COROS PACE 3 Review Australia 2026 β The Best Value GPS Watch?
The COROS PACE 3 costs AU$299 and punches well above its weight. After three months of testing on Australian roads and trails, here is our full verdict on whether it deserves its reputation as the best value GPS running watch available in Australia.
COROS PACE 3 at a Glance
The COROS PACE 3 launched in late 2023 and quickly established itself as the benchmark for value in the GPS running watch category. At AU$299, it offers dual-frequency GPS, 38 hours of GPS battery life, running power without a chest strap, and a weight of just 30 grams β features that would cost AU$600+ in a Garmin watch. After three months of testing across road running, trail running, and daily wear in Australian conditions, here is our full assessment.
Key Specs
- Price: AU$299 (silicone band) / AU$279 (nylon band)
- Weight: 30g (nylon) / 39g (silicone)
- Display: 1.2-inch MIP touchscreen, always-on
- GPS Battery: 38 hours standard GPS / 15 hours dual-frequency
- Smartwatch Battery: 17 days continuous
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM (50 metres)
- GPS Systems: Dual-frequency (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS)
- Available in Australia: Running Warehouse AU, Pure Running, COROS.com/au
GPS Accuracy β Where It Earns Its Reputation
The PACE 3's dual-frequency GPS is its headline feature and it genuinely delivers. In testing across Sydney's inner suburbs β dense CBD buildings, tree-lined streets, and the Parramatta River foreshore β the PACE 3 tracked routes with accuracy that matched watches costing twice the price. Dual-frequency GPS uses two satellite signals simultaneously, dramatically improving accuracy in urban canyons and under tree canopy.
For Australian trail runners, this matters enormously. Under the dense tree cover of trails through the Blue Mountains, Dandenong Ranges, or Gold Coast Hinterland, single-frequency watches routinely lose 5-15% accuracy. In our testing the PACE 3 maintained sub-2% distance error even on heavily canopied single track β impressive for a AU$299 watch.
Battery Life β The Standout Advantage
Seventeen days of smartwatch battery and 38 hours of GPS use is genuinely outstanding at this price. For context, the Garmin Forerunner 165 at a similar price offers 11 days smartwatch and 19 hours GPS. The COROS nearly doubles the Garmin on both metrics.
In practice this means charging once a fortnight rather than every few days. For Australian runners who forget to charge their watch overnight before a weekend long run β an extremely common problem β the PACE 3's battery effectively eliminates anxiety about running out of power mid-run. During our 100-kilometre testing week, we charged the watch once.
Running Metrics β More Than You'd Expect at AU$299
The PACE 3 includes running power (no chest strap required), VO2 max estimation, training load, recovery time, pace, distance, cadence, stride length, and ground contact time. These are metrics typically reserved for watches in the AU$450-600 range from Garmin.
Running power is particularly useful for Australian hill runners. Rather than pace β which becomes meaningless on steep ascents β running power gives a consistent effort measurement regardless of gradient. It is one of the most practical features the PACE 3 offers for runners training in hilly Australian terrain.
The COROS Training Hub app integrates with Strava and TrainingPeaks, which are the platforms most serious Australian runners use. Setup is straightforward and syncing is reliable.
What the PACE 3 Gets Wrong
No watch at AU$299 is without compromises, and the PACE 3 has several worth knowing before you buy.
The MIP display is functional but not exciting. It is clear and readable in direct Australian sunlight β actually an advantage over AMOLED screens, which wash out in bright conditions β but it lacks the visual appeal of the Garmin Forerunner 165's AMOLED display. If screen quality matters to you, the Garmin looks significantly better.
Smartwatch features are minimal. There is no Garmin Pay equivalent, no NFC payments, no music streaming (though you can load MP3 files), and no ANT+ support for connecting to gym equipment. The PACE 3 is a running watch first and a smartwatch a distant second.
Recovery metrics are less sophisticated than Garmin's Body Battery or Polar's Nightly Recharge. The PACE 3 gives you recovery time but not the nuanced daily readiness picture that Garmin's more expensive watches provide.
COROS PACE 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 165 β The Key Comparison
These two watches are the most common comparison for Australian runners in the AU$250-350 price range.
- GPS Battery: PACE 3 wins decisively β 38 hours vs 19 hours
- Display: Garmin wins β AMOLED vs MIP
- Smartwatch features: Garmin wins β notifications, payments, Connect IQ apps
- GPS Accuracy: PACE 3 wins on paper (dual-frequency) β near-equal in practice
- Weight: PACE 3 wins β 30g vs 39g
- Running metrics: Near equal β COROS includes running power, Garmin has better recovery data
- Ecosystem: Garmin wins β more mature, more app integrations
- Price: Similar β PACE 3 AU$299, Forerunner 165 AU$349-399
The verdict: if battery life and GPS accuracy are your priorities, choose the PACE 3. If you want a better screen, more smartwatch features, and access to Garmin's ecosystem, choose the Forerunner 165.
Who Should Buy the COROS PACE 3 in Australia?
The PACE 3 is the ideal watch for runners who prioritise running performance over smartwatch convenience. It is particularly well-suited to:
- Trail runners and ultramarathon athletes who need long GPS battery for events over 20 hours
- Runners who want dual-frequency GPS accuracy without paying Garmin flagship prices
- Athletes who run high weekly mileage and want running power data
- Anyone who regularly forgets to charge their watch
- Runners who find smartwatch distractions annoying during training
It is less suited to runners who use Apple Pay or Google Pay regularly, want music streaming, or value a visually impressive display for daily wear.
Where to Buy in Australia
- COROS Australia (au.coros.com) β direct from brand, full warranty
- Running Warehouse AU β competitive pricing, fast shipping
- Pure Running β specialist retailer with expert staff
- Amazon Australia β often competitive, check seller location for warranty
Our Verdict
The COROS PACE 3 is the best value GPS running watch available in Australia. At AU$299, it delivers GPS accuracy, battery life, and running-specific metrics that outperform Garmin watches costing AU$200 more. The trade-offs β a basic display and minimal smartwatch features β are acceptable for runners who prioritise performance over convenience.
If your primary use is running and you want the most capable watch for the money, the PACE 3 is the clear recommendation. It is the watch we recommend to most Australian runners asking for advice in the sub-AU$400 price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the COROS PACE 3 available in Australia?
Yes. The PACE 3 is available through COROS Australia's website, Running Warehouse AU, Pure Running, and Amazon Australia. Australian pricing is AU$299 for the silicone band version.
Does the COROS PACE 3 work with Strava?
Yes. The COROS app syncs automatically with Strava, TrainingPeaks, and Apple Health. Setup takes about five minutes and syncing is reliable in our testing.
How does the COROS PACE 3 compare to Garmin?
The PACE 3 matches or beats Garmin watches costing significantly more on GPS accuracy and battery life. Garmin leads on display quality, smartwatch features, and ecosystem maturity. For pure running performance per dollar, COROS is the better choice at this price point.
Is the COROS PACE 3 good for trail running in Australia?
Yes β the dual-frequency GPS makes it one of the most accurate options under AU$400 for trail running. It handles the dense tree canopy common on Australian trails better than most single-frequency alternatives.
