Best Dive Computer Reviews (2022 EDITION)
LAST UPDATED:
It ain’t easy picking the best dive computer. There’s dozens of models to choose from across a huge price range.
The cheapest dive computers are often quite bulky and not particularly stylish and they only provide you with the most essential dive profile data.
However, as the price goes up, dive computers look increasingly sophisticated and sleek until they’re the same size as smart watches and have all manner of cool features and uses.
On this page, we review the 15 best dive computers of 2022 with honest reviews, pros, cons and stat breakdowns.
We start with the cheapest dive computer and present the rest in order of ascending price. Let’s dive in!
Best Dive Computer for:
Cheapest: Cressi Leonardo
Beginners: Suunto Zoop Novo
Budget w. Advanced Settings: Mares Puck Pro
Cheap Digital: Deepblu Cosmiq
Cheapest Luxury-Feel: Suunto D4i Novo
Mid-Range Digital: Shearwater Peregrine
Stylish Luxury-Feel: Garmin Descent G1
Cheapest w. Compass: Oceanic OCi
Cheapest w. GPS mapping: Garmin Descent MK1
Best Console: Oceanic Pro Plus X
Beginners with High Budget: Suunto D5
Stylish & Unique: LZHYA Dive Computer
Tech Diving: Shearwater Research Teric
Second Most Expensive: Garmin Descent MK2i
Underwater Photographers: Shearwater Nerd 2
REVIEWS
#1 Cheapest
Cressi Leonardo
The all time cheapest dive computer out there is the Cressi Leonard; despite being a fairly model still provides all the standard dive computer functionalities; displaying depth, dive time, no decompression limit and temp.
It also offers air, nitrox and gauge modes, plus the internal dive logbook is a decent size at 70 hours long. It’s one button user interface is simple although a little slow to navigate .
As well as being the cheapest dive computer, the Cressi Leonardo is also the one with the biggest display, which has a diameter of 67mm which makes it extra easy to read, something beginners will find handy.
That said, it also means it is a seriously bulky piece of kit; you wont wan’t to wear it as a watch!
As a first time dive computer, the Cressi Leonardo is the best budget option but more experienced divers will find it’s features too limited and the design too big. You can read more about super cheap dive computers here.
PROS:
- Cheapest dive computer
- Simple user interface = easy to use
- Huge display = easy to read
- Long internal logbook (70 hours)
CONS:
- Very large and bulky
- Limited features
- Cheap materials
- Old, dated model
#2 Best for Beginners
Suunto Zoop Novo
Like the Cressi Leonardo, the Suunto Zoop Novo is a cheap and also fairly big dive computer; with a display diameter of 56mm it’s easy to read yet just a little less bulky than the Leonardo – though you still won’t want to wear it as a watch.
Whereas the Leonardo has just one button, the Suunto Zoop Novo has four which makes it much quicker to navigate through settings. It also has an even large internal dive log with a formidable memory of 140 hours.
It operates in five different modes: air, nitrox, gauge, free dive and off and displays current depth, max depth, dive time, temp and no decompression time at the your current depth.
There are also 3 levels of adjustment for more conservative dive profiles.
You can read more about the suunto zoop novo here or check out our main page on dive computers for beginners. But to discover the very best dive computers of all time, stay on this page and keep scrolling down…
PROS:
- All major dive computer functionalities
- Cheap
- Hug Dive Loge (140 hours)
- Durable
- Large display is easy to read
CONS:
- Bulky
- Limited features
- Lacking in quality compared to priceir dive comptuers
#3 Budget with Advanced Settings
Mares Puck Pro
The Mares Puck Pro is considerably smaller and more sleek than both the Cressi Leonardo and the Suunto Zoop Novo – with a display diameter of 48mm; it’s still bigger than more expensive dive watches
It’s available in a variety of colours and as well as featuring air, nitrox and gauge modes like all dive computers, it also has a fresh water setting, salinity setting, residual nitrogen memory reset and multi-gas capacity.
Being operated by a single button, it’s user interface is extremely easy and intuitive to navigate, albeit a little more time consuming than that of dive computers with more buttons.
The logbook is just 36 hours, certainly less than that of most dive computers including cheaper options.
Established in 1949, Mares are a well known brand in the scuba diving community and their Puck Pro is a favourite budget dive computer option.
PROS:
- Top seller – reliable and popular model
- Different colours
- Durable
- Advanced features: salinity setting, multi gas and more
CONS:
- Short logbook
- Still too big to be worn as regular watch
#4 Cheap Digital
Deepblu Cosmiq
Despite the fact it’s a lot sleeker and more modern than cheaper dive computers, the Deepblu Cosmiq is actually only a little bit more expensive.
It has a very nice 2.2 inch high contrast display which is easy to read even in the dark and incorporates blue and white to help display info stand out.
There’s air, nitrox, bottom timer and freedive modes and it shows depth, dive time, time, no deco time and temperature.
Whereas most cheap dive computers rapid ascent and safety stop alarms consist of a loud beep, when it’s alarms are triggered; the Deepblu Cosmiq vibrates and flashes. Some users like this but personally I find beeping more noticeable and therefore preferable.
Available in a range of colours, the Cosmiq charged via a USB magnetic charging device. Using the Deepblu App you can add details to the internal logbook which at 160 hours long, is bigger than that every other dive computer.
PROS:
- Superb value for money
- Stylish and sleek
- Easy to use
- Extra alarms
- Huge logbook
CONS:
- Alarm only flashes and vibrates – no beeping makes it less noticeable
#5 Cheapest Luxury-Feel
Suunto D4i Novo
Robust and durable yet also sleek and lightweight enough to be worn on your wrist like a regular watch, the Suunto D4i Novo is the first dive computer that looks and feels like a luxury model yet it’s the fifth cheapest option on this page.
Available in black and lime, it has a comfortable silicone strap that goes well with it’s minimalist shape and sculpting.
The D4i Novo gives you all the standard dive computer readings along with some extra features. to.
It’s the first dive computer on this pages list that can monitor your remaining air and current tank pressure although you have to separately purchase the Suunto wireless tank pressure transmitter in order to do this.
There’s a 140 hour dive log that’s easy to download to your computer or PC with the included USB adaptor cable.
PROS:
- Can be worn as regular watch
- Sleek and stylish
- High quality, durable materials
- Air integration possible with separate purchase
CONS:
- Limited colour range
#6 Mid-Range Digital
Shearwater Peregrine
A modern and high quality dive computer, the Shearwater Peregrine features a full colour 5.59 LED LCD screen with a vivid and enhanced colour range and saturation display.
Easy to operate and with a simplified user interface, it has been designed “mainly for air and nitrox divers that want an awesome and extremely easy to read screen at an exceptional value and with a simplified feature set”.
And that’s exactly what you! The Peregrine is very easy to navigate through the settings even when customizing which dive info is displayed on the extremely vibrant and cool looking homescreen.
With 4 dive modes: air, nitrox, 3 gas nitox and gauge (depth, time resettable stop watch function), it has a 30 hour battery life when on medium brightness and comes with a USB wireless charger.
In the dive log menu you can quickly view detailed graphs and dive info such as dive log list, water temp changes, depth, start and end time, surface interval time and more.
There is even a quick NDL planner and DECO planner let’s you plan dives. Without a doubt one of the best value for money dive computers out there!
PROS:
- Vivid and colourful LCD display
- Can customized displayed dive info
- Easy to use
- Detailed dive log
- Can operate in mixed gas mode
CONS:
- A little less durable than other dive computers – but still tough enough!
The Descent G1 is the cheapest option in Garmins “Descent” line of luxury dive computers. It’s a rugged watch style dive computer featuring a sapphire lens, silicone band and an easy to read monochrome display.
It’s suitable for recreational, advanced, technical and free diving and with the GPS support feature you can mark your surface entry and exist points so you can see exactly where you started and ended each dive.
But as well as being a dive computer the Garmin Descent G1 is more – it also gives you insights into your health and wellness with the 24/7 wrist based HR, pulsed ox, body energy monitoring and sleep score it provides.
You can track your acttivites with over 30 built in sports apps and use advanced training features such as the V02 Max which lets you see how your body is adapting to raining.
The internal dive log let’s you store up to 200 dives and you can upload, share and review dives using the Garmin Dive smartphone app and even search for dive sites around the world.
PROS:
- Stylish and sleek enough to be worn as a watch
- Rugged and durable
- Attractive and easy to view display
- Supports all types of diving
- Provides health and wellness info
- Advanced fitness training features
CONS:
- Not the highest end model in the Garmin Descent line! Read on to discover the best…
Designed for “the diver that wants it all” the Oceanic OCi features an advanced digital compass with auto home, customisazable alarms and air integration tech (wireless transmitter sold separately).
Powered by Oceanic’s exclusive dual algorithm, it can handle up to 4 gases, calculate nitrogen during a free dive, operate in tech mode, switch between salt and fresh water and even automatically adjusts to altitude.
This is a sleek and stylish dive computer that feels and functions very nicely as a regular watch as well.
For a small extra fee you can buy it with a snappy coil lanyard that attaches well to underwater camera housings and heavy lights.
It would be nice to see the OCi in some alternative colour options but at least black is a true classic!
PROS:
- Digital compass
- Customizable alarms
- Air integration tech
- Tech mode
- Stylish
CONS:
- Air integration tech sold separately
- Limited colour range
#9 Cheapest with GPS mapping
Garmin Descent MK1
The Garmin Descent MK1 is a stylish watch size dive computer with a bright 1.2″ color display and sophisticated mapping tech.
Built in sensors include 3-axis compass, gyroscope and a GPS feature that let’s you mark your dive entry and exit with full-colour onscreen mapping and location reference.
The MK1 supports single gas, multi-gas gauge and apnea diving including nitrox and trimix. Selectable tone and vibration alerts keep you informed whilst submerged.
With the dive log you can store and review data from up to 20 dives and share it all online via the Garmin connect app.
Doubling as an every day fitness watch, the Garmin Descent MK1 also features heart rate tech with multi-sport activity profiles, performance stats and smart notifications. Between charges it provides 4 hours of battery life in dive mode.
PROS:
- Sophisticated GPS mapping
- 3 Axis Compass
- Gyroscope
- Watch Sized – sleek and stylish
- Bright and colourful display is excellent for viewing data
CONS:
- User interface is a little cluttered
- No air integration tech
Unlike a wrist dive computer that is positioned on the wrist like a watch, a console dive computer is attached directly to your tank via your regulator hose.
The advantage is that you can view all your data at once, without having to flip between modes as you would on a wrist dive computer. Some people prefer this setup, whereas others don’t!
For those who do like the console dive computer layout, the all time best console dive computer is undeniably the Oceanic Pro Plus X.
It’s display is an extremely bright, low energy consumption thin film transmitter with extremely easy to read colour coded data including digits and bars and with adjustable brightness.
It also features a 3D digital compass, an oceanglow backlight, automatic altitude adjustment and wireless bluetooth connectivity,
If you want to get a console dive computer the Oceanic Pro Plus X is the best (and also most expensive!) option. Feel free to check out our main page on the best console dive computers.
PROS:
- Thin film transistor display with adjustable brightness
- Intuitive colour coded data
- Air integration
- 3D Digital compass
- Oceanglow backlight
- Durable
- Best console dive comptuer available
CONS:
- You may prefer a wrist. dive computer
- Most expensive console dive computer
#11 Beginners with High Budget
Suunto D5
The Suunto D5, whilst flashy and crammed full of awesome features has been designed as a dive computer that is simple and easy to use, making it ideal for it’s target audience: beginner divers with a high spending budget.
It operates in air, nitrox, freedive and gauge mode and uses Suunto’s time proven fused RGBM2 algorithm which is slightly more conservative than other algorithms, making it ideal for beginners
The gas pod connects to your air tank allowing the D5 to display remaining air time and tank pressure; this is known as air integration and it’s a highly popular feature in dive computers.
(We have a whole page on the best air integrated dive computers).
PROS:
- Air integrated (using gas pod)
- Different colours available
- Easy to use
- Simple layout
- Colourful display
- Colour coded data
CONS:
- No compass
#12 Stylish and Unique
LZHYA Digital Dive Computer
Durable, reliable and intuitive, the cool looking LZHYA is watch sized with a 48mm case diameter and features a mineral glass – you can choose between several options for the stripe of colour in the middle of the band.
It features a high-contrast, backlit display with easy to read and clearly displayed dive data.
There’s an intuitive single button navigation system making it easy to use even for total beginners to configure settings and access data.
More experienced divers can use it to set multiple dives with different gasses and it’s also possible to use different mixtures in the same immersion.
In addition to standard audible alarms as seen in other dive computers it also features a flashing element to it’s rapid ascent alarm. Air nitrox and gauge modes are available. There is also a 70 hour long internal dive log.
As a brand, LZHYA are new to the scuba diving gear scene – they haven’t been producing dive computers for long. But if they keep pumping out awesome products like this, we hope to see more from them in the future!
PROS:
- Unique design
- Different styles
- Durable
- Easy to use
- Advanced options
CONS:
- No air integration
- No compass
# 13 Tech Diving
Shearwater Research Teric
The Teric from Shearwater Research of Canada is “a full technical dive computer with recreational divers in mind” that can go to depths of 850ft / 260m.
It includes open-circuit and closed-circuit air, nitrox and trimix multi-gas functionality in addition to a three-axis tilt compensated digital compass.
There are recreational, gauge, freediving, open-circuit tech and closed-circuit/bail-out modes.
It’s highly configurable; you can set a button to give you a single press access to it’s various tools which include a compass, a stopwatch and a countdown timer.
There are both vibration and audible alarms that can be disabled (either or both).
It won’t lockout after a missed stop or ascent rate violation. Instead, after the dive it communicates via bluetooth to contact the shearwater cloud dive log manager compatible with windows, OS X, Ios and android.
The Shearwater Research Teric supports air integration for which it uses a wireless transmitter. It can even wirelessly connect to two transmitters giving you the ability to monitor two different tank pressures.
If you’re looking for a dedicated tech diving computer – or simply a recreational dive computer that can also be used for tech diving, the Searwater Research Teric is a superb option.
PROS:
- Full tech diving functionalities
- Highly durable
- High depth rating (850ft)
- Air integration tech
- Compass
CONS:
- Not for beginners
The Garmin Descent MK2i is an advanced, watch-stye dive computer with a 1.4″ colour sunlight-readable display in an elegant yet rugged design.
It features six dive modes for single and multi gas dives including gauge, apnea, apnea hunt and closed circuit rebreather as well as multi-GNSS support and ABC sensors – including an underwater compass with entry and exit marking points.
Using the wireless TI transmitter it provides air integration on up to 5 tanks via the subwave sonar data network with remaining air time, air consumption rate and more for you and other divers within a range of ten meters.
It’s internal dive log has a huge amount of space, being able to store up to 200 dives.
There’s also animated workouts and various fitness and sports apps that are compatible with the MK2i, meaning it can double up as a health watch, for which it looks extremely smart on your wrist.
In the box you get the Garmin Descent MK2i dive computer, the TI wireless transmitter for air integration and the wearble4u power charging pack.
PROS:
- Stylish, watch sized dive computer
- Bright and easy to read screen
- Monitor air of up to 5 divers within ten meters
- Air integration
- Compass
CONS:
- Most expensive dive computer out there!
# 15 Underwater Photographers
Shearwater Nerd 2
The Shearwater Nerd 2 is unique in that besides it’s predecessor, it’s the only near-eye remote dive computer.
Using the Nerd 2’s universal regulator mount, you can secure it to their your stag. The combination of the micro LCD display and magnifying lens makes data appear as if you’re looking at it from a 25 inch TV four meters away.
In particular, this will appear to underwater photographers because it means being able to see dive data with a simple glance, rather than having to look at your wrist and in doing so move your camera or loose your subject.
With advanced settings and air, closed circuit, gauge tech diving mode as well as insane depth rating of 985ft / 300m the Shearwater Nerd 2 is suitable for all types of diving.
The 2 buttons on either side are easy to locate and operate even with thick dive gloves. and the user interface is intuitive and well laid out.
It has a colossal 1000 hour dive log and a wireless air integration transmitter. It might be the most expensive dive computer out there but trust us – you’ll know where your money is going!
PROS:
- Unique near-eye design
- Extra useful for underwater photographers
- Tech diving mode
- Air integration
- Compass
- Durable and compact
CONS:
- Most expensive dive computer
- Some users will prefer a wrist style dive computer which the Nerd 2 is not
Things To Consider When Buying A Dive Computer
The best thing about choosing your own dive equipment, rather than using what is provided at dive centers, is that you get familiarized with your gear.
You get to choose things that will meet your specific needs and then get to nerd out and learn everything about the equipment.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the key considerations to take into account when trying to decide what kind of dive computer you want to buy.
Considerations:
#1 - Price range
Everybody’s budget is different and it is important to consider how much you are able to afford on a new piece of equipment.
#2 - Type of diving (needs)
The difference between recreational and technical diving changes the type of dive computer you will want to invest in. For recreational diving a basic, entry level computer, like the Cressi Leonardo, does the trick. For technical diving a computer with more advanced features is needed. The Mares Icon is an excellent choice.
#3 - Type of computer: watch, normal, console
If you are a frequent diver you may want a dive computer which doubles as a watch. If you dive more infrequently then this feature may not be important to you. Scuba computers can most commonly be worn around the wrist or attached to your tank. This is a preference thing and up to you which you enjoy most.
Features/Specs Explained
- Trimix Diving– A breathing gas consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and helium used for deep diving (commercial and technical).
- Gas switching – The ability to change the gas mix that you are breathing mid-dive.
- Air integrated – allows the diver to check how much air remains in their tank.
Diving Squad Debriefing
Shopping for a dive computer, like looking for the perfect BCD, can be like searching for a needle in the beach sand. Overwhelming and confusing to say the least.
This list of the best dive computers is a helpful guide to set you on the right path. Our dive computer reviews will ensure that you find a high-quality, awesome computer perfect for your needs on your diving journey.
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Written by:
Emily Craik
