The best BCD depends on your experience, diving style and personal preference. Jacket-style BCDs provide comfortable surface flotation and are familiar to many recreational divers, while back-inflate BCDs position the air behind the diver and can encourage a streamlined horizontal position underwater. Backplate-and-wing systems provide a modular option popular with technical and experienced divers.

A scuba BCD should fit securely around your torso without restricting breathing or movement. The shoulder and waist adjustments should keep the BCD stable without excessive movement, and the tank should remain secure when you are diving. Correct sizing is particularly important for comfort and effective buoyancy control.