ScubaLab’s team of test divers reviewed 120 pieces of scuba gear over dozens of test dives—including sessions in a hyperbaric chamber for computers and an ANSTI breathing machine for regs to bring you objective data.

And all of that test data was combined to bring you ScubaLab's Gear of the Year: A collection of the most comprehensive objective scuba gear reviews in the industry. Below, we present the best scuba gear of 2019 from ScubaLab's testing—all of the Testers Choice and Best Buy winners from a year of testing.

Scroll down to see links to our complete tests for each category, including fins, masks, knives, regulators, BCs, computers, wetsuits and action cameras."

FINS

In 2019, we tested nine new models of open-heel fins.

1 SCUBAPRO GO SPORT

$129; SCUBAPRO.COM The Go Sport aims to bring the same travel-friendly convenience to boot-clad divers that the original Go offered for the barefoot crowd. Just 20 inches long and only 11⁄4 pounds each in size medium, the Go Sport is an easy fit even in your carry-on. It travels just as well in the water, where the short, wide blade delivers surprising performance, and the bungee strap keeps things comfortable and secure. The fin and the interchangeable blade tip skegs are available in a range of colors. The Go Sport was our Testers Choice for fins.

2.| OMS REEFSTREAM

$89; DIVEDUI.COM
The ReefStream reminded us a bit of the Goldilocks tale: not too short or too long, too stiff or too soft, but somehow right in the middle of things. That made it a popular all-around kicker in our test (though some testers wished for a firmer blade). The adjustable strap is basic but worked well with the contoured foot pocket to provide a comfortable, stable kicking platform. Offering decent performance at an attractive price, the ReefStream was our Best Buy for fins.

TRAVEL BAGS

We tested 22 roller, mesh and carry-on bags.

1. TUSA ROLLER BAG (SMALL)

$185; TUSA.COM
The internal compartment of this carry-on bag easily held all of our test load, while the external straps on the wide front zip-up panel kept everything snug and secure. But what testers most appreciated about this bag was its numerous pockets. The smaller of the two front pockets is perfect for storing items like a pass- port and phone while keeping them easily accessible. It was our Testers Choice for carry-ons.

2. AKONA COLLAPSIBLE DELUXE MESH BACKPACK

$98; AKONA.COM
This backpack easily accommodates everything you’ll need for a day of boat diving but can collapse to almost nothing when not in use. The wide drawstring top and long side zipper provide quick, convenient access, while an extruded cargo pocket and a long water-resistant pocket inside the back provide lots of options for stowing smaller items. It was our Testers Choice for mesh bags.

3. STAHLSAC STEEL 34

$359.95; STAHLSAC.COM
Separated into two main zippered compartments, one waterproof and the other vented, this jumbo roller provides welcome flexibility when traveling with damp gear. Its high-quality hardware, such as the telescoping handle, smooth all-terrain wheels and comfortable grips, are complemented by thoughtful features like a bright- blue interior that helps you see the contents. It was our Testers Choice for large roller bags.

4. AQUA LUNG EXPLORER II ROLLER

$155; AQUALUNG.COM
Roomy but still manageably sized, the Explorer II Roller proved to be the perfect fit for our gear. The bag stands sturdily on its own and features solid hardware and materials throughout, including good reinforcements along the corners and stiff skid rails. Even with the lowest price in its category, this bag’s high-capacity compartment and durable construction stood out. It was our Best Buy for large roller bags.

DRYSUITS

We put nine drysuits through their paces.

1. DUI YUKON II

$1,650 STANDARD, $2,050 CUSTOM; DIVEDUI.COM
Despite its attractive price, the Yukon II comes with noteworthy features like replaceable (and flexible) neck and wrist ZipSeals and a well-positioned thigh cargo pocket. Most impressive was its tough, comfortable construction, with durable ripstop trilaminate and double-coated seams that are carefully taped and glued. The Yukon II was our Best Buy for drysuits.

2. AQUA LUNG FUSION BULLET WITH AIRCORE

$2,349-$2,449; AQUALUNG.COM
The breathable AirCore lining kept the Fusion Bullet comfortable and dry, while the suit’s high-stretch neoprene outer skin maintained a streamlined profile without restricting motion. The replaceable seals are secure, and the long, semicircular chest zipper makes for easy donning and doffing. The Fusion Bullet with AirCore was our Testers Choice for drysuits.

ACTION CAMERAS

We tested nine action video cams on dives around the world.

1. GOPRO HERO7 BLACK

$329.99, HOUSING $49.99; GOPRO.COM
The Hero7’s video footage wowed test divers with its outstanding clarity and color. Even without underwater color modes or filters, this camera has enough variation in contrast and hue to create a natural-looking image at depth. The camera also boasts impressive digital-image stabilization and the ability to capture full HD video at 240 fps and 4K at 60 fps. The Hero7 Black was our Testers Choice for action cameras. The new Hero8 is now available.

2. YI TECHNOLOGY YI4K+

$219.99; YITECHNOLOGY.COM
This little camera is capable of shooting 4K video at 60 frames per second, and was the only one to go toe-to-toe with the Hero7’s top-tier footage. Video captured in ambient conditions appears very natural thanks to good contrast and a solid automatic white balance, and testers ranked it highly for overall video quality. Inside its housing, the camera uses a one-button operation that is simple but effective. It was our Best Buy for action cameras.

BCDs

We tested 12 travel, jacket, back-inflation and women's models.

1. TUSA BC0403B TINA

$499; TUSA.COM
Female divers specifically praised the stability and comfort of the Tina’s wrap-around fit. They also liked the plushy back pad that provides support along the lower back and disperses weight around the hips. Multiple exhaust options and a responsive inflator make for easy buoyancy and ascent control, while large zippered pockets and movable D-rings provide plenty of stowage. With solid all-around performance and a supportive female-friendly fit, it was our Testers Choice for women’s BCs.

2. SCUBAPRO SEAHAWK 2

$715, $815 (WITH AIR2); SCUBAPRO.COM
It folds as small as other travel BCs and weighs only a pound or so over the average. But with a pair of roomy cargo pockets, eight stainless D-rings, generous padding and solid performance, the Seahawk 2 doesn’t feel like it’s sacrificing substance for size. With more than 50 pounds of lift plus integrated weights and trim pockets, it can handle anything from tropical diving to drysuit duty. It was our Testers Choice for travel BCs.

3. MARES MAGELLAN

$440; MARES.COM
The Magellan’s stripped-down design and foldable back plate make this BC lightweight and travel friendly. While the harness is sparse, the sharply curved shoulder straps and padding placed in just the right spots ensure a very comfortable and secure fit. The Magellan has up to 50 pounds of buoyant lift (in size medium), and test divers scored it very good for attitude and stability. Comfortable and capable, it was our Best Buy for travel BCs.

REGULATORS

In the water and on the breathing simulator, we tested 10 new regs.

1. SEAC DX200

$519; SEACSUB.COM
Butter, silk, glass: Such were the words test divers used to describe the consistently smooth, quiet breathing performance of Seac’s refined flagship reg. In its own language, the breathing simulator did the same, measuring remarkably little difference in breathing resistance across our wide range of test depths and breathing rates. The DX200 was our Best Buy for regs.

2. APEKS XL4+

$580; APEKSDIVING.COM
The 2-pound first stage and featherweight second stage of the XL4+ might seem like a mis- match, but in the water they proved a happy duo. The hefty first stage—with its long heat- exchange fins—is designed for reliable performance in cold water, while the compact 41⁄2- ounce second stage delivers dive-all-day comfort without jaw fatigue. The XL4+ was our Testers Choice for regs over $500.

3. AQUA LUNG TITAN

$399; AQUALUNG.COM
Now in its third generation, the Titan sports a sleek new look, with a soft, wraparound diaphragm cover and ergonomic Venturi control. But inside beats the old Titan heart, with performance that punches above its weight (and price) class. In our ANSTI breathing simulator tests, it was the only reg in its category to take excellent scores for work of breathing at all depths and breathing rates; in the water, testers praised its comfort and easy breathing. It was our Testers Choice for regs under $500.

WETSUITS

We tried out 20 new 5 mm full suits for men and women.

1. PINNACLE TEMPO XT 5 MM

$369.95; PINNACLEAQUATICS.COM
The soft merino wool lining was so effective that divers in chilly test conditions could don the suit when it was wet and still warm up throughout the dive. Effective seals at neck, wrist and ankles, and along the rear zipper, helped keep it toasty. The only suit to take excellent scores for comfort, warmth and effectiveness of seals, the Tempo XT was our Testers Choice for suits over $300.

2. TRULI WETSUITS TRULI-FUL THE BEAUTIFUL

$549; TRULIWETSUITS.COM
This front-zip was warm and comfortable, with thoughtful design details. The zipper closes at the neck with a roll of smooth- skin, eliminating Velcro that can snag suit or hair. A long ribbon stitched inside near the zipper top helps in suit removal, and ergonomic ankle cuffs reduce chafing. It was our Testers Choice for women’s suits.

3. CRESSI OTTERFLEX

$299.95 MEN’S, $249.95 WOMEN’S; CRESSI.COM
The aptly named Water Stop System of the Otterflex uses narrow rings of stretchy, form-fitting seal around the inside of the wrist and ankle cuffs to control water entry. The Otterflex uses slightly thinner neoprene in the arms and ankles, maximizing range of motion without sacrificing insulation in the body’s core. It was our Testers Choice for suits under $300.

4. BARE ELATE 5 MM

$229.95; BARESPORTS.COM
With an anatomical cut inspired by the highly flexible suits favored by multisport athletes, the women’s-only Elate impressed female divers with the way it hugged the body without binding or restricting movement. Test divers also liked the Elate’s stylish design, which makes it look like a more expensive suit. Comfortable and attractive, the Elate was our Best Buy for 5 mm fullsuits.

DIVE COMPUTERS

We evaluated 14 new wrist, console and head-up computers.

1. CRESSI NEON

$399.95; CRESSI.COM
Testers were impressed by the Neon’s simple, intuitive operation. The two-button navigation makes it a snap to enter and exit menus, and the high-contrast display is clearly labeled, giving prominence to the most important data. The compact display and recessed band lugs give the Neon a comfortable, watchlike size. With top scores for intuitive operation, display quality and ergonomics, it was our Testers Choice for computers under $500.

2. MARES QUAD AIR

$526; MARES.COM
The Quad’s massive 11⁄2-by-21⁄4- inch screen has enough real estate to display a lot of info without looking cramped. Jumbo characters and a clearly labeled, three-level layout make it very easy to read and understand the computer at a glance. The four-button navigation is equally sensible. The Quad Air delivers three-gas air integration with advanced features at an attractive price. It was our Best Buy for computers.

3. SUUNTO D5

STARTING AT $849.95; SUUNTO.COM
This air-integrated computer’s three-button operation is intuitive enough that you can easily navigate menus before even glancing at the manual. The dis- play uses reflective technology that enhances visibility in a range of light; the D5 also packs a lot of data in without being cluttered, and uses unmissable audible and vibrating alarms to alert divers to critical data. The D5 was our Testers Choice for computers over $500.

SCUBA ACCESSORIES

We evaluated 17 accessories for convenience and comfort.

1. INNOVATIVE SCUBA FIN AND MASK HOLDER

$15.50; INNOVATIVESCUBA.COM
Negotiating stairs, steps and boat decks while suited up can be tricky, but this simple accessory can free your hands. Nothing more than two loops of 1-inch nylon webbing with buckles, it clips to your BC to carry mask and fins until you need them. It’s available in 10 colors, with a gate or bolt snap, and is easily stuffed in a pocket during your dive. The fin and mask holder was our Best Buy for dive accessories.

2. UNDERWATER KINETICS HANGAIR HANGER

$69.90; UWKDIVE.COM
During this year’s drysuit test we were surprised how quickly this heavy-duty hanger with a built-in electric fan could dry out a damp suit. But what really impressed us was the way it would completely dry a flooded suit overnight, even down to the fleece-lined boots. Saving time and trouble, the HangAir was our Testers Choice for gear-care accessories.

3. MAC WAGON

$89; MACSPORTS.COM You could quibble that it’s not technically dive gear, but this collapsible cart takes a lot of the grunt work out of hauling actual dive gear. With a weight capacity of 150 pounds and a 20-by-32-inch bed, it can easily haul a full kit and then some. It folds flat in seconds and weighs 22 pounds, so it stows easily. A must-have for shore dives, it was our Testers Choice for dive accessories.

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