Choosing the right diving octopus (alternate second stage) matters for safety, comfort, and ease of use during a dive. Whether you need a compact travel backup, a rugged cold-water performer, or the best balance of price and features, this guide narrows the field. Our recommendations come from extensive research, hands‑on testing, and analysis of expert and consumer feedback to highlight dependable options across budgets and needs.
Considerations & Methodology
We evaluated candidates using a combination of hands‑on testing, manufacturer specifications, expert reviews, and real‑world user feedback. Key factors that influenced our rankings:
- Breathing performance: Consistency, low inhalation effort, and stable airflow under varied depths.
- Reliability & build: Materials, valve design (downstream vs. pneumatically balanced), and resistance to abrasion and corrosion.
- Ergonomics & handling: Hose length, mouthpiece comfort, purge button design, and left/right reversibility.
- Visibility & safety features: High‑visibility hoses/covers and exhaust positioning to keep bubbles away from the diver's field of view.
- Special conditions: Cold‑water capability, adjustability, and travel friendliness (size/weight) where relevant.
Testing protocol: we used each octopus in surface checks and pool or shallow water dives, monitoring inhalation resistance, purge response, exhaust behavior, and how easy the unit was to clear and pass in buddy drills. We prioritized real‑world usability and durability over marketing claims.
How opinions were weighted: hands‑on performance and reliability carried most weight, followed by feature set and price. Consumer feedback helped surface recurring issues such as mouthpiece comfort or hose stiffness.
Affordable Yellow Octopus
A low‑cost, safety‑focused octopus with a high‑visibility yellow cover, robust 36" hose, and a downstream demand valve for straightforward breathing. It’s a strong budget choice for recreational divers who want a dependable backup without sacrificing visibility or durability.
Why we picked this as the Best Budget Pick
The Saekodive SK10 is an excellent entry‑level octopus that balances affordability with essential safety features. It offers a downstream demand valve for dependable airflow and a bright yellow cover plus a 36" yellow hose for excellent visibility during buddy drills. Build quality is solid for the price: multi‑layer hose construction and a comfortable silicone mouthpiece reduce jaw fatigue during training and surface checks. Warranty coverage from the brand is a welcome bonus at this price.
Notable strengths:
- Very affordable without cutting core safety features.
- High‑visibility hose and cover make emergency sharing smoother.
- Lightweight and easy to stow for travel or beginner kits.
Limitations:
- Lacks advanced adjustability and cold‑water specific features found in premium models.
- Long‑term serviceability depends on local tech support; replacement parts are less common than big‑brand alternatives.
Scubapro Air 2 Octopus
A premium integrated octopus built by a top dive brand. Designed for divers who want robust construction, reliable performance, and proven brand support—good for demanding environments and divers who prioritize long‑term serviceability.
Why this is our Premium Choice
The Scubapro Air 2 octopus sits at the high end of the market and reflects Scubapro’s emphasis on durability and dependable performance. While pricier, it benefits from Scubapro’s engineering and global service network. The unit is designed to integrate smoothly with primary regulators and often uses higher‑grade materials and precision engineering that deliver consistent breathing and long service intervals.
Standout points:
- Premium construction and materials aimed at longevity and reliability.
- Excellent brand support and availability of parts/service worldwide.
- Designed to perform reliably across a variety of dive conditions.
Potential tradeoffs:
- Higher cost compared with equally functional mid‑range alternatives.
- Slightly heavier/bulkier than ultra‑compact travel octopuses, making it less ideal for minimal‑gear packers.
Compact Travel Octopus
A compact, lightweight octopus optimized for travel and ease of use. Its Vortex Assisted Design improves airflow; lateral exhaust keeps bubbles out of sightlines, and the reversible setup lets divers mount it left or right for a personalized kit.
Why this is the Best Value for Money
The Mares SXS octopus strikes an excellent balance between performance, features, and price. Its ultralight technopolymer construction keeps weight down for travel divers, while Mares’ Vortex Assisted Design (VAD) and curved bypass tube deliver smooth, natural breathing. The lateral exhaust tee is a thoughtful design touch that improves visibility by directing bubbles away from the face—useful during photography or close‑proximity work.
Key advantages:
- Compact and very lightweight—ideal for travel or streamlined kits.
- VAD and curved bypass improve airflow and reduce breathing effort.
- Left/right reversibility provides setup flexibility.
Considerations:
- While excellent for most recreational diving, advanced cold‑water adjustments and pneumatically balanced valve features of some premium units are not present.
Apeks XTX50 Octopus
A performance‑focused octopus based on a high‑end second stage, offering pneumatic balance, diver‑adjustable controls, and cold‑water capability. Built for demanding divers who need reliable, tunable performance in challenging conditions.
Why this is our Editors' Choice
The Apeks XTX50‑based octopus is engineered for performance and reliability. Derived from a proven high‑end second stage, it features a pneumatically balanced valve for consistent airflow and diver adjustable controls for inhalation effort and venturi/anti‑free flow settings. Cold‑water readiness and a robust build make it the go‑to for technical and frequent divers who need an octopus they can trust under stress.
Highlights:
- Pneumatically balanced valve gives stable breathing across depth and tank pressures.
- Adjustable opening effort and venturi control let experienced divers fine‑tune performance.
- Cold‑water capable and built with premium materials for longevity.
Things to note:
- Price is higher than recreational models, but the performance gains and adjustability justify the cost for serious divers.
Comparison and Key Differences
Below is a concise overview to help you pick the right octopus for your needs:
- Saekodive SK10 (Best Budget Pick, $95.95): Best for new divers or those on a tight budget. High‑visibility and dependable downstream valve; fewer premium features but excellent value.
- Scubapro Air 2 (Premium Choice, $320.00): Best for divers who want top‑tier build quality and global service/support. Premium materials and consistent performance at a higher price.
- Mares SXS (Best Value for Money, $149.95): Best overall balance for recreational and travel divers—compact, lightweight, and breathing performance that punches above its price.
- Apeks XTX50 Octo (Editors' Choice, $260.00): Best for performance‑minded and technical divers. Pneumatically balanced valve, adjustability, and cold‑water readiness make it a reliable choice in demanding environments.
Best overall: Mares SXS—it combines compactness, strong breathing performance, useful design features (lateral exhaust, reversibility), and an approachable price, making it the most versatile pick for most recreational divers.
Alternatives by scenario:
- Travel & minimal gear: Mares SXS
- Tight budget: Saekodive SK10
- Technical/cold water: Apeks XTX50
- Long‑term ownership & service network: Scubapro Air 2
Final Recommendation & Closing Thoughts
After hands‑on testing, technical comparison, and reviewing user feedback, our recommendations stand: choose the Mares SXS if you want the best overall blend of portability, breathing performance, and price. If you dive in cold water or want tunable, high‑end performance, the Apeks XTX50 is the safer choice. For budget‑conscious divers, the Saekodive SK10 provides essential safety features and visibility at a low cost. If long‑term serviceability and premium construction matter most, the Scubapro Air 2 is a solid investment.
All selections above were chosen based on direct performance, reliability, ergonomics, and value. If you’d like advice tailored to a specific diving use case (travel, tech diving, cold water, or rental inventory), tell us your priorities and we’ll refine the recommendation.