If you’re a diver, a scuba rebreather is a real lifesaver. These handy pieces of equipment will give you even more freedom to experience more of the deep blue. In fact, many people that have used a rebreather have never returned to scuba diving in the traditional way again. Of course, it can be a bit tricky to find the best scuba rebreather for you, which is why we’re here to help you to find the best option for you.
Here are our top picks for the best scuba rebreathers.
Top 3 Best Scuba Rebreather
OUR TOP PICK
Summary
As a general rule, rebreathers are not known for being affordable but if you do want something that’s a little bit more catered towards a lower budget, then the Kiss Rebreathers Orca Spirit mCCR OW Package could be a good choice for you. This is somewhat different from the other option because it doesn’t come with the normal twin tank setup that you tend to see on rebreather packages. Instead, it comes with an oxygen cylinder that you find at the base of the rebreather. The Diluent then comes from an off board cylinder. You can mount the rebreather either on your left or on your right.
The rebreather is through a hose fitting that diluent gas travels to the spirit. Essentially, you won’t need two cylinders as a result because one cylinder alone will function as the bailout and the diluent at once. As a result of this, it’s not as heavy as a normal rebreather setup.
Pros
The rebreather features a much smaller and thus more compact profile. This is ideal for any divers that want an option that is more lightweight and a little less clunky. It only measures 13.5 inches in width and it’s 23 inches tall, so it’s certainly one of the slimmest options out there. It also only weighs 9.5kg without the tanks.
There are fewer tanks which means there isn’t as much maintenance work required.
The device already comes totally assembled, so it can be used right out of the box
Comes with a display that’s easy to read and will tell you about your oxygen levels. You can also make changes to your liking as necessary
It’s Simple to make changes, and all you need to do is flip its level integrates onto the units mouthpiece and then switch onto another regulator without needing to disengage the brakes
It works by using the MAV or Manual Add Valve, so the rebreather actually lets the users add more oxygen as is needed to make sure that the oxygen levels remain in the range recommended.
The tank can last as long as four hours which means that you have plenty of time to dive in one day
The rebreather doesn’t have a lot of drag
Quiet operation
Requires less gas when diving
Cons
There aren’t many negative reviews for this rebreather
EDITORS CHOICE
Summary
The Kiss Rebreathers Classic Explorer package is pretty similar to the standard setup that you will find in most rebreathers that are currently sold on the market. Sure, it does lack some of the more creative features that are in the other products we explore on this ranking, but the simple functionality make this a truly fantastic choice. It’s very easy to understand the controls and mechanism.
The rebreather has a tank like build due to the counterlung case that will give the support to the counterlungs. This also makes installation a lot easier and it’s much more simple to maintain because you can get access from the top. One thing that is a little bit different with this product is also the scrubber, which features an axial flow that essentially gets rid of the used gas through a center tube, and this travels to the back of the scrubber to properly get rid of carbon dioxide. It is very easy to carry around and it is impervious to channeling.
Pros
The functions are simple and straightforward. Its user friendly nature makes it one of the best rebreathers for beginners
It’s one of the most durable rebreathers on the market. It works well even in some of the harshest water conditions. It’s also possible to use it for cave diving because it comes with systems that are suitable for deep cave diving. The materials are also election grade
The BOV has dual functions, and this allows you to quickly remove the breathing loop even when you are switching to an open circuit system. All you need to do is twist its knob that is included and you can use it. The BOV is also a particularly handy tool when it comes to preventing panics.
Because it is back mounted it gets rid of any obstructions in the chest area
Cons
It doesn’t come with all of the extra features that a lot of divers may prioritize
BEST VALUE
Summary
One of the most talked about rebreathers on the market right now is the Hollis Prism 2 Rebreather. This rebreather has either front mounted or back mounted counterlungs. The front mounted counterlungs are handy for any divers that want to get top quality displacement, as it has a reservoir that copies the displacement of the volume of your actual lungs. This then lowers down hydrostatic loading. It also has a manual and an automatic gas addition system, which means you can get control over the rebreather.
You can even back mount the rebreatherm so it’s possible to free up the chest area if you want to bring extra tanks with you, or if you have a few more accessories that you want to take under water. The back mounting capabilities also means that you can reduce drag.
This is by far one of the most dependable scuba rebreathers on the market with the ADV Upstream Valve it sports, a feature that means that it is impervious to free flow. As a result, this will help with adding diluent gas. It has T pieces that trap the water and it also stops water from getting inside of the breathing loop. It’s also a lot easier to drain extra water.
Pros
It can either be back or front mounted, which means it can suit a range of different divers. This also gives more flexibility because you will be able to alter your setup to exactly what you need
It features a streamlined design, where the hose fittings are kept close to the users, stopping them from getting in the way when you dive
The controls are designed to be easier to access
The rebreather has a radial 5.5 lbs CO2 scrubber. This is vertically mounted right in between the rebreathers cylinders. It’s also made out of molded thermoplastic material, so it’s one of the most durable ones on the market.
The device comes with the Dive Surface Valve, or DSV, but the manufacturer will give users an option of customizing their breather to their own needs. With this one in particular, you will have the ability to get a Bailout Valve or BOV. This is a little bit more lightweight in comparison to a DSV.
The HUD or Heads Up Display is designed well, coming with 3 LED colors that will show you the rebreather’s status. This will show you what your oxygen levels are through the built in sensors. As it is eye level, you are able to easily see if there are any changes.
It comes with the Shearwater Petrel computer system. This is certainly one of the most advanced today, especially as far as CCR operations are concerned
The rebreather is more lightweight than a lot of other rebreathers on the market. It only weighs 47 lbs, so it’s a great choice for anyone that doesn’t want to carry a lot of weight
You can find the power switch externally, so it’s simple to turn it on and off
It comes along with an O2 calibration system that is simple to use and it works just by touching a button
The battery life is long, lasting for as long as 40 hours for seamless scuba enjoyment
Cons
The product doesn’t have a lot of negative reviews but not everyone will be happy with the price
Best Scuba Rebreather Buying Guide
What One Should You Opt For?
If you are looking for something more lightweight, you should opt for Kiss Rebreathers Orca Spirit mCCR OW Package. This has a slimmer profile and a great tank set up, so a lot of the weight is reduced in comparison to standard rebreathers. It is by far one of the most lightweight rebreathers on the market, which is ideal because it reduces drag and gives you a bit more freedom underwater.
If you are looking for the most durable option, perhaps you should opt for the Kiss Rebreathers Classic Explorer OW Package. Sure, it doesn’t come with all of the impressive features that the other ones do, but it’s certainly one of the most reliable options on the market. It also features a solid built, so you can be confident that you can rely on it for a range of different diving conditions.
If you are looking for an ergonomic choice, then the Hollis Prism 2 Rebreather is the choice for you. When you are underwater, you’re going to want the most ergonomic rebreather you can get. You want something that’s both easy to wear and something that has controls positioned in the most accessible places. This is the perfect rebreather for the job. It comes with all of the perfect features you may need to bring you both comfort and convenience.
Best Scuba Rebreather FAQ's
Now that you know all about all of the best scuba rebreathers on the market, you may be having all sorts of other questions about these devices. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about rebreathers along with those all important answers.
How much time are you able to spend underwater when you are using a rebreather?
The answer to this can largely depend on the sort of model that you are using. Generally, the larger the tanks are the higher the capacity is. Generally though, a good quality rebreather should make you last under the water for as long as 6 hours in total. Normal rebreathers could only last for around 4 hours, which is still enough time for you to have fun diving underwater.
Is there a maximum diving depth?
There are a number of different factors involved when it comes to figuring how deep you will be able to dive with a rebreather. Things like the type of rebreather are important, as are the kinds of water you are going to dive in and the temperature of the water. All of these things can affect how deep you will be able to go into the water. Your average rebreather should be able to take you up to 130 feet underwater, but with the high end models you could go as deep as 1000 feet.
Are there any possible risks involved with using a rebreather?
We’ve made sure that the products we’ve mentioned on this list are some of the safest ones out there. Of course thought, similarly to any other diving gear, there are always risks involved. One such risk is hypoxia, and this is why it’s vital that you always check your oxygen levels. The products we have listed above make it easier for you to be able to check on your oxygen levels, in addition to allowing you to customize your oxygen input through the controls.
Will you need to train first before you use a rebreather?
For the purpose of safety, training before you use a rebreather is pretty important. The kind of training can depend on your own needs and preferences, and it can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The cost is also going to depend on the length of the training. It’s definitely a good training to invest in to help you understand more about diving and how to properly operate your equipment.
Can I take my rebreather for travels?
There are a lot of rebreathers that are designed to be more streamline, ones that are less clunky and more lightweight. If you plan to travel with the rebreather, as many divers tend to do, you should opt for ones that can be checks in. Also check on the weight and measurement specifications.
Is it difficult to maintain a scuba rebreather?
Scuba rebreathers aren’t much more difficult to maintain than regular scuba diving gear is. You should expect that it will cost you a bit of money, especially for making repairs and refilling. It’s possible to keep the costs down by opting for a more simple setup and opting for things with fewer parts. The smaller the device is, the more simple it is to maintain usually.
You should also opt for one that’s more durable. If they are impervious to corrosion and damages, they aren’t going to require as much repair and maintenance.
Conclusion
These are just a couple of things you should keep in mind when purchasing a scuba rebreather. When you are looking for scuba diving gear, it’s important that you conduct enough research to decide what is going to work best for your individual diving needs.