Coros vs. Garmin: Which Running Watch is Right for You?

Choosing a running watch can feel overwhelming with so many brands and models on the market. Two names that consistently stand out are Coros and Garmin—both known for their high-quality, feature-packed watches designed for runners and endurance athletes. But how do they compare?

In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between Coros and Garmin running watches, including their features, design, performance, and value. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced runner, this comparison will help you decide which watch best fits your needs.

Garmin has been a dominant player in the GPS watch market since 1989, offering a wide range of models tailored to runners, triathletes, and outdoor enthusiasts. Known for its robust feature set, advanced GPS accuracy, and smart integrations, Garmin is often considered the gold standard in running watches.

Coros, a newer company founded in 2016, quickly gained traction by focusing on simplicity, ultra-long battery life, and elite athlete performance. While its lineup is smaller than Garmin’s, Coros has built a strong reputation among endurance athletes and trail runners.

At their core, Garmin prioritizes technology and customization, while Coros emphasizes efficiency and longevity—a distinction that influences their designs, features, and user experience.

Coros Pace 3 A budget-friendly, lightweight GPS sport watch with impressive battery life and essential training features, ideal for runners seeking value and performance. 

Coros Apex 2 Pro Known for its exceptional battery life and lightweight design, this watch is ideal for long runs or trail races. 

Coros Vertix 2 A premium ultra-endurance watch offering advanced GPS capabilities and extensive battery life, perfect for extreme adventurers. 

Coros Pace Pro A performance-focused upgrade with advanced training tools, precise GPS tracking, and optimized battery life, making it a great choice for serious runners.

Garmin Forerunner 265 Praised for its runner-specific features like a bright AMOLED screen, accurate GPS tracking, and easy-to-read stats, making it a top choice for serious runners. 

Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar A rugged, multi-sport watch with solar charging, advanced training metrics, and extensive mapping features, suitable for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) Combines a vibrant AMOLED display with comprehensive fitness tracking and smart features, catering to both athletes and tech-savvy users. 

Garmin Forerunner 55 An entry-level running watch offering accurate GPS tracking and essential health metrics, providing excellent value for beginners.

Related: Check Out This Data on 18 Popular Garmin Running Watches

A running watch should be durable enough to handle tough workouts while remaining comfortable on the wrist. Both brands deliver high-quality materials and strong builds, but with different aesthetics:

• Garmin watches tend to have a more classic, rugged look, often featuring stainless steel or titanium bezels and heavily reinforced bodies for outdoor adventures. Many models offer touchscreen displays combined with physical buttons for easy navigation during activities.
• Coros watches have a sleeker, minimalist design, often using a rotating digital knob instead of touchscreens. This design choice makes it easy to scroll through menus, even with gloves or sweaty hands.

Both brands prioritize durability, water resistance, and lightweight materials, but Garmin offers more variety in style and screen types, while Coros sticks to a streamlined, athlete-first approach.

How easy is it to interact with your watch mid-run?

• Garmin combines touchscreens with physical buttons, creating an intuitive system for both casual and advanced users. Garmin’s menu layout is deep but well-organized, offering extensive customization options.
• Coros keeps things simple with a digital dial and two buttons, ensuring quick access to data with minimal distractions. The learning curve is shorter, making it an excellent choice for runners who prefer efficiency over complexity.

While Garmin offers more customization, Coros keeps it simple and distraction-free, appealing to those who want to focus solely on performance.

Both brands offer excellent GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and multi-sport modes, but they excel in different areas.

Accuracy

• Coros: Highly accurate, fast satellite lock 
• Garmin: Industry-leading, with advanced multi-band GPS

Battery Life

• Coros: best in class—weeks on a single charge 
• Garmin: strong, but varies by model (some need charging every few days)

Heart Rate

• Coros: solid optical sensor, but no ECG options
• Garmin: more advanced sensors, including ECG on high-end models

Multisport Tracking

• Coros: great for running, cycling, swimming, and hiking 
• Garmin: supports running, triathlons, golf, skiing, rowing, and more

Smart Features

• Coros: limited—no music storage or payments 
• Garmin: offers music storage, Garmin Pay, and smartphone notifications

If battery life and simplicity are your priorities, Coros has the edge. If you want the most advanced features and integrations, Garmin takes the lead.

One of Coros’ biggest advantages is battery life. Their watches are built for endurance, often lasting weeks on a single charge, even with GPS use.

Garmin’s battery performance varies by model—some last just a few days, while others (like the Enduro and Fenix series) offer extended battery modes. However, Coros consistently outperforms Garmin in battery efficiency, making it an excellent choice for ultrarunners and adventurers.

Both brands offer companion apps for tracking workouts, analyzing data, and adjusting watch settings.

• Garmin Connect is a feature-rich platform with detailed analytics, custom workout plans, and deep integration with third-party apps. However, it can feel overwhelming for new users.
• Coros’ app is simpler and easier to navigate, providing essential training insights without excessive clutter.

If you love data and customization, Garmin Connect is superior. If you prefer a straightforward, no-nonsense approach, Coros is better suited for you.

When comparing price vs. features, Coros watches are generally more affordable than Garmin’s high-end models, while still offering excellent performance.

• Garmin’s lineup ranges from $200 to over $1,000, with premium models like the Fenix and Epix offering advanced training metrics, mapping, and smartwatch features.
• Coros watches typically cost between $200 and $500, delivering great battery life and essential training tools without the extra frills.

If you want a high-tech, feature-packed smartwatch, Garmin is worth the investment. If you need a reliable, long-lasting running watch without extra distractions, Coros offers better value for money.

There’s no one-size-fits-all winner—the best running watch depends on your needs.

• If you want a feature-packed watch with deep customization, music, and smart integrations, Garmin is the way to go.
• If you prefer a simple, lightweight watch with exceptional battery life and core performance metrics, Coros is an excellent choice.

Ultimately, both brands offer top-tier running watches—the choice comes down to whether you value high-tech features or streamlined efficiency.

Which team are you on—Garmin’s tech-heavy innovation or Coros’ endurance-focused simplicity? Let us know in the comments!