Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Gps Running Watches

Coros Pace 4 vs Garmin Enduro 3

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Garmin Enduro 3 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.1). Garmin Enduro 3 is best for: Endurance athletes prioritizing battery life over AMOLED visuals or smart features. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Coros Pace 4
Ranked #5 in Best Gps Running Watches
Coros Pace 4
2 sources$249as of Oct 11

The Coros Pace 4 weighs just 32 grams with a nylon band, offering an ultralight profile that Trailrunmag describes as feeling more like a festival wristband than a traditional GPS watch. It features a bright 1.2-inch AMOLED display and delivers up to 41 hours of battery life in High GPS mode, though OutdoorGearLab measured 40 hours during continuous tracking. The device includes a built-in microphone for voice notes but lacks detailed topographic maps, relying instead on breadcrumb navigation that requires pre-loaded routes. It also misses NFC contactless payments and native Spotify integration, while the touchscreen is prone to accidental triggers when wearing gloves or thick jackets. This watch fits runners prioritizing comfort and endurance over smart features, whereas those needing full mapping or payment capabilities should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Features a bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display that is highly legible in direct sunlight and rich visually.
  • — Delivers exceptional GPS battery life of up to 41 hours in High GPS mode, suitable for ultra-distance efforts.
  • — Includes a built-in microphone enabling voice notes, training log dictation, and on-watch voice pins.
Watch-outs
  • — Lacks detailed topographic maps, relying instead on breadcrumb navigation that requires pre-loaded routes.
  • — Missing NFC contactless payment capabilities and native Spotify music streaming integration.
  • — Touchscreen is prone to accidental triggers when wearing gloves or thick jackets during activities.
Garmin Enduro 3
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Gps Running Watches
Garmin Enduro 3
3 sources$799.99as of Oct 11

The Garmin Enduro 3 delivers up to 120 hours of GPS battery life, extending to 320 hours with solar charging, a feat Dcrainmaker verified across epic hikes and endurance rides. Bettertrail recorded smartwatch battery life of 36 days without solar, highlighting the device's exceptional longevity for ultra-marathoners and thru-hikers who need weeks of off-grid reliability. However, the single 51 mm case size limits comfort for everyday wear or smaller wrists, a trade-off that OutdoorGearLab confirmed through lab tests of continuous GPS tracking. While Gearjunkie praised its durability in extreme conditions, Hodinky-365.com noted the thick profile and plastic lugs raise questions about long-term build quality compared to titanium predecessors. This watch fits endurance athletes prioritizing battery life over AMOLED visuals or smart features; those seeking a discreet everyday wearable should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Delivers up to 120 hours of GPS battery life, extending to 320 hours with solar charging.
  • — Features a redesigned solar panel that is 120% more efficient than the previous generation while improving screen clarity by removing the transparent display overlay.
  • — Weighs only 63 grams, making it significantly lighter than comparable titanium models like the Fenix 8.
Watch-outs
  • — The single 51 mm case size is considered large and limits comfort for everyday wear or smaller wrists.
  • — Lacks a built-in microphone and speaker, preventing direct wrist calls found on higher-end Garmin models.
  • — Uses a Memory-in-Pixel display that reviewers note feels dated compared to modern AMOLED screens.

How they stack up

Coros Pace 4

Weighing just 32g, the Coros Pace 4 is significantly lighter than the bulky Apple Watch Ultra 3 (61.8g) and Garmin Enduro 3 (63g), making it ideal for comfort-focused runners.

Garmin Enduro 3

The Garmin Enduro 3 lists 120 hours of GPS battery life, or 320 with solar, against 41 hours for the Coros Pace 4 and 21 hours for the Garmin Forerunner 970. It uses a memory-in-pixel display where those two use AMOLED panels, and at 63 g it weighs almost twice as much as the 32g Coros Pace 4.

Specs side-by-side

SpecCoros Pace 4Garmin Enduro 3
Display Size1.2 inch AMOLED—
Battery Life19 days—
GPS Battery Life41 hours120 hours (320 w/ solar)
Water Resistance5 ATM10 ATM
Case Size43.4 x 43.4 x 11.8mm51 mm
Case MaterialPlasticSapphire crystal
Weight32g63 g
Display TypeAMOLEDMemory-in-pixel
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