The Mares Smart Apnea is a compact and affordable freediving computer, offering apnea-specific features like customizable alarms and surface interval tracking in a user-friendly design.

Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4.43/5)

Mares Smart Apnea

The Mares Smart Apnea is a freediving-focused dive computer designed for divers who prioritize simplicity, safety, and performance. Featuring apnea-specific tools like surface interval tracking, customizable alarms, and detailed dive metrics, the Smart Apnea delivers the functionality freedivers need in a streamlined and affordable package.

Its lightweight design ensures comfort and minimal drag underwater, while its intuitive interface allows for easy operation both above and below the surface. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced freediver, the Mares Smart Apnea provides the tools to enhance your performance and safety during every dive.

Best For: Freedivers seeking an affordable, apnea-specific dive computer with essential features and user-friendly operation.

Design and Build

The Mares Smart Apnea combines a sleek, lightweight design with robust materials, making it a comfortable and durable choice for freedivers.

Key Features

• Compact and Lightweight: Designed for minimal drag and maximum comfort, the Smart Apnea is ideal for prolonged freediving sessions.
• Durable Build: The stainless-steel bezel and mineral glass screen provide resistance to scratches and impacts, ensuring long-term durability.
• Ergonomic Design: The slim profile and adjustable strap fit comfortably on a wide range of wrist sizes.
• Depth Rating: Rated to 150 meters (492 feet), offering reliability for both recreational and advanced freediving depths.

Strengths

• Compact design enhances mobility and comfort underwater.
• Durable construction ensures it can withstand frequent use in various diving conditions.
• Sleek and professional appearance makes it suitable for casual wear outside of the water.

Limitations

• The monochrome display, while functional, lacks the vibrancy of more advanced models like the Garmin Descent Mk2.
• No interchangeable strap options may limit customization for some users.

Score for Design and Build: 4.5/5

The Mares Smart Apnea excels in comfort and durability, offering a practical design tailored specifically for freedivers.

Display and Readability

The Mares Smart Apnea offers a clear and functional display that prioritizes readability and simplicity for freedivers.

Key Features

• Monochrome LCD Screen: Provides clear, high-contrast visuals, ensuring essential dive data is easily readable underwater.
• Segmented Layout: The screen is divided into intuitive sections, displaying dive time, depth, and surface interval metrics without clutter.
• Customizable Alarms: Visual and audible alarms for dive time, depth, and recovery are easily noticeable, enhancing safety and focus.
• Backlighting: Built-in backlighting ensures visibility in low-light or murky conditions.

Strengths

• Simple and uncluttered display layout makes it easy to focus on critical information.
• High-contrast visuals enhance readability, even in challenging environments.
• Custom alarms provide immediate feedback, reducing the need for constant monitoring.

Limitations

• Monochrome display lacks the vibrancy and sharpness of color or AMOLED screens found in higher-end models like the Garmin Descent Mk2.
• Smaller screen size may not appeal to those who prefer more spacious layouts for metrics.

Score for Display and Readability: 4.5/5

The Mares Smart Apnea delivers a straightforward and functional display that meets the needs of freedivers, though it lacks the advanced visuals of premium dive computers.

Features and Functionality

The Mares Smart Apnea is packed with freediving-specific features that enhance safety, performance, and convenience for divers of all levels.

Key Features

• Apnea-Specific Metrics:
  • Tracks depth, dive time, ascent/descent rates, and surface intervals with precision.
  • Customizable depth and time alarms provide real-time alerts for safety and performance optimization.
• Surface Interval Tracking:
  • Monitors recovery times between dives to reduce the risk of shallow water blackout and ensure proper safety protocols.
• Dive Log Memory:
  • Stores detailed records of up to 9 sessions or 20-30 hours of diving data, allowing divers to analyze their performance.
• User-Friendly Interface:
  • Simple menu navigation with clearly labeled options makes it easy to configure settings and access dive data.
• Compact Build:
  • Streamlined design ensures minimal drag and effortless mobility underwater.

Strengths

• Focused on essential freediving metrics, making it a practical and reliable tool for apnea divers.
• The ability to customize alarms enhances safety and helps divers stay within their limits.
• Surface interval tracking provides vital data for safe and effective dive planning.

Limitations

• Lacks multi-sport or scuba diving modes, limiting its functionality to freediving-specific use.
• No wireless connectivity for syncing data to apps or external devices.

Score for Features and Functionality: 4.5/5

The Mares Smart Apnea excels in providing apnea-specific tools and user-friendly functionality, though it lacks the versatility of higher-end multi-sport devices.

Ease of Use

The Mares Smart Apnea is designed with simplicity and functionality in mind, making it an intuitive tool for freedivers of all skill levels.

Key Features

• Two-Button Navigation:
  • Simple two-button interface allows for easy menu navigation and configuration, even while wearing gloves.
• Straightforward Menus:
  • Clearly labeled options ensure quick access to settings like dive alarms, logs, and surface interval tracking.
• Pre-Dive Configuration:
  • Customizable alarms for depth, dive time, and surface intervals can be set quickly, ensuring divers are prepared before entering the water.
• Clear Data Presentation:
  • The uncluttered display layout minimizes distractions, making it easy to focus on critical dive metrics.

Strengths

• User-friendly interface ensures quick setup and operation, ideal for beginners and experienced freedivers alike.
• Reliable button controls work effectively in wet conditions and are glove-friendly.
• Simplified design reduces complexity, allowing divers to focus on their dives.

Limitations

• Limited customization compared to advanced dive computers like the Garmin Descent Mk2.
• Lack of wireless connectivity for data transfer may feel outdated to some users.

Score for Ease of Use: 4.5/5

The Mares Smart Apnea’s straightforward design and intuitive operation make it an excellent choice for freedivers seeking a hassle-free experience.

Battery Performance

The Mares Smart Apnea provides reliable battery life suitable for multiple freediving sessions, though its performance is tailored for apnea-specific use rather than multi-sport versatility.

Key Features

• User-Replaceable CR2450 Battery:
  • Long-lasting coin cell battery eliminates the need for recharging and offers convenience for frequent travelers.
• Extended Battery Life:
  • Designed to last up to 2 years under typical usage conditions, including regular diving and surface interval tracking.
• Battery Status Indicator:
  • On-screen notifications alert users when battery replacement is needed, reducing the risk of mid-dive power loss.

Strengths

• Long battery life minimizes maintenance and ensures reliability for frequent use.
• User-replaceable design makes it easy to carry spares, especially for remote trips.
• No need for proprietary chargers, adding convenience and reducing travel clutter.

Limitations

• Lack of rechargeable options may not appeal to eco-conscious divers or those accustomed to modern charging solutions.
• High-intensity use (e.g., frequent use of backlighting and alarms) can slightly shorten battery life.

Score for Battery Performance: 4.0/5

The Mares Smart Apnea delivers dependable battery life for freedivers, though it lacks the flexibility of rechargeable options found in higher-end models.

Value for Money

The Mares Smart Apnea strikes an excellent balance between affordability and performance, offering essential apnea-specific features at a reasonable price point.

Why It’s Worth the Investment

• Focused Features: Tailored specifically for freedivers, it provides all the necessary metrics—depth, dive time, ascent/descent rates, and surface intervals—without unnecessary extras.
• Customizable Alarms: Enhances safety and usability, ensuring divers stay within their limits during dives.
• Durable Design: Built with high-quality materials, including a stainless-steel bezel and scratch-resistant glass, ensuring long-term reliability.
• Affordable Price: At approximately $300-$400 USD, it’s competitively priced compared to premium models like the Garmin Descent Mk2, which cost significantly more.

Considerations

• Limited Versatility: The absence of multi-sport or scuba diving modes may limit its appeal for users seeking a device with broader functionality.
• No Connectivity Options: Lacks wireless syncing or app integration, which some divers may find essential for data logging and analysis.

Score for Value for Money: 4.5/5

The Mares Smart Apnea offers impressive value for freedivers who prioritize apnea-specific features, making it a practical and affordable choice for both beginners and experienced divers.

Pros and Cons

Summary

The Mares Smart Apnea is a durable, affordable, and apnea-focused dive computer that excels in providing essential freediving tools, though its lack of connectivity and limited functionality outside of freediving may deter some users.

Comparison

The Mares Smart Apnea is a compact and affordable freediving computer designed specifically for apnea-focused divers. To help you find the best option for your needs, we’ve compared it with two other leading models:

• Garmin Descent Mk2: A premium, multi-sport dive computer offering advanced freediving metrics alongside GPS navigation, fitness tracking, and multi-gas scuba modes.
• Suunto D4F: A lightweight and straightforward freediving computer tailored for beginner and intermediate divers, offering essential features at an accessible price point.

Each model caters to different diving styles and priorities:

• The Mares Smart Apnea is perfect for freedivers seeking apnea-specific tools in a compact and budget-friendly design.
• The Garmin Descent Mk2 excels for divers who want advanced features and versatility across multiple sports and activities.
• The Suunto D4F offers simplicity and reliability, ideal for freedivers focused on mastering the basics.

For a detailed side-by-side comparison, including features, pricing, and best-use scenarios, visit our dedicated page:

Click here to compare – Mares Smart Apnea vs. Garmin Descent Mk2 vs. Suunto D4F.

Whether you’re a beginner seeking simplicity or an advanced freediver looking for advanced tools, this page will help you make the right choice.

Overall Rating

Here’s the Overall Rating section with a weighted table for the Mares Smart Apnea.

The Mares Smart Apnea is a reliable and affordable dive computer designed specifically for freedivers, offering essential apnea-focused features in a compact and durable package.

The Mares Smart Apnea is an excellent choice for freedivers seeking a durable, compact, and user-friendly dive computer at an affordable price. While it lacks advanced features like connectivity and multi-sport modes, it excels in delivering reliable apnea-specific functionality for divers of all levels.