Faced with the choice between the Coros Pace 3 and the Garmin Forerunner 255, how do you decide on your next sports watch? This comparison looks in detail at their key differences to guide you to the one that's right for you. Whether you're a trail runner, a runner or a triathlete, find out which watch will push your limits with the best value for money.
Contents
Contents
- Price: comparing value for money
- Battery life: endurance in question
- Screen and display: legibility and technology
- Sports functions: performance monitoring and analysis
Price: comparing value for money
La Coros Pace 3 and the Garmin Forerunner 255 have similar prices. According to the data, the Garmin Forerunner 255 starts at €203.99 on idealo.fr. See our full comparison of 2025 trail watches to better assess their positioning.
Coros Pace 3 offers a affordable price, autonomy and high-performance GPS. Despite its features, it's still affordable, making it an interesting alternative to the Garmin 255.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 justifies its cost with comprehensive features tailored to Its advanced features come at a price, but they will appeal to triathletes and trail runners alike. While its advanced options come at a price, they will appeal to triathletes and trail runners.
Garmin offers two versions of the Forerunner 255: standard and Music. The latter stores 500 songs, ideal for running without a smartphone. This audio supplement is worth the difference for music lovers on the move.
Promotions for these watches are occasional. To find the the best deals, go to specialist websites such as i-run.fr or therunningcollective.fr. Also compare accessory packages to optimise your purchase.
Complementary accessories (bracelets, chargers) remain accessories. Both brands guarantee durability over several years. Bear in mind that updates software extend the life watches.
| Features | Coros Pace 3 | Garmin Forerunner 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 42 x 42 x 11.7 mm | 45.6 x 45.6 x 13.5 mm |
| Materials | Fibreglass-reinforced nylon case, Corning Gorilla® glass | Polycarbonate case, convex glass |
| Weight | Approx. 49 g | Approx. 46 g |
| Type of bracelet | Interchangeable silicone strap (20 mm) | Silicone or nylon wristband (20 mm), QuickFit compatible |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM (swimming, rain) | 5 ATM (swimming, rain) |
| Durability | Lightweight but robust construction | Designed for intense training |
Coros Pace 3 has a sleek, sporty design. Its fibreglass-reinforced nylon casing combines lightness and strength. With its colour screen and compact size (42 mm), it's ideal for sportsmen and women looking for a sporty, sporty watch. ergonomic watch for longer sessions.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 adopts a technical design with its polycarbonate case and convex glass. Slightly thicker (13.5 mm), the focuses on solidity for intensive use. Compare with our test of the Garmin Fenix 8 for insights into the finishing of high-end watches.
During the race, the two watches fit all wrists. The Coros is slightly heavier (49 g), but remains discreet thanks to its flat pin. The Garmin (46 g) surprisingly comfortable despite its size, ideal for long distances.
Interchangeable wristbands simplify maintenance. Coros offers a quick-change system, Garmin uses the QuickFit™ system. Both brands offer silicone or nylon options, with a wide choice colours and materials to suit every style.
In everyday use, the two watches are easy to forget. Their thinness (11.7 mm for the Coros, 13.5 mm for the Garmin) makes it easy to wear on the wrist. While you sleep, the absence of sharp edges prevents night-time discomfort.
With 5 ATM resistance, both models brave rain and long swims. The Coros case is shock-resistant thanks to its composite structure. The Garmin, designed for demanding training, withstands accidental falls on steep paths.
Battery life: endurance in question
In connected watch mode, the Coros Pace 3 promises up to 14 days of autonomyThe Garmin Forerunner 255 has a charge time of around 12 days. These durations are suitable for both occasional and regular sportspeople, avoiding the need for frequent recharging.
Coros Pace 3 and Garmin Forerunner 255 have established themselves as a benchmark for energy efficiency. The Garmin Forerunner 255, although slightly inferior, remains competitive thanks to its energy-saving mode. Both watches can be adapted to daily training without compromising performance.
- Coros Pace 3 30 hours in GPS-only mode, 40 hours in economy mode
- Garmin Forerunner 255 34 hours in standard GPS mode, 55 hours in UltraTrac mode
- Intensive GPSSignificant reduction to 10-12 hours on both models
- Garmin Music : Listening to music reduces battery life to 5-6 hours
- Stamina tipDeactivating unnecessary sensors to maximise autonomy
The GPS remains the main factor in the Coros Pace 3's fuel consumption. Reduce brightness and deactivate sensors optimises battery life. The AMOLED screen, although bright, needs to be adjusted to conserve energy.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 sees its autonomy vary depending on the functions activated. Parallel GPS and music limit outings to 5-6 hours. Deactivating superfluous notifications and heart rate tracking significantly extends battery life.
For long events, both watches last more than 30 hours with the right settings. The Coros Pace 3, in economy mode, remains operational for 40 hours. The Garmin Forerunner 255, in UltraTrac, achieves 55 hours of targeted use.
Both models take between 1 and 2 hours to fully recharge. The Coros Pace 3 uses a compact magnetic charger, while the Garmin Forerunner 255 opts for stable metal contacts. Both systems make it easier rapid recharging between sessions.
To optimise battery life, opt for reduced brightness and deactivate continuous heart rate monitoring. Real-time notifications drain the battery unnecessarily. These simple adjustments stretch autonomy of several hours without detracting from the experience.
Screen and display: legibility and technology
La Coros Pace 3 and Garmin 255 use different screen technologies. The Coros opts for a vibrant AMOLED screen, while the Garmin opts for a monochrome MIP screen. Check out the reference article for a detailed analysis of these choices.
The AMOLED screen on the Coros Pace 3 shines with its vivid colours and high contrast. The Garmin 255, with its MIP screen, prioritises battery life and readability in bright sunlight. Both technologies adapt for very different sporting purposes.
Outdoors, the Garmin 255's MIP screen remains perfectly legible in bright sunlight. The AMOLED screen on the Coros, although less effective in bright light, is a real winner in low-light conditions. A decisive choice depending on your training terrain.
The Garmin 255 features a touchscreen for quick adjustments. The Coros Pace 3 features responsive physical buttons, ideal for use in demanding environments. The two approaches can be adapted to suit a wide range of sporting preferences.
Garmin 255 offers extensive customisation of the dials via the Connect IQ application. The Coros Pace 3 offers modular data, but with less variety. The two watches continue to perform well, displaying the essential metrics in activity.
In energy-saving mode, the MIP screen on the Garmin 255 becomes monochrome and simplified. The screen on the Coros becomes darker, preserving battery life. These adjustments limit functionality, but ensure prolonged use endurance.
Sports functions: performance monitoring and analysis
The Coros Pace 3 and Garmin Forerunner 255 offer a variety of sports modes. See our international comparison of 2025 trail watches for more information. The Coros includes running, trail running, cycling, swimming and triathlon. The Garmin adds profiles for yoga, weightlifting and cross-training. Both models are suitable for personalised training.
Both watches feature an optical cardio sensor on the wrist. The Garmin offers advanced measurements such as real-time heart rate and training analysis. The Coros stands out for its precise measurement in motion thanks to an algorithm optimised for running.
For GPS tracking, Coros Pace 3 offers fast, stable geolocationeven in dense forests. The Garmin Forerunner 255 features a multiband GPS for greater precision in the mountains. Both watches offer real-time data to help you optimise your routes.
The recovery functions are well integrated. The Garmin calculates a recovery score based on activity and sleep. The Coros analyses heart rate to adjust training. These tools help avoid overload and progress in complete safety.
The personalisation of sessions differs. The Garmin lets you create complex workouts via the Connect application. The Coros offers predefined, but less flexible sessions. The two systems help structure your objectives sports on a daily basis.
Both models analyse post-activity data. The Garmin Forerunner 255 generates detailed reports with recommendations for improvement. Coros Pace 3 compiles key metrics to assess your progress. This feedback is essential to refine your training strategy.
Between the Coros Pace 3 and the Garmin Forerunner 255, your needs set the pace: legendary autonomy versus advanced functions. Your next sporting challenge deserves a reliable partner. So get set, which GPS watch will take your training to the next level?
FAQ
What is the difference between Forerunner 255 and 255s?
The main difference between Garmin Forerunner 255 and 255S lies in their size, weight and autonomy. The 255S is smaller (41 x 41 x 12.4 mm) and lighter (39 g), designed for thinner wrists, while the 255 is slightly larger (45.6 x 45.6 x 12.9 mm) and weighs 49 g.
This difference in size translates into a different battery life. The Forerunner 255 offers up to 14 days in connected mode and 30 hours in GPS mode, while the Forerunner 255S offers up to 12 days in connected mode and 26 hours in GPS mode. So the choice will depend on the size of your wrist and your battery life preferences.
How do I connect a Coros sensor to a Garmin?
The compatibility of a COROS sensor with a Garmin watch depends on the type of connection. COROS sensors are generally compatible via Bluetooth. Make sure your Garmin watch supports Bluetooth connectivity for heart rate sensors.
To connect the sensor, activate Bluetooth on your Garmin and search for available sensors. The COROS sensor should appear in the list. Select it to establish the connection and display the heart rate data. If the connection fails, check your watch for software updates or contact technical support.
