First Impressions of the Sublue Vapor: A Premium Look
The Sublue Vapor arrived in a well-organized Styrofoam carrying case, with dedicated slots for the scooter, battery, charger, and accessories. It’s a convenient setup for storage and protection, no matter if you’re keeping it on a boat or at home.
At first glance, the Vapor’s high-gloss finish and massive screen give it a futuristic look that makes it feel like a luxury water toy. Holding it, you notice the weight but also the premium build quality. The large engine housing and shiny design make this scooter stand out as one of the best-looking models we’ve tested.
Performance and Real-World Testing
This is where the Vapor blew us away. For this test, we wanted to make it as consistent as possible. We set up our standard 25-meter pool course and ran multiple laps to account for any inconsistencies.
Torben, weighing 220 pounds (95 kg) and standing 6’5” (198 cm) and Carl, at 10 years old and 90 pounds (40 kg), did laps to see how the scooter handled for users of different sizes.
We timed each run from a standstill start, with someone counting down to make it fair, and we repeated the runs several times, recording the best result for each speed setting.
Here are our results for the 25-meter pool:
Torben’s times:
- Gear 1 (low): 21.5 seconds
- Gear 2 (medium): 18.2 seconds
- Gear 3 (high): 15.5 seconds
Carl’s times:
- Gear 1 (low): 18.48 seconds
- Gear 2 (medium): 14.75 seconds
- Gear 3 (high): 13 seconds
Even at the lowest speed setting, the Sublue Vapor outpaced some scooters we’ve tested at full throttle. At high speed, the power was thrilling, sending strong jets of water behind and even shaking a camera mounted at the bottom of the pool as we passed.
Maneuverability and Control
The dual-handle design makes the Vapor easy to steer despite its size. It’s responsive enough for quick spins and changes of direction. Even Carl, at just 10 years old, was able to handle it confidently and have fun performing twists and turns.
Screen and Navigation
The large, 4.3-inch LCD screen on top of the unit isn’t just for show—it provides a compass, tilt angle, depth, and speed information. While some of these features feel like fun extras rather than essentials, Carl found the compass and tilt angles particularly engaging, adding to his enjoyment of the ride.
Battery Life
The Vapor’s battery is massive—over twice the size of most competitors, and it shows in the runtime. In our full-speed pool tests, we measured a solid 21 minutes of continuous use, which is impressive for the power it delivers. Even when pushing it hard, the battery never felt like a limiting factor.
Recharge times are also quick—1.5 hours according to the Sublue website—allowing you to get back in the water with minimal waiting.
One thing to note, though—it’s not airline safe, so you’ll need a special written approval from the airline to fly with it.
Buoyancy
The scooter is slightly positively buoyant, which is a big plus for recreational use. If you let it go, it will float gently back to the surface, but not so fast that it disrupts your dive. You can make it neutrally buoyant for scuba by adding one or two carabiners to the handle.
Depth Rating
Rated for 131 feet (40 m), the Vapor easily covers recreational diving limits and provides plenty of depth for snorkelers and freedivers alike.
Accessories
The Sublue Vapor comes with an action-camera mount that attaches via an extender arm, letting you get creative with angles while filming. The included carrying case keeps everything secure and organized, making storage simple.
Comparison to Other Scooters
When comparing the Sublue Vapor to other popular scooters like the LEFEET S1 Pro and the Seabob F5S, some clear differences emerge.
- Sublue Vapor vs. LEFEET S1 Pro: The Vapor delivers far more power and faster speeds in our 25-meter pool tests. While the LEFEET S1 Pro shines with its compact, modular design, the Vapor stands out as a premium, high-performance scooter designed for riders who want speed and style without sacrificing ease of use.
- Sublue Vapor vs. Seabob F5S: The Seabob is a ride-on luxury watercraft with unmatched raw power but also comes with a massive size and price tag. The Vapor, in contrast, is a handheld scooter that delivers impressive performance in a smaller, more manageable package and at a fraction of the cost.
The Sublue Vapor stands out as a smaller, more practical option with premium power. While the double LEFEET P1 with extended batteries is faster, the Vapor’s single-engine setup delivers impressive performance without a dual configuration, making it simpler and more user-friendly.
Price/Quality Ratio
At $2,999, the Sublue Vapor is by far the most expensive underwater scooter we’ve tested. But it feels like a premium product through and through, from its power and runtime to its high-end design. If you want the best and don’t mind paying for it, the Vapor delivers.
Do we recommend the Sublue Vapor?
For those who want power, luxury, and style in an underwater scooter, the Sublue Vapor is hard to beat. It’s perfect for pool fun, snorkeling, and recreational diving. Just be aware of its weight and the fact that you can’t fly with the battery. If you’re after a compact, travel-friendly scooter, look elsewhere—but if you want premium performance, the Vapor is worth every penny.
Specs & Features
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) |
|---|---|
| Speed modes | 3 (low, medium, high) |
| Advertised top speed | 10km/hr |
| Our top speed | Torben 15.5s/25m; Carl: 13s/25m |
| Advertised battery time | 60 minutes |
| Our battery time | 21 minutes runtime at full speed (our test) |
| Depth rating | 131 feet (40 m) |
| Dimensions | 21.29 x 15 x 11.5 inches; (54 x 38 x 29 cm) |
| Screen | 4.3-inch LCD tracks battery, speed, direction, temperature, and depth |
| Extras | Action-camera mount |
Take a moment to look at this.
