For some,
might still be the new kid on the block, but since its introduction in 2018, COROS has established itself as a key player in the
market.
In this article, we compare the best watches from COROS, so you can find the one that fits your needs. Whether you're a casual runner, tech enthusiast, climber, or want a stylish watch, COROS has a watch for you, and we help you with your choice.
What primarily sets COROS apart from its competitors is the insane battery life, a scroll button, and the constant drive to innovate and develop software. If you own a , you'll continuously experience new features being added, enhancing your watch.
COROS PACE 4 – The "New" Ultimate Running Watch
COROS faced a challenge when naturally updating what many called the ultimate running watch. The has always been among the lightest watches on the market, without compromising on the essentials of a running watch. This year is no exception:
GPS, processor, wrist-based heart rate monitor, and battery life (19 days, 41 hours GPS activity) in PACE 4 are better than ever. COROS succeeded with upgrades while adding an AMOLED screen: A HUGE UPGRADE. The screen significantly enhances the user experience, ensuring you never doubt your data during a run.
COROS PACE 4 also features an extra button, which among other things, controls the newly added microphone. You can use it to record voice messages during runs, making it easy to keep your training log updated. All additions and omissions are carefully considered to optimize the runner's experience.
UPDATED! All COROS PACE 4 watches have full navigation with maps as standard from October 2026. If your watch hasn't received it yet, just update it via the COROS app. With 4 GB of storage, there's not enough space for maps of the entire world. But since a map of an area takes up about 250 MB, you still have plenty of space to navigate where you are. Simply go into the COROS app and download the map of the area you need. It's very easy and takes just a moment.
COROS PACE 4 Pro – With the Wildest Screen!
builds on everything runners love about the COROS PACE series: low weight, long battery life, and precise data. Now you also get a wild screen and build quality fit for a top model watch.
The 1.47" AMOLED screen is 20% larger than on PACE 4. It's the brightest COROS has ever made, with up to 3,500 nits. It's razor-sharp in full sun, and in the evening, it automatically dims. The screen also adjusts its refresh rate between 1 and 60 Hz, feeling lightning-fast when in use and conserving power when not. A HUGE UPGRADE.
The battery lasts up to 60 hours of GPS activity and 21 days of daily use. It's impressive for a watch with an AMOLED screen, and it's 19 hours more than PACE 4. With dual-frequency GPS, an upgraded heart sensor system, SpO2, and ECG, you get precise data whether running between tall buildings or in dense forests.
If you're looking for a watch with navigation and maps, PACE 4 Pro is an obvious choice. The watch has 32 GB of storage and twice the RAM of PACE 4, so the maps with street and trail names, points of interest, and turn-by-turn navigation are the fastest and most beautiful we've seen on a COROS watch.
In fact, PACE 4 Pro shares many of the best features with the top model APEX 4: sapphire glass, titanium, speaker, microphone, ECG, 32 GB storage, and full maps.
COROS APEX 4 - Durability and Extreme Battery
You could almost say COROS now has two top models, each with its focus. PACE 4 Pro bets on the large, bright screen and low weight. APEX 4 is built for long adventures in the mountains where battery and GPS are paramount.
4 comes in two sizes: 42 mm and 46 mm. Although COROS APEX 4 can do almost everything PACE 4 and PACE 4 Pro can, there is one significant difference that truly sets it apart from its siblings: the screen type, which uses significantly less power.
COROS APEX 4 is developed for a different segment where battery life is the absolute priority. Note that battery numbers cannot be directly compared: The MIP screen on APEX 4 is always on, while numbers for AMOLED watches are typically measured with the screen off in standby. With all functions enabled, APEX 4 lasts significantly longer in practice.
APEX 4 has received an updated MIP screen (Memory in Pixel), which is more contrastful and sharper than the one we saw in the previous top model VERTIX 2S. The difference between MIP and AMOLED – found in PACE 4 and PACE 4 Pro – is therefore no longer as significant as it once was.
COROS APEX 4, like COROS PACE 4 Pro, is also equipped with a microphone and speaker, allowing you to take phone calls directly from the watch. It also has ECG for more precise heart measurements, titanium frame, and sapphire glass. COROS APEX 4, again like COROS PACE 4 Pro, has navigation and 32 GB of storage, so you can download topographic maps from around the world – ideal if you travel a lot or venture far from known routes.
If you want the same robust materials with a large AMOLED screen, PACE 4 Pro is an obvious alternative, but what you lose is the wild battery life.
Therefore, outdoor enthusiasts, mountain runners, hikers, ultra-runners, and alpinists will get extra value from COROS APEX 4's battery life, advanced ski and climbing features, and precise sensors.
But you don't have to be extreme to appreciate the watch. The long battery life alone is a luxury in everyday life, and the new MIP screen is now so good that one willingly sacrifices a bit of color intensity for significantly longer runtime.
COROS VERTIX 2S – For the Extreme, the Lazy, and the Gear Nerd
2S can do everything the smaller models can, except be light and small. COROS VERTIX 2S has a larger screen, battery, and an even more robust construction. The watch can withstand higher water pressure and colder temperatures, making it the preferred watch for many climbers dreaming of conquering the world's highest peaks.
COROS VERTIX 2S also has an optional carabiner attachment for practical use during climbing.
The larger form factor also allows for a large battery, making COROS VERTIX 2S a true unicorn in the GPS watch market, perfect for lazy chargers. This watch reminds me of the days when you took for granted that your phone would last a week on each charge. COROS VERTIX 2S can easily last a month on a single charge, with all features on, naturally depending on how much you train. This is one of those features that is only truly appreciated once experienced.
COROS VERTIX 2S looks like a watch built for extreme conditions, but it also offers a wealth of features that will excite any gear enthusiast. If you want the best, choose COROS VERTIX 2S.
Comparison of Features – Coros Series
In this table, you'll find an overview of the various features for each watch. So if you love details, this table is just for you.
COROS Accessories
Coros offers a selection of nylon and silicone straps, and I mentioned earlier the carabiner attachment for climbers. But two accessories stand out.
COROS Heart Rate Monitor
Although the new optical heart rate sensor in COROS PACE 4, COROS APEX 2 Pro, and COROS VERTIX 2S is great, it's positioned suboptimally for accurate heart rate measurement.
COROS heart rate monitor has the same new pulse technology, but the placement on the upper arm makes all the difference. So if you want a more accurate heart rate monitor without a cumbersome chest strap, consider COROS' external heart rate monitor.
As a bonus, the heart rate monitor works with other brands. If your watch supports Bluetooth, it works seamlessly with the COROS heart rate monitor.
COROS POD 2
With COROS POD 2 on your shoe or hip, you get access to more accurate real-time training data. COROS POD 2 enhances your GPS, analyzes your running form, provides correct treadmill distance, and more.
COROS POD 2 gives real-time feedback on your cadence, altitude, temperature changes, and more, ensuring accurate data and effort pace. This feature is especially beneficial for planning your workouts and runs, making every aspect of your training optimal.
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