The Best Aquarium Heaters of 2024 (Reviews & Top Pick)

Are you looking for the best aquarium heater that fits your needs? You’re in the right place.

A good heater has only one job: to heat the water in your fish tank. However, it also has to be reliable, safe, and easy to use. A heater will be able to maintain a steady temperature (unlike humans they cannot regulate their own body temperature), offer safety features to prevent it from burning out or failing, and last for many years.

The consequences of using a bad heater can be dangerous (or even deadly) for your fishy friends. That’s why we recommend using a high-quality heater that can be programmed for precise temperature and will keep that temperature stable, regardless of external temperatures.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best aquarium heaters for all types of aquariums, no matter how large or small. This should be helpful to new hobbyists and experienced buyers.

The 6 Top-Rated Aquarium Heaters

Aquarium Heaters	Power	Price
Hygger Saltwater Tank Titanium Tube Submersible Pinpoint Aquarium Heater	50, 100, 200, 500 Watts	Check Latest Price
Cobalt Aquatics Flat Neo-Therm Heater with Adjustable Thermostat	25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300 Watts	Check Latest Price
Aqueon Adjustable Aquarium Heater	50, 100, 150, 200, 300 Watts	Check Latest Price
Hygger Submersible Digital Display Mini Aquarium Heater	50, 100 Watts	Check Latest Price
ISTA InLine External Heater Aquarium Heater	150, 300, 500 Watts	Check Latest Price
SZELAM Smart Mini Aquarium Heater	25, 50, 150 Watts	Check Latest Price

Best Rated: Hygger Saltwater Tank Titanium Tube Submersible Pinpoint Aquarium Heater

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Most aquarium heaters use glass or plastic tubes to keep them waterproof. These cases are sensitive to heat differentials and may sometimes crack or shatter the glass, resulting in a tank of electrocuted fish.

The Hygger has no glass casing. Instead, it is made from titanium. Titanium is well-known for being tough and robust. It is also very good at conducting heat, resulting in a more effective heater.

In terms of ease of setup and use, the Hygger is outstanding. You can program the thermostat in either F or C, depending on your preference, within the range of 32 and 104 F.

The thermostat is accurate to within 0.5 C and has an automatic shutoff that switches the heater off when it reaches the requested temperature.

The heater comes in a variety of wattage ratings, from 50 watts to 500 watts. So no matter what size tank you have, there is a Hygger heater that will meet your needs.

A Close Second: Cobalt Aquatics Flat Neo-Therm Heater with Adjustable Thermostat

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The Cobalt Aquatics heater is a fully submersible heater covered with discreet black plastic. The sleek design is very functional, and you can mount the heater with the display facing inwards or outwards.

The thermostat uses a one-touch heating system to set the temperature between 66 and 96 F and will shut down once it registers the desired temperature.

The main appeal of this heater is the bulletproof thermoplastic casing that can withstand anything the environment throws at it. It is completely shatterproof, making it a safer option than heaters with a glass casing.

It can raise the temperature of a tank up to 11 F over the ambient room temperature, so it’s suitable for use even in very cold climates. The thermostat will measure the current temperature with an accuracy margin of 0.5 F, which provides very precise control.

Best Budget-Friendly Choice: Aqueon Adjustable Aquarium Heater

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The Aqueon pro adjustable heater offers many of the same features as higher-end models. It is made out of thermoplastic, which conducts heat well, and it is completely shatterproof.

The controls for the thermostat are on the top of the heater, making it easier to operate than the Cobalt Neo-Therm heater. It has a large temperature control knob and an indicator light that will tell you if it’s heating or whether the water is at the desired temperature.

It also has an auto-shutoff feature to save energy and to stop the fish from getting too toasty in their tank. A nifty touch is that the heater will also turn off when it detects it has been removed from the water, which can prevent potential burnout.

The main area where the Aqueon falls behind its more expensive rivals is the temperature dial. In general, it isn’t extremely accurate. Many users have reported seeing a 1 to 2 F discrepancy between the temperature display and a second thermometer.

Best Small Aquarium Heater: Hygger Submersible Digital Display Mini Aquarium Heater

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If you have multiple aquariums with small tanks, consider a mini-heater instead of the big submersible ones. The Hygger Mini Aquarium Heater can handle tanks of up to 13 gallons with no issue at all.

The compact design with suction cups makes it easy to install on glass, plastic, or acrylic tanks. And it is reasonably priced, so buying multiple units is well within the range of possibilities.

The heater comes with an external controller that allows you to set the temperature range and monitor how well the heater is doing its job.

Despite its small size, the Hygger mini heater has a temperature range between 63 and 94 F and is accurate to within 1 F. The only drawback is that the external controller isn’t waterproof, so you need to be careful when changing your thermostat settings.

Best Inline Aquarium Heater: ISTA InLine External Heater Aquarium Heater

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Inline heaters are a great option for people with turtles or cichlids (who love to chew heaters to pieces). External heaters offer several advantages, such as consistent water heating and no risk of scalding or shattering in the tank.

They’re also more convenient to use as you don’t need to get your hands wet to change the temperature settings.

The ISTA inline heater is available in a range of wattages, depending on your tank size. It is most commonly used with canister filters but can be adapted to work with any canister filter type.

Installation can be a bit tricky since it requires cutting your filter’s output tubing and splicing the heater in. Some users report leaking at the connections, though this can be fixed by using hose clamps.

Best Mini Aquarium Heater: SZELAM Smart Mini Aquarium Heater

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If you have a tiny tank, you’ll want a tiny heater to go along with it. The SZELAM mini heater may be small, but it doesn’t compromise on quality. All you need to do is place it on the wall of your tank using the convenient suction cups, plug it in, and you’re done.

The main feature of this mini heater is that it doesn’t have a set temperature. Instead, it heats the water to a range between 73 and 82 F. This is fine for most tropical fish aquariums but may be an issue if you’ve got a fish species that is sensitive to temperature changes.

Overall, the SZELAM mini heater is the best option for beginner fish keepers who are dipping their toes before committing to a bigger, more serious project.

Best and Most Efficient Aquarium Heater Reviews

Made of PPC plastic
Automatically reaches 78 F
Red indicator light to show when it’s working

Glass heater made with shatterproof glass
Easy to adjust temperature control on top of the heater
Color-coded temperature gauge on the side of the heater

Constructed with a milky-quartz casing that is shatter and explosion-proof
Three-year service life
Auto shutoff and restart function
Tiny heater that can deliver 300 W of heating

Double-sealed quartz heater tube
Can be set between 61 and 90 F
Convenient LED screen allows you to monitor the temperature

Types of Heaters

Before we continue, we thought it would be a good idea to provide a quick overview of the many types of heaters available.

If you already know what sort of heater you require, feel free to skip this part. If not, we recommend reading it.

Submersible Heaters

Submersible heaters are one of the most widely used types available. A few of the heaters in our review list are also submersible, so it’s essential that everyone is aware of what they are.

A submersible fish tank heater functions by being placed in the tank and under the surface of the water. It can swiftly warm the water when there.

Submersible aquarium heaters are great at keeping water temperatures consistent. They’re able to observe and influence the water temperature easily since they’re right in the water compared to other heaters, which is why they’re such masters of consistency.

They’re also rather simple to set up. This marriage of high-performance with easy use is why they are so popular right now and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

Immersible Heaters

Another name for an immersion fish tank heater is a hanging heater, and they’re often used interchangeably.

An immersible heater is submerged in your tank and hangs above the water. It warms the water from the top down as a means of increasing its temperature.

There are certain advantages and disadvantages to immersed heaters.

Advantages:

They’re budget-friendly.
Beginner tank kits are frequently supplied with these.

Disadvantages:

If you need to open your tank’s hood or lid, it may be more difficult.
It isn’t as efficient and constant in heating as a submersible heater.

There are definitely immersible heaters that will get the job done in an aquarium, and we’re not suggesting otherwise. It’s just important to remember that you’ll eventually want a new kind of heater.

Substrate Heaters

You won’t see many of these around anymore, but they’re worth noting since they were quite popular in the past. There are still a decent number of them available due to this fact.

A substrate heater heats from the bottom up. Wires are placed in your aquarium’s base, where they radiate heat throughout the water.

These will set you back a little. Attaching wires to your tank can be a little pricey.

When you consider how simple it is to put a submersible heater into the water, the tank community has moved away from these.

In-line Aquarium Heaters

This is a unique fish tank heater from the rest on our list. Instead of trying to heat the water in the tank, an in-line heater performs its magic down the line.

What does that imply?

Simply put, an in-line heater is positioned either before the filter or within the sump. The in-line heater heats the water as it travels through this region.

The beauty of this is that you may keep your tank tidy, clean, and free of superfluous equipment.

This is fantastic for both appearance and function. Some fish and aquatic creatures may be frightened by unusual items in their aquarium.

Keeping your aquarium heater hidden will ensure that your fish are happy and anxiety-free.

The major disadvantage of in-line heaters is their high cost. We usually don’t recommend them unless you think another type of heater will cause your fish discomfort.

Why Your Fish Need A Reliable Heater

The need for a good reliable heater cannot be overlooked.

Here are some of the most common reasons:

The purpose of your aquarium should be to replicate the aquatic environment to which your fish are accustomed. Water conditions should be consistent and safe throughout the aquarium.

If your heater fails to maintain a proper temperature, it can harm your fish (sometimes fatally).

This is why we believe that “good enough” heaters should never be an option. Even if they operate correctly 95% of the time, one severe water temperature variation may be devastating to your aquarium’s life.

You must expect excellence and dependability from the heater you select.

A Guide On Choosing the Best Aquarium Heater for You

Finding the best heater for fish owners can be tricky. There are hundreds of different options available, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information. Since the fish tank heater you choose will have a large impact on your fish tank environment, you must have an understanding of what your requirements are to make the right decision for your needs.

Here are some important factors to keep in mind when looking at the various heaters on the market. Remember that each type of heater will have its own pros and cons for different types of aquariums, so make sure you choose the right one for your tank.

Key Features to Consider

Wattage

The wattage of a heater determines how much power it puts out, which affects how quickly it can heat the water around it.

The more water you have in your tank, the higher the wattage needs to be in order to maintain an even water temperature. You also need to consider ambient aquarium heat. A decent heater should be able to heat a tank a couple of degrees above ambient room temperature.

A general rule for stable temperatures is to have around 5 watts per gallon of water. If you have a tank over 75 gallons, we also recommend using two (or more) heaters instead of buying one very powerful heater.

This is because two heaters will be able to heat double the water of one high-watt heater, making it easier to maintain a suitable temperature range. This is true for all larger tanks. So instead of getting one 375 watt heater, get two 175 – 200 watt heaters for a 75-gallon tank.

Adjustable Temperature

Some aquarium heaters come with a pre-programmed temperature setting that is impossible to change. Pre-set heaters are perfectly fine if you have a stable fish tank and aren’t bringing in any new fish or making other changes.

However, there may be many situations in which you want to change the temperature, in which case a fixed-temperature unit becomes useless.

It is wiser to spend the extra money upfront buying a model with variable temperature controls. Most heaters on the market will have adjustable temperature controls that are easy to set up.

Safety Features

A typical heater for a fish tank is basically electric elements that are submerged in water. As there’s a lot that can go wrong when combining electricity with water, you’ll want an electronic model that comes with safety features.

These features will prevent your heater from overheating, which can kill your fish. They will also prevent the chance of electrical fires or electrocution.

One of the most important safety features is an auto-shutoff function. This will detect when the water temperature is too high and will turn the heater off. Good heaters will also resume heating once they detect that the water temperature has dropped.

The most common type of electronic heater is the fully submersible heater. These heaters have a heating element encased in glass or ceramic, which is then enclosed by watertight plastic or glass.

The glass tube enclosure is typically very robust and can withstand abuse from fish and the environment. More manufacturers are starting to use different materials that are less likely to shatter, such as thermoplastic or titanium. These are great if you have aggressive fish and want to make sure they can’t break your electronic heater.

Another useful safety feature is an indicator light that shows when the heater is working. This will provide a means of knowing whether the heater is on or not without having to measure the water temperature around the heater.

Ease of Use

Aquarium heaters are simple enough to use. However, some do come with quality-of-life heater features that make using them even more convenient.

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to change the set temperature and having to dig around in the water for the controls. Some heaters come with easy-to-use and intuitive controls that make changing the settings a breeze.

Also, look for heaters that have digital temperature gauges that are easy to read. This will prevent you from having to guess what the exact temperature is.

We also strongly recommend that you have a separate digital thermometer in the tank to make sure that it’s functioning correctly. Heaters can and will fail, so having a second thermometer will help you pick up on this failure much sooner than you would otherwise.

Pricing

This is self-explanatory, but we included it because we believe it’s critical to set price expectations when purchasing the finest aquarium heaters.

We’re never a fan of going with the cheapest option if it means compromising the safety or well-being of the life in your tank, as you probably guessed.

However, we realize that money isn’t limitless.

This is why we’re satisfied with our selection. It includes a variety of high-quality heaters at various costs, allowing you to choose what’s best for your tank while also saving money.

It’s worth noting that you could buy two heaters if you choose to. We’ll delve further into multiple heaters later in the FAQ section, but if you want to go down this road, you’ll have to budget for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve never bought a heater before, you’re undoubtedly wondering a few things. While we can’t read your thoughts, there are a few questions that we’ve heard time and again.

We’ve addressed the most frequently asked questions below, and we’ll add any others that we hear about as time goes on. If you have any more queries, please do not hesitate to contact us!

What is an aquarium heater, and how do they work?

A heater is just that, a way to heat water in your aquarium. Most tropical fish need a specific temperature range to thrive, and unless you live in the tropics, you’ll need a heater to provide this heat.

Heaters work on the same principle as an electric kettle. Electricity passes through a heating element, which generates enough heat to warm the water around the element. The water then circulates throughout the tank, heating up all the water in the tank, eventually.

Who should buy an aquarium heater?

You should consider a heater for any aquarium fish that need a stable temperature. This refers to many fish that are kept in aquariums (even if just for a hobby).

Each fish species has a temperature range in which it is most comfortable, and sometimes you may need a heater to maintain this range. Be sure to get all the information you need about the type of fish you want to keep before buying all of your tank gear.

What is an inline aquarium heater?

An in-line heater is a type of heater that is placed into your aquarium filtration system. This type of external heater is usually fixed onto the outflow line so that it heats water as it makes its way back into the tank.

In-line external heaters have their own unique advantages and disadvantages when compared to a traditional fully-submersible heater.

They are hidden from view and offer precise heating, but they are more expensive and are sensitive to filter failures as well as heater failures. If there is not much water flow moving through the filtration system, your tank won’t get heated either.

What size aquarium heater do I need?

Typically you want to get 5 watts per gallon. So with a 10 gallon tank, an informed buyer will get a 50 watt heater.

How many watts per gallon does an aquarium heater use?

Aquarium heaters will put out around three to five watts per gallon of water to maintain a stable temperature.

This depends on the ambient temperature that will also heat the water passively. A heater in a fish tank in a 95 degrees Fahrenheit room will do less work to maintain the correct temperature than a heater in a 50 degrees Fahrenheit room.

Does my fish tank need an heater?

The answer depends mainly on the type of fish you keep. Some fish species are fine with cold water, such as goldfish, guppies, and paradise fish.

If you have any type of tropical fish species, you’ll need to have a heater to maintain the correct temperature in the tank. Different species have different temperature ranges, so do your research and understand the needs of the fish you want to keep before you purchase them.

Where should a fish tank heater be placed?

This will depend on the type of heater and the type of tank you have. Fully submersible heaters should be fully underwater in the tank without touching the gravel. Gravel has a different heat capacity from water, and this temperature difference may crack the protective glass tube, which is one of the quickest ways to kill your fish.

If you have a tall, narrow tank, place the submersible heater horizontally in the bottom third of the tank. For low wide tanks, place the heater at an angle in the center back of the tank. If you have two heaters, place them vertically on the sides of the tank.

Try to keep a large gap between the heater and the back of the tank or any decorations. Fish that get stuck behind a heater can get badly burned. You can also have another hidey-hole for fish so that they don’t hide behind the heater.

For more details read our aquarium heater placement guide.

How can I ensure that it’s working correctly?

The basic answer is that you should use an external thermometer (not connected to your heater) to ensure that your heater is operational and provides an accurate reading.

This is something you should do on a regular basis simply to be sure. It takes only a few minutes and will go a long way toward ensuring the safety of your aquatic life. A brief examination once a day (especially if your heater is still new) won’t take very long and will provide you with peace of mind.

How many heaters do I need?

We get a lot of inquiries on the more than one heater topic because there is a lot of conflicting information out there.

When you go over the many heater product pages, each of them claims to be able to heat your tank on its own. However, when you discuss this with some experienced aquarists, they tell you that a couple of heaters is advisable. Which is it?

Here’s our position:

On their own, every one of the greatest aquarium heaters can warm up your tank’s water. It isn’t false advertisement by the producers.

However, if you can, buying two is usually a smart idea. This makes it incredibly simple to keep your water warm regardless of the climate you find yourself in.

The heaters will not have to work as hard, and if one of them fails you still have a functional heater as a backup.

If you go this route, make sure the heaters have a wattage output that is well within the stated total for your tank size or tank sizes if you have multiple.

What are the top brands?

There are many reputable heater manufacturers that make easy-to-use, reliable aquarium heaters. The best of these include any EHEIM heater, Fluval, Tetra, and Hygger.

Our Top Pick

Our top pick for best aquarium heaters is the Hygge Saltwater Tank Titanium Tube Submersible Pinpoint Aquarium Heater. This electronic heater has all the bells and whistles you need from a high-quality product.

It comes in a range of wattages, so it’s suitable for tanks of different sizes. The titanium casing is resistant to saltwater corrosion, making it perfect for both saltwater and freshwater use. It’s easy to set with a clear digital display so you can make sure your current temperature is exactly where it needs to be.

The most impressive thing about this product is its accuracy in maintaining the selected temperature. This is essential if you have temperature-sensitive fish, where a lower-quality product may kill them.

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Kelly Stanley

By day, Kelly is a corporate analyst, but by night she's a long-time fishkeeper. She's loved fish for as long as she can remember, and she's always taken on more responsibility for her parents' tanks (both freshwater and saltwater).

At Aquarium Labs, she's dedicated to assisting more people discover pleasure in fishkeeping and teaching them how to develop into expert pet parents.