10 Best SMB For Scuba Diving In 2023

The Storm High Visibility Surface Marker Buoy is an open bottom SBM that can be inflated from your octopus or by oral inflation. This 6-foot long SMB is available in international orange with silver or international yellow with silver. The top-end also has a band of reflective tape to help make it easier to see. Often, it is a reflection that allows a spotter to first notice something in the water. 

The bottom edge of the Storm High Visibility Surface Marker Buoy is flared. This makes it easier to inflate with a second-stage regulator, usually the octopus. This wider base also allows it to be more stable at the surface and lessens the possibility that it will dump the air in rough conditions. TheSMB has an over-pressure valve so you can not overfill it. Can be used as a DSMB when used with a spool and released slowly. It comes with a plastic clip which some users see as a fault. However, It can easily be replaced with a metal clip.

The Innovative Scuba Concepts SMB is a close circuit SMB that can be used as a DSMB with the addition of a reel or spool. There is an oral inflation valve at the bottom of the SMB which is easy to use. Once the air is in the marker, the valve will seal it in. We love that this marker comes with a safety whistle attached. The whistle adds sound to the already visible device. The SMB has a Diver Down message on one side. It is available in a variety of safety colors, Neon Yellow, High Visibility Orange, or Bright Pink. If you have a hard time making up your mind about the color, you can get one that is orange on one side and yellow on the other.

The Innovative Scuba Concepts SMB does not have an over-pressure valve, however, its heavy construction will stand up to the expanding air as it surfaces. One feature that makes this item stand out is the top pocket that will hold a strobe or chem light for night diving.

This Phantom Aquatics Diver Signal SMB is a close circuit style and is orally inflated. Made from an extremely durable 210 Denier Cordura Fabric it should last for a long time. This SMB is orange and can be seen from a great distance. It is available in a 4 foot or 6-foot size. The 4-foot size is suitable for drift diving in calm surface waters. This site is a little smaller than most when rolled up so it is an excellent choice if your BCD has small pockets, or is clipped to your BCD.

While it is a close circuit style, the Phantom Aquatics Diver Signal SMB does not have an over-pressure valve. However, since you will likely inflate this device at or near the surface, it should not be a major concern. Not all divers routinely use an SMB but have them for emergencies. If that describes you, then this low-cost but quality SMB may just be what you are looking for. A safety whistle is also included.

A product of a leading manufacturer of scuba diving accessories, XS Scuba, This Surface Marker Buoy will keep you safe when you’re underwater. This is an open-end SMB that you can fill with your octopus or by oral inflation. The long 7-foot body (6 feet above the water) will warn people on the surface of your location and give you a point of reference when diving. The foot below the surface ensures that it will not dump air in waves or strong winds. 

The XS Scuba Surface Marker Buoy is available in both orange and yellow and has a large reflective tape band at the top.  An added feature for a night or when surface visibility is limited is a loop to attach a chem light or a strobe. A large stainless steel D-ring makes it easy to attach to your BCD while rolled, or as a point to connect a message slate when deployed.  The large size might make carrying it difficult. However, it is worth the trade-off in rough seas to have the extra visibility.

The XS Scuba Safety Sausage SMB is a closed-end surface marker buoy that uses oral inflation to bring it to its 6-foot length and 9-inch circumference. The inflation device is a twist style and you may need to practice with it if you have not used this style before. It is easy to inflate and the snap clip gives you the option of attaching it to a line. Great selection for a drift dive. This device is an excellent choice for someone looking for a clean, neat package. The SMB rolls up to about the size of your hand and fits into the included mesh bag. The mesh bag has a clip to attach to your BCD's “D” ring.

This XS Scuba Safety Sausage is made from a 75D urethane-backed fabric. While similar to other urethane materials used in SMB by many manufacturers, this version gives a stronger rubber-like finish. It is available in orange. Overall a good choice.

The OMS Buoy 30-Pound Li’ BCA-255 SMB has some features that set it apart from others. This is an open-end SMB, that is filled by purging your octopus. However, unlike other open-end surface marker buoys, this one will seal the bottom when full.  This allows the SMB to have the same characteristics as a close circuit SMB, including exceptional surface stability. To deflate the device, you pull the manual dump valve similar to the ones on your BCD. Like the BCD's dump valve, the OMS Buoy's dump valve is also an over-pressure valve. 

The OMS Buoy 30-Pound Li’ BCA-255 SMB has an incredible 30 pounds of lift which means it can also be used as a small lift bag. Trying to carry a heavy object to the surface is very dangerous. You would have to add air to your BCD to overcome the additional weight. If you lost hold of the item, you would shoot to the surface. You can use this SMB as a lift bag, inflating it to bring the item to neutral or slightly positive buoyancy.

JCS's Open Bottom Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) is shorter than most on this list, however, it is still 4 feet long, which is ample for most sea states. This is an open-end tube that is filled with the purge of your octopus. One feature of this DSMB is the hem of the open side contains magnets. When you are finished filling the tube, you just need to press the magnets together and the tube is sealed. Once sealed, you do not need to worry about it dumping air at the surface. However, it does not have an over-pressure valve.

The JCS's Open Bottom Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) comes with a line that can be used to deploy it. However, most divers would replace the line with a small finger spool. Both the line and the DSMB fit in the included pouch which can be clipped to your BCD. The tube is a high visibility safety orange color with “Diver Below” printed in black.