5 Best Dive Computers for Divemasters in 2025 for Every Budget
If you are thinking about getting your own scuba equipment, the first piece to consider is a dive computer. This device helps to ensure your safety underwater by letting you monitor your depth and time limits. Modern dive computers use different algorithms to calculate the amount of nitrogen dissolved in your tissues and how much diving time is left on each depth before you’ll reach your NDL (No Decompression Limit). This helps to keep every dive safe by staying within the limits of recreational diving.
Dive computers are especially important for PADI Divemasters. Doing three or four dives a day, every dive professional needs a reliable device, which will endure harsh ocean conditions and guarantee trusted NDL calculations every moment of the dive.
Here is a short list of devices that we found which are best suited for PADI Divemaster. The list is ordered by price of the dive computer, starting with the cheapest. All devices listed have been tested by us on many dives so we can vouch for their reliability.
Suunto Zoop Novo
Best price for the features, the most reliable
Price: around 280 EUR / 290 USD
Suunto Zoop Novo is an ideal first dive computer for anyone who is either starting their scuba diving adventure or wants to go pro. Its main features are a large, readable display and easy to use interface. It uses the Suunto RGBM algorithm which has been field tested many years by many divers. Suunto Zoop Novo has four dive modes (Air, Nitrox, Gauge and Free). It’s possible to synchronize information about the dive using the USB interface (cable can be bought separately).
The main advantage of the Suunto Zoop Novo is its affordability. It’s one of the cheapest computers on our list, yet it has all the functionalities needed for divers of every experience level. In our opinion it’s the best computer for Divemaster candidates who are on a budget.
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Cressi Leonardo 2.0
Watch like, budget option
Price: around 240 EUR / 250 USD
The cheapest watch-like dive computer on our list. It’s a very simple dive computer, supporting Air and Nitrox (up to 50%). The Cressi Leonardo 2.0 has a monochrome, high-contrast display and only operates with one button, which in our opinion can be a bit of a struggle sometimes. The main advantage of the Leonardo is its long lasting battery. The simplicity of this device makes the battery very efficient and therefore it doesn’t need to be changed often.
In our opinion it’s the best computer for anyone who prefers smaller devices than the Suunto Zoop Novo and prefers to wear their dive computer as an everyday watch. It’s also the cheapest computer on our list, making it affordable for any diver who is on the budget.
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Garmin Descent G1
Watch like, multisport
Price: around 560 EUR / 580 USD (solar version 660 EUR / 680 USD)
Amazing device for anyone who is looking not only for a reliable dive computer, but also a smartwatch that will help track everyday activities. It has a rechargeable battery and comes in a solar version that allows charging on the go. It’s designed for both recreational and technical diving, has six dive modes and supports Air, Nitrox and Trimix. Battery lasts up to 25 hours in dive mode and 21 days in smartwatch mode.
Garmin Descent G1 is a very durable dive computer and its small size makes it the perfect device for everyday use. Initially it might be a bit complicated to use, due to its many functions and design aimed for technical divers.
It’s the best option for anyone who prefers a versatile device that can be used for both recreational and technical diving. The price fully justifies the wide range of features included in this watch.
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Suunto Ocean
Best looking, watch like, multisport
Price: around 910 EUR / 940 USD
The best looking dive computer in our list. Its multisport capabilities enable it to be used as an everyday sports and smart watch. Suunto Ocean uses the Buhlmann 16 GF algorithm, which is proven as one of the safest by many recreational and technical divers. One of the main advantages of this dive computer is its screen. The AMOLED touch screen is very bright and crisp, which enables you to easily see all the information of your dive even in the murkiest of waters.
Suunto Ocean has an excellent optimized battery. It can last on one full charge for up to a week of intense scuba diving (2 – 3 dives a day). It’s very easy to use, even for less tech savvy divers.
In conclusion, the Suunto Ocean is the best diving computer for those who seek a good looking device that serves it purpose not only while diving but also during many on land activities.
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Shearwater Peregrine
The most professional
Price: around 530 EUR / 550 USD
An ideal computer for recreational divers who wants to have a reliable and durable device, but doesn’t mind a bit of a bulky and not so everyday wear design. Shearwater Peregrine is the “smaller” brother of Perdix, a computer favoured by many technical divers. The main difference lies in the lack of technical diving features in the Peregrine. Both computers feature the same intuitive, easy-to-read menu.
Shearwater Peregrine comes in a much more affordable price range. The slight problem though for some divers is that it lacks a digital compass and air integration (wireless air monitoring).
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