I’ve been wearing the COROS PACE Pro alongside my Garmin Forerunner 965 for a month now, and I wanted to share my honest thoughts on what it offers for multi-sport athletes and everyday runners alike.
Without giving too much away, I think Garmin should be getting a little worried at this point.
Right from the start, the PACE Pro impressed me with its bright, crisp 1.3” AMOLED display, feeling on par with my Forerunner.
It’s one of those features that makes checking your stats even in harsh sunlight that much easier to do, and the overall operating experience is extremely positive, responsive, and a joy to traverse settings and screens.
Alastair Dixon
What also caught my attention was the dual frequency GPS accuracy. I have been wearing it while running on roads, and exploring new trails, and the routes are tracked reliably, which is a big plus for someone who does a lot of trail running too.
The training features, too, seem comprehensive enough to cover a range of metrics—from VO₂ max to recovery and even a detailed ECG sensor for HRV analysis.
With a retail price of $349, the watch has become a reliable companion for me, and I’ll be sad to send this one back to Coros once this review is complete. Ok, let’s get into this review!
Key specs and features explained
Let’s break down some of the key specifications that make the PACE Pro stand out amongst other running watches right now.
Price: $349 on Amazon.com – that’s very reasonable for what you get here!
Display: The watch has a 1.3-inch, always-on AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 416 x 416 pixels. It delivers vivid colors and high brightness—up to 1500 nits—so you can easily read the screen in bright sunlight.
Processor and performance: At the heart of the watch is the Ambiq Apollo510 processor, which is 2x faster than its predecessor, the PACE 3, and also renders maps and graphics 30x faster than the APEX 2 Pro. This is very noticable and make the user experience very enjoyable.
Alastair Dixon
GPS and navigation: The PACE Pro has dual frequency GPS, supporting multiple satellite systems including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS. This ensures reliable performance venturing into more complex terrain.
Battery life: One of the key selling points is its battery performance – it blows other watches out the water. In daily use, it can last up to 20 days, and when you’re in full GPS mode, you can expect about 38 hours of activity tracking.
Memory and offline features: With 32GB of internal memory, there’s ample space for offline music, maps, and other data. This is particularly useful if you’re someone who likes to keep their phone out of sight during long runs or when exploring remote areas.
Sensors and training tools: The watch includes an advanced optical heart rate monitor, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, 3D compass, thermometer, SpO₂ sensor, and even an ECG sensor. Together, these sensors help provide a robust suite of training metrics, including VO₂ max, training load, recovery data, and more.
Design and build: The design leans toward simplicity with a plasticky build, but it’s light and comfortable enough to wear all day with the Nylon band which I have been using. The digital dial and back button make it easy to navigate.
Connectivity: The PACE Pro syncs data using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi via the COROS app. It’s also compatible with a variety of third-party apps like Strava, Nike Run Club, and TrainingPeaks, making it easy to integrate into your existing workout routine.
Charging: It uses a USB-C charging adapter which, while convenient for using standard cables, is small enough to be easily misplaced, unless you keep it in the included keychain holder and attach it to a bag or something.
The COROS PACE Pro offers a balanced mix of features that cater really well to all runners needs, here I’m going to share some of my real world experiences and insights to hopefully give you a sense of what it’s like to own.
Battery life and everyday wear
The battery life is one of the watch’s best features. You can get up to 20 days of daily use and sleep tracking, and about 38 hours in GPS mode which means it covers most ultramarathons.
The lightweight build, despite the plasticky feel, makes it comfortable for all-day wear, which is crucial when you’re wearing it during work, training, or even sleep tracking – require for getting your heart rate variability (HRV) data.
Display and usability
The AMOLED display really makes the data pop, and it’s one of the features that really stood out to me as the last Coros I reviewed was the COROS APEX 2 Pro, and although it’s a great running watch, it doesn’t have an AMOLED screen.
I love how it remains clear even under direct sunlight, similar to my Forerunner 965. The touch interface is incredibly responsive (it feels faster than my Forerunner), and navigating through the stats is very easy to do with the side wheel.
My only wish would be for more customization options with the display colors, which would allow users to tailor the experience more closely to their style preferences.
GPS accuracy and navigation
The dual frequency GPS is reliable across different environments. I tested it on steady, urban runs as well as on trails where the satellite signal could be less predictable, and it consistently provided accurate tracking – in line with my Garmin Forerunner 965 which I have been wearing on my left arm whenever I have taken this one out for a run.
Alastair Dixon
The offline navigation tools, particularly the TOPO maps, add a layer of confidence if you plan to try out new routes without worrying about signal loss.
This functionality is especially valuable for trail runners, like myself, who enjoy exploring new or remote areas.
Training and sensors
The PACE Pro does a great job tracking my VO₂ max, training load, and recovery metrics, which are essential for planning and evaluating my workouts.
The ECG sensor is a welcome addition for those interested in a deeper analysis of their heart rate variability (HRV).
One small note is that while the optical heart rate monitor is generally accurate during steady efforts, it can sometimes overestimate during high-intensity intervals when compared to a chest strap, like the COROS Heart Rate Monitor, for example.
This is something to keep in mind if you rely heavily on precise HR readings during interval training, for example – and accuracy is something that HR monitors on the wrist can sometimes struggle with.
Connectivity and charging
The connectivity through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is smooth, and syncing data to the COROS app is quick and intuitive.
The interface on both the watch and the app is snappy, making it simple to check key stats on the go – and reading back the stats is clearly laid out making it a very nice experience to browse through your fitness data.
The USB-C charging adapter, is a really cool idea, as it turns any UBC cable you have lying around for you phone for example, into your Pace Pro charging cable, so you don’t have to carry two cables when traveling.
On the other hand, I can see some people losing it from time to time because i is so small, having said that, COROS does provide a silicone case to snap it into with a keychain on the end, so there’s really no excuses for losing it. 🙂
My verdict
After spending time with the COROS PACE Pro, I can say that it ticks most of the boxes I look for in a training watch. The bright AMOLED display is a definite win, especially when it comes to readability in various lighting conditions.
The dual frequency GPS and robust offline navigation tools give me confidence that my routes will be tracked accurately, and that I don’t get lost, no matter where my runs take me.
The training features are comprehensive enough for both casual runners and those looking for more detailed performance metrics.
Alastair Dixon
The race prediction times that COROS provides in the app, based on your run data is much more accurate / realistic than Garmin.
While the heart rate sensor might not be perfect during high-intensity intervals, its overall performance is very solid.
I also appreciate the long battery life, which means I don’t have to constantly worrying about recharging.
Design-wise, while it may not feel as premium as some higher-end models due to its plasticky build, the lightweight and comfortable feel make up for it in everyday use.
For $349, the COROS PACE Pro is easily one of the best running watches under $450 right now.
It’s a reliable, feature-rich running watch. It’s not overloaded with extra smartwatch features, but that’s fine by me, what matters most is that it delivers on the essentials for training and performance tracking, to which is does extremely well.
In short, if you’re looking for a watch that offers a clear, bright display, accurate GPS tracking, and a suite of training tools without getting bogged down by too many non-essential features, the COROS PACE Pro is a great choice.
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