Best Filter for Betta Fish – 2023 Top Picks Reviews

Unless you are committed to a lot of hard work, such as cleaning the tank weekly and making water changes regularly, your bettas need the best filter for betta fish.

A good filter will do all the hard work for you and help keep the water parameters (ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites) optimum. Moreover, the best filter for betta also adds oxygenation to the tank, making it healthier. This is extremely important for your bettas’ welfare.

If you’re wondering what filter is best for betta fish, this guide is for you. Read on to find the best filter for betta fish for various tank sizes.

Best Filter for Betta Tank – Top 10 Picks

1. Editor’s Pick: AquaClear Fish Tank Filter, 5 to 20 Gallons

If you want a filter that offers quick and efficient filtering without consuming too much energy, then the AquaClear tank filter is just what you need.

This is an excellent filter for the betta fish tank, and it comes in various sizes like 5-20 gallons, 10-30 gallons, and even 60-110 gallons.

Thousands of betta owners have given rave reviews for this filter. Its installation is quick and easy, and your tank will have superior water quality thanks to its multiple filtration layers:

• Foam (for trapping larger debris)
• Activated carbon (absorbs odors, impurities, and discolorations),
• BioMax(ceramic rings to preserve beneficial bacteria),
• and cycle guard.

Moreover, its waterfall-like sound and low operation ensure minimum stress in the bettas.

2. Best Filter for 3 Gallon Betta Tank: Aqueon Betta Filters Volcano One Size

If you have a small betta habitat, such as a bowl or a tank of 3 gallons, the Aqueon volcano filter is an excellent choice. It comes with a carbon and sponge cartridge, and you can also choose from options like a volcano with pump, plant and air pump, etc. (Please note that the lower-end models require you to buy the air pump separately).

The beautiful volcano shape provides natural decoration in your betta’s habitat. The air-operated volcano filter provides your betta with a healthier habitat and also produces bubbles for your betta to play with.

3. Best Silent Operation: PULACO Ultra Quiet Aquarium Hang-on Filter

Betta fish do not like noisy filters. The PULACO ultra-quiet hang-on filter overcomes noise by using a high-quality motor. Moreover, you can adjust the water flow as required.

PULACO filter pushes water at 66 gallons per hour without the noise so that a baby could sleep right next to it! It also ensures Maximum water filters sponge contact and shocks the water to create more oxygen in the tank. No wonder it is considered the best filter for a 2.5-gallon betta tank.

The brand also offers 24-hour after-sales service and a lifetime warranty.

4. Best Small-Size Filter for Betta Fish: AQUANEAT Mini Sponge Filter

AQUANEAT is a mini-sponge filter for betta fish tanks 0.5 up to 3 gallons. It takes up minimum space and consists of a sponge that absorbs all floating debris without harming your betta.

The sponge filter is considered the best aquarium filter for betta fish because of its ease of setup and cleaning.

5. Best Submersible Filter: NO.17 Submersible Aquarium Internal Filter

NO.17 8 Watt internal filter is considered one of the best filters for a 20-gallon betta tank. It provides a clean and healthy environment for your betta.

 It is equipped with a 200 gallons per hour air pump, so you don’t have to buy it separately. Also, its flow rate is adjustable so that you can choose one according to your pets’ comfort.

The submersible filter also comes with multiple media to filter out debris.

6. Best Biochemical Filter: UPETTOOLS Aquarium Biochemical Sponge Filter

A mechanical filter strains waste and solid debris, whereas a biofilter consists of beneficial bacteria that convert ammonia into useful ingredients.

UPETTOOLS is a biomechanical filter that promotes the stable pH of your bettas’ water. It also cultivates nitrifying bacteria to keep your pets healthy. Biomechanical filtration is the best way to stabilize your betta tank’s environment. There is no strong suction, unlike other filters – it makes it safer for your bettas.

UPETTOOLS filter uses superior ceramic media balls that are effective in filtering and easy to replace. It can be used for tanks up to 40 gallons in size. It is compact enough to be discreetly placed anywhere in the tank and can be used with a standard air pump and 4mm air hose. The filter’s air-water outlet is 360-degree adjustable, so you can change the direction and height of flow.

The brand also makes similar filters in green color. The green color better displays the debris captured and also gives an indication of when to change/wash the media.

7. Best Filter for a Betta 4-Gallon Tank: Tetra Whisper 4 Gallon Internal Power Filter

Tetra Whisper’s internal power filter has a flow rate of 27 gallons per hour that can easily cycle your 4-gallon betta fish tank more than six times per hour. Thus, your pets will always have a clean and healthy environment.

Tetra Whisper also comes with two filters-in-one: S-category cartridge floss to catch debris and ultra-activated carbon to remove odors and discoloration. The clip-on design of Tetra Whisper is also convenient to hang on to a 4-gallon tank.

8. Best Disposable Media: Penn-Plax Small World Aquarium Filter

This is one of the best filters for betta fish 5-gallon tank. Penn-Plax, Small World filter, is compact and can fit tanks of all shapes and sizes. It easily mounts on glass, acrylic, or plastic surfaces. The best part is its disposable media, so there is no tedious cleaning or washing involved.

The multi-stage filtration includes zeolites for odor absorption, carbon for discoloration and odor, and bio sponge for debris and creating beneficial bacteria.

Please note that Small World Filter does not include a tube and pump.

9. Best Under-gravel Filter: Lee’s 40/55 Premium Under-gravel Filter

Under-gravel filters may seem ‘old school,’ but they are highly effective.

Lee’s under gravel filter is ideal for 40-55 gallon tanks. It comes with two plates that leave a ½-inch space on the front and back and 1″ space between sides and plates. This system is sure to keep your tank crystal clear.

10. Best Space-Saving & Compact: Marina S10 Power Filter

Marina S10 power filter is one of the best filters for a 10-gallon betta tank. The space-saving filter comes with a clip to attach to 10-gallon tanks with ease.

 It purifies water with convenient three media: chemical, mechanical, and biological. This increases your tank oxygenation, making it healthier for your pets.

How to Choose the Best Filter for a Betta Fish?

Here are the factors to consider when selecting the best filter for the betta tank:

1. Size

Always match the filter size to the tank size. If needed, seek the help of a salesperson. These days, you can also find products marked according to tank size: for example, the best filter for betta 2.5 gallons, best filter for betta 5 gallons, or best filter for betta 3-gallon tanks.

Avoid using very large filters for small tanks. Their flow may suck your poor fish into it. While this may not kill your pet, it could stress them out considerably or damage their beautiful fins.

Most small-size tanks do well with hanging filters that go on the walls of the tank. They typically have a layer of activated charcoal along with a fiber layer. Water passes through them both to remove pollutants, etc. and clean water is released back.

Larger tanks with large fish populations can do well with outside-the-tank filters. These have powerful pumps to pass the water through activated charcoal and other filter layers. However, they might be too noisy and betta, who live in silent stagnant waters, may get stressed from all that noise.

2. Choose between the types of filters

Filters are of different types: mechanical, under-gravel, hanging, biological, chemical, multi-stage, etc. They all are effective and most work for 10-gallon tanks.

Under-gravel filters sit under a layer of gravel. The water is drawn through the gravel and into the filtering holes. There it passes through a system of tubes having bacterial cultures. These break down the waste and pollutants. The drawback of these filters is that you may have to remove the gravel while cleaning the filter or use a siphon to suck the debris that accumulates in it.

3. Noise level of the filter

As mentioned earlier, bettas prefer a silent tank. Noisy, powered filters can stress your pet out. A sponge filter can help in such cases. Mini sponge filters are not only the quietest, but they are also super affordable.

4. Consider if you need an air pump separately

If you change the water regularly and provide space above the tank, you do not need a separate air pump for betta fish. In case you do decide to use a betta fish tank pump, make sure it matches the tank’s capacity. If needed, ask the salesperson at a pet shop for recommendations on the best betta fish pump.

Conclusion – Best Filter for Betta Fish

If you’re wondering what type of filter is best for betta, then we hope this guide has helped you answer the question. The best fish tank filter for betta should match the tank size (10, 2.5, or 3 gallons), and not be noisy.

We recommend the AquaClear Fish Tank Filter for its energy-efficient operation, quick-and-easy installation, and its optimal mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration.

Do check out our other recommendations as well.