Is Coros Pace 3 better than Garmin Forerunner 165?

Coros Pace 3 takes the overall recommendation on Smartwatchify (88 MetaScore vs 88), while Garmin Forerunner 165 remains a strong option depending on street price ($249) and ecosystem preference.

Which is better value for money: Coros Pace 3 or Garmin Forerunner 165?

Coros Pace 3 is listed around $229 (100/100 value score), whereas Garmin Forerunner 165 is listed around $249 (100/100 value score). Check live Amazon and B&H Photo offers as wearable discounts frequently shift the value winner.

Should you buy Coros Pace 3 or Garmin Forerunner 165?

Choose Coros Pace 3 for the stronger all-around critic consensus and sensor longevity, or pick Garmin Forerunner 165 if its battery life, form factor, or current deal price fits your priorities better.

Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 165: Which Smartwatch or Wearable Should You Buy?

SmartwatchifyBetaReview Radar

Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 165: Which Smartwatch or Wearable Should You Buy? — Smartwatchify

Head-to-Head Spec & Score Comparison

Metric	Coros Pace 3	Garmin Forerunner 165
Critic MetaScore	88/100	88/100
Value Score	100/100	100/100
Typical Street Price	$229	$249
Category	GPS & Running Watches	GPS & Running Watches
Key Hardware / Sensors	30g ultralight / Dual-frequency GPS / 17-day battery	1.2-inch AMOLED / Adaptive Race Plans / 11-day battery
Battery Life	Up to 17 days daily use / 38 hrs standard full GPS / 15 hrs dual-frequency GNSS	Up to 11 days smartwatch mode / up to 19 hrs GPS-only / 17 hrs all-systems GNSS
Sensors & GPS	Next-gen 5-LED optical HR, SpO2, barometric altimeter, dual-frequency all-systems GNSS	Garmin Elevate Gen 4 optical HR, HRV status, Pulse Ox, barometric altimeter, multi-GNSS
Display	1.2-inch (240x240) Always-On Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) touchscreen + Digital Dial	1.2-inch (390x390) AMOLED touchscreen + 5 traditional runner buttons
Case & Lens Glass	41.9mm fiber-reinforced polymer case (30g with nylon band), Corning Gorilla Glass	43mm ultralight polymer case (39g), chemically strengthened glass
Water & Dive Rating	5 ATM (50m swimproof)	5 ATM (50m swimproof)
Platform & Storage	COROS EvoLab platform (4GB onboard MP3 storage, breadcrumb route navigation)	Garmin OS (Garmin Coach, Race Adaptive Training Plans, Morning Report, Garmin Pay)
Phone Compatibility	iOS & Android via COROS app (subscription-free training hub)	iOS & Android via Garmin Connect
Release Age	3y 2m old	2y 8m old
Consensus	88/100	88/100
Buying Verdict	Best value	Best value

Coros Pace 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 165

Editorial Verdict

Recommended Pick: Coros Pace 3

Editor's Take on Each Contender

Head-to-Head Spec & Score Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coros Pace 3 better than Garmin Forerunner 165?

Which is better value for money: Coros Pace 3 or Garmin Forerunner 165?

Should you buy Coros Pace 3 or Garmin Forerunner 165?

Editorial Team

Sanjiv Sathiah