The 12 Best Aquarium Air Pumps: Reviews & Guide 2022

Taking home an aquarium, however, comes with responsibility. You will have to provide maximum comfort and care to your fish by replicating their natural habitat. In addition, you need to regularly diffuse air into the aquarium so that there is enough oxygen for your fishies to survive. Thus, it is crucial that you invest in the best aquarium air pumps available in the market today.

Considerations When Choosing Aquarium Air Pumps

The followings are important factors to note when choosing the aquarium air pumps:

Tank Size

First and foremost you will need to consider the size of your tank.

If you got a larger tank, then you will need a more powerful and stronger air pump or at least more than one pump used at once in order to provide enough amount of air to your aquarium.

Meanwhile, if you need an air pump to operate an under-gravel filter, then powerful pumps can blow the gravel floor and create a mess.

When buying, make sure that you check the tank size rating of the air pump to see if it fits the needs of your aquarium. If you own a non-standard tank (too large) then the size rating will not definitely help you. You will need to test at least 2 – 3 air pumps in order to get the correct requirement.

Decorations and Objects

The more things you’re running using the air pump, the stronger and larger an air pump you need. Meanwhile, if you have fewer things that need a pump, a small capacity air pump should be enough.

Always remember to take into account everything that requires to run by an air pump in order to determine the strength level of the air pump that you need.

Objects Resistance

Other than the number of decorations and objects that requires the support of an air pump, you will also need to consider the quality of the objects.

This means that the more resistance in the decorations and objects you’re pushing air through, then the larger air pump you will need.

For instance, larger air stones tend to provide more resistance than smaller ones. In addition, any air stone will offer more resistance than without any air stones. In some cases, different materials that make up the stones, as well as their shapes, can provide various levels of resistance even when they’re the same sizes.

Tank Height

Aquariums come in various sizes and shapes. And if you own a tall tank that is at least 18 – 20 inches, then you will need a more special type of air pump—deep water air pumps. This kind of pump can pump air much further below the water’s surface, providing enough amount of oxygen down below.

Quiet Operation

Surely you do not want an air pump that makes irritating noise when working, right? You probably want to see the bubble inside and not any noise.

Air pumps are notorious for being noisy— they won’t let you sleep read or have a conversation peacefully. The good news is most modern models are now designed to have a quiet operation so it won’t disturb your already busy life.

Top 12 Best Aquarium Air Pumps

Here is a list of the best products we’ve helped you find:

Hydrofarm Active Aqua Air Pump

An energy-efficient air pump offering a lot of features, the Hydrofarm Active Aqua Air Pump comes in a universal size of 7 x 5.5 x 11 inches. And even though it comes in only one size, this pump features 8 separate outlets in order to make it easier for you to connect other aquarium accessories and equipment.

In addition, it is a powerful air pump that can cycle at least 6.6 gallons of water every minute. As I’ve mentioned earlier, the device is also energy-efficient that consumes less electricity and saves you more on your electricity bill.

Boasting a boxed design, this pump features artificial rubber legs that help in keeping the airflow consistent. Delivered pressure can also be adjusted by a knob at the top and makes less to no noise when operating.

Tetra Whisper 100 Aquarium Air Pumps

Boasting over 3,000 reviews on Amazon, this air pump produced by Tetra is probably one of the most popular and powerful air pumps available today. The Whisper 100 is one of the best pumps used in tanks with a lot of air stone as well as deep tanks.

Just as its name implies, this air pump has a quiet operation with its dome shape that helps in suppressing sound waves and is up to 80 percent much quieter than other pumps in the market today. And even though air distribution is limited to just 2 way, it does not affect how efficiently it works.

In addition, it has elastic feet that helps prevent unwanted slipping. The pump is backed by a lifetime limited guarantee, ensuring the air pump’s quality and efficiency.

Fluval Air Pump

The Fluval air pumps are among the best and high-quality aquarium air pumps available today. Made by the newest and premium quality materials, these air pumps feature double walls with special noise-suppression barrier chambers that help keep the device operating quietly.

It produces a consistent airflow thanks to the advanced diaphragm and swing arm design. The Fluval offers 2 models— Q1 and Q2 which are both suitable for freshwater or saltwater aquarium. The only difference is that Q1 is much smaller and can accommodate only 75 g (300l) of water while the Q2 model can go up to 150 g (600l).

Tetra Whisper AP300 Aquarium Air Pumps

Another great model from Tetra, the Whisper AP300 are suitable for deep tanks and delivers sufficient oxygen to your fishies. This powerful pimp provides dramatic bubble effect to tanks that are at least 8 feet tall.

In addition, it can run up to 10 accessories in tanks and is designed for certain situations that produce great back pressure, the long decorator air stones, saltwater protein skimmers and multiple air stones.

It is also UL listed and backed with a limited lifetime warranty and features a quiet operation that will not disturb you in your sleep.

Penn Plax Silent Air B11 Air Pump

The Silent Air B11 from Penn Plax is a real lifesaver. Being a battery-powered pump, it monitors power at you home and if power becomes interrupted, this reliable air pump automatically turns on in order to provide fish with the oxygen that they need.

The air pump includes deluxe air stone and airline tubing and requires only 2 D batteries in order for you to use. With near-universal compatibility, this air pump can be used on nearly all aquarium from marine, freshwater and reef aquariums. The Silent Air B11 pump is suitable for aquariums of up to 29 gallons in size.

Mylivell Ultra Silent Aquarium Air Pumps

This air pump from Mylivell does not stick like a sore thumb on your aquarium with its nice and unique design. In addition, you will love its silent operation, since it does not have any motor, shafts, EMI, or any troublesome mechanisms. It only runs, thanks to the thin piezoelectric ceramic plate making the air pump lightweight, quieter, super compact and offer a longer service life.

Ideal for small to medium-sized tanks, this air pump features stable performance and is perfectly suitable for all kinds of aquarium, spout decoration and aquaculture oxygenation. In addition, it has high-efficiency that can work on up to 40 gallons tank size and features an air column out of the included air stone is quite strong producing attractive bubbles.

EcoPlus Commercial Air Pumps

Need a reliable air pump for larger tanks? The EcoPlus Commercial Air Pump should be the perfect match for you. It does not cost a lot of money and offers excellent durability that can last for a long time.

The pump features a handle for portability so you can easily carry it anywhere and boasts rubber feet that help prevent the air pump from unexpected slipping. The EcoPlus Aquarium Air Pump can handle tanks filled with lots of decorative equipment and features up to 5 outlets so you will not have a problem connecting decorative equipment to it.

Furthermore, the air pump is actually great for outdoor fishing projects and is perfect for medium-sized to large tanks.

JW Pet Company Fusion Aquarium Air Pumps

If you need something that can fit a tight budget but still delivers efficient ion, then this air pump from JW Pet Company is your best bet. Boasting a cute and small design that looks like a white mouse, the Fusion Air Pump is probably one of the most affordable air pumps you can try.

Featuring the Patented Fusion baffle system, this air pump is amazingly quiet and offers powerful airflow. It is available in 6 sizes— 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700— and operates with the corresponding number of air stones, filters, and ornaments.

In addition, it comes with a control know that allows you to adjust and control the airflow base on your inhabitants’ needs.

Marine Metal 110 Air Dual A-2 Air Pumps

The 110 Air Dual Air Pump from Marine Metal is suitable for small to medium-sized tanks. It comes with 2 tubing as well as 2 air stones that can help enhance the beauty of your aquarium. The included air stones are actually glass bead stones that can produce a lot of small bubbles.

In addition, the pump is relatively easy to use. You only need to attach the tubing to the air pump and you’re good to go. It also features 2 outlets so you can use the pump in 2 small fish tanks at the same time.

Aqueon QuietFlow 20 Air Pump

The reliable QuietFlow20 Air Pump from Aqueon allows you to provide sufficient aeration to 11 – 20-gallon tanks. Featuring a sleek and vertical design, this pump only takes a small amount of space to operate.

Featuring a wide-spaced rubber base, this pump absorbs the vibration for silent operation as well as reducing the risk of slipping. It includes a vertical house outlet that keeps the hose kink-free with an integrated check valve that helps position the air outlets in an upward direction in order to prevent kinks.

Furthermore, the air pump features replaceable diaphragms, check valve and filter pad with a repair kit that is sold separately.

VicTsing Air Pumps

VicTsing offers a reliable new aquarium air pump that is ideal for small to medium-sized fish tanks. High-performance and multipurpose, this air pump is suitable for all kinds of high-grade aquarium, spout decoration, and aquaculture oxygenation.

It features 2M silicone tube 2 airstone as well as a multi-level muffler that provides low noise during operation. It also has an oil-free compressed air pure with regulating valves which can effectively regulate the air displacement.

Being a double-headed pump, this model features 2 vents that allow you to provide oxygen to 2 fish tanks at the same time.

Hygger Quiet Aquarium Air Pump

A very powerful air pump for aquariums, this model from Hygger uses bearing less motor in the aquarium air pump and works though magnetic bearing. This helps reduce vibration and provide a low noise of at least 35db during operation.

Perfect for large aquariums this air pump can accommodate at least 30 – 600 gallon and can work for one or more fish tanks at the same time. It also has a high output with 2 air outlets and compatible with 4mm air tube and has an airflow rate of 250 GPH or 16L per minute.

What’s more, is that Hygger offers a 12-month warranty with a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free buying.

Conclusion

An aquarium air pump is a basic device among pet fish keepers. It produces fun bubbles during operation that beautify your aquarium display, enhances water quality and makes the aquarium more livable and comfortable for your aquarium residents. And the best aquarium air pumps from the above list will ensure all of that with ease.