Best Scuba Tanks

When you’re deep underwater, there’s nothing more critical than your air supply. And we’re not talking about the 80s soft rock duo. We’re talking about the air you need to survive, which is why it’s so important to use the best diving tank for your needs.

We’ve put together a list of the best scuba tanks available online. Because there’s a wide variety of tanks on the market, we’ve looked at various scuba tank sizes, from small scuba tanks to larger varieties. We’ve also looked at various materials, including aluminum and steel scuba tanks, and even a highly-rated carbon fiber tank.

The most important thing to know about any scuba diver’s tank is its capacity. As a general rule, the larger you are, the more air you’re going to use with each breath. If you’re a beginner, talk with your dive instructor to determine how much capacity you’re going to need.

Best Scuba Tanks Available Online

1. Faber FX Series

The Faber FX Series 100 is a tough, 100 cubic foot steel scuba tank.

Key Features

• Steel tank
• 100 cubic foot capacity
• 3,442 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 34.3 pounds empty
• -9.4 pounds of buoyancy
• Measures 25.4” x 7.25”
• Pro valve
• Rated for nitrox use

The Faber FX Series 100 is a large tank with a 100 cubic foot capacity. It’s constructed from steel, which is lighter than aluminum at this size, but vulnerable to corrosion. Make sure to clean your tank thoroughly after each dive, and inspect the interior for any leakage or condensation.

This scuba tank features a custom pro valve, which won’t allow you to pressurize it past its maximum rated limit of 3,442 PSI. No need to continually check the pressure while refilling. Just fill the tank until the valve clicks shut, and you’re ready to go diving.

The Series 100 is on the pricey side, but it’s a good investment considering the durable engineering and custom valve.

Pros

• Durable construction
• High pressure
• Custom valve prevents overfilling
• Lightweight for its capacity
• Large capacity

Cons

• Prone to corrosion
• Pricey

This tank features a custom valve, which will prevent filling it to more than 3,442 PSI.

2. Sherwood

The Sherwood Aluminum 100 CF Scuba Tank is the largest aluminum scuba tank on the market.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 100 cubic foot capacity
• 3,300 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 46.2 pounds empty
• -7.8 pounds of buoyancy
• Measures 30.3” x 7.8”
• DIN valve
• Rated for up to 40% nitrox use
• Available in 3 colors

The Sherwood Aluminum 100 CF Scuba Tank is exceptionally large for an aluminum tank, with an impressive, 100 cubic foot capacity. In order to be strong enough to withstand high pressures over this large a surface area, the aluminum needs to be very thick, which makes the tank bulky. It also makes the tank significantly heavier than a similarly-sized steel tank. That said, aluminum doesn’t rust, so a quick wash with fresh water is all you’ll need to do for post-dive maintenance.

In addition to plain black, the Sherwood is available in high-visibility blue and yellow varieties for safety. The DIN valve is sturdy enough to withstand the tank’s 3,300 PSI pressure. Just make sure your local dive shop has a DIN-compatible fitting on their compressor.

Pros

• Durable construction
• High pressure
• Large capacity
• High-visibility colors available

Cons

• Large and heavy

This corrosion-resistant tank is constructed from heavy gauge aluminum for added durability.

3. Catalina Compact

The Catalina Compact Brushed Aluminum 80 CF Tank is designed specifically for diving with nitrox.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 80 cubic foot capacity
• 3,300 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 34.7 pounds empty
• -5.8 pounds of buoyancy
• Neutral buoyancy when empty
• Measures 25.8” x 7.8”
• Pro valve
• Rated for nitrox use

The Catalina Compact Brushed Aluminum 80 CF Tank is an aluminum scuba diving tank with an 80 cubic foot capacity. This is a common size, since it’s enough for most divers to spend up to two hours underwater, but not as heavy or bulky as a larger, 100 cubic foot tank.

A lot of scuba tanks are compatible with nitrox. However, this one is specifically designed for nitrox, with tighter seals and beefier O-rings than you’ll find on most tanks. This tank is on the heavy side, but that’s unavoidable when you’re building a large tank out of aluminum. That said, it’s also corrosion-proof.

Pros

• Specifically designed for nitrox
• Neutral buoyancy when empty
• High pressure

Cons

• Heavy for its capacity

This tank maintains neutral buoyancy when empty, so it won’t pull you towards the surface when it’s been exhausted.

4. Catalina

The Catalina 80 CF Aluminum Scuba Tank has a high capacity valve that allows it to be filled more quickly than most scuba tanks.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 80 cubic foot capacity
• 3,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 31.6 pounds empty
• -5.8 pounds of buoyancy
• Measures 25.8” x 7.8”
• High flow capacity pro valve
• Rated for up to 40% nitrox use
• Available in 9 colors

The Catalina 80 CF Aluminum Scuba Tank is another heavy-duty 80 cubic foot scuba diving tank. Like other aluminum tanks in this size range, it’s on the heavy side, but it’s also immune to corrosion. It’s available in nine colors, including high-visibility red, pink, green, blue, white and yellow.

The valve on this tank has an exceptionally high rate of flow. This means it can be filled more quickly than most models, and the tank can be evacuated quickly for inspection, travel, and other purposes. Finally, the high-flow valve is ideal for filling a PCP air gun in record speed.

Pros

• Easy to fill and empty
• High-visibility colors
• Good choice for filling PCP air gun

Cons

• Heavy for its capacity

This tank is available in 9 different colors, several of which are high-visibility for safety.

5. Faber FX 80

The Faber FX Series 80 is constructed from tough, durable steel.

Key Features

• Steel tank
• 80 cubic foot capacity
• 3,442 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 28.6 pounds empty
• -8.05 pounds of buoyancy full
• -1.74 pounds of buoyancy empty
• Measures 20.9” x 7.25”
• Pro valve
• Rated for nitrox use

The Faber FX Series 80 is a smaller, lighter version of the FX Series 100 that started off our list. Like it’s big brother, this tank is constructed from durable steel, and weighs less than comparable aluminum tanks. Keep in mind, though, that it’s vulnerable to corrosion if you’re not on point with your maintenance routine.

This safe maintains negative buoyancy, even when it’s empty. This is a helpful feature, since most scuba tanks have slight positive buoyancy when they’re empty, which means you need to carry extra weight on your dive belt. As a result, a negative buoyancy tank actually saves you weight, so you can save your strength for a camera, a spearfishing gun, and other fun equipment.

Pros

• Durable construction
• Negative buoyancy when empty
• Lightweight for its capacity
• High pressure

Cons

• Prone to corrosion
• Pricey

This steel scuba tank is designed to maintain negative buoyancy at all times.

6. Sea Pearls 80

The XS Scuba Sea Pearls 80 is available in multiple high-visibility colors.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 80 cubic foot capacity
• 3,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 32 pounds empty
• -5.8 pounds of buoyancy
• Measures 30” x 9”
• Available with pro valve or high-capacity pro K valve
• Available in 7 colors

The XS Scuba Sea Pearls 80 is an aluminum scuba diving tank that comes in seven different colors, including high-visibility electric blue, electric purple, green, yellow, and neon green. It has a capacity of 80 cubic feet, which is enough for most divers in most circumstances and is basically the standard for a two-tank dive.

There are two valve options on this tank. There’s XS Scuba’s standard pro valve, which is already very highly rated. Then there’s the upgraded K valve, which seals tighter the more you pressurize it. This valve also has a higher capacity than the standard pro valve, allowing for easy filling and emptying. Since both options cost the same, upgrading to the K valve is a no brainer.

Pros

• Durable construction
• Easy to fill and empty
• High-visibility colors available
• Good choice for filling PCP air guns

Cons

• Heavy for its capacity
• Not rated for nitrox use

With the optional high-capacity pro K valve, this tank can be refilled very quickly.

7. IORMAN

The Iorman 6.8L Carbon Fiber Air Tank is constructed from ultra-lightweight carbon fiber.

Key Features

• Carbon fiber tank
• 75 cubic foot capacity
• 4,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 12.4 pounds empty
• -5.8 pounds of buoyancy
• Measures 22.8” x 5.8”
• DIN-style valve

The Iorman 6.8L Carbon Fiber Air Tank is designed to be as lightweight as possible. This tank is unique on our list, because — as the name implies — it’s constructed from carbon fiber instead of metal. This design is actually sturdier than steel or aluminum and can withstand a significant amount of pressure, up to 4,000 PSI. This pressure makes it ideal for filling a PCP air gun since you’ll be able to hit 3,000 PSI many times over before you have to top up your scuba tank.

The Iorman weighs only 12.4 pounds, which is extremely light for anything larger than an emergency backup tank. All in all, it’s a fantastic choice for divers, air gun enthusiasts, and anyone else who needs a high-pressure tank. Be forewarned, though: this is an expensive tank.

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Very high pressure
• Small size for the capacity
• Great choice for filling PCP air guns

Cons

• Not rated for nitrox use
• Expensive

This tank’s impressive 4,000 PSI maximum pressure makes it ideal for not only diving but also filling PCP air guns.

8. XS Luxfer

The XS Scuba Luxfer 40 Cubic Foot Aluminum Tank is the smallest scuba tank we’ve found that’s rated for nitrox.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 40 cubic foot capacity
• 3,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 15.3 pounds empty
• -0.7 pounds of buoyancy full
• +15.3 pounds of buoyancy empty
• Measures 25” x 5.25”
• Yoke-style valve
• Rated for up to 23.5% nitrox use

The XS Scuba Luxfer 40 Cubic Foot Aluminum Tank has a capacity of 40 gallons, which is on the low side for an adult, although it can be used for relatively short dives, up to an hour for experienced divers with excellent breath control. That said, the average beginner will only get about 30 minutes of use out of this tank at 10 meters of depth.

So why buy one? To begin with, it’s a great choice if you’re wearing a two tank harness since it’s not absurdly heavy. But mostly, tanks of this size are perfect for kids, who are smaller and don’t need as much air.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Good choice for kids
• Smallest tank that’s rated for nitrox
• Affordable

Cons

• Very buoyant when empty

This 40 cubic foot scuba tank is the perfect size and capacity for junior scuba divers.

9. Faber High Pressure

The Faber High Pressure Steel Tank maintains neutral buoyancy when it’s been exhausted.

Key Features

• Steel tank
• 40 cubic foot capacity
• 3,442 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 20.1 pounds empty
• -6.5 pounds of buoyancy full
• Neutral buoyancy empty
• Measures 20.4” x 5.6”
• DIN-style valve

The Faber High Pressure Steel Tank is a 40 cubic foot tank that’s designed to be as compact as possible. It’s only 20 inches long, and less than six inches in diameter, which makes it a good fit for kids. As we already discussed, the 40 cubic foot capacity is also ideal for youngsters.

This tank is designed to maintain neutral buoyancy when it’s empty, so you or your child can carry a minimum amount of weight while cruising the depths. This Faber tank is constructed from tough steel and can take a beating. Just make sure to clean it thoroughly after each dive, to keep it from corroding.

Pros

• Durable construction
• Compact size
• Great choice for kids
• Maintains neutral buoyancy when empty
• High pressure

Cons

• Prone to corrosion
• Not rated for nitrox use

This tank is very small for its capacity, perfect for lashing to your BCD.

10. Pony Bottle

The XS Scuba 30 Cubic Foot Pony Bottle Scuba Tank has a larger capacity than most emergency tanks.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 30 cubic foot capacity
• 3,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 11.6 pounds empty
• -4.1 pounds of buoyancy full
• Neutral buoyancy empty
• Measures 19.9” x 5.25”
• Yoke-style valve

The XS Scuba 30 Cubic Foot Pony Bottle Scuba Tank is a bright, high-visibility yellow scuba tank with a 30 cubic foot capacity. This is a lot for an emergency tank, but may be a necessity if you’re at an extreme depth where air doesn’t go very far. Like most backup tanks, this one isn’t rated for nitrox. It doesn’t have the right valve or gaskets.

At 11.6 pounds, this tank is relatively lightweight. It’s also lightweight underwater, with neutral buoyancy even when it’s been fully expended. It’s very reasonably priced, a good bargain for a backup scuba tank.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Maintains neutral buoyancy when empty
• High-visibility yellow exterior
• Affordable

Cons

• Small capacity
• Not rated for nitrox use

This tank is bright yellow in color, for better underwater visibility.

11. Pony Bottle 

The XS Scuba 19 Cubic Foot Pony Bottle Scuba Tank is an emergency reserve tank with a yoke-style valve.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 19 cubic foot capacity
• 3,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 8.2 pounds empty
• -3.3 pounds of buoyancy full
• Neutral buoyancy empty
• Measures 17.5” x 5.2”
• Yoke-style valve

The XS Scuba 19 Cubic Foot Pony Bottle Scuba Tank is a more lightweight version of their 30 cubic foot pony tank. Like the larger version, it’s painted with a high-visibility yellow finish, and it’s buoyancy-neutral when it’s empty, so you won’t need to carry extra lead to compensate for the weight.

This tank is too small for a primary tank, even for a child. It’s designed to be lashed to your BCD, so you can switch over to it in the event that your primary tank fails during the dive. It’s not rated for nitrox use, but that’s not a major concern on an emergency tank.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Maintains neutral buoyancy when empty
• High-visibility yellow exterior
• Affordable

Cons

• Too small for a primary tank
• Not rated for nitrox use

This tank maintains neutral buoyancy when empty, so it won’t drag you down or lift you up.

12. Emergency Tank

The House of Scuba 19 CF 3000 PSI Aluminium Emergency Tank is an emergency reserve tank that weighs less than 10 pounds.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 19 cubic foot capacity
• 3,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 7.8 pounds empty
• -1.3 pounds of buoyancy full
• -0.3 pounds of buoyancy empty
• Measures 20.4” x 4.4”
• Yoke-style valve

The House of Scuba 19 CF 3000 PSI Aluminium Emergency Tank is a small, lightweight reserve tank that’s very reasonably priced. This tank has a 19 cubic foot capacity, enough for about fifteen minutes for a beginner, or thirty minutes for a more experienced diver.

The valve is a standard yoke-style valve, which is compatible with almost every dive shop compressor you’re likely to encounter. And the body is painted with a bright yellow finish, which provides excellent visibility. It maintains a slightly negative buoyancy when it’s empty, reducing the need for dive weights.

Pros

• Lightweight
• High-visibility yellow exterior
• Maintains negative buoyancy when empty
• Affordable

Cons

• Too small for a primary tank
• Not rated for nitrox use

This emergency scuba tank maintains slight negative buoyancy, even when it’s empty.

13. Emergency Air

The House of Scuba 13 CF Aluminium High Pressure Emergency Tank is a compact aluminum reserve tank.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 13 cubic foot capacity
• 3,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 5.7 pounds empty
• -1.7 pounds of buoyancy full
• -0.7 pounds of buoyancy empty
• Measures 15.8” x 4.4”
• Yoke-style valve

The House of Scuba 13 CF Aluminium High Pressure Emergency Tank is a miniature version of the 19 cubic foot tank we just looked at. It shares all the same features, including the high-visibility finish, the negative empty buoyancy, and the standard yoke valve.

This tank has a very small capacity of just 13 cubic feet. This is only enough for a few minutes, so consider this tank as an emergency reserve only. That said, it’s very compact and easy to lash to your BCD.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• High-visibility yellow exterior
• Maintains negative buoyancy when empty
• Affordable

Cons

• Too small for a primary tank
• Not rated for nitrox use

This tank is small enough to be easily lashed to your BCD.

14. Catalina Pony Bottle

Catalina Pony Bottle Tanks are available in four sizes, from tiny emergency tanks to mid-sized 40 cubic foot tanks.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 6-40 cubic foot capacity
• 3,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 5.2 to 18.6 pounds empty
• Negative buoyancy
• Measures from 11” x 3.2” to 22” x 4.5”
• Pro valve
• Rated for up to 40% nitrox use

Catalina Pony Bottle Tanks are available in four sizes: 6, 13, 19, and 40 cubic feet. Depending on the capacity, the tank size will be different, but even the largest one is relatively small and lightweight, at less than 20 pounds when empty.

These tanks are well-engineered, rated for nitrox use, and include pro valves and a high-visibility yellow finish. On the one hand, they’re very inexpensive. On the other hand, they aren’t hydrostatically tested by the manufacturer, so you’ll need to have that done on your own.

Pros

• Available in 4 sizes
• High-visibility yellow exterior
• Lightweight
• Affordable

Cons

• Needs to be tumbled and hydrostatic tested

These tanks are very reasonably priced, and come from one of the most reliable brands in the business.

15. Spare Air Package

The Spare Air 6 Cubic Foot Package is an emergency reserve tank that can provide several minutes of air in the event of an emergency.

Key Features

• Aluminum tank
• 6 cubic foot capacity
• 3,000 PSI maximum pressure
• Weighs 3.7 pounds full
• Near-neutral buoyancy
• Measures 13.5” x 3.25”
• Mouthpiece directly on top of tank
• Includes a holster, safety leash, and refill adapter
• Can be refilled from any high-pressure scuba tank

The Spare Air 6 Cubic Foot Package isn’t a standalone scuba tank. But we included it because it’s a piece of safety equipment that every diver should have in their kit. In the event of a malfunction like a stuck valve, a damaged O-ring, or a cut to your air hose, you may be out of reach of your dive buddy. And in the seconds it takes to get their attention, your life is in danger.

Spare Air is a solution to this problem. This is a small, 6 cubic foot reserve tank that lashes directly to your BCD. It has a mouthpiece on top, so all you have to do is remove the cap and start breathing. When you’re done, there’s no need to throw it out; you can refill the Spare Air canister from any high pressure scuba tank.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Small and lightweight
• Lashes directly to your BCD
• Neutral buoyancy

Cons

• Pricey
• Not designed for use as a primary tank

This device won’t replace your primary tank, but it can save your life when seconds matter.

Bottom Line

As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into choosing the best scuba tank for your needs. While capacity is paramount, there are a few other factors to consider.

• High pressure vs. low pressure. High pressure scuba tanks can carry significantly more air than a low pressure tank of the same size. However, high pressure tanks require more frequent maintenance, and are more likely to fail their hydrostatic safety test after five years.

• Yoke vs. DIN vs. pro valve. A yoke-style valve is designed for low pressure tanks, and will be compatible with most other hardware throughout the world. A DIN-style valve is designed for high pressure tanks, but offers limited compatibility. A pro valve can be converted to either style by removing or replacing a small plug.

• Steel vs. aluminum. Steel tanks are sturdier, and can be constructed in larger sizes, but are prone to corrosion, especially in salt water. Aluminum tanks are less robust and limited in size, but will not suffer from corrosion.

And that about covers it! We hope our scuba tank reviews have helped you find exactly what you need.