Coros vs Garmin: I have running watches from both - this is the brand I recommend

You'll likely have looked at Coros vs Garmin fitness trackers if you're a runner, whether you prefer a 3km jog or training for a marathon. Devices from these two brands are among the top running watches, and they have everything you need to improve your fitness and form.

For this guide, I weighed up the new Coros Pace 4 and the Garmin Forerunner 265. Both of these watches offer tracking features for running as well as activities like swimming, cycling, and strength training. In many ways, these watches (which are included on my list of best fitness trackers) are very similar. In others, it's easy to see which one will suit you best.

As woman&home's digital health editor, marathon runner, and keen gym-goer, I put these two running watches to the test to help you find out which one's a better fit. I tested the two side-by-side for two weeks each, across multiple activities and nights of sleep, and spent at least a couple of hours scrolling through the respective apps to get a detailed insight into each one.

Coros vs Garmin

Specifications

Coros vs Garmin: An overview

First things first, these devices are very similar. Coros and Garmin are excellent brands, and as someone who regularly goes to the gym, hikes, runs at least three days a week, and counts their daily steps, I'd be more than happy with the Coros Pace 4 or the Garmin Forerunner 265 on my wrist.

The Coros Pace 4 is an elevated version of the Coros Pace 3, released late last year. It now offers an AMOLED screen, a built-in microphone for voice notes, better on-wrist map features, a flashlight mode, and improved accuracy for GPS and heart rate monitoring. Otherwise, it's very similar to the older model.

It's a smart and simple fitness tracker, suitable for those completely new to fitness trackers and those who've already made their way through the best Fitbits and want an upgrade. Though it specialises in running (with Trail, Track, Indoor, and Run workout modes), there are other profiles you can use that feed into your activity and fitness scores. While it might not be as advanced as the Garmin Forerunner 265s, it also doesn't come with the same heavy price tag.

The Garmin Forerunner 265s is my favourite running watch for those who already have a few miles under their belts. Total beginners could benefit more from the cheaper Forerunner 165. Much like the Coros watch, it focuses on running with insights oriented towards the miles (or kilometres) run per week and fitness gained from these. Garmin is the established brand of the two, having been around since 1989, so it also has a plethora of supporting features, including new nutrition tracking software.

Coros vs Garmin: Design

There's no getting away from the fact that the Garmin and Coros devices are fitness trackers. While some Fitbit types and Huawei devices can be disguised as bracelets or regular watches, the Forerunner 165 and Pace 3 have a stand-out plastic casing and rugged design. Both have a bright AMOLED screen, so it's visible in all light and weather conditions, a touchscreen, and manual control options with a scrollable crown and button on the side of the watch face, making them easy to navigate on your wrist.

The Coros Pace 4 is slightly sleeker than the Garmin Forerunner 265, which feels bulkier on the wrist in comparison, even in the smaller size.

Both watches feel durable enough to wear every day, and in all weather conditions, being waterproof enough for showering and swimming.

Winner: Very similar - but Coros Pace 4 is smaller

Logging your activity on Coros vs Garmin

When tracking a workout on either device, you'll always be able to see your data on your wrist. For example, when out running, you'll see your heart rate, the heart rate zone you're in (1, 2, 3, or 4), distance, pace, lap time, and more. The Garmin Forerunner 265 is very similar, with an easy-to-navigate interface and a clear display. When your workout is over, your data will automatically upload into the respective apps (Garmin Connect and Coros), with even more insights to browse through.

There are plenty of workout profiles (including several running modes) to choose from on both devices, including yoga, Pilates, water sports, and racket sports, alongside typical cardio alternatives.

Both apps are easy to use, too, with the data clearly readable at the touch of a button. Along with all the data you see on your wrist, you'll get deeper insights for sports like running, including efficiency, vertical oscillation, and cadence on both watches. These are advanced insights, and I was surprised by the level of detail on the Coros Pace 4 given the price.

If you're new to running, I'd recommend the Coros over the Garmin as the Coros app offers unique, easy-to-understand explanations on what each metric means, whereas the Garmin app just delivers the information.

Winner: Coros

Tracking your fitness on Coros vs Garmin

On the Coros Pace 4, you'll see your Training Load (a numbered representation of the strain on your body), Running Fitness, Training Status (a seven-day review of your training), and Recovery (a percentage out of 100)

Together, you'll have to use these to make your own deductions about how far you should push your body, whereas on the Garmin, you'll get a complete Training Readiness Score, along with insights similar to the above.

Training Readiness is a number from 1 to 100 and a colour that reveals whether you should push yourself harder in your workouts or take a rest day, using your activity, recovery, HRV, and sleep data. I've found this is a more accurate and clearer picture of how my body is coping with my running and other workouts, and it leaves nothing up to interpretation.

Winner: Garmin

GPS and maps

One big, underrated difference between a running watch and a regular fitness tracker is map features. With on-wrist maps, you can design a route in the app, upload it to your phone, and follow it on your wrist. This helped me get onto new routes in my local area, and stay organised and consistent as I could plan how many kilometres I'd be running in a round-trip.

While I love the simple route map on the Coros Pace 4 and it's enough for me, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is miles ahead in this department. You'll be able to see other map features, such as street names not on your pre-planned route as you move, which I've found to be more useful than the breadcrumb trail that you follow on the Pace 4.

Winner: Garmin

Sleep tracking on Coros vs Garmin

The sleep insights offered on the Coros vs Garmin devices are almost identical - except when it comes to accuracy. Overall, I've found that the Garmin Forerunner 265 offers more insights and is more accurate in tracking nightly sleep than the Coros Pace 4.

Don't get me wrong, both devices offer useful data on sleep habits, recording how long you slept and the quality of that sleep, with insights into how much REM, light, and deep sleep you had. You can also record your naps on either device, adding up to your recovery and sleep total for the day. Tap into the widget on the respective apps and you'll see an even clearer breakdown (as pictured), including the moments you were 'awake' during the night and a seven-day average.

However, I've found the Garmin Forerunner 265 to be very accurate in automatically recording when I fell asleep and when I woke up, but the Coros Pace 4 less so. Sometimes when I've woken up in the morning, moved around (read: made a cup of tea), and gone back to bed, the Coros will read all that time as sleep. The Forerunner 165 recognises that I've woken up and haven't gone back to sleep when I sit down again. Most of the time, this isn't an issue, though, as once you get up and move around for a longer period, the Coros recognises you're awake. It just slightly skews your sleep time on average to be higher.

While both brands prioritise sleep as a means of recovery, they don't have the same insights as the Oura Ring 4, my favourite sleep tracker, and other recovery-focused brands provide.

Winner: Garmin

Health tracking on Coros vs Garmin

Overnight HRV is perhaps one of the most interesting (and useful) metrics for health tracking on the Garmin Forerunner 265 and Coros Pace 4. However, while I've always known the value of HRV, I only became interested in it when I was testing the Coros Pace 4, as it's so visible on the watch. Scroll down using the touchscreen or the crown, and you'll see your overnight HRV from your last night of recorded sleep.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 also has this feature. It's just not as visible on your wrist. You have to go into the app to see it, and it's not as clearly laid out but if you know what you're looking for, you'll find it.

Neither the Garmin Forerunner 265 nor the Coros Pace 4 offer an electrocardiogram (ECG), which may help pick up (but not diagnose) signs of heart rhythm abnormalities. Looking for better health features? I'd recommend the Garmin Venu 3s.

Winner: Either, both offer similar features

Coros vs Garmin: Smartwatch features

Neither Garmin nor Coros have smartwatch features as a priority. You'll have to go to the newest Apple Watch for that. The Pace 4 and Forerunner 265 value fitness insights and recovery metrics above lifestyle features.

Of the two, Garmin wins out. You can pay for your post-run coffee with a tap of Garmin Pay on your wrist and control music from platforms like Spotify and Amazon Music in your exercise headphones with the touch of a button. You can also receive texts, calls, and alerts on your wrist when the watch is paired with your phone.

You can also receive notifications on the Coros Pace 4 and control the shutter of your camera, which is useful for taking timed photos, and connect to your headphones when they are linked to your phone to play music. There's no direct streaming service access, so you'll need to take your phone with you. You could leave your phone at home with the Garmin Forerunner 265.

Winner: Garmin

Coros vs Garmin: Price

The Coros Pace 3 is currently £229 directly from the retailer. The Garmin Forerunner 265 retails for about £379.99 on Amazon at the time of writing, depending on your colour choice.

While the price tag looks very different, I don't think it's an accurate reflection of what you get for your money. The Coros Pace 4 is excellent value, containing many features and drilling down into data otherwise only seen on far-pricier watches (including the best Garmin watch), such as the Training Status and mapping features.

If you want to spend less on your pick of Coros vs Garmin, take a look at the Coros Pace 3 or the Garmin sale for more.

Winner: Coros

Coros Pace 4: £229 at coros.avln.me

While I haven't spotted any deals on this watch yet, at under £230, it certainly comes in on the lower end of the price spectrum for a top-tier running watch.

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Garmin Forerunner 265: £379.99 at Amazon

Almost £150 more expensive is the Garmin Forerunner 265, but if it's the best running watch you're after, then it may be worth the extra spend.

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Coros vs Garmin: Which one is better for women?

It's clear that the Garmin Forerunner 265 is the superior, technically better watch for logging activities, tracking fitness, and navigating outdoor workouts. It's also a smartwatch. However, the £370+ price tag makes my eyes water a little, considering that the Coros Pace 4 is significantly cheaper and, for most people, will offer more than enough data and insights to help them improve their fitness.

If you have the budget and you love browsing data, spend on the Forerunner 265. If you're looking to make progress with your running, with money left over for a new pair of the best workout leggings and a sports bra, then the Coros Pace 4 is a no-brainer.

Overall winner: Depends on your budget