Coros Pace 3 Review

The Coros Pace 3 continues to lead the competition at an entry-level price point. If we had to recommend just one product to suit the most users and budgets, it would be this one. 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.

With its entry-level price, you can expect fewer premium materials, but we were still impressed with the durability. Unfortunately, in the GPS watch world, a rugged design also comes with an increased price. Route navigation on the Pace 3 is useful, but we still prefer doing most of our navigation on a cellphone. The addition of the touch screen is also nice, but a rolling crown and dedicated buttons continue to be our favorite overall. Still, if you are in the market for a GPS watch with a current but minimal feature set and don't want to pay top dollar, you've found your match.

Performance Comparison

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 new features like a touch screen, music downloads, and breadcrumb mapping (also available on Pace 2). 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 both its health and GPS tracking and the 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.

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 where 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 due to the simple fact that 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 we found no influence on the battery. Another plus is the ability of the watch to quickly charge, taking less than 2 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.

Ease of Use

Due to the simplistic nature of this model, using the watch is fairly straightforward. Customization can be done in the phone companion app, which is well-designed and our favorite behind the Apple Health app. The Coros app is more user-friendly and less cluttered than the Garmin Connect app, which continues to feel dated. Most of the Pace 3 can be controlled using the scroll wheel or touch screen, which now can be used throughout the device. The singular dedicated backlight button is useful, and a long press opens various tools. UI across all Coros watches is the same, so if you are coming from a previous model, the switch will be seamless.

When comparing the Pace 3 to more premium models, there is some loss of functionality. For example, we prefer having multiple buttons, which allows for various hotkey actions like controlling music or starting an alarm or timer. While these additional features make other devices easier to use, we think you could argue that the Pace is the most simple and straightforward watch out of all we have tested.

Accuracy

During our latest round of testing, we found that the updated HR monitor on the Pace 3 is incredibly accurate, almost matching nighttime HR readings (+/- 2BPM) to our top performers. We also tested deep in the canyons of Utah, where the Pace performed as well as you'd hope, often only having accuracy issues when losing satellite under deep canyon walls or in cave-like overhangs. Acquiring a satellite connection was quick, even when traveling to new areas, which generally creates more delay than your more frequented areas.

Because this watch has a small footprint on your wrist, it should be easy to get a great fit, something that can be more challenging with larger wrists. Keep in mind that the HR monitor is easily influenced by bumpy trail conditions or a loose fit, and those with tattoos may have poor readings. The data and accuracy behind SpO2 readings, HRV, and other metrics are still up for debate, so we'd recommend focusing on the HR readings and leaving a bit of skepticism regarding any of the more technical metrics.

Design

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. At this price point, we are impressed with the quality, but we do feel there could be some subtle changes, especially when coming out with a new-generation watch.

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 more premium 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 955, which offers a great blend of performance and value. If you are after smartphone integration, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers the best user experience and feature set. For the most serious athletes who perform in technical terrain, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar is where it's at.