When Garmin released the Forerunner 255 in 2022, it redefined what “mid-range” meant for running watches, delivering flagship features at $349. Fast forward to 2025 and Coros enters the ring with the Pace 4 at $249, a watch that aggressively undercuts Garmin while upgrading key hardware.
Both target serious athletes who refuse to compromise on performance but won’t pay $500+ for premium models. Here’s how they compare.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Coros Pace 4 | Garmin Forerunner 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $349 (base) / $399 (Music) |
| Weight | 32g (nylon) / 40g (silicone) | 49g (46mm) / 39g (42mm) |
| Display | 1.2″ AMOLED, 390×390 | 1.3″ MIP, 260×260 |
| Display Type | AMOLED touchscreen | Transflective MIP (no touch) |
| Battery – Daily Use | 6–19 days | Up to 14 days (typical 8–9) |
| Battery – GPS | 31–41 hours | 30 hours (60h UltraTrac) |
| GPS | Dual-frequency, multi-GNSS | Dual-frequency, multi-GNSS |
| Heart Rate Sensor | 5 LED / 4 sensor (redesigned) | Standard optical HR |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes |
| Music Storage | No | 500 songs (Music variant) |
| Contactless Payments | No | Garmin Pay |
| Voice Recording | Yes (microphone) | No |
| Triathlon Mode | Yes | Yes |
| External Sensors | Bluetooth only | ANT+ and Bluetooth |
| Screen Protection | Mineral glass | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Training Readiness | No | No (955/Fenix only) |
Design and Build Quality
The Garmin Forerunner 255 comes in two sizes, 46mm and 42mm (255S), both priced identically. At 49 grams for the 46mm model, it’s light but still feels substantial. Garmin sticks to its traditional five-button design with no touchscreen, which works reliably with gloves, sweat, or rain. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens offers solid scratch resistance, and the overall build feels durable and purpose-built.
The Coros Pace 4 is the featherweight champion at just 32 grams with the nylon band. Its 11.8mm thin profile makes it almost disappear during runs. The 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen is bright, sharp, and modern, a major upgrade over previous Coros displays. Coros combines three buttons, including a digital crown, with touch input. Some users report occasional accidental crown presses, but locking largely mitigates this.
Winner: Tie
Garmin feels more rugged and refined, while Coros wins on weight and screen quality.
Display Technology: The Great Divide
Garmin’s transflective MIP display is its secret weapon for outdoor athletes. It remains readable in direct sunlight without backlighting and consumes minimal power. The tradeoff is lower resolution and muted colors, but it excels during long outdoor sessions.
Coros’s AMOLED display is crisp, vibrant, and excellent indoors or at night. Text is easier to read, metrics pop visually, and the interface feels modern. However, outdoor visibility can lag behind MIP, especially when the display is in its inactive always-on state.
Winner: Garmin for outdoor and ultra-distance runners
Coros for mixed environments and users who value clarity and aesthetics
Battery Life: Both Impress, Different Strengths
The Forerunner 255 delivers up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and around 30 hours of GPS. Real-world use typically lands closer to 8–9 days with regular training. UltraTrac extends GPS to 60 hours by sacrificing accuracy.
The Coros Pace 4 pushes battery life further. It lasts up to 19 days with wrist-raise activation or 6 days with always-on display. GPS endurance is outstanding: 41 hours in high-accuracy mode and 31 hours in dual-frequency mode, even with always-on enabled.
Winner: Coros Pace 4
It delivers longer GPS runtime without compromising accuracy.
GPS and Tracking Accuracy
Both watches support dual-frequency GPS and multiple satellite systems, dramatically improving accuracy in cities, forests, and mountainous terrain. Independent testing shows both produce near-identical tracks, even when compared to higher-end models.
Small distance discrepancies exist but are statistically negligible. For competitive runners, either watch delivers elite-level GPS performance.
Winner: Tie
Training Features and Metrics
Garmin’s strength is depth. The Forerunner 255 includes training status, training load, recovery time, HRV status, race predictions, daily suggested workouts, Body Battery, and morning reports. Garmin Coach provides adaptive training plans, and native running power is included. Triathlon support is seamless, and Garmin Pay adds convenience.
Coros delivers its EvoLab suite with VO2 max, lactate threshold, race predictor, recovery metrics, Effort Pace, and structured training plans. The standout feature is voice recording, allowing athletes to log training notes mid-run. However, Coros lacks music storage, payments, and Garmin’s ecosystem depth.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 255
Heart Rate and Sensor Performance
Garmin’s optical heart rate sensor performs consistently across running, cycling, and strength training. It also supports ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors, enabling advanced running dynamics with compatible accessories.
Coros’s redesigned sensor performs well for steady-state running but struggles during high-intensity or non-running activities. Bluetooth-only sensor support limits compatibility with some accessories.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 255
Smart Features and Ecosystem
Garmin dominates this category. Music storage, Garmin Pay, LiveTrack, incident detection, and Connect IQ apps create a complete platform. Garmin Connect remains one of the best fitness apps available and requires no subscription.
Coros offers basic notifications and music controls but no app ecosystem or lifestyle features. It is intentionally focused on training, not daily smartwatch use.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 255
What Reddit Users Think
Across r/running and endurance forums, the same pattern repeats. Coros users praise battery life and simplicity. Garmin users highlight ecosystem depth and features. Many runners acknowledge Coros as the better pure running tool, while Garmin appeals to those wanting a more complete device.
Battery life is the most cited advantage for Coros, while navigation, sensor support, and app polish keep users loyal to Garmin.
Recommendations
Choose Coros Pace 4 if:
- Battery life is critical
- You prioritize weight and comfort
- AMOLED display quality matters
- You want dual-frequency GPS at the lowest price
- Voice notes for training are valuable
- You’re a running-focused athlete
- Saving $100 matters
Choose Garmin Forerunner 255 if:
- You want a mature ecosystem
- Music storage or payments matter
- You rely on ANT+ accessories
- Outdoor screen visibility is essential
- You cross-train frequently
- Garmin Connect and its analytics appeal to you
Final Verdict
The Coros Pace 4 delivers about 90% of what most runners need at just 71% of the price. It’s the value king for athletes focused on performance and battery life.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 remains the more complete platform, with deeper features, better cross-training support, and a best-in-class ecosystem. It costs more, but delivers polish and versatility Coros can’t yet match.
Both are excellent running watches. The decision comes down to specialization versus ecosystem, and Coros’s aggressive pricing is making that choice harder for Garmin every year.