| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | COROS |
| Type | GPS running watch |
| Series | PACE |
| Released | Announced 29 August 2023, shipping September 2023 |
| Price at launch | GBP 219 / USD 229 / EUR 249 |
| Predecessor | COROS Pace 2 (August 2020) |
| Successor | COROS Pace 4 (November 2025) |
| Status | Discontinued February 2026. Still available from some retailers and on the used market. |
| Sizes | 41.9mm (small) |
| Colours | Black, White |
Specifications and features as at launch.
Jump to: Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Activity profiles | Comparisons | Software updates | Further reading
Expert opinion
The Pace 3 is a good entry-level and first-time sports watch, light at around 30 grams, accurate on GPS, and carrying more sports features for the money than anything else at its price. It is a workhorse rather than an all-day smartwatch, best worn during training and racing rather than for lifestyle use.
GPS accuracy is among the best on the market. The COROS ecosystem off the wrist does not match Garmin’s, the physiology metrics in EvoLab lack Garmin’s depth and do not deserve to be treated as measurement, and there is no third-party app store to fill the gaps. Sensor support is Bluetooth only, which matters to cyclists running ANT+ power meters. Navigation is breadcrumb only, with maps held on the phone rather than the watch. There is no AMOLED option and no streaming music. For a runner it does the job well, and for a data-driven triathlete it falls behind Garmin, Suunto and Polar on ecosystem depth.
Coros Pace 4
Running GPS watch
What’s new versus the Pace 2
COROS updates older watches with new software where the hardware allows, so the Pace 2 already carried most of the Pace 3’s software features. The genuine changes were in hardware.
- Dual-frequency all-satellite GNSS chipset
- Optical heart rate sensor with SpO2 and wear detection
- Scratch-resistant Corning glass touchscreen, replacing the Pace 2’s screen
- Touchscreen added alongside the digital dial and button
- 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi for faster firmware updates
- MP3 music playback to Bluetooth headphones
- Turn-by-turn instructions when following breadcrumb routes
- Improved battery life, and a slightly thinner and lighter case
Specifications
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.2 inch |
| Type | Memory-in-pixel touchscreen, always-on |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 pixels |
| Lens | Corning glass |
| Physical | |
| Case size | 41.9 x 41.9 x 11.7mm (small). Height excludes the optical heart rate sensor |
| Weight | 39g with silicone band, 30g with nylon band |
| Case material | Fibre-reinforced polymer |
| Bezel material | Fibre-reinforced polymer |
| Strap material | Silicone or nylon, 22mm quick release |
| Controls | Digital dial, back button, touchscreen |
| Water rating | 5 ATM |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GPS | All-satellite dual-frequency. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS |
| Heart rate | Optical heart rate monitor |
| Other sensors | Pulse oximeter, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass |
| Not fitted | Electrocardiogram sensor, microphone, speaker |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Connectivity and storage | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth for phone and accessories. Wi-Fi for data sync and firmware. No ANT+, no NFC |
| Music | MP3 playback to paired Bluetooth headphones. No streaming services |
| Onboard maps | No. Breadcrumb navigation with turn-by-turn instructions only |
| Charging | USB-C adapter |
Battery life
The figures below come from the official COROS specification.
| Mode | Battery life |
|---|---|
| Daily use and sleep tracking | 17 days |
| Standard full GPS | 38 hours |
| All systems | 25 hours |
| Dual frequency | 15 hours |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Features
Feature explanations are covered in the the5krunner COROS hub. The headings below follow COROS’s own grouping.
Training
- EvoLab: recovery, training load, base fitness, race predictor and threshold zones
- Running Fitness
- Activity alerts for cadence, distance, pace, heart rate and power
- Structured workouts and calendarised training plans, including for trail running
- Track mode
- Running power from the wrist, using the barometric altimeter
- Stryd running power and advanced Stryd metrics
- Resting heart rate
Daily
- Sleep tracking with stages and readiness
- Basic fitness tracking covering steps, stairs and calories
- Smartphone notifications
- Custom watch faces, up to five stored on the watch
- MP3 music playback to paired Bluetooth headphones
- Firmware updates over Wi-Fi and the COROS app
Navigation
- Breadcrumb route following with turn-by-turn instructions. There is no onboard map layer
- Back-to-Start
Third-party integration
- Strava, Komoot, RideWithGPS, TrainingPeaks, Nike Run Club, Apple Health, Final Surge and Stryd
- Stryd running power supported natively
Activity profiles
The Pace 3 supports over 20 sports modes.
| Category | Profiles |
|---|---|
| Run | Run, Indoor Run, Track Run, Trail Run |
| Bike | Bike, Indoor Bike |
| Water | Open Water, Pool Swim |
| Snow | Ski, Snowboard, XC Ski |
| Other | Triathlon, Multisport, GPS Cardio, Gym Cardio, Strength, Hike, Walk, Training |
Coros Pace 4
Running GPS watch
Comparisons and upgrade guides
- Coros Pace upgrade guide, Pace, Pace 2, Pace 3, Pace 4 or Pace 4 Pro
COROS Pace 3 software updates
The current COROS Pace 3 software is version 3.1908.0. COROS is still updating the Pace 3, with 3 software releases since May 2026. This section is updated when COROS releases a new version.
| Current version | 3.1908.0, released 31 August 2026. |
| Public beta | No public beta. COROS does not run a public beta for this model. |
| Last update | 3.1908.0 on 31 August 2026. |
Features added since May 2026
- 3.1908.0, 31 August 2026.
- Climb Alerts available in cycling modes, with real-time progress and remaining elevation gain
- Left and right power balance now passed to third-party platforms
- Adventure Journal Timeline gives a chronological activity view with a shareable link that does not expire, and photos or video can be added from before or after the activity
- Power usage statistics added to the battery widget
- Elevation accuracy improved on imported routes
- Direct Transfer update allows app navigation during an update
- 3.1808.0, 29 July 2026. Live Tracking shares a link to your outdoor activity so others can follow your location and stats in real time. The sleep view has been rebuilt with new trends, sleep quality guidance, bedtime consistency and on-watch sleep editing.
- System Update, 8 July 2026. Heart rate recovery metric for rest intervals and the two minutes after an activity. Voice control in beta to start activities, set alarms and check the weather (English only).
Full version history, 3 releases including betas and fixes
| Version | Type | Date | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1908.0 | Stable | 31 August 2026 | Climb Alerts available in cycling modes, with real-time progress and remaining elevation gain. Left and right power balance now passed to third-party platforms. |
| 3.1808.0 | Stable | 29 July 2026 | Live Tracking shares a link to your outdoor activity so others can follow your location and stats in real time. The sleep view has been rebuilt with new trends, sleep quality guidance, bedtime consistency and on-watch sleep editing. |
| System Update | Stable | 8 July 2026 | Heart rate recovery metric for rest intervals and the two minutes after an activity. Voice control in beta to start activities, set alarms and check the weather (English only). |
Version history is recorded from May 2026. See also known problems and fixes.
Further reading
- the5krunner COROS Pace 3 review
- COROS Pace 4 specifications, the successor
- COROS watch specifications
- Release Radar: upcoming watches
Related watches
Looking at alternatives to the Pace 3?
- Successor: COROS Pace 4, with an AMOLED screen, more battery and a microphone.
- Step up in the range: COROS Pace Pro, with offline maps and AMOLED.
- Also consider: Garmin Forerunner 165, the Garmin built to compete with the Pace 3.
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
Reader-Powered Content
This content is not sponsored. It’s mostly me behind the labour of love, which is this site, and I appreciate everyone who supports it.
Support the site: Follow (free, fewer ads) · Subscribe (paid, ad-free) · Buy Me A Coffee
Written by real people, with AI assistance. Fact-checked and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
