Top 6 Best Scuba Regulators 2019 – Reviewed and Compared

A scuba regulator is perhaps the most important piece of equipment you have as a diver. It is a key item to keep you alive underwater, providing the ability to breathe the high-pressure gasses stored in your scuba tank safely and comfortably. When you are underwater, having one of the best scuba regulators will help you to breathe more comfortably so that you are able to have the most enjoyable sub-sea adventure.

Where should you begin your search to find the best scuba regulator for you? There are hundreds of regulator models with a variety of specs on the market today, so it might be a bit confusing making your selection. Keep it as simple as possible. Where and how are you going to use it and which features would you like to have? Which models suit those needs best? After reading countless ratings and reviews and talking to divers, I have put together a list of the best scuba regulators on the market today to make your choice a lot easier. You will also find a quick buying guide as well as reviews to help you make the right choice.

Scuba Regulator Buying Guide – Things to Consider in Choosing the Best Scuba Regulator

Warm versus Cold Water – What is the water temperature where you plan to dive? This will determine if you need a sealed or unsealed regulator.

• Unsealed Regulators – For warm water destinations like those in the tropics, almost any regulator will do.
  An unsealed regulator means that water can get into the first stage which is alright when diving in warm water. These models are generally cheaper than sealed models.
• Sealed Regulators – For cold water diving, you need a sealed regulator. You want the water to stay outside the first stage because at low temperatures the water could freeze inside blocking air flow. An environmental seal also keeps the first stage free from salt, sediment, and other contaminants.

Diaphragm or Piston – The first stage can have either a piston or diaphragm construction. If you are a recreational diver either one is okay, although most divers prefer piston-type first stages because they have fewer moving parts and are considered more reliable. Even though they tend to be more expensive, they are recommended as the better choice for deep diving.

Balanced or Unbalanced – No matter how much air is left in the tank or the depth you are at, a balanced regulator will have consistent air flow. An unbalanced dive regulator will become harder to breathe from the deeper you go and as the air in the tank decreases. If you plan on deep diving you should get a balanced regulator. Unbalanced ones are a little cheaper, though, and dive shops often use them for rental when deep diving isn’t planned.

DIN or Yoke

DIN Valve – With the DIN system, the regulator is screwed directly into the tank valve. This creates a stronger and more reliable seal, which is also more streamlined. It is used a lot by cold water and technical divers and is more common in Europe.

Yoke Valve – With the yoke valve the regulator is mounted over and around the tank valve. The yoke or A-clamp is the more popular of the two, particularly in North America. It’s also much easier to mount a regulator on a tank with this type of valve.

If you do decide to go with a DIN system, you can get a DIN to yoke adapter that will allow you to use a DIN regulator on a yoke valve.

Number of Ports – A standard regulator setup for recreational diving has a primary second stage, a backup octopus, a high-pressure gauge, and a BC inflation hose. Today most regulators come with 4 low-pressure (LP) ports and 1 or 2 high pressure (HP) ports. The more ports you have, the easier it will be to comfortably set up your gear. Having 2 high-pressure ports can come in handy if you have or plan to get an air-integrated dive computer with a transmitter as you’ll need an extra port where you can attach it.

Diver Adjustable – Higher end dive regulators may have a couple of features that allow you to customize you’re breathing. A Venturi Switch prevents free flows on the surface while enhancing breathing performance underwater. An Inhalation Adjustment Knob allows you to fine-tune you’re breathing by increasing or decreasing your inhalation resistance with the turn of a knob.

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6 Best Scuba Regulator Reviews

Scubapro Evo MK25 A700 Scuba Diving Regulator

This is the top regulator in the line of the renowned diving manufacturer, Scubapro. With the Mk 25 A700, you can easily breathe irrespective of the position and depth that you have reached. This is a high quality and reliable regulator. It has 5 low-pressure ports on a swivel and opposing high-pressure ports, allowing you to mount the regulator up or down. A great buy if you are looking for a high-performance regulator.

• Beautiful chrome plated brass body
• Balanced 1st and 2nd stage for exceptional ease of breathing
• Extended Thermal Isolation System (XTIS) increases cold water performance by 30%
• Diver adjustable Venturi switch to control unwanted free flows on the surface
• Diver adjustable inhalation effort resistance on the 2nd stage to fine tune you’re breathing on the go

Overall Rating: 5/5

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Sherwood SR2 SRB2000 Scuba Diving Dive Regulator

The top-performing regulator in Sherwood Scuba’s regulator line is the SR2. It is a technologically advanced version of the SR1, offering superior breathing performance. The sealed first stage features a 360° swivel and the 2nd stage has a single adjustment knob to control both Venturi and breathing resistance. This excellent regulator is compact and enables effortless breathing.

• Five low-pressure ports on a 360° swivel for optimum hose routing and comfort
• Pneumatically Balanced 2nd stage delivers ease in breathing
• Single adjustment knob for Venturi and Breathing resistance makes breathing adjustment fast and easy
• It is a completely dry and environmentally sealed scuba regulator.
• Comes with five low-pressure ports with an additional two high-pressure ports making it easy to set up
• Provides optimum balance thanks to its two-piece piston design
• Offers an amazing intermediate pressure control

Overall Rating: 5/5

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Atomic Aquatics T3 Scuba Regulator

The exceptionally lightweight and corrosion free Atomic T3 Regulator is precision machined from titanium. It also provides the same unprecedented performance and reliability the Atomic “T” series is famous for, and now comes with a 3 years/300 dive not contingent on the service lifetime warranty. Even though it is quite expensive, you can rest assured that you are getting the quality that you are paying for.

• First and second stage components precision machined from solid titanium for durability and reliability
• Sealed, balanced piston first stage keeps water and other contaminants from interfering with performance
• Pneumatically balanced 2nd stage delivers extreme ease in breathing
• Titanium 2nd Stage Comfort Swivel helps reduce jaw fatigue and unwanted hose tugging
• Automatic flow control allows for hands-free Venturi control
• Rapid adjustment knob for breathing resistance
• 3 year / 300 dive service interval

Overall Rating: 5/5

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Aqua Lung Calypso Classic Regulator

The very popular Aqualung Calypso has a simple design and an affordable price, which makes it a great entry-level regulator. It is compact, lightweight and easy-to-service making it a great choice if you are just getting into the sport and don’t want to invest in a more expensive model. It has a venturi adjusting switch which helps you minimize free flow on the surface, and also enables maximum airflow at depth. Additionally, the Aqualung Calypso Regulator is a good choice for dive resorts or new divers due to its low price.

• It is compact, lightweight, easy to service
• Good breathing performance
• Large Venturi switch to control free flows
• Low price

Overall Rating:  4.5/5

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Aqua Lung Core Scuba Diving Regulator

Aqua Lung’s new mid-range regulator, the Core, has a number of outstanding features considering the price.  It comes with a Venturi that has a large switch and the Aqua Lung ACD system, a feature that previously was only offered on Aqua Lung’s high-end regulators. The amazing breathing paired with an attractive price point gives you the best value for your money. It is also available in a supreme version that is environmentally sealed, has a lip shield, and is detuned for cold water diving. It also comes with a balanced diaphragm 1st stage that will provide you with a superior and consistent breathing.

• Good in cold water, highly resistant to freezing in water temperatures lower than 50 degrees F
• Great price for a scuba regulator considering the high-level features
• Auto-Closure Device (ACD) keeps unwanted water and other contaminants out of the first stage when removed from the tank.
• Large Venturi Switch to control free flows
• Ergonomic Comfo-Bite mouthpiece

Overall Rating:  4.6/5

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Apeks XL4+

The Apeks XL4+ is a good choice for cold water and technical diving.  Unique over-balanced diaphragm design allows medium pressure gas in the hose to increase at a faster rate than ambient on the descent for better performance at depth.  It’s unusually compact and lightweight and designed to prevent icing up.

• Over-molded 1^st stage endcap and environmental diaphragm to prevent ice build-up
• Comfortable, compact, lightweight 2^nd stage for decreased jaw fatigue
• Ergonomic Venturi lever is easy to locate and use
• White nylon braided hose for better cold water performance than a rubber hose
• Durable, flexible rubber exhaust tee for good bubble diversion

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Picture
Regulator	Scubapro MK25 A700	Sherwood SR2	Atomic T3	Aqua Lung Calypso	Aqua Lung Core	Apeks XL4+
1st Stage Type	Balanced Piston	Balanced Piston	Balanced Piston	Balanced Piston	Balanced Diaphram	Over-Balanced Diaphram
2nd Stage Type	Balanced	Balanced	Balanced	Balanced	Balanced	Balanced
Ports	2HP/5LP	2HP/5LP	2HP/5LP	1HP/4LP	2HP/4LP	2HP/4LP
Adjustable Inhalation	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Adjustable Venturi	Yes	Yes	Automatic	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cold Water Rated	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Supreme Version	Yes
Price	$$$	$$	$$$$	$	$$	$$
Rating	5	5	5	4.5	4.6	4.8

I hope you have found this review of scuba regulators to be useful.  If you have any questions or comments or your own personal review, please feel free to share in the comments below.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<