Coros Pace 3 vs Mibro GS Explorer S
Quick verdict
Choose the Coros Pace 3 if…
- You follow a plan and need reliable load and recovery data
- You want offline maps and 38 h of GPS in just 39 g
Choose the Mibro GS Explorer S if…
- You prefer an AMOLED display over MIP
- You value toughness: ceramic bezel and MIL-STD-810H durability
For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Coros Pace 3 lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Coros Pace 3. Only Coros Pace 3 brings onboard topo maps for navigation. Both sit in the same price segment, so let battery, weight and the feature you value most decide.
Coros Pace 3 or Mibro GS Explorer S? GPS battery (38 h vs 25 h), weight (39 g vs 71 g), maps and multi-band, with a clear verdict and a check of whether each lasts your whole race.
Pick by what you need
- If you need maps and navigation on your wrist → Coros Pace 3
- If you run ultras or very long outings (38 h of GPS) → Coros Pace 3
- If you want the lightest (39 g) → Coros Pace 3
Radar: where each watch wins
Absolute 0–100 scale, no exaggerated gaps: a tie stays a tie. Coros Pace 3 leads on 4 of 6 axes.
| Axis | Coros Pace 3 | Mibro GS Explorer S |
|---|---|---|
| GPS battery | 32/100 | 21/100 |
| Everyday battery | 80/100 | 67/100 |
| Lightness | 93/100 | 40/100 |
| Maps | 100/100 | 0/100 |
| Multi-band GPS | 25/100 | 50/100 |
| Display & extras | 0/100 | 50/100 |
GPS: 120 h = 100 · Weight: 35 g = 100, 95 g = 0 · Multi-band: by its battery (60 h = 100) · Display: AMOLED + music.
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Coros Pace 3 | Mibro GS Explorer S |
|---|---|---|
| GPS battery | 38 h | 25 h |
| Multi-band battery | 15 h | Yes |
| Smartwatch | 24 days | 20 days |
| Weight | 39 g | 71 g |
| Maps | ✓ | – |
| Multi-band | ✓ | ✓ |
| Music | – | – |
| Display | MIP | AMOLED |
| Price | Entry | Entry |
| Where to buy | View on Amazon(opens in a new tab) | View on Amazon(opens in a new tab) |
GPS battery = each manufacturer's standard GPS mode; multi-band = dual-frequency (maximum accuracy). On Suunto, Polar Grit and Amazfit T-Rex the GPS figure already corresponds to dual-band mode. Figures verified against the manufacturer.
CorosCoros Pace 3Trail running GPS watch with track navigation, barometric altimeter and up to 38 h battery life in GPS mode. Lightweight (39 g), accurate and with offline maps. Best value for mountain navigation.
View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)MibroMibro GS Explorer SBudget GPS watch with dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS, a 1.32" AMOLED display, ceramic bezel and MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability. Around 20 days of battery in normal use and up to 25 h in GPS mode, with Mibro Coach training plans. The entry-level pick for hitting the trails with accurate GPS without paying Garmin money.
View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)Will it last your race? Real battery across 532 races
We estimated a mid-pack runner's finish time for every race in our calendar (distance, elevation and terrain) and added a 25% safety margin. Here's the result:
Coros Pace 3 lasts 495 of 532 races
Mibro GS Explorer S lasts 441 of 532 races
We couldn't find that race in our calendar. Try another name or the town.
| Race | Battery needed | Coros Pace 3 | Mibro GS Explorer S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail du Grand Duc70 km · 4430 m+ | 25 h | Lasts | Lasts |
| Trace des Maquisards100 km · 3300 m+ | 25 h | Lasts | Lasts |
| Travessa Trail140 km · 0 m+ | 26 h | Lasts | Dies |
| GTPE Picos de Europa70 km · 5300 m+ | 27 h | Lasts | Dies |
| Trail de la Sainte-Baume100 km · 5500 m+ | 30 h | Lasts | Dies |
| Hochwald Ultratrail (HoWUT)166 km · 0 m+ | 32 h | Lasts | Dies |
| Ultra Sierra Nevada100 km · 6200 m+ | 35 h | Lasts | Dies |
| Dolomiti Extreme Trail102 km · 6500 m+ | 39 h | Dies | Dies |
Estimate for a mid-pack runner on the longest distance, standard GPS on ultras and multi-band on races under 12 h. Tap a race to see the watches we recommend for it.
Verdict
For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Coros Pace 3 lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Coros Pace 3. Only Coros Pace 3 brings onboard topo maps for navigation. Both sit in the same price segment, so let battery, weight and the feature you value most decide.
Analysis: where they really differ
The Coros Pace 3 is the value watch we recommend without hesitation; the Mibro GS Explorer S is the AMOLED, dual-frequency alternative. The Pace 3 weighs just 39 g, gives 38 h of GPS, carries offline maps and 24 days of battery, backed by a far more mature training app and algorithm. The Mibro swaps the MIP display for a 1.32" AMOLED, adds a ceramic bezel and MIL-STD-810H durability and keeps dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS, but drops to 25 h of GPS, has no maps and weighs 71 g. If you follow a plan and want reliable load and recovery data, the Pace 3; if you want a vivid display and a tough watch with accurate GPS, the Mibro.
Choose the Coros Pace 3 if…
- You follow a plan and need reliable load and recovery data
- You want offline maps and 38 h of GPS in just 39 g
- You prioritise the sunlight readability of the MIP display
Choose the Mibro GS Explorer S if…
- You prefer an AMOLED display over MIP
- You value toughness: ceramic bezel and MIL-STD-810H durability
- A dual-frequency GPS is enough for training and races up to about 15 h