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?
According to a recent survey of the WeeViews running community, 56% of respondents use Garmin watches, while 16% use Coros. These numbers reflect the strong foothold Garmin has in the market, while also highlighting the growing popularity of Coros among dedicated athletes.
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.
🎯 Already leaning toward Coros? Explore the best Coros watches by activity to find the right model for running, triathlon, hiking, or ultra trail adventures—plus insights from the pros who use them.
A featherlight GPS watch built for runners who want essential metrics, dual-frequency GPS, and unbeatable battery life at an entry-level price.
Built for race-focused runners, the Pace Pro adds training load insights, touchscreen durability, and faster processing for marathon prep and peak performance.
The ultimate crossover GPS watch for triathletes and adventurers alike—offering top-tier accuracy, rugged durability, and seamless sport transitions.
Designed for the extremes, the Vertix 2S delivers unmatched battery life, dual-frequency GPS, and full offline mapping for ultra and mountain athletes.
🎯 Favoring Garmin? Explore the best Garmin watches for running, triathlon, hiking, or ultra-trail challenges, with pro insights to guide your perfect choice.
The Forerunner 165 is Garmin’s best value-for-money GPS watch. It’s ideal for runners who want a lightweight design with all the essential run features.
Garmin’s top-tier running watch with AMOLED display, sapphire/titanium construction, onboard music, LED flashlight, and speaker/mic. The Forerunner 970 is a premium GPS watch designed for marathoners and data-focused athletes.
The Fenix 8 is Garmin’s multisport powerhouse. It supports triathlon mode and delivers elite performance for every leg of the race. Ultra-rugged with solar power, AMOLED or MIP options, multi-band GPS, topo maps, and built-in flashlight.
The Enduro 3 is purpose-built for ultrarunners and mountain athletes. Designed for extreme endurance with unmatched battery life, solar charging, maps, flashlight, and rugged build.
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:
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?
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
Battery Life
Heart Rate
Multisport Tracking
Smart Features
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.
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.
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.
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!
David Moore Can't beat the Coros battery life!! I do very little with my running watch aside from tracking my runs.
When I switched from the Garmin Forerunner to the Coros Apex 2, I was blown away at how much more battery life it has. The hardest part now is remembering where I left my charger last week.
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