For a long time, Garmin has been the go-to brand for runners and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a reliable running smartwatch.
Their devices are packed with features designed to improve your performance while being rugged enough to withstand any adventure.
However, some new brands are starting to give Garmin a run for its money. One of these is Coros, which has released a range of running watches packed with innovative features.
While they might not have the same level of name recognition as Garmin, they are quickly gaining a reputation for making high-quality devices that can go toe-to-toe with anything in the Garmin range.
Today we will analyze two top-of-the-line running smartwatches from these brands; Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955.
Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’d have a clear view of which brand or watch to go with if you’re looking for a running smartwatch.
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: General Comparison
| Specifications | Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Forerunner 955 |
| Predecessor | Coros vertex | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
| Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| Smartphone compatibility | Android/iOS | Android/iOS |
| Sensors | Optical HR Monitor, Barometric Altimeter, 3D Compass, Thermometer, Pulse Oximeter, Electrocardiogram Sensor | Elevate HR monitor, Barometric Altimeter, 3D Compass, Gyroscope, Thermometer, Pulse Oximeter |
| Water-resistance | 10ATM (100m) | 5ATM (50m) |
Now that we have established a general comparison between these running watches let’s check out their differences in detail.
Coros vertex two vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Price range
| Price | Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Forerunner 955 |
| Standard | $699 (Standard) | $499 (standard) |
| Premium | – | $599 (Solar) |
The price might be another factor in narrowing down your preference here. Coros Vertix 2 would cost you $700 since it doesn’t offer multiple variants or other accessories.
While Forerunner 955 comes under the $500 bracket if you’re considering the standard variant. If you go with the solar version, this will go up to around $600.
Coros vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Design, Variants, and colors
| Specifications | Coros vertix 2 | Garmin Forerunner 955 |
| Dimensions | 50.3 x 50.3 x 15.7mm | 46.5 x 46.5 x 14.4 (mm) |
| Bezel Material | Grade 5 Titanium Alloy with PVD Coating | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Screen Material | Diamond-like Coating Sapphire Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass DX |
| Cover Material | Grade 5 Titanium Alloy with PVD Coating | Not specified |
| Buttons | Digital dial, Back button, Dedicated Backlight button | Five buttons |
| Band Material | Silicone/Nylon | Silicone |
| Weight | 89g (Silicone band), 72g (Nylon band) | 52g |
| Water-resistance | 100m | 50m |
Starting with the design, Vertix 2 comes off as a rugged smartwatch with a titanium bezel on top, giving Garmin Fenix 7 vibes. In addition, this titanium bezel is three times more scratch-resistant than its predecessor, Original Vertix.
Plus, the screen material is made of sapphire glass with a diamond-like coating for added protection and two manual buttons with a rotating crown on the right side of the dial for triggering the display.
Garmin Forerunner 955, on the other hand, has more of a Sporty smartwatch look, with a thin polymer bezel and Corning Gorilla Glass DX screen protection. Also, unlike Vertix 2, it has five manual buttons on both sides of the dial.
Garmin introduced this Forerunner 955 in two variants, Solar and Standard, while the Coros vertix two only has the standard variant.
In terms of color options, both watches come in two colors. Forerunner 955 has the usual Black and Whitestone color options, while Vertix 2 gives more unique colors, such as Lava and Obsidian.
Forerunner 955 weighs around 52g, which is relatively lightweight compared to Vertix 2, which weighs 72g (Nylon band) and 89g (Silicone band).
That said, Vertix is water-resistant up to 100m compared to Forerunner 955’s 50m water-resistance, making it a better swimming smartwatch.
Coros vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Display
| Specifications | Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Forerunner 955 |
| Display | 1.4 Inch | 1.3 Inch |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Display Resolution | 280 x 280 (64 colors) | 260 x 260 (colored) |
| Display Type | Touch Screen Always-On Memory LCD | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
The Coros Vertix 2 watch has a large 1.4-inch screen that is perfect for viewing all the information you need while on the run.
The resolution is high at 280 x 280 pixels, and you can see up to eight data fields on a single page, which is 16% higher than the Original Vertix. This makes it easy to track your progress and see how far you have left to go.
The Garmin Forerunner 955 also has a large display, but it only has a resolution of 260 x 260 pixels. So, unfortunately, you might have to squint to see your data.
However, the Forerunner 955 allows you to customize the data fields displayed, so you can always ensure that the most important information is front and center.
In terms of display, the Coros Vertix 2 is the better choice for runners who want to see all their data.
Coros vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Health monitoring
| Features | Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Forerunner 945 |
| Heart rate tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| HRV alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox | Yes | Yes |
| Hydration/Body battery monitoring | No | Yes |
| Menstrual tracking | No | Yes |
Regarding health monitoring, the Garmin Forerunner 955 has a clear advantage over the Coros Vertix 2.
The Forerunner 955 offers a wide range of health-tracking features, including HR monitoring, HRV alerts, Pulse OX, Respiratory rate, sleep monitoring, stress tracking, Menstrual tracking, etc.
While the Coros Vertix 2 offers some health monitoring features, such as HR/Sleep tracking and HRV alerts, it falls short compared to the Forerunner 955.
It is also worth noting that the Vertix 2’s ECG Sensor doesn’t take readings for atrial fibrillation and is not yet approved by the FDA, which may give some users pause.
The Vertix 2 lacks many of the advanced features offered by the Forerunner 955, making it a less appealing option for runners looking for a comprehensive health monitoring solution.
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Sports and fitness features
| Features | Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Forerunner 955 |
| All-day activity tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-sport modes | Yes | Yes |
| Running profiles | Yes | Virtual Run |
| Activity modes | Running, Hiking, Biking, Open water/pool swimming, Rowing, Skiing, etc. | Golfing, Running, Cycling, Swimming, Yoga, Pilates, On-screen workouts, etc. |
| Training features | Training Plan, Underwater HR zones, Altitude mode, pre-planned workouts, Basic/advanced interval training | HR Zones, Manual laps, Realtime Stamina, Virtual Partner, Advanced workouts, Real-time Stamina |
The Coros Vertix 2 and Garmin Forerunner 955 are feature-packed watches sure to please any runner.
The Forerunner 955 is slightly ahead in terms of running features, with a greater variety of running profiles and more detailed tracking options.
However, the Vertix 2 is not far behind, and its virtual run mode is a nice touch.
That said, the Forerunner 955 gets the edge here due to its greater variety of running modes. This makes it the better choice for runners who want to track their progress and see their improvement over time.
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Location Tracking/Multiple positioning systems
| Feature | Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Forerunner 955 |
| Satellite-systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| GNSS chipset | All-satellite Dual-frequency | Multiple-Frequency positioning |
Both watches come with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Multiple-Frequency positioning, so you can be sure that your position will be accurately tracked no matter where you are.
Although, there is one key difference between these two watches: the Coros Vertix 2 comes with Beidou, and QZSS positioning, while the Forerunner 955 does not.
This means that if you’re looking for the most accurate position tracking possible, the Coros Vertix 2 is the better choice.
However, if you don’t need such precision, the Forerunner 955 will still provide you with reliable location tracking.
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Smartwatch features
| Features | Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Forerunner 955 |
| Smart notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Find my Phone/Watch | Yes | Yes |
| Music | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar/Weather | Yes | Yes |
| NFC payments | No | Yes |
Regarding innovative features, the Vertix 2 and the Forerunner 955 are almost evenly matched.
Both watches offer a variety of intelligent features, including the ability to receive notifications, store music, and find your Phone/Watch if it is lost.
However, one key difference between the watches is that the Forerunner 955 has Garmin Pay, allowing you to make payments using NFC technology.
This feature is not available on the Coros Vertix 2. As a result, if you’re looking for a watch that can help you stay connected and make payments, the Forerunner 955 is the better choice.
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Battery life
| Battery life | Coros Vertix 2 | Garmin Forerunner 955 |
| Battery life in different modes | Daily Use: 60 Days UltraMax GPS Mode: 240 Hours Standard GPS mode: 140 Hours Charging Time: Less than 2 Hours | Smartwatch mode: 15 days GPS mode (without music): 42 hours GPS Mode (with music): Up to 8.5 hours Charging time: Almost 2 hours |
When choosing a running GPS watch, battery life is an important consideration. After all, there’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a long run and having your watch die on you.
With that in mind, Vertix 2 can last 60 days in daily use or up to 240 hours in UltraMax GPS mode.
The Forerunner 955, on the other hand, can go on for 15 days in smartwatch mode or for o 80 hours in Ultra Trac mode after a single charge.
While the charging time for both watches is almost the same, around 2 hours.
Coros Vertix 2 vs. Garmin Forerunner 955: Who’s the winner?
As discussed earlier, Garmin Forerunner 955 has a clear edge over the Coros Vertix 2 in some running, training, and intelligent features. On top of that, it doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet, unlike Coros Vertix 2, if you’re opting for just the smartwatch.
That said, Vertix 2, the newest and fastest smartwatch in Coros’s den, indeed gives a tough time to Forerunner 955 in providing a better resolution and improved battery life. But, if your usage mainly requires you to train and keep yourself updated with the latest trends in the fitness world, Forerunner 955 is the way to go.
