Coros Pace 4 Review

Coros's Pace series watches are known for their high value—they're priced lower than most competitors but still offer excellent activity tracking and GPS accuracy. After testing the latest Pace 4 on hikes and trail runs near and far from my home in British Columbia, I found it a worthy upgrade over previous versions for those looking for a watch for longer days on the trail. The most significant upgrade from the last version is extended battery life, which lasts 41 hours when tracking with all systems' GPS. The Pace 4 maintains the series's simple, easy-to-use interface but adds a bright, premium AMOLED display that elevates its aesthetic. It's not the most durable or backcountry-ready watch, however, and if you're looking for something to take on rock climbs or long backpacking trips, see our other picks for the best GPS watches. And for non-GPS sports watches that cross over better into casual use, see our article on the best fitness watches.
 

Table of Contents

• Technical Performance: Battery Life and Tracking Accuracy
• Display and User Interface: How User-Friendly is the Pace 4?
• Maps and Navigation: Can I Rely on the Navigation?
• Fit and Versatility: From the Trail to Work
• Real-World Durability: Does the Polymer Case and Mineral Glass Screen Scratch?
• Is the Pace 4 Worth The Upgrade: A Breakdown of the Other Pace Watches
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Technical Performance: Battery Life and Tracking Accuracy

Battery Life

Battery life is one of the Pace 4’s most impressive achievements, especially considering how compact and lightweight the watch is. Coros claims up to 19 days in standard smartwatch mode or roughly 6 days with the always-on display enabled. When tracking in all systems GPS, the Pace lasts a claimed 41 hours, dropping to 31 hours in dual-frequency GPS. This is a big upgrade over the previous Pace 3, which lasted 25 hours when tracking in all systems GPS despite its less vibrant MIP display (the 4 has an AMOLED display).

In use, those numbers hold up. Across consecutive days of wear and long trail runs, the watch consistently delivered reliable battery life, and I wasn't ever in a rush to get it to a charger. While it has far from the longest-lasting battery life of other GPS watches (such as Garmin's solar-charging Enduro 3, which lasts 144 hours when tracking in all systems GPS), it’s more than enough for daily training and long outings, and it can even handle longer endurance efforts. That said, for multi-day events or extended expeditions without access to power, its limits become apparent, and a solar-powered watch or model with more efficient GPS tracking would be better suited for these activities.
 

GPS Tracking Accuracy

Overall, I was impressed with the GPS accuracy of the Pace 4 during testing. Coros stripped away the ‘efficient ’ GPS option offered on the Pace 3, instead just offering two primary settings: Max and High mode. Both modes are supported by dual-band GPS, the same satellite system found in Coros’s more premium models. It would be nice to have the efficient GPS option still available to extend battery life even further on longer days or races, but for most users, the standard modes offer plenty of power.

During my testing, I found the watch tracked accurately with minimal variation, even in areas where GPS can struggle, such as dense tree cover, steep terrain, or urban environments. Repeating the same routes produced nearly identical tracks, a strong indicator of high accuracy. When I compared the tracks side-by-side with higher-end models from Garmin, Suunto, and Coros’s own Apex series, the differences were negligible. There were occasional small discrepancies in elevation or slight variations in the recorded route, but nothing that meaningfully affected the overall experience. That said, a few feet here or there could add up over longer distances, so users who need the most precise data may want to spend up for a more accurate GPS system.
 

Heart Rate Accuracy

In my testing, I found the Pace 4's heart rate accuracy varied. Despite using the same optical heart rate sensor as Coros's more premium watches, my results were mixed. I chalk most of the variation up to fit: I have a narrow wrist, and the case and bezel seem to let in more ambient light, which can sometimes interfere with readings compared to larger, more secure-fitting watches. Watches also bounce around on the wrist when running, leaving them susceptible to cadence lock. 

With steady effort and moderate intensity, heart rate accuracy is solid. Tracking typically lagged behind a chest heart rate monitor by a few beats per minute. However, it still struggles during harder efforts, particularly with rapid spikes or drops in intensity where readings may lag or briefly falter. This isn’t unusual for optical sensors, but it’s worth noting if you rely heavily on heart rate data. For those who need accuracy, a chest strap or arm band sensor will offer more precise stats. 
 

User Interface and Activity Tracking: How User-Friendly is the Pace 4?

Display and User Interface

Despite some major changes from the last version, the Pace 4's user interface remains refreshingly straightforward. You can navigate the watch using both the touch screen and the exterior buttons, and a new "action button" (the flat button) makes it easier to move between screens and control activities on the fly. The Pace 4's interface is similarly simple and easy to get familiar with. It takes just a press of the main button to access activity tracking, and it is similarly easy to get to data tracking and systems. In my experience, it takes just an hour or so of fiddling with the watch to feel fluent with the interface. 

One of the most significant upgrades in the latest Pace 4 is the swap from a MIP display to a 1.2-inch AMOLED display. It's a big improvement, offering a bright, vibrant, and easy-to-read display across a range of conditions. Visibility in direct sunlight is excellent, with a peak brightness of around 1500 nits, which is comparable to many smartphones. What’s more, the Pace 4 has multiple brightness settings from normal, high, and max to offer flexibility, and the raise-to-wake function helps preserve battery life during daily use. 
 

However, I found the raise-to-wake function inconsistent, with a noticeable delay that sometimes prevented the watch face from illuminating altogether. During runs or hikes, glancing down to quickly check my stats often required me to alter my stride or swing my arm awkwardly just to trigger the screen. Enabling the always-on display would solve this issue, but it would come at a high cost to battery life. In addition, the small screen size means that more data-heavy layouts can feel cramped, with smaller text that isn’t always easy to read on the move. Fortunately, Coros mitigates this with robust customization tools, making it easy to edit data screens to show only the most essential metrics.
 

Activity Modes and Data Screens

Activity tracking is easy with the Pace 4, and the watch comes with more than 50 activity profiles, including running, biking, swimming, and skiing. That said, the list leans more toward recreational sports than backcountry sports, and it lacks tracking for backcountry skiing, climbing, and mountaineering. Coros offers a robust suite of training plans and workouts that are easy to download from the app and upload to the watch, making it a great tool for athletes looking for guidance in their training.

The data screens are simple and easy to read. While they don't offer as much detailed information as those from Garmin and Suunto, they are customizable through the app. I found it easy to create my own custom activity modes that better suited the data I wanted. It's also possible to update the data screen to display the data I care about the most. 
 

Maps and Navigation: Can I Rely on the Navigation?

It's worth noting right away that the Pace 4 only offers breadcrumb routing, not detailed courses or offline mapping. That simplicity, however, comes with clear limitations, particularly for backcountry use. The breadcrumb navigation just displays an arrow guiding you along your route. Without offline mapping, there's no way to see a route outline, points of interest, road names, or geographical contours. This makes it harder to adjust routes on the fly or recover from wrong turns in unfamiliar terrain. As a result, while the navigation is perfectly adequate for frontcountry trails or routes you know well, it lacks the depth and detail needed for more remote use where navigation is critical.

On the bright side, Coros makes it easy to import routes onto the watch. You can either build a course in the Coros app or download a GPX file of a course. I found this process much easier than using Garmin and Suunto's comparable processes. 

Fit and Versatility: From the Trail to Work

The Pace 4's trim and sleek build give it a strong crossover appeal for casual use. Unlike many other GPS watches with large screens, bulky cases, and lots of exterior buttons, the Pace 4 doesn't look too big on the wrist and slides easily under shirt sleeves. The bright AMOLED display looks classy, and you can customize the watch face to be as simple or data-centered as you want. It's worth noting that the Pace 4 lacks a few smartwatch features that are useful in town, such as contactless payments. But this shouldn't be a dealbreaker for most, and we still think that the Pace 4 can adapt seamlessly from the trail to the office.
 

Real-World Durability: Does the Polymer Case and Mineral Screen Scratch?

To keep the Pace 4 inexpensive, Coros opted for a polymer case and a mineral glass screen. For reference, higher-end watches usually have a sapphire glass or hardened mineral glass screen and a titanium bezel. In testing, the Pace's screen picked up a few minor scratches from being tossed in my gym bag and from daily wear. I hesitate to wear it during activities like scrambling, rock climbing, or skiing, where damage is more likely. 

That said, I wouldn't call the Pace 4 fragile. It'll hold up well to most activities like biking and running. There are also some benefits to the cheaper materials. For one, the watch weighs a meager 1.3 ounces on my scale, which is much cheaper than all of the high-end competition. The Pace 4 is comfortable to wear all day, and doesn't feel unwieldy on the wrist. So long as you don't mind exercising extra caution during some damage-prone activities, the Pace 4 will hold up in the long run.
 

Is the Pace 4 Worth the Upgrade?: A Breakdown of the Other Pace Watches

The Pace 4 features upgrades to battery life, display, and interface over the previous Pace 3, but it comes at a higher price. The choice between the two comes down to the intended use case: The Pace 4's longer battery life makes it a better companion for longer activities, but most frontcountry athletes will have little issue with the Pace 3's battery life. In our opinion, the Pace 4 is worth the upgrade for those who spend long days on the trail, but the Pace 3 is the best budget choice for those who recreate closer to home.

There are a few other watches in the Pace line that are worth considering, however. If you want better navigation, the Pace Pro offers offline mapping and more detailed routing. It's more expensive than the Pace 4, however, and doesn't offer as long a battery life (38 hours when tracking in all systems GPS vs. the Pace 4's 41 hours). If durability is more of a concern, the Pace 4 Aluminum features an aluminum alloy cover that will hold up better than the regular Pace 4's polymer (it still has a mineral glass screen, however). 

What We Like

• A great value for a simple, fully-featured GPS watch.
• Impressive battery life for all but the longest endurance events. 
• Well-rounded feature set and activity tracking list.
• Easy-to-learn interface that's customizable.
• Access to Coros's robust collection of training plans and workouts.
• Sleek, low-profile build crosses over nicely into casual settings.
• GPS tracking proved accurate in testing.
   

What We Don’t

• Not the most durable build, best for frontcountry and recreational sport use
• Limited backcountry activity modes and simple breadcrumb-style maps
• Screen useability frustrating at times with the on/off setting 
• Lacking smartwatch features like contactless payments
   

Comparison Table

*Editor’s note: The stated battery life is the manufacturer’s claim while in default smartwatch mode (without solar charging). Changes to the settings, features, and type of tracking will affect this number. 

The Competition

Coros's Pace 4 is a great budget GPS watch, but there are others to consider. From within Coros's line, the Apex 4 is a nice alternative for those willing to spend up for something more durable and backcountry-ready. The 46 millimeter Apex 4 lasts 53 hours when tracking across all GPS systems (compared to the Pace 4's 41 hours) and features offline mapping and more detailed navigation. It also features a more durable sapphire screen and a titanium bezel, as well as activity tracking for backcountry-specific sports like climbing and ski touring. However, the Apex 4 costs much more than the Pace 4. For a more reasonably priced watch, check out Suunto's Race, which also boasts an impressive battery life (50 hours with GPS tracking) and offline mapping. But it's activity-tracking centers on swimming, cycling, and running, making it a better choice for frontcountry athletes. We also haven't found Suunto's interface as user-friendly as Coros's, meaning you'll have to spend more time getting familiar with its functions.

If GPS and backcountry activity tracking don't matter to you, and you want a simple sportswatch that tracks running, swimming, and gym workouts, Garmin's vívoactive 6 is worth checking out. The watch has a lot of casual appeal, with a sleeker build, bright AMOLED display, and a number of smartwatch features, including contactless payments. We think that the Pace 3 is more well-rounded, however, with a lower price and better battery life. On the other hand, if you want a watch that's better suited for long backcountry missions, Garmin's Instinct 3 Solar is our top pick. Not only does the Instinct 3 have tracking for climbing, backcountry skiing, and backpacking, but it also features a burly, durable case and solar charging capabilities. Garmin's also well-known for their accurate GPS tracking, and the Instinct 3 is no exception. While on the affordable end for similar watches, the Instinct 3 is an investment compared to the Pace 4, however. In the end, the Pace 4 wins out for its value and versatility in both function and style.