Scuba diving is one of the most frightening, and thrilling things on the planet. There’s nothing quite like going beneath the waves and viewing a world few dare to adventure into. To brave the watery deep, you need an air tank. The Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank is among top lists all over the internet, though they’re hard to find. But how does it hold up to its competition?

What is a Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank?

This compact scuba tank is designed to hold your oxygen for you. So when you’re down with the fish, you can still breathe without weighing you down like regular sized scuba tanks.

Luxfer claims that this tank includes a deluxe Pro Valve and says that this tank can handle a max fill pressure of 3300 PSI without being able to overfill it. It does come in at about 34.7 pounds when it’s empty though so that the weight may be a factor, but there are no customer complaints about it thus far. It is DOT approved and comes with the valid stickers you need to dive with and is overall adored by the scuba community. Brushed in aluminum, it is resistant to rust and corrosion.

Customer reviews

The Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank is rated 5.0 out of 5-stars on Amazon. However, there are only eight reviews on this tank so that rating may drop as more people review it.

Price range

The Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank costs between $200 and $270, depending on where you purchase it.

How We Reviewed

To review the  Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank, we looked at its price range, specs, and what customers are saying about the product. We also looked at some of its competitors and compared it to the Luxfer tank.

Diving Into the Competition

The following products are the most comparable to the Luxfer tank.

Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High-Pressure Blue Steel Tank

At $400 to $420 the Faber FX is a little pricey compared to the Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank. On top of that, it’s relatively easy to use if you know a thing or two about scuba gear. One reviewer said it took a beating and survived all while reducing their weight by about 4 pounds compared to a standard sized tank. The tank only has three reviews on Amazon but they are all 5.0 out of 5-stars.

Overall though it’s a great high-pressure scuba tank if you’re looking to get a reliable tank, the question here though is, is the Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank more reliable?

Pros and Cons:

This tank is a little more on the expensive side, but do you get what you pay for in the world of scuba tanks? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the Faber FX and see what people think.

Pros:

• Has no bad reviews
• Strong quality
• Full warranty
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Pricey
• A little heavier than the Luxfer

80 Cf Scuba Dive Tank Faber Blue Steel

At $300 to $360 this tank is a little closer in price to our Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank. The tank is an 80cf high-pressure steel tank. It has all F-X Series cylinders are oxygen cleaned and suitable for Nitrox use. It has a height of 20.87-inches without the valve, a diameter of 7.24-inches and weighs 28.6 pounds without the valve.

The tank is rated 4.3 out of 5-stars on Amazon. However, there are only three reviews, and that review may not hold up down the line.

Pros and Cons:

Though it doesn’t have a lot of reviews, this little tank does have its pros and cons. From rusting to durability lets take a look and see what the Scuba Dive Tank has in store.

Pros

• Durable
• Easy to use
• Full warranty

Cons

• May not come as photographed
• Potential explosion hazard during shipping

Catalina 63 Cubic Foot Aluminum Tank

This tank comes in a bunch of different colors, and at $200 to $205 this tank is a little more affordable than the other two competitors. Most of the customers seem to be happy with it, but the reviews aren’t all sunshine and rainbows. Some customers are saying they aren’t getting the right tank when they order or that it’s not the right size. It has a 4.3 out of 5-stars, and since the tank is made of aluminum, it doesn’t rust or corrode. Catalina claims it’s great for smaller divers and that its valve is Nitrox compatible.

From the reviews, it doesn’t seem difficult to use and is a top competitor against the Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank. Any of the negative reviews seem to directly associate with shipping the right tank; other than that though it appears that the Catalina does just as well as the Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank.

Pros and Cons:

This colorful dive tank has more reviews than some of its competitors, but it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Let’s take a look and see what the Catalina has in store for us.

Pros

• No corrosion
• Great for small divers

Cons

• Wrong size and tank may be delivered

Sherwood Aluminum 100 CF Scuba Diving 3300 psi Dive Tank

Made of aluminum this tank tallies in at $270 to $280 which ranges in at a middle ground compared to its competitors. The tank weighs about 46 pounds and has a 30.3-inch valve, which makes it a little heavier than the Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank. This tank is pretty average, and though it is a little heavy and long. Unfortunately, there are not enough customer reviews online to really good an idea of how well it works for people.

Pros and Cons:

People don’t have a lot to say about the Sherwood, but what little there is just might make a big difference in your scuba gear decision. Let’s break down what people are saying about this tank.

Pros

• Aluminum prevents rust
• Not transported while full

Cons

• Heavy
• Not a lot of reviews

The Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank Pros and Cons

The cheapest option available is the Luxfer, but does it hold up to the durability and reliability of some of its contenders? Let’s take a look at what this scuba tank can really do.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Can take a beating
• Brushed aluminum prevents corrosion

Cons

• Hard to find

Our Verdict

The Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank is a great tank that holds up to and meets competitors needs. Also with a full warranty, this tank is made of quality material and can take some bumps. If you’re looking for a solid scuba tank that performs just as well as the Faber FX Series, but costs much less you’ve found it.

The Luxfer holds up to its competitors easily, all without breaking the bank. Compared to the Faber FX it has the same quality and ease of use. When we compare the Luxfer to the Scuba Dive tank, the shipping is a little safer.

The Catalina makes up for the shipping errors with an almost wholly rust free tank. This tank is brushed with aluminum to prevent rusting. Overall the Luxfer Compact 80 CF Tank matches and exceeds the expectations of its competitors. If you’ve used these tanks before please let us know what you think of them in the comments!