Key takeaways

• TheCoros Vertix 2S is available now for$699 in three colorways, and two bands are included with every purchase.
• The Vertix 2S improves on its predecessor with better heart rate sensing and GPS accuracy. It's just as durable and big as the Vertix 2 while also having a longer battery life.
  
• Notably, there is only one size option available that's best for users with larger wrists.

It's been three years since I upgraded my original Coros Vertix adventure watch for the Vertix 2, and that watch has held up well through many trail runs, hikes, bike trips, and more. While I switched to the Apex 2 Pro in late 2022 because of the improvements made with the heart rate sensor and satellite navigation system, I still longed for the design, fit, and finish of the Vertix series.

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You can imagine my excitement when Coros released the new Vertix 2S , bringing the key benefits of the Apex 2 Pro to the Vertix line. With these enhancements, the Vertix 2S has become the flagship product from Coros. Better yet, it's great to see these upgrades while maintaining the same$699 price as the previous generation Vertix watches.

For the past month, I have been testing the Space model of the Vertix 2S. By default, the watch launches with a new themed watch face, but that was too hard to read and provided little information, so I switched it out for one that was more informational (and useful at a glance).

A hallmark of Coros watches has been their superior battery life, consistently outperforming competitors. Interestingly, the battery on the Vertix 2S is slightly less powerful than that of the Vertix 2 -- possibly due to the improved, larger sensors that take up internal space. Coros advertises 118 hours of GPS use for the Vertix 2S compared to 127 hours for the Vertix 2. 

Despite this slight reduction, the Vertix 2S remains a leader in battery performance. I'm pleased to see Coros continue to use MIP LCD displays since I prefer the longer battery life over a brighter, sharper display. You won't have to worry about tracking your entire event, and it's great that you only need to charge the watch every couple of weeks with typical use.

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The Vertix 2S is a large watch with a 50.3mm diameter and 16mm thickness. Despite its size, it is fairly light, weighing just 70 grams with the included nylon band. Coros also includes a second silicone band, matching your selected watch color, in the recycled packaging. For durability, the sapphire crystal display is designed to resist scratches, complemented by a titanium alloy bezel and back cover, all encased in high-strength polymer.

With my larger wrists, the 26mm band and substantial size of the watch fit me well. It is built to withstand the elements with a 10 ATM water-resistant rating and an operating temperature range from -22