Table of Contents
Both the Garmin Forerunner 55 and the COROS PACE 2 are good GPS watches for people who are just starting out. Since they both cost $200 and come from different environments, it can be hard to decide which one is best for you. In this post, we will explain why you should choose one over the other.
- Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Coros Pace 2 Comparison Table
- Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Coros Pace 2: Design and Build
- Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Coros Pace 2: Ease of Use
- Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Coros Pace 2: Build/Quality
- Which one should you buy?
- Garmin Forerunner 55: THE GOOD AND THE BAD
- Coros Pace 2: THE GOOD AND THE BAD
- FAQS
For context, we run marathons, have tried triathlons, and love GPS watches. We have tried out 11 GPS watches over the past few years by borrowing them from friends or getting loaners. For this review, we bought a used FR55, which we later gave to my mom. We also had a PACE 2 on loan for about a month. We compare a lot of GPS watches, so if you’re trying to decide between different models, check out those.
Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Coros Pace 2 Comparison Table
| Specification | Coros Pace 2 | Garmin Forerunner 55 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 42 x 42 x 11.7 mm | 42 x 42 x 11.6 mm |
| Display Size | 1.5 inches | 1.04 inches |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours in GPS mode | Up to 20 hours in GPS mode |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Yes | |
| Music Storage | Yes | No |
| Weight | 29g | 37g |
Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Coros Pace 2: Design and Build
The COROS Pace 2 is smaller than its predecessor, but its measurements are almost the same as those of the Garmin Forerunner 55. Its silicone band has a lot of holes so that it can breathe, but they also make it look more sporty.
COROS says that the 29-gram GPS watch with the nylon band is the lightest one on the market. On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 55 looks more stylish. It also has a silicone strap, but the color is the same and there are fewer holes in it.
The watch is heavier than the COROS Pace 2, but this doesn’t change how easy or comfortable it is to wear. Both devices have memory-in-pixel displays that are 1.2 inches wide. This makes it easy to read even when it’s bright outside and keeps the amount of power used low.
From what people have said, the Garmin 55 is more lively. But the COROS Pace 2 is better because it has a night mode. When it comes to durability, COROS chooses a screen made of Corning Gorilla Glass. You can buy this smartwatch from its official website.
Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Coros Pace 2: Ease of Use
Both watches are pretty easy to use, but most people will find it easier to use the Garmin Forerunner 55. The Forerunner 55 is set up with buttons, while the Pace 2 is set up with one button and a digital dial.
The digital dial will take some time to get used to, but the Forerunner 55 is best for people who just want a watch that is easy to use right out of the box. Both apps are also pretty easy to use, but Garmin is going to win in the app ecosystem.
Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Coros Pace 2: Build/Quality
Both watches are made well and look very similar. This is because both of them are made to be cheap running watches. The watches are made of pretty good materials and don’t look like they will fall apart any time soon. Corning Glass is used on the Pace 2, while Gorilla Glass is used on the more popular Forerunner 55.
One of the things that the Pace 2 is most proud of is how light it is. With the Nylon band, the Pace 2 weighs 29g. The weight of the Forerunner is 37g. But with the silicone band, the difference is only 2g. Both of the watches have a 42mm case size and an 11.7mm width. The size of the screen is something to keep in mind about the Forerunner 55.
Which one should you buy?
At the end of this comparison, it should be clear that the Coros Pace 2 is a better sports watch than the Garmin Forerunner 55. It has a very compelling unique selling point for runners, it’s an affordable option for triathletes, and it has all the most important sports modes for most people. On top of that, it has all of these extra features in a package that costs almost the same as the other one.
Garmin Forerunner 55: THE GOOD AND THE BAD
THE GOOD
- Long battery life
- Accurate GPS tracking
THE BAD
- No music storage
Coros Pace 2: THE GOOD AND THE BAD
THE GOOD
- Long battery life
- Accurate GPS tracking
THE BAD
- Limited smartwatch features
FAQS
Is Coros better than Garmin?
They have GPS save modes that can make the GPS last for twice as long. When I tested the Apex and the Pace, we didn’t find that their batteries lasted 30 days, but they did last a long time. While the budget and mid-range Garmin models have GPS batteries that last about 14 hours and can be used for 7 days.
Is Forerunner 55 enough?
The Forerunner 55 is a great watch, especially for runners, because it does so many things well. Even though it’s at the lower end of Garmin’s price range, it has everything a runner of any skill level needs, like suggested workouts, and more.
Is COROS a Chinese company?
COROS Wearables Inc. is a Chinese company that makes sportswear that helps people do better at sports. The main office of the company is in Irvine, California, which is in the United States. There are also smaller offices in Europe and China.