In the battle for the best entry-level running watch of 2025, two clear winners have emerged: the Garmin Forerunner 165 and the Coros Pace 4. Both deliver AMOLED displays, advanced training metrics, and strong battery life at the $249 price point, features that were reserved for flagship models just a few years ago.
But which one deserves your money? The answer comes down to whether you value software and smart features or hardware performance and battery life.
Quick Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Coros Pace 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 (standard) / $299 (Music) | $249 |
| Launch Date | February 2024 | November 2025 |
| Weight | 39g (silicone) / 30g (nylon) | 40g (silicone) / 32g (nylon) |
| Dimensions | 43mm case, 11.6mm thick | 43.4mm case, 11.8mm thick |
| Display | 1.2″ AMOLED touchscreen | 1.2″ AMOLED touchscreen |
| Resolution | 390 × 390 pixels | 390 × 390 pixels |
| Brightness | Not specified | 1500 nits |
| Buttons | 5 buttons + touchscreen | 3 buttons + digital dial + touchscreen |
| Strap Size | 20mm | 22mm |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| GPS | Single-band multi-GNSS | Dual-frequency multi-GNSS |
| Battery (Smartwatch) | 11 days | 19 days / 6 days (always-on) |
| Battery (GPS) | 19 hours | 41 hours |
| Battery (Max GPS) | Not available | 31 hours |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Garmin Elevate v5 | Redesigned 5-LED optical |
| Storage | 8GB (Music model only) | 4GB |
| Music | Streaming (Music model) | MP3 files only |
| Contactless Payments | Garmin Pay | No |
| Microphone | No | Yes |
| External Sensors | Bluetooth + ANT+ | Bluetooth only |
| Data Fields | 4 | 8 |
| Training Load Display | No | Yes |
| Daily Workout Suggestions | Yes | No |
| Body Battery | Yes | No |
| Sleep Tracking | Advanced with naps | Standard |
| Navigation | Breadcrumb trails | Breadcrumb trails + turn alerts |
| Offline Maps | No | No |
| Best For | Beginners, smart features | Performance, battery, GPS accuracy |
Quick Verdict
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 165 if you want:
- Music streaming and Garmin Pay
- Daily workout suggestions
- A beginner-friendly interface
- Garmin’s ecosystem and app depth
- Body Battery and wellness tracking
Choose the Coros Pace 4 if you want:
- Superior battery life
- Dual-frequency GPS accuracy
- More training data on-screen
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Voice notes and location pins
Design and Comfort
Both watches are nearly identical in size and weight, making them among the most comfortable running watches available. The Forerunner 165 uses Garmin’s classic five-button layout, which many runners prefer for its reliability during workouts and ease of use with gloves.
The Pace 4 relies on three buttons, including a digital dial. While efficient, some users report accidental presses during runs, though button lock solves this issue.
Garmin offers more color options and uses standard 20mm straps, making replacements easier. Coros uses 22mm straps, which are less common but well-made. Neither watch includes sapphire glass at this price point, but both feel solid and well-built.
Display Quality
Both watches use a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with the same resolution. The Pace 4 pulls ahead slightly with a claimed peak brightness of 1500 nits, making it easier to read in harsh sunlight.
Garmin’s advantage lies in customization, offering more watch faces and visual styles. Coros keeps things minimal and data-focused, favoring function over flair.
GPS Accuracy
The Pace 4 has a clear hardware advantage with dual-frequency GPS across five satellite systems. This improves accuracy in dense urban areas and heavily wooded trails.
In real-world testing, however, the difference is subtle. For everyday road running and park trails, both watches produce nearly identical GPS tracks. The Coros advantage becomes noticeable only in difficult signal environments.
Battery Life
Battery life is where Coros clearly wins.
The Pace 4 offers up to 19 days of smartwatch use and 41 hours of GPS tracking. The Forerunner 165 manages 11 days of smartwatch use and 19 hours of GPS.
For ultrarunners or those training without frequent charging, Coros is the better choice. For most marathon and half-marathon runners, Garmin’s battery life is still sufficient.
Training Features
Coros provides its full suite of training metrics across all models. Training load, recovery time, VO₂ max estimates, and race predictions are all visible directly on the watch. You can display up to eight data fields at once.
Garmin limits some advanced metrics on the Forerunner 165, reserving them for higher-end models. However, it excels with daily suggested workouts and Body Battery, features that help newer runners stay consistent and avoid burnout.
Both watches offer reliable optical heart-rate tracking for running, though chest straps remain best for intervals and strength training.
Smart Features
This is where Garmin pulls ahead decisively.
The Forerunner 165 Music supports Spotify and Amazon Music, offline playback, Garmin Pay, and ANT+ sensor support. Even the standard model retains strong smartwatch functionality.
The Pace 4 lacks streaming music and payments but includes unique features like Voice Notes and Voice Pins, allowing runners to log thoughts or mark locations mid-activity.
App Experience
Garmin Connect remains the most robust fitness platform available, offering deep analytics, social features, training plans, and seamless integrations.
The Coros app is clean and efficient, syncing well with Strava and TrainingPeaks. While less feature-rich than Garmin Connect, it covers most performance-focused needs.
Navigation
Neither watch includes offline maps. Both rely on breadcrumb trail navigation, with Coros adding turn alerts. Trail runners needing maps should look at higher-tier models.
Value Proposition
At the same $249 price, Garmin often sees discounts, making the Forerunner 165 a frequent bargain. The Pace 4 rarely drops in price but offers strong value out of the box.
If music streaming matters, the $299 Forerunner 165 Music adds meaningful value.
Final Recommendation
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is the better choice for most runners, especially beginners or those wanting smart features, guided workouts, and a polished ecosystem.
The Coros Pace 4 is the better choice for performance-driven athletes who prioritize battery life, training data, and GPS accuracy over smartwatch conveniences.
Both watches deliver exceptional value. Your decision ultimately comes down to whether you want a smart training companion or a pure performance tool.