Coros Nomad review: No, it’s not a Garmin, but it might even be better

TechRadar Verdict

It looks like a Garmin Instinct, but the Coros Nomad is its own beast, and comes in considerably cheaper while still packing plenty of features that ensure it doesn’t fall short in the ways that matter. Maps are the biggest boon here, which the Instinct doesn’t have.

Pros

• +Looks great
• +22 days of battery life
• +Well-priced considering the features on offer

Cons

• -No LED flashlight
• -Communication features rely on cellular
• -Very little smartwatch functionality

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Jump To:

• One-minute review
• Price and availability
• Design
• Features
• Performance
• Scorecard
• Should I buy?
• Also consider
• How I tested

One-minute review

No, it’s not a Garmin. The Coros Nomad may look ever so slightly like the Instinct 3, but in many ways it’s more exciting, since it boils that excellent smartwatch down to a less feature-packed but still compelling alternative that’s considerably cheaper.

It’s strictly in fitness tracker territory, with features like NFC payments not making the cut, but it does have the advantage of offering locally stored maps. Add to that more than three weeks of battery life on a single charge, a handy action button, and a really nice, lightweight design, and there’s an awful lot to like about this upstart.

Memory in Pixel displays aren’t for everyone as they’re duller than most smartwatches’ AMOLED screens, but they do conserve battery as a result. If you’re happy with one here, you’re getting excellent value for money and fantastic battery life.

Coros Nomad: Price and availability

• Starts at $349 / £319 / around AU$640
• Considerably cheaper than rivals
• Available in three color options

The big pull for the Coros Nomad is how favorable it compares to the Garmin Instinct 3 price-wise. It starts at $349 / £319 / around AU$640, compared to the Garmin model’s $449 / £389 / AU$829, and it comes in Dark Grey, Green, and Brown finishes – I tested the green version.

• Value score: 5/5

Garmin Venu 4: Specifications

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Coros Nomad: Design

• Durable, but fairly lightweight
• Action button

Given that this is billed as a rugged smartwatch, there’s a good chance the first thing you notice when picking up the Coros Nomad is that it’s not all that heavy at all.

The Polymer case feels strong (although you won’t catch me hurling my review unit at a concrete floor), but it’s also nice and light. That’s particularly helpful given that this is a device you can wear for up to three weeks without taking it off for a charge, and the strap is comfortable, too (albeit I’m not a big fan of the pin-based method of attaching them).

The case envelops the display, and provides plenty of clearance to keep it from being dinged if you were to drop the watch or swing your arm into something, although Coros says it’s a mineral glass display that should be tough to crack anyway.

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