You can breathe easy during your next dive with these three high-performance scuba regulators.

1. Cressi Compact Pro MC9 SC

The popular Compact has been recently refined by Cressi, whose engineers opted to use a plastic that conducts heat like metal, dramatically reducing the regulator's weight. We really liked the Compact Pro’s performance when we dived with it, even in upright and head-down positions. Divers who suffer from jaw fatigue due to a heavy second stage will appreciate the second stage’s light weight (barely 5 ounces on our scale). $419.95; cressiusa.com

2. Hollis 200LX DCX

This sleek-looking regulator will turn heads, but we had more-practical reasons for loving the 200LX: great in-water breathing performance and overall comfort. Divers praised the reg’s easy-to-operate Venturi lever and breathing adjustments because they don’t require levering the mouthpiece around in your mouth. A nice touch: The 200LX’s second stage can be converted from right-handed to left-handed in a matter of minutes. $624.95; hollis.com

3. Sherwood Scuba Maximus Pro

Long a mainstay in the Sherwood Scuba line of regulators, the Maximus has undergone a major redesign. It sports some of the same familiar design elements — the elliptical second stage, for example — but Sherwood engineers gave its diaphragm cover a serious eye-catching makeover, and the breathing adjustment is now on the left side rather than at the hose inlet. More important, we loved how it breathed dry in all positions. $690; sherwoodscuba.com

Are you a scuba-diving gear junkie? We are too. Read all our latest reviews on the Dive Gear section of our website.