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After a few years of testing GPS watches, I used to be intrigued by the flood of runners falling in love with COROS. So in fact I needed to put it to the take a look at towards one of many lengthy standing giants: COROS vs Garmin!
Whereas each manufacturers need to go well with the wants of inexperienced persons to lengthy distance path runners, I discover the watches to have fairly a number of variations.
A couple of of the key variations with COROS vs Garmin sport watches:
- Garmin desires to be a part of your ENTIRE life, with cycle monitoring, each day occasions, and many others
- COROS is targeted in your coaching and streamlining issues
With so many GPS watches out there at various value factors, it may be overwhelming to undergo all the evaluations to determine which one is best for you. Step one is to slender all the way down to a model that matches you.
I’ve in contrast Suunto vs Garmin and Polar vs Suunto earlier articles, and this time I’m pitting COROS vs Garmin.
Are COROS watches any good?
After testing a number of watches, I can see why many customers have fallen head over heels for them (together with Coach Stacey who helps to steadiness that I don’t significantly love them). The GPS seems to be very correct, it has some superb app options and streamlined watch navigation.
The primary disadvantage I ran in to was with HR readings and probably the only dial, which I’ll element under.
Not keen on all of the analysis and simply wish to know what I’d choose?✅That is the watch I’d select as a newbie.
It has greater than sufficient options to final you thru that first 5K right through many marathons and is more economical than different choices.
COROS Vs Garmin Watch Characteristic Comparability
Almost each watch now consists of some commonplace options like coronary heart price monitor, tempo, distance, calorie monitoring, restoration time and lap perform.
The place the 2 manufacturers differ is within the watch navigation, screens and app. Each of those manufacturers have STELLAR apps, which add to the attraction of the watch.
I’m going to undergo some overviews of the options and under that some face to face comparisons for price range, mid-range and excessive stage watches.
Watch Utilization – Tie
The most important distinction between the 2 manufacturers is the way you truly use the watch.
- COROS has a dial on the facet to navigate.
- Garmin has no less than 4 buttons with two on both sides.
Some customers LOVE the dial and discover it far less complicated. I’m so used to the buttons, that I used to be not as enamored.
I totally detailed how the dial works in my COROS Apex Assessment. It was simple sufficient for locating a coaching mode, however as soon as within the mode felt tougher to get what I wished.
Display screen Show and Monitoring – Tie
The display show vibrancy is now a win for Garmin if in case you have considered one of their AMOLED watches just like the photograph under. It’s a lot extra vivid than the COROS.
Each Garmin and COROS watches show customizable real-time knowledge, reminiscent of tempo, time, distance run, energy burned, and coronary heart price, plus extra if you happen to need. Abstract info like common tempo, stride rely, and elevation achieve are all additionally out there real-time by the push of a button.
Moreover, you possibly can arrange structured exercises and customise your display show.
The most important distinction between the 2 manufacturers on this area comes within the updates.
When COROS makes a purposeful replace they push it out to all watches, somewhat than it being just for new fashions. That is one thing that many COROS customers rave about.
What’s that imply? When COROS added a brand new function for structured exercises or operating energy, that turned out there on all fashions. Typically with Garmin new massive options develop into solely out there in new watches.
AND NOW that most of the Garmin watches have the brand new AMOLED screens they’re a lot brighter and extra good than something I’ve examined beforehand, it’s very attractive.

GPS Watch Battery Life – COROS
Most COROS watches have a median GPS battery lifetime of 30 hours and common use about 30 days. They’ve GPS save modes which might double the GPS life. In testing the Apex and Tempo, I didn’t discover they to final 30 days, however definitely lengthy batteries.
Whereas the price range and mid-range Garmin fashions are nearer to 14 hours of GPS battery life and seven days utilization.
Nevertheless, the Garmin Fenix 7 and Forerunner 955 can swap to UltraTrac mode, which sacrifices GPS accuracy in change for an extended battery life, as much as 60 hours. UltraTrac mode is a battery saving function that periodically shuts off GPS and makes use of the accelerometer to find out pace and distance.
**Click on right here if you happen to’re searching for which GPS watch lasts the longest.
Mapping and Navigation – Tie
For these operating new routes or who tend to get rotated throughout a run, the navigational options on Garmin and COROS watches will be sure to keep heading in the right direction and return dwelling safely.
On mid and excessive finish fashions you’ll discover:
- Breadcrumb navigation
- Downloading routes
- Again to start out navigation
For those who don’t thoughts taking a look at a map on a tiny display, the Garmin Fenix collection and Garmin Enduro consists of coloration topographic mapping capabilities.
Coronary heart Price Monitoring – Tie
As of late, most GPS watches include both strap-based or wrist-based optical coronary heart price displays.
Optical displays are identified to offer inaccurate outcomes on account of recording random actions, nonetheless the Polar Vantage collection has the one watches at present out there in the marketplace that use bio-impedance know-how to override readings brought on by motion.
- COROS all fashions have been extraordinarily inaccurate for me (the brand new Tempo 3 with an up to date monitor is significantly better)
- Garmin fashions fluctuate in accuracy (costlier didn’t imply extra correct, proper now the Enduro and 265 have been most correct)
Each manufacturers observe wellness-related knowledge like sleep metrics and coronary heart price all through the day.
The distinction between the 2 manufacturers is that all the COROS watches embody some variation of this function, the place Garmin has a number of fashions that don’t.
Since coaching utilizing low coronary heart price coaching I’ve come to know the relevance of utilizing a coronary heart price monitor to enrich my coaching. All the Polar watches and the upper finish watches within the Garmin lineup embody wrist-based and or optical coronary heart price monitoring.
For some tips on getting extra correct coronary heart price readings try my GPS watch suggestions.
Information Administration and Apps – Tie
Each manufacturers have apps that let you see extra particulars about every particular person exercise, your whole exercises, sleep knowledge and to handle your knowledge. However additionally they have some variations.
Garmin makes use of a program known as Join which lets you earn badges for various actions, which many individuals discover extremely motivating. MORE importantly it allows you to observe your hormonal cycle, which might be eye opening for feminine athletes.
COROS doesn’t have the cycle monitoring, however does have a function that lets you construct power coaching exercises from a library. I like this integration as a result of it helps to make sure runners are doing their power work.

For those who’re switching between manufacturers, then an app like Strava might be one of the best place to maintain your entire knowledge safely in a single place.
COROS vs Garmin Watch Comparability
Click on any hyperlink under to see the watch and extra perform particulars, watches are divided in to price range, mid-range and excessive finish that can assist you evaluate fashions.
In order for you a whole comparability of simply the variations in Garmins, checkout my article on the finest Garmin watches for runners.
Finances Watches
Each watches work for operating, biking and swimming. In addition to monitoring HR, telephone notifications on the watch and offering structured exercises. Under I’ll name out key variations.
Coros Tempo 3 ($229)
It’s fascinating that individuals initially mentioned they selected COROS as a result of it was cheaper, however I’m not seeing that with the newer fashions which have superior to be on par with different manufacturers.
The COROS Tempo 3 with solely new HR sensors might lastly get me to suggest these watches!! To this point in my few runs it has labored, the place as I might by no means get any earlier mannequin to be remotely correct.
COROS Tempo 3 is its light-weight design, weighing in at simply 30 grams and really small watch measurement. This makes it one of many lightest GPS sports activities watches in the marketplace, guaranteeing that it gained’t weigh you down throughout your runs.
Regardless of its compact measurement, the Tempo 3 nonetheless manages to ship glorious battery life, providing as much as 38 hours of steady GPS monitoring, making it appropriate for long-distance runs and ultra-marathons. Although it’s not a rugged watch by any means.

- Triathlon mode
- Open water swim mode
- Barometric altimeter (extra correct elevation)
- As much as 38 hour GPS life
- Learn my full Coros Tempo 3 Assessment
Garmin Forerunner 55 ($199)
That is now what’s thought-about an entry stage operating watch and it has EVERYTHING together with good watch options. You may go extra primary with the Garmin 25, however it’s not effectively supported now. With the 55 you’ll get wrist based mostly HR, GPS options, Security options and extra.
Having examined this watch, I’m impressed. For entry stage, it actually has a lot greater than most runners want.
Whereas the Forerunner 55 is full of options, it appears and feels cheaper. In contrast to the Fenix which is available in pretty white and rose gold, giving it a put on anytime look, the 55 feels virtually plastic. It additionally does NOT embody the flexibility to offer elevation, ascent, descent, mapping or a number of different belongings you’ll see in the next finish mannequin.

- Consists of location streaming security function
- Data PRS
- No Swim monitoring
- As much as 24 hour GPS life
- Learn my full Garmin 55 overview to match to different Garmin fashions
It’s an excellent worth after I suppose I paid this value for my first Garmin that might solely observe how far I ran!
Midrange Watches
This was a $100 upgraded, however now it’s extra like $200 as a result of they only hold throwing an increasing number of and extra in to those watches. The mid-range watches which have a number of extra options like maps, longer battery life, extra sports activities, and many others.
Following are a few of the key variations. A part of the improve is the type and supplies of the watch making it extra sturdy.
COROS Apex 2 Professional ($449)
One of many standout options of the COROS Apex 2 Professional is its distinctive battery life.
It makes use of an clever energy optimization system that permits it to final for prolonged intervals, even throughout long-distance runs or multi-day occasions. With as much as 100 hours of steady GPS monitoring, you possibly can depend on this watch to maintain up along with your endurance coaching with out worrying about operating out of battery.

It offers exact distance, pace, and elevation measurements, together with superior metrics reminiscent of operating cadence, stride size, and floor contact time.
The COROS Apex 2 Professional includes a sturdy building that may stand up to harsh circumstances and is waterproof as much as 50 meters. It gives a transparent and easy-to-read show, even in brilliant daylight, and its intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate by way of numerous features and settings.
The watch additionally helps smartphone notifications, permitting you to remain related with no need to succeed in on your telephone throughout your runs.
There may be additionally an Apex 2, which is barely cheaper and higher if in case you have a smaller wrist.
- As much as 40Â hours GPS life
- 8 GB of inner reminiscence
- Document HR underwater
Garmin Forerunner 265 ($449)
This watch will observe operating, swimming, and biking and let you know your floor contact time steadiness, stride size, and extra. Plus, the display is simply beautiful.
The colours on this watch are good and up to now, I’m seeing good issues with the accuracy of the HR readings as effectively. I’m not at all times a fan of the contact display with winter operating, however it does imply you don’t have to recollect use all of the buttons!
Proper now this has been my go to observe for highway and treadmill runs.

- As much as 30 hours GPS life
- Customized apps downloaded to observe
- Efficiency coaching metrics
- Comply with GPS observe again to start out
- Obtain GPS routes, Reside Monitoring
- Run/Stroll Mode
- Garmin Pay
The Forerunner 245 is the one of many earlier fashions that was out there and it’s bought practically the identical options for about $200 much less. Nevertheless it doesn’t have that unbelievable show.
Excessive Finish Watches
Now we’re taking the supplies up a notch and including in a number of further options that make these watches even higher for a path run and people spending much more time within the nice extensive outdoor.
You’ll additionally discover sapphire glass which is much less more likely to scratch and once more an improve in supplies.
Do we regularly want all the things on these watches…no.
Do they usually look cooler…sure.
The Garmin Fenix S collection is targeted on making a smaller watch to suit on a smaller wrist, in order that it could possibly appear like a timepiece you wish to put on all day lengthy. Hear the rose gold offered me!

Coros Vertix 2 SÂ ($699)
That is the one watch I’ve no but examined, however once more have many path buddies who simply LOVE their COROS watches. So I really feel comfy suggesting it, so long as you learn the notes above.
The Coros Vertix 2S is a strong and superior GPS journey watch designed to cater to the wants of out of doors lovers, mountaineers, and athletes who have interaction in excessive actions. This rugged timepiece gives a variety of options and sturdiness that make it a dependable companion in difficult environments.
One of many standout options of the Coros Vertix 2S is its distinctive sturdiness and resistance to harsh circumstances. It’s constructed to resist excessive temperatures, shock, and influence, making it appropriate for adventures in rugged terrains. The watch can be waterproof as much as 150 meters, guaranteeing it could possibly deal with swimming, diving, and different water actions with none points.
- 118 hours GPS battery life
- Detailed maps for operating and monitoring
- Touchscreen and Sapphire glass to guard from breaking
- 3GB of music storage on the watch
- Working dynamics like vertical oscillation, floor contact
- Observe sensor – extra precisely calculates your exercise when operating on a observe
Garmin Fenix 7 ($700- 900)
This watch is for the athlete who desires their watch to simply know what they’re doing. It’s going to have each bell and whistle we’ve mentioned beforehand, plus the parts are upgraded.
The Fenix can inform the distinction if you happen to’re operating indoors vs exterior vs on the highway or path. It is aware of if you happen to’re in a pool or swimming in open water. It may even provide you with an correct climate forecast by way of Bluetooth.
Actually this watch has extra sport options than every other in the marketplace and is without doubt one of the few rated for diving.

- 57 hours GPS life
- Elective photo voltaic choice (love this function)
- Music management from contact display watch
- Obtain customized apps
- Contactless funds
- Topographical maps
- Digital racer
- Climate
- So many health monitoring types from XC ski, to Climbing to HIIT exercises
The opposite high finish watch you may see is the Garmin Enduro. I liked operating with this watch, however it’s VERY massive and I might say actually designed extra for these doing a variety of ultramarathons or backcountry climbing.
💰Proper now you may get the Fenix 5s at an enormous low cost as a result of they’re rolling out the brand new Fenix collection, which incorporates the brand new Photo voltaic model. That’s proper, a watch that fees on the go!!
See my full overview of the Garmin Fenix 7s.
The COROS Vs Garmin comparability feels something however easy to me. The have a distinct really feel, completely different type and virtually a distinct advertising and marketing to who their consumer is.
It actually comes all the way down to do you just like the dial on the facet, do you want that they’re mild weight and possibly targeted extra on coaching than a few of the way of life elements.
Searching for extra evaluations to search out one of the best issues for you run?
Checkout our full web page of my will need to have operating gear evaluations and guides to avoid wasting you time looking out and cash! I share what’s labored for me and fellow runners, together with what wasn’t definitely worth the price ticket.
A couple of widespread requests:
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