Keeping an aquarium can be a relaxing hobby, but it does require some equipment to keep the water clean and fish healthy. One essential piece of aquarium gear is the filter. Aquarium filters remove waste, uneaten food, and other contaminants from the water to prevent the buildup of harmful substances.
With different types of filters on the market, how do you know which one is right for your tank? I’ve researched the latest and greatest aquarium filters to bring you the top products for 2024. Whether you’re setting up a new tank or looking to upgrade your existing filter, these are the best selling models available this year.
1. Fluval FX6 External Power Filter
The Fluval FX6 is one of the most powerful and customizable external canister filters available. Rated for aquariums up to 400 gallons, this workhorse features advanced filtration technology to process 925 gallons of water per hour.
The multi-stage filtration system includes chemical, biological, and mechanical media with plenty of room for customization. The self-priming instant start system offers super quiet operation. This high capacity, high performance filter is perfect for both freshwater and saltwater setups.
2. Marineland Penguin Power Filter
For easy three stage filtration, the Marineland Penguin filter is a top choice. The internal filter fits right into your aquarium with adjustable intake strainer and three filter cartridges included.
The mechanical filter pads grab floating debris while the activated carbon removes odors, discoloration, and impurities. The patented Bio-Wheel offers thorough biological filtration to break down waste and maintain a healthy nitrogen cycle.
The Penguin filter comes in sizes ideal for tanks from 20 to 70 gallons. The flow rate design creates a gentle surface movement fish appreciate too. It’s a reliable and affordable option perfect for both new and established tanks.
3. Fluval Plant 3.0 LED Aquarium Light
While not technically a filter, the Fluval Plant 3.0 LED light deserves mention as one of the top new aquarium products this year. This high-tech LED light features powerful full spectrum 6500k daylight and freshwater plant light perfect for planted aquariums.
New for 2024, Fluval ramped up technology allowing complete wireless control through the FluvalSmart app. Customize vivid lighting effects like cloud cover, lightning, and double wide color blends optimized for lush plant growth. Designed for rimless aquariums up to 32 inches, it’s the ultimate light for planted tanks.
4. Tetra Whisper EX Power Filter
For powerful and silent filtration, the Tetra Whisper EX external canister filter is a top choice. This slim canister filter sits below or beside your aquarium, offering powerful 320 GPH dual pump flow.
The large capacity filter circulates water through four stages of filtration, capturing food, waste, and debris in the strainer cage while biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration media keeps water crystal clear.
Designed for aquariums up to 70 gallons, the EX filter offers easy priming, continuous water flow, and helpful cleaning indicator lights. User friendly for beginners while still highly customizable for advanced hobbyists, it’s one of the most versatile canister filters around.
5. Seachem Tidal Power Filter
Innovative design meets high performance with Seachem’s line of Tidal Power Filters. These unique filters offer both mechanical and chemical filtration through the one-of-a-kind vertical filter barrel design. Insert filter pads and Seachem Matrix bio-media with space to add other chemical media like Purigen, activated carbon, or ammonia removers.
With adjustable height and flow levels, these filters cater to a wide range of aquariums from nano-reef tanks to heavily stocked cichlid setups. Choose from sizes fitting tanks from 15 to 105 gallons with flow rates between 210 to 525 GPH. Quiet, efficient, and highly customizable, the Tidal filter is ideal for advanced aquarists.
6. Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter
The Penn Plax Cascade line encompasses a strong catalog of canister filters to match a wide range of aquarium needs. Ranging from the economical Cascade 500 rated for 20 gallon tanks up to the Cascade 1500 filtering aquariums up to 200 gallons, there’s a Cascade filter suitable for freshwater and marine setups alike.
Multi-stage filtration handles mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration through included media with plenty of extra room to add your own. The push button self-primer with independent 360 degree rotating valve makes it easy to get this canister filter up and running quick. Dual directional returns plus spray bar attachment provide customizable water flow options too.
7. Hygger Horizon Internal Filter
Filtering and oxygenating water without clutter, the Hygger Horizon with built-in aerator pump is a versatile aquarium filter for nano tanks up to 8 gallons. The five-stage filtration tackles water polishing, biological filtration, activated carbon filtration, and more through the replaceable sieve, sponge, and activated carbon cartridge inserts.
Adjust flow rate and installation height to cater to tanks from 1⁄2 gallon desktop nano aquariums to 8 gallon rimless tanks. With crystal clear water, increased oxygen, and ultra quiet operation, it’s no wonder over 4,000 aquarists give this filter five star reviews.
8. AquaClear Power Filter
Offering the ultimate in mechanical, chemical, and biological aquarium filtration along with custom filter media capacity, AquaClear Power Filters are a longtime fishkeeper favorite.
These innovative hang-on-back filters feature carefully engineered flow rates and filter volumes catering to specific aquarium sizes from the AquaClear 20 for 5-20 gallon tanks up to the AquaClear 110 for 60-110 gallon aquariums.
The two-part modular filter insert design makes it easy to customize filter media sequencing while the re-filtration system continually passes water through each stage for exceptional water clarity. Reliable, versatile, and affordable, AquaClear Filters consistently rank among the best filters on the market after 35 years and counting.
Keep Tanks Sparkling with a High-Quality Aquarium Filter
A suitable filter tailored to your tank size is fundamental for maintaining a healthy aquarium environment long-term. While there are many great filters to choose from, I hope this breakdown of the leading models in 2024 gives you a head start identifying top contenders for your freshwater or marine habitat.
Whether you seek mechanical, chemical, or biological aquarium filtration (or all three), these leading brand name filters offer advanced features catering to different setups and aquarist needs. Do some additional research to decide which filter ticks the right boxes for water turnover rate, filter media and customization options, energy efficiency, ease of use, noise levels, and other factors integral to your unique aquarium ecosystem. Investing in a quality filtration system pays dividends for years through crystal clear water and thriving fish.