Coros Apex 2 Pro GPS Watch Review

Bottom Line

A well-designed watch quickly becomes an essential piece of equipment when you’re out in the backcountry. When navigation, accuracy, and extreme battery life are needed, we reach for the Coros Apex 2 Pro. After extensive testing in Alaska’s backcountry, it quickly became one of our favorite GPS watches.

The Apex 2 Pro delivers excellent accuracy with dual-frequency GPS, even in dense forests or deep valleys. We never found that it skipped or jumped, no matter what kind of terrain we were in. The battery life is exceptional, offering up to 21 days of smartwatch usage or 66 hours of GPS tracking. This makes it one of the most reliable options for multi-day trips. We used this watch for weeks at a time between charges while using it in both smartwatch and GPS mode.

The unique nylon band is comfortable on the body and allows for a snug fit for accurate heart rate measurement. However, unlike a standard silicone or plastic band, it absorbs sweat, so we had to wash it periodically. While the Coros Apex 2 Pro lacks some features of a dedicated smartwatch, like contactless payment, it is best suited for backcountry use and long adventures between charges.

How We Tested

From trail runs to backcountry skis to everyday smartwatch use, we test every GPS watch in a variety of conditions and settings to find where they perform best. Over two months, we’ve fully exhausted every watch’s battery multiple times to evaluate battery life, used them in different terrains to test GPS accuracy, and worn them for numerous hours to test comfort and ease of use. We own and use everything we test daily to bring the most comprehensive and thoughtful reviews possible.

Accuracy

Thanks to its dual-frequency satellite tracking, the Coros Apex 2 Pro delivers exceptional GPS accuracy. This upgrade significantly reduces signal interference found in models without this feature. We never noticed any jaggedness or skipping in our tracks, even while using the GPS in lower sample interval modes.

Much to our surprise, using the watch in ultra mode (which reduces the number of GPS pings to the watch) did not significantly change recorded mileage or elevation gain. We even used the Apex 2 Pro on an indoor track and were pleased to have a relatively consistent track, about the same as others tested in the same indoor scenario.

After using the Apex 2 Pro indoors, in dense forests, and deep mountain valleys, we are impressed with its ability to acquire satellites quickly and maintain accurate measurements.

Battery Life

With a claimed GPS battery life of 66 hours, the Coros Apex 2 Pro has one of the best batteries of any watch we tested.

We used this watch for multiple weeks at a time in both smartwatch and GPS mode without needing to charge. It is the most reliable watch of any we tested and our go-to for multi-day trips. In our testing, we found that it lost about two to three percent of battery life per hour.

In ultra mode, its battery life is almost doubled making it perfect for turning the watch on and leaving it running for long adventures.

Comfort & Wearability

With its included nylon band, the Apex 2 Pro is one of the more comfortable watches we’ve reviewed. The slightly stretch band is comfortable on the arm, and the velcro closure is secure and allows for micro adjustments not found on a traditional watch band.

There’s no getting around that the Apex 2 Pro is a hefty watch. With a thickness of 14mm (.55 inches) and a width of 46mm (1.8 inches), it’s a large watch for anyone with slender wrists. However, we measured its weight at 52 grams, much lower than the stated 66 grams.

Still, for a large watch, it feels more slender than other watches with an identical display size. Thanks to the rounded edges, it easily fits under gloves and jacket hems, and the nylon band keeps it comfortable and secure without leaving imprints on the skin even after wearing it all day.

Features

The Coros Apex 2 Pro’s features make it the perfect watch for backcountry adventures.

This includes backcountry-inclined features like offline topo maps, 3D compass, barometric altimeter, checkpoints, back-to-start, and route deviation alerts. In particular, we loved the offline topo maps and used them frequently on backcountry skis and traverses. The map is touchscreen enabled and is also able to be zoomed in and out quickly with the scroll wheel.

Everyday features include Find My Phone and Find My Watch, offline music, camera control, heart rate variability, and third-party app integration. It does lack some of the features found in dedicated smartwatches like contactless pay, but it still provides enough features for almost every need in the backcountry or around town.

Ease of Use

We liked that the buttons on the Apex 2 Pro are large enough to be used while wearing gloves. Even better, they are sleek enough not to protrude out uncomfortably. The scroll wheel, in particular, is well designed for use with gloves. However, we found that the auto lock is necessary if using the Apex 2 Pro with gloves. The cuff of the gloves frequently hits the scroll wheel, pausing the activity. This is quickly fixed by turning on auto-pause.

It takes some time to get used to using the nylon wristband, as it does not come completely undone like a traditional band. Instead, the band has a plastic stopper on the end, requiring you to let go of anything that you might be holding to remove the watch.

The user interface and accompanying companion app are some of the best on the market, and Coros does a masterful job of balancing performance and ease of use.

Should You Buy the Coros Apex 2 Pro GPS Watch?

The Coros Apex 2 Pro is a premium-quality GPS watch that comes at a premium price point. While its high price point may not make this the best watch for beginners, those willing to spend the extra dollar will find it well worth the extra dollars.

Loaded with features like offline maps and routes, the Apex 2 Pro is perfect as a backcountry navigation aid. Its nylon band is comfortable and helps deliver highly accurate heart rate readings. With its impressive battery life, you can record activities in full GPS mode for over 2 days. Use the UltraMax mode to squeeze even more battery life out of this hefty watch.

The Coros Apex 2 Pro is one of our all-time favorite watches for its high accuracy and incredible battery life, and is ready to accompany you on your next multi-day adventure.

What Other Watches Should You Consider?

Check out our complete GPS watches gear guide to see our favorites.

Coros Pace 3 Review: A slightly smaller and paired-down model, the Pace 3 is great for those on a budget or looking for a smaller watch for everyday runs and exercise.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Review: While it has a slightly shorter battery life, the ability to solar charge through the watch face is a standout feature of the Instinct 2 Solar.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Review: If you liked the large display size of the Apex 2 Pro, the Amazfit T-Rex boasts an impressive 1.5-inch display for even greater visibility.