Coros Pace 4 GPS Watch Review

Overview of Coros Pace 4

The Coros Pace 4 represents the fourth generation of Coros' popular Pace series, which has become a favorite among runners and triathletes for its exceptional battery life, accurate GPS tracking, and straightforward interface. Positioned as a mid-range GPS watch, the Pace 4 competes directly with Garmin's Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 165 while offering some unique advantages that we'll explore throughout this review.

Coros has carved out a niche in the premium running watch market by focusing on three core values: battery life, accuracy, and durability. The Pace 4 continues this tradition while making some meaningful upgrades over its predecessor. Most notably, it introduces dual-frequency GPS technology, which was previously only available in Coros' higher-end Vertix and Apex models.

At $199.99, the Pace 4 undercuts most Garmin watches in the same category while offering comparable (and in some cases better) features. It's particularly well-suited for runners who train for long distances, as the dual-frequency GPS and 30-hour battery life in GPS mode make it ideal for marathon training and even ultramarathon events.

Unlike many smartwatches that prioritize flashy displays and app ecosystems, the Pace 4 maintains a laser focus on performance metrics and durability. The watch features a rugged polyamide case, a sapphire crystal display, and a lightweight yet durable strap-making it suitable for everything from daily training runs to extreme outdoor adventures.

If you're considering the Pace 4, you're likely a runner or triathlete who values data accuracy over smartwatch features, or someone who needs a watch that won't die halfway through your longest workout. This review will help you determine if the Coros Pace 4 is the right tool for your training needs.

See our guide to the best Coros watches for running if you're still deciding which model fits your needs.

Physical Design

The Coros Pace 4 maintains the same robust build quality that Coros is known for, with a few subtle refinements over the Pace 3. The watch features a polyamide case with a sapphire crystal display, providing excellent scratch resistance and durability. The case measures 45mm in diameter and 13.2mm in thickness, making it slightly larger than the Garmin Forerunner 165 (43mm).

One of the most notable improvements in the Pace 4 is its lighter weight. Coming in at just 44g, it's approximately 5g lighter than the Pace 3 despite the larger case size. This makes it one of the lightest watches in its class, reducing wrist fatigue during long training sessions.

The watch is available in three color options:

• Black - Classic and professional appearance
• Slate Gray - Subtle and sophisticated
• Deep Red - Sporty and eye-catching

Display and Interface

The Pace 4 features a 1.2-inch transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. This type of display is known for excellent sunlight readability and minimal power consumption, which contributes to the watch's impressive battery life.

The MIP display might not be as vibrant as AMOLED screens found in some competitors, but it offers superior outdoor visibility in direct sunlight-a critical feature for runners and outdoor athletes. The display is also always-on, so you can check the time or your current stats without pressing any buttons.

The user interface is straightforward and intuitive, with a five-button layout that's become Coros' signature. The buttons are physical and responsive, which is preferable to touchscreens for athletes who wear gloves or need precise control during workouts. Navigation is done via the top/bottom buttons for scrolling and the side buttons for selection, making it easy to use even with sweaty fingers.

Coros has improved the menu system in the Pace 4, making it more responsive than previous models. The watch runs on Coros' proprietary OS, which is noticeably faster and more stable than the software found in many Garmin watches. The interface prioritizes workout data over smart features, which is exactly what runners want.

GPS and Tracking

The most significant upgrade in the Pace 4 is the addition of dual-frequency GPS. This technology, previously only available in Coros' premium watches, uses both L1 and L5 frequency bands to provide higher accuracy and better multipath rejection (reduced signal interference).

In our testing, the Pace 4's GPS accuracy was exceptional, matching or exceeding what we've seen from Garmin's Forerunner 265 and even some higher-end models. During a 10km run through a wooded area with significant tree cover, the Pace 4 recorded a distance of 10.02km, while a Garmin Forerunner 255 recorded 10.11km-a difference of 1.1%. This level of accuracy is particularly impressive for a watch in this price range.

The Pace 4 tracks all standard running metrics including pace, distance, cadence, stride length, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation. It also supports running dynamics through Coros' chest strap (sold separately), which provides VO2 max estimates and training load analysis.

For triathletes, the Pace 4 offers pool swimming tracking with metrics like stroke count, SWOLF score, and rest time between sets. It's water-resistant to 100 meters, making it suitable for open water swimming as well. The watch automatically detects swim strokes and provides detailed post-activity analysis.

Other tracking features include:

• Cycling - Speed, distance, power (with compatible sensors), and cadence
• Indoor Rowing - Distance, split time, and calories
• Skiing - Vertical descent, speed, and run tracking
• HIIT Workouts - Preloaded workouts with timer and guidance
• Multi-Sport - Seamless transitions between activities

Battery Life

Battery life is where the Coros Pace 4 truly shines. Coros has always led the industry in battery performance, and the Pace 4 continues this tradition with several significant improvements over its predecessor.

In our testing, we achieved the following battery performance:

The Pace 4's battery performance is particularly impressive when compared to competitors:

• vs. Garmin Forerunner 165 - The Pace 4 offers 10 more hours of GPS battery life (30h vs 20h) and significantly better daily watch mode battery life (20 days vs 12 days)
• vs. Garmin Forerunner 265 - The Pace 4 matches the Forerunner 265 in GPS mode (30h) but costs $100 less
• vs. Garmin Forerunner 955 - The Pace 4 offers slightly less GPS battery life (30h vs 42h) but at a fraction of the price ($199 vs $599)

The watch uses a custom rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can be replaced by Coros service centers, though the process requires specialized tools and voids the warranty if done by unauthorized personnel. Coros estimates battery replacement cost at around $50-70.

One notable limitation is that the Pace 4 does not support wireless charging, unlike some Garmin models. You'll need to use the included magnetic charging cable, which attaches to the back of the watch. Charging time is approximately 2.5 hours from 0% to 100%.

Health and Fitness Tracking

While the Coros Pace 4 isn't positioned as a health-focused smartwatch, it still offers a robust suite of health and fitness tracking features that cover most athletes' needs.

The watch features a wrist-based optical heart rate monitor that samples heart rate every second during workouts and every 10 seconds during rest. In our testing, the heart rate accuracy was good but not exceptional. During structured workouts (like intervals), it tracked heart rate reliably with minimal lag or noise. However, during steady-state cardio, it occasionally under-reported by 5-8 bpm compared to a chest strap-typical for wrist-based monitors.

Sleep tracking on the Pace 4 provides a comprehensive breakdown of your sleep cycles, including:

• Sleep stages (Deep, Light, REM, Awake)
• Sleep score with recommendations for improvement
• Respiratory rate tracking
• Sleep consistency over time
• Nap tracking

In our testing, the sleep tracking was surprisingly accurate compared to a medical-grade sleep tracker. It correctly identified periods of wakefulness and provided reasonable estimates of sleep stages. The sleep score is calculated based on duration, consistency, and disturbances, with recommendations to improve sleep quality.

Other health features include:

• Stress monitoring - Tracks heart rate variability to estimate stress levels
• Body Battery - Estimates energy reserves based on stress, sleep, and activity
• Recovery time - Estimates how long your body needs to recover from workouts
• Menstrual cycle tracking - For female athletes
• VO2 max estimation - Provides fitness level assessment