Why I Bought the COROS Pace 3 Instead of a Garmin Watch
My honest experience choosing the COROS Pace 3 instead of a Garmin running watch, including why I picked it, who should buy it, pros, cons, and Amazon link.
Your Consumer Guide Team
Tech Review Expert
Why I Bought the COROS Pace 3 Instead of a Garmin Watch
I recently bought the COROS Pace 3, and this post is about why I chose it instead of going with a Garmin watch or another smartwatch.
I am a runner, so I was not looking for the most stylish watch, the brightest display, or the watch with the most apps. My requirement was simple: I wanted a lightweight GPS watch that would not feel heavy while running, could track my workouts accurately, help me understand my training, and not need charging every night.
After comparing the options, the COROS Pace 3 made the most sense for me.
Quick Verdict
I chose the COROS Pace 3 because it gives me what I actually need:
- Lightweight comfort
- Accurate GPS tracking
- Accurate running analytics
- Strong battery life
- Useful running and training metrics
- Simple interface
- Good value for money
Garmin watches are excellent, but for my use and budget, the COROS Pace 3 felt more practical.
Buy COROS Pace 3 on Amazon
Amazon link: Check COROS Pace 3 price on Amazon
Price changes by colour, strap type, seller, coupon, and availability. Always check the final checkout price before buying.
Price Snapshot - April 2026
| Watch | Approx India Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| COROS Pace 3 | Around ₹24,990-₹26,990 | Running, training, lightweight daily wear |
| Garmin running watches | Usually higher depending on model | Garmin ecosystem, richer smartwatch features, brand familiarity |
This was a big part of my decision. Garmin has great watches, but once I compared what I actually needed, I did not feel I had to spend more.
What I Wanted from a Watch
Before buying, I made a simple checklist:
- It should be comfortable enough to wear all day.
- It should feel light during runs, especially on longer sessions.
- Battery life should last many days.
- GPS should be reliable for running and walking.
- Running analytics should be accurate enough to trust after each workout.
- The app should show useful training data.
- It should not feel too bulky.
- It should not distract me with too many smartwatch features.
The COROS Pace 3 matched this list better than I expected.
Why I Chose COROS Pace 3
1. It is very lightweight
This was the biggest reason. As a runner, I do not want a watch that keeps reminding me it is on my wrist. COROS lists the Pace 3 at around 30g with the nylon band, which makes it easy to wear during runs, workouts, sleep, and daily use.
Many Garmin watches feel more premium, but they can also feel heavier depending on the model. I wanted a watch I would actually keep on my wrist all day.
2. The analytics feel useful for running
I wanted accurate analytics, not just step count and calories. For running, the numbers matter: pace, distance, heart rate, training load, recovery, and workout history all help me understand whether I am improving or overdoing it.
The COROS Pace 3 gives me the kind of data I actually check after a run. It feels like a running watch first, not a smartwatch pretending to be one.
3. Battery life is excellent
COROS claims up to 15 days of regular use and 38 hours of full GPS on the Pace 3. That is more than enough for my routine.
I did not want another device that needs daily charging. The Pace 3 feels like a proper fitness watch because I can focus on training instead of battery anxiety.
4. It is focused on training, not distractions
Garmin watches often offer more features, more widgets, more lifestyle tools, and a bigger ecosystem. That is useful for many people.
But I wanted something simpler:
- Start a run
- Track GPS
- Check heart rate
- Review training load
- Track sleep
- Monitor recovery
The COROS Pace 3 does that without feeling overloaded.
5. Dual-frequency GPS is useful
The Pace 3 supports dual-frequency GPS, which helps with better tracking in difficult areas like crowded roads, trees, and places with buildings.
For a watch in this price range, that was a strong reason to choose COROS.
6. The COROS app feels clean
I liked the COROS app because it is training-focused. It gives enough data without making the experience feel complicated.
For someone who wants to improve fitness slowly and consistently, this matters more than having every possible smartwatch feature.
Why I Did Not Choose Garmin
This is not because Garmin is bad. Garmin is one of the best brands for running and fitness watches.
But I did not choose Garmin because:
- Comparable Garmin models were usually more expensive.
- I did not need every Garmin ecosystem feature.
- Some models felt more smartwatch-like than I wanted.
- COROS gave me the core running-watch features at a better value.
- The Pace 3 was lighter and simpler for my daily use.
- I wanted accurate running analytics more than extra smartwatch features.
If you already love Garmin Connect, use Garmin accessories, or want Garmin-specific features, Garmin still makes sense. But I was buying my first serious GPS fitness watch, and COROS felt like the smarter starting point.
COROS Pace 3 Pros
- Very lightweight
- Long battery life
- Dual-frequency GPS
- Good running and training metrics
- Useful analytics for pace, heart rate, training load, and recovery
- Comfortable for sleep tracking
- Simple and focused interface
- Strong value for runners and fitness users
COROS Pace 3 Cons
- Display is practical, not as beautiful as AMOLED.
- Smartwatch features are limited.
- It does not feel as premium as some Garmin models.
- If you want maps, music apps, payments, or a richer smartwatch ecosystem, Garmin may be better.
These are real trade-offs, but for my use they were acceptable.
Who Should Buy COROS Pace 3?
Buy the COROS Pace 3 if:
- You run, walk, cycle, or train regularly.
- You want a lightweight GPS watch.
- You want accurate running analytics after each workout.
- You care more about fitness data than smartwatch apps.
- You want long battery life.
- You want good value under roughly ₹25,000-₹27,000.
- You prefer a clean, simple training experience.
Buy here: COROS Pace 3 on Amazon
Who Should Still Buy Garmin?
Buy a Garmin watch if:
- You already use Garmin Connect.
- You want a bigger ecosystem.
- You want more smartwatch features.
- You prefer Garmin's coaching, maps, or advanced model options.
- Budget is not your main concern.
Garmin is still excellent. I simply felt the COROS Pace 3 gave me the better balance for my needs.
Final Decision
I bought the COROS Pace 3 because it felt like the right watch for my real life, not just the best watch on a spec sheet.
The main reasons were:
- Lightweight design
- Strong GPS tracking
- Accurate running analytics
- Long battery life
- Clean fitness-focused app
- Better value for my needs
If you want a simple, reliable, training-focused GPS watch, I think the COROS Pace 3 is one of the best choices in its price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is COROS Pace 3 better than Garmin?
COROS Pace 3 is better value if you want a lightweight, training-focused GPS watch at a lower price. Garmin is better if you want a larger ecosystem, more smartwatch features, and more model choices.
Is COROS Pace 3 good for beginners?
Yes. COROS Pace 3 is beginner-friendly but still powerful enough for regular runners. It gives useful GPS, heart-rate, sleep, recovery, and training data without feeling too complicated.
Is COROS Pace 3 good for runners?
Yes. COROS Pace 3 is especially good for runners who want a lightweight watch with reliable GPS, useful pace data, heart-rate tracking, training load, recovery insights, and long battery life.
Does COROS Pace 3 have good battery life?
Yes. COROS claims up to 15 days of regular use and 38 hours of full GPS, which is more than enough for most runners and fitness users.
Should I buy COROS Pace 3 or Garmin?
Buy COROS Pace 3 if you want value, lightweight comfort, and focused training data. Buy Garmin if you want more smartwatch features, Garmin Connect ecosystem, and a wider range of premium models.
Sources Checked
- COROS Pace 3 official product page
- COROS Pace 3 technical specifications
- COROS battery specifications
- Amazon India search listings for current buying links.
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