Best Travel Regulators (2026) | Public Safety Diver’s Top Picks
Written by our lead diver at Scuba Space, a PADI Master Scuba Diver and Law Enforcement Public Safety Diver with 12+ years of professional underwater operations experience.
Regulators are lifesaving gear, but on travel dives, a clunky set can eat up precious luggage space and add unwanted pounds to your bag.
The ideal travel regulator is ultra-compact, feather-light, and environmentally sealed to handle everything from tropical reefs to dusty rental tanks.
From years of flying to dive sites worldwide, these are the setups we recommend to breathe easy without the baggage hassle.
So, let’s not waste anymore time and get into it!
Check out our guide here if you don’t know where to start:
*Scuba Space is a participant of affiliate programs and earns from qualified purchases*
Quick Comparison
Before we get into the depths, here’s a quick look at how our top picks stack up. Peek at the table below to see if any catch your attention, then dive into the full reviews for all the spicy details. Click those links if you see something you like!
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Cressi AC2 + Compact
4.5
- Ideal scuba diving regulator for beginners and travelers at an affordable price.
- A heavy-duty piston 1st stage, affordable, simple, reliable and robust, suitable for intense use.
- Conical filter with large filtering capacity, essential for preventing infiltration of particles from the tanks.
- Exterior LP regulation with a common hexagonal key, greatly facilitates managing adjustments and technical maintenance.
- Asymmetrical frontal 2nd stage cover drilling.
The Cressi AC2 + Compact is a simple regulator tailored for dive centers and rental programs, which means it’s perfect for travel.
The 1st stage reg (Cressi AC2) features a straightforward, unbalanced piston design that can be used in water temps above 10°C. It’s only got one high pressure port, meaning it’s only suitable for divers that don’t need air integration.
Unique to Cressi is the AC2’s external 1st stage IP adjustment system. This feature lets you fine-tune the intermediate pressure while the reg is still on the cylinder. The AC2 shares the same maintenance kit for both INT and DIN versions and is even compatible with parts from Cressi’s other regs.
The 2nd stage reg (Cressi Compact) is lightweight and comfortable. This helps keep jaw fatigue to a minimum for longer dives. There’s a large purge button that’s easy for newer divers to locate and the adjustable Venturi system has two options: pre-dive to minimize free flows, and dive mode for optimizing performance underwater.
The reg combo was built to take all your travel beatings with its impact-resistant front cover, anti-scratch surface, and easy-to-maintain design.
Editor’s Note: This reg was made to take a beating. If you know you’re the careful type, this is the one to get. If it was designed to get beat up on a dive boat, it can survive being randomly tossed in your luggage.
Mares DUAL ADJ 62X
5
- Auto-Sealing Technology (AST) automatically activates air flow to prevent flooding and maintain dryness
- Patented Dynamic Flow Control (DFC) on all LP ports ensures optimal and steady gas delivery, minimizing pressure drop even in extreme conditions
- 2nd stage demand valve is made from ultra-light & ultra-strong technopolymer
- With a side adjustment knob, divers can easily control the breathing effort according to their needs
The Mares DUAL ADJ 62X is an ultralight, high-performance regulator that offers adjustable breathing comfort.
The 1st stage reg (Mares 62X) is the smallest and most compact first stage ever made by Mares. That’s why it’s the perfect travel companion for divers all over the world.
The balanced membrane 1st stage is equipped with Auto Sealing (AST) technology that provides protection against water entering the first stage. It’s been redesigned to perform excellently, even in cold water. The addition of the optional Twin Balanced Piston (TBP) makes this one of the best performing regulators in cold water.
The 2nd stage reg (Mares DUAL ADJ) is made of ultra-lightweight technopolymer and gives you smooth, easy breathing at all depths. It features a pneumatic assisted design (PAD) and exclusive Mares patented Vortex Assisted Design (VAD). The newly developed adjustable breathing knob helps you experience a customized breathing experience even when wearing thick gloves.
Mares wanted to go above and made the regulator exceed performance standards at 200 m. In fact, it uses proven technology at 400 m.
Apeks XL4 Ocea
- Features an over-balanced diaphragm 1st stage, ensuring consistent performance at all depths, providing peace of mind on every dive.
- Experience reduced breathing effort with the pneumatically balanced 2nd stage, delivering gas smoothly and efficiently for a more comfortable and enjoyable dive.
- Easily adjust the 2nd stage with the dive/pre-dive Venturi switch, minimizing free flow and optimizing breathing resistance to suit your individual diving style.
The Apeks XL4 Ocea is the first of its kind, an environmentally-conscious regulator made from recycled materials and bio-plastics, manufactured in a solar-powered facility. Every single material and process was reconsidered to create the most eco-sensitive regulator in the world.
The 1st stage reg (Apeks XL4) is a compact, machined first stage based on the expedition tested Apeks DS4 platform. It uses a unique over-balanced diaphragm design that allows medium pressure gas in the hose to increase at a faster rate than ambient. This gives you superior performance at depth.
The 2nd stage reg (Apeks Ocea) is compact and lightweight to improve comfort and reduce jaw fatigue. It features a pneumatically-balanced, lever-operated poppet valve.
The Ocea has a self-flushing and controllable purge button as well as a Venturi lever that’s easy to use and locate. The reg uses a flexible, nylon braided hose, which performs better than a traditional hose.
Apeks paid special attention to comfort too. The Comfo-bite mouthpiece has a unique bridge that fits across your upper palate and doesn’t require bite pressure to stay in place. It even comes with a reusable mouthpiece clip that makes it simple to change mouthpieces in the field. Best of all, the reg has a rubber exhaust tee that diverts bubbles away from your face.
Editor’s Note: I end up changing out the mouthpiece for pretty much all my regulators ’cause I can’t stand the default one they come with. I always notice a huge difference in jaw fatigue when I end up renting regulators vs using my own. The fact that this one comes with a Comfo-bite mouthpiece is a huge plus.
Oceanic Zeo + FDXi
- First Stage FDXi in-line design provides an improved flow rate, greatly reduced weight and more ergonomic port positioning for better hose routing when compared to the classic right angle first stages.
- Pneumatically balanced - consistent performance at any depth.
- Second Stage ZEO Paired with the FDXi first stage.
- Pneumatically balanced second stage automatically maintains consistent inhalation effort throughout dive.
The Oceanic Zeo + FDXi was designed for depth. Oceanic’s engineers took their legendary EOS regulator and upgraded it in every way, creating the Zeo.
The 1st stage reg (Oceanic FDXi) is an over-balanced diaphragm that’s environmentally sealed. Its in-line design limits the pressure loss inherent in L-shaped designs, making the FDXi more efficient and lighter due to it’s compact form.
The precision cold forged reg has 4 low pressure and 2 high pressure ports. These ports are angeled for ideal hose routing.
The 2nd stage reg (Oceanic Zeo) is pneumatically-balanced and automatically maintains consistent inhalation effort throughout the dive using its patented Dynamic Adjustment technology. There’s also an Adjustable Venturi Switch (AVS) for simple dive/pre-dive adjustments.
What’s really cool about the reg is its corrosion-resistant, chrome-plated brass valve. The all-metal valve encourages the condensation of water vapor from your exhalation. When you inhale, the condensed water vapor ciruculates to help reduce “dry mouth” and increase comfort.
SCUBAPRO MK11 EVO + C370
5
- Compact, air-balanced diaphragm design
- Forged brass body comes with metal fins to improve thermal exchange plus plastic bumpers to prevent scratching
- Two high pressure ports are set on a 15-degree angle for convenient hose routing.
- Four high-flow low pressure ports increase airflow while maximizing hose routing options.
- Innovative double spring layout increases performance while contributing to overall compactness
The SCUBAPRO MK11 EVO/C370 brings with it the legendary SCUBAPRO dependability. It’s a compact air delivery system that you can count on, wherever your travels take you.
The 1st stage reg (SCUBAPRO MK11 EVO) uses an air-balanced diaphragm design. Its forged, brass body comes with metal fins to improve thermal exchange plus plastic bumpers to prevent scratching.
There are two high pressure ports and four low pressure ports. The 2 HPs are set at 15° angles for convenient hose routing. The reg also uses an innovative double spring layout to increase performance.
The 2nd stage reg (SCUBAPRO C370) uses an air-balanced valve that smooths out your inhalation effort at varying depths and supply pressures. For controls, you get an adjustable inhilation effort knob and a coaxial dive/pre-dive lever.
The reg’s purge button is large and easy to activate, and the reg uses a super-flow hose that has an over-sized bore for more airflow with each inhalation.
On top of all this, SCUBAPRO developed a compact Hi-Flow mouthpiece that comfortably fits the smallest mouths to the largest while also delivering improved airflow.
Wrapping Up
There you have it. Five of the best travel regulators, each with its own perks.
Whether you’re fresh out of your PADI class, a seasoned diver, or just want something sleek for your setup, there’s something here for you.
- Cressi AC2 + Compact: The budget option to get going right away.
- Mares DUAL ADJ 62X: The all-rounder that’s great for everyone.
- Apeks XL4 Ocea: The eco-friendly option that also performs well.
- Oceanic Zeo + FDXi: The superbly-engineered option.
- SCUBAPRO MK11 EVO/C370: The name-brand dependability.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out those links, snag your favorite, and get ready to dive in style!
Oh and don’t forget about the rest of your gear. Here are also some of our recommendations to pair with these regulators:
Why Are These Regulators Good For Travel?
Low Weight: The number one priority. These regulators use materials like composite plastics and lightweight brass to shed weight, which is critical for staying within airline baggage limits.
Compact Size: Their small profile allows them to be packed easily into a regulator bag, a carry-on, or a BCD, saving valuable space in your luggage.
Durability: Despite their light weight, these regulators are built to be tough. They are designed to withstand the bumps and handling that are inevitable during air travel.
Balanced Performance: A good travel regulator doesn’t sacrifice performance for weight. These models are all designed to provide smooth, easy breathing, which is crucial for a comfortable and safe dive, especially in varying conditions.
Fast Drying: Regulators with special coatings or materials that resist corrosion and dry quickly are a huge plus for divers who travel frequently and may need to pack their gear soon after a dive.
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