| Manufacturer | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Type | Large-format dive computer with a colour display |
| Series | Descent X |
| Released | 25 September 2025 (announced 25 September 2025) |
| Price at launch | GBP 649.99 / USD 749.99 |
| Predecessor | None; sits between the Descent X10 and X50i |
| Successor | Not yet announced; see Release Radar |
| Size | 78.7 x 61.8 x 24.7mm |
| Variants | Single edition |
| Colours | Black |
Specifications as at launch. Features reflect the latest Garmin software.
Expert opinion | Descent X range compared | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Quick answers | Further reading
Expert opinion
Who it suits: Regular and advanced recreational divers who want a large colour display, surface GPS, proper dive planning and multi-gas support without paying for the X50i’s air integration.
The Descent X30 is the sensible middle of the range. It adds multi-gas diving with air, nitrox and trimix to the X10’s single-gas and gauge modes, with the Bühlmann ZHL-16c model, gradient factors and a planner that handles decompression dives. NDL Aware shows how depth changes affect your no-deco time, a dynamic depth chart tracks where you have been, and gas-switch alerts and a 3-axis compass help you manage the dive. Built-in GPS marks entry and exit points and navigates you to a dive site on the surface, with the Garmin Dive app syncing your logs afterwards.
The 2.4-inch colour screen has large data fields and custom dive pages, and the four metal buttons are easy to press with gloves. Battery lasts up to 30 hours of diving at the default brightness, 10 hours at high brightness, and 47 hours in night-dive mode. It is heavier than the X10 at about 198g with its band, and it lacks the X50i’s air integration, SubWave messaging, maps and CCR mode. For most recreational diving, though, the X30 has everything you need and the colour screen to read it on.
Garmin Descent X30
Colour dive computer with trimix, surface GPS and a compass, at a mid-range price.
Descent X range compared
Garmin sells three large-format Descent X dive computers. The table shows where the Descent X30 sits.
| Feature | Descent X10 | Descent X30 | Descent X50i |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 2.1″ monochrome MIP | 2.4″ colour LCD | 3″ colour LCD touchscreen (surface only) |
| Lens | Chemically strengthened glass | Chemically strengthened glass | Sapphire crystal |
| Dive rating | 100 metres | 100 metres | 200 metres |
| Dive modes | Single-gas, gauge, apnea | Single-gas, multi-gas, gauge | Single-gas, multi-gas, gauge, CCR |
| Gases | Air and nitrox to 40% O2 | Air, nitrox and trimix to 100% O2 | Air, nitrox and trimix to 100% O2 |
| Air integration | No | No | Yes, up to 8 Descent T2 transceivers |
| Diver messaging | No | No | SubWave preset messages |
| Surface GPS and compass | No; entry and exit points from your phone | Yes | Yes |
| Maps | No | No | TopoActive and DiveView maps |
| Dive light | No | No | Yes |
| Dive battery (default) | Up to 50 hours | Up to 30 hours | Up to 16 hours |
| Weight with bands | 130g | 198.4g | 280g |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |||
Specifications
The Descent X30 comes in one size with four large metal buttons and a hinged silicone band that fits over a wetsuit. The housing and bezel are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.
| Specification | Descent X30 |
|---|---|
| Display | |
| Display type | Colour LCD |
| Display size | 2.4″ diagonal |
| Resolution | 320 x 240 pixels |
| Colour | Yes |
| Lens | Chemically strengthened glass |
| Touchscreen | No, buttons only |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions | 78.7 x 61.8 x 24.7mm |
| Weight | 159g without bands; 198.4g with bands |
| Case and bezel | Fibre-reinforced ocean-bound plastic |
| Band | Hinged silicone; 26mm QuickFit compatible |
| Band fit | 140 to 360mm |
| Buttons | Four leakproof metal buttons |
| Dive rating | 100 metres |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo (surface only) |
| Compass | 3-axis |
| Other sensors | Depth sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, ambient light sensor |
| Connectivity and storage | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+ |
| Storage | 4GB |
| Maps | No; point-to-point navigation and reference point |
| Dive light | No |
| Charging | Garmin proprietary clip charger |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Battery life
Battery figures are Garmin’s official ratings for dive mode at each brightness setting.
| Mode | Descent X30 |
|---|---|
| Medium brightness (default) | Up to 30 hours |
| High brightness | Up to 10 hours |
| Night dive | Up to 47 hours |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Features
Diving
- Single-gas, multi-gas and gauge dive modes
- Rated to 100 metres
- Bühlmann ZHL-16c decompression model with gradient factors
- Air, nitrox and trimix up to 100% O2, with 1 bottom gas and up to 11 deco or backup gases
- PO2 up to 2.0 with a customisable deco PO2 setting
- Dive planner for NDL and multi-gas decompression
- NDL Aware depth metrics
- Dynamic depth chart showing your depth history during the dive
- Customisable conservatism (low, medium, high or custom gradient factors) and deep stops
- Customisable safety stop (off, 3 or 5 minutes)
- Audible and vibration alarms for ascent rate, PO2, OTU, NDL, deco and gas switching
- Up to 40 custom depth or time alerts per dive mode
- Ascent and descent rate indicator
- Automatic dive start and end with a custom end-dive timeout
- 3-axis dive compass with set heading, 90 degrees left and right, and reciprocal
- Surface diver status: surface interval, N2/He loading, CNS, OTU and tissue compartments
- No-fly time and automatic altitude adjustment
- Missed deco lockout, which can be disabled before a dive
- Custom dive screens with up to three data fields per page
- Flip-screen mode and a large font option
Surface and safety
- Surface GPS marks dive entry and exit points
- Point-to-point navigation to a dive site and reference point
- Built-in barometer and downloadable tide tables
- Pairs with an inReach device to trigger an SOS from the surface (satellite subscription required)
- Stores your Divers Alert Network (DAN) ID
- Setup sharing syncs gases, conservatism and alerts with a compatible backup Descent
Connect
- Dive logs sync to the Garmin Dive app
- Smart notifications, with text replies on Android
- Weather forecasts
- Dual grid coordinates
- Passcode lock
Garmin Descent X30
Colour dive computer with trimix, surface GPS and a compass, at a mid-range price.
Quick answers
When was the Garmin Descent X30 released?
Garmin announced the Descent X30 on 25 September 2025 at GBP 649.99 or USD 749.99.
How deep can the Descent X30 dive?
The Descent X30 is rated to 100 metres and supports single-gas, multi-gas and gauge diving with air, nitrox and trimix up to 100% O2.
Does the Descent X30 have air integration?
No. Air integration through Descent T2 transceivers needs the Descent X50i or a Descent Mk3i.
What is the difference between the Descent X30 and X50i?
The X50i adds a 3-inch touchscreen, a sapphire lens, a 200 metre rating, air integration, SubWave diver messaging, CCR mode, maps and a dive light. The X30 is lighter and lasts longer, up to 30 hours of diving against 16.
How long does the Descent X30 battery last?
Garmin rates the Descent X30 for up to 30 hours of diving at the default brightness, 10 hours at high brightness and 47 hours in night dive mode.
Further reading
- Which Garmin Descent to buy
- New Garmin Descent X30: launch and opinion
- Garmin Descent X50i specifications
- Garmin Descent X10 specifications
- Garmin watch and dive computer specifications
- Release Radar: upcoming Garmin devices
Related dive computers
Step up: Garmin Descent X50i, with a touchscreen, air integration, CCR mode and maps.
Step down: Garmin Descent X10, a lighter monochrome model with a 50-hour dive battery.
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine.
- Ravemen FR1500SE: 1,500 lumens hanging under your Garmin, for proper night rides.
- Ravemen FR1100SE: 1,100 lumens under your Garmin, and up to 46 hours on slow flash.
- Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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