Open Box Camera Housings — Take Your Own Camera Under

A housing is the most cost-effective way into serious underwater imaging, because it lets you use a camera or phone you already own. It's also a component where the open box discount is meaningful, since housings are model-specific and get returned when a buyer upgrades their phone or camera body and the housing no longer fits anything they own.

This collection covers smartphone housings and camera housings including SeaLife SportDiver models. Every item is inspected and graded before listing; see Product Conditions for full definitions.

Compatibility Is Everything

Housings are built around the exact dimensions and camera placement of specific devices. A housing for one phone generation frequently will not fit the next, even when the phones look similar. Before ordering, confirm your exact model against the housing's compatibility list — not the product family, the specific model and generation.

If the listing doesn't state compatibility clearly, ask us. We'd rather check than have you receive something that doesn't fit.

Seals — What to Inspect and Replace

The main O-ring is what stands between your phone and the ocean, and it's a consumable component. On any used housing, inspect the O-ring for nicks, flattening, and embedded grit, and inspect the groove it sits in just as carefully. Replace the O-ring before first use if there's any doubt — it costs a fraction of what's inside the housing.

Use only the lubricant the manufacturer specifies. Silicone grease intended for a different application can cause the O-ring to swell and fail.

Test Before You Trust It

Always run a housing empty before putting a device in it. Seal it closed with a tissue or paper towel inside, submerge it in a sink or pool for several minutes, then open it and check the paper is bone dry. Do this every time you buy a used housing, and periodically thereafter. If the housing has a vacuum leak-check system, use it on every dive.

Why Buy Open Box Housings from DiveCatalog.com?

• Inspected and graded — condition stated clearly on every listing
• Compatibility checking — tell us your exact device model and we'll confirm fit before you order
• Fast shipping — in-stock items ship within one business day
• 30-day returns — with RMA approval; see our Returns & Exchanges page
• Rewards program — earn points on every purchase

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a housing fits my phone or camera?

Check your exact model and generation against the housing's compatibility list. Housings are dimensionally specific and a model that looks similar often won't fit. Contact us with your device details and we'll confirm.

Should I replace the O-ring on a used housing?

Yes. Treat it as a required first step. O-rings are inexpensive, they're the sole barrier protecting your device, and you have no way of knowing how the previous owner stored or maintained the housing.

How do I test a housing before using it?

Seal it empty with a dry tissue inside, submerge it for several minutes, then open and check the tissue. If it's dry, the seal is sound. Never skip this on a used housing, and repeat it periodically.

Do open box housings come with a warranty?

No. Open box and used products are not eligible for manufacturer warranty coverage, and this includes any coverage for a flooded device. Test thoroughly before trusting a housing with an expensive phone or camera.

Browse the full collection above, or see Open Box Underwater Cameras and all Open Box & Used gear.