Sunday, May 18th
2025 Scuba Store Reviews
House of Scuba
- Competitive prices across major brands
- Free shipping on orders over $50 for most products within continental US
- Extensive inventory including 240+ BCDs, 270+ regulators/octos, 200+ dive computers, and 124+ types of fins
- Full range of PADI certification courses from beginner to professional instructor level
- Equipment maintenance services with transparent pricing and worldwide availability
- Free lifetime replacement on service parts for Hollis, Oceanic, and Zeagle gear
- Flexible 30/60/120-day satisfaction guarantee return policy
- Specialized military and public safety diving equipment procurement services
- In-house product testing by certified diving professionals before offering items for sale
House of Scuba has been offering name-brand diving equipment, snorkeling gear, and outdoor accessories at competitive prices since 2000. Whether you're shopping for your first wetsuit or upgrading your advanced diving setup, their extensive inventory has you covered. Plus, you'll find unique travel opportunities and diving adventures both locally and worldwide. Their expert staff tests most products in-house before offering them for sale, so you can trust their recommendations come from real diving experience, whether you're visiting their San Diego showroom or shopping online.
Training from beginner to pro
Need to get certified? House of Scuba offers an extensive range of PADI certification courses through their website. Their comprehensive program starts with beginner courses like Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Diver, progresses through Advanced and Rescue Diver certifications, and includes over 15 specialty courses such as wreck diving, deep diving, and underwater photography. For those interested in becoming professionals, they offer complete PADI instructor training paths from Divemaster to Master Scuba Diver Trainer. They even provide essential safety courses like Emergency First Response and equipment-focused certifications like the Fill Station Operator Course. Convenient package deals are available, combining multiple certifications for a streamlined learning experience.
Adventure awaits with guided trips
When you're ready to put your scuba gear and skills to use, House of Scuba organizes group diving adventures both domestically and internationally. They handle all the planning details so you can focus on the excitement of exploring underwater worlds. Their destinations range from the vibrant marine life of Southern California to exotic locations like La Paz, Catalina, and even the Galapagos Islands.
Expert equipment service and maintenance
Need your scuba gear serviced? House of Scuba can do that too, even if you're not local. They provide comprehensive maintenance services worldwide, from personal gear to complete yacht diving lockers and government programs. Their certified technicians service regulators from over 25 major manufacturers using state-of-the-art equipment, including ultrasonic cleaners. Every service includes thorough pre-testing, OEM parts, complete inspection, and precise assembly to manufacturer specifications. They disclose their pricing structure upfront (which not all scuba gear retailers in our review do), which makes it easy to plan ahead: first stage service is $45, second stage is $30, and octo is $25. Plus, they offer free return shipping when servicing your complete regulator set, with a typical turnaround of 2-3 weeks. Even better - Hollis, Oceanic, and Zeagle owners get FREE lifetime replacement on service parts with annual maintenance (documentation required).
Military and public safety scuba gear procurement
If you're looking to outfit your entire military or public safety diving team with scuba gear, House of Scuba has a specialized department just for you. You'll get access to discounted gear from over 150 manufacturers, and their experienced sales team is available seven days a week to help you select the right equipment. What makes House of Scuba stand out for government and military buyers is their commitment to combining top-notch service with competitive pricing, plus they promise quick response and shipping times (because when you're equipping an entire team, the last thing you need is procurement delays).
Massive selection of scuba gear
When you're shopping for scuba gear at House of Scuba, you'll find an expansive array of equipment across all major categories. The website offers over 240 BCDs, 270 regulators and octos, 200 dive computers, and 124 types of fins. You'll also discover equipment sets from renowned brands like Aqua Lung, Cressi, and Hollis starting at $625. (And if you're a bargain hunter, they even have a used equipment section - though it was pretty sparse at the time of our visit, with just one regulator for $79). They also have a dedicated category for specialized technical diving equipment, though we had to type "Technical” into the search bar to bring it up. You'll find sections for women's gear, kids' equipment, and accessories here, too.
Free shipping on orders over $50
When you order scuba gear from House of Scuba, you'll get free shipping on most orders over $50 within the continental US. While about 98% of their products qualify for free shipping, some bulkier items like tanks and roller bags don't. They ship through FedEx and USPS, with delivery times ranging from 2-6 business days for FedEx Ground and 2-3 days for USPS Priority Mail. They do offer international shipping through both carriers, with delivery times varying by country and customs processing.
Returns on gently used products possible
House of Scuba offers what they call a "30/60/120-day Satisfaction Guarantee" on their scuba gear. Here's the deal: if you return new, unopened items within 60 days, you'll get a full refund. Between 60-120 days, you'll get a gift certificate for the full amount. Even if you've used the gear (maybe that mask didn't fit quite right after all), you can still get a full gift certificate within 30 days, or 75% back if it's within 60 days. Just remember that you'll need to cover the return shipping, and if your original order qualified for free shipping, they'll deduct that shipping cost from your refund.
Could be better at following up on complaints
House of Scuba's local San Diego Yelp page maintains a 4.4-star rating average from nearly 200 reviews, with one long-time customer noting: "Staff has always been very helpful and patient. They go out of their way to make sure you understand your gear, that it fits right, and are getting the right product for your particular needs." However, their Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot profiles could use more attention (a common oversight for scuba gear retailers who started as brick-and-mortar shops) - the BBB profile isn't accredited, and we found some serious complaints about gear quality on their Trustpilot that merited a response from the business. On the other hand, their Facebook page shows active engagement with customers and an 86% recommendation rate. House of Scuba seems to do right by its customers a majority of the time, but we've also seen better service from some of the top scuba gear retailers in our review.
Needs to improve online customer relations for shot at top rating
Overall, House of Scuba offers competitive pricing on scuba gear, though not dramatically lower than other online retailers. What we think makes House of Scuba stand out is their maintenance services, which you can access whether you're living in San Diego or Singapore. While House of Scuba could improve their online customer service response time, their extensive inventory of scuba gear and strong local reputation make them worth a look. (Plus, if you're planning to maintain your Hollis, Oceanic, or Zeagle gear regularly, that lifetime parts replacement deal could save you serious cash.)
More Scuba Store Reviews
The 10 Best Scuba Stores
Where is the Best Place to Buy Scuba Gear?
If you're looking to upgrade your scuba diving gear, or you're just getting started with underwater adventures, you'll find that shopping for scuba equipment online offers both savings and selection - sometimes better than your local dive shop. While most online scuba stores maintain similar pricing (thanks to manufacturer agreements), they differ significantly in customer service.
Traditional brick-and-mortar dive shops that have expanded online typically provide personalized expertise and maintain long-term relationships with their customers. Meanwhile, large e-commerce retailers might offer less individual attention but compensate with extensive inventory options. If you do happen to find a lower price offered by an unauthorized scuba gear retailer, most authorized retailers offer price match guarantees between 100-110%.
Scuba Store FAQ
Continued from above...
Want more than just equipment? Many online scuba retailers create a complete diving ecosystem for their customers. You'll find equipment maintenance, tank services, gear rental programs, and certification courses. Some even partner with local instructors and organize diving excursions.
If you're worried about finding the right fit, you may want to patronize an online store with physical locations near you, but if that's not possible, you should go for an online scuba store with a generous return policy that includes gently-used items. (Because sometimes you don't realize how much extra room there is in your wetsuit until you take it for a spin.)
When choosing an online scuba gear store, also consider these important factors:
- Product selection and availability. If you're a tech diver, do they have specialized equipment like side-mount BCDs, back-plate/wing systems, or double tanks? Look for stores that carry major brands and offer various price points to match your budget.
- Customer service and expertise. Are the retailers' staff members experienced divers? Can they give personalized recommendations about equipment selection? What communication channels are available to reach their support team? Choose a scuba store that cares about your safety and is more passionate about scuba diving than they are about their bottom line.
- Return policy and warranty support. How long do you have to return items? Will they accept gear you've tried on? What happens if something breaks under warranty? When choosing scuba gear, you need to be able to return it if it doesn't work out.
- Shipping and handling. How quickly do they ship orders? Do they offer free shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount? Choose a scuba gear store with consistent shipping and delivery timelines, or risk not having your gear in time for your vacation.
Whether you're shopping for your first mask and fins or upgrading your entire kit, finding the right online scuba gear store is crucial for your diving success and safety. Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best scuba gear stores available online. We hope this review helps you find the perfect equipment for your underwater adventures.
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