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Best Betta Fish Tanks

Updated May 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Fluval Spec III Aquarium Kit
Fluval
Spec III Aquarium Kit
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Best for Small Spaces
Bottom Line

This modern-looking tank is durable and a great upgrade for a betta tank.

Pros

Nice lines and a pleasing design. Adjustable current flow. Comes with a filter. Made from easy-to-clean glass. Good filtration system. Solid lid. Nice lighting system. Great for a betta.

Cons

At 2.6 gallons, this aquarium will not be healthy for more than 1 fish.

Best Bang for the Buck
Penn-Plax Aquaponic Betta Fish Tank
Penn-Plax
Aquaponic Betta Fish Tank
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Best for Experts
Bottom Line

Not really for beginners, but if you can get this inexpensive aquaponics model working, it turns your betta tank into a nice little display.

Pros

Adds interest to your fish tank. Comes with rocks. Can be used with a variety of different plants. Half gallon size to give enough space for roots and fish. Very pretty and works well for those with the skill to get the system going well.

Cons

The fish will still need to be fed; plant roots will not be enough to keep them happy. You also may still need to change the water often.

Tetra Cube Shaped 3 Gallon Aquarium
Tetra
Cube Shaped 3 Gallon Aquarium
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

A three gallon tank with filter that will really provide the best environment for your betta.

Pros

Very quiet filter. Has an easy to operate clear lid. LED lighting hangs over the top of the tank. The three gallon size will give your betta adequate room to grow. Modern and stylish design. Solid raised base.

Cons

Water tends to condense on the lid, and can be messy when you take it off to feed your fish.

Umbra Fish Hotel
Umbra
Fish Hotel
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Contemporary Design
Bottom Line

Sleek modern home for your betta fish that will look great on your countertop or in your office.

Pros

These cool little fish "hotels" can be stacked atop one another to provide multiple separate homes for your fish. The outer shell of this tank can be detached and painted to match your decor. Tank made from glass.

Cons

The design partially obstructs your view of the fish. There is also a lidless model, which is not best for all environments.

Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium
Aqueon
LED MiniBow Aquarium
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Smart-Clean Choice
Bottom Line

A healthy environment for your betta fish with convenient smart clean technology

Pros

Includes a night light and a filtering system to make the environment healthier for your fish and allows you to change the water less often. Solid lid includes a feeding hold. No need to remove the lid for feeding. Kit includes filter, food, and water conditioner for betta fish.

Cons

Doesn't come with a divider like past models from this brand.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
151
Consumers
Consulted
24
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best betta fish tanks

With their distinctive, brightly colored appearance, bettas are some of the most popular aquarium fish available. These fish are often sold in small containers in pet stores, so many people mistakenly believe that bettas can be kept in cramped bowls.

However, bettas actually require a more spacious environment to thrive, which is why finding the right betta fish tank is so important. But there is a wide array of betta fish tanks on the market, so finding the best home for your fish can be difficult.

BestReviews is dedicated to taking the stress out of shopping. We do the product research so you don’t have to. If you’re looking for information to help you choose a fish tank for your bettas, check out our shopping guide.

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Make sure that your tank is set up and ready to go before you bring your betta fish home, so you can place the fish in the tank soon after you purchase it.

Betta fish tank features to consider

Water

Betta fish are native to tropical waters in Southeast Asia and so do best in temperatures between 74°F and 80°F. It’s also important that the water be maintained at a constant temperature and avoid extreme fluctuations that can harm the fish. You should also pay attention to the acidity of the water. In order for the fish to stay healthy, the water should maintain a neutral pH level between 6.5 and 7.5.

Heater

Because bettas are tropical fish, you may want to purchase a tank that includes a heater, particularly if you live in a colder climate. For the most efficient heating, look for a heater with five watts of power for each gallon of tank size. Choose a tank with a heater that has a built-in temperature gauge for easy monitoring. If the water gets too warm, your fish could die.

Size

Individual bettas like some room to swim around, which is why the tiny bowls they’re sold in are never good as a permanent home. Choose a tank that holds at least one gallon of water. However, if you have space in your home for a larger tank, a two-gallon or larger tank is the best option for healthy, thriving fish.

Shape

Most betta fish tanks are rectangular or square, but you can also find round bowls large enough to house a betta. If you want a unique look but have limited room, a half-cylinder shape is ideal because it enables you to maximize space. As long as the tank is the appropriate size for your fish, the shape is entirely a matter of personal preference.

Divider

The most important thing to remember about bettas is that, for the most part, they should be kept in tanks alone. They are very likely to fight with other bettas and may kill other fish that are kept in a tank with them.

If you plan to have two or more bettas, you need to keep them separated. You may not have room in your home for multiple tanks, so choose a tank with dividers. The physical barriers prevent the bettas from getting at one another but still enable you to keep them in the same tank. Also, if you add more betta fish at a later date, you can purchase tank dividers separately.

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Bettas are pretty adept jumpers, which can make them a risk for escaping the tank. To make sure that your fish don’t get injured, look for a tank with a durable, solid lid that can’t easily be moved off the tank.

Filter

Bettas can live in unfiltered water, but the fish will be healthier if the tank has a filtration system. However, bettas don’t do well with turbulence. Look for a tank that comes with a filter with adjustable flow, so you can play around with the intensity to find what works best for your fish.

Lighting

Like people, bettas need cycles of light and darkness, and you can accomplish this with lighting, such as a white light to mimic daylight and a deep blue or purple light to mimic evening. Fluorescent lighting is traditional – it doesn’t give off a lot of heat and it’s inexpensive. Avoid lights that are too bright because these can irritate or stress the fish. Also, bettas are extremely beautiful, colorful fish, and a tank that includes a lighting system provides a more vibrant environment for your fish. Some tanks have an LED lighting system with a single light color (usually white or natural) while others offer multiple colors to create different moods.

Extras

There are extras, such as gravel and plants, that come with some tanks or you can add to the tank to make life a little more pleasant for your fish. For bettas, smaller gravel is better because waste can easily get trapped between large pieces of gravel. Choose natural-colored gravel to avoid irritating or overstimulating the fish. Betta fish like some decorative elements like caves or tunnels. Avoid ornaments with sharp edges because these can potentially injure your fish.

Tips

  • When you purchase a new betta fish tank, rinse it with water before setting it up. Don’t use soap, as it could leave behind residue that’s harmful for your fish.

  • If you have other pets, such as cats or dogs, place your betta tank in an area or room where the pets can’t access the fish. Even if your furry friends don’t want to intentionally harm your fish, they could easily jostle or even knock over the tank.

  • Bettas can get bored fairly easily. It’s a good idea to rearrange the accessories and decor in your tank every so often to keep them interested.

  • If you’re adding plants to your betta tank, lay down two inches of gravel for live plants and one inch of gravel for artificial plants. To make sure you can clearly see your betta, place the tallest plants at the back of the tank.

Betta fish tank prices

Betta fish tank prices vary based on the size of the tank and any accessories included, but you can expect to pay between $12 and $110 for a tank.

Half-gallon or smaller tanks: These tanks are usually the least expensive option. Those that don’t include any accessories range from $12 to $17. Small tanks usually don’t include a filter, lighting, and/or a heater. Small tanks that include gravel and decorative ornaments usually cost between $18 and $24.

Half-gallon to 1.5-gallon tanks: Betta fish tanks of this size that don’t include any accessories typically cost between $24 and $30. Tanks that include some accessories like gravel and decorative ornaments range from $30 to $35.

1.5- to 2.5-gallon tanks: Tanks this size that don’t include any accessories generally cost between $35 and $40. Tanks that include accessories like a filter and lighting cost from $40 to $45.

2.5-gallon and larger tanks: Larger tanks that include at least a filter cost from $45 to $65. Tanks that also include LED lighting and other accessories cost between $65 and $110.

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When choosing a spot for your betta fish tank, make sure that it isn’t in direct sunlight.

FAQ

Q. What type of material is best for a betta fish tank?

A. Betta tanks are usually made of glass or acrylic. Acrylic is lighter in weight than glass, making it a better option for larger tanks. However, glass tanks don’t scratch as easily, cost less, and don’t yellow over time the way acrylic does. Glass tanks don’t have as much visible distortion either, so you can see your fish more clearly.

Q. Can I add live plants to a betta fish tank?

A. Live plants can be an ideal addition to the betta fish tank habitat because they help filter and clean the water. However, live plants can require significant maintenance, so they may not be the best option for beginners. Instead, you might prefer silk plants, which don’t require any maintenance but move like live plants in the water.

Q. How often should I clean my betta fish tank?

A. It depends on the size of your tank. Small tanks (2.5 gallons or less) require more frequent cleaning, so you should usually change out 30% to 50% of the water every two to three days and clean the tank once or twice a week. A larger tank (more than 2.5 gallons) requires less frequent cleaning. You should change approximately 10% to 15% of the water every week or so and clean the tank every two to three weeks.

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