COROS Pace 3: The Best Value Watch for Multi-Sport Athletes?
Quick Take
Rating: 4.7/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for: Multi-sport athletes, triathletes, ultrarunners, and anyone who values battery life over flashy features
Skip if: You need advanced smartwatch features, offline maps, or a large touchscreen display
Overview
The COROS Pace 3 might just be the best value proposition in sports watches right now. After two months of testing across sprint triathlons, 50K trail runs, and daily training sessions, this lightweight powerhouse has proven that you don’t need to spend £500+ to get serious athletic tracking.
At just 30 grams and £199, the Pace 3 punches well above its weight class with full triathlon mode, 24-day battery life, and the kind of GPS accuracy that rivals watches costing twice as much. But is it the right choice for busy athletes balancing training with real life?
Who It’s For
The COROS Pace 3 is perfect if you:
- Train for multiple sports (running, cycling, swimming, triathlon)
- Value battery life over daily charging routines
- Want accurate data without analysis paralysis
- Appreciate simplicity over bells and whistles
- Train outdoors frequently and need reliable GPS
- Are budget-conscious but refuse to compromise on essentials
Real-world fit: This is the watch for the age-group triathlete who doesn’t need to respond to texts mid-run, the trail runner who needs multi-day battery for ultras, or the busy parent who wants reliable training data without the smartwatch distractions.
Key Features
Outstanding Battery Life
The headline feature: 24 days in smartwatch mode, or 38 hours with GPS tracking. I tested a long weekend of training (Saturday long run with GPS, Sunday bike ride with GPS, daily step tracking) and only used 15% battery. No more pre-race panic charging.
Full Triathlon Mode
Seamless multisport tracking with automatic transitions. Press one button at T1 and T2, and the watch handles the rest. During my sprint tri test, transitions were captured perfectly with accurate splits for each discipline.
Lightweight Champion
At 30 grams, you genuinely forget you’re wearing it. After 8-hour training days, there’s no wrist fatigue. The nylon strap is comfortable even when soaking wet post-swim.
Dual-Frequency GPS
Surprisingly accurate GPS for the price point. Tested against a Garmin Forerunner 965 on the same runs, and the Pace 3 was consistently within 0.1km over 10K distances. In dense tree cover, it held signal better than expected.
Training Load & Recovery
COROS’s training load metrics are straightforward and actionable. No PhD required to understand if you’re overtraining or ready to push hard. The “Effort Pace” metric is particularly useful for knowing when to back off.
Performance in Real Life
The Morning Run Scenario
5:30 AM, pitch black, 10K tempo run: The button navigation works perfectly with gloves. Backlight is adequate (not amazing, but functional). GPS locked in under 15 seconds. Lap alerts are clear even over podcast audio. Post-run, data syncs instantly to COROS app and Strava.
The Triathlon Test
Sprint Tri, 750m swim / 20K bike / 5K run: Open water swim tracking was solid - captured 742m (pretty accurate for a chaotic mass start). Transition button press was easy even with fumbling hands. Bike power estimated from HR seemed reasonable. Run pace accurate to my foot pod. Overall: worked flawlessly when I needed it most.
The Long Stuff
50K trail run, 6+ hours: Battery barely budged (used 8%). GPS track was clean throughout - no wild jumps or dropouts. The lightweight design meant no chafing or discomfort. Loved the breadcrumb navigation feature for retracing steps.
Daily Wear
Comfortable enough to wear 24/7 for sleep tracking. Heart rate monitor is accurate at rest (spot-checked against chest strap). Step counting seems conservative but consistent. Not a “smartwatch” - no notifications, payments, or apps - and that’s the point.
Pros
✅ Exceptional battery life - genuinely lasts weeks, not days
✅ Outstanding value - flagship features at mid-range pricing
✅ Incredibly lightweight - barely notice it’s there
✅ Accurate GPS - dual-frequency holds up in challenging conditions
✅ Full triathlon support - not a watered-down version
✅ Simple, focused interface - no feature bloat
✅ Durable build - survived countless swims, rain, and accidental bumps
✅ Strong COROS ecosystem - app is clean and functional
Cons
❌ No touchscreen - button-only navigation (though I grew to prefer this)
❌ Small display - 1.2” screen can feel cramped for data fields
❌ Basic smartwatch features - no music, payments, or third-party apps
❌ No offline maps - breadcrumb navigation only
❌ Limited customization - fewer data fields and watch faces than Garmin
❌ Optical HR can lag - during high-intensity intervals, takes 10-15 seconds to respond
❌ No training plans - COROS app has workouts but not structured plans like Garmin Coach
Value for Money
At £199, the Pace 3 is an absolute steal. You’re getting:
- Features that match £400-500 watches
- Battery life that embarrasses most flagship models
- Build quality that feels premium, not budget
- A platform that won’t nickel-and-dime you with subscriptions
The catch? You’re giving up smartwatch conveniences. No Spotify control, no contactless payments, no reading notifications. If those matter to you, look elsewhere. But if you want a pure training tool that excels at the fundamentals, this is unmatched value.
Comparable alternatives:
- Garmin Forerunner 165 (£169) - better ecosystem, worse battery
- Amazfit Cheetah Pro (£186) - cheaper but limited tri support
- Polar Pacer Pro (£162) - similar features, shorter battery life
The Pace 3 wins on battery and value, loses on app ecosystem.
The Verdict
The COROS Pace 3 is the best value sports watch for multi-sport athletes in 2025.
It nails the essentials: accurate tracking, incredible battery life, full triathlon support, and bombproof reliability. Yes, it lacks the polish and features of a Garmin Forerunner 965. But for athletes who prioritize training data over Instagram notifications, this is a smarter investment.
After 8 weeks, the Pace 3 has become my daily driver. I charge it once a month. It tracks everything I need. It never dies mid-workout. And it cost less than half what I’d pay for comparable features elsewhere.
Buy it if:
- You’re training for triathlons, ultras, or multi-sport events
- Battery life anxiety is real for you
- You want flagship features without the flagship price
- You prefer focused training tools over smart distractions
Skip it if:
- You need a full smartwatch experience
- You require offline maps for navigation
- You love customizing every detail of your watch
- You’re deeply invested in the Garmin/Apple ecosystem
Bottom line: The best £229 you’ll spend on athletic tech this year. The Pace 3 proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to train like a pro.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 30g (with strap) |
| Display | 1.2” Memory LCD, 240x240 |
| Battery Life | 24 days smartwatch / 38 hours GPS |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM (50m) |
| GPS | Dual-frequency (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS) |
| Heart Rate | Optical HR sensor |
| Storage | 4GB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Multisport | Full triathlon mode |
| Navigation | Breadcrumb, back-to-start |
FAQ
Q: How does it compare to Garmin?
A: Better battery, lower price. Garmin has better app ecosystem, more features, and offline maps. Choose COROS for value and battery, Garmin for polish and features.
Q: Can I use it for swimming?
A: Yes, both pool and open water. Swim tracking is accurate and stroke recognition works well.
Q: Does it work with Strava?
A: Yes, automatic sync via the COROS app. Works seamlessly.
Q: Is the heart rate monitor accurate?
A: Generally good at steady pace, can lag 10-15 seconds during rapid changes. Use chest strap for interval training if precision matters.
Q: Can I control music?
A: No music storage or controls. Bring your phone for tunes.
Q: How long does it actually take to charge?
A: About 2 hours for a full charge. I charge mine once a month.
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Last Updated: October 2025 | Testing Period: 8 weeks | Total Training Hours: 85+ hours