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5 Best Smartwatches for Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is an excellent hobby for exploring the underwater world. However, you need appropriate equipment and gear to get the most out of the activity. Along with suitable apparatus for breathing, you might also need a dive computer or a diving smartwatch on hand.

Amazfit T-Rex 2 Rugged Smartwatch – Best Budget Buy

Maximum depth: 100m | Dive computer: No

Amazfit makes fantastic smartwatches that don’t break the bank. The T-Rex 2, for instance, is a rugged military-grade smartwatch that can sustain harsh environments including underwater diving. While it’s no dive monitor, the Amazfit T-Rex 2’s ruggedized construction makes it a good fit for divers. It can go up to a maximum depth of 100m.

Aside from the regular health-tracking features found on smartwatches, you’ll also get dual-band GPS, real-time navigation, and heart rate monitoring with the device. If you are an occasional diver and don’t dabble with sophisticated metrics, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 makes for a handy gadget. The wearable also comes with superb battery life and the unit can last up to 24 days on a single charge.

What We Like

  • Decent battery life
  • Heart rate monitoring

What We Don’t Like

  • Looks basic

Cressi Leonardo Underwater Diving Computer – Best Watch With Replaceable Battery

Maximum depth: 120m | Dive computer: Yes

The Cressi Leonardo smartwatch focuses on one key parameter — diving. As such, the device is a professional dive computer that can be strapped to your wrist. The backlit display depicts the required metrics in a large font.

The backlit display comes in handy when you’re diving to depths where the visibility may be low. Another advantage of the Cressi Leonardo smartwatch is that it uses a CR2430 replaceable battery, so you don’t have to bother charging it now and then.

What We Like

  • Backlit display
  • Uses replaceable batteries

What We Don’t Like

  • Boring design language

Garmin Descent G1 Solar – Best for Battery Life

Maximum depth: 100m | Dive computer: Yes

Garmin is the industry leader when it comes to smartwatches that aid in fitness and activity tracking. The Descent G1 Solar smartwatch from the brand is a rugged and reliable dive computer that can be recharged using solar energy.

Garmin claims you can get about 25 hours of battery life in dive mode. In the normal smartwatch mode, it goes all the way up to four months with regular outdoor usage. Apart from this, there’s GPS onboard for accurate entry and exit points. You also get several sports modes with the device, making it more than adept for activity tracking.

What We Like

  • Solar charging
  • Long battery life

What We Don’t Like

  • Not very feature-rich

Apple Watch Ultra – Best for iPhone Users

Maximum depth: 40m | Dive computer: No

Apple Watch Ultra brings a titanium frame, long battery life, and most importantly — a Dive app that lets you use the watch underwater. The Dive app comes preinstalled and lets you check the depth of your dives along with other vital information like location and pressure.

At the same time, you can install the Oceanic+ app, which, needless to say, elevates the experience tenfold. The app turns your Apple Watch Ultra into a dive computer and provides vital information, including insights on no-decompression time and distance to the surface.

What We Like

  • Looks great
  • Feature-rich

What We Don’t Like

  • Slightly expensive

Garmin Descent Mk2 Watch-Style Dive Computer – Best Overall

Maximum depth: 100m | Dive computer: Yes

The Garmin Descent MK2 is one of the best options to consider if money is not an issue. It has a large display, a big battery, and good diving features. It also packs an underwater compass to aid with navigation.

You also get six dive modes including gas dives, so you can pick and choose a preset that suits your style of diving. Furthermore, you get expert algorithms from Garmin that determine your relaxation time, suggest workouts, and track your heart rate as well as SpO2 levels.

What We Like

  • Great build and design
  • Good diving features

What We Don’t Like

  • Expensive

FAQs for Scuba Diving Smartwatches

1. Can I use my Apple Watch for diving?

Unless it’s an Apple Watch Ultra, we wouldn’t suggest you use it for diving. Water may enter the smartwatch at high pressure and ruin your Apple Watch.

2. Does Apple cover liquid damage under warranty for the Apple Watch?

No, liquid damage is not covered under warranty. If water enters your Apple Watch and it stops working, you will have to get it repaired or replaced by paying even if it’s under warranty.

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Last updated on 17 April, 2024

1 Comment

  1. @Sumukh Rao

    I am perplexed by your decision to choose the Amazfit T-Rex 2 as your #1 pick for as watch for SCUBA diving. This begs the questions: “What makes you qualified to determine this?” – “What criteria was used to generate your picks?.

    While the Amazfit T-Rex 2 is a durable budget smartwatch labeling it as a #1 pick for SCUBA diving is a stretch considering the other models in the list ARE for diving and most importantly have dive software. At best, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 might be a good *budget* watch for snorkeling and other water sports. But, recommending a watch never intended for SCUBA diving is potentially a dangerous suggestion.

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