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Best Snorkels Reviewed & Rated for Performance
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Value
As you would expect none of us are made of money. For most of us, the cost can have a big impact on whether we buy something because it is the best fit or because we can afford it. We have done our best to make sure every piece of equipment we listed will get the job done and not break your bank account in doing so. It may not be something that is important to you personally but it was one of our top priorities and we used that to our advantage in finding the best for you as well. Ultimately, snorkeling should be relatively inexpensive.
Materials
Most of the materials used to make these kinds of products come from an “Old School” way of thinking. This is what had always worked so this is what we use. In today’s society that may not always apply. The constant change in people and their habitat has given way to allergies and sensitivities that would have meant giving up on your dream in the past. However, with a little effort, we were able to find several products that took this issue into account.
Many of the products listed are hypoallergenic and/or silicone-based. This means that the pesky rashes or inability to use the correct product due to a sensitivity to its core materials are no longer the issues they once were. Silicone has replaced latex in a lot of these instances, allowing more people the option to relax and explore without the irritating and potentially painful side effects.
Brand
When researching we have tried to look at things from every angle. This has allowed us to keep the extremely new and untested or rarely used products off our list. Most of us have learned that the brands we recognize are recognizable for good reason. This could be because we have seen it used, heard about its superiority, or know someone who had used the product to great benefit. This is something we have striven to find for you. No one likes to be the first at trying something, especially something that could potentially be used in a life or death situation. We have researched and compared what is out there, trying to make things not just easier for you but safer in the long run.
BEST SNORKELS REVIEWED & RATED FOR PERFORMANCE
1. Cressi Supernova Dry
As a brand Cressi, has been around since 1946! That said, I believe we can safely say they have an idea of what you need when it comes to your snorkel or SCUBA needs. We found this with a little digging and think it may help.
Works with any mask
Most divers have a favored face mask to use when we are in the water. The good news is that this particular snorkel will work seemingly with whatever mask fits you best based on personal preference.
Hypoallergenic
In today's society, everyone seems to have sensitivities or allergies to something. Latex is a big one, however, this particular snorkel’s mouthpiece is 100% silicone meaning it is latex-free. A great alternative to those with sensitive skin or easily chapped lips.
Cost and Value
We don't know about you, but when we are looking for a snorkel for diving our two main concerns are comfort and placement. Cressi Supernova Dry potentially provides you with both. The ability to keep your breathing tube water-free and to have an easy to use purge valve can be a great relief especially if you dive with gloves. The hypoallergenic mouthpiece saves even the most sensitive diver from dealing with pain or discomfort after a long trek into the briny blue, and the freedom to wear it on either side of your snorkel mask allows for personal preference.
2. Phantom Aquatics Dry
Phantom Aquatics Dry offers you a variety of color options to go with your favorite gear, new and old. A water flex tube that automatically moves out of the way when using your scuba regulator and a comfortable mouthpiece makes this a great piece of equipment for those who enjoy either a topside glance or a deeper experience.
The Look
Ok, let's be honest. What is the point of doing these things if you can't look cool doing it? Phantom offers you a wide variety of colors, giving you to the freedom to match all your scuba or dive gear. This may not be important to everyone but even the kiddies can appreciate looking more like a secret agent as opposed to comic relief.
I Don't like Masks
Anyone that has a problem with tight spaces can tell you dive masks are not your friends since they encompass most of your face. If you are someone who wants to snorkel but can't deal with a full-face mask Phantom Aquatics Dry can be used just as well with swimming goggles. Something that we feel is both a novel and a welcome concept.
Cost and Value
Phantom is on the less costly end of your choices. Sure there are some potential minor issues as there are with any snorkel you pick but we feel these are outweighed when you add up the cost, overall look options, and the price. Potentially more bang for your buck.
3. MP Michael Phelps Focus
Michael Phelps is a well-known name, so when you see it on any swimming gear, you probably go nuts. Anyone who enjoys going near the pool knows the name from the Olympic swim teams to competitive swimming in general. The man should know what he is talking about when it comes to how to up your game. That said, come and look at how he lives up to his reputation based on the gear he offers, and if it is the right fit for you.
Hydrodynamic
All Hail! It seems like the majority of users appreciated the overall triangular shape of this breathing tube on this set-up. Apparently, the shape allows the water to peel off gracefully with little to no resistance that the typical round breath tube is known for having.
Comfortable Adjustment
Using a snorkel for swimming is something not everyone is accustomed to. It seems however that this is a great place to end up. The forehead rest and strap are well designed with locks for the strap to allow for movement with minimal interruption from the snorkel itself moving around on you.
Cost and Value
Overall, we feel this sounds like great snorkel that gets the job done with minimal issues. It seems to be something for someone that may have a smaller head, which is a nice change from the usual. Also, the tension system seems to keep the forehead rest in place but still allows for minor adjustments without complication. If you’re looking for something to help increase your overall body movement but minimize breathing distraction this would be a good pick for you.
4. Kraken Aquatics Dry
Coming in at number 5 on our list, The Kraken Aquatics Dry Snorkel is a product that is used for both snorkeling and SCUBA diving. It doesn't have all the color options of some of its competitors but it seems a good overall pick for the serious aquatic fan who's looking to tame the big blue.
It stays Dry
Anyone who has spent time with any snorkel knows the pitfalls of gulping water. The Kraken Aquatics Dry snorkel has a system that closes the airway when submerged to keep water to a minimum and a purge valve to clear the tube when the rare leaks occur.
Soft and Comfortable
Unlike most models, the Aquatics Dry snorkel has a nice soft mouthpiece. Most snorkels have a standard quality of silicone for the mouthpiece but this one is noted as having a slightly smaller, very comfortable mouthpiece that is wonderful for longer use.
Cost and Value
If you are looking for a good all-around dry snorkel that won't break your wallet this seems to be a good pick. Users who are just starting out and have never used a snorkel while swimming through to the experienced diver looking for a good mouthfeel seem to enjoy this item. I think it would have rated higher if we had more reviews to go on but it seems a good choice.
5. Zionor Snorkel Lap
Again, on our list, we find ourselves looking at a snorkel for the pool used as opposed to the ocean dweller. Zionor has 2 different types of snorkel but we are focusing on the Zionor Snorkel for Lap Swimming or the T1. Zionor seems to have come up with something useful that won't break the bank but still has the overall good quality feel while in use.
Lap Time
Unlike a lot of other snorkels that are trying to cover a duel purpose Zionor has created this one strictly with the lap swimmer in mind. A center-mounted tube stays out of your line of sight and the hydrodynamic curve cuts through the water without the neck discomfort of turning your head to breathe.
Ahhh...My head!
A seemingly common occurrence in these types of pieces is the head strap. Too often consumers find that after some use they come away with discomfort where to strap and breath tube situate on their forehead. Seemingly Zionor has minimized that with padding and an easy to adjust headband. This seems to minimize the constant pressure one usually receives when using a swim snorkel.
Cost and Value
At number 6 on our list, Zionor Snorkel for Lap Swimming seems like a great buy. Pressure relieving pads, a well-made mouthpiece, and a consistently dry airway are all good things to have in this type of product. The purge valve works well on the off chance you get a tad more thank you want in your air tube and snorkel works with most setups. Good quality at a more than decent price seems to be the claim to fame on this product.
6. Aegend Dry
Well, this one on the list is interesting. Apparently, it started off as a full set with mask included- but the snorkel was popular enough on its on that they decided to make it available by itself. Having one that you can attach to any mask you like sounds nice but let's see how the people that use it regularly feel.
Easy Attachment
Everything we have seen states that this is easy to attach to your favorite mask brand, even if it's not the same manufacturer. This seems like a nice bonus for anyone looking to use this product. Almost everyone states this was the most used item in their pool.
Water Tight
While most dry snorkels claim that they keep water out of the air tube this one seems to really mean it. A lot of that is due to the dry valve and some due to the seeming comfort of the mouthpiece which is both flexible and comfortable during use.
Cost and Value
Once again we seem to have found an economical way to get a nice device to accomplish your end goal of keeping your breathing even and dry. The Aegend not only has a cool name but a cool price tag to go with it. Plus you don't have to worry about a spare set of goggles taking up storage space or lying unused in your pool room.
7. Speedo Bullet Head Swimmers
Ok...we are going to say it. Not every product is meant for every potential user. This particular product seems to be aimed at a more professional group of swimmers. That said it seems like a great thing when used appropriately but as you will read below, the name doesn't always say it all.
Low Profile
When it comes to matters of shape speedo seems to know what’s up. The tear-drop shape is made for low visibility and low aquatic drag when moving at an accelerated speed. This allows the user to not worry about their aquadynamics when using this product to increase the body motion.
Silicone Mouthpiece
Not that we want to sound like a mouthpiece....(ahem), But we have noticed that once again silicone is the way to go to avoid the skin reactions that seem to be an ongoing issue for swimmers. Luckily the silicone is not only hypoallergenic but is less likely to break down in pool chemicals or to get hard from use.
Cost and Value
As we have seen time and again with speedo, you get what you pay for, which is a lot. This particular center-mount snorkel is great if you are taking a more professional tack at your local swim club or trying to work solely on your body dynamic and not so much on having stereotypical "fun" in the family pool. If you're looking for something to help Timmy with his doggy paddle though, this may not be what you're looking for.
8. Poppin Kicks
If you’re looking for a new way to view life under the waves the Poppin Kicks Full Face Snorkel Mask seems like a way to accomplish that. It covers the entire face as opposed to most masks which only cover the eyes and nose. It also lacks an exterior snorkel attachment meaning you don't have to worry about connecting anything to the outside or a mouthpiece that is not the right fit. This particular model as stated is for Adult Youth and Kids. That said if Mom or Dad likes the look and wants to find one there is a different model for you.
Comfort
Snorkeling is something most of us have gotten used to, but not something we would call comfortable. The usual issues you would have when snorkeling seem to be void when using a mask snorkel combo that not only encompasses your whole face including your mouth, but that has a separate breathing chamber in the lower portion to help keep your mask from fogging up.
No drips
Most of the time when using a face mask in the water you have an issue with small seal leaks allowing water drips to barge in and slide down in front of your eyes, eventually pooling in the bottom. This mask, however, avoids this issue by creating a seal at the top with a special purge valve at the bottom that allows the water out when your head is raised.
Cost and Value
Even though this one is listed as one of the more expensive models, it seems to be the best rated in its class at this level. Only slightly more than the typical full set or even some of the individual pieces in the bigger brands, Popping Kicks seems to have found the happy medium between cost and functionality. We think this would be a great investment if you want to explore that beautiful coral reef but are having issues with the commonplace equipment for that type of adventure. It would also be a good way to help the younger adventurer be more willing to dive in face first.
9. Mares Ergo Dry
This snorkel is listed last but we certainly don't consider it last. The Mares Ergo Dry Snorkel seems to have all the features one would look for in this type of device. A lot of people that enjoy snorkeling have changed the way they do things in the last several years. This Mares Ergo Dry snorkel is just one way we have found to improve your overall experience. Let's hear it for not accidentally swallowing water.
No Jaw issues
This product has a neat little feature. Not only is the mouthpiece soft silicone but the tube connector to the snorkel itself is corrugated to allow for more flexibility as well. This means you not only don't have to grit your teeth to hold on but you can adjust the whole unit and allow for comfortable neck positioning. This would be especially useful if surface snorkeling and trying to see more without turning.
Left or Right
Alright we know we have mentioned this before but it really is nice. Most of us have a dominant hand or side. What you don't realize until in a particular circumstance is how much that can affect the way our things are set up. If you majorly right handed it can be a big pain to learn to do something as potentially important as switching a mouthpiece or clearing a purge valve with your other hand. I know there are a few ambidextrous people out there who can do it all either way but, don't forget out the rest of us.
Cost and Value
Right off the bat, we noticed that the overall cost of this product was a bit steeper than most. It doesn't come with a mask and that seems a bit harsh on first look. However, the more we looked the more we realized that something like this can be seen as an investment, especially for the serious snorkeler. Comfort is a big feature when it comes to this snorkel and few things are more important to anyone be they professional or casual in interest. It also seems noteworthy that more people seem happy with this despite the cost as opposed to because of it. In our opinion, if you’re looking for a good dry snorkel this may be your best bet.
10. Finis Swimmers
We know how annoying it can be when you're trying to focus on what you're doing but that darn habit of breathing gets in the way. Finis Swimmers Snorkel is center mounted allowing swimmers of any age or experience to do just that.
Out of sightline
As the first center mounted swim snorkel the Finis Swimmers Snorkel allows you to see using even standard swim goggles. The center mount stays away from your main line of vision meaning you can focus on what you're doing and not worry about seeing where you're going.
Never worry about adjusting
Anyone who swims laps knows that things that are wet tend to move and are often hard to adjust. The Finis Swimmers Snorkel allows you to make minute adjustments if needed, keeping everything just where you want it for ultimate comfort and easy breathing.
Cost and Value
Overall Finis Swimmers Snorkel seems to be a good pick for someone looking to increase their body condition without stopping to struggle for air. A newer swimmer can have fun not having to worry about how to breathe while staying afloat, while the more experienced swimmer can focus on their form and not on their breathing or line of sight.
