Pace 3 wins value and battery; Forerunner 965 dominates features and mapping.
Training for a marathon, I toggled between the coros pace 3 vs garmin 965 for months. Both get me to the finish line, but in very different ways. One shines for price and battery. The other spoils me with an AMOLED screen, maps, and deep metrics. I’ve tested both, daily and in races, and I’ll share what actually matters so you can pick the right watch in the coros pace 3 vs garmin 965 debate.
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…
Garmin Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch,…
Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls and lightweight titanium bezel Battery life: up to 23 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, up…
Is COROS PACE 3 Good?
Yes—especially for runners who want elite tracking without the elite price. The PACE 3 is light, fast, and simple. It nails GPS accuracy and battery life for everyday training and race day. If you value value, the PACE 3 is a smart choice in the coros pace 3 vs garmin 965 conversation.On my early tempo runs, the PACE 3 locked GPS in seconds and kept splits steady. During a hilly trail half, it stayed comfortable and never once made me worry about battery. I uploaded a route, followed breadcrumb navigation, and got to the finish without fiddling. It just works, and that matters.
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
- Lightweight build that disappears on the wrist during long runs.
- Accurate multi-band GNSS with fast lock and stable tracks.
- Reliable battery life (up to weeks in watch mode) for daily training.
- Bread‑crumb navigation with downloadable maps and route guidance.
- On-watch training plans, intervals, and recovery insights.
What I Like
- Price-to-performance is excellent in the coros pace 3 vs garmin 965 matchup.
- Buttons are tactile; easy to use with sweaty hands or gloves.
- Sleep and HR tracking are consistent and easy to read.
- Route import is simple, and breadcrumb navigation is dependable.
- Battery life lets me train for a week plus without recharging.
- COROS app gives clear training load and progress trends.
What Could Be Better
- Screen is not as vivid as AMOLED; outdoor readability is fine, but it lacks wow.
- Music support is basic; no streaming services.
- Metrics are strong, but not as deep as Garmin’s Training Readiness suite.
My Recommendation
If you want a light, accurate, long-lasting watch at a fair price, get the PACE 3. It’s the value winner.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Budget-minded runners | Top-tier GPS and battery at a lower price |
| Daily training | Simple, reliable, and comfortable all day |
| Race day focus | Lightweight with accurate pacing and long battery |
Is Garmin Forerunner 965 Good?
Yes—if you want the most features and a stunning screen. The Forerunner 965 brings an AMOLED display, full-color maps, multi-band GPS, and deep training tools. In the coros pace 3 vs garmin 965 debate, the 965 is the feature king.On a city marathon, I loved the bright map and turn cues. It made crowded turns simple. Training Readiness matched how I felt after a hard block, and it kept me from overcooking sessions. The 965 costs more, but it behaves like a coach and navigator in one. If you want it all, it delivers.
Garmin Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black and Powder Gray, 010-02809-00
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Bright AMOLED touchscreen with crisp maps and data fields.
- Full-color maps with turn-by-turn navigation and POIs.
- Advanced metrics: Training Readiness, HRV, load focus, and recovery.
- Multi-band GNSS for top-tier accuracy in tough environments.
- Smartwatch perks: Garmin Pay, music storage, notifications, safety alerts.
What I Like
- The screen is easy to read at any pace, day or night.
- Maps and routing are best-in-class in coros pace 3 vs garmin 965 comparisons.
- Training guidance curbs overtraining with smart readiness scores.
- Battery still lasts long, even with an AMOLED display.
- Great for triathletes with rich sport profiles and sensors.
What Could Be Better
- Price is high; you pay for features.
- Heavier than PACE 3; you feel it on very long days.
- Menus can be deep; takes time to master.
My Recommendation
Choose the 965 if you want the richest features, best maps, and an amazing screen.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Feature lovers | AMOLED, full maps, advanced training analytics |
| Triathletes and navigators | Multi-sport depth and turn-by-turn guidance |
| Everyday smartwatch users | Music, payments, safety, and notifications |
coros pace 3 vs garmin 965: Side-by-Side Test
I wore both watches for months across easy runs, intervals, long rides, and races. Below is how the coros pace 3 vs garmin 965 shook out when I measured what you actually feel on the wrist.GPS Accuracy & Lock: Which Tracks Better?
Both are strong. I tested in city canyons, trails, and tracks.| Aspect | COROS PACE 3 | Garmin 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Satellite lock speed | Fast in open sky; solid in urban | Very fast; excellent in tough spots |
| Track accuracy | Consistent lines; minor drift on tall buildings | Super tight lines in city canyons |
| Multi-band performance | Strong; great for most runners | Top-tier; best for dense urban/trails |
| Elevation smoothing | Good | Very good |
“Edge: Garmin 965 for the most precise tracks in hard environments.”
Display & Controls: Which Is Easier to Read and Use?
Clarity and speed matter mid-run.| Aspect | COROS PACE 3 | Garmin 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Transflective, always-on, good outdoors | AMOLED, vibrant, touch + buttons |
| Glove/sweat usability | Excellent with buttons | Excellent; touch can be disabled |
| Data readability | Clear, simple fields | Brilliant visibility and color-coded data |
| Customization | Good | Excellent |
“Edge: Garmin 965 for the AMOLED display and customization.”
Training Metrics & Coaching: Who Guides Better?
Coaching tools shape smarter training.| Aspect | COROS PACE 3 | Garmin 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Readiness insights | Recovery time, load basics | Training Readiness, HRV, load, acute/chronic stress |
| Workouts/plans | Strong intervals and plans | Extensive plans with adaptive suggestions |
| Post-run analysis | Clear and simple | Deep, coach-level detail |
| Sensors support | Wide support | Very wide + advanced running dynamics |
“Edge: Garmin 965 for deeper guidance and readiness.”
Battery Life: Who Lasts Longer in Real Use?
Battery matters for training blocks and races.| Aspect | COROS PACE 3 | Garmin 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Daily use | Days to weeks; low drain | Strong for AMOLED; multiple days |
| GPS long run | Comfortably covers a marathon+ | Comfortably covers a marathon+ |
| Charge speed | Quick | Quick |
| Battery anxiety | Almost none | Low, but higher with max features |
“Edge: COROS PACE 3 for longer life per charge in simple use.”
Mapping & Navigation: Who Keeps You on Course?
Maps and guidance can save a workout.| Aspect | COROS PACE 3 | Garmin 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Map detail | Basic maps, breadcrumb routes | Full-color topo, roads, POIs |
| Turn-by-turn | Route guidance, simpler cues | True turn-by-turn navigation |
| Route loading | Easy via app | Easy via app/Wi‑Fi |
| On-wrist clarity | Good | Excellent with AMOLED |
“Edge: Garmin 965 for full-featured mapping and clarity.”
Smartwatch Features: Which Feels Smarter Day to Day?
Everyday tools add convenience outside workouts.| Aspect | COROS PACE 3 | Garmin 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Music | Local file playback only | On-device music + services |
| Payments | No | Garmin Pay |
| Notifications | Basic | Rich, actionable |
| Safety | Limited | Incident detection and LiveTrack |
“Edge: Garmin 965 for full smartwatch convenience.”
Comfort & Build: Which Feels Better Over Hours?
Comfort impacts how often you wear it.| Aspect | COROS PACE 3 | Garmin 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Very light | Light, but heavier than PACE 3 |
| Strap options | Nylon/silicone; very comfy | Silicone; many third‑party options |
| All-day wear | Forget it’s there | Comfortable; you feel it more |
| Durability | Solid for price | Premium build and lens |
“Edge: COROS PACE 3 for featherweight comfort; Garmin feels more premium.”
Value for Money: Where’s the Sweet Spot?
Price versus performance is key in coros pace 3 vs garmin 965 talks.| Aspect | COROS PACE 3 | Garmin 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Affordable | Premium |
| Feature set | Strong essentials | Class-leading |
| Cost to benefit | Excellent | High if you use the features |
| Resale/Support | Good | Very good |
“Edge: COROS PACE 3 for unbeatable value; Garmin wins if you need everything.”
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
For most runners, the COROS PACE 3 is the better value. It’s light, accurate, and lasts long. If you want simple training with low cost and low fuss, choose it in the coros pace 3 vs garmin 965 decision.Pick the Garmin Forerunner 965 if you want the best display, full maps, and deeper training metrics. It’s the premium choice for data lovers, navigators, and triathletes who use advanced features.
FAQs Of coros pace 3 vs garmin 965
What is the main difference between the coros pace 3 vs garmin 965?
The PACE 3 wins on price and battery simplicity. The 965 wins on display, full maps, and advanced training metrics.Which is better for marathon training: coros pace 3 vs garmin 965?
Both work. PACE 3 covers long runs with ease and keeps cost low. The 965 adds Training Readiness and detailed mapping, helpful for structured plans.How is GPS accuracy in coros pace 3 vs garmin 965?
Both are accurate. In the hardest urban areas, the 965’s multi-band system and algorithms hold the line slightly better.Do both support music and payments?
PACE 3 supports local music files only and no payments. The 965 supports on-watch music (including services) and Garmin Pay.Which offers better value in coros pace 3 vs garmin 965?
Value: PACE 3. Features and maps: Garmin 965. Choose based on your needs and budget.
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.
