Whether you are a beginner runner, marathoner, or triathlete, buying a GPS running and fitness smartwatch can help you hit your goals. And if you’re looking for the best options, two of the most popular and reliable GPS running and fitness smartwatches on the market are the Coros Pace 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music. These two affordable smartwatches have much to offer, and choosing between them can be tough. So, let’s compare the Coros Pace 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 245 to help you determine which watch best fits you.
Both of them are designed for runners and triathletes. But as no two runners are the same, you need to choose the watch that is right for you.
Garmin is well known for its high-quality fitness smartwatches. However, the Coros watches are gaining popularity among runners and endurance athletes who look for affordable and good multisport watches.
Following is a comparison between these two running and fitness smartwatches, Coros Pace 2 and Garmin Forerunner 245 Music. Hopefully, this comparison will help you to find out which one of these two watches is best for you.
Comparison Table of Coros Pace 2 vs Garmin 245 Music
Specs. & Features
Watch Type
Display Size
Display Resolution
Display Type
Screen Material
Input type
Weight
Best Use
Phone Connection
Accessory Connection
Phone Compatibility
Navigation
Sensors
Notifications
Water Resistance
Charging Time
Battery Life
Supported Workouts
Steps Tracking
Floors Climbed Data
Sleep Tracking
Alarm Clock
Calories Tracking
Distance Tracking
Speed/Pace
Stress Tracking
Running Power From The Wrist
Swim Tracking
Under-water heart rate tracking
Support Interval Training
Training Programs/Plans
Safety Tracking
Find my phone/watch
Music control and streaming
Internal Storage
Companion App
Pros
Cons
Price
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
Running/Sport Smartwatch
1.2 in (30.4 mm) diameter
240 x 240 pixels (color display)
Sunlight-visible, Transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
5 buttons, (No touch-screen)
38.5 g (1.36 oz)
Running, Cycling, Swimming, Gym workout, Outdoor Recreation
Connectivity and Sensors
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
iOS (iPhone), Android
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
1. Optical Heart Rate Monitor
2. Accelerometer
3. Compass
4. Ambient light
5. Thermometer (tempe™ sensor required)
6. Pulse Oximeter (Sp02 - blood oxygen saturation)
1. Email alert
2. Incoming calls
3. Event reminder
4. SMS alert
5. Weather
6. Third-party apps (e.g. WhatsApp notifications)
7. Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only)
Features
5 ATM (50 Meters/164 Feet)
About 1.5 to 2 hours
* 7 days in Smartwatch mode
* 24 hours in GPS mode without music
* 6 hours in GPS mode and music on
Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor and Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Virtual Running, Cycling, Strength, Pool Swimming, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Rowing, Yoga, Skiing, Snowboarding, Pilates, and Breathwork
X
also on the Garmin Connect
X
4GB
Music: Up to 500 songs
Activities: 200 hours
Pros and Cons
► Accurate GPS and heart rate sensors.
► Pulse Oximeter sensor - Tracks your blood oxygen saturation.
► Music control and streaming. Plenty of music storage and offline music support.
► Garmin Connect App and Garmin Coach training plans are very useful.
► Comprehensive health and activity tracking.
► Safety tracking includes incident detection, which sends your location to emergency contacts (requires pairing with your smartphone).
► Allows you to respond to SMS and answer or reject calls.
► Wi-Fi support
► Lack of barometer and gyroscope sensors.
► Not track Floors Climbed.
► Running power cannot be measured unless you connect a device like the Stryd power meter.
► More expensive than Coros Pace 2.
Coros Pace 2
Fitness/Sport Smartwatch
1.2 in (30.4 mm) diameter
240 x 240 pixels (64 colors)
Always-On Memory LCD
Corning® Glass
2 Physical buttons, Top button is also a crown dial for scrolling, (No touch-screen)
29 g (1.02 oz) with Nylon Band
35 g with Silicone Band
Running, Cycling, Swimming, Fitness
Bluetooth
ANT+,Bluetooth
iOS (iPhone), Android
GPS/QZSS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou
1. Optical Heart Rate Monitor
2. Accelerometer
3. Compass
4. Ambient light (night mode)
5. Thermometer
6. Barometric Altimeter
7. Gyroscope
1. Email alert
2. Incoming calls
3. Event reminder
4. SMS alert
5. Weather
6. Third-party apps (e.g. WhatsApp notifications)
5 ATM (50 Meters/164 Feet)
Less than 2 Hours
* 20 days of regular use
* 30 hours in Full GPS mode
* 60 hours in UltraMax mode
Running, Indoor Run, Track Run, Bike, Indoor Bike, Pool Swim, Open Water, Triathlon, Gym Cardio, GPS Cardio, Strength, Training
In the COROS app
More about Coros advanced running metrics
X
X
X
X
► Extra long battery life.
► Lightweight and comfortable.
► With built-in Running Power from the wrist.
► Accurate heart rate measurement and GPS distance tracking.
► Easy to read display.
► Excellent value for an affordable price.
► Less workout-tracking than the Garmin 245, such as Yoga, Pilates, and Skiing.
► Designed specifically for runners and triathletes, so lacks several advanced smartwatch features.
► Without music storage or control.
► Does not support a Wi-Fi connection.
► No text response.
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Coros Pace 2 vs Garmin 245 – Comparison Insights
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music and Coros Pace 2 are excellent running and fitness smartwatches for their affordable price.
Both are reliable, accurate, and durable watches that can serve you well in your sports and daily activities.
Garmin Forerunner 245 and Coros Pace 2 are two popular GPS sports watches with similar features but some notable differences. Here are some of the main differences between the two:
- Design: The Forerunner 245 has a more traditional watch-like design with physical buttons, while the Pace 2 has a sleeker, more modern look with touch-sensitive buttons.
- Battery life: The Pace 2 has a longer battery life of up to 20 days in regular watch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode, while the Forerunner 245 can last up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode.
- Music storage: The Forerunner 245 can store up to 500 songs directly on the watch, while the Pace 2 does not have built-in music storage.
- Training features: Both watches offer a variety of training features, including GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and training plans, but the Forerunner 245 has a more extensive range of training metrics and performance analytics.
- Price: The Pace 2 is generally less expensive than the Forerunner 245, making it a good choice for those on a budget.
Comparing User Experience: Coros Pace 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
When it comes to user experience, both the Coros Pace 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music have their unique strengths. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music stands out with its ability to connect directly to Spotify Premium, Deezer, or Amazon Music. This allows users to enjoy their favorite tunes or podcasts right from their wrist during workouts or runs, without needing a phone nearby.
On the other hand, the Coros Pace 2, while it doesn’t offer music features, is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It provides a straightforward, user-friendly interface that many users appreciate, especially those who prefer a no-frills, performance-focused device. In the end, the choice between the two will depend on your individual needs and lifestyle. Whether you prioritize music features or simplicity could determine which watch is the best fit for you.
Coros Pace 2 vs Garmin 245 – Conclusion:
If you are more interested in listening to music while exercising and enjoying more smart features, then Garmin Forerunner 245 Music may be a good choice for you. The Forerunner 245 watch is qualified to guide the training of amateur and elite athletes alike. Additionally, it has a few more smart features than Coros Pace 2. However, the Forerunner 245 cost is higher.
On the other hand, the COROS Pace 2 watch offers a lightweight, extremely long battery life and includes many of the same tracking and basic training features as the Garmin Forerunner 245.
The Pace 2 includes practical features for runners. Such as the built-in Running Power from the wrist, which helps enhance your running performance. Also, the extremely long battery life is a great advantage for ultra athletes.
And of course, the Coros watch price is very attractive.
Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences, as both watches offer a solid set of features for runners and athletes.
Coros Pace 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 245 Music FAQ:
Yes, Pace 2 may provide an advanced analysis of your workout, including VO2max, training load, training effect, threshold pace, and much more.
In general, if you need a watch with more lifestyle, safety features, and a more comprehensive app, then Garmin is the answer. If you want longer battery life and multisport tracking but a simpler watch and app, Coros is the right watch.
The main difference is that 245 Music includes Wi-Fi connectivity and music storage, control, and streaming.
Overall, the Forerunner 245 Music is a better choice for runners who want to listen to music without carrying a separate device. The Forerunner 245, on the other hand, is a good option for runners who don’t need music storage or playback features and are looking for a more affordable GPS smartwatch option.
Yes, there is a cadence sensor, Coros Pace 2 includes features that Garmin lacks. One of the most impressive is the stride length detection. While you have GPS connectivity, the watch uses your cadence and speed to calculate your stride length.
You can listen to music with the Forerunner 245 music watch without a phone. It has storage space for up to 500 songs, so you can download them with Wi-Fi or from Spotify or Deezer and play directly via Bluetooth headphones, and no phone is required.