Finding a good scuba regulator can be a complicated task as there are many different models and specifications that can confuse us when choosing the most suitable one.

Having our own diving equipment will help us improve our underwater experience as it will always fit us better and diving will be much more comfortable. In addition, with the Covib it will be much safer and more hygienic.

Our first recommendation is that the regulator for diving is simple. We must think about where and how we are going to use it and what characteristics we would like it to have. We do not recommend buying one because it is the one that another partner has, or the most expensive model on the market, believing that it will be the best option.

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Warm or cold waters

The first thing we have to consider before choosing a regulator is the temperature of the water where we usually do our dives.

For hot, tropical destinations, almost any regulator is suitable. However, if we plan to dive in cold water , we would need a sealed regulator in our equipment, as at low temperatures the water could freeze within the first stage, blocking air flow. An environmental seal also keeps salt, sediment, and other pollutants in the first stage.

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Diaphragm or piston

The first stage can have a diaphragm or piston construction. For recreational diving both are fine, although there are a few things to consider. For example, early stage piston regulators are made with fewer moving parts and that makes them more reliable . It is the preferred option for deep divers , but they tend to be more expensive than diaphragm models.

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With or without balance

A balanced regulator has constant air flow, regardless of how much air is left in the tank or how deep it is. A scuba regulator without balance will be harder to breathe deeper as we go down or becomes less air in the tank.

In a balanced regulator it is easier to breathe so diving will always be more pleasant, so we always recommend this if we have a budget for it.

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DIN Valve or Stirrup

There are two different accessories to connect the regulator to the tank: DIN and bracket .

With the DIN system the regulator is screwed directly into the tank . This creates a stronger seal, widely used by cold water divers and more common in Europe.

With the stirrup valve the clamp of the regulator slides over the fitting of the tank. It is also called International and is most commonly used around the world . This option is very easy to screw.

If we finally decide on a DIN system, there are adapters to use these in a tank with a stirrup valve, thus providing us with greater flexibility of use with any type of tank valve.

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Number of ports

Most scuba regulators come with 4 low pressure ports and 1 (maybe 2) high pressure ports. The more ports you have, the easier it will be to configure our equipment comfortably.

Having 2 high pressure ports can be useful if we have or plan to have a dive computer with transmitter in the future, as we will need an additional port to attach it.

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Comfort

Being comfortable while diving is the best way to enjoy our time underwater. When buying a regulator we will have to think about some aspects such as How much do we have to squeeze to keep it in the mouth? Will the bubbles come out in front of our face when we exhale? Is the hose too short that it pulls us back when we turn our heads?

These problems are usually solved by replacing the various accessories such as getting a mouth piece or a longer hose, but we can avoid this by keeping these issues in mind when choosing the best scuba regulators to suit our needs.