14 Best Scuba Diving BCDs in 2023 | Tested by Divers

Are you a newer diver looking for a solid BCD that will stand the test of time? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned sea dog with plenty of dives under your weight belt looking for a workhorse. In either case, the OceanPro BCD by Oceanic could be just the ticket.

Oceanic’s entry-level BCD is tough enough to withstand a few knocks and has just the right amount of features for recreational scuba. It’s a dive center rental favorite for these reasons and it’s been spotted in many a pro’s dive bag too.

Already know the OceanPro is for you? Click the link below to check prices or make an order. Otherwise, read on for our full review of this Oceanic BCD.

Buy This BCD If:

You’re after a solid jacket-style BCD, in which case this is really a no-brainer. It’ll get the job done for years to come and it’s comfortable enough for long dives or hours spent in confined (if you’re a professional). For dive centers, The OceanPro offers the perfect balance of cost, quality, and ease of use. Highly recommended.

The Zeagle Fury offers experienced divers a BCD that will work well no matter the thickness of the wetsuit. For diving in cold water with a drysuit or a rash guard, the Fury easily adjusts, offering one unisex BCD where some divers might have two.

It’s a mid-range product with a solid construction that we’ve put through the paces in myriad types of conditions and suits.

Beyond confirming the durability, the Fury’s features–including 2 types of integrated weight systems–is a solid option worth considering for recreational use as well as for some technical diving.

Let’s dive deeper into the features of the Zeagle Fury to see if it is time to take some of your multiple BCDs to the next gear swap.

The Cressi Start was initially intended to be used by dive schools and resorts. It has a basic design but is highly functional making it ideal for beginner divers too.

One nice feature is that the waist strap is independent of the air bladder, so if you tighten it while the jacket is deflated, it’s not going to squeeze your stomach too much when you inflate.

If you are looking for a BCD that is reliable and almost bullet-proof, the Cressi Start is a great entry-level option.

The Zeagle Ranger is one of the preferred Buoyancy Control Devices (BCDs) for the technical or professional diver. The Ranger is listed in the Authorization for Navy Use (ANU) by NAVSEA.

Our considerable experience with the Ranger–not to be confused with the more feature-filled Ranger Ltd–has been good.

It is also an excellent BCD for the new diver who knows they want to expand their skills because the Ranger grows with you.

The Ranger is rugged and will stand up to all environments and daily use. It also has a slew of features, such as adjustable D-Rings and the ability to hold two tanks. In addition, it has a great lift capacity (44 lbs/19.95 kg). However, the Ranger’s big drawback is that it is heavy (8.4 lbs/3.8 kg) and doesn’t fold well for travel.

Dive-In further and explore the details of the Ranger to see if it is the right BCD for you.

The unique thing about the Cressi Travelight BCD is how well it packs down for travel. This is a BCD for beginner scuba divers-as well as more routine divers seeking travel-friendly options.

The Travelight packs down into its own travel bag. Even though it is small, when worn it still has plenty of storage and attachment points with its two side pockets and its 8 D-Rings. Adjustable shoulder straps and cumberbund allow for a comfortable fit and the ability to wear the chest strap loose–ideal for women. The nylon anti-roll panel and optional crotch strap help to create a comfortable underwater setup for both the new and experienced diver.

The Cressi Travelight has other unique features, so dive into our in-depth review to learn more about it.

Unisex BCDs that were better designed for men used to be the standard. That’s been changing as more women enter the diving world. Differences in body shapes and sizes require BCDs that better fit a female diver.

The Zeagle Zena adds a twist to the traditional BCD design by using a corset for the front panel. Most people are familiar with the typical jacket-style BCD. Some divers may also be familiar with the back inflate or hybrid-style BCDs that have become popular recently. With these, you have the typical three (3) adjustment points (two (2) shoulders and a cumberbund), which do not always offer the best fit to a woman’s torso.

With the Zena, Zeagle has created a more form-fitting and comfortable BCD. The corset has six (6) points of adjustment (1 on each shoulder and 2 on each side, and a front zipper replaces the typical cumberbund).

Zeagle also separated the front section of the BCD from the back, allowing for more sizing variations. Something their biggest competitors, the Aqua Lung Pearl and ScubaPro Lady Hawk, do not have. The result: a lightweight female-designed BCD that allows for individual fit and a bit of fun with color.

Dive into our in-depth review to find out more about the Zeagle Zena.

The Zeagle Scout is compact and weighs in at 3 kg / 6.6 lbs, making it an ideal lightweight choice for travelers. The rear-mounted weight system consists of two pockets which hold a maximum of 16 lbs (7.26 kg).

Zeagle’s power inflator system can be hooked up to a standard garden hose making it super easy to wash out the interior of the air bladder. If you have never dived with a back-inflate BCD or a wing before, the Zeagle Scout is a good way to get started.

Another dive school and rental shop favorite because of its rugged and adaptable design. The waist strap comes with a cummerbund for extra comfort. Both these and the shoulder strap are simple to adjust for a good fit. Sturdy and reliable, the Sherwood Silhouette BCD should provide years of dependable service.

Sturdy and reliable, the Sherwood Silhouette BCD should provide years of dependable service.

The Cressi Aquapro is a popular choice, suitable for the majority of recreational divers. A rigid but fully padded back support provides stability for the cylinder and prevents it from moving around. Gravity-release weight pockets are located on either side of the jacket. Give the securing buckle a squeeze, the pocket drops down, and the weights fall straight out.

The Cressi Aquapro is a simple design but has loads of great features.

This stylish BCD is tailored for women. With its wrap-around style, there is additional padding in the shoulder straps and at the back to provide extra comfort and support.

TUSA’s Ultimate Stabilizing Harness (U.S.H.) holds the cylinder snug against the body and helps prevent tank roll. Made from heavy-duty Cordura Nylon, the tina BCD is made to last.

The Cressi Lightwing has to be one of the lightest BCD’s on the market at just 4.6 lb / 2 kg (M). It features a fast folding system for quick, easy, and compact storage. This does mean that there are not as many fancy features—it has all the essentials and does the job well.

Rear inflation means this BCD will not obstruct your movement when in the water. For any male or female diver who likes to travel, the Cressi Lightwing is a great choice.

Definitely, a BCD designed with women divers in mind. It features thick padding on the inside with a plush nylon finish. The jacket and air bladder are specially cut for a snug fit to female curves.

Sherwood uses a unique Halfpac backplate which offers the versatility of soft backplate with the stability of a hard backplate. This means it’s extra comfortable but will also hold your cylinder firmly in place.

One great feature of the Sherwood Luna is the padded neoprene neck. A small hint of color adds a nice feminine touch.

For those looking for a BCD which offers more advanced features, the Seac Sherpa is a great option. The padded backplate has extended lumbar support. This allows you to transfer the cylinder weight from the shoulders to the hips.

One of the stand-out features is the 3D air cell which has wings that wrap around the air cylinder. Weight distribution is improved and the tank is held securely in place. The Seac Sherpa provides a comfortable experience both on the surface and below it.

Another BCD designed specifically for women divers. The custom fit harness has a multi-position cummerbund and shoulder straps which adjust easily for ladies of all shapes and sizes.

The Oceanic Hera brings together the benefits of a jacket and rear inflation styles making it easy to use whatever position you dive in. The patented and adjustable depth-compensating cummerbund ensures you are comfortable and snug however deep you are.

There are two generously sized utility pockets as well as numerous D-rings and mounting grommets for all of your accessories. And being made from Cordura nylon, the Oceanic Hera is exceptionally durable.

Probably the most advanced BCD we are featuring. ScubaPro has developed the first 3D injection, molded gel harness. What that means is that this BCD has loads of features to improve comfort, movement, stability and buoyancy control.

The gel conforms to your body giving you an ergonomic fit, adjusting to your torso length and shoulders. Less lead is needed as the ScubaPro Hydros has near-zero inherent buoyancy. This gives better buoyancy control which leads to a more enjoyable diving experience.

Because of the lack of fabric, the harness retains no water so it’s quick drying and will weigh less after your dive. The waist and shoulder straps pack into the wing making a compact package which is great for both traveling and storage.

Practically every component can be replaced without the need for stitching so is easy to repair. It may be an expensive purchase, but the ScubaPro Hydros Pro is definitely the future of BCDs.

The Aqua Lung Dimension has been around for a while but is it still a leading BCD on the market. There is a patented Wrapture harness system that attaches to swivel buckles at the shoulder and includes lumbar support. An adjustable strap across the chest can be moved up or down. This is a great idea when diving in a dry suit. The strap is prevented from sitting across the valve.

When out of the water, the Wrapture allows you to stand straight and the cylinder will sit perfectly vertical.

The most impressive feature of the Aqua Lung Dimension i3 has to be the inflation/deflation system. Instead of providing the dangling LPI hose, the patented i3 control system uses a simple lever on the side of the BCD. Lift the lever up to inflate and push down to deflate. Pushing down also opens all the dump valves at once so whatever position you are in, air will be dumped. It can take a bit of getting used to, but once you have, you will see how convenient and easy it is to control your buoyancy.

The ScubaPro Ladyhawk is designed to give women a sense of freedom in the water. A narrowed neck yoke, rotating shoulder buckles, swivel clips on the chest strap, and rear inflation give you a well-fitting BCD. This allows for plenty of movement around the chest and shoulder areas.

A flexible cummerbund compensates for changes at various depths to keep a good fit. The hard backplate is contoured for extra comfort. There are two rear trim pouches for additional weights to help with achieving the perfect, well-balanced position in the water.