Score: 84/100 | Verdict: BUY
The Coros Pace 4 is the best value GPS running watch you can buy in 2025. At $249, it delivers dual-frequency GPS, a stunning AMOLED display, and 41 hours of battery life in a package lighter than most competitors charge twice as much for. If you're a runner who prioritizes accurate data over smartwatch features, this is the watch to beat.
The Bottom Line
The Pace 4 succeeds by focusing relentlessly on what runners actually need: accurate GPS tracking, comprehensive training metrics, and battery life that won't quit mid-marathon. It stumbles on smart features and has a frustrating scroll wheel, but at this price point, those are acceptable trade-offs.
| What We Love | What We Don't |
|---|---|
| 41-hour GPS battery life | No offline maps |
| Brilliant 1,500-nit AMOLED display | Problematic scroll wheel |
| Featherweight 32g design | No music streaming |
| Dual-frequency GPS standard | Heart rate inconsistent outside running |
| Full EvoLab training suite | Customer service concerns |
Design & Display
At 32 grams with the nylon band, the Pace 4 is the lightest AMOLED GPS running watch in its class. You genuinely forget you're wearing it – Tom's Guide described it as "so lightweight and small... very comfortable to wear 24/7," and that matches our assessment. Road Trail Run's multi-tester team went further: "There's hardly a sport watch on the market that's as light and feels as comfortable."
The 1.2-inch AMOLED display is a genuine highlight. At 390 × 390 pixels with reported 1,500-nit peak brightness, it's readable in direct sunlight and gorgeous indoors. Road Trail Run called it "probably the best AMOLED implementation" outside of Apple's ecosystem. The always-on mode doesn't murder battery life like it does on cheaper watches.
The scroll wheel problem: The digital crown drew consistent criticism across reviewers. Runner's World didn't mince words – it "sucks when you're running, especially when you're wearing gloves." We agree with Road Trail Run's assessment that it's a "materially worse design" than Garmin's five-button layout. Accidental inputs during runs are common.
Key Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $249 USD / £229 GBP |
| Weight | 32g (nylon) / 40g (silicone) |
| Display | 1.2" AMOLED, 390 × 390 px |
| Dimensions | 43.4 × 43.4 × 11.8 mm |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM (50m) |
| Glass | Mineral |
GPS & Tracking Accuracy
Dual-frequency GPS comes standard on the Pace 4 – a feature Garmin reserves for watches costing $100+ more. The watch locks onto GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS satellites simultaneously, and real-world accuracy is excellent for road running.
Tom's Guide tested it against the Garmin Forerunner 265 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, finding it "produced accurate GPS tracks during runs and bike rides." DC Rainmaker's extensive testing confirmed the GPS performance holds up under varied conditions.
Where it struggles: In dense urban environments or heavy tree cover, some users report inconsistent tracks. One Reddit user described GPS accuracy in challenging conditions as unreliable, though this is common across budget GPS watches.
Heart Rate & Health Tracking
The optical heart rate sensor performs well during running – its primary use case. Coros improved the sensor from the Pace 3, reducing outlier spikes during steady efforts.
The catch: Accuracy drops noticeably during non-running activities. The 5kRunner documented "significant 3.5% overall error" during a 3-hour cycling test and noted the watch "doesn't excel in the gym during weightlifting sessions." If you're primarily a cyclist or gym-goer, budget for a chest strap.
The watch includes SpO2 monitoring, skin temperature tracking, and Coros's sleep analysis. These work adequately but aren't class-leading – they're table stakes features at this point.
Battery Life
This is where the Pace 4 embarrasses the competition.
| Mode | Pace 4 | Garmin FR 265 | Garmin FR 165 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPS | 41 hours | 20 hours | 17 hours |
| Dual-frequency GPS | 31 hours | 14 hours | – |
| Daily use | 19 days | 13 days | 11 days |
DC Rainmaker confirmed: "The COROS Pace 4 (AMOLED) easily beats the COROS Pace 3 in literally every single GPS battery category" – despite the power-hungry AMOLED upgrade. For ultramarathoners and multi-day adventurers, this battery life is genuinely useful, not just a spec sheet number.
Training Features
The Pace 4 includes Coros's full EvoLab suite:
- Training Load & Recovery – tracks your accumulated stress and suggests recovery time
- VO2max Estimation – reasonably accurate for a wrist-based estimate
- Race Predictor – gives goal times for 5K through marathon
- Effort Pace – adjusts pace targets based on elevation and conditions
- Structured Workouts – sync from the Coros app or Training Peaks
These are features you'd expect on $400+ Garmin watches. The Coros app isn't as polished as Garmin Connect, but the training insights are comparable.
What's Missing
Let's be direct about what you're giving up at $249:
No offline maps. The Pace 4 supports breadcrumb navigation via GPX files, but there are no street names, POIs, or turn-by-turn directions. Runner's World called this "a deal-breaker" for trail runners. If you need maps, look at the Coros Pace Pro ($349) or Garmin Forerunner 955.
No music streaming. You can load MP3 files (4GB storage), but there's no Spotify, Apple Music, or any streaming service integration. The Forerunner 265 has this; the Pace 4 doesn't.
No contactless payments. No NFC, no Garmin Pay equivalent.
Limited smartwatch features. Notifications work but aren't customizable. The app ecosystem is bare compared to Garmin Connect IQ.
The Competition
vs. Garmin Forerunner 165 ($250)
The most direct competitor at the same price:
| Feature | Coros Pace 4 | Garmin FR 165 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS Battery | 41 hours | 17 hours |
| Weight | 32g | 39g |
| Dual-frequency GPS | Yes | No |
| Music | MP3 only | Spotify (Music variant) |
| Training Load | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Ecosystem | No | Yes |
Our take: The Pace 4 wins on battery, weight, and GPS capability. The FR 165 wins if you're invested in Garmin's ecosystem or want music streaming (FR 165 Music at $300).
vs. Garmin Forerunner 265 ($450)
| Feature | Coros Pace 4 | Garmin FR 265 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS Battery | 41 hours | 20 hours |
| Weight | 32g | 47g |
| Music Streaming | No | Yes |
| NFC Payments | No | Yes |
| ANT+ Sensors | No | Yes |
Our take: The FR 265 is the better all-around smartwatch. The Pace 4 is the better running tool at nearly half the price. Tom's Guide ran both during a half marathon and concluded the Pace 4 is "the best value running watch on the market."
Community Sentiment
Reddit Consensus
Across r/Coros, r/running, and r/Garmin, the Pace 4 reception is largely positive. Users consistently praise:
- Battery life – "Fantastic battery life is a killer feature." Multiple users report 10+ day vacations without charging.
- Value – "About half the price for the same features." The no-subscription model resonates with users frustrated by fitness app paywalls.
Common complaints mirror professional reviews:
- Software customization is limited compared to Garmin
- The scroll wheel causes frustration during runs
- Some report GPS inconsistencies in challenging conditions
Overall: Reddit shows a slight preference for Coros over Garmin on battery and value, with Garmin winning on ecosystem and app quality.
Customer Service Warning
Coros holds a 2/5 rating on Trustpilot (92 reviews). Complaints center on:
- Delivery issues and warehouse delays
- Warranty disputes shortly after expiration
- Limited support options (email only, no phone)
- Slow chatbot responses
One user summarized: "This company used to provide amazing customer service, been with them for years. Not this time."
Important context: These ratings reflect brand-wide service issues, not Pace 4 product quality. The disconnect between enthusiastic product reviews and poor service ratings is worth noting – you're buying a great watch from a company with support growing pains.
Who Should Buy It
Ideal for: - Runners focused on performance metrics without paying $400+ - Athletes upgrading from a basic fitness band - Marathoners and ultrarunners who need all-day battery - Anyone who finds Garmin Fenix-style watches too bulky - First-time serious running watch buyers
Not recommended for: - Trail runners who need offline maps (get the Pace Pro) - Gym-focused athletes (HR accuracy requires a chest strap) - Smartwatch users who want streaming music and payments - Anyone who prioritizes responsive customer support
The Verdict
Score: 84/100
The Coros Pace 4 earns its score through exceptional execution on core running features at an aggressive price point. We weight GPS accuracy, battery life, and training tools heavily for a running watch – the Pace 4 excels at all three. The score reflects deductions for the scroll wheel design (-3), missing maps (-3), limited smart features (-5), and customer service concerns (-5).
As DC Rainmaker put it: "COROS delivers a very solid watch at a very solid price point."
For runners who want accurate data and don't need their watch to replace their phone, the Pace 4 is the clear value leader in 2025.
Recommendation: BUY – especially over the Garmin Forerunner 165 unless you need Garmin's ecosystem.