I remember buying my first ever dive computer and thinking “how the hell do I actually use this thing”!? Luckily it was a beginner-friendly model and I quickly got the hang of it…
I’ve had a whole bunch of dive computers over the years! Naturally, I started with cheaper ones that were simple and easy to use – as well as affordable. That’s why I’ve created this handy guide; outlining the best dive computers for beginners in 2025!
All dive computers show your current depth, timed dived, ascent rate and decompression info.
And all the dive computers reviewed on this page are for recreational scuba diving (no weird tec diving comps here!) and are easy to use. Some have extra big screens for easier reading; many are cheap and basic and a few of the pricier models even have nifty extra features like digital compasses and smartwatch functionality...
Use the Quick Look section below to get a fast glance at each dive computer or dive down deeper for our Detailed Reviews.
Quick Look:
Why do Beginners even need Dive Computers?
Even if you’re new to diving having your own dive computer makes you a much safer diver! When I got my first ever dive computer (my trusty Suunto Zoop Novo) it quickly helped improve my awareness whilst scuba diving.
Having a dive computer keeps you aware of key info like depth, dive time, and no-deco limits, helping you better understand dive theory and stay within safe limits. You can also track your own depth—useful on dives with set maximums—rather than relying solely on the guide!
And if you ever get separated, a dive computer provides the info to let you ascend at a safe rate and complete your safety stop.
So, you really don’t need to be an advanced diver to use a dive computer. In fact, I recommend getting one as soon as you’re certified and plan to dive a few times a year!
REVIEWS: The 10 Best Dive Computers for Beginners:
1) Easiest to Use: Suunto Zoop Novo
My very first dive computer was the Suunto Zoop Novo—and it made an awesome beginners dive computer!
The Suunto Zoop Novo’s four-button layout is a big advantage over other entry-level dive computers, which often have just one or two buttons. Instead of dealing with long presses and endless scrolling, each Zoop Novo button has a clear, dedicated function—making navigation fast, intuitive, and perfect for beginners.
With its bold 56mm diameter, the Zoop Novo features one of the largest displays among entry-level dive computers. It shows only essential info—deco time, depth, and bottom time—in large, clear digits, keeping things simple and easy to read for new divers.
The Zoop Novo skips high-end features like air integration, a compass, or adjustable algorithms—but that’s actually a potential plus for beginners. Fewer features mean less confusion, making it easier to learn and use right from the start.
Powered by a lithium battery that lasts around 150 dives, it’s user-replaceable if you’ve got the know-how—or you can send it to a Suunto service centre for a quick fix!
PROS:
- 4 Button User Interface = Easy to Use
- Huge Screen
- Affordable
CONS:
- Quite Bulky – can’t use as everyday watch
- No Advanced Features
Where to Buy Suunto Zoop Novo:
2) Cheapest: Cressi Leonardo
The Cressi Leonardo is the cheapest dive computer out there – and an all-time favourite for new scuba divers!
In fact, if you’ve ever rented a dive computer at a dive center, there’s a good chance it was a Cressi Leonardo! That’s because it’s so tough, simple and affordable that it’s considered by many to be the a go-to choice for new divers around the world.
The Cressi Leonardo includes all the essential features a recreational diver needs—nothing more, nothing less. Like the Suunto Zoop Novo it has a chunky, old-school design with a large dot-matrix display that’s easy to read underwater, albeit rather bulky on the wrist meaning it won’t double up as a day-watch!
The one-button interface keeps things straightforward, though navigating menus can be a little slow compared to the Suunto Zoop Novo. On the plus side, the Cressi Leonardo is available in a variety of vibrant colors to suit your style!
Its is powered by a lithium battery that lasts for around 150 dives and can be replaced easily through a Cressi service center. It also offers a respectable 70-hour dive log capacity to track your underwater adventures.
Where to Buy Cressi Leonardo:
3) Rectangular: Cressi Raffaello
The Cressi Raffaello is a total game-changer for beginner divers—finally, a rectangular dive computer that’s not overloaded with complicated features or a sky-high price tag! Released in 2024, the Raffaello stands out in a market where most rectangular models are bulky, advanced, and expensive. Not this one—it’s built to be simple, clear, and beginner-friendly.
Its bold, extra-wide screen with big, easy-to-read digits is a dream underwater, especially if you’re just getting used to checking your data on the go. The tough mineral glass display resists scratches and fogging, so it stays clear dive after dive.
You get all the core modes you actually need—Air, Nitrox, and Gauge—driven by Cressi’s trusted RGBM algorithm. Three intuitive buttons make navigating menus a breeze, and with Bluetooth log syncing plus a rechargeable battery, it’s got just enough modern tech to be convenient without overwhelming you.
If you’re new to diving and want a straightforward, rugged, and refreshingly different dive computer, the Raffaello delivers big—without the big price.
Where to Buy Cressi Raffaello:
4) Best Luxury Option: Suunto D5
I absolutely love my Suunto D5! It is both extremely beginner-friendly yet also crammed with advanced, yet-easy-to-use features that you can work with as you progress!
It features a beautiful, colour-coded ultra-high-definition display that’s incredibly intuitive to read. You can choose from several data modes—from essential dive info to advanced readings like tank pressure and remaining air time when paired with a wireless transmitter.
There is also a digital compass and an adjustable RGBM algorithm, letting beginners dive conservatively for safety, while allowing advanced divers to dial it down for more freedom.
Unlike typical dive computers with replaceable lithium batteries, the D5 uses a rechargeable USB battery lasting 7–8 hours in dive mode. Its large 200-hour logbook is easy to download via USB.
You might wonder why the Suunto D5 is so affordable now. Until mid-2024, it was much pricier, but its cost dropped sharply after the newer Suunto Ocean was released (which we’ll cover next). With it’s price now slashed from upper mid-price to lower mid-price, the Suunto D5 offers truly awesome value for money!
Where to Buy Suunto D5:
5) Hottest New Model: Suunto Ocean
The Suunto Ocean is Suunto’s latest flagship dive computer—and it’s seriously impressive!
Building on the success of the D5, it adds even more advanced dive features along with full smartwatch functionality, making it a powerful all-in-one device for both diving and everyday use.
The new AMOLED display is now larger, brighter, and sharper than the D5’s LED screen—offering excellent visibility even in low-visibility conditions. It’s also faster and smoother to navigate, with a refined user-interface that is both intuitive and easy to grasp.
For beginner divers looking to grow into their gear, the Ocean is a great investment. It includes air integration, a digital compass, and adjustable decompression settings—giving you full control over your diving experience.
Beyond the water, it also works as a full-featured fitness smartwatch, with heart rate tracking, built-in GPS, sleep monitoring, and over 95 sport modes—ideal if you lead an active lifestyle!
Where to Buy Suunto Ocean:
6) Enter Apple: Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is an extremely solid entry-level dive computer when paired with the Oceanic+ app—perfect for beginners who want a single device that covers both diving and everyday life!
It tracks all the essentials for recreational diving: depth, dive time, temperature, nitrox, and no-decompression limits, with a depth rating of 40m and EN13319 certification.
It also includes a built-in compass, haptic depth alerts, and ascent rate monitoring. While a subscription is needed to unlock the app’s full dive capabilities, the core features are more than enough for new divers just getting started.
What really sets the Ultra 2 apart though is that as a smartwatch, it’s in a different league—even compared to the Suunto Ocean. With an ultra-bright always-on display, advanced GPS, top-tier fitness and health tracking, Siri voice control, and seamless iPhone integration, it’s easily the best smartwatch on this list!
In my opinion, it’s not quite as good a dive computer as the Suunto Ocean – but it is a more versatile smartwatch! (And still get’s the job done as a dive computer very nicely!!).
Where to Buy Apple Watch Ultra 2:
7) Second Cheapest: Mares Puck Pro
The Mares Puck Pro is the entry-level dive computer from Mares—one of the most respected brands in the scuba diving world. Founded in Italy in 1949, Mares have a solid and well deserved reputation for producing high-quality scuba gear enjoyed by divers worldwide!
Designed with simplicity in mind, the Puck Pro is a fantastic choice for beginners looking for a cheap dive computer. It features a large, easy-to-read backlit display and simple single-button operation, which makes navigating settings quick and easy.
It supports Air, Nitrox (up to 99%), and Gauge modes, and uses the Mares-Wienke RGBM algorithm to ensure safe dive planning.
With a depth rating of 150 meters, user-replaceable battery lasting 200–300 dives, and storage for around 30 dives, the Puck Pro covers all the essentials. It doesn’t include extras like air integration, Bluetooth, or a compass, but for beginner divers who just want something simple, rugged, and reliable—it’s a fantastic no-frills choice!
Where to Buy Mares Puck Pro:
8) Puck Pro Upgrade: Mares Puck 4
The Mares Puck 4 is a slightly more advanced upgrade to the popular Puck Pro. It keeps the same rugged, beginner-friendly design—complete with an oversized screen and simple one-button navigation—but adds a few welcome improvements that make it even more appealing to new divers.
One major upgrade is the addition of Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to quickly transfer dive logs to your phone without any cables or clips. It also now runs on the Bühlmann ZH-L16C algorithm with adjustable gradient factors—offering a less conservative and more customizable dive profile compared to the older Mares-Wienke RGBM system.
Other enhancements include a logbook that stores up to 100 dives, automatic altitude adjustment, and a user-replaceable battery, with a depth rating of 150 meters.
Something else that sets the Puck 4 apart is it’s modern look, featuring bold, swirling colour designs that give it a unique visual edge. For beginners who want a tough, stylish, and slightly more flexible dive computer without a steep learning curve, the Mares Puck 4 is a fantastic option!
Where to Buy Mares Puck 4:
9) Alternative Rectangular: ScubaPro Luna 2.0
The Scubapro Luna 2 is a standout dive computer for beginners who want simplicity and power in one sleek package. Its large, rectangular high-contrast display is bigger than most dive computers, making essential dive data super clear and easy to read—even underwater!
Navigating menus is a breeze with its intuitive two-button interface, perfect for new divers learning the ropes. It offers advanced safety features like customizable algorithms, Profile-Dependent Intermediate Stops, and adjustable microbubble levels, giving you peace of mind as you explore.
Built-in Bluetooth lets you effortlessly sync your dive logs wirelessly, while the optional Luna 2 AI model adds air integration so you can monitor your tank pressure right on your wrist.
With its blend of beginner-friendly design and pro-level features, the Luna 2 is an exciting choice that will keep pace with you as your diving skills grow!
Where to Buy ScubaPro Luna 2.0:
10) Highest Performing: Shearwater Teric
I’ve tried plenty of dive computers over the years, but the Shearwater Teric easily stands out as my favourite. It’s packed with advanced features and sports a stunning, fully customizable AMOLED display—you can tweak everything from layout and colors to brightness and font size.
The Teric offers adjustable algorithm conservatism without locking you out if you miss a safety stop. It supports air integration, a tilt-compensated compass, and is fully ready for technical diving with air, nitrox, trimix, and open-circuit modes. Plus, it handles depths up to 201 meters (600 feet).
Battery life is impressive too—up to 30 hours while diving and 50 hours in watch mode—recharged wirelessly via a USB-C dock. With a sleek stainless steel bezel available in several colors, the Teric combines style with serious capability.
What’s especially great about the Teric is that despite its powerful features, it remains incredibly user-friendly—making it an amazing choice for beginners. Its intuitive interface and clear display mean you can start simply and easily, then grow into more advanced diving and technical modes as your skills develop. In short, it’s a dive computer that’s built to grow with you!
You can buy the Teric without a wireless transmitter if you prefer a more basic setup, but pairing it with the transmitter unlocks its full potential. With air integration, you get real-time data on your remaining air supply, how quickly you’re breathing, and estimated air time—awesome info that’s incredibly valuable for safety and dive planning.
Where to Buy Shearwater Teric:
Diving Squad Debriefing
Avast mateys! We’ve finished this here roundup of the best dive computers for beginners in 2025.
You can rest assured that all of the info you’ve read today reflects the very latest and utmost up-to-date info on beginner friendly dive computers currently cruising the market.
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As explorer Dr. Sylvia Earl said, ”Every time I slip into the ocean, it’s like going home.” The safety and security a dive watch brings its user will get you feeling like the underwater world is yours too in no time.
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