Coros Apex 4 GPS Watch Review

Bottom Line

Providing excellent navigation, accuracy, and extreme battery life, the Coros Apex 4 is our top choice. After extensive testing in Alaska’s backcountry,  it quickly proved itself worthy of the top place in our guide to the best GPS watches.

The Apex 4 delivers excellent accuracy with dual-frequency GPS, even in dense forests or deep valleys. We don’t see it skipping or jumping, no matter what kind of terrain we are 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 use this watch for weeks between charges, in both smartwatch and GPS modes.

The unique nylon band is comfortable against the skin and provides a snug fit for accurate heart rate measurement. However, unlike a standard silicone or plastic band, it absorbs sweat, so we have to wash it periodically. While the Coros Apex 4 lacks some features of a dedicated smartwatch, like contactless payment, we love it 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 65 hours, the Coros Apex 4 has one of the best batteries of any watch we tested. 

We use 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. We find that it loses about two to three percent of battery life per hour. 

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

Comfort & Wearability

With its included nylon band, the Apex 4 is one of the more comfortable watches we’ve reviewed. The slightly stretchy 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 the fact that the Apex 4 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. We measured the weight at 50 grams (with nylon band), slightly below the advertised weight of 51 grams. 

For a large watch, the Apex 4 feels slimmer than other watches with the same display size. It easily fits under gloves and jacket hems thanks to its rounded edges, and the nylon band keeps it comfortable and secure without leaving imprints on the skin, even after all-day wear.

Features

The Coros Apex 4 comes loaded with features that 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 love the offline topo maps and use them frequently in the backcountry and on long traverses. To download to the watch, connect to the app with Bluetooth, connect the watch to wifi and select your area to download. 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. The Apex 4 also has an integrated speaker and mic. This allows us to take phone calls directly from the watch and record voice notes for activities. 

However, this watch 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

The buttons on the Apex 4 are large enough to be used while wearing gloves, yet sleek enough not to protrude out uncomfortably. The scroll wheel is well designed for use with gloves or bare hands. 

However, we found that the auto lock is necessary if using the Apex 4 with gloves. The cuff of the gloves frequently hits the scroll wheel, pausing the activity. This is quickly fixed by turning on auto-pause. 

Using the nylon wristband takes some time to get used to, 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 take off the watch. 

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

Should You Buy the Coros Apex 4 GPS Watch?

The Coros Apex 4 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 the premium features and build quality well worth it. 

Loaded with features like offline maps and routes, the Apex 4 is perfect as a backcountry navigation aid. The nylon band is comfortable, easily adjustable 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 4 is one of our favorite watches for its high accuracy and incredible battery life, and offline navigation. Pick up the Apex 4 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 Nomad Review: At a more accessible price point, the Nomad still has many of the high-quality features found in the Apex 4.

Garmin Instinct 3 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.