All-around high quality
Garmin gave the Forerunner 255 most of its finest operating instruments, from dual-frequency monitoring and wrist-based operating dynamics to restoration recs and coaching load focus. It has wonderful battery life and loads of knowledge the 245 lacked. Understand that you may must pay further for music storage and wi-fi.
For
- Two measurement choices
- Devoted up/down buttons
- ANT+ assist
- Higher glass safety
- Extra sturdy software program (security, tap-to-pay, urged exercises)
Towards
- Costlier, esp for Music model
- Shorter battery life
- No customized marathon plans, Coaching Readiness
Reasonably priced excellence
A $230 operating watch should not be this good, however COROS selected to not maintain again with regards to the PACE 3. All the model’s coaching instruments can be found right here, although COROS’ finest nonetheless misses some issues in comparison with a compromised Forerunner 255. Total, it is petite, long-lasting, and really dependable, and also you get the identical music storage and wi-fi that Garmin calls for an additional $50 for.
For
- Lighter and longer-lived
- Crown and touchscreen
- Amazingly reasonably priced
- Higher battery life
- Glorious EvoLab coaching instruments
Towards
- Design seems to be low-cost and small
- Lacking some non-running software program Garmin has
- GPS will be barely much less correct
Operating watches have gotten extra feature-packed and costly in recent times, particularly as extra health manufacturers swap away from battery-saving memory-in-pixel (MIP) shows to vivid AMOLEDs. For long-distance runners that want epic battery life at an inexpensive value, you may have two wonderful choices: the Garmin Forerunner 255 or the COROS PACE 3.
As the one who reviewed each the Forerunner 255 and COROS PACE 3, I wholeheartedly endorse them each when it comes to high quality, and so they’re really fairly comparable when it comes to what they provide. Maybe the most important distinction, although, is that the PACE 3 prices considerably much less — particularly since you must pay further for the Forerunner 255 Music to get the identical music storage and wi-fi the PACE 3 has.
Is there a purpose to spend extra for that patented Garmin high quality, or do you have to save your self the cash with COROS for the same expertise? I am right here to reply that query! Here is what you could know concerning the Garmin Forerunner 255 vs. COROS PACE 3!
Garmin Forerunner 255 vs. COROS PACE 3: Design and show
Why you possibly can belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you possibly can select the most effective for you. Discover out extra about how we check.
Class | Garmin Forerunner 255 | COROS PACE 3 |
---|---|---|
Show | 1.3-inch (260×260) or 1.1-inch (218×218) Reminiscence-in-Pixel non-touch show | 1.2-inch (240×240) Reminiscence-in-Pixel touchscreen |
Supplies | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
Safety | 5ATM, Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass |
Dimensions | 45.6 x 45.6 x 12.9mm (255) or 41 x 41 x 12.4mm (255S) | 41.9 x 41.9 x 13mm |
Weight | 49g (255) or 39g (255S) | 30g (nylon) or 38g (silicone) |
Bands | 22mm or 18mm | 22mm |
Colours | 255: Tidal Blue, Slate Grey; 255S: Gentle Pink, Powder Grey; 255 Music/ 255S Music: Whitestone, Black | White, Black, Monitor Version (Purple), Eliud Kipchoge Version (multicolored) |
The 1.2-inch COROS PACE 3 falls proper in between the 1.3-inch Forerunner 255 and 1.1-inch 255S in measurement. Selecting Garmin’s watch offers you extra flexibility, however it’s finest if you happen to want a bigger show measurement. For small-wristed runners, the PACE 3 is similar weight because the 255S with a bigger show and silicone strap; if you happen to select the nylon strap, it is barely above 1oz, making it even much less noticeable whereas operating.
Each watches are product of fiber-reinforced polymer — arduous, sturdy plastic, in different phrases — and neither is very enticing. These watches are finest suited to the observe or path open air the place daylight makes MIP shows extra readable; you may must up the brightness of the backlight to make both watch readable indoors for notifications.
By way of model, the COROS PACE 3 has extra enjoyable with colourful bands; I want I had the multi-colored Eliud Kipchoge Version or bright-red Monitor Version as an alternative of the uninteresting Black PACE 3. The small, rounded watch design makes it look low-cost throughout the board, however at the least these variants are enjoyable to have a look at.
With the Forerunner 255, most variations are Black, White, or Grey with a extra severe, mono-color look; you possibly can at the least get Tidal Blue or Gentle Pink, however you are restricted by which show measurement you need or whether or not you want music storage or not. Whereas the 255 itself is way heavier, you may very well want that, whereas the PACE 3 seems to be very small on bigger wrists like mine.
Finally, your resolution will come all the way down to how you are feeling concerning the PACE 3’s rotating crown and touchscreen in comparison with Garmin’s patented five-button format.
Some runners want having devoted up/down buttons that you may intentionally press, even when it is slower than a crown as a result of it isn’t at all times clear how far to show it with a dial. I famous that it’s “pretty comfy to make use of” in my evaluate, “with a pleasant tactile vibration by the watch each time you flip it.” I additionally famous that it is fairly compact in comparison with different crowns, which implies it isn’t as straightforward to show but in addition does not push into your wrist whenever you bend it for workout routines.
With the Forerunner 255, I complained in my evaluate that the buttons had been “squishier than previous Garmin watches I’ve examined,” which means I would press them and never at all times have it register till I obtained used to urgent them overly arduous. You are additionally totally depending on the buttons, whereas the Forerunner 265 or Forerunner 955 has the choice of a touchscreen; I by no means use this throughout runs however want having the choice for informal use.
Garmin Forerunner 255 vs. COROS PACE 3: Sensors and battery life
Class | Garmin Forerunner 255 | COROS PACE 3 |
---|---|---|
Sensors | HRM, SpO2, accelerometer, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, thermometer | HRM, SpO2, accelerometer, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, temperature, put on detection |
Monitoring | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO; All-systems & dual-frequency GPS; SatIQ mode | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS; All-systems & dual-frequency GPS |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi (Music model solely) | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Music storage | 4GB (Music model solely) | 4GB |
Battery (smartwatch) | 14 days (255); 12 (255S) | 17 days |
Battery (GPS) | 30 hours (255); 26 (255S) | 41 hours |
Battery (All-GNSS) | 25 hours (255); 20 (255S) | 25 hours |
Battery (Twin-frequency GPS) | 16 hours (255); 13 (255S) | 15 hours |
In the case of important {hardware}, the COROS PACE 3 and Forerunner 255 Music — observe the “Music” distinction — are very comparable.
Each watches are able to hyper-accurate monitoring with each dual-frequency GPS and a number of GNSS methods concurrently. Though the PACE 3 trounces the Forerunner 255 for GPS-only battery, my guess is that you simply will not use that setting usually; as an alternative, for all-systems or dual-frequency monitoring that you may really rely on, they’re both similar or inside one hour of one another.
For those who’re contemplating the Forerunner 255S, nonetheless, you get a downgraded battery life throughout the board. It is one other little bit of proof that the PACE 3 is the higher small operating watch.
COROS tends to hook up with satellites barely sooner, and you may really examine the energy of your satellite tv for pc sign if you want. By way of precise accuracy, COROS has been barely extra inaccurate in comparison with Garmin in my restricted testing however nonetheless does very effectively. Even when my mapped location on a observe is not in the fitting lane, I nonetheless get correct distance outcomes, which is actually all that issues.
With the Forerunner 255, you possibly can choose SatIQ mode, which auto-selects a particular satellite tv for pc mode primarily based on sign energy and solely makes use of the battery-guzzling dual-frequency mode if you happen to’re someplace the place it is necessary. Garmin did not present a battery life estimate for this mode, however it ought to give the Forerunner 255 a couple of hours’ edge.
As for normal idle mode, the PACE 3 does add an additional three days of battery, although the hole narrows to simply in the future if you happen to allow the brand new HRV stress monitoring mode. Usually talking, you’ll keep away from frequent recharging with these watches, and their battery lives beat many of the AMOLED operating watches on the market.
Extra usually, each watches provide each an accelerometer and gyroscope for correct exercise and step monitoring. The included altimeter is important for runners who care about correct knowledge when coaching at elevation, and never all watches within the PACE 3’s value vary have one. And also you get a compass, so if you wish to observe an offline GPX map, you are able to do so.
The Forerunner 255 has one area of interest upside: It is the one watch to hook up with ANT+ equipment within the uncommon case you purchase one that does not assist Bluetooth connectivity. This primarily issues for fitness center gear or bike equipment.
Then again, the usual 255 lacks a Wi-Fi antenna, whereas the PACE 3 does assist this. When you technically can add knowledge or obtain updates over Bluetooth, a direct wi-fi connection does actually repay for saving you time.
For those who purchase the Forerunner 255 Music, you get Wi-Fi assist and 4GB of music storage, the identical because the PACE 3. Garmin does win right here in a single particular approach: For those who subscribe to Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer, you possibly can obtain playlists from every respective app. In any other case, you may must add your personal music recordsdata to both watch or simply accept playback controls to your telephone’s playlist.
Garmin Forerunner 255 vs. COROS PACE 3: Health and software program
Class | Garmin Forerunner 255 | COROS PACE 3 |
---|---|---|
Customized exercises | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Exercises and plans | Each day urged exercises, Garmin Coach, coaching plans | Coaching plans, customized marathon plan, COROS coaches e mail |
Operating knowledge | Coaching load, coaching load focus, acute load, coaching impact, VO2 Max, restoration time, grade-adjusted tempo, efficiency situation, race predictor, depth minutes | Coaching Load, base health, load influence, fatigue, coaching impact, restoration timer, 4-week depth distribution, operating efficiency, race predictor, VO2 Max, threshold zones, coaching focus |
Wrist-based operating dynamics | ✔️ | ❌ (solely with Pod accent) |
Faucet-to-pay | ✔️ | ❌ |
Navigation | Level-to-point, breadcrumb, Tracback, Up Forward, Distance to Vacation spot, Elevation profile, Solar and Moon data | Flip-by-turn / breadcrumb, elevation profile, distance to vacation spot, real-time GPS coordinates, deviate alerts, checkpoints |
Customized programs in app | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Sleep/ vitality knowledge | Physique Battery, sleep rating and insights, nap detection, all-day stress knowledge | Nightly sleep phases, all-day stress knowledge |
Well being knowledge | Resting coronary heart fee, excessive/low HR warnings, respiration fee, rest reminders, Well being Snapshot, ladies’s well being monitoring | Resting coronary heart fee, Wellness Test |
Security | Incident detection, Livetrack | ❌ |
Suitable Third-party apps | Newbie Triathlete, Concept2, Fetcheveryone, Remaining Surge, Komoot, MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal, Nike+, Noom, RunKeeper, Runcoach, Slopes, Strava, TrainingPeaks, Virgin Pulse, Weight Watchers, Sure.Match, Zwift | Nike Run Membership, Komoot, TrainingPeaks, Strava, Relive, adidas Operating, Apple Well being, Stryd, Remaining Surge, Runalyze, Operating Quotient, Decathlon |
Sports activities modes | 54: Operating, Out of doors Monitor Operating, Path Operating, Extremely Operating, Treadmill Operating, Indoor Monitor Operating, Digital Operating, Mountain climbing, Strolling, Pilates, Yoga, Power, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Coaching, Stair Stepping, Ground Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Triathlon, Biking, Mountain Biking, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Tennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Desk Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball, Snowboarding, Snowboarding, XC Traditional Snowboarding, Basketball, Volleyball, Discipline Hockey, Ice Hockey, Soccer/Soccer, American Soccer, Lacrosse, Rugby, Final Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball, Boxing, Blended Martial Arts, Inline skating | 24: Run, Indoor Run, Monitor Run, Path Run, Hike, Bike, Indoor Bike, Open Water, Pool Swim, Flatwater, Rowing, Ski, Snowboard, XC Ski, GPS Cardio, Gymnasium Cardio, Stroll, Triathlon, Multisport, Indoor Rower, Leap Rope, Power, Coaching, Coaching Plan |
Right here we come to the portion of the Garmin Forerunner 255 vs. COROS PACE 3, the place Garmin justifies the additional price.
Strictly with regards to operating coaching, Garmin Join and COROS EvoLab are very comparable. In both case, you possibly can create a customized exercise or map and add it to your watch, then observe the route or have your watch buzz your wrist if you happen to’re operating too quick or sluggish. Each manufacturers provide customized coaching plans you possibly can obtain to your watch’s calendar, with goal race lengths or paces for any means degree.
After a exercise, both watch will describe the exercise’s coaching impact when it comes to cardio or anaerobic exercise, plus your present and long-term coaching load. You may understand how lengthy it’s best to relaxation and recuperate primarily based on the run’s depth and your VO2 Max degree.
That is all effectively and good, however the Forerunner 255 is extra well-rounded, even when it is no Venu 3 with regards to mainstream instruments. You get security monitoring options, a sleep rating proven throughout a cute Morning Report widget, and a Physique Battery rating. It has greater than double the exercise modes for cross-training and different instruments too quite a few to checklist right here.
COROS has improved as a model in current months with regards to smarts. Since November 2023, it is added custom-made marathon coaching plans, HRV stress monitoring, a climate widget, turn-by-turn navigation, a operating type check (with an non-compulsory Pod), and a wellness examine instrument to the PACE 3 (and different watches just like the APEX 2). It is simply clear that, in some ways, it is taking part in catch-up with Garmin.
If I needed to spotlight three particular Garmin instruments I miss with COROS, I would say Physique Battery, each day urged exercises, and tap-to-pay. Even when I do not normally observe them, I like how urged exercises change primarily based on my fatigue, coaching load focus, and health degree; and whereas I personally use my telephone’s NFC funds, it is necessary to have the choice in case your telephone dies after a future.
Additionally, whereas I personally do not pay a lot consideration to operating type evaluation, solely the Forerunner 255 helps wrist-based outcomes; the PACE 3 offers you operating energy by default however wants an non-compulsory Pod accent for superior metrics.
My one spotlight for COROS is its customized marathon coaching plan characteristic. Garmin Coach focuses on 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons, leaving marathoners to make use of extra inflexible coaching plans; COROS’ instrument pulls from previous exercise knowledge and allows you to regulate your depth and goal time earlier than getting a 16-week calendar of exercises.
Lastly, it is a disgrace {that a} $350–400 watch just like the Forerunner 255 is having Coaching Readiness withheld from it when so lots of the different finest Garmin watches throughout the Forerunner and Intuition lineup obtained it. It is a actually helpful metric that might give it an extra edge over the PACE 3, however Garmin continues to refuse to port the characteristic. COROS does not maintain something again from the PACE 3 simply to make its pricier watches look extra tempting.
Garmin Forerunner 255 vs. COROS PACE 3: Which do you have to purchase?
In comparison with the finest health watches, neither the Forerunner 255 nor the PACE 3 are particularly good or feature-rich. In comparison with smartwatches, they’re very fundamental and lack correct apps or colourful shows. And whereas they’re effectively past what an entry-level operating watch would provide, they lack probably the most intense instruments you’d get with, say, the Forerunner 955, like real-time stamina or a Hill Rating for elevation coaching.
Nonetheless, most of those different choices have a lot worse battery life and inflated costs, and plenty of runners see “smarts” as a distraction. Both the Forerunner 255 or PACE 3 will maintain issues centered in your marathon coaching, with some well being monitoring thrown in, and so they will not price an excessive amount of — particularly the PACE 3.
If I needed to suggest one, I would level you to the PACE 3, just because I feel a number of long-time Garmin customers will default to the Forerunner 255 as a result of they’re comfy with the Garmin ecosystem. If you wish to step exterior your consolation zone, the PACE 3 has only a few downsides apart from its toy-like design and particular options like Garmin Livetrak that, whereas good to have, most individuals hardly ever use.
All-around high quality
Select the Forerunner 255 if you’d like the most important doable show, particular sports activities modes or software program instruments that COROS lacks, and do not essentially want music storage. Do not buy it if you’d like options the extra superior Garmin Forerunners have, and think about the PACE 3 as an alternative of the 255S.
Reasonably priced excellence
Select the COROS PACE 3 if you wish to begin bettering your operating coaching however do not wish to spend tons of cash to do it — or if you’d like music storage for practically half the value because the 255. Do not select it if you’d like each day exercise solutions, tap-to-pay, stay monitoring for security, or different particular instruments Garmin presents.