Don’t spend like a millionaire…but dive like one
Pulling the XS Compact out of the box the first thing to notice is that it is a fairly large and heavy regulator. It feels sturdy and well made. I tested the yoke version, and the horizontal nature of the regulator makes the XS Compact very long. Depending on how you like to wear your BCD, it could bump the back of your head.
Since it’s an unbalanced regulator, I tested the XS Compact in the pool, in shallow depths at a local quarry, and within open-water limits in the ocean. The XS Compact breathed how you would expect an unbalanced, budget regulator to breathe. It by no means blew my mind, but it did what it was supposed to do with zero problems. I felt safe and confident during the entire testing phase.
We should note that, while budget friendly, the XS Compact is not a way to cheap out on gear costs and expect to make the same dives — on the same profiles — as other regulators that are designed to meet those needs. If you plan to make deeper dives in colder water more frequently, please check out our rundown of this year’s best regulators to find the appropriate match here.
However, if you desire to dive shallow reefs and wrecks in warm water, then by all means, this regulator will meet your needs. It is light enough to travel and tough enough to take a few bumps and bruises.
Spec Breakdowns & Features
Being an unbalanced regulator means you shouldn’t take this regulator deeper than the 60- to 70-foot range (18 to 21 m). Nothing catastrophic will happen; it will simply feel like you are breathing through a coffee stirrer when you approach those depths. It won’t hurt you, but it won’t be enjoyable.
Divers will notice that the XS Compact only has one high-pressure port. For the vast majority of diving, a single high-pressure port will suffice. It simply means you won’t be able to run an SPG and a transmitter at the same time.
The XS Compact does come in either DIN or yoke, giving divers the option to choose a variety of cylinders to dive with.
Accessories
The Cressi XS Compact comes with just about everything you need to start diving, since it has a first stage, second stage, and octopus as part of the package. You can start by buying a Cressi mini SPG either with or without a rubber boot. Since you’re planning on diving in far-off, warm locales, you will need a good travel BCD. Check out our review of the Cressi Travelight here.
Price/Quality Ratio
You won’t find this regulator on any technical setups, and you won’t find it on the kits of instructors or divemasters. But this regulator does exactly what it is designed to do at a price that makes diving more accessible to a greater population. As stated above, the Cressi XS Compact first stage, along with the primary second stage and octopus, is roughly half the cost of a high-performance first and second stage.
Do we recommend the Cressi XS Compact AC2?
We certainly do recommend the Cressi XS Compact AC2 with the caveat that it is used by the intended audience. We recommend this regulator for those who dive shallow and warm. If you are a deep diver, however, this regulator is not for you. Check our rankings of the best regulators of the year here.
Specs & Features
| Valve | DIN or yoke |
|---|---|
| First stage | Non-balanced flow-by |
| Second stage | Downstream demand |
| Ports | One high-pressure; four low-pressure |
| Max working pressure | 300 bar/4350 psi (DIN), 232 bar/3365 psi (yoke) |
| Weight | 17.5 oz/495 grams (DIN); 22.4 oz/635 grams (yoke) |
