Coros Pace 3 Vs. Garmin Forerunner 265: A Runner’s Take On Two Stellar Watches

I’ve been lacing up my running shoes for years, chasing personal bests and exploring new trails. As a runner, I know a good GPS watch can make or break your training. So, when I heard the buzz about the Coros Pace 3 and Garmin Forerunner 265, I had to put them head-to-head.

My goal?

To help you decide which watch fits your running style, budget, and needs. This article breaks down their features, pros, cons, and real-world performance, giving you a clear picture of what each offers.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Journey With GPS Watches

I’ve been running for over a decade, from city streets to mountain trails, and I’ve worn my fair share of GPS watches. They’ve tracked my 5Ks, marathons, and even those brutal hill sprints.

The Coros Pace 3 and Garmin Forerunner 265 caught my attention because they’re both aimed at runners like me—people who want reliable data without breaking the bank. I tested both watches for weeks, wearing them on runs, to the gym, and even to bed to see how they stack up in real life.

Let’s break it down.

Design and Build Comparison of Coros Pace 3 And Garmin Forerunner 265

When I slip on a running watch, I want it to feel like an extension of my wrist—not a clunky gadget.

The Coros Pace 3 is a featherweight at 30 grams with its nylon strap, making it one of the lightest sports watches I’ve ever worn.

It’s got a sleek, minimalist vibe, available in black, white, or red.

The 1.2-inch MIP LCD screen is crisp enough for sunny runs, and the single 42mm size fits most wrists comfortably.

The fiber polymer case feels a bit plasticky, but it’s durable for daily wear.

The Garmin Forerunner 265, on the other hand, comes in two sizes—46mm (47g) and the smaller 265S (39g). I tested the 265S for its closer size match to the Pace 3. Its AMOLED display (1.1 inches on the 265S, 1.3 inches on the 265) pops with vibrant colors, making it feel like a premium smartwatch.

The silicone strap and slightly contoured design hug the wrist well, though it’s noticeably heavier than the Coros. The Garmin’s five-button setup feels more intuitive to me than the Coros’ two-button-plus-crown combo, especially during sweaty runs when touchscreens can be finicky.

• Pros (Coros Pace 3): Lightweight, comfortable for all-day wear, durable despite plastic feel.
• Cons (Coros Pace 3): Plastic build lacks premium vibe, crown navigation can feel clunky.
• Pros (Garmin 265): Sleek design, vibrant AMOLED screen, two size options.
• Cons (Garmin 265): Heavier than Coros, AMOLED drains battery faster.

Display: Clarity Vs. Color

I’m picky about watch displays—nothing’s worse than squinting at your pace mid-run. The Coros Pace 3’s 1.2-inch MIP LCD screen is designed for battery efficiency and sunlight readability.

It’s not as flashy as an AMOLED, but it gets the job done.

I could easily read my pace and heart rate in bright daylight, and the touchscreen (which you can disable) is handy for quick swipes.

Custom watch faces, like a retro ’90s design I loved, add some personality.

The Garmin 265’s AMOLED screen is a showstopper.

With 416×416 resolution (360×360 on the 265S), it’s sharp, colorful, and easy to read in any light. I found myself glancing at it just to admire the clarity.

However, the always-on mode chews through battery life, and I noticed occasional lag when using the touchscreen during runs. Garmin’s Connect IQ store offers more watch face options, but I found many of them underwhelming compared to Coros’ creative designs.

• Pros (Coros Pace 3): MIP LCD saves battery, great sunlight readability, fun watch faces.
• Cons (Coros Pace 3): Less vibrant than AMOLED, lower resolution.
• Pros (Garmin 265): Stunning AMOLED display, high resolution, touchscreen responsiveness.
• Cons (Garmin 265): Always-on mode drains battery, some watch faces feel generic.

Battery Life: The Endurance Test

Battery life is a dealbreaker for me. I don’t want to charge my watch every other day, especially during marathon training. The Coros Pace 3 is a beast here, lasting up to 24 days in smartwatch mode and 38 hours in standard GPS mode (15 hours with dual-band).

I took it on a 20-mile long run with dual-band GPS and still had 60% battery left. Even with daily runs and sleep tracking, I charged it once every two weeks.

The Garmin 265 holds its own but can’t match the Coros. It offers 13 days (265) or 15 days (265S) in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in standard GPS mode (14 hours with dual-band). If you’re streaming music, that drops to 6 hours.

I found myself charging it every 5-7 days with regular use, which is solid but not Coros-level impressive. Both watches use proprietary chargers, but I prefer Garmin’s brand-wide connector over Coros’ unique one, which feels like a hassle to replace.

• Pros (Coros Pace 3): Exceptional battery life, ideal for ultra-runners, minimal charging needed.
• Cons (Coros Pace 3): Proprietary charger isn’t universal.
• Pros (Garmin 265): Respectable battery life, consistent across sizes.
• Cons (Garmin 265): Shorter battery life than Coros, music playback drains fast.

GPS And Tracking Accuracy: Keeping You On Course

As a runner in a city with tall buildings, I need GPS that doesn’t flake out.

Both watches use dual-frequency GPS, which is a game-changer for urban environments.

I tested them on a 10K route with twists and turns, and both locked onto satellites quickly.

The Coros Pace 3 slightly outperformed the Garmin, sticking closer to course markers and recording a distance nearer to 10K.

The Garmin occasionally lagged on sharp corners, but its SatIQ mode (which auto-adjusts GPS settings) helped conserve battery without sacrificing much accuracy.

Heart rate tracking is another critical metric. I compared both watches to a Polar H10 chest strap during interval sessions. The Coros Pace 3’s updated optical sensor was impressively accurate, rarely deviating more than 2-3 bpm from the strap.

The Garmin 265 was equally reliable but shone with continuous 24/7 heart rate monitoring, unlike the Coros’ default 10-minute intervals outside workouts. Both support heart rate variability (HRV), but Garmin’s data felt more actionable for recovery insights.

• Pros (Coros Pace 3): Lightning-fast GPS lock, excellent accuracy, reliable HR sensor.
• Cons (Coros Pace 3): Intermittent HR monitoring outside workouts.
• Pros (Garmin 265): Solid GPS with SatIQ, continuous HR, detailed recovery metrics.
• Cons (Garmin 265): Slightly less accurate GPS in tricky environments.

Training Features: Your Personal Coach

I love a watch that feels like a coach on my wrist. The Coros Pace 3 offers robust training tools: VO2 max estimates, race predictors, and training load analysis. I found its training hub intuitive, letting me preview entire plans on the Coros website.

It’s great for self-coached runners who want straightforward data. However, it lacks the depth of Garmin’s ecosystem, like third-party app support or advanced biomechanical metrics.

The Garmin 265 is a data nerd’s dream. Features like Training Readiness, Body Battery, and PacePro pacing plans gave me actionable insights. For example, Training Readiness told me when to push or rest based on sleep and stress, which helped me avoid overtraining.

The Connect IQ store lets you add apps like Strava, but I found Garmin’s built-in training plans less flexible than Coros’, only showing a week at a time. Both watches support over 20 sports modes, but Garmin’s yoga and cycling metrics feel more polished.

• Pros (Coros Pace 3): Intuitive training hub, great for self-coached runners, comprehensive sports modes.
• Cons (Coros Pace 3): Lacks third-party app support, fewer advanced metrics.
• Pros (Garmin 265): Rich training features, actionable recovery insights, Connect IQ store.
• Cons (Garmin 265): Training plans less flexible, app ecosystem can feel cluttered.

Comparison of Smart Features of Coros Pace 3 And Garmin Forerunner 265

I don’t expect a running watch to rival my smartphone, but a few smart features are nice. The Coros Pace 3 keeps it basic: notifications for calls and messages, plus 4GB for MP3 uploads.

I had to drag and drop music via a computer, which felt like a chore.

There’s no app store, so you’re stuck with Coros’ ecosystem, which is functional but limited.

The Garmin 265 feels like a proper smartwatch.

It supports Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music streaming (8GB storage), so I could leave my phone behind on runs.

Garmin Pay lets you make contactless payments, though compatibility varies by bank.

Notifications are more interactive—you can respond to texts directly from the watch. The Connect IQ store adds apps and watch faces, but I found the interface a bit busy compared to Coros’ streamlined approach.

• Pros (Coros Pace 3): Simple notifications, music playback (MP3s), Wi-Fi for updates.
• Cons (Coros Pace 3): No streaming services, no app store, basic smart features.
• Pros (Garmin 265): Streaming music, Garmin Pay, robust notifications, app store.
• Cons (Garmin 265): Busy interface, Garmin Pay not universal.

Navigation and Outdoor Use

I often venture off-road, so navigation matters. The Coros Pace 3 offers breadcrumb-style routes with turn-by-turn directions, but it lacks full maps. I found it sufficient for planned routes but frustrating when I needed to improvise.

Its altimeter and pulse oximeter are handy for high-altitude runs, and the 5 ATM water resistance held up during swims.

The Garmin 265 also lacks maps (you’d need the 965 for that), but its navigation is slightly more robust, with better offline caching for spotty signal areas. It’s equally water-resistant and supports a wide range of outdoor activities, but I missed the pulse oximeter for altitude training.

Both performed well in open-water swims, though the Coros edged out slightly in GPS accuracy.

• Pros (Coros Pace 3): Breadcrumb navigation, pulse oximeter, excellent swim tracking.
• Cons (Coros Pace 3): No full maps, limited rerouting.
• Pros (Garmin 265): Better offline caching, versatile outdoor modes.
• Cons (Garmin 265): No maps, no pulse oximeter.

Software aAnd Ecosystem Comparison

The Coros app is clean and user-friendly, focusing on training data and workout planning. I liked how it syncs with Strava and TrainingPeaks, but the lack of a third-party app store limits customization.

Firmware updates are frequent, and Coros often brings new features to older models, which I appreciate as a budget-conscious runner.

Garmin’s Connect app is a powerhouse, packed with data on sleep, stress, and training. It’s a bit overwhelming at first, but I grew to love its depth. The Connect IQ store lets you add apps and data fields, which is a big plus for tech-savvy runners.

However, I found Garmin’s software slightly less intuitive than Coros’ for quick checks.

• Pros (Coros Pace 3): Streamlined app, frequent updates, third-party sync.
• Cons (Coros Pace 3): Limited ecosystem, no app store.
• Pros (Garmin 265): Robust app, extensive customization, Connect IQ store.
• Cons (Garmin 265): Steeper initial navigation, busy interface.

Price And Value: Bang For Your Buck

At $229, the Coros Pace 3 is a steal. It delivers high-end features like dual-band GPS and long battery life at half the price of premium watches. For budget-conscious runners, it’s hard to beat.

The Garmin 265, at $449, feels like a splurge, but its AMOLED screen, streaming music, and advanced training tools justify the cost for those who want a smartwatch vibe. If you’re torn, consider the Garmin 255 ($349), which offers similar features with an MIP screen for better battery life.

• Pros (Coros Pace 3): Unbeatable price, premium features, great value.
• Cons (Coros Pace 3): Misses some smartwatch polish.
• Pros (Garmin 265): Premium experience, robust features, two sizes.
• Cons (Garmin 265): Pricey, less battery life.

My Experience With Coros Pace 3 And Garmin Forerunner 265

I wore both watches simultaneously (yes, I looked like a tech nerd) for a mix of city runs, trail adventures, and gym sessions. The Coros Pace 3 felt like a trusty sidekick—light, reliable, and never needing a charge.

Its GPS nailed every turn in downtown skyscraper canyons, and the battery barely budged after a week of heavy use. But I missed the smartwatch flair, like streaming my running playlist without fussing with MP3s.

The Garmin 265 was my flashy companion. The AMOLED screen made data pop, and Training Readiness kept me honest about recovery. Streaming Spotify on long runs was a game-changer, but I had to plug it in more often than I’d like.

The five-button setup was a lifesaver during sweaty intervals when the touchscreen got stubborn. Both watches handled rain and pool swims without issue, but the Coros felt more at home in rugged settings.

Who Should Choose Which?

If you’re a runner on a budget or an ultra-marathoner who values battery life and simplicity, the Coros Pace 3 is your pick. It’s lightweight, accurate, and won’t leave you stranded mid-race.

If you want a feature-packed smartwatch with vibrant visuals and advanced training insights, the Garmin 265 is worth the investment, especially if you love music on the go or need robust recovery data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion: Your Run, Your Choice

You’re out there chasing miles, and the right watch can elevate every step. I’ve run with both the Coros Pace 3 and Garmin Forerunner 265, and they’re both fantastic in their own way.

The Coros Pace 3 is your go-to if you want a lightweight, long-lasting companion that delivers core running features at a fraction of the cost.

The Garmin 265 is your match if you crave a vibrant display, smartwatch perks, and in-depth training insights. Weigh your priorities—budget, battery, or bells and whistles—and choose the watch that’ll keep pace with you.