Best Dive Computer Watch for Beginners

From the popular brand Mares, the Puck Pro wrist dive computer presents itself as one of the best entry-level models. It’s inexpensive and packs a variety of features designed to enhance your safety underwater.

Its large display ensures superior readability, while the intuitive interface ensures you’ll be able to keep all important data under control.

The device boasts a full-featured RGBM nitrox computer that can warn you of nitrogen saturation levels, exceeding the safe PPO2 levels, missed decompression stops, or if you ascend too fast from your dive.

You also get audible and visual alerts if the battery level is too low during a dive, so you can resurface before the computer dies. 

A few things missing are a depth alarm, O-rings, and a stopwatch. However, you’ll still get real value for money. 

Indeed, Mares Puck Pro packs all bells and whistles you’d expect from the best dive computer but lacks all unnecessary frills, and it also impresses with a sleek design available in a variety of colors. Just what you need from a trustworthy companion for all your diving adventures. 

2. Cressi Leonardo Underwater Diving Computer

Manufactured in Italy by the reliable brand Cressi, Leonardo is often the choice of the pros when it comes to choosing the best wrist dive computers. A single button interface makes it incredibly easy to use, while air, nitrox, and gauge modes allow you to access all essential dive information.

Ideal for scuba diving beginners, this computer incorporates adjustable FO2 levels between 21% and 50%. At the same time, the PO2 level is also adjustable between 1.2 and 1.6 bars, while a CNS oxygen toxicity graphic indicator helps you stay safe.

These three levels of user-adjustable conservatism come complete with visual and easy-to-hear audible alarms, and you can also choose between metric and imperial units.

Another highlight is a long battery life ensured by the replaceable CR2430 battery. While you can dive for over 100 hours without worries, you’ll also like the battery life indicator that will let you know just when it’s the time to make a change. Other functions include a user-selectable deep stop feature.

Transferring data between the dive computer and your PC is also easy, thanks to the included USB cable connection, while the software is compatible with both Mac and Windows systems. 

The next entry on our list of the best dive computers is the Suunto Zoop Novo. This model is ideal for beginners and experienced divers alike, but it’s a tad more difficult to use than Cressi Leonardo.

Indeed, this wrist computer has four buttons instead of one, and you’ll have to learn their various commands before wearing it for a dive. Once you get used to it, though, the interface is rather intuitive and easy to use. 

As mentioned in our Suunto dive computer review roundup, the Zoop Novo boasts a large matrix screen and backlit display that improve readability underwater. 

All key dive data is available at a glance, thanks to the wealth of information displayed on the screen. Designed with scuba in mind but also suitable for freediving, it boasts five modes, including air, nitrox, gauge, free, and off. 

Besides, this computer also boasts full decompression capabilities and comes with an optional USB PC cable you can use to transfer data and save logbooks on your devices. 

The only downside is the 262 feet operating depth, which is rather shallow compared to other dive computer models. 

You should also keep in mind that switching between modes may require an appropriate time to elapse. In other words, you might have to wait for a few hours to switch between air, nitrox, and gauge. All in all, though, this dive computer is a great choice for amateur divers.

4. SHEARWATER RESEARCH Teric Wrist Dive Computer

Undoubtedly one of the best dive computers, Shearwater Teric also supports wireless tank pressure transmitters, so you can ditch the annoying hose. Furthermore, switchable audible or vibration alerts let you know when you should check the dive or decompression parameters. 

Highly configurable, this wrist computers lets you configure the buttons for one-press access to different tools, including a stopwatch and countdown timer. 

We also like the slim design and full-color AMOLED display, and the multiple gas definition presets. 

After the dive, you can download all logs to your mobile device or PC thanks to the convenient Bluetooth connectivity. 

Customizable, intuitive, and comfortable to wear, the Tetric is a real game-changer if you’re looking for the best dive computer out there. 

Garmin is known as a range-topper in the sports and adventure world, and the Descent Mk1 doesn’t disappoint when it comes to diving. 

Packed with premium functionalities, including a full-featured GPS, this wrist dive computer impresses with a sleek design and bright full-color display. As its name suggests, it’s built for diving, but you can also use it as an everyday dive watch when you’re out of the water. 

Whether you dive with or without tanks in fresh or saltwater, the Descent Mk1 boasts multiple modes and the acclaimed Buhlmann ZHL-16c algorithm designed to ensure you’ll stay within your diving limits. Furthermore, the device supports single-gas, multi-gas, gauge, and apnea modes, and records up to 200 dives in the built-in dive logs. 

Besides a dive computer, this smartwatch features all multisport functionalities present on the brand’s Fenix 5X, and also delivers smart notifications on your wrist, helping you stay in touch on the go. 

A built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 40 hours of life in dive mode or 10 days in smartwatch mode. 

If you also plan to use it in GPS mode for your on-land adventures, you can still enjoy up to 20 hours of runtime, which is quite impressive for such a small device. 

Features apart, we also like how comfortable this smartwatch is and that it is compatible with Garmin’s Quick Fit bands, so you can even change the style whenever you want.

Another entry from Mares, the Nemo dive computer, is another trustworthy wearable to consider. This entry-level model is dedicated to amateur scuba divers and boasts an enhanced nitrox function that lets you switch between three different gas mixtures during a single dive. 

That’s quite exceptional, considering that most dive computers only allow you to use one gas mixture for each submersion. 

Apart from the nitrox, this 492-foot rated device also impresses with audible alarms, deep stops, and safety stop functions, power indicators, as well as a calendar and temperature display. 

A larger-than-average display with easily readable digits brings versatility to the game; indeed, this dive computer is a great choice even for divers suffering from poorer vision or who usually wear glasses. 

We also like the logbook that saves your last dives. Part of the second-generation dive computers by Mares, the Nemo also incorporates a bottom timer mode and stands out thanks to its superb ergonomics – no doubt, just what you need from a reliable dive computer. 

7. Aqua Lung i300C Dive Computer

Moving forward with our list, another wrist dive computer to consider is the Aqua Lung i300. Rugged yet sleek at the same time, this wearable comes with four operating modes and addresses recreational divers.

You can choose from air, gauge, nitrox, and free dive. But that’s not it! The gadget also tracks calculations to allow for seamless switching between freedive and scuba modes on the same day. 

An intuitive interface makes it quite easy to use, and we also like that it’s capable of maintaining settings and calculations when you change the battery. Speaking about the battery, the unit comes with a standard replaceable cell that delivers dependable use for many hours of dive.

Additional safety features include audible alarms, and high-visibility LED warnings. Checking the diving parameters is also easy thanks to the oversized display and built-in backlight. 

Another nice thing is that it comes with lifetime updates; all you need to do is to buy the optional download cable to benefit from the latest features and upgrades. 

We also like the water-activated switch that turns on the computer as soon as you get in the water and start descending. Uncomplicated and coming at a price that won’t break the bank, this is an excellent choice for most budget-savvy divers. 

8. Cressi Goa Dive Watch Computer

Goa is a true revolution in Cressi’s line of wrist dive computers and also one of the best dive computers on the market. Featuring an upgraded CPU that processes the information faster, it delivers enhanced functionality at an attractive price point. 

Designed for scuba and freediving but also suitable to use while swimming or snorkeling, it boasts various scuba dive modes, a freedive mode, as well as an off mode that allows you do deactivate the alarms when performing water sports and activities others than diving. 

Underwater resistance up to 393 feet ensure suitability for most recreational applications. 

Two buttons and an easy-to-navigate menu also enhance versatility. Furthermore, we love Goa’s RGBM algorithm that makes it possible to choose between air and nitrox dive programs or alternate between them during desaturation. 

This dive computer is suitable for repeated decompression dives and emits audible alarms in case of breach of ascent speed, decompression, or PPO2. 

Thanks to the state-of-the-art technologies involved, Goa is also much faster than most dive computers on the market. As a result, you’ll get a more precise chart comprising essential diving data and information you can use to improve your diving technique and performance.

Ideal to use both in and out of the water, the Geo 2.0 has an operational depth of 330 feet and comes with an altimeter adjustable between 3,001 and 14,000 feet. 

Dual time display and dual alarm, alongside the traditional watch mode, make it a great choice for anyone looking after an all-round wearable.

10. Mares Quad Dive Computer Watch

The last entry on our list comes from Mares; the Quad is an oversized wrist dive computer designed to make things easier and safer when you’re hundred feet underwater. Working at a maximum depth of 492 feet, it has a memory capacity of up to 38 hours and boasts a wealth of interesting features. 

It’s suitable to use in both fresh and saltwater and incorporates a stopwatch, power indicator, and plan mode function for various diving styles. 

Perhaps the best feature is the possibility to switch gases during the dive, so you can benefit from a shorter decompression time. 

Visual and audible alarms enhance safety, and you can also set a variety of ascent rate functions and residual nitrogen reset. All this is possible thanks to the proprietary RGBM Mare-Wienke algorithm. 

Classic watch functions include time and date; furthermore, the backlight enhances visibility when diving in low light conditions. 

From an aesthetic standpoint, the Quad delivers improved readability in all viewing angles, while the mineral glass display with tempered glass lens resists high pressures and scratches. 

The unit also has Bluetooth capability but considering that the compatible app is almost useless, we recommend investing in a more reliable USB cable to download data or perform updates. That said, Mares Quad is undoubtedly a capable dive computer, and it can make a nice addition to your recreational diving gear.