Asiwo Sea Scooter Comparison 2026: MAKO vs MANTA vs MANTA 2 vs U1

Choosing an underwater scooter is harder than it looks, because the price spread inside a single brand can be larger than the gap between brands. Asiwo is a clear example: the entry MAKO and the flagship U1 are separated by more than $700, and they are not simply cheaper and more expensive versions of the same thing. They are built for completely different activities.

This Asiwo sea scooter comparison breaks down the four models in the 2026 lineup - MAKO, MANTA, MANTA 2, and U1 - by the specs that actually change how the device performs in the water: depth rating, runtime, speed, weight, and price. The goal is simple: match the model to how you actually intend to use it, so you neither overpay for capability you will never touch nor underbuy a scooter that quits before your dive is done.

Asiwo Sea Scooter Comparison: Full Spec Table

Before the model-by-model breakdown, here is the entire lineup side by side. Every number below comes from Asiwo’s published specifications.

Model	Price	Max Depth	Runtime	Top Speed	Weight	Best For
MAKO	~$215–269	2 m (pool/surface)	60 min	5.4 km/h	5.7 lbs	Kids, families, pools
MANTA	~$339	40 m (131 ft)	35 min	7.2 km/h	7.7 lbs	Snorkeling, light diving
MANTA 2	premium tier	40 m (131 ft)	90 min	8.2 ft/s (~9 km/h)	9.9 lbs	Advanced divers, freedivers
U1	~$956	50 m	80 min	12 km/h	13.2 lbs	SUP/kayak power, multi-sport

The pattern is worth noticing before you read further: price tracks runtime and versatility, not depth. The MAKO and the MANTA both exist at modest prices, but the MAKO is a surface toy and the MANTA is a real diving tool. The U1 costs the most not because it dives deepest, but because it is the only model that doubles as a surface propulsion system for paddleboards and kayaks.

MAKO: The Family and Pool Pick

The MAKO is the model most buyers should start with if their honest use case is a backyard pool, a resort vacation, or letting kids splash around safely. At 5.7 lbs, it is the lightest scooter in the lineup and the easiest to hand to a child.

Two design choices define the MAKO. First, the 265 lbs of buoyancy - it is a self-floating, board-like device that will not sink if a swimmer lets go. Second, the child lock, which prevents accidental throttle activation. Together these make the MAKO the safest Asiwo model for unsupervised or lightly supervised use by younger swimmers.

The trade-off is depth. The MAKO is rated for roughly 2 m, which means it is a surface and shallow-pool device, not a diving tool. Its 60-minute runtime is generous for casual use, and the gentle multi-speed settings (top speed around 5.4 km/h) keep it controllable for beginners. If anyone in your household is going to use the scooter, but no one is a certified diver, the MAKO is the correct answer. It does the basics well and feels approachable rather than intimidating.

MANTA: The Snorkeler’s Entry Into Real Diving

The original MANTA is where the Asiwo lineup crosses from toy into genuine dive equipment. The 40 m (131 ft) depth rating is the same as the much pricier MANTA 2 - meaning even the entry diving model can follow a recreational diver to the full sport-diving limit.

At 7.7 lbs and a top speed of 7.2 km/h, the MANTA is a compact, manageable scooter that suits snorkelers exploring reefs and recreational divers who want propulsion without a large investment. A common reason buyers choose the MANTA is its suitability for camera mounts - it is a popular platform for filming reef dives and snorkeling sessions.

The MANTA’s one real limitation is its 35-minute runtime. For a single snorkeling session or a shorter dive, that is plenty. For longer dive profiles or back-to-back exploration, you will be surfacing to swap or recharge while the dive is still interesting. That single constraint is precisely what the MANTA 2 was built to remove.

MANTA 2: The Serious Diver’s Upgrade

The MANTA 2 keeps the MANTA’s 131 ft depth but nearly triples the runtime to 90 minutes and lifts top speed to 8.2 ft/s. That runtime jump is not a minor spec bump - it is the difference between a scooter that assists a dive and one that can power an entire dive profile from descent to ascent.

For advanced recreational divers, freedivers, dive instructors, and underwater photographers, the MANTA 2 is the model that justifies its premium. The added 9.9 lbs of weight is irrelevant once submerged - buoyancy cancels it out - and the 252Wh battery driving the performance is the reason for both the runtime and the price.

We cover the MANTA 2 in depth in our full Asiwo MANTA 2 review, including the freediving versus scuba use cases and the air-travel battery restrictions you need to plan around. If you already dive frequently enough to be frustrated by 35-minute runtime, the MANTA 2 is the clear pick.

U1: The Multi-Sport Powerhouse

The U1 is the outlier, and the most misunderstood model in the range. It is not primarily a diving scooter at all - it is a 1100 W surface thruster that mounts to paddleboards and kayaks, with around 17 kgf of max thrust and a top speed of 12 km/h. It still works underwater (rated to 50 m), but its headline use case is turning a SUP or kayak into a motorized board.

At 13.2 lbs and roughly $956, the U1 is the heaviest and most expensive option, and it is overkill for anyone who only wants to dive. But for a buyer who paddleboards, kayaks, and occasionally dives, the U1 replaces two or three separate purchases. The 80-minute runtime and high thrust make it a genuine multi-sport water-mobility platform rather than a single-purpose toy.

If your weekends involve paddling more than diving, the U1 is the model to look at. If you never touch a SUP or kayak, save the money and buy a MANTA 2.

Asiwo Sea Scooter Comparison: How to Choose

Strip away the spec sheets and the decision comes down to one question - what are you actually doing in the water?

• Pool, kids, casual family fun → MAKO. Safe, buoyant, light, affordable.
• Snorkeling and entry-level diving on a budget → MANTA. Full 131 ft depth, camera-friendly, short runtime.
• Serious, frequent diving or freediving → MANTA 2. Triple the runtime, faster, built for long dives.
• Paddleboarding and kayaking, with diving as a bonus → U1. Surface thrust power and multi-sport versatility.

A useful rule: buy on use case, not on price. The cheapest model that fits your activity will always outperform an expensive model used for the wrong thing. A diver who buys a MAKO to save money will be disappointed at 2 m depth, and a pool-only family who buys a U1 will have paid $700 for thrust they never use.

For buyers also weighing other categories of electric mobility, our OUXI V8 fat tire ebike review and Navee NT5 Max review cover land-based options that pair well with a water-sports setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Asiwo sea scooter is best for beginners?
The MAKO. Its self-buoyant design, child lock, and gentle speed settings make it the safest and most approachable model for first-time users, kids, and families. It is a surface and pool device, not a diving tool.

What is the difference between the MANTA and MANTA 2?
Both reach 131 ft, but the MANTA 2 nearly triples runtime (35 → 90 minutes) and increases speed (5 → 8.2 ft/s). The MANTA suits snorkelers and casual divers; the MANTA 2 is built for advanced and frequent divers.

Can the Asiwo U1 really power a paddleboard?
Yes. The U1 is a 1100 W thruster with ~17 kgf of thrust designed to mount on SUPs and kayaks, compatible with around 99% of paddleboards. It doubles as an underwater scooter rated to 50 m.

Do Asiwo scooters come with the battery included?
On several models the battery is sold separately or specified as a removable pack. Confirm the exact configuration on the product page before purchase, since battery capacity directly drives runtime.

Which model is best for underwater photography?
The MANTA is a popular camera platform for snorkeling and reef filming, while the MANTA 2’s longer runtime suits photographers who need to cover more ground tracking subjects across a longer session.

Final Verdict

The Asiwo lineup is unusually well differentiated - each model genuinely targets a different activity rather than just a different price point. The MAKO owns the pool, the MANTA opens the door to diving, the MANTA 2 serves the serious diver, and the U1 is the multi-sport surface powerhouse. Decide what you will actually do in the water first, and the right model picks itself.

Compare the full Asiwo sea scooter lineup