Suppose you’re someone who regularly engages in the activities of snorkeling or diving. In that case, you will be more than aware of how frustrating it can be to lose momentum when trying to explore the wonders hidden underwater. Like in any industry, snorkeling enthusiasts saw that this was an issue and created the underwater scooter. The underwater scooter isn’t a new idea, and you may recognize it from any famous film, including water sports. Due to the fact that this handy bit of tech is not commonly owned, people aren’t aware of how accessible underwater scooters are or how inexpensive they can be.
What is an underwater scooter?
Whenever a diver goes underwater, they take a tank of gas with them that will last for a limited time, usually around an hour. Often this means you are limited to how far you can go as you don’t want to run the risk of running out of oxygen and potentially drowning. The water scooter was put into place to prolong the space you can cover when diving by accelerating the speed you move at. An underwater scooter works by using a propeller, pulling the diver through the water. They are usually powered by a battery instead of an engine, making them quite environmentally friendly.
Why are people choosing to use underwater scooters?
Aside from the fact that an underwater scooter enables you to cover more ground when diving, there are many other reasons why people choose to purchase underwater scooters. One of the main reasons is the conservation of energy. If you are using an underwater scooter, you don’t have to swim constantly to get to the locations that you want to, as you can depend on the pull of the scooter. This means that you won’t feel fatigued as quickly and will be able to enjoy the underwater experience for longer. Using an underwater scooter also means that you exasperate yourself far less, which means you use less oxygen in the tank – once more, prolonging how long you’ll be able to stay underwater. Not only is it just efficient, but these underwater scooters have jumped in popularity due to them just being an interesting little gadget.
What do you need to know to find the best underwater scooters?
What kind of diving do you do?
Though an underwater scooter can be a nifty gadget, it will not necessarily fit the needs of every diver. If you do snorkeling in shallow water, you probably won’t need an underwater scooter as you won’t have much distance to travel; instead, you should consider checking out the best snorkel mask available on the market right now. However, if you plan to do what is considered more deep-sea diving, this would be a handy tool. However, in this case, you would have to be careful not to get too carried away and travel too far with the scooter.
Using it safely
Before you buy an underwater scooter, you should ensure that you are aware of all of the safety procedures that you should follow when using one. Every scooter has different speeds and power levels and so will not be able to travel the exact distances. You should be aware of how far you will be able to travel with the scooter, as well as what the battery power is like. If you fail to do this, you may purchase a weaker model and find yourself only being able to use it for short periods of time, which may compromise your health. If you do purchase an underwater scooter, don’t jump in headfirst. Every chance that the particular unit you have purchased may malfunction, so you don’t want to go deep-sea diving before you know that it’s fully functioning.
Maintenance
Like any vehicle, underwater scooters require a certain amount of maintenance. You must make sure that the propeller is properly cleaned after use as it can easily be clogged with items found underwater, which could compromise how well it works. If you aren’t happy with your scooter’s speed or other elements, it is vital that you don’t try to make any alterations yourself. If you fiddle with any of the hardware, you may damage how the scooter works, which may risk your life in the future. Make sure that you get an underwater scooter with a warranty or insurance so that you can get it replaced if it stops working.
Battery
Battery life is significant when purchasing an underwater scooter as the battery life will dictate how long you are able to use the device. The cheaper the scooter is, the less battery life it is likely to have, so if you are someone that will want to travel far when diving- then you should consider investing in a pricier scooter. If you are not in the position to purchase a pricier scooter, then it may be worth purchasing some spare batteries so that you can dive for longer.
Handling
Not every model will be used the same way, and some require you to hold the scooter with both hands, whereas some don’t require you to hold them at all. If you have any disability, you may not be able to use handed underwater scooters, so you should look into purchasing one that uses a leash.
Speed
Speed can really vary between each scooter, but you should expect a range of around 2-5 mph. If you plan on using the scooter for some light diving, you won’t need it to be too fast. Getting a scooter that is a little slower may also save you a bit of money in the long run, especially if you don’t need it. If you are going to dive quite far, you will benefit from higher speeds as you will be able to travel further at faster speeds.
Buoyancy
Another feature of an underwater scooter that people are fast to glaze over is buoyancy. A scooter can either have negative or positive buoyancy. The fundamental difference is that negative buoyancy will pull you down into the water, whereas positive buoyancy will help you stay afloat. Some water scooters allow you to adjust the buoyancy, so check whether or not those are available.
Our Top Picks for the Best Underwater Scooters
G GENEINNO Underwater Scooter
Specs
- Speed: 4 mph
- Depth: 164 ft
- Run time: 45 minutes
- Weight: 2.29 lbs
The Geneinno is arguably one of the most famous underwater scooter options available right now, especially for vacationing young families. This scooter has sprung into popularity due to a number of factors.
The first characteristic of this particular scooter that has allowed it to remain so popular is its portability. The Geneinno only weighs a remarkable 2.29 lbs and can fit into any carry-on luggage without any issues. This has made it extremely popular for people who regularly go on holiday and engage in water sports. This water scooter is also compatible with most go-pros and will fit the needs of anyone who does any aquatic life photography. It also means that your swimming won’t be restricted when underwater as you will be able to record all that you need to without having to hold a camera.
This scooter was produced ideally for shallow diving, and however, it can reach depths of 164 ft. This scooter has a positive buoyancy, which means that it will help you stay afloat. This is perfect for anyone with children, as it will help them stay afloat. Not only this, but if someone was to let go of the scooter, then it would just float to the surface of the water and would not be lost.
One of the more unappealing elements of this scooter that you may notice is the battery life. You can expect around 45 minutes of running time from this scooter which may not seem like a lot, however for the intended use of this scooter, that is more than enough. This scooter also reaches speeds of 4 mph, which means you can really make the most of the time that you do spend underwater. The battery is also removable, which means if you have plans for longer diving trips, then you always have the option to charge a few up and then replace them when you need to. It may be worth investing in a diving watch to know when your scooter is about to die; if you aren’t sure where to find one, you can always check out the best dive watches for less than 1500 available on the market.
Overall, this is just an excellent underwater scooter at a more than reasonable price. It is a perfect tool for anyone who wants to jet off on holiday or record their underwater travels. It also looks great, with a modern orange matte finish- what’s not to love?
Sublue WhiteShark
Specs
- Speed: 3 mph
- Depth: 40 ft
- Run time: 30 minutes
- Weight: 6 lbs
This particular underwater scooter looks similar to something that you would find in Sci-Fi movies due to its futuristic look. It looks like a quality bit of technology, and if you look at all of its features, you can see that the intrinsic features match the sleek external look.
This is another ideal model for people who don’t plan on doing some deep-sea diving as it is limited to depths of 40 ft. This means that we would not recommend this model if you plan on traveling further. This underwater scooter also gives you the opportunity to mount a camera, which is perfect for anyone that enjoys recording what they see underwater.
This particular scooter uses a dual propeller system and is capable of hitting speeds of 3mph, and this means that it’s pretty powerful, and you will be able to cover a lot of range in a short amount of time. However, the scooter only has a run time of around 30 minutes. On the one hand, this is a slight issue due to its limitations in terms of time you can spend underwater, which can be a bit inconvenient. However, this really isn’t the wrong time considering the low price of the scooter. It also isn’t too bad if you consider that it was made for use in shallow water, where you won’t really be traveling too deep. Even though the runtime is a little shorter than a lot of underwater scooters available on the market, the scooter does come with a rechargeable battery, so if it dies, it can be quickly recharged.
This is another underwater scooter with positive buoyancy, which means that if you were to let go of it in the water, it would float to the top, and you wouldn’t lose it. This feature has also made it very popular among people who are learning how to swim, as it enables them to stay afloat as they learn while also gently encouraging them to kick forward with their legs.
It is also an extremely simple device to use, as all you need to do is press down on the handles to start the propellers, and when the handles are not being touched, the gadget stops completely.
Yamaha Seascooter with camera mount
Specs
- Speed: 2 mph
- Depth: 15 ft
- Run time: 1.5 minutes
- Weight: 12 lbs
This particular design of water scooter may be the design that you are more familiar with as divers commonly use it within their training process. It has a classic bright red design, which means it will easily stand out in the water in the event that you may lose it.
This particular water scooter is designed with family fun in mind and suits more recreational purposes, such as water treading and swimming. Due to the fact that it was produced with families in mind, this underwater scooter also has a lot of inbuilt safety features. One of the main features that distinguish this particular scooter from others on the list is the caged propeller, and this makes it increasingly safer to use- especially for people with children. It also has an automatic shutoff system, which means if it starts to overheat or get jammed, it will turn itself off.
Once again, this scooter has positive buoyancy. This only continues the trend of this scooter being perfect for children as it will help them stay afloat while using it. It also means that you don’t really have to worry about losing the scooter as it will float to the top of whatever body of water that you are swimming in.
What really stands out about this sea scooter is the prime running time of 1 and a half minutes. This will give you plenty of time to explore the body of water that you are swimming in, with time to spare. While you’re spending a long time under the water, you also have the chance to record all that you see. This is due to the fact that there is space to mount any adventure camera, such as a go pro. This means you can enjoy your adventures while also recording the memories.
Sublue Seabow Professional
Specs
- Speed: 4 mph
- Depth: 131 ft
- Run time: 75 minutes
- Weight: 8 lbs
This is one of the more advanced options on the list and is catered more towards the deep-diving community. It features an OLED screen that displays all of the data that you need to know when underwater. This data includes the speed, battery power, and which mode it is currently in. The battery power display is handy, as it means you will know exactly how long you will have left in terms of operation time. It also tells you how long it has been running for, which means you won’t need to buy an additional diving watch.
This scooter is also one of the only ones on the market that uses a dual-motor system, which means you will be able to fight against solid currents without draining your scooter power efficiently. This feature also saves the user a lot of energy, which is especially useful for any long-distance diving session, which matches up with the fantastic run time of 75 minutes. This means that you will have plenty of time to explore the hidden wonders that the sea has to offer without worrying about your scooter dying unexpectedly.
There is also the option for this particular scooter to become one-handed. This means that you have free use of your other hand without having to worry about the scooter no longer working because your hand isn’t pressing the button.
The manufacturers for Sublue also put a lot of focus into making sure that they are delivering a quality product. They have used industry-leading waterproofing technology to make sure that this scooter is completely waterproof. This protects all of the internal features of the scooter, such as the battery, and means that the scooter will have a longer life span.
On top of this, the scooter can reach speeds of up to 4 mph. This is just about as fast as an underwater scooter can go and means you will be able to cover way more space on a single charge. It also means that if you notice that your scooter is losing charge, you can hurry back to land and change the battery.
Overall this is an excellent scooter option due to its remarkable look, high-tech features, and excellent running time. It is more of a mid-range item, which means you will be spending a bit more money, but you will be getting an excellent product in exchange.
Yamaha YME 22500
Specs
- Speed: 4 mph
- Depth: 130 ft
- Run time: 90 minutes
- Weight: 12 lbs
This is a pretty heavy-duty underwater scooter that can deliver some excellent performance. This particular scooter was made to have flexibility in mind and cater to professional users and those using it for recreational use.
This scooter can hit speeds of 4 mph but also has 3-speed options. This means that you don’t have to keep going at a constant speed, so you can take the time to slow down and really take in your underwater surroundings. It also means you can save a bit of power when you don’t need to use it too intensely, which will prolong the time you can use it.
You won’t really need to worry about the battery life of this scooter, as it offers a run time of around 90 minutes. This is more than enough time to really make the most of your diving experience, and when matched with the fantastic speed of the scooter, you will be able to cover a lot of range.
A beneficial feature that this scooter has is auto buoyancy. Usually, when you buy a scooter, it will either have negative or positive buoyancy. This means that they will exceed in specific environments, whereas this scooter will be able to thrive in all. It also means that you don’t have to try and fight against the pull of your scooter, which will save you a lot of energy in the long run.
Another feature that makes this scooter stand out is the flood prevention system they have put into place. This means you don’t have to worry about your scooter’s battery being compromised, which will ensure your safety. This advanced waterproofing also means that your scooter will have a longer lifespan. This is because the internal hardware won’t be damaged, which is, unfortunately, a big issue for a lot of lower-quality underwater scooters.
This scooter also looks really good. This scooter will fit in nicely with any diving kit with a sleek black matte finish and green trim.
Aquarobotman MagicJet Seascooter
Specs
- Speed: 4 mph
- Depth: 164 ft
- Run time: 100 minutes
- Weight: 7 lbs
At first glance, you may be put off by the appearance of the scooter due to its unique design. The Aquarobotman uses a single trigger system, which means that you only have to use it with one hand. It is also encouraged that you purchase one for either hand if you want a more robust experience, as you will be propelled through the water much faster.
Appearances can be incredibly deceiving. As though it may look odd, this underwater scooter can be mighty. Firstly it can deliver around four mph when in use, meaning you will be able to travel far very quickly. This means that you can really make the most of the battery life and travel as deep as you need to.
This scooter is very interesting because it can be readjusted to fit everyone’s individual needs. If you are someone who prefers one-handed use, then you can do this. However, if you feel more comfortable using a two-hand design, you can place the underwater scooters so that they are parallel.
The manufacturers really set out to ensure that their product was as eco-friendly as possible. To do this, they used a MagicJet, which will not pollute the water and will not be too disruptive to the wildlife that you may encounter during your diving experience. This experience will also last longer due to the Aquarobotman’s exceptional run time of around 100 minutes. This is a very long time for an underwater scooter and will be fantastic for anyone who plans on doing a long diving venture. It would also work for someone who wants to use the scooter during aquatic sports as you will get hours of fun out of a single charge,
For those of you who like to keep records of your time underwater, you will be excited to hear that there are three mounting points on the scooter. This means that you will film all of the footage you want and get a 360 perspective of your surroundings.
Jerry Rat Underwater Scooter
Specs
- Speed: 5 mph
- Depth: 66 ft
- Run time: 100 minutes
- Weight: 30 lbs
Though this is the last on the list, the Jerry Rat Underwater scooter is still an exceptional piece of equipment. The first thing that you will notice about the scooter is its exciting design, which is comparable to that of a plane. This particular design choice is actually highly functional, as it means that the scooter is really streamlining, meaning you will be able to cover a lot of space efficiently.
This scooter is an absolute powerhouse in the underwater scooter world. It boasts 100 minutes of running time, which is more than enough time to do any underwater activities that you may be taking part in. This scooter has the highest speeds of any on the list and can reach speeds of around 5mph, which means you are guaranteed to travel a long distance during the 100 minutes that you are underwater. A progressive acceleration system also allows you to change your speed while using the scooter, which is excellent if you want to slow down to check out your surroundings or speed up to avoid a potential obstacle quickly.
This scooter also has safety in mind and uses positive buoyancy to ensure that the user is able to float to the surface if necessary. It also means that you don’t have to worry about losing your scooter in the water if you let go of it, as it will naturally float to the top. There is also an automatic switch-off feature, which means that if anything starts to malfunction, the device will turn off. This means that your safety won’t be compromised, especially if you get anything caught in the propeller blades.
Like most of the underwater scooters on the list, this one also enables you to mount a camera to the front. This means that you will be able to easily record any adventures that you go on when using this scooter. Not only this, but the camera that you mount to this scooter will be able to connect to a waterproof interface, meaning that you can see whatever footage that you manage to pick up. This is really useful because often, when using a go pro, you don’t get to see what you are recording and often end up with unusable content, so this system prevents that,
The Best Types of Underwater Scooters
Now that you have seen our top seven underwater scooter options, you may still be lost as to which one is the best for you. We understand that it can be confusing, so we have picked out the best options for differing situations.
The Best Underwater Scooter for Families
Geneinno
Without a doubt, the Geneinno underwater scooter is the best scooter option for family use. It has a positive buoyancy which means that you don’t have to worry about your child using it and being dragged down, but you also won’t have the problem of it being lost underwater if dropped. It also falls under a reasonable price range, so you won’t be hit too hard if a child accidentally breaks it.
The Fastest Underwater Scooter
The Jerry Rat underwater scooter is capable of reaching the highest speeds on the list. It will be the perfect scooter for anyone that loves traveling through the water at high speeds, and this scooter will get you to your desired location fast. You can also control the speed settings, so if at any point you decide to slow down, you will be able to do so quickly.
The Best Underwater Scooter for Video
The Aquarobotman MagicJet Seascooter is perfect for those of you that enjoy making content when diving. With 3 mounting points, this scooter will have you covered on all fronts and will allow you to put together some really good video and in-depth video content.
