Best Dive Watch Under 300

By Taylor Jensen

Think finding the Best Dive Watch Under $300 is impossible? Let's take a look at our favorites, including our top pick - the Cressi Giotto Wrist Computer.

One of the most important pieces of equipment a diver must have is a diving watch. A good quality diving watch is such an essential piece of equipment that any diver worth his penny has one. Why? Being underwater can be quite confusing and disorienting, and you may lose track of time. That is why having a tool to watch for time elapsed is nearly quintessential.

Now that you know how important watches are, you’ll probably want to get one. This is where we come in. We’ve taken the liberty of putting together a list of the best dive watch under 300 dollars.

What to look for in a Dive Watch Under 300 Dollars:

Water Resistance: For a watch to be functional under water, it needs to be water resistant. That is why you will see that many of the watches have a depth rating. Having a depth rating of 50 meters won’t do you any good. If you are a diver, you ought to get a watch rated for at least 100 meters, but getting a watch rated for 300 meters and above will ensure a top quality item.
Readability and Ease of Use: To ensure the best possible experience and safety while diving, the watch/computer needs to be easy to read. That is why some items have big displays for ease of reading and navigating through its applications. If you are a beginner, be sure to get a nice big watch – you’ll thank us later when you see how easy to use they are.
Air Integration: Some of the most advanced watches/computers have an air integration app. This app allows you to monitor the oxygen levels in your tank. Some computers even feature an app that is able to track the oxygen level of a whole group. However, this might be a bit over the top for some, and the app can be unreliable, so living and dying with this app is not advised.

Cressi Giotto Wrist Computer

This wrist computer by Cressi is all about convenience. The Cressi Giotto Wrist Computer offers a three button intuitive interface that is quick and accurate. It features Air, Nitrox and Gauge modes for increased versatility of the device.

The screen of the device is large with big numerical values meant to facilitate ease of use and great readability. It is also made in high definition to fortify the aforementioned advantages. Like the other items before this one, it features a dive log and planner, as well as a decompression monitor and oxygen percentage and pressure monitor. It also features the Oxygen toxicity indicator and a Deep Stop that can be turned on or off. The reason it is our top pick for the best dive watch under 300 dollars, is because it is so easy to use, yet has all the features you could want for this price point.

What Users Are Saying:

A very good computer for beginner and recreational divers.
Very easy to use and navigate.
A very large display allows for ease of reading and obtaining information.
The right size wrist computer.
Strong and sturdy build that is very precise.

Suunto Zoop Dive Computer

best dive computer under 300

The Suunto Zoop is an excellent entry level computer, a true marvel meant for rookies. This watch/computer has a very large and easy to read display, making its utility near endless. The watch operates on both on air and nitrox for more versatility.

The watch/computer is very easy to navigate and is able to monitor and store a lot of information. It has a 50-hour logbook memory and is able to give precise diving information at a moment’s notice. It features a changeable battery, diving planner and a bunch of audible alarms to warn you about imminent dangers.

What Users Are Saying:

Easy to use.
Big display that is easily readable.
Is able to record diving data manually.
Features air integration.
For better convenience features a compass.

Aeris A300 Wrist Computer

Second up is the Aeris A300 Wrist Computer. This watch features not two, but three operating modes. Just like the previous item, the Aeris A300 has an Air/Nitrox operating modes, as well as GAUGE system with a timer.

But don’t even think for a second that this watch is bulky and unwieldy, because the three operating buttons offer very intuitive choices and allow for easy navigation through the watch’s apps. The device is powered by a very smart Dual Algorithm with Deep Stop. Just like the previous one, the watch features a dive log and planner to improve your diving experience.

What Users Are Saying:

Very easy to use interface.
Very reliable watch with great life span.
Large display that is easily readable.
Great dive computer without breaking the bank.

Cressi Leonardo Scuba Dive Computer Watch

Another Cressi wrist computer, the Leonardo is just as good and just as easily navigated as it’s the Cressi Giotto. The watch features a large and easily read display and three operating modes – air, nitrox, and gauge modes.

Unlike the Cressi wrist computer, this one has a single button interface for even easier navigation. You just push shortly to change functions and press the button for a little longer in order to select them. As for the features, it has a dive planner and log, as well as an Oxygen level meter and an Oxygen toxicity level indicator.

What Users Are Saying:

Has a backlit screen for night dives.
Deep Stop with audible and visible indicators.
Very easily used and programmed using the one button.
Excellent entry level computer.
Inexpensive with fast/free shipping.

Mares Nemo Wide Dive Computer Watch

Last but not least is the Mares Nemo Wrist computer. What to say that hasn’t already been said – this watch features all the good stuff as the rest of this list. Easy to use, easy to read, especially because this computer’s monitor is even bigger than the rest.

It features 4 buttons for easy navigation. A nice addition to this watch is its upgradable software. It features a hypoallergenic wrist strap. The device is powered by a Mares-Wince RGBM algorithm. Just like the others this watch features a deep stop function, back-lighting, replaceable batteries, log book and a dive planner. It operates in three modes – air, nitrox and GAUGE. The watch has been rated at 492 meters and is one of our choices for the Best Dive Watch Under 300.