10 of the Best Scuba Tanks Available – 2023 Update


10 of the Best Scuba Tanks Available

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Scuba diving is a rewarding hobby enjoyed by many beginners, enthusiasts and professionals around the world, but your overall experience and safety depend on having the right scuba tank. We’ve prepared some information and our pick of some of the best scuba tanks available on the market to help you in your search!

Product FAQ

1. What Should I Keep in Mind When Browsing for Scuba Tanks?

When you’re searching for new scuba tanks, there are a range of important features you should consider before deciding to make a purchase. These are:

Size

The standard oxygen capacity for most tanks is 80 cubic feet and is mostly used by recreational divers. Larger tanks can go up to 100 cubic feet and are excellent options for longer, deep dives, and smaller 63 cubic feet tanks are perfect for beginners or kids.

Materials

Most scuba tanks are made from either aluminium or steel, but some high-grade tanks are made from carbon fiber. Aluminium tanks are resistant to rust and start with a negative buoyancy that gradually turns positive as air is consumed. Steel tanks can take huge amounts of pressure and are better suited to deep dives, maintaining a negative to neutral buoyancy most of the time. Carbon fiber tanks combine the best of both worlds, but are usually more expensive because of the higher quality material.

Oxygen Compatibility

Typically, most novice or recreational divers will only require a basic scuba tank, but many professionals will customize concentrations of oxygen depending on the type of dive they’re doing. This mean the tank and the valve needs to be compatible with the special equipment needed to adjust oxygen concentrations to a higher level should the diver desire (20.9% O² is standard).

Ultimately, choosing the best scuba tank requires you to know your budget and whether you will be participating in recreational or professional diving. Each scuba tank will have their own unique features and capabilities, so make sure to read the specifications carefully to get the most out of your purchase.

How We Reviewed

To determine the best scuba tanks, we researched various brands and models which appear on top-selling lists and read online customer feedback forums. We compiled a list of our picks for the best scuba tanks based on their different Features, Pros & Cons, Price and Where to Buy for your comparison.

Overall Price Range

The lowest prices on Amazon begin at $170 and increase as high as $950. Expect much better performance and longevity out of the more expensive tanks.

What We Reviewed

Faber FX Series High Pressure Blue Steel Tank

Features

The Faber FX Series High-Pressure Blue Steel Tank is one of the best steel scuba tanks available with a lifetime guarantee. The Faber FX can hold a lot of air with its huge yet buoyant scuba cylinder and weighs approximately 34 pounds and uses 3442 PSI of pressure. Its steel housing provides excellent longevity, and the no over-filling mechanism makes the Faber FX a savvy purchase for any serious diver.

Pros

  • Rated as one of the best high-pressure steel tanks
  • Lifetime guarantee
  • Protects against overfilling
  • Nitrox cleans Oxygen and makes it suitable for use

Cons

  • Might be too expensive for casual divers

Price $$

Where to Buy

Catalina Alum Scuba Tank

Features

The Catalina 80cf Alum Scuba Tank is affordable, versatile and durable, making it a perfect purchase for many divers whether they be casual or professional. The high-aluminium housing is lightweight, weighing only 31 pounds, and the tank has an oxygen capacity of up to 80 cubic feet with a high-flow PSI rating of 3000. Overall, the Catalina 80cf Alum Scuba Tank is a reliable piece of equipment that will leave many divers satisfied.

Pros

  • Made from high-grade aluminium
  • Pro Valve mechanism makes switching between functions easy
  • High flow capacity with over 3000 PSI
  • Can store up to 80 cubic feet of air

Cons

  • Lacks advanced features

Price $

Where to Buy

IORMAN Carbon Fiber Air Tank

Features

The IORMAN 4500psi Air Tank delivers an abundance of high-quality features for the price. Constructed out of carbon fibre, the IORMAN Air Tank housing is extremely lightweight, and the cocoon of fibreglass adds security and durability. With up to 4500psi of pressure, this scuba tank is one of the strongest on our list and users have reported it can last a minimum of 15 years, making the IORMAN Carbon Fibre Air Tank a worthwhile investment for any diver.

Pros

  • 6.8L water volumes and 2040L gas volume for longevity
  • Can reach up to 50Mpa of hydrostatic pressure
  • Versatile for many diving conditions
  • Clean energy guarantee and emergency respirator

Cons

  • Durability issues with the gas cylinder valve

Price $$

Where to Buy

Sea Pearls 80 Aluminum Scuba Diving Air Tank

Features

The Sea Pearls Aluminium Scuba Diving Air Tank provides the best of all worlds in terms of pricing, pressure, usability and durability. Sporting up to 3000psi of pressure and an 80 cubic feet oxygen capacity, this aluminium scuba tank is a high-quality and safe option for many divers, especially beginners. The Hydro Stamp and VIP sticker certifications guarantee reliable performance, and the affordable price point makes the Sea Pearls Scuba Diving Tank a serious contender.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight – only 35 pounds
  • Simple and easy-to-use
  • Suitable for diving in groups or with a friend

Cons

  • Recommended more for beginners than professionals

Price $

Where to Buy

Faber High Pressure Steel Tank

Features

The Faber High Pressure Steel Tank is perfect for divers who want extreme durability out of their tanks for successful deep dives. This tank can handle an impressive amount of pressure while providing excellent buoyancy, going from -2.42 pounds to -9.41 pounds when full. It also has a high-flow rating with 3442psi of pressure, and a decent oxygen capacity of 40 cubic feet. Overall, the Faber High Pressure Steel Tank gives users a range of high-quality features for an affordable price.

Pros

  • Completely Nitrox ready (up to 40%)
  • Great buoyancy
  • Steel housing provide excellent durability

Cons

  • Steel can be susceptible to corrosion over time

Price $

Where to Buy

Scuba Dive Tank Faber Blue Steel HP

Features

Using the latest generation of cylinder technology, the 80 cu.ft Faber Blue Steel Dive Tank boasts a durable, high-pressure design, with chromium molybdenum steel and a corrosion resistant finish. The scuba tank is a DOT E-13488 specification which is suitable for Oxygen and Nitrox, an inlet thread of 3/4″ – 14 NPSM, and a Pro Valve-Standard Yoke and DIN compatible self-draining tank boot. Measuring 20.87″(H) without the valve x 7.24″ (D), and weighing 28.6lbs, without the valve, this scuba tank has a buoyancy of – 8.05 lbs when full and a buoyancy of – 1/74 lbs when empty.

For the price, this scuba tank offers value-for-money and is a great option for many experienced divers.

Pros

  • 3442 PSI High Pressure Nitrox Compatible to 40%
  • Durable
  • Includes full manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

  • Heavy when compared to aluminium tanks

Price $$

Where to Buy

Sherwood Aluminum Scuba Diving Dive Tank

Features

Sherwood is a reputable manufacturer of scuba tanks, and their collaboration with dealer House Of Scuba guarantees that the Sherwood Aluminum 100 Cubic Foot Scuba Diving Tank delivers on performance and reliability. This tank is simple, easy-to-use and is reasonably priced considering it has up to 3300psi of pressure. Weighing in at 46.2 pounds, this Sherwood scuba tank is a little heavy, but it can handle high amounts of pressure which is perfect during deep sea dives.

Pros

  • House of Scuba is an authorized dealer and guarantees quality
  • 3300psi is great for longer dives
  • Made by a reliable manufacturer of scuba tanks

Cons

  • Price could be a little cheaper for this kind of scuba tank

Price $

Where to Buy

IORMAN Carbon Fiber Air Tank

Features

If you’re looking for the best of the best regardless of price, the IORMAN 88 Cubic Foot Carbon Fiber Air Tank is the one for you. With a strong carbon fiber housing, this tank is lightweight, weighing only 8.2 pounds, delivers high amounts of pressure with up to 4500psi, and is completely resistant to corrosion, shocks and burst pressure. It has 88 cubic feet of oxygen capacity and features a built-in pressure gauge and bleed valve. While the IORMAN Carbon Fiber Air Tank may be pricey for most, it also delivers on performance with a range of high-quality features.

Pros

  • Lightweight carbon fiber housing, reduces weight by 70%
  • Quality tested to ensure a high-standard of performance and safety
  • Large range of features: escape respirator, fire protection, clean energy rating, and easy-to-fill functions

Cons

  • One of the most expensive scuba tanks on our list

Price $$$

Where to Buy

Sea Pearls High Pressure Steel Cylinders Scuba Diving Tanks

Features

The Sea Pearls High Pressure Steel Cylinders Scuba Diving Tanks provide a longer lasting solution to aluminum versions and are constructed from sturdy steel that is finished with a triple-protective zinc spray and epoxy/polyurethane paint. These scuba tanks are highly durable, and are guaranteed to resist high water pressure, stress and corrosion. While being heavy, this scuba tank is manageable and weighs 32 lbs when empty. The Sea Pearls High Pressure Steel Scuba Tanks are perfect for serious divers who want the most out of a deep dive.

Pros

  • Durable steel housing
  • Oxygen-cleaned
  • Triple-protective zinc spray and epoxy/polyurethane finish
  • High pressure flow

Cons

  • Heavy when compared to aluminium tanks
  • Not recommended for beginners

Price $$

Where to Buy

Luxfer Aluminum Tank With Pro Valve

Features

The Luxfer 40 Cubic Foot Aluminum Tank with Pro Valve is an excellent and affordable choice for beginner and casual divers. Its high-grade aluminum housing is lightweight, weighing only 14.9 pounds, and is resistant to corrosion for maximum longevity. This Luxfer scuba tank is also versatile, with a compact size to suit many users and a Pro Valve feature that is convertible for convenience and works with both DIN and Yoke regulators. For the price, this scuba tank is excellent value-for-money and will perform to satisfactory standards for many divers.

Pros

  • High-grade aluminum construction
  • 3000psi of pressure
  • Available in a range of colors
  • Compact size
  • Nitrox ready

Cons

  • Oxygen capacity is only 40 cubic feet
  • Not the best option for serious divers

Price $

Where to Buy

The Verdict

So these are our picks for the best scuba tanks on the market, based on features, price and pros and cons. After much deliberation, we recommend Sea Pearls 80 Aluminum Scuba Diving Air Tank for beginners and recreational divers, because of its affordability, lightweight and user-friendly design.

For more experienced divers, we would recommend the Faber FX Series High-Pressure Blue Steel Tank as its steel housing provides excellent longevity, the no-over-filling mechanism ensures your safety, and its lifetime guarantee gives you peace of mind. We hoped this has helped you with your search for the best scuba tanks!

Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson, a scuba diving enthusiast from San Diego, has spent over a decade exploring the underwater world across the globe. Sharing his passion through captivating stories and informative articles, Jack aims to inspire others to embark on their own scuba diving adventures and uncover the ocean's hidden treasures. Follow Jack on Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, and Facebook or email him at Jack@diving-info.com

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