Garmin Forerunner 970 vs COROS PACE 4
Garmin Forerunner 970 (#1, best overall) vs COROS PACE 4 (#2, best value): in our Fitness & Sports Tracking scoring the Garmin Forerunner 970 totals 9.4/10 and the COROS PACE 4 9.1/10. At $764.99 versus $249, the COROS PACE 4 costs $515.99 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Garmin Forerunner 970 | COROS PACE 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $764.99 | $249 |
| Display | 1.4" AMOLED | 1.3" AMOLED |
| GPS | Multi-band GNSS | Dual-frequency |
| Battery | 29 hours GPS | 41 hours GPS |
| Sensors | HR, ECG, SpO2, temperature | — |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Weight | — | 32g |
How they differ in real use
Built from our fitness sports smartwatches scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Garmin Forerunner 970 and the COROS PACE 4 made our Top 5 Fitness & Sports Tracking, at #1 (best overall) and #2 (best value). The definitive running watch for serious athletes. Industry-leading GPS accuracy, medically-certified ECG, 60+ sport modes, and comprehensive training metrics including unique 'Running Tolerance' and 'Impact Load' features unavailable elsewhere. Best value running watch at $249 with dual-frequency GPS accuracy rivaling $500+ competitors. At 32 grams with 41-hour GPS battery, it delivers exceptional performance for half the price of premium alternatives.
We score fitness & sports tracking on GPS Accuracy (30%), Training Metrics (30%), Battery Life (20%), Build Quality (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Garmin Forerunner 970 totals 9.4 out of 10 and the COROS PACE 4 9.1. The widest gap is Training Metrics, where the Garmin Forerunner 970 scores 10 against 8 for the COROS PACE 4 — VO2 max, recovery, training load. Value also separates them: 10 for the COROS PACE 4 versus 7 for the Garmin Forerunner 970. The COROS PACE 4 claws back ground on Battery Life.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 1.4" AMOLED on the Garmin Forerunner 970 versus 1.3" AMOLED on the COROS PACE 4; GPS — Multi-band GNSS on the Garmin Forerunner 970 versus Dual-frequency on the COROS PACE 4; Battery — 29 hours GPS on the Garmin Forerunner 970 versus 41 hours GPS on the COROS PACE 4. They match on Water Resistance.
Pricing as of August 19, 2026: $764.99 for the Garmin Forerunner 970 and $249 for the COROS PACE 4, a $515.99 difference in the COROS PACE 4's favor. Owners praise the Garmin Forerunner 970 for industry-leading GPS accuracy and medically-certified ECG; the most common complaint is premium pricing. Owners praise the COROS PACE 4 for exceptional value at $249 and 32g ultralight; the most common complaint is smaller ecosystem than Garmin.
Garmin Forerunner 970
- Industry-leading GPS accuracy
- Medically-certified ECG
- 60+ sport modes
- Unique training metrics
- Premium pricing
- Complex interface for beginners
- Bulky for small wrists
COROS PACE 4
- Exceptional value at $249
- 32g ultralight
- 41-hour GPS battery
- Dual-frequency GPS accuracy
- Smaller ecosystem than Garmin
- No music storage
- Basic smartwatch features
Which should you buy?
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is the better fit for serious runners and triathletes — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Training Metrics and GPS Accuracy. The COROS PACE 4 is the better fit for value-conscious runners and ultralight preference, and the stronger choice if Value and Battery Life matter more to you than the overall score. If the $515.99 saving matters more than Training Metrics, the COROS PACE 4 is the better value. The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a poor fit for casual fitness users; the COROS PACE 4 is a poor fit for music playback needs.
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 970 if
- Serious runners
- Triathletes
- Data-driven athletes
Skip it if
- Casual fitness users
- Budget shoppers
Choose the COROS PACE 4 if
- Value-conscious runners
- Ultralight preference
- Long GPS battery needs
Skip it if
- Music playback needs
- Smartwatch feature priority
Common questions
Is the Garmin Forerunner 970 better than the COROS PACE 4?
In our Fitness & Sports Tracking ranking the Garmin Forerunner 970 scores higher overall, 9.4 to 9.1, with the biggest advantage in Training Metrics. The COROS PACE 4 is stronger on Value and Battery Life, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Garmin Forerunner 970 cost than the COROS PACE 4?
$515.99 more as of August 19, 2026: $764.99 for the Garmin Forerunner 970 against $249 for the COROS PACE 4. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Training Metrics — 10 versus 8 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Garmin Forerunner 970 and the COROS PACE 4?
The headline spec difference is Display: 1.4" AMOLED on the Garmin Forerunner 970 versus 1.3" AMOLED on the COROS PACE 4. In use, the gap that matters most is Training Metrics (10 vs 8 in our scoring): VO2 max, recovery, training load.