The Best Freedive Watch In 2024: Best Picks & Guidance

Sarah Combs By, Sarah Combs
Updated
Best Freedive Watch
Best Freedive Watch

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Garmin 010-02064-00 Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch

Garmin Rugged Outdoor Watch is built to withstand the toughest environments and gives you an edge in any outdoor adventure. With a rugged design and multiple global navigation satellite systems support, this watch helps track in more challenging environments than GPS alone. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Suunto Core Classic, Outdoor Watch, All Black

Suunto's Core Classic is the pinnacle of Suunto's activity tracker watches. With its sleek design, it features a classic silicone band and rugged steel case. It also boasts an array of advanced features that are perfect for athletes and those who love outdoor activities. Read Review

3. Best Performance: Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3, GPS SmartWatch

The Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS smartwatch is designed to provide you with a versatile, customizable workout companion. This watch comes standard with preloaded apps for running, swimming, yoga and more. Plus, its features include a premium metal design with a durable glass display. Read Review

4. Best Easy Setup: Cressi Leonardo, black/black

Leonardo is designed for a wide variety of diving applications. It's an ideal computer for recreational diving, as well as for professional divers who need to meet the new European standards and needs. The Leonardo is a computer with two oxygen sensors, one for air consumption and one for PO2 or partial O2 that works with a standard rebreather setup. Read Review

In today’s world, a lot of people spend most of the time looking at their phone. Sometimes it can be really tough to focus on something else for that long. But even if you’re not anti-social, some people might find that staring at a screen all the time is not the best idea.

Hence, everyone should have a break from time to time. That’s why we created this article – so you know what are the best freedive watches out there. These watches are specifically made for those who love to swim underwater or snorkel as well. This means you should keep reading if you want to learn more about the different types of these watches and which one is the best for you.

After nearly 16 hours of research, we were able to come up with many top products from prominent brands like Garmin, Suunto, Cressi, Seac, Mares, Salvimar, Omer, Oceanic. Among them, Garmin 010-02064-00 Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch seems to be the first product you can rely on. Alternatively, if you're simply looking for a good-looking option, you may go with Suunto Core Classic, Outdoor Watch, All Black.

Our article today focuses mainly on giving you guidelines and tips to be able to buy the right product that best suits your needs. Explore with us right here.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Garmin 010-02064-00 Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch
Our Score:
9.8
Garmin
  • Built in 3 axis compass and barometric altimeter, plus multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, Glonass and Galileo) support helps track in more challenging environments than GPS alone
  • Monitor your estimated heart rate, activity and stress; Train with preloaded activity profiles. Strap material: Silicone
  • Rugged GPS watch built to withstand the toughest environments
  • Stay connected with smart notifications (with a compatible smartphone) and automatic data uploads to the Garmin connect online fitness community
  • Constructed to U.S. Military standard 810G for thermal, shock and water resistance (rated to 100 meters)
  • Battery life: Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, up to 16 hours in GPS mode, up to 40 hours in Ultratrac battery saver mode
  • Use the trackback feature to navigate the same route back to your starting point; Use the Garmin explore website and app to plan your trips in advance
TOP Choice #2 Suunto Core Classic, Outdoor Watch, All Black
Our Score:
9.7
SUUNTO
  • Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products
  • Suunto Sports Watches: Versatile and durable, Suunto sports watches are great for running, swimming, cycling, gym workouts, hiking, and other outdoor sports; Whatever your needs, Suunto has a watch for you
  • Essential for Adventure: This watch has dual times, a date display, and alarm, plus predicted times for sunrise and sunset to help maximize your daylight hours and a depth meter accurate up to 30 feet
  • Adventure Starts Here: Combining Scandinavian design with ultra durable materials, our watches track your sports, daily activity, and sleep to help you keep life, training and recovery in balance
  • Suunto Core: This classic outdoor sports watch is packed with intelligent features like a Storm Alarm, Altimeter, Barometer and compass to keep you informed of conditions while you hike, bike, or camp
TOP Choice #3 Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3, GPS SmartWatch
Our Score:
9.5
Garmin
  • Personalize your watch with thousands of free watch faces, apps and widgets from our Connect IQ store
  • Monitor your fitness level with VO2 max and fitness made estimates, plus keep an eye on how you handle stress
  • Get connected features such as smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, Live Track and more when paired with a compatible smartphone
  • More than 15 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga, running, swimming and more
  • Battery life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode; 13 hours in GPS mode. Display size: 1.2 inch diameter
  • Garmin Pay contactless payment solution lets you pay for purchases with your watch (available for supported cards from participating banks)
4 Cressi Leonardo, black/black
Our Score:
9.3
Cressi
  • Three levels of user adjustable conservatism. Visual and distinct, easy-to-hear audible alarms
  • User-selectable deep stop function. Adjustable unit of measure: imperial or metric. Battery life indicator. User changeable battery. Battery model: CR2430
  • The Leonardo dive computer is made in Italy by Cressi, a brand pioneer in Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, and Freediving equipment since 1946
  • A single button Dive Computer makes it effortless to set Air, Nitrox and Gauge modes. Ideal for beginners in Scuba Diving. It is easy to use and easy to read all the information due to the high-definition screen that gives large numerical displays.
  • FO2 adjustable between 21% and 50%. PO2 adjustable between 1.2 bar and 1.6 bar. CNS oxygen toxicity graphic indicator.
  • Record all the ways to move with more than 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including yoga, running, pool swimming and more
  • Easily download songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon music or Deezer (may require a premium subscription With a third-party music provider), and connect with headphones (sold separately) for phone-free listening
  • The broadest range of all-day health monitoring features keeps track of your energy levels, respiration, menstrual cycle, stress, sleep, estimated heart rate and more
  • Get easy-to-follow, animated cardio, strength, yoga and Pilates workouts right on your watch screen. Smartphone compatibility-iPhone, Android
  • Beautiful, bright amoled display and up to five-day battery life in smartwatch mode; Up to six hours in GPS and music mode
  • All the main info's on the same screen: dive and Ascent speed, temperature, dive time and surface time, depth
  • Sport Type: Water Sports;Diving
  • It works with a Standard CR2032 battery and is 100 MT water resistant
  • Stopwatch and countdown function
  • Department Name: Unisex
  • Backlit display
  • Records your freediving session up to 99 dives
  • Super Intuitive, Easy-to-Use, Full-Featured RGBM Nitrox Computer, Larger-Display in Slimmer-Design, Upgradeable Firmware & Multi-Gas Capability.
  • 492' (150m) Depth Rating, Power Indicators, Audible Alarms, Watch, Date and Temperature Displays, 12/24 Hour Formats, Two-Different Gas Mixtures During-Single-Dive, Metric or Imperial Units of Measure.
  • User-Replaceable CR 2450 Lithium-Ion Battery, Fully Altitude Adjustable to 12,100' (3,700m) Memory Capacity 36 Hours, Superior Display Readability, Mineral Glass Crystal.
  • Precision Stopwatch, Special Function Modes Air, Nitrox & Bottom Time, , Durable Metal Button, Upgraded Interface, Precautionary Programs Setting, Ascent Rate Indicator and Ascent Rate Digital Indicator.
  • Plan Mode, Backlighting, Log Book, 3-Level Salinity, Fresh Water Setting, Sea Water Setting, Aquarium Salinity Setting, Residual Nitrogen Memory Reset, Quartz Clock Movement.
  • Time spent on the surface, memorization of the data of immersion
  • Time of immersion
  • Computer underwater
  • Temperature of the water
  • Alarmes programmables
  • Maximum depth 100m
  • Ideal for freediving, snorkeling and spearfishing
  • Light-weight
  • Apnea timer
  • Computer, Elastomer Strap, Scratch Guards (2 pcs), Safety Leaflet, Quick Guide, Dive Legal Leaflet , Warranty Information, Suunto Logo Sticker
  • Apnea computer built for freediving specialists
  • Automatic activation of the dive function: Depth, Immersion time, Water temperature and Recovery time on the surface
  • 4 button navigation setup

What to Look For in a best freedive watch?

Upon looking for the perfect best freedive watch, a lot of things should be taken into account. Each item has its own challenge of purchasing.  As a result of the formation, we're here to help, advise, and provide answers to these problems.

Please keep in mind the following points to select best freedive watch that fit you most:

Operating Modes

The three most common modes of a dive computer on the market are Air, Nitrox, and Gauge. Additional operating modes can be added depending on divers' experience and gear preference, such as watch, freediving or Trimix.

Display Type

A dive computer that has a large, colorful display and is well-lit should be considered.
Displays of dots-matrix work as long as the data can be viewed.
The latest models in the top-of-the-range range come equipped with Organic Light-Emitting Diodes, (OLED), which provide clarity and vivid colors.

Multiple Operating Modes

Modern dive computers use two modes: gauge and air.
The basic units are capable of handling at most one gas and nitrox mixture.
To be able to dive with technical gas mixtures, you need a computer that can handle multiple functions.
Rebreather is a mode to be considered. It calculates the rebreather limits.
The feature should be available to freediving fans.

Battery Type

You don't need to replace batteries when you travel with a rechargeable battery.
It is important that your battery can be changed easily without the need for expert servicing.

Compatible Technology

Logging and planning dives is easier when you have a compatible computer with your Mac or smartphone.
The USB port will be included on the basic model, but advanced models have Bluetooth.

Buttons

For newly-certified divers, models with fewer buttons can be a great option.
It's easier to use large buttons between tasks. Keep in mind that you will likely be wearing thick gloves.

FAQs

How Long Does A Dive Computer Last?

Battery life is dependent on how often you dive and the hours spent diving. One dive computer is capable of supporting 50 dives per year on average.
If you are able to use the device for at least an hour each day, your dive computer can last as long as 300 days before needing to be replaced.

Do I Really Need A Dive Computer?

Divers can see how long they've been submerged and the time remaining. It can also calculate your Nitrogen level, which helps to decrease the chance of getting decompression sick.

Can You Use A Dive Computer As A Watch?

Dive computers are designed to cater for diving activities. Some of these computers are too bulky to be worn every day as wristwatches.
However, modern technology has made some of these dive computers more fashionable and compact for daily use. They can also be worn as digital watches with an optional bracelet or watch mode.

Can Dive Computers Replace Compression Tables?

The benefit is that dive computers are much more user-friendly than decompression tables. After you input your main dive data, the computer automatically calculates the pressure of any inert gas in your body. Divers will be notified if there are any missed ascent rates or decompression stops by the computer.

Are Dive Computers Suitable For Beginners?

Diver computers make it easy for novice divers to use. Dive computers will make safe diving much more enjoyable and alert you when there are any issues with decompression.

Do You Need A Dive Computer For Freediving?

Freedivers should have a dive computer. This computer not only helps you to stay safe while freediving, but it also boosts your performance.

The list of best freedive watch will be regularly updated to be included in additional data by our editor's team. Please keep an eye around for any amendments made to our website.

Our consultants could support you with problems related to best freedive watch and other things as well. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need advice.


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About Sarah Combs

Sarah Combs
Sarah Combs is a visual editor who loves to travel and hike. She enjoys taking photographs of her journeys, which help her to remember the beautiful places she's been to. Sarah is grateful for the opportunities that she has had to see the world and looks forward to continuing to explore new places in the future. Sarah is the editor of CampfireHQ since 2021 and has written on a variety of topics, from camping, and hiking to other outdoor guides.

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