Best GPS Running Watch: Coros Pace 4 and Six Worthy Alternatives Compared

Introduction

The Coros Pace 4 is a genuinely excellent running watch, robust enough for just about any road runner. But the honest answer to “which watch is the best?” is a trick question. After testing a wide range of GPS watches, the conclusion is simple: there is no single best watch, only a best watch for you. The right choice depends on whether you are upgrading from an older model, hunting for a bargain, running 100-mile ultras, or just want music and calls on your wrist while you run.

This guide walks through the Coros Pace 4 alongside the Pace 3, Pace Pro, Apex 4, Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch SE and Garmin Forerunner 265, answering the questions buyers actually ask.

Coros Pace 4: The New Benchmark for Road Runners

The Pace 4’s headline change is its updated screen, which fixes one of the two main complaints about the Coros Pace 3. At $250, it sits at a very reasonable price point for what it delivers, and it is one of the two most recommendable watches here for the widest range of runners.

It also inherits the extra mapping button that first appeared on the Apex 4, letting you jump quickly from data screens to a mapping screen. If you want a lighter, more minimalist watch and are happy to save a little money, the Pace 4 at $250 is an easy recommendation.

Coros Pace 3: Should You Upgrade?

If you already own a Pace 3, you do not need to rush out and buy a Pace 4. The two watches are substantially the same, and the only main difference is the screen technology. The new screen is genuinely nice, but it is not worth scrapping a perfectly good Pace 3 over.

If you have neither watch, however, the Pace 3 at $200 is a compelling first GPS running watch. It is $50 cheaper than the Pace 4, saving you 25 percent, and it makes a great entry point. Just note that Coros is only selling through remaining inventory, so once stock is gone, it is gone.

Coros Pace Pro: The Best of the Pace Series

If you have a Pace 3 and are itching to upgrade to something, the Pace Pro is the pick. It combines the newer bright screen technology with a slightly larger watch face and a slightly heavier build. Some runners prefer a lighter watch, but many like being able to feel the watch on the wrist, and the bigger, brighter AMOLED display is a treat.

At $299 it is the most expensive of the Pace watches, but for the screen, size and overall package, it is a very good price for what you get.

Coros Apex 4: Built for Mountain Trail and Ultra Distances

The Apex 4, at $479, is the most expensive Coros watch here, and it is a very different kind of watch. The core intended user is not the Pace buyer. If you have been shopping Pace watches, you can mostly ignore the Apex.

The Apex 4 is aimed at mountain trail running. It offers downloadable offline maps, a dedicated mapping button for switching from data screens to a map view, and an epically long battery life achieved with older, less pretty screen technology. If your race lasts longer than 24 hours, say a 100-mile ultra marathon where you want GPS tracking the entire time, the Apex 4 can run well past 24 hours of continuous GPS tracking, and an endurance mode supports multi-day events. It is also simply a pleasure to wear, unless ultra distances are your thing, it is probably not the watch for you.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: Phone Replacement, Not Run Tracker

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 cellular version now sits at $599, and the cellular capability is the key part of how it earns its place. As a primary GPS run tracker, it is a decent recorder but not ideal. Its touch-first interface becomes a problem in winter, when damp sleeves or gloves cause accidental or missed presses on the screen.

Where it shines is as a phone replacement. Add a cellular plan and you can leave the phone at home: handle emergency texts, stay reachable, and stream music, audiobooks and podcasts directly from the wrist. Many runners pair it with a dedicated GPS watch, letting the Apple Watch handle comms and entertainment while the running watch handles the run. It is not the cheapest way to run, but it is a very convenient one.

Apple Watch SE: The Budget Companion Option

The Apple Watch SE with a cellular plan can also get the job done. It is the cheapest Apple Watch, and paired with a plan it offers the same core benefit: leave the phone behind, stay reachable, and stream your entertainment on the run while a dedicated GPS watch tracks the miles.

If you want the phone-replacement experience without paying Ultra money, the SE is the sensible route.

Garmin Forerunner 265: The Pace Lag Problem Solver

The Forerunner 265 solves both of the problems the reviewer had with the Pace 3. It has a beautiful AMOLED display like the Pace 4, and it also addresses Coros pace lag. With most watches, a drastic pace change shows on the screen after about five seconds. On Coros watches, that lag feels more like 13 to 15 seconds, which can be disorienting during interval workouts. If you have only run with Coros, you may never have noticed; if you have, the Garmin is a genuine step up.

It has a touchscreen but remains button-first, with plenty of tactile buttons that work even through thick winter mittens, so accidental presses are never a concern. One caveat: cheap aftermarket bands can break, so stick with quality straps. For a long time the $450 MSRP made this a splurge, but at a discounted $299, the same price as the Pace Pro with a similar size and screen type, it is excellent value.

Buying Advice: How to Pick the Best Watch for You

The two most recommendable watches for the most people are the Garmin Forerunner 265 at $299 and the Coros Pace 4 at $250. If you want to save money or prefer a lighter, more minimalist watch, go Pace 4. If pace responsiveness and a bright AMOLED display matter more, the Forerunner 265 is worth the extra.

For Pace 3 owners, upgrade to the Pace Pro. For ultra runners, the Apex 4. For anyone who wants calls, texts and streaming on the wrist, an Apple Watch with cellular, Ultra 2 or SE, pairs beautifully with any GPS watch.

And if you already own a watch you are happy with, ideally the best watch for you is the one you already have, and you spend nothing at all.

Conclusion

There is no universal best GPS running watch. The Coros Pace 4 is the strongest all-round pick at $250, the Pace 3 is the budget entry while stocks last, the Pace Pro is the sweet upgrade, and the Apex 4 serves ultra and trail specialists. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and SE work best as cellular companions, and the Garmin Forerunner 265 is the polished all-rounder for runners who care about pace accuracy. Match the watch to your running, and you will not go wrong.