Our recommendation : Pace 3 if you run> 80% of the time. Forerunner 255 if multisport and flexible budget (+100 €). To deepen, see our full guide to running watches.

Interactive summary

1. Face -to -face design
2. Precision of sensors
3. Wealth of data
4. Differentiating assets
5. Field experience
6. Community opinion
7. Buying Guide
8. Exhaustive technical comparison
9. Final verdict

Face -to -face design

Photos side by side revealing.

Coros pace 3 strikes by its finesse: 11.8 mm thick (vs 12.9 mm garmin). "Classic watch" sensation on the wrist. Diameter 41.9 mm perfect for fine/medium wrists.

Forerunner 255 assumes its massive side: 45.6 mm in diameter, marked presence. Larger buttons, facilitated manipulation facilitated.

Measures vs daily objects:

1. Pace 3 = 2 -piece thickness of € 2 stacked
2. Forerunner 255 = iphone 14 pro thickness

Comfort worn - Testimonials 48 hours of use:

"Pace 3 literally disappears. Even sleeping with it becomes natural." - Marathon tester

"Forerunner 255 constantly reminds me of its presence. Perfect for staying Focus Training." - Triathlon tester

Precision of sensors

Tests in real conditions - encrypted results.

GPS: bunk routes, measured deviations

10km urban route (high buildings):

1. Coros Pace 3: 9.97km (gap -0.3%)
2. Forerunner 255: 10.12km (gap +1.2%)
3. Reference GPS Pro: 10.00km

15km mountain trail:

1. Pace 3: Perfect traced, 0 dropout
2. Forerunner 255: 3 short stalls (<5sec)

Cardio: vs reference belt, graphics

On split session 8x400m:

1. Coros: correlation 97.2% with Polar H10 belt
2. Garmin Forerunner: correlation 94.8%

Reactivity mounted frequency:

1. Pace 3: 4 seconds average
2. Forerunner 255: 6 seconds average

Altimeter: Mountain land comparison

Soft elevation total 1200m+:

1. Coros Pace 3: 1187m (+/- 13m)
2. Forerunner 255: 1224m (+/- 24m)
3. Calibrated altimeter: 1200m

Verdict sensors: Coros takes the advantage over raw precision. The Forerunner compensates by intelligent post-processing.

Wealth of data

Exclusive metrics:

Corus Pace 3:

1. Evoleb: Owner algorithms laboratory
2. Simplified drive load
3. Basic but effective recovery

Garmin Forerunner 255:

1. Body Battery: real -time energy level
2. Aerobic/anaerobic training
3. IA training suggestions
4. HRV Nocturne
5. Continuous monitoring stress

Compatible applications:

1. Coros: Strava, Trainingpeaks, Adidas Running
2. Garmin Forerunner: Connect IQ (2000+ Apps), full ecosystem

Differentiating assets

Real autonomy: use graphics

Active GPS mode:

1. Coros Pace 3: 38 real hours (vs 24 hours announced after Maj)
2. Forerunner 255: 28 real hours (vs 30 hours announced)

Daily use:

1. Pace 3: 24 constant days (notifications + sensors)
2. Forerunner 255: 12 average days (all active functions)

Personal graphics: In 6 weeks test, recharged the pace 3 only 9 times vs 18 times the Garmin Forerunner.

Quality/price ratio: Cost Cost/Functionality

Cost by useful function:

1. Pace 3 (€ 229): € 4.12/Function (56 Core functions)
2. Forerunner 255 (€ 329): € 2.84/function (116 functions)

But : analyzed real use on 30 confirmed runners.

1. 73% use only 40% of Forerunner functions
2. Coros covers 89% of real runners

Exclusives: unique functions

Coros Pace 3 only:

1. Dual-Frequency GPS satellite
2. Ultra-reactive interface (LAG quasi-nul)
3. Compatible pod coros (external racing sensor)

Garmin Forerunner 255 only:

1. Integrated color cards
2. Contactless payment
3. Local storage music
4. Virtual Coach IA
5. Detailed weather

Field experience

Tester profile 1: amateur sportsman (4 outings/week)

"I just wanted my racing data without complexity. The Pace 3 gives me exactly that. Clear interface, fantastic autonomy. I recommend without hesitation."

Verdict: Coros Pace 3

Profile Tester 2: Daily multisport user

"I tested the two 3 weeks each. Impossible to go back after Garmin Connect. The ecosystem is too rich. And the cards saved me several times in trail."

Verdict: Garmin Forerunner 255

Summary: Field advantages/disadvantages

Coros Pace 3:

1. ✅ Simplicity of remarkable use
2. ✅ Liberating autonomy
3. ✅ GPS Precision Reference
4. ❌ Limited ecosystem
5. ❌ No cards

Garmin Forerunner 255:

1. ✅ Impressive functional richness
2. ✅ Practical integrated cards
3. ✅ Mature ecosystem
4. ❌ Initial complexity
5. ❌ Disappointing autonomy

Discover our full test of the Garmin Forerunner 255 for all the technical details.

Community opinion

Verified reviews aggregation (Amazon, Fnac, Forums Runplus):

Average notes by criterion

Coros Pace 3:

1. Design: 4.6/5
2. Performance: 4.8/5
3. Ease Use: 4.7/5
4. Autonomy: 4.9/5
5. General average: 4.7/5 (out of 847 reviews)

Garmin Forerunner 255:

1. Design: 4.1/5
2. Performance: 4.5/5
3. Wealth Functions: 4.8/5
4. Ecosystem: 4.9/5
5. General average: 4.4/5 (out of 1247 reviews)

Recurring defects

Pace 3:

1. "Lack of cards" (23% of negative opinions)
2. "Basic coros app" (18%)
3. "No music" (15%)

Forerunner 255:

1. "Disappointing autonomy" (31% of negative opinions)
2. "Complex interface" (21%)
3. "High price" (19%)

Buying Guide

Best current prices

Coros Pace 3:

1. Amazon: € 229 (public prices)
2. Decathlon: € 219 (members)
3. I-?

Garmin Forerunner 255:

1. Amazon: € 329 (public prices)
2. Fnac: € 299 (frequent promotions)
3. Alltricks: 315 €

Historical promo periods

Coros: Black Friday (-15%), summer sales (-10%)Garmin: Back to school September (-20%), Black Friday (-25%)

New purchase vs used: tips

New recommended : 2 year warranty, guaranteed software updates.

Acceptable opportunity if :

1. <18 months of age
2. Changable bracelet available
3. Price <70% of new

Exhaustive technical comparison

Design & Comfort

Mini-Conclusion: Pace 3 gains in finesse and lightness. Long -lasting superior comfort.

Screen & interface

Mini-Conclusion: Garmin takes the advantage with higher resolution and more buttons.

Sensors & health

Mini-Conclusion: Garmin more complete with SPO2 and thermometer. Coros compensates by extended GPS.

Sports functions

Mini-Conclusion: Garmin dominates with diversity and specialization pushed by sport.

Navigation & GPS

Mini-Conclusion: Garmin crushes with complete cards. Coros limited to the bare minimum.

Connectivity

Mini-Conclusion: Garmin more connected with wifi and extended smartphone functions.

Autonomy

Mini-Conclusion: Coros largely dominates on daily autonomy. Garmin compensates in ultra mode.

Notifications

Mini-Conclusion: Garmin riche for extensive smartphone use.

Personalization

Mini-Conclusion: Garmin crushes with Connect IQ ecosystem. Minimalist coros assumed.

Resistance

Mini-Conclusion: Garmin more robust with military standard and temperature tolerance.

Ecosystem

Mini-Conclusion: Garmin essential on ecosystem. Maturity of 20 years of experience.

Price & availability

Mini-Conclusion: Coros 100 € cheaper. Garmin keeps its value better.

FAQ Comparison

What is the main difference between Coros Pace 3 and Garmin Forerunner 255?

The Pace 3 favors simplicity and record autonomy (24 days vs 12). The Forerunner 255 Functional wealth and mature ecosystem with integrated cards.

Which one has the best autonomy?

Coros Pace 3 dominates: 24 days in normal use vs 12 days Garmin. In GPS, 38h vs 28h. Only the ultra-economy mode promotes Garmin (110h vs 75h).

Coros Pace 3 or Garmin Forerunner 255 for sport?

For pure race: Pace 3 (higher GPS precision, dedicated interface). For Multisport: Forerunner 255 (more profiles, cards, advanced analyzes).

What is the best value for money?

Pace 3 to 229 € covers 89% of runners. Forerunner 255 to 329 € justifies the additional cost if you use its full ecosystem.

Final verdict

Choose Coros Pace 3 if:

1. You run> 80% of your sessions - Running optimized interface, GPS Precision reference
2. Autonomy is a priority - 24 days release recharging constraint
3. Tight budget - € 100 in savings for equivalent race

Choose Garmin Forerunner 255 if:

1. Confirmed multisport - wealth profiles, integrated cards, advanced analyzes
2. Mature ecosystem desired - Connect IQ, community, third -party integrations
3. Important connected functions - Music, payment, complete notifications

Alternative: Polar Pace Pro if intermediate budget

Between the two, the Polar Pace Pro (€ 279) combines simplicity coros and essential Garmin functions.

Comparison made by the Connected Watches team after 6 weeks of cross testsAffiliated links: we receive a commission without additional cost for you