Updated April 11, 2023
Below is a review of 11 different scuba buoyancy control devices (BCDs). Each has a brief introduction and a listing of key considerations. After the reviews is a chart comparing several aspects.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For my detailed introduction and key considerations when selecting a BCD with photos and video, please click here:
For my other reviews on BCDs, please check these popular posts:
Best Scuba Diving BCD Review
- Zeagle Ranger
- Hollis HD 200
- Dive Rite Nomad LS
- Cressi Aquaride Pro
- Cressi Start Pro 2.0
- Cressi Travelite
- Zeagle Stiletto
- Oceanic Biolite
- Aqua Lung Pro
- Tusa Liberator Sigma 2
- Sherwood Avid CQR3 BCD
The Zeagle Ranger is a top-quality heavy-duty BCD with weight integration and back flotation.
Due to modular construction, the Ranger is able to adapt to warm and cold water diving, in wet or dry suits.
It allows single or twin cylinders and even technical divers can use it with its ability to include bladder assemblies of up to 2 X 85-LB lift and easily mounted back plates.
It is one of the most popular and recommended wing BCDs. Just keep in mind that is a bit heavier than other models and may not be the best option for travel.
- Best Use: cold water, deep, or technical diving
- Style: back inflation
- Material: 1050 Denier Nylon
- Lift capacity: 44lbs. (20kg)
- Weight: 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) to 9.5lbs (4.3kg)
- Capacity: 30lbs (13.6kg)
- Women’s version: Zeagle Ranger Women’s
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.8
Pros: resistant, durable, comfortable, great performance, can accommodate single or twin tanks, many attachment points
Cons: heavy, expensive, not ideal for recreational or beginner divers
For comfort, there is a lightweight, contoured backpack padded for full support of the back and neck. A custom-fit is assured with a specially designed system of straps, buckles, and mounting locations for ease of donning, doffing, and adjustment.
Accessory attachment is made easy with an abundance of D-rings, and zippered pockets with mounting grommets.
The power inflator mechanism is specially designed for maximum buoyancy and trim and it is a weight-integrated model.
- Best use: advanced divers
- Style: back inflation
- Material: 1000 denier CorduraTM w/ PU lamination outer shell & 15mm urethane internal bladder
- Lift capacity: 35 lbs. (15.8 kg) bladder s & m sizes, 45 lbs. (20.4 kg) bladder l & xl sizes
- Weight: 9.4 lbs (4.3Kg)
- Capacity: releasable: two 10lb (4.5kg) pockets, two 5lb (2.27kg) rear non-releasable trim pockets
- Women’s version: N/A
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.9
Pros: heavy-duty construction, back pad, and lumbar support, good-sized pockets
Cons: heavy and bulky
It is a complete dedicated sidemount system that is one size fits all and can be adjusted to fit anyone. A webbing harness fitted with pivot rings on the shoulders makes for a comfortable fit for different-sized divers.
The extremely durable exterior SuperFabric™ material is resistant to the elements of diving and the bladder is air cell constructed.
- Best Use: dedicated side mount diving
- Style: back/harness
- Material: SuperFabric™ material
- Lift capacity: 35 lbs (15.8 kg)
- Weight: 8.8 lbs-9.1 lbs (4 kg-4.14 kg)
- Capacity: not available
- Women’s version: N/A
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.5
Pros: durable side mount diving BCD, twin-cylinder, one size fits all
Cons: side mount only, extra straps required for the back mount, heavy
It also has enough lift and weight capacity and room for maneuverability to be used with a dry suit in cold-water conditions. It’s a good all-around BCD.
The Aquaride Pro has a well-padded comfortable hard pack frame with adjustable shoulder straps that are unimpeded by the air bladder making for an easy-to-don and fit BCD. In addition, the cummerbund and chest strap is elasticized so that even at full inflation, it doesn’t uncomfortably squeeze.
This model has a streamlined underwater profile and good ascension capacity. It has integrated ballast improved over previous models, making it flatter, lighter and discreet. It also has pockets on the back to add some ballast.
The backpack is super light, semi-flexible, and has a handle.
There are an innovative inflator system, a hose retainer, and 3 overpressure and purge valves. A thermoplastic rubber damper helps to fix the bottle in place.
There are adjustable shoulder straps with 4 stainless steel D-rings.
- Best Use: beginners
- Style: jacket
- Material: 420 denier nylon
- Lift capacity: “high” (specifics unavailable)
- Weight: 7 lbs to 8.3 lbs (3.1kg – 3.7 kg)
- Capacity: 20 lbs (9 kg) releasable, 8 lbs (3.6 kg) not releasable
- Women’s version: N/A
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.7
Pros: big pockets, comfortable, large pockets, several D-rings, affordable
Cons: small mouthpiece on the oral inflator
It’s a rugged and durable BCD with a streamlined underwater profile and strong ascension capacity with an integrated ballast system improved over previous models, making it flatter, lighter, and discreet.
It also has back pockets for additional ballast.
- Best Use: beginners
- Style: jacket
- Material: 500 denier cordura (exterior) and 420 denier nylon (interior)
- Lift capacity: 29.2 – 45 pounds (13.3 – 20.4 kg)
- Weight: 8.65 pounds (3.93 kg)
- Capacity: 4.8 to 6.2 lbs (2.1 to 2.8 kg)
- Women’s version: N/A
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.2
Pros: extremely affordable, simple design, lightweight
Cons: A little bulky for travel, not suited to cold water diving
It is an easily and conveniently packed piece of gear ready for travel on very short notice, which is much lighter and more compact than a traditional BCD.
Cressi has incorporated comfort, good balance and trim under the water, and good lift capability.
There are a total of eight D-rings, two rear trim pockets, and two large accessory pockets to allow you to carry and store gear such as knives, dive lights, and gauges.
A padded back panel provides comfort and is flexible enough to move with you.
- Best Use: recreational, warm water diving
- Style: jacket
- Material: 210 denier nylon
- Lift capacity: 13.5 to 36 lbs. (6.1 to 16.3 kg) size-dependent
- Weight: 5 to 6.2 lbs (2.3 to 2.8 kg)
- Capacity: releasable: 20 lbs (9 kg), non-releasable: 10 lbs (4.5 kg)
- Women’s version: Cressi Travelite Women’s
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.8
Pros: lightweight, packs down well for a jacket style BCD, plenty of D-rings, padded back, lots of storage
Cons: lightweight means it skimps a bit on durability and features, additional weight may be needed during the dive
Its harness can be easily adjusted to fit most body types.
The design is to be lightweight for traveling and to be used for both warm and temperate water diving.
Its lift and weight capacity are sufficient for most divers to use at their local dive sites, yet it packs up light and easy.
- Best Use: advanced divers
- Style: back/wing
- Material: 1000 Denier Nylon Bladder Material
- Lift capacity: 35lb – 15.8kg
- Weight: 7.4 lbs (3.36 kg)
- Capacity: releasable weight: 24 lbs (10.9 kg), non-releasable: 16 lbs (7.26 kg)
- Women’s version: N/A
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 5
Pros: sturdy design
Cons: padding a bit inadequate, inflation hose a little short
The Biolite is simple with a clean, straightforward design that focuses on comfort and convenience in a very lightweight piece of luggage.
It only weighs 5.5 lbs. and includes an integrated weight system and a low-profile flexible backpack, making it easy to fold in half when packed for travel.
- Best Use: recreational diving, female divers
- Style: back, travel BCD
- Material: patented Bioflex bladder, (Bioflex material- a living fabric that stretches)
- Lift capacity: 32 lbs. to 38 lbs. (14.5 to 17.24 kg), Size-Dependent
- Weight: 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
- Capacity: releasable: 14 Lbs (6.4 kg), trim pockets: dual 5 Lbs (2.3 kg)
- Women’s version: Oceanic Biolite Ladies
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.6
Pros: Lightweight, takes up little space so ideal for travel
Cons: Not as stable as some other models
This one has integrated ballast.
Also, there is a built-in traction pad to prevent bottle slippage along with features including D-rings, utility pockets, tear-resistant, sturdy material, a squeeze lock knife, a reflector kit, and a fully adjustable waist strap to fit multiple-sized divers.
This BCD is full of features for the recreational diver at an affordable price
- Best Use: recreational diving
- Style: jacket
- Material: ResisteK material
- Lift capacity: x-small 24 lbs. (10.9 kg) to x-large 55 lbs 25 kg)
- Weight: 7 lbs.
- Capacity: not available
- Women’s version: N/A
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.3
Pros: large utility pockets
Cons: let me know your ideas
The two double-zippered pockets are large and constructed with mesh drainage.
The Tusa Liberator Sigma II is a comfortable BC at a great price for beginners or advanced divers.
Its Independent Harness System (IHS) isolates the jacket’s harness from the air cell and secures the tank firmly even with changes in inflation or deflation.
With Tusa’s Ultimate Stabilizing Harness (USH), the chance of a tank roll is unlikely and there are various sizes for selection to get a good fit.
- Best Use: recreational and advanced diving
- Style: jacket
- Material: 500-CORDURA Nylon
- Lift capacity: 18lbs to 46lbs (8.16kg to 20.9kg)
- Weight: unavailable
- Capacity: 8-10 pounds (3.63-4.54kg) in releasable weight cartridges, and 4 pounds (2kg) in each non-releasable pocket
- Women’s version: N/A
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.2
Pros: heavy-duty, 2 large zippered pockets, plenty of D-rings, reasonable price
Cons: bulky for travel
The Sherwood New Avid CQR3 is a redesigned model with an updated CQR3 weight system for easy installation and removal of weight pockets.
It maintains its functionality, comfort, and dependability and has a special adjustable shoulder strap system to augment performance.
The body wrap-around uses a 3D-designed air cell for excellent stability.
In addition, it is equipped with 6 D-rings to attach your gear and zippered utility side pockets for additional scuba accessories.
- Best Use: all levels
- Style: jacket
- Material: 1000 Denier Nylon
- Lift capacity: 20 to 36 lbs. (9 to 16.3 kg)
- Weight: 9.75 lbs ( 4.42 kg)
- Capacity: 16 lbs. (7.26 kg) to 26 lbs. (11.8 kg) of releasable weight ( depending on the size of BCD) and 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) to 10 lbs. of unreleasable weight
- Women’s version: N/A
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.5
Pros: comfortable straps, good fit, good performance, affordable
Cons: pocket pulls can be hard to reach and unzip during dive
Scuba BCD Comparison Table
| BCD | Best Use | Type | Lift Capacity | Price | Rating |
| Zeagle Ranger | recreational tech | back | 44lbs/20kg | $$$ | 4.8 |
| Hollis HD200 | advanced | back | 35lbs/15.8kg | $$ | 4.9 |
| Dive Rite Nomad LS | tech side mount | back harness | 35lbs/15.8kg | $$ | 4.5 |
| Cressi Aquaride Pro | beginner | jacket | no specs | $$ | 4.7 |
| Cressi Start Pro 2.0 | beginner | jacket | 35lbs/15.8kg | $ | 4.2 |
| Cressi Travelite | recreational warm water | jacket travel | 20.2lbs/9.2kg | $ | 4.8 |
| Zeagle Stiletto | advanced | back travel | 35lbs/15.8kg | $$$ | 5 |
| Oceanic Biolite | recreational female | back, travel | 35lbs/15.8 kg | $$ | 4.6 |
| Aqua Lung Pro | recreational | jacket | 35lbs/15.8kg | $$ | 4.3 |
| Tusa Liberator Sigma 2 | recreational advanced | jacket | 35lbs/15.8kg | $ | 4.2 |
| Sherwood Avid CQR3 | recreational advanced | jacket | 28lbs/12.7kg | $$ | 4.5 |
Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on scuba BCDs interesting and helpful. If you have any questions, comments, or your own personal experience, please feel free to share in the comments section below. I’d love to know what you think. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
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