The 7 Best Aquarium Heaters of 2021

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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

Whether you're investing in your first aquarium or looking to give your current school a fin-tastic new home, an aquarium heater should be on your list of supplies. When selecting the best heater, you'll want to consider what type of fish will be living in your aquarium, how many, how large the tank is, and where you should best place the heater.

With that in mind, read on for the best aquarium heaters.

Our Top Picks

With a fully submersible, easy to read thermometer, it heats water in a five to 15 gallon tank anywhere from 59 to 94 degrees.

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The strong 500-watt unit can can keep tanks up to 100 gallons in a range of 68 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Made of shock-resistant and shatterproof glass, this heater sticks to the side of your tank and heats up to 10 gallons of water.

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This heater is designed specifically with betta fish in mind, and can keep the water temperature between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Featuring two 100-watt heaters, it can heat up to a 50 gallon tank quickly and evenly with no hot spots.

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With run-dry protection, this submersible heater automatically turns off when the water in the tank is too low.

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This tank heater runs without water, and contains a high level nichrome heating wire that ensures fast, even heating.

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FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Heater

Thanks to this heater's real time temperature displayed in large easy to read LED, you won't have to buy a separate thermometer. Better yet, you gain peace of mind that your tank is always the exact right temperature.

This fully submersible thermometer can heat the water in a tank from 5 to 15 gallons anywhere from 59 to 94 degrees, making it a smart choice for saltwater or freshwater fish. The heating function automatically kicks on and off as needed, and you control the temperature on this eclectic heater via a touch button on the cord.

Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater

Large tanks require stronger heaters, and this 500-watt unit can keep tanks up to 100 gallons in a fish-safe range of 68 to 89 degrees. It's 13 inches long and does need to be fully submerged in water to work. If your tank isn't that deep, consider buying two smaller heaters, something experts recommend for a more even distribution of heat (you'll want to place the heaters on opposite ends of the tank). You set the heat via a temperature control knob on the heater and can tell that it's working by the red indicator light. It has a long, 6-foot cord.

Eheim Jager Thermostat Aquarium Heater

This old school aquarium heater from German company Eheim will keep the water in your smaller aquarium—up to 10 gallons in size—in a healthy range of 65 to 93 degrees. You can use the TruTemp dial to precisely recalibrate the heater by up to 8 degrees in either direction if you notice it running slightly high or low. It has a thermo safety control, which will automatically turn it off if/when your tank starts to run low on water. With double suction cups, the heater readily sticks to the side of your tank. It's made of shock-resistant and shatterproof glass.

Marina Betta Submersible Aquarium Heater

This thin, flat 8-watt heater is designed specifically with betta fish in mind. It is safe to use in plastic or glass tanks up to 1.5 gallons in size and keeps the water warmed to 75 to 85 degrees. (Experts recommend betta fish live in 75 to 80 degree water).

This heater doesn't have an on/off switch, but you'll know it's working thanks to its red indicator light. When it's time to clean the tank or switch out the water, unplug it and let it cool for 15 minutes first. The exterior is made of a polymer that's more durable than traditional glass, which you'll appreciate during those cleanings.

Helio PTC Aquarium Heater w/ Controller

This heater costs more than others, but those who are serious about their in-home marine reef aquariums say the innovations are well worth the investment. For starters it has two 100-watt heaters to safely heat up to a 50 gallon tank. It does so using Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) technology, meaning it contains solid state ceramic chips. This allows the device warm up quickly, and heat evenly with no hot spots, and keep a low surface temperature. It's self-regulating to turn off when it reaches a predetermined set temperature.

Should there be any unexpected temperature fluctuations, the Smart Controller will instantly alert you. An additional benefit is that this heater uses less energy than some similar models.

hygger Fast Heating Titanium Aquarium Heater

With a large, easy-to-read LED temperature display, you'll always rest assured that your finned friends' home is at the exact right temp. The submersible heater is made of premium titanium and double sealed by a black protective guard, which means should your fish touch it they won't get burnt and the heater itself is resistant to explosion and corrosion.

It includes a run-dry protection that automatically turns the unit off if the water gets too low. An external temperature control means you won't have to get your hands wet when you want to adjust the temp. The 500 watt unit is made for fresh or saltwater tanks 60 to 120 gallons in size.

AIICIOO Under Tank Heater Reptile Heating Pad

If your aquarium is home to certain species of lizards, snakes, turtles, or frogs, you'll want an under tank heater that runs without water. This top-rated heating pad contains a nichrome heating wire for fast, steady, even heating, and PVC material for insulation to keep the pad—and your tank—warmer for longer. This heater can be stuck to the side of your tank, which is recommended for hermit crabs among other animals. Note that you'll need to purchase a thermostat separately to control the exact temperature of the pad.

Final Verdict

For home aquariums up to 15 gallons in size, our top pick is the FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Heater (view at Amazon). It's well priced, reliable, and has a large LED temperature display.

Those with smaller tanks, should consider the Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater (view at Amazon). It allows you to calibrate the temperature function to suit your tank and will last for years to come.

Type

Most fish aquarium heaters are submersible, meaning they should only be when under water. In fact, some will automatically turn off when the water levels get too low. Substrate heaters, which are used on the floor of the tank, are typically used with reptiles and/or plants.

Size

Most aquarium heaters are rod shaped. Be sure to select one that isn't longer than the depth of your tank's water level.

Power

Heaters run on wattage and the higher the wattage the greater the volume of water it can heat. As a general rule, you'll want between 2.5 and 5 watts per gallon of actual water volume in the aquarium. Larger tanks may benefit from two smaller watt heaters as they'll heat the tank more evenly.

Stability

Look for a heater with one or two suction cups that will securely attach to the inside of a glass or plastic tank.

Thermometer

Some heaters come with attached or built in thermometers. These are a nice reassurance that your fishs' habitat is at the exact right temperature. If your heater doesn't have one, you can purchase one separately.

This piece was written by Anne Fritz, who has been researching pet products for The Spruce for more than two years. Before writing this article, she gathered information from customer reviews, third-party articles, and brand websites' details. She also reviewed veterinary websites to learn about the healthiest habitats for different types of fish

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