How good is the Coros Pace 3? The Coros Pace 3 is a feature-packed GPS running watch with dual-frequency GPS, a next-gen heart rate sensor, and a 38-hour battery life, all for under $230. It’s the best value sports watch for runners and triathletes in 2026.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Dual-Frequency GPS: Delivers pinpoint accuracy in cities and forests, a major upgrade from the Pace 2.
- 38-Hour Battery: Lasts for days in smartwatch mode and over a full day of continuous GPS tracking.
- Touchscreen & Buttons: New intuitive touchscreen complements the reliable physical button navigation.
- Advanced Sensors: Features an upgraded optical heart rate monitor with SpO2 (blood oxygen) tracking.
- Unbeatable Value: Packs high-end features like TrainingPeaks sync and onboard music at a budget price.
- Lightweight Design: At just 30g, it’s one of the lightest sports watches, perfect for all-day wear.
COROS PACE 3
Running Sport Watch GPS
- Customize Your Run: Endless Watch Faces & Detailed Metrics
- Featherlight Durability: Built for Workouts & Workdays
- Marathon Battery Life: Less Charging, More Training
- Seamless Sync: Quick Links to TrainingPeaks & Accurate GPS
The Evolution of COROS: Pace 3’s Place in the Legacy
The Coros Pace 3 is the definitive upgrade in the Pace series. It adds a barometric altimeter for precise elevation data and dual-frequency GPS. This watch proves you don’t need to spend Garmin Forerunner 965 money for premium features. It continues COROS’s strategy of delivering exceptional value, making advanced sports technology accessible.
Price and Value Proposition of the Pace Series
The Pace series targets the budget-conscious athlete. The Pace 3’s price point disrupts the market dominated by Garmin and Suunto. You get features like TrainingPeaks integration and a 38-hour battery for a fraction of the cost. It’s the best budget GPS watch for serious training in 2026.
Key Upgrades from Pace 2 to Pace 3
The Coros Pace 3 isn’t a minor refresh. It’s a comprehensive overhaul with critical athlete-focused upgrades.
- Dual-Frequency/Multiband GPS: Replaces standard GPS for superior accuracy in challenging environments.
- Touchscreen: Adds intuitive swipe and tap navigation alongside the physical buttons.
- Next-Gen Heart Rate Sensor: Includes SpO2 (blood oxygen) monitoring for altitude acclimation insights.
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5.0: Enables faster software updates and stable music syncing.
- Onboard Music Storage: Load MP3s directly to the watch for phone-free runs.
- Enhanced Battery Life: Extended to 24 days in smartwatch mode and 38 hours in full GPS mode.
The Significance of COROS’s Competitive Strategy
COROS competes with Garmin and Suunto by offering a high-value proposition. The Pace 3 includes dual-frequency GPS—a feature often reserved for watches twice its price. This forces competitors to justify their higher costs. For the athlete, it means getting a Garmin Forerunner 265-level feature set without the premium price tag.
Design and Build: Analyzing the COROS Pace 3 Aesthetics
The Pace 3 uses a fiber-reinforced polymer case. It’s functional, not flashy. The focus is on low weight and high durability for daily training.
Weight and Comfort: The Featherlight Experience
At approximately 30 grams (without the strap), the Pace 3 is exceptionally light. You’ll forget it’s there during long runs or all-day wear. The included silicone strap is soft and secure, while the nylon option offers a classic, breathable feel.
Display and Readability: Suitability Across Environments
The 1.2-inch Memory LCD display is always-on and sunlight-readable. It’s not a vibrant AMOLED like on the Apple Watch, but it’s clear and conserves massive battery life. The new touchscreen layer is responsive, making scrolling through data fields and menus faster.
COROS PACE 3 Review: Navigating the Features and Functions
The Pace 3’s interface is a blend of touch and button controls. A scroll wheel and back button handle primary navigation, while the touchscreen is perfect for map panning or reviewing long data screens.
Dual-frequency GPS locks onto L1 and L5 satellite signals. This drastically reduces signal bounce in urban canyons or under thick tree cover. Your track logs will be cleaner and more accurate than with standard GPS.
The Coros app and TrainingPeaks integration are standout features. You can sync structured workouts directly to the watch and get post-session analysis on your training load and recovery. The watch also tracks heart rate variability (HRV) for overnight recovery scores.
For music, transfer MP3 files to the watch’s 4GB of storage and pair Bluetooth headphones. It’s a simple system that liberates you from your phone. Health tracking includes 24/7 heart rate, SpO2, sleep analysis, and stress monitoring.
Performance and Accuracy: Putting the COROS Pace 3 to Test
We tested the Pace 3 against dedicated chest straps and high-end GPS watches. Its performance holds up impressively for a watch in this price tier.
Dual-Frequency GPS: Enhanced Outdoor Tracking
In side-by-side tests in a dense urban park, the Pace 3’s track was consistently smoother and more faithful to the actual path than watches using only single-band GPS. The multiband system eliminates the “jitter” and drift common in challenging signal areas.
Heart Rate Sensing Upgrades: Reliability of the New Sensor
The new optical sensor provides good accuracy for steady-state runs. During high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with rapid heart rate changes, a chest strap like the Polar H10 is still more precise. For most training, the wrist-based data is reliable and very useful for tracking trends.
Battery Longevity: Real-world Usage Impressions
The battery claims are real. With an hour of GPS activity per day and 24/7 heart rate monitoring, the watch easily lasts over two weeks. Using full dual-band GPS, you’ll get the advertised 38 hours, enough for multi-day ultramarathons or hiking trips.
Conclusion
The Coros Pace 3 is the benchmark for value in sports watches. It delivers critical upgrades—dual-frequency GPS, touchscreen, SpO2, and epic battery life—at a price that undercuts every major competitor.
Choose the Pace 3 if your priority is accurate sports tracking, durable build, and maximizing every dollar. Consider a Garmin if you need advanced smartwatch features or a more robust app ecosystem. For the dedicated runner, triathlete, or hiker, the Coros Pace 3 is the best buy of 2026.
Next Step: Download the Coros app on your phone to preview the platform. Then, order the Pace 3 to experience its lightweight power firsthand.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Coros Pace 3 good for triathlons?
Yes. It is 5 ATM water-resistant for swimming, has multisport mode for quick transitions, and its lightweight design (30g) minimizes wrist fatigue during long events like an IRONMAN.
Can I get phone notifications on the Pace 3?
Yes. It displays calls, texts, and app notifications from your paired smartphone. You can read messages on the screen, but you cannot reply directly from the watch.
Does it have maps or navigation?
It has breadcrumb navigation. You can load a GPX route file and follow a line on the screen with turn prompts. It does not have full-color topographic maps like the Garmin Forerunner 965.
How does the Pace 3 compare to the Garmin Forerunner 265?
The Pace 3 wins on price and battery life. The Garmin Forerunner 265 has a superior AMOLED display, more smart features, and Garmin’s broader ecosystem. For pure training value, the Pace 3 is hard to beat.
Is the Pace 3 accurate for tracking swimming?
It accurately tracks pool swims using the accelerometer to count laps. For open water swims, it uses GPS (once above water) to track distance. Heart rate tracking is not available during swims.
References
- COROS Pace 3 In-Depth Review – DC Rainmaker
- COROS Pace 3 Review – Trusted Reviews
- COROS Pace 3 Official Overview – YouTube
- Understanding Heart Rate Variability (HRV) – Polar
- What is Training Load? – TrainingPeaks
Alexios Papaioannou
Mission: To strip away marketing hype through engineering-grade stress testing. Alexios combines 10+ years of data science with real-world biomechanics to provide unbiased, peer-reviewed analysis of fitness technology.