I wore Coros and Garmin's sub-$300 sports watches - both are excellent, but one lasts longer
Original reporting by ZDNet
Lightweight sports watches refer to a growing category of compact, feature-rich wearables designed for athletes with smaller wrists seeking robust fitness tracking without the bulk of traditional smartwatches. Once dominated by larger, rugged models, the market has expanded to offer compelling options like the Garmin Forerunner 170 and Coros Pace 4, both vying for the attention of serious amateur athletes. These devices redefine expectations for their size, packing vibrant AMOLED displays, advanced heart rate sensors, and comprehensive training metrics into sleek, almost imperceptible forms. Crucially, they boast exceptional battery life, often lasting a week or more on a single charge – a significant advantage over many mainstream smartwatches that demand daily or bi-daily recharging.
Key Differentiating Features
While both watches excel in providing detailed performance data and companion apps, their philosophies diverge in key areas. The Garmin Forerunner 170 appeals to users integrated into the broader Garmin ecosystem, offering tactile button controls for all-weather use, NFC payment capabilities with Garmin Pay, and extensive third-party app support via Connect IQ. In contrast, the Coros Pace 4 stands out with its superior dual-frequency GPS for pinpoint location accuracy, even longer battery endurance, and a robust, free training platform that offers unparalleled coaching tools for athletes and their trainers. The choice ultimately hinges on individual preference for platform integration versus specialized tracking and training support.
Ultimately, both the Garmin Forerunner 170 and Coros Pace 4 represent strong contenders in the expanding market for specialized, lightweight sports watches. The optimal choice between them hinges less on inherent superiority and more on individual priorities—whether that's seamless integration into Garmin's extensive ecosystem and its tactile physical controls, or Coros's superior GPS accuracy, remarkable battery life, and robust, free coaching platform. Their emergence signals a significant refinement in how wearable technology addresses diverse user needs, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to embrace more tailored solutions.
Evolving Wearable Landscape
The availability of high-performance, compact devices like these underscores a broader evolution in the wearables industry. Manufacturers are increasingly recognizing and catering to specific demographics, such as individuals with smaller wrists or those prioritizing dedicated fitness tools over general-purpose smartwatches. This trend suggests a future where personalization and specialized functionality will drive innovation, pushing brands to offer more nuanced product lines. We can anticipate continued advancements in battery efficiency, sensor precision, and sophisticated analytics becoming standard even in entry-level models, making advanced health and fitness tracking more accessible and intuitive for a wider audience. Furthermore, the emphasis on robust software platforms and integrated community features—as exemplified by Garmin Connect and Coros Training Hub—highlights that the value of these devices extends far beyond their hardware. These ecosystems foster long-term user engagement and performance improvement, suggesting that integrated digital services will increasingly shape the next generation of smart wearables, blending physical device with comprehensive data analysis and training support seamlessly.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the main features distinguishing Garmin Forerunner 170 from Coros Pace 4?
- The Garmin Forerunner 170 features physical button controls and deep integration with the Garmin ecosystem, including Garmin Pay and a vast app store. The Coros Pace 4 offers superior location accuracy through dual-frequency GNSS and boasts significantly longer battery life. Additionally, Coros provides a robust, free Training Hub for customized athletic planning. Both watches incorporate brilliant AMOLED displays and advanced training metrics for sports enthusiasts.
- Which sports watch, Garmin Forerunner 170 or Coros Pace 4, has better battery performance?
- The Coros Pace 4 consistently offers superior battery performance compared to the Garmin Forerunner 170. With the Always-On Display (AOD) off, the Coros Pace 4 lasts up to 19 days, while the Forerunner 170 achieves 10 days. For GPS tracking, the Pace 4 provides 24 hours of use, whereas the Forerunner 170 offers 14 hours. Coros is known for its extended battery life even with vibrant AMOLED displays.
- What advantages does the Coros Training Hub offer for athletes and coaches?
- The Coros Training Hub provides a comprehensive and free platform designed for athletes and coaches to create fully customized training plans. Users can easily access and view their plans and training status online or via the Coros smartphone app. Coaches can effectively manage teams, distribute tailored plans, analyze training metrics, and provide direct coaching support through the integrated Training Hub system, enhancing overall athletic development.