Be Better

• Fewer smartwatch features (no NFC pay, limited third-party apps)
• Maps are basic; no full-color cartography
• Music is local file playback only; no native Spotify downloads

My Recommendation

If you value battery, GPS, and training data over smartwatch extras, pick the COROS PACE 3. It’s a strong value and easy to find online.

Best For	Why
Long-distance runners	Battery outlasts most midrange watches
Trail and city runners	Dual-frequency steadies GPS in tricky spots
Data-focused athletes	Clear training load and recovery guidance

Is garmin 245 Good?

It depends—great if you want Garmin’s coaching, safety, and a proven training flow. The Forerunner 245 is best for runners who love Garmin Coach, LiveTrack, and incident detection. Battery is fine for most, but not best-in-class now. It remains a comfortable daily trainer with a known ecosystem.

I used the Garmin 245 for a full training block with Garmin Coach plans. The workouts synced to my wrist and adjusted to my pace. During a night run, I felt better knowing LiveTrack shared my route. In the coros pace 3 vs garmin 245 debate, the 245 still wins on guidance and safety, even if its GPS tech and battery feel older.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• Garmin Coach with adaptive training plans
• Incident detection and LiveTrack safety features
• Training Status, Training Effect, VO2 Max, recovery insights
• Connect IQ apps and data fields; large Garmin ecosystem
• Optional Music edition with offline playlists and Spotify support

What I Like

• Coaching plans are clear, helpful, and beginner-friendly
• Safety tools offer peace of mind on solo runs
• Connect IQ adds flexibility with data fields and apps
• Comfortable fit and stable HR during steady runs
• Simple, readable interface during intervals

What Could Be Better

• Battery life is average by today’s standards
• No dual-frequency GPS; accuracy can drift in urban canyons
• No barometric altimeter; elevation data is less precise

My Recommendation

If you want coaching, safety, and Garmin’s ecosystem, the Forerunner 245 is a smart, affordable pick.

Best For	Why
New or returning runners	Garmin Coach guides you step by step
Safety-focused users	LiveTrack and incident alerts add security
Garmin fans	Connect IQ and familiar Garmin flow

coros pace 3 vs garmin 245: Side-by-Side Test

I ran the same routes, workouts, and daily use routine with both watches. This coros pace 3 vs garmin 245 head-to-head looks at what matters on your wrist: GPS, battery, metrics, comfort, features, and value.

GPS Accuracy & Navigation: Which Tracks Better?

Both track well in open sky. The PACE 3 pulls ahead in dense city blocks and forest trails.

Feature	COROS PACE 3	Garmin 245
GNSS	All-systems + dual-frequency	GPS/GLONASS/Galileo (single-band)
Urban accuracy	Stable, less drift	Good, some corner cutting
Navigation	Bread-crumb with track import	Basic navigation
Elevation	Barometer supports ascent	No barometer; less precise

Rating: PACE 3 – 9/10 | Forerunner 245 – 7/10

“EDGE: COROS PACE 3, thanks to dual-frequency and a barometer for steadier tracks.”

Battery Life: Who Lasts Longer?

On mixed use, the PACE 3 lasts several days more between charges.

Scenario	COROS PACE 3	Garmin 245
Smartwatch mode	Up to ~17 days	About ~7 days
GPS (standard)	Up to ~38 hours	Up to ~24 hours
GPS (heavy city)	Holds strong	Faster drain
Charging frequency	Weekly or less	Every few days

Rating: PACE 3 – 9/10 | Forerunner 245 – 7/10

“EDGE: COROS PACE 3, with clear lead in smartwatch and GPS time.”

Training Tools & Metrics: Which Helps You Improve More?

Both deliver solid metrics; ecosystem and coaching differ.

Tool	COROS PACE 3	Garmin 245
Training load & effect	EvoLab load, recovery	Training Status/Effect, VO2 Max
Coaching	Structured plans, simple	Garmin Coach adaptive plans
Recovery guidance	Clear, practical	Good, with HRV/Pulse Ox support
Ecosystem depth	Lean and focused	Broader with Connect IQ

Rating: PACE 3 – 8/10 | Forerunner 245 – 8/10

“TIE: PACE 3 for clean training load; Garmin 245 for coaching and ecosystem.”

Smart Features & Safety: Which Feels Smarter?

Garmin’s safety and music options stand out; COROS is simpler.

Feature	COROS PACE 3	Garmin 245
Incident detection	No	Yes, with phone
LiveTrack	No	Yes
Music	Local files only	Optional Music model with Spotify
Payments	No	No (on 245)

Rating: PACE 3 – 6/10 | Forerunner 245 – 8/10

“EDGE: Garmin 245, for safety tools and better music options.”

Comfort & Build: Which Is Nicer to Wear?

Both are light; COROS with nylon feels feather-like on long days.

Aspect	COROS PACE 3	Garmin 245
Weight	Very light, esp. with nylon	Light and balanced
Buttons/controls	Crown + buttons, smooth	Five-button Garmin layout
All-day comfort	Excellent	Excellent
Straps	Comfortable nylon/silicone	Comfortable silicone

Rating: PACE 3 – 9/10 | Forerunner 245 – 8/10

“EDGE: COROS PACE 3, slightly lighter and very comfy with nylon band.”

Display & Controls: Which Is Easier to Use?

Both use clear, low-power displays with easy controls.

Item	COROS PACE 3	Garmin 245
Display type	MIP, good in sun	MIP, good in sun
Touch	Touch for maps/widgets	No touch; buttons only
Menus	Simple, fast	Classic Garmin menus
Workout controls	Snappy and clear	Reliable and familiar

Rating: PACE 3 – 8/10 | Forerunner 245 – 8/10

“TIE: Both are easy to read and control during hard efforts.”

Value for Money: Which Is the Better Buy?

Pricing moves, but the PACE 3 often offers newer tech per dollar.

Value Factor	COROS PACE 3	Garmin 245
Battery + GPS tech	Strong at the price	Good, but older
Coaching & safety	Basic	Excellent for cost
Ecosystem	Lean	Rich with Connect IQ
Overall value	High	High if you want coaching

Rating: PACE 3 – 9/10 | Forerunner 245 – 8/10

“EDGE: COROS PACE 3, for modern GPS and battery at a sharp price.”

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

If battery life, modern GPS accuracy, and a featherweight feel are top priorities, go COROS PACE 3. It is the stronger pure running tool today and, in most coros pace 3 vs garmin 245 scenarios, gives more performance per charge.

Choose the Garmin Forerunner 245 if you value Garmin Coach, incident detection, LiveTrack, and the broader ecosystem. For new runners who want guidance and safety, the 245 still delivers a smooth, proven path.

FAQs Of coros pace 3 vs garmin 245

What is the main difference in coros pace 3 vs garmin 245?

The COROS PACE 3 has longer battery life and dual-frequency GPS. The Garmin 245 offers Garmin Coach, LiveTrack, and incident detection. Pick PACE 3 for endurance and accuracy, 245 for coaching and safety.

Which watch is more accurate for city running: coros pace 3 vs garmin 245?

COROS PACE 3. Dual-frequency GNSS handles tall buildings and tricky signals better. The 245 is good, but it can cut corners in dense areas.

For training plans, which is better in coros pace 3 vs garmin 245?

Garmin 245. Garmin Coach is adaptive and very user-friendly. COROS has good structured plans, but Garmin’s coaching and ecosystem feel deeper.

Which lasts longer on a single charge: coros pace 3 vs garmin 245?

COROS PACE 3 by a wide margin. Expect roughly double the smartwatch time and more GPS hours compared to the 245.

Does the Garmin 245 have music and payments compared to the COROS PACE 3?

The 245 has an optional Music version with offline playlists and Spotify support. Neither watch supports contactless payments. The PACE 3 only plays local music files.

This hands-on coros pace 3 vs garmin 245 guide is based on real runs, real training blocks, and day-to-day wear so you can pick the watch that fits your goals today.