Scuba diving is one of the leisure activities that one can engage into. Several people scuba dive due to other reasons, e.g. sports, rescue missions, or military operations. Whichever the case, if you are going dive underwater then you know that you need the best scuba regulator to add to your other gear. Diving into deep waters you are taking a huge risk, and you need to be able to trust your equipment.                     A good scuba regulator will enable you to have the experience of a lifetime. Since it is your life on the line, do not gamble with it by picking just any regulator. Consider the material construction and those distinctive features that make it perform highly. We have compiled a review of the 9 best scuba regulators to guide your buying decision.

Best Scuba Regulator FAQs

1. What Is a Scuba Regulator?

This is a device that supplies the diver with air from the scuba tank or a storage cylinder to enable the diver to breathe underwater. It is the center of your dive equipment, as it inter-links many parts of your diving gear.

2. What Does a Scuba Regulator Do?

This device decreases the high pressure of the breathing air stored in the scuba tank/ cylinder, equalizing the pressure to match the surroundings before supplying it to the diver  

3. How Does a Scuba Regulator Work?

A scuba regulator works in two stages;

Stage One

In this stage, there is a valve or a piston that reduces the pressure of the compressed air in the scuba tank. The valve opens and closes at intervals to let air into the hose.

Stage Two

The second stage is the mouthpiece that provides air to the diver when they demand it. It includes a device that decreases the pressure in the hose, which is pulling air coming from the first stage, to match the surrounding water pressure levels, making it easy and comfortable for the diver to breathe.

4. Where Can You Buy It/Them? 

Online retailers like Amazon have many sellers offering a variety of scuba regulators to select from depending on your taste and needs.

5. Do I Need a Balanced Scuba Regulator?

A balanced regulator enables the diver to develop their skills efficiently. It also would make you breathe easily and comfortable at any depth in the water. This is unlike the unbalanced regulator, because for this, the more deeply into the water you get, the more you will experience breathing difficulties. Thus, if you intend to diver deeper, a balanced regulator is recommended.

How We Reviewed

The main objective of this review is to provide you with the necessary information you need to know on scuba regulators to help you make an informed buying decision. We chose a number of regulators to look at. We also looked into their advantages and disadvantages, their prices, where to find them, and their warranty periods. We also looked at extensive reviews by actual users to see how these perform in real life conditions.

Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)

The best scuba regulators seem to range between $200 and $1000, though the Atomic Aquatics T3 Titanium Swivel Sealed Regulator goes as high as $1,750. The range in prices can be attributed to unique features which guarantee high performance and material which make the scuba regulators highly durable.

What We Reviewed

• Atomic Aquatics T3 Titanium Swivel Sealed Regulator
• Scubapro Evo Scuba Diving Regulator
• Sherwood SR2 SRB2000 Scuba Diving Dive Regulator
• Apeks XTX 200 Regulator
• Mares Abyss 22 Navy II Regulator
• Zeagle F8 Regulator
• Oceanic Delta 5 Regulator
• Cressi AC2/XS2 Complete Regulator
• Aqua Lung Calypso QC Regulator

[amazon link=”B00EATH6AE” title=”Huish Outdoors Atomic T3 Titanium Regulator”/]

[amazon box=”B00EATH6AE”]

Features

This is the highest specification scuba regulator in the market. Its body and components are all titanium-made. This is a high performing regulator that guarantees smooth breathing due to its design. It is the most reliable you can get, since it has a three-year or 300 dives service interval and spins at first and second stage connections.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight  
• Corrosion-free
• It has flex hoses
• Includes a free regulator bag
• It is Nitrox compatible to up to 40%
• Provides easy, smooth and comfortable breathing

Cons

• It does not work with a wireless transmitter. 
• It needs some adjustments
• It is expensive

Price

The Atomic Aquatics T3 Titanium Swivel Sealed regulator can be found on Amazon for approximately $$$.

Warranty

The product has a limited lifetime warranty.

[amazon link=”B016WW88B2″ title=”Scubapro Evo Scuba Diving Regulator”/]

[amazon box=”B016WW88B2″]

Features

This is a reliable, easy-to-use scuba regulator that makes it easy to breathe in any water depth and temperature. It has an ultra-high airflow system and a high performance, making it great for both beginners and experts. Its inner parts are insulated to enhance performance in cold water. The regulator has air-balanced pistons which provide more air to the second stage.

Pros

• Performs under both warm and cold water temperatures
• Designed with advanced technology which provides high performance
• High-quality material construction
• It can be adjusted to any user convenience;
• It is nitrox compatible

Cons

• This regulator is prone to corrosion
• No flex hoses included

Price

This regulator can be found on Amazon for around $$$.

Warranty

This product is covered by the company’s limited lifetime warranty.

[amazon link=”B00Q439TWM” title=”Sherwood SR2 SRB2000 Scuba Diving Dive Regulator”/]

[amazon box=”B00Q439TWM”]

Features

This provides excellent distance adjustments regardless of the length you want to reach. The second stage of this scuba regulator is pneumatically balanced. It includes 5 low pressure and 2 high pressure ports and swivels at 360 degrees at first stage connection. It the best for use with a dive computer which has a wireless transmitter and a pressure gauge.

Pros

• Nitrox compatibility of up to 40%
• Lightweight and compact
• It is flexible
• Easy and comfortable to breathe
• It is corrosion-free
• It includes a super flex hose which reduces weight

Cons

• There are some loose points that need tightening before using the scuba
• Unlimited warranty period

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $$.

Warranty

The regulator comes with a one-year warranty.

Apeks XTX 200 Regulator

Features

The Apeks XTX 200 is a strong regulator that you can depend on to help you breathe at any water depth. It provides a great support and has its second stage pneumatically balanced. The regulator has high performance even in cold water thanks to the included Environmental Dry Sealing System. This has been considered the best scuba regulator for those divers who experience jaw fatigue during long dives.

Pros

• You can easily control inhalation resistance
• Works in both cold and warm water temperatures
• It includes adjustable settings
• It prevents jaw fatigue thus enhancing comfort

Cons

• It does not include a swivel system
• It needs steady controlling due to the increasingly free flow

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $800.

Warranty

Apeks provides a limited lifetime warranty for this regulator.

Mares Abyss 22 Navy II Regulator

Features

This is a high-performance, compact and lightweight regulator. It uses a patented Tri-material Valve Technology which guarantees a safe and reliable performance. This is the best scuba regulator for use in cold water as it uses thermal transfer methods and an environmental seal to counter all cold water effects. This gear has a unique design that makes it suitable for all types of diving.

Pros

• It is convenient for cold water diving
• Approved for use by the USA navy
• It comes with a brass case for convenient storage
• It has many quality first and second-stage features
• Intermediate regulator for use in extreme water conditions
• Has two high-pressure ports and 4 low-pressure ports

Cons

• No pre-dive switch
• It can cause free water flow if you do not adjust it appropriately

Price

Mares Abyss 22 Navy II Ray retails be found on Amazon at approximately $730.

Warranty

Mares provides a 2-year limited warranty for this product.

Zeagle F8 Regulator

Features

Zeagle F8 is the best scuba regulator for divers who require heavy-duty support. It has conical precision and includes a high-pressure valve, thus making it reliable and durable. The regulator is high performance and responsive at all breathing rates. It includes a rubber-made purge button cover and soft-covered hoses and measures 0.72 joules per liter.

Pros

• Durable with a high service interval
• Compact and lightweight
• Designed for comfortability
• Delivers a high performance
• Ideal for those who require extra diving support

Cons

• Prone to corrosion
• Swivels at a lower rate

Price

This regulator can be found on Amazon for around $618.

Warranty

This regulator from Zeagle comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Oceanic Delta 5 Regulator

Features

Oceanic Delta 5 is the best versatile scuba regulator. It uses the Dynamic air adjustment technology which ensures air flows properly at any water depths. In addition, the mechanical purge button guarantees consistency in the airflow. It includes a pre-dive and a post-dive switch controls. The first stage of this regulator is pneumatically balanced while the second stage is unbalanced thus providing easy and smooth breathing.

Pros

• It provides an easy and smooth breathing performance
• It is nitrox compatible
• Convenient for both cold and warm water diving
• Made from high-quality and durable
• It is corrosion-free
• It includes low and high-pressure ports

Cons

• The regulator is quite heavy
• It has a high maintenance cost

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $500.

Warranty

This product comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Cressi AC2/XS2 Complete Regulator

Features

If you are looking for the best affordable scuba regulator then Cressi AC2/XS2 is the answer. Its long-lasting material construction makes it reliable. The second stage includes a mouthpiece and purge button that is comfortable and easy to use. The unbalanced first stage ensures high diving performance.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• It is affordable
• It includes 3/8 inches hose flex for you to attach easily
• It is made with tough corrosion-free material
• Provides an easy breathing performance

Cons

• It may not be convenient for use in deep waters
• Basic construction

Price

This product can be found on Amazon for around $170.

Warranty

The regulator comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Aqua Lung Calypso QC Regulator

Features

This is the best scuba regulator for beginners. It is a lightweight, robust and reliable regulator. Both the first and second stages are designed to ensure high performance that includes smooth breathing. It includes a low-pressure hose, and it is fitted with a piston-found technology to enhance performance.

Pros

• Easy and smooth breathing
• High-quality material construction
• It can be used in dive centers
• Affordable and reliable
• Corrosion-free
• Ideal for beginners

Cons

• High maintenance cost
• It has no advanced features

Price

Aqualung Calypso QC regulator can be found on Amazon for around $300.

Warranty

The Aqualung Company provides a limited lifetime warranty for this product.

The Verdict

The best scuba regulator is what can make your life underwater seem like that on dry land, where you breathe comfortably. However, you will not achieve this if you go for a cheap piece of equipment. The most important aspects to check out before settling on a regulator are the number of low and high-pressure ports, whether or not it is adjustable, and if it is a diaphragm or piston regulator. Most importantly, the regulator has to be balanced if you are planning on diving deep.

The Atomic Aquatic T3 Titanium Swivel Sealed Regulator does it for us. Even though it is expensive, the price can be justified by its long service intervals, high-quality material build, and Nitrox compatibility. For those who worry about the price, the Oceanic Delta 5 Regulator can be a good pick, too. It is versatile, corrosion-free, nitrox compatible and provides high performance.