If you're looking for a serious GPS running watch without breaking the bank, the choice usually comes down to two models: the Garmin Forerunner 265 and the COROS PACE 3. They are the kings of value for money in 2026, and both offer features that just a few years ago were only found in watches costing 500+ euros (World Athletics).
But they are very different in philosophy and feature sets. This comparison will help you choose the one that fits you best.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Garmin Forerunner 265 | COROS PACE 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | AMOLED 1.3" (416x416) | MIP 1.2" (260x260) |
| GPS | Dual-band (multi-band) | Dual-band (multi-band) |
| Battery (GPS) | ~20 hours | ~38 hours |
| Battery (smartwatch) | ~13 days | ~24 days |
| Weight | 47 g | 39 g (nylon) / 30 g (silicone) |
| Offline music | Yes (Spotify, Deezer) | No |
| NFC payments | Yes (Garmin Pay) | No |
| Approx. price | ~350 euros | ~230 euros |
| Best for | Complete ecosystem, AMOLED | Battery, lightweight, price |
Garmin Forerunner 265 in detail
Garmin Forerunner 265
The Forerunner 265 is arguably the most complete running watch under 400 euros. Its AMOLED display is spectacular: vibrant colors, perfect sharpness and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Once you try AMOLED, it's hard to go back to MIP screens.
Garmin Connect is the most comprehensive analysis platform on the market. Training Readiness, Training Load, Body Battery, VO2 Max, Race Predictor... you'll have metrics coming out of your ears. Plus, you can store music from Spotify and head out for a run without your phone (ACSM).
The dual-band GPS is accurate and locks on fast. The optical heart rate sensor (Elevate v4) is among the best on the market, reliable even during intervals. Its weak point: battery life. With always-on AMOLED, 20 hours of GPS is decent but far from what COROS offers.
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Very complete Garmin Connect ecosystem
- Offline music (Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music)
- Garmin Pay for NFC payments
- Huge community and support
- Shorter battery life than COROS
- 120 euros more expensive
- Slightly heavier (47 g)
- Premium features require subscription (optional)
COROS PACE 3 in detail
COROS PACE 3
The COROS PACE 3 is the revelation of the running watch market. For 230 euros it offers dual-band GPS, 38 hours of battery in GPS mode and a weight of just 30-39 grams (depending on the strap). It's hard to find better specs for less money.
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The MIP display isn't as eye-catching as the Garmin's AMOLED, but it's perfectly functional and visible outdoors. The COROS app has improved enormously and offers advanced metrics like Running Power, Training Load and built-in training plans.
Its undisputed strength is battery life: 38 hours of GPS is enough for a 100-mile ultra. For half marathon or marathon runners, this means charging the watch every 2-3 weeks with normal use. And it weighs less than many basic watches.
- Exceptional battery life (38h GPS)
- Ultralight (30-39 g)
- Accurate dual-band GPS
- 120 euros cheaper than the Garmin
- No subscriptions: everything included
- Less attractive MIP display
- No offline music
- No NFC payments
- Less mature ecosystem than Garmin
- Fewer third-party app integrations
Head-to-head comparison
GPS and accuracy
Both use dual-band GPS and offer very similar accuracy. In urban areas with tall buildings, the Garmin 265 is slightly more accurate. In open terrain, they're identical. The difference is marginal for 99% of runners. A technical tie.
Battery
A decisive win for COROS: 38 hours vs 20 hours in GPS mode. Nearly double. In smartwatch mode, 24 days vs 13 days. If you run ultras, long trails or simply hate charging your watch, the COROS has no rival.
Display
A clear win for Garmin. The Forerunner 265's AMOLED display is spectacular: vibrant colors, pure blacks, smooth animations. The COROS MIP is functional and reads well in sunlight, but there's no comparison in visual quality. If the display matters to you, go Garmin.
Running metrics
Both offer all the important metrics: pace, distance, HR, cadence, VO2 Max, Training Load, Running Power (native on COROS, Garmin needs an external sensor for power). Garmin Connect offers deeper analysis and better data visualization. COROS is more than enough for most runners.
App and ecosystem
Garmin wins clearly. Garmin Connect is the most complete platform on the market with decades of development. Integrations with Strava, TrainingPeaks, MyFitnessPal and dozens of apps. COROS has improved a lot but its ecosystem is more closed and has fewer integrations.
Price
The COROS PACE 3 (~230 euros) is 120 euros cheaper than the Garmin 265 (~350 euros). That's a significant difference. The question is whether the Garmin's extra features (AMOLED, music, payments, ecosystem) justify that 120 euros for you.
Which to choose based on your profile
- Beginner on a budget: COROS PACE 3. It has everything you need for 230 euros.
- Runner who wants music without a phone: Garmin 265. It's the only one with offline Spotify.
- Ultrarunner or trail runner: COROS PACE 3. The 38h battery makes all the difference.
- Data obsessive: Garmin 265. Garmin Connect is the king of analysis.
- Minimalist runner: COROS PACE 3. 30 grams and weeks without charging.
Alternatives
- Garmin Forerunner 165 (~250 euros): AMOLED display like the 265 but with fewer advanced metrics. A good middle ground between price and display.
- Polar Pacer Pro (~280 euros): Alternative with MIP display, solid metrics and the Polar Flow ecosystem. 35h GPS battery.
Check out our complete ranking of GPS running watches with the top 10 models.
Frequently asked questions
Which has better GPS accuracy?
Both use dual-band GPS and are very similar. In the city, the Garmin is slightly better. In open terrain, identical. The difference is marginal.
Is it worth paying more for the Garmin?
It depends. The Garmin offers AMOLED, offline music, NFC payments and a better ecosystem. The COROS has nearly double the battery life and costs 120 euros less. If battery life is your priority or you're on a tight budget, the COROS is unbeatable.
Do I need a GPS watch to start running?
It's not essential but highly recommended. It lets you measure distance, pace and HR to train smart. To get started, a Garmin 165 or COROS PACE 3 is more than enough.
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