Diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) – more commonly known as underwater scooters – enable divers in a variety of underwater propulsion applications. These motorized devices help increase your range and speed during underwater excursions. By allowing divers to use less air, they can prove a real asset on scooter snorkel tours. A powerful motor will also enable you to move against strong ocean currents, allowing you to enjoy your surroundings without feeling exhausted.

If you’re thinking about purchasing an underwater scooter, it’s essential to understand its various features. Reading sea scooter reviews can help you know which model is right for you and the activities you intend on doing.

Popular Choice

Jetpod Pro YAMAHA

★★★★★YAMAHA JetPod Pro Underwater Dive SeaScooter, Quick and Powerful Rotor with 3 Speed Control, Compact and Easy to use

Top PickMost Popular

Underwater Scooter S1 LEFEET

★★★★★LEFEET Underwater Scooter S1 Pro with Action Camera Mount, Modular Sea Scooter, 40M Depth Rating for Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming

Best Value

Underwater Sea Scooter CELLBEE

★★★★★sublue WhiteShark Mix Underwater Scooter Dual Motors, Action Camera Compatible, Water Sports Swimming Pool Scuba Diving for Kids & Adults

ALL THE UNDERWATER SCOOTER THAT WE TESTED

LEFEET Underwater Scooter S1

OUR TOP PICK

LEFEET Underwater Scooter S1 Pro with Action Camera Mount, Modular Sea Scooter, 40M Depth Rating for Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming

General Impression

If you’re looking for something compact and light for underwater cruising, then the LEFEET underwater scooter S1 is the right for you. It has wireless control, multiple speed settings, and it can be taken with you on a plane. It reaches 4.47 mph maximum speed with a runtime between 30-60 minutes. The design is also modular so you can play around with the accessories.

Specifications

BRAND: Lefeet
WEIGHT: 24 lbs (11 kg)
MAX SPEED: 4.47 mph (7.19 kph)
MAX DEPTH: 40m (131ft)
RUN TIME: 30-60 minutes

PROS

  • Lightweight and Airplane approved battery 
  • Modular Design
  • Wireless control 
  • Up to 60 minutes runtime

CONS

  • Quite expensive

CELLBEE Underwater Sea Scooter

BEST VALUE

sublue WhiteShark Mix Underwater Scooter Dual Motors, Action Camera Compatible, Water Sports Swimming Pool Scuba Diving for Kids & Adults

General Impression

The CellBee underwater sea scooter is probably the cutest of all. However, don’t let its cute design fool you – this underwater scooter packs quite a punch with a 360 W high-power motor. The runtime is shorter at 45 mins maximum at low speed,  but with the 2.7mph top speed, it’s just enough for a 20 min enjoyable cruise through the sea. It can be controlled through a proprietary app and it also features a parental remote for the maximum safety of your kids.

Specifications

BRAND: CellBee
WEIGHT: 5.9 lbs (2.6 kg)
MAX SPEED: 2.7mph (4.3kmh)
MAX DEPTH: 30m (100ft)
RUN TIME: 45 minutes

PROS

  • Lightweight and simple to use
  • App-controlled and Parental Remote option
  • Airline approved battery
  • Action camera compatible

CONS

  • Low runtime with only 20 mins at top speed

YAMAHA Jetpod Pro

General Impression

The Yamaha Jetpod Pro is by no means a children’s toy, as it can reach a top speed of 5.3 mph with a very impressive runtime of 65 minutes. The Jetpod Pro throttle allows you to choose between three different speeds very easily when underwater. Additionally, it has positive buoyancy, so it will always bounce back to you.

Specifications

BRAND: Yamaha
WEIGHT: 8.36 lbs (3.7 kg)
MAX SPEED: 5.3 mph (8.5 kph)
MAX DEPTH: 30m (100ft)
RUN TIME: 65 minutes

PROS

  • Can reach speeds up to 5.3 mph 
  • Runtime of 65 minutes
  • 3 different speeds
  • Positive buoyancy

CONS

  • Bulky design can make traveling with it hard

SUBLUE Whiteshark Tini

General Impression

Another great product from Sublue, the Whiteshark Tini can be upgraded to one of the fastest underwater scooters. The Tini goes up to 3.1 mph, but if you want to go faster, you can upgrade to three Tini units thanks to its innovative modular design. With the 2 gear speed option and 3 Tini units, you can reach speeds of 5.59 mph. It comes with wireless control and a camera mount, so let your creativity flow on your next diving adventure.

Specifications

BRAND: Sublue
WEIGHT: 6.6 lbs (3 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3.1 mph (4.9 kmh)
MAX DEPTH: 20 m (65 ft)
RUN TIME: 45 minutes

PROS

  • 3.1 mph top speed 
  • 2 gear speed switch 
  • Modular design
  • Wireless connection and control

CONS

  • Can be expensive to upgrade 
  • Relatively short runtime at 45 mins

SUBLUE Navbow Underwater Scooter

General Impression

The Sublue Navbow underwater scooter is a true joy to have. With up to 60mins of battery life, 4.47mph maximum speed, and three different speeds to choose from, this underwater scooter is the best companion for deep dives. It features an OLED display so you can keep track of the speed, battery life, hand operation time, and operating time.

Specifications

BRAND: Sublue
WEIGHT: 20 lbs (9.34 kg)
MAX SPEED: 4.47 mph (7.19 kph)
MAX DEPTH: 40m (131ft)
RUN TIME: 60 minutes

PROS

  • Longer runtime than most underwater scooters
  • Has an action camera mount
  • Can reach a maximum speed of 4.47mph
  • Three different speeds (Normal, Sport, Turbo)

CONS

  • Quite Expensive

YAMAHA RDS300

General Impression

The Yamaha RDS300 is an underwater scooter designed for cruising. It goes up to 3mph at a max depth of 100ft. But what’s truly remarkable is the 1.5 hours run time with normal use. This is more than twice what other underwater scooters have, however it comes at the cost of its speed. It also has a built-in camera mount so you can record all of your underwater adventures. 

Specifications

BRAND: Yamaha
WEIGHT: 18 lbs (8. 2 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3 mph (4. 8 kmh)
MAX DEPTH: 30m (100ft)
RUN TIME: 1.5 hours

PROS

  • Long runtime of up to 1.5 hours with normal use
  • Maximum  depth 100ft

CONS

  • Lead Acid Battery needs maintenance 
  • Quite heavy at 18 pounds

G GENEINNO Electric Underwater Sea Scooter

General Impression

The Mahaishangmao underwater Scuba scooter packs quite a powerful motor with a 500 W DC electric motor and can reach a top speed of 4 mph. The buoyancy can be adjusted for up to 30 m underwater. Because of its lightweight frame, it can be operated with a single hand without losing control over it.

Specifications

BRAND: Mahaishangmao
WEIGHT: 1.6 lbs ( 3.7 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3.1 mph (4.9 kmh)
MAX DEPTH: 30m (100ft)
RUN TIME: 40- 60 minutes

PROS

  • Lightweight 
  • Powerful 1300 W DC electric motor
  • Adjustable buoyancy
  • Single hand operation

CONS

  • Battery is not included

AQUAROBOTMAN MagicJet

General Impression

With its unique modular design, this flexible underwater DPV can be adapted to your diving needs. Use one unit (with either one hand or two) to reach speeds of up to 3.9 miles per hour or combine two scuba scooters to propel you at double the velocity. These scuba and snorkel scooters can run up to 100 minutes before needing to be recharged, although switching batteries underwater is a breeze.

Specifications

BRAND: Aquarobotman
WEIGHT: 7.9 pounds (3.6 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3.9 mph (6.2 kph)
MAX DEPTH: 50m (164 ft)
RUN TIME: 100 minutes

PROS

  • The rechargeable battery can easily be switched underwater
  • One-hand design for greater freedom underwater
  • Two scooter units can be combined for faster speeds
  • Responsive LED battery indicator
  • Can attach two underwater cameras

CONS

  • Slightly bulky design but still fits into a backpack
  • Can be tricky to maneuver initially and requires some practice

SUBLUE WhiteShark

General Impression

This Sublue underwater scooter is one of the smallest dive scooters for sale. While Sublue’s DPV is incredibly stylish, its powerful dual propellers should not be underestimated. It can travel up to 3.3 miles per hour and reach depths of 40 meters. Sublue have also made scootering underwater simple. The high-quality lithium battery is 100% rechargeable and easily replaceable.

Specifications

BRAND: Sublue
WEIGHT: 7.7 pounds (3.5 kg)
MAX SPEED: 3.3 mph (5.3 kph)
MAX DEPTH: 40m (131 ft)
RUN TIME: 30 minutes

PROS

  • Features a universal camera and accessory mount
  • Reaches relatively high speeds of 3.3 miles an hour
  • 17.6-pound thrust
  • User-friendly design
  • Small and lightweight to fit into a backpack

CONS

  • Short battery time
  • Relatively expensive
  • Needs to be held down to maintain propulsion

BEST UNDERWATER SCOOTER
Buyer's Guide

TYPE

Most underwater scooters used for recreational dive purposes are tow-behind scooters. They feature a pair of handles for the diver to hold onto; a motor; and some form of propulsion device. However, wet subs are also available. These tend to be much larger and are often used in military operations to transport and deploy special operations forces.

SIZE

One of the first things you’ll notice about an underwater scooter for sale is its size. A DPV’s size impacts not only its portability but also its performance. Naturally, larger DPVs are capable of housing more powerful motors and propellers. Broadly speaking, a larger scooter will go deeper and faster than their smaller counterparts. However, smaller scooters are often compact enough to fit in your backpack. This portability makes them ideal for remote dive locations.

BATTERY LIFE

Battery life varies significantly between different underwater scooter models. They can offer anywhere from 30 minutes to around four hours of continuous use before you need to recharge the batteries. The battery life can determine the best underwater scooter for you, depending on how long you generally stay underwater. You can, however, purchase extra batteries to take with you if you plan on doing longer underwater excursions. Most sea scooters are designed so that you can replace the batteries safely underwater.

While some manufacturers have employed lithium-ion batteries in underwater scooters, most still feature sealed lead-acid batteries. These need to be removed from their housing to be recharged and will need to be replaced every few years as their energy storage depreciates.

SPEED

Underwater scooters generally vary in speed from around 2-4.5 miles an hour. However, the fastest underwater scooter on this list can reach speeds of 5.5 miles per hour. On paper, this might not appear very fast. But it does allow you to travel much further (and see more) than you would by finning alone.

DEPTH RANGE

The depth rating of underwater scooters can also vary considerably, anywhere from a few feet to several hundred feet. Depth ratings will limit how deep you should explore on a dive and could restrict you to scooter snorkeling instead.

BUOYANCY

Manufacturers also consider the buoyancy of underwater scooters, ensuring they don’t pull you up or down. An underwater scooter must maintain neutral buoyancy, so you don’t have to work at keeping it (and you) below the water’s surface. Most high-end DPVs will have built-in buoyancy controls, such as attachments or removable weights so you can achieve neutral buoyancy at various depths.

PRICE

One of the most prominent factors to consider when purchasing an underwater scooter is price. They can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Professional models at the higher end of the price range may offer advanced features. But you can also find mid-range options that are ideal for recreational diving and stack up well in sea scooter reviews.

 

PARTS OF AN UNDERWATER SCOOTER

 

External Controls

The controls on underwater scooters are designed to be watertight and should be easy to access and manipulate. Most DPVs will have a main power switch and a regulator to control speed. Your DPVs should have these components integrated into its steering system.

Hull

Similarly, the hull needs to be watertight (and gas-tight), as this is where the battery and circuitry are housed to supply energy to the propeller. If the hull floods, it can damage the interior elements of the scooter and impact its buoyancy. Some hulls are lined with rubber or other such materials to help it withstand underwater conditions. Some may also have flood warning lights that highlight any malfunctions.

Propeller Protection

All underwater scooters must have protection (such as radial vents or mesh paneling) over their propellers for safety purposes. But if you’re purchasing an underwater scooter for a child, it’s worth finding one with a safe cover so they cannot accidentally insert their fingers into the blades.

BEST UNDERWATER SCOOTER
FAQs

1. What is the best underwater diver propulsion vehicle?

The best underwater DPV depends on your individual needs – how deep you plan on diving and the speeds you want to reach. In our opinion, the Yamaha 500Li is one of the best underwater scooters on the market for high-level recreational diving. It can reach depths of up to 130 feet and speeds of 4.3 miles per hour, with a run time of up to 90 minutes. It boasts a high-performance lithium-ion battery and an ergonomic design, as well as an integrated accessory mount. But its powerful motor results in a bulky device that’s not ideal for travel.

2. How does a sea scooter work

A sea scooter is a motorized device that propels you underwater. It can be used for a variety of under applications, including snorkeling and scuba diving. An underwater scooter can increase your range and speed during underwater excursions, helping you get from A to B with ease. When used in scuba diving, it prevents you from using unnecessary air so you can explore for longer and see more. Underwater scooters may be particularly useful in areas with strong currents. They can help you to move against the current and access protected areas without feeling exhausted.

3. How deep can the scooter dive?

The depth rating of underwater scooters varies between models. It can range from a few feet to several hundred feet (and beyond recreational diving limits). The depth rating is an important feature to look for when purchasing a scooter as it will limit how far you can explore. If you’re a recreational diver who wishes to explore a diverse range of dive sites, look for an underwater scooter with a depth rating up to 164 feet (50 meters). If you’re just after an underwater scooter for family fun in the water, then a depth rating of 15 feet (4.5 meters) will do the job.

4. How to use an underwater scooter

To use an underwater scooter, turn on the mains power switch, hold onto the handles, and manipulate the speed trigger to start propelling forward. When you release the trigger, the motor will cease so you can stop. Underwater scooters can be used to travel parallel to the water’s surface, to descend or ascend. But remember, you still need to keep an eye on your air levels and ascend safely, just as you would when scuba diving without a scooter.

5. How fast does an underwater scooter go?

Underwater scooters range in speed from around 2 to 5.5 miles an hour. The speed is dependent on the model and the power of its motor. While this might not appear very fast, it will enable you to cover much greater distances underwater and move seamlessly against swift currents. Bigger models tend to be faster and more powerful. They are ideal for dive destinations in your backyard. However, large underwater scooters are cumbersome for scuba divers who are traveling by plane.

6. Where to buy Seadoo scooters?

Like most underwater scooters, you can purchase underwater Seadoo scooters online through Amazon or from individual manufacturers themselves. One of the benefits of purchasing through Amazon is being able to read the Seadoo sea scooter reviews of other users. If you’re living outside of the United States, check on comparable marketplace websites or with your local dive store to see what they have in stock.

7. How long do underwater scooter batteries last?

Batteries in underwater scooters can last anywhere from 30 minutes to around two hours of continual use, depending on the model. Most DPVs are designed so that their batteries can be easily replaced underwater. Be sure to have an additional battery accompany you on longer excursions. Doing so will ensure that you will never run out of power. If your battery does die underwater, most sea scooters are lightweight enough that you can easily tow them back to the shore or dive boat.
Batteries for sea scooters will need to be replaced around every four years, after which time they won’t hold their charge as they once did. While the DPV’s display may say that the battery is fully charged, it could still lose its charge quickly underwater. Unreliable battery life makes make it challenging to plan dives and underwater excursions.

8. Where can you purchase new batteries and parts?

New sea scooter batteries and components may be available online through Amazon or from the supplier from whom you made the original purchase. If not, you may need to check with the manufacturer of the underwater scooter to find out where batteries and parts are currently available.
Keep in mind that most manufacturers will eventually stop producing batteries and parts for older diver propulsion vehicle models. Finding replacement parts will become increasingly complicated. Replacing parts on older models will eventually end up being just as expensive as buying a new scooter). Sometimes dive shops still have old, unpurchased stock. Alternatively, you could find parts via online marketplaces and scuba diving notice boards. Another option for replacing parts in older scooters is looking for a similar model and using it as a “donor”.

9. How should you care for your underwater scooter?

Sea scooters should be cared for when it is not in use to ensure their longevity. The same goes for just about all scuba diving equipment. Rinse the saltwater off your DPV after use and wipe it down. Then proceed to store it in a dry place away from direct sunlight or extreme heat.
Be sure to maintain your DPV battery if you do not plan to use it for a few months; perhaps over the winter season. You could ruin the battery if you leave it to run out entirely. Charging it every three months will keep it in good working condition. When you remove your underwater scooter from storage, check that the O-rings are still providing a tight seal and that the battery is functional.

best sea scooter 2022

REACH OUT

As always, we create our content with you, fellow adventurers, in mind. So, how’d we do? Did you find this informative? Did it help you make a decision? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you below. Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one!

David Stefanoski

David Stefanoski is an avid outdoorsman who loves to explore the deepest, most exciting crevices of nature and then write about them. From the maximum depth that a scuba suit can go, to the maximum heights that his legs will take him, David enjoys the outdoors in its warmest, sunniest days on the prairie, to the iciest, dampest little spots in Eastern Europe. After 15 years of trudging, his favorite outdoorsman activity is still chopping wood due to his large body size. He says it's like splitting toothpicks!

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