Today, many dive computer brands and models keep beginner requirements in mind.
If you are a beginner diver, you’ll likely want to avoid purchasing a dive computer with an endless feature list and impressive specs that only experienced divers may value.
We narrow down the massive list of options and hone in on the best dive computer for beginners—Cressi Leonardo.
Read on to find out how we arrive at that conclusion and find a buyer’s guide detailing popular features.
Contents
An Overview of Dive Computers for Beginners
It’s easy to purchase a dive computer much too advanced for your needs or one that quickly becomes inefficient.
Here is a little more you need to know about the best beginner-friendly dive computers.
What Is a Dive Computer for Beginners?
A dive computer offers you real-time dive information for a safe dive.
The computer takes time and depth information and applies it to a decompression model to track the amount of dissolved nitrogen during the dive.
It also tells you how much safe dive time you have remaining.
Why Are the Best Dive Computers for Beginners Important?
Simplicity means more enjoyment for a beginner, instead of figuring out what you should pay attention to on the dive computer screen.
Beginner-friendly dive computers offer you these basics:
- Depth: Where you are in the water currently
- Elapsed Dive Time (EDT): How long you’ve been there
- No Decompression Limit (NDL): How much longer you can safely stay
All dive computers have the features, but you need ease of use and readability.
Best Dive Computers
After researching the internet, plus our combined knowledge, we’ve listed the top 10 best dive computers for beginners.
1. Cressi Leonardo
The Cressi Leonardo is the cheapest dive computer that caters to the needs of beginner divers.
A single button interface makes navigating the user friendly and straightforward, while the large 67 mm display makes viewing data easy.
A backlight feature makes viewing your current depth, time below the surface, and mode effortless in low visibility environments.
Our Rating:
We give Cressi Leonardo a rating of 4.5 out of five
Best For:
Cressi Leonardo is the perfect first dive computer.
Notable Features:
- A high-definition, edge-to-edge LCD that is clear to read when divers find themselves in stressful situations
- Oversized digits make monitoring critical on-screen information easy
- The adjustable alarms are audible, so you can hear important alerts and adjust them according to your requirements
Pros:
- An easy-to-read, large display with simple one-button navigation
- The computer comes with Gauge, Nitrox, and Air modes
- You can reset the device after each dive, making it suitable for dive shops
Cons:
- No air or compass integration
- It might be bulky on the wrist
- The backlight should be brighter
Our Take:
The Cressi Leonardo is the best dive computer for beginners because it has all the basic features and is at an attractive price point.
This computer is from a reputable company and features a sturdy design.
If you’re on the market as a beginner diver or looking for a reliable backup dive watch, then the Cressi Leonardo is perfect.
Specs:
- Size: 2.6 inch diameter x 1 inch height
- Weight: 135 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 393 feet
- Altitude adjustable: Up to 12,139 feet
- Memory capacity: 60 Dive or 70 hours
2. Mares Puck Pro Plus
The Pro Plus is an update of the previous Puck Pro model from Mares boasting a flat design for the best fit.
The Mares Puck Pro Plus boasts an attractive, sleek design with a single intuitive button for simple control.
You can connect the computer to your smartphone or computer wirelessly using a Bluetooth clip connector, so you never deal with annoying USB cables when accessing dive log information.
Our Rating:
We give the Mares Puck Prop Plus a 4.5 rating out of five.
Best For:
Sturdy construction to last years.
Notable Features:
- A highly legible display with three split sections to display all critical dive information
- You get Air, Nitrox, and Gauge Diving modes to choose from
- The tempered glass display is scratch resistant and improves readability from all angles and in any diving conditions
Pros:
- A bottom timer with a stopwatch and resettable average depth
- The user-replaceable battery
- A single-access interface that is perfect for new divers
Cons:
- You don’t get a built-in digital compass
- Too bulky for wearing as a daily watch
- No depth alarm
Our Take:
The Mares Puck Pro Plus wrist device is a solid beginner computer that’s easy to read underwater.
Information displays on the split screen without overwhelming the user while taking out unnecessary data.
Further, the functions are painless to learn even without referring to the included manual.
The added Bluetooth connectivity feature works great, but you must purchase a separate module.
This Mares Puck Pro Plus computer is a significant starting point for any beginner despite a few flaws.
Specs:
- Size: 3.9 inches diameter x 3.94 inches height
- Weight: 100 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 492 feet
- Altitude adjustable: Up to 12,100 feet
- Memory capacity: 35 hours
3. Aqua Lung I200C
The Aqua Lung i200C boasts a fresh design that makes it an attractive option for use as your everyday sports watch, ready to dive when you are.
Aqua Lung i200C is an affordable dive computer with four buttons, so navigating the controls is faster than single-button computers.
The computer makes it easy to download dive data via Bluetooth and a smartphone app.
Our Rating:
We rate the Aqua Lung i200C four out of five stars.
Best For:
The Aqua Lung i200C is the best four-button interface dive computer for beginners.
Notable Features:
- The wrist strap and extender in the package let you use the computer while out and about and over a drysuit.
- Multiple color options to match user requirements
- Bluetooth download and Diverlog+ app make controlling the dive computer settings easy
Pros:
- A clear screen and simple functionality
- Comfortable to wear in and outside the water
- Ideal for use during nitrox-assisted and free dive sessions
Cons:
- Lacks many features professional computers have
- A small dive log
- The four-button design makes navigation less simple
Our Take:
We like the Aqua Lung i200C—it’s a solid choice for beginners and does everything it says.
Usability, when linked with the app, is seamless.
It might take a few minutes to learn the meaning behind the shortcodes for each section, but once you understand them, navigation is a breeze.
Bluetooth connectivity also appeals to a wide range of beginner divers.
The Aqua Lung i200C is the perfect dive computer if you’re looking for a device with cool features you can wear during dives and as an everyday timepiece.
Specs:
- Size: 5.25 inches diameter x 4 inches height
- Weight: 272 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 330 feet
- Altitude adjustable: Up to 14,000 feet
- Memory capacity: 24-dive log, history mode
4. Cressi Goa
The Cressi Goa is a more expensive update of the Cressi Leonardo with plenty of functionality.
The Goa is smaller and features two buttons instead of a single one.
The 48 mm (1.89 inches) diameter makes this dive computer sleek enough to wear like a regular watch.
Our Rating:
We give Cressi Goa a rating of four out of five.
Best For:
Best for multi-day repeated compression diving.
Notable Features:
- A diving mode deactivation function for when you’re duck diving, snorkeling, and swimming
- The two-button system makes picking up and using the computer intuitive and simple
- Graphs representing your dives in Apnea and Gauge modes
Pros:
- A simple and easy user interface with two buttons
- High-contrast digits separated by lines for easy reading
- A flat profile helps prevent tripping and tearing during extreme depths
Cons:
- An average length dive log
- No air integration
- No digital compass
Our Take:
The Cressi Goa boasts more features than the Leonardo but in a smaller package.
This computer is not an option for technical divers because it doesn’t offer the functions they would require.
Goa is Cressi’s first computer with a new motherboard redundancy system that duplicates multiple connections to reduce the chances of failure.
The computer is also small enough and has the date on it, for daily wear as a watch.
Overall, the Cressi Goa is a good-looking recreational dive computer with an easy-to-use menu system, deep stop capabilities, and Nitrox—perfect for divers who like it simple.
Specs:
- Size: 1.89 inches diameter x 0.6 inches height
- Weight: 30 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 394 feet
- Altitude adjustable: Up to 12,139 feet
- Memory capacity: 50-dive per category
5. Seac Action HR
Seac Action HR is a wrist-mount dive computer that looks and feels like a sports watch but with plenty of features.
This Seac dive computer excels in durability; the HR stands for High Resistance because it is highly resistant to corrosion, scratches, blows, and temperature swings.
You can also adjust the backlighting of the display screen for better views in pitch-dark environments.
Our Rating:
We give Seac Action HR a rating of four out of five.
Best For:
Best for durability
Notable Features:
- An ultra-durable structure and design that’s resistant to temperature swings and rough handling
- The Gauge mode has a stopwatch and depth for managing independent dive profiles
- A four-button interface for fast menu navigation
Pros:
- A durable design and construction
- Adjustable backlighting
- A compact unit suitable for everyday use and diving
Cons:
- Average logbook memory
- Seac is a relatively new name in the scuba diving world
- Not enough analysis or information options
Our Take:
This Seac dive computer model comes in a compact package available in a rugged, shock-resistant high-resistance design.
The unit can program up to two gas mixes and navigate the data using a four-button interface.
An adjustable intensity LCD makes the Action HR an excellent option if you have issues with the brightness levels of dive computers.
If you’re looking for a compact, four-button dive computer to use outside dives, consider the Seac Action HR.
Specs:
- Size: 1.89 inches diameter x 0.6 inches height
- Weight: 30 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 330 feet
- Altitude adjustable: Up to 9,870 feet
- Memory capacity: 40 hours with records every 5 seconds in scuba mode
6. Aqua Lung I300C
The Aqua Lung i300C spots an easy-to-read screen, a powerful backlight, and a single-button user interface, all features that make it a good option for beginners.
You can also interact with the dive watch using Bluetooth technology and your smartphone Diverlog+ app.
A unique feature of the i300C is its capacity to retain data after swapping the battery.
Our Rating:
We give the Aqua Lung i300C a four out of five rating.
Best For:
Best for easy and convenient interface
Notable Features:
- Automatic altitude adjustment adjusts algorithms for you and finds the exact height above sea level.
- User downloadable software
- Bluetooth connectivity offers long-term access to the latest features and upgrades through the DiverLog+ smartphone app
Pros:
- Automatic altitude adjustment
- Backlit for easy reading in dark conditions
- An easy-to-use interface
Cons:
- Quite bulky
- Single-button setup makes scrolling through the settings slow
- A few unclear abbreviations in the menus
Our Take:
The Aqua Lung i300C offers more features than you’d find in an entry-level dive computer but at a lower cost, making it a value-pack purchase.
All levels of divers find this wrist computer functional.
Gas switching, wireless Bluetooth connectivity, a user-replaceable battery, and several dive modes are reasons for choosing the i300C.
Specs:
- Size: 9 inches diameter x 7 inches height
- Weight: 340 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 330 feet
- Altitude adjustable: Up to 14,000 feet
- Memory capacity: 24 dive log, history mode
7. Deepblu Cosmiq+
The Deepblu Cosmiq+ is available in six colors, so you can choose the flair you want to flash while diving.
This Deepblu Cosmiq+ dive computer boasts a high-contrast display for easy reading in the darkness.
You also don’t need to replace the battery and instead use a USB magnetic charging device to get between seven and 12 hours of diving time per charge.
Our Rating:
We give the Cosmiq+ a 4.5 rating out of five.
Best For:
Best for the biggest logbook
Notable Features:
- It supports charging via a USB magnetic system, so you don’t carry a spare battery for a diving trip
- The color screen automatically activates when descending
- Syncs with Deepblu apps to share the logbook on social media networks
Pros:
- An easy-to-read display
- Biggest logbook
- No battery changing
Cons:
- No off or free dive mode
- No beeping alarms
- It is hard to read the screen in bright light
Our Take:
While the battery lasts only six hours, you can recharge the Deepblu Cosmiq+ to get more out of your dive trips.
It’s hard to find dive computers with the features and connectivity options you get with this dive computer, especially at the price range.
If you’re looking for a new dive device, the Deepblu Cosmiq+ is an excellent direction to follow.
Specs:
- Size: 1.91 inches diameter x 7 inches height
- Weight: 81 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 330 feet
- Altitude adjustable: Above 985 feet
- Memory capacity: 200 unsynchronized logs
8. Oceanic OCI Personal Wrist
The Oceanic OCi Personal Wrist dive computer boasts an advanced digital compass with reference, auto home, and decline settings.
You also get wireless air integration technology to monitor the amount of air left without looking at a pressure gauge.
Plus, you can switch between four transmitters with different gas mixtures for your tech dives.
Our Rating:
We give the Oceanic OCi Personal Wrist computer a four out of five rating.
Best For:
Best for compass
Notable Features:
- An easy-to-read display with LCD and Dot Matrix elements, so you get a crisp readout during dives
- Four-button navigation makes choosing the settings easy
- Rugged and high-quality construction to withstand rough handling
Pros:
- An integrated digital compass
- Free diving mode
- Air integrated dive computer that’s helpful for all levels of divers
Cons:
- Limited 24-hour dive log
- Weak backlight
- The battery is not user-replaceable
Our Take:
The OCi is hard not to recommend because of its ease of use and rugged construction.
However, the price point may put off divers looking for an entry to mid-level dive computer.
If you’re serious about diving and want a computer with an all-in-one feature set, consider the Oceanic OCi Personal Wrist.
Specs:
- Size: 5 inches diameter x 3 inches height
- Weight: 317 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 495 feet
- Altitude adjustable: 2,000 feet to 13,780 feet
- Memory capacity: 24 dives
9. Suunto Zoop Novo
The Zoop Novo from Suunto boasts a large screen, so divers have no issues reading information at a glance.
The Suunto Zoop Novo also offers 140-hour storage space, the largest logbook on the list.
Use a USB connection to connect the dive computer to your PC, upload the data to the Suunto Movescount portal, and you get an analysis.
Our Rating:
We give the Suunto Zoop Novo a four out of five rating.
Best For:
Best for straightforward operation
Notable Features:
- The ergonomic placement of buttons makes it easy to reach and press them, even with thick gloves on
- Audible and visual warnings are hard to miss
- You can download detailed graphical logs and dive data to a PC or Mac for analysis
Pros:
- Off, Air, Nitrox, Gauge, and free diving modes
- A long-lasting battery
- Uses Suunto’s Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (RGBM) algorithm
Cons:
- No built-in digital compass
- You cannot update the software and have to purchase the USB cable separately.
- No air integration
Our Take:
The Suunto Zoop Novo offers all the essential features without an option to add air integration or a digital compass.
This makes the dive computer unsuitable for anyone switching to air integration.
However, beginners don’t have to worry about the features.
Over 140 hours of data storage, four easy access buttons, a large screen, and five dive modes, the Suunto Zoop Novo is a fantastic buy for the beginner.
Specs:
- Size: 2.6 inches diameter x 1.03 inches height
- Weight: 120 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 262 feet
- Altitude adjustable: up to 9,842 feet
- Memory capacity: 140 hours, 75 dives
10. Suunto D4i Novo
The D4i Novo boasts an electroluminescent backlight for your night dives and low-visibility environs.
Freediving mode in the computer provides versatility for those who prefer scuba and free diving.
You get silicone straps that are softer and better conform to your wrist than elastomer straps in other Suunto computers.
Our Rating:
We give the Suunto D4i a four out of five rating.
Best For:
Best for advanced diving preparation
Notable Features:
- The dive computer is the style and size of a wristwatch, which helps streamline your diving outfit
- A bright and clear Dot Matrix display for easy viewing and operating underwater
- Optional wireless air integration to get Remaining Air Time (RAT)
Pros:
- A free dive mode
- Available in multiple color options
- An elegant computer you can wear as a watch
Cons:
- No digital compass
- Elastomer straps may become weak after repeated use
- No user-changeable battery
Our Take:
The Suunto D4i Novo is an impressive-looking dive computer you can wear throughout.
However, you also get an easy-to-read display due to the Dot Matrix configuration, and the button layout makes navigation a breeze.
If you’re into freediving and recreational scuba, you can never go wrong with the Suunto D4i Novo.
Specs:
- Size: 1.72 inches diameter x 0.63 inches height
- Weight: 92 gm
- Material: Various
- Capacity:
- Depth display: 0 to 328 feet
- Altitude adjustable: up to 9,842 feet
- Memory capacity: 140 hours, 75 dives
Features To Look For in a Dive Computer for Beginners
Purchasing your first dive computer is not a simple task. Selecting the right one for you depends on your skill level, requirements, and budget.
As such, we only assess features suitable for beginners.
Check out the best dive computers in 2022 for further recommendations as your skills improve.
So, what features should you look for in your dive comp?
1. Simple Operation
Choose a dive computer with an intuitive interface that’s easy to use.
The buttons should be easy to press since they dictate whether you can quickly switch between modes or access functions.
Also, the information on the screen should be readable in all light conditions.
2. Dive Log
A basic dive log contains data about the site, dive day and time, and duration and depth of the dive.
The duration and depth data can help calculate your saturation profile, so you stay within decompression limits and don’t exceed max depth or dive to dangerous depths—especially during saturation diving.
Logs also help you avoid expensive insurance payouts and show you have not dived below a recommended safe path.
3. Durability
The best dive computer is constructed from durable materials that withstand corrosive saltwater and high pressures.
They have durable straps that ensure they stay on your arms, while hard-wearing cases can survive rough handling in and out of water.
Durability ensures the computer collects critical data, so you don’t suffer decompression sickness when returning to the surface.
4. Resale Value
As your diving skills improve, you want a device that offers more features.
This means selling your beginner dive computer and topping up for a high-end unit.
Make sure you’re buying an on-brand dive computer that is easy to maintain and has value in the second-hand market.
Summary: The Best Dive Computers for Beginners
If you’re still wondering, we choose the Cressi Leonardo as the best overall dive computer for beginners.
We love its simple single-button interface, and the large 67 mm display makes viewing data effortless.
The Leonardo also fulfills all the requirements of a beginner dive computer, including a dive log, durable design, and high resale value since it comes from a well-recognized brand.
Your first dive computer is a critical investment that protects you from underwater dangers while improving diving performance.
Which dive computer do you want to be your first?
Take your pick from the list!
