Coros Pace 3 review: I almost gave this smartwatch 5-stars - but one thing stopped me

If you're a runner - or you're looking to start running - having a smartwatch that's designed particularly for the activity is the way forward. Even if you're just looking to do the occasional 5km and you want insights into your overall fitness, a running-focused smartwatch can help. Enter, the Coros Pace 3.

The Coros Pace 3 is one of two Coros smartwatches I've tried in the last couple of months - the other being the Apex 3, a more hiking- and trail-running-focused watch. This one is my favourite of the two - so much so that I've swapped out my regular Garmin watch for this one over the last four weeks. It's certainly one of the best fitness trackers, I enjoy using it so much.

Coros is an up-and-comer in the world of fitness trackers, going up against the likes of Google, Garmin, and Samsung. The brand has athletes at its heart, so you'll find advanced metrics and detailed stats, the Coros Pace 3 is still an excellent option for those who want to improve their fitness, track their workouts, and get a better picture of their overall health and wellbeing.

Coros Pace 3: An overview

The Coros Pace 3 is a specialist running watch designed to see you through from your first 5km to a marathon and beyond, with workout profiles to support other activities (like swimming, cycling, and strength training) too.

While it has advanced running features - from metrics like cadence and stride length to on-wrist navigation features rivalling the best Garmin watches - it's very friendly to those who want a simple interface or are new to exercise.

I was very impressed by the battery life on this watch after my four weeks of testing as well, with its max capacity at 17 days. During any given week of testing, I wore this watch throughout my daily life (counting steps and recording my sleep), as well as through at least four workouts - two of which with GPS. After all that, I saw my battery life still had 40% remaining.

Specifications

• RRP: £219
• Materials: Fibre-reinforced polymer, silicone or nylon strap
• Size: 41.9 x 41.9 x 11.7mm
• Weight: 30g
• Battery life: 41 hours (GPS) / 17 days (continuous use)
• Waterproof: Up to 5ATM, suitable for swimming
• In-built GPS: Yes

What is the Coros Pace 3 like to use?

Given that the Coros Pace 3 is a running-focused watch, the first thing I did was take it for a spin on a 7km easy run. Jogging along, at a glance I could see all the data I needed: distance, pace, time, and heart rate. Scroll down on the touchscreen or by using the manual crown on the side of the watch and you'll see metrics for laps and effort.

The GPS was very accurate - and not thrown off by a trail section I did in Hampstead Health, unlike my (much more expensive) Garmin watch. This is down to the dual-frequency GPS, which makes location tracking better in remote and built-up areas.

At the end of your workout, you'll see how you've done both on your wrist and in the app, with an overview of the above, your heart rate zones and the impact this session has had on your overall fitness. I was so impressed with how clearly everything was laid out and how accurate the data was from my very first session. I normally find it takes smartwatches a couple of goes to really work.

For strength training, you'll have to pick which part of your body you're working on that day (whole body, shoulders, arms, etc). It'll then automatically count the repetitions for you, with a touch of the side button triggering a rest timer and a break between sets. In the app, I love how you can see which parts of the body you've focused on that week in a diagram.

The connected app makes the Coros Pace 3 one of the best watches for those new to exercise and looking to learn more about fitness. It's so intuitive to use, with explanations for each of the metrics on offer - outlining what they are measuring and why that might be important. It's also really simple to navigate, more so than any other brand I've tried. You can view your activities in a daily, weekly, or monthly calendar view as well, which is something the best Fitbits offers that I love. It really helps with that feeling of achievement and boosts motivation.

On the Pace 3, you can view your Running Performance, Training Load, Aerobic Endurance, Power, and Threshold pace ranges, and Anaerobic Endurance and Power. You'll also see your stride length, cadence, and elevation, which can be useful to figure out any improvement areas. For example, the data on your stride length can reveal whether you're stretching out too much on the move, which can cause injuries down the line. The shorter your cadence, the more efficient of a runner you are.

Another impressive feature on the Coros Pace 3 is the 'Explore' tab on the app and associated 'Navigation' options in the running, walking, and cycling profiles. In the app, you can plot a route and send it to your watch. Just before you start the workout, you can pull up the route and get turn-by-turn navigation on the move. This is such a handy feature and a must-have for me, as I like to vary up my running routes, but it's normally only available on fitness trackers double (or even triple) the price.

The only downside of the Coros Pace 3, which stopped me from giving the watch a full five-star review - and which comes down to personal preference ultimately - is the external design. This watch doesn't have the same premium feel or sleek selection of colourways as other watches I've had. Looking at the plastic casing and grey/black nylon sports strap, I immediately thought about how I was going to style the watch with my daily outfits. The alternatives aren't much better either, with breathable holes in the silicone straps available. Useful - but not exactly discreet. There's no hiding it - this is a fitness tracker.

However, I'm now a month into testing and I tend to forget it's on my wrist at all. It's also significantly more comfortable to wear in bed than watches with a silicone band. It's so lightweight and the grey-black colourway with a red tinge isn't as noticeable as I thought it would be. I'd love to see some sleeker watch strap options in the future though.

Sleep and stress tracking on the Coros Pace 3

The Coros Pace 3 is an activity-focused fitness tracker - unlike the Fitbit Sense 2 or WHOOP 4.0, for instance, which value recovery and mindfulness alongside exercise. However, the sleep and stress-tracking features are just as good as these devices - if not better.

While you won't find activity profiles for yoga or Pilates, you will find a complete breakdown of your sleep habits - including duration and quality (brakedown of light, deep, and REM sleep). You'll also get offered insights into this data and, importantly, why it matters to your overall health in the app.

Stress tracking is also useful, taking into account your activity and sleep to give an overview of how much pressure your body is under in daily life. I haven't found it's influenced too many of my lifestyle decisions - but it's useful to have.

Who is the Coros Pace 3 suited to?

If your chosen activity is walking, running, or swimming, or you like to cycle outdoors, the Coros Pace 3 is a great option. It has 15 workout profiles installed automatically on the watch with more available to download.

The watch is very friendly to beginners. Unlike many other brands, the Coros Pace 3 has loads of information in the app on what each of the metrics (e.g. sleep, stress, overnight HRV, Resting Heart Rate) mean and why they are important. If you're not familiar with the often-overcomplicated world of health and fitness, this really helps de-muddy the waters.

However, if you've been working for years (like I have), you won't find the watch too simple or basic. There are plenty of advanced features and metrics that might go over the head of someone who just wants to run 20 minutes a day to improve their fitness.

As noted though, the design might put you off if you spend more time in casual wear than activewear. It lacks the smoothness and discretion of the Garmin Venu 3 or Apple Watch Series 9, for instance - although that's to be expected, given these are almost double the price.

How does the Coros Pace 3 compare?

The closest watch to the Coros Pace 3 in terms of design, features, and price tag is the Garmin Forerunner 165. I dubbed this watch the 'perfect' tracker for those new to running - an opinion I stand by. It's an excellent smartwatch. However, for the price, if you're looking for seriously good running features, the Coros Pace 3 is better.

With a price tag of between £150 and £900 for running watches these days, the Coros Pace 3 sits towards the budget-friendly end. While it's absolutely worth the investment, it's still upwards of £200, so it's worth doing your research. If this one appeals to you, it's worth weighing up Garmin vs Polar as well as Garmin vs Samsung, especially if you don't use an iPhone.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is also an excellent option for Android users, just as the Apple Watch is for those in the Apple network. Being part of the Fitbit family, it has the combination of award-winning fitness tracking features and great smartwatch features.

Is the Coros Pace 3 worth buying?

Yes, absolutely. I was so close to giving the Coros Pace 3 my first five-star review. I love it - it ticks all the boxes and more, delivering features that watches double or even triple the price provide. The only downside for me is the design, with the plastic casing and limited design and colourway options for straps.

It's still my favourite fitness tracker of 2024 though, with plenty to offer anyone looking to get more serious about their health and fitness next year.