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For most beginners, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is still enough to start running. Choose the newer Forerunner 170 if you want Garmin’s latest beginner-oriented coaching, run-walk guidance, AMOLED touchscreen, and Garmin Pay. Choose the COROS PACE 3 if longer battery life, dual-band GPS, or multisport training matters more than smartwatch features.
The right alternative depends less on a higher price than on where you run, how often you charge, whether you want phone-free music and payments, and how much guidance you expect from the watch. The comparisons below separate manufacturer estimates from one reviewer’s testing so you can make a realistic first-watch decision.
Quick answer: which alternative should a beginner buy?
| Watch | Best fit | Key evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 170 | Beginners who want the newest Garmin coaching and recovery-oriented experience | Adaptive beginner plans, run-walk workouts, daily suggested workouts, built-in GNSS, 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, Garmin Pay, up to 10 days smartwatch use and 20 hours GPS-only use (Garmin, 2026) |
| COROS PACE 3 | Beginners who prioritize battery endurance, dual-band GPS, or multisport training | Dual-band GPS, multisport mode, and manufacturer estimates of up to 17 days of daily use and 38 hours of standard GPS (Wareable, 2024) |
| Garmin Forerunner 165 | Beginners who find it discounted or prefer Garmin’s established training and smart features | Garmin Coach plans for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon goals; daily suggested workouts; Training Effect; recovery-time guidance; up to 11 days smartwatch use and 19 hours GPS (Garmin, 2026) |
There is no universal winner. The Forerunner 170 is the closest like-for-like Garmin replacement, while the PACE 3 changes the priorities toward endurance and GPS capability. Compare your local prices before buying: Garmin displayed a U.S. list price of $299.99 for the 170 when its page was crawled, but prices, stock, taxes, and regional versions can change.
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Why the Forerunner 165 remains a credible beginner baseline
A first GPS watch does not need to be the newest model. Garmin describes the Forerunner 165 as a GPS running smartwatch with pace, distance, wrist-based heart rate, and a 1.2-inch AMOLED display. Its advertised smartwatch battery life is up to 11 days, with up to 19 hours in GPS mode. Those are Garmin’s maximum estimates under specified settings, not a promise that every wearer will see those figures.
#1 Best Overall
- Easy-to-use running smartwatch with built-in GPS for pace/distance and wrist-based heart rate; brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 43 mm size
- Up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode
- Reach your goals with personalized daily suggested workouts that adapt based on performance and recovery; use Garmin Coach and race adaptive training plans to get workout suggestions for specific events
- 25+ built-in activity profiles include running, cycling, HIIT, strength and more
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside weather and HRV status (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
For structured improvement, the 165 supports adaptive Garmin Coach plans for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon targets. Garmin also advertises daily suggested workouts that respond to performance, recovery, and races entered in Garmin Connect. Training Effect and recovery-time guidance help a new runner understand whether a session was easy, productive, or demanding instead of judging every run only by distance.
The 165 is therefore a benchmark rather than an obsolete watch. An alternative is worthwhile when it solves a specific problem: you want newer Garmin guidance, a different GPS mode, substantially longer endurance, a transflective outdoor display, or stronger multisport support. Buying a replacement simply because a newer number exists does not guarantee a better beginner experience.
Garmin Forerunner 170: the closest current Garmin alternative
What changed for beginners
Garmin announced the Forerunner 170 on May 12, 2026, describing it as an easy-to-use running watch intended to help people start a running journey or refine training. Its product information emphasizes adaptive plans for beginners, including run-walk workouts. That matters if continuous running is still difficult: a plan that deliberately alternates walking and running can be more approachable than a schedule built around uninterrupted mileage.
The 170 also offers daily suggested workouts and built-in GNSS. Garmin’s descriptions position those suggestions as an adaptive layer rather than a static calendar. In practice, the usefulness depends on entering your race or training information and wearing the watch consistently enough for its recommendations to reflect your recent activity and recovery.
Display and everyday use
The 170 uses a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, the same stated size and display technology as the 165. AMOLED panels provide the bright, high-contrast appearance many people prefer for indoor viewing and daily smartwatch use. Touch interaction is convenient for menus, but a runner should still consider whether physical controls are easier during rain, sweat, or a fast interval. The product description confirms the touchscreen; it does not establish that the 170 will suit every weather or glove scenario.
Garmin lists Garmin Pay among the 170’s features. That can reduce the need to carry a phone or wallet for a short run where contactless payment is accepted and your bank and region support the service. Availability is location- and issuer-dependent, so confirm support before treating it as a deciding feature.
Battery and price
Garmin rates the 170 for up to 10 days in smartwatch mode or up to 20 hours in GPS-only mode. The GPS figure is one hour longer than the 165’s advertised 19 hours, while the smartwatch estimate is one day shorter. That is a specification difference, not proof that the 170 lasts longer in every routine. Notifications, display settings, heart-rate features, music, satellite mode, and workout frequency all change actual endurance.
Rank #2
- Easy-to-use running smartwatch with built-in GPS for pace/distance and wrist-based heart rate; brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 43 mm size
- Up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode
- Reach your goals with personalized daily suggested workouts that adapt based on performance and recovery; use Garmin Coach and race adaptive training plans to get workout suggestions for specific events
- 25+ built-in activity profiles include running, cycling, HIIT, strength and more
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside weather and HRV status (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Garmin’s U.S. page showed a $299.99 list price when crawled in 2026. Treat that as a dated U.S. reference, not a guaranteed price in another country or on another day. Check the official regional page and reputable retailers for current stock, taxes, warranty terms, and any temporary promotion.
Who should choose the 170
- Choose it when you want Garmin’s newest beginner-oriented adaptive plans and run-walk guidance.
- Choose it when Garmin Pay and the Garmin ecosystem matter for daily use.
- Choose it when you prefer a bright AMOLED touchscreen and are comfortable charging according to your settings.
- Compare it carefully with a discounted 165: the 170 is newer, but the 165 already covers core pace, distance, heart-rate, coaching, and recovery needs.
COROS PACE 3: the battery-and-GPS alternative
Dual-band GPS and multisport support
The PACE 3 takes a different approach from the Garmin options. Tom’s Guide’s comparison identifies dual-band GPS and multisport mode as major PACE 3 advantages, while describing the Forerunner 165 as stronger for daily suggested workouts and smartwatch functions in that matchup. Dual-band, or dual-frequency, reception can be valuable around tall buildings, tree cover, or other environments where satellite signals reflect or become obstructed. It is a capability advantage, not a guarantee of perfect tracks in every route.
Tom’s Guide tested both watches and found good performance in its GPS work. During a verified 10K, the reviewer recorded 10.02 km on the Forerunner 165 and 10.03 km on the PACE 3. Those nearly identical numbers are one publication’s result under its test conditions; they should not be generalized into a permanent accuracy ranking. Route geometry, satellite visibility, firmware, wearing position, and selected GPS mode can all influence a recording.
Battery expectations
Wareable lists manufacturer estimates of up to 17 days of daily use and 38 hours of standard GPS for the PACE 3. Those figures use different modes and test assumptions from Garmin’s 165 and 170 specifications, so comparing the numbers as a laboratory head-to-head would be misleading.
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Display and music trade-offs
Wareable describes the PACE 3’s transflective display as prioritizing outdoor visibility and always-on operation. That design can be easier to read in bright sunlight and avoids the same style of wake gesture used by many bright AMOLED watches. It does not offer the same visual character as the 1.2-inch AMOLED screens on the 165 and 170, so display preference is a genuine buying criterion rather than a minor specification.
Tom’s Guide reports that the PACE 3 can store music, but its tested workflow involved transferring MP3 files from a computer rather than synchronizing playlists from streaming services. The Forerunner 165 Music was reported to support streaming-service playlist syncing, alongside Garmin Pay and Connect IQ features. Confirm the exact model variant and service availability before assuming any watch can leave your phone behind for music.
Rank #3
- Easy-to-use running smartwatch with built-in GPS for pace/distance and wrist-based heart rate; brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 43 mm size
- Up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode
- Reach your goals with personalized daily suggested workouts that adapt based on performance and recovery; use Garmin Coach and race adaptive training plans to get workout suggestions for specific events
- 25+ built-in activity profiles include running, cycling, HIIT, strength and more
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside weather and HRV status (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Who should choose the PACE 3
- Choose it when charging less often is more important than Garmin’s broader smartwatch functions.
- Choose it when dual-band GPS is valuable for urban canyons, wooded routes, or other challenging reception environments.
- Choose it when you want one watch for running plus other sports through a multisport mode.
- Choose it when an outdoor-oriented transflective display suits you better than an AMOLED touchscreen.
Battery comparison: estimates versus observed use
| Model | Smartwatch or daily-use estimate | GPS estimate | Evidence and conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forerunner 165 | Up to 11 days | Up to 19 hours | Garmin product specifications, 2026 |
| Forerunner 170 | Up to 10 days | Up to 20 hours in GPS-only mode | Garmin product specifications, 2026 |
| COROS PACE 3 | Up to 17 days | Up to 38 hours in standard GPS | Manufacturer estimates reported by Wareable, 2024 |
| Forerunner 165 in Tom’s Guide use comparison | Approximately 3–4 days observed | Most accurate GPS mode; at least one hour of running daily | Notifications enabled and Garmin always-on display enabled |
| PACE 3 in Tom’s Guide use comparison | Approximately 6–7 days observed | Most accurate GPS mode; at least one hour of running daily | Notifications enabled; settings and modes affect endurance |
Use the manufacturer figures to understand the ceiling under controlled assumptions and the Tom’s Guide observation to understand how demanding daily use can reduce endurance. If you run three times a week with notifications off, your result may differ from both. If you run for an hour every day with an always-on display and high-accuracy GPS, plan for more frequent charging than the headline maximum.
Training guidance: what each watch actually helps you do
Forerunner 165
The 165 combines Garmin Coach plans for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon goals with daily suggested workouts. Garmin says those daily suggestions adapt to performance, recovery, and races entered in Garmin Connect. Training Effect and recovery-time guidance add interpretation after a workout. This is a strong fit for a beginner who wants the watch to answer, “What should I do today?” and “How hard was that session?”
Forerunner 170
The 170’s differentiator is the newer beginner emphasis: adaptive plans that include run-walk workouts, plus daily suggested workouts. Someone returning from inactivity or unable to run continuously may find the run-walk structure more immediately practical than a plan that assumes a continuous-running base. Garmin presents the 170 and 70 as tools to start a journey or refine training, but the product description does not establish that every recommendation will be superior to the 165’s coaching.
PACE 3
Tom’s Guide reports that both the PACE 3 and Forerunner 165 support structured workouts and plans. In that comparison, the 165 had daily suggested running workouts, while the PACE 3’s strengths were dual-band GPS and multisport capability. Choose the PACE 3 if you are willing to follow a plan while placing more value on training versatility and endurance; choose Garmin if daily recommendations and a more expansive smartwatch presentation are central to your motivation.
GPS choice: when dual-band matters and when it does not
All three watches can record outdoor runs, but the PACE 3 is the only option in this comparison explicitly identified as offering dual-band GPS. That mode uses two satellite frequencies to help resolve reflected or obstructed signals. It is most relevant on routes between tall buildings, beneath dense tree cover, or near steep terrain where the sky view is limited.
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Garmin’s 165 and 170 still provide built-in GNSS, and Tom’s Guide found the 165’s all-systems-on GPS capable in its comparison. The verified 10K results were close: 10.02 km for the 165 and 10.03 km for the PACE 3. A beginner running in open parks may notice little practical difference. A runner in a dense city may prefer having dual-band available, while remembering that no satellite mode eliminates every gap or corner-cutting error.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Display, smartwatch functions, and phone-free running
The 165 and 170 both have 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreens. They suit readers who want a bright, modern watch face and smartwatch-style interaction. The PACE 3’s transflective display favors outdoor readability and always-on viewing, which can reduce the need to wake the screen during a run. Decide whether visual richness or sunlight readability better matches your routine.
Rank #4
- Garmin USA AUTHORIZED - Garmin Full USA Protection | Garmin Forerunner 165 Smart Sport Watch, Black + Slate Gray 010-02863-20
- You don’t just run. You’ve moved beyond that. Which is why you need Garmin's Forerunner 165 - the purpose-built GPS running smartwatch that helps you meet your goals with personalized adaptive training plans and a bright display to light up your progress.
- PACE, DISTANCE, HEART RATE: This easy-to-use GPS running smartwatch provides the essential features you need to take your running to the next level — including GPS, pace, distance and wrist-based heart rate.
- DAILY SUGGESTED WORKOUTS: Get workouts made for you. They adapt after every run to match your performance and recovery as well as the races coming up in your Garmin Connect smartphone app calendar.
- GARMIN COACH: Get free adaptive 5K, 10K and half-marathon training plans from expert coaches to help you take on a new challenge.
Garmin’s ecosystem is the broader smart-feature choice in the evidence available here. Tom’s Guide reports Garmin Pay, Connect IQ, and richer smartwatch functions on the 165, plus streaming-service playlist syncing on the 165 Music. The 170 product page lists Garmin Pay. The PACE 3 can store music, but the cited review describes computer-based MP3 transfer rather than streaming-service synchronization. Banking support, music services, and exact features vary by model and region, so verify them before purchase.
A beginner’s decision framework
Choose the Forerunner 170 when coaching is your priority
Select the 170 if you want a current Garmin watch centered on starting a running journey, adaptive plans, run-walk sessions, and daily suggestions. It is the most direct upgrade path from the 165’s interface and training ecosystem. Its 20-hour GPS-only estimate is slightly higher than the 165’s 19-hour estimate, but its 10-day smartwatch estimate is slightly lower than the 165’s 11-day figure.
Choose the PACE 3 when charging and route conditions are your priority
Select the PACE 3 if you frequently forget to charge devices, train in difficult GPS environments, or participate in more than running. Its dual-band GPS, multisport mode, and higher published endurance estimates address those needs directly. Accept the transflective display and the more limited music workflow described by Tom’s Guide if those trade-offs are acceptable.
Keep the Forerunner 165 when the price is right
Keep or buy the 165 if a local discount makes it substantially cheaper and you mainly need pace, distance, heart rate, Garmin Coach, daily suggestions, and recovery guidance. The 170’s newer positioning does not make the 165 unsuitable for a first training plan. Compare the actual local price difference with the features you will use weekly.
Use your running environment as the tie-breaker
Open roads and parks reduce the practical importance of dual-band GPS. Tall buildings, tree cover, and obstructed skies make the PACE 3’s additional mode more compelling. If your routes change between open and difficult environments, consider whether you prefer the PACE 3’s flexibility or Garmin’s training presentation and smart features.
What a beginner does not need to buy immediately
Garmin’s Forerunner 165 manual documents compatibility with HRM 600, HRM-Fit, and HRM-Pro series accessories for running pace and distance support when GPS is unavailable, such as treadmill running. These are optional niche accessories, not required purchases for learning to run outdoors. Start with the watch’s wrist-based heart rate and GPS; add an external sensor only if treadmill pace and distance or another specific limitation becomes important.
Buying and setup checklist
- Set your primary goal. Decide whether you need a run-walk plan, a race plan, multisport tracking, or simply reliable pace and distance.
- Describe your routes. Note whether you run in open areas, cities with tall buildings, heavy tree cover, or indoors. This determines how valuable dual-band GPS or a treadmill accessory may be.
- Choose your display preference. Pick AMOLED on the 165 or 170 for a bright touchscreen experience, or the PACE 3’s transflective approach for outdoor readability and always-on operation.
- Estimate charging tolerance. Compare your schedule with the published maximums, then allow for shorter life when notifications, always-on display, frequent workouts, music, or high-accuracy GPS are enabled.
- Check phone-free features. Confirm the exact Garmin model variant, your bank’s Garmin Pay support, and whether your preferred music service works. For the PACE 3, expect the cited MP3 computer-transfer workflow rather than assuming streaming synchronization.
- Verify local pricing and stock. The 170’s cited $299.99 figure is a U.S. list price captured in 2026. Regional pricing, taxes, availability, warranty, and temporary offers can differ.
- Start with the simplest plan. Use the watch’s adaptive or structured guidance, keep early sessions easy enough to repeat, and review recovery feedback rather than trying to maximize every metric on the first week.
Bottom line for first-time runners
The Garmin Forerunner 170 is the clearest Garmin-family alternative to the 165 because it adds a newer beginner focus, including run-walk plans, while retaining the AMOLED and Garmin smart-feature approach. The COROS PACE 3 is the more distinctive alternative: its dual-band GPS, multisport mode, transflective display, and longer published endurance target runners who value capability and fewer charging sessions.
If your budget makes the 165 significantly cheaper, it remains a sound first GPS running watch. Buy the 170 for Garmin’s newer coaching direction, the PACE 3 for battery and GPS versatility, and the 165 when its established training tools meet your needs at the best local price.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
