8 Best Betta Fish Tanks in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Bettas are gorgeous fish, and watching them is a great way to relieve stress. However, that stress can come roaring back with a vengeance when it comes time to figure out what kind of tank to keep your fish in.

There are plenty of options to choose from, and buying the wrong one will likely prove disastrous for your Betta. That’s why we put together this helpful guide. In the reviews below, we’ll share which tanks are best for Bettas.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Koller Products Tropical	Great for beginners Boasts five internal power filters Seven-color lighting	Check Price
Best Value		Tetra LED Half Moon	Great for kids Adjustable lighting Clear canopy keeps fish in view during feeding	Check Price
Premium Choice		MarineLand Portrait Glass LED	Blue and white LEDs simulate daylight and moonlight Hidden three-stage filtration system Offers excellent views from multiple angles	Check Price
		Hygger Smart	Four different lighting mode Touchscreen LED hood Scratch-proof glass	Check Price
		Tetra GloFish	Otherworldly fluorescent glow Unobtrusive for a large tank Fits neatly in corners	Check Price

The 8 Best Betta Fish Tanks

The 360-degree tank gives you great angles of your fish no matter where you set it up, and the whole thing is small enough to fit in just about any area you’d like. The seven-color lighting keeps everything bright and clear, as well.

Don’t worry if you’re a bit of a klutz either, as it’s made of impact-resistant acrylic. We still don’t recommend dropping it for the fish’s sake, but at least you don’t have to handle it with kid gloves.

It’s easy to maintain, thanks to the five internal power filters, making it a low-maintenance option that’s great for beginners.

If there’s one thing we don’t like about it, it’s that the filters are relatively expensive to replace. That’s a minor issue, though, and certainly not enough to knock the Koller Products Starter Kit out of the top spot on our list.

It’s great for children’s rooms and classrooms, as children can get an up-close and personal look at the fish without knocking the tank over. The clear canopy lets you watch your Betta even while feeding it, so you can enlist the help of your kids at dinner time.

The back of the tank is flat, allowing you to snug it up against the wall and out of the way. It also only takes 1.1 gallons of water, so you won’t have to spend a ton of time filling it up. That means it only has room for one fish, though.

You can adjust the LED to illuminate the tank from above or below, giving you versatility while ensuring that your fish is always visible. The tank requires three AA batteries, though, or you can charge it with a micro-USB cable.

The Tetra Half Moon is fantastic for educational environments, but it won’t look out of place in your apartment either. It’s a great value for the price and well-deserving of the silver medal on this list.

It boasts white and blue LEDs; the former is to simulate daylight, while the latter creates a charming moonlight glow. Not only is that better for your fish, but it also allows you to put it in your room without it keeping you up all night.

The three-stage filtration system is entirely hidden, so your view won’t be obstructed. It also has rounded corners and a clear canopy, giving you excellent views of your fish from every angle.

This system isn’t cheap, and the parts are all delicate, so it’s not something that should be jostled or entrusted to small children. For everyone else, though, the MarineLand Portrait Glass is an elegant way to house an equally elegant fish.

It boasts four different lighting modes, all of which are operated by the touchscreen LED hood. All you have to do is touch the appropriate button to change your fish’s décor.

That’s not this tank’s only smart feature either. It has a built-in temperature detector that makes it easy to figure out and change the climate inside the aquarium.

The glass is thick and scratch-proof, so your view should never be marred regardless of how long you own the tank. It can be highly reflective, though, so be careful about placement. As mentioned, however, this system is expensive. Also, the thermostat is often off by several degrees.

The Hygger Smart Tank is a high-tech way to keep your Bettas on display, and if a few of the issues are wrinkled out, it may just find a spot at the top of these rankings someday.

The fluorescent glow from this tank is a sight to see, and it’s sure to be a conversation piece when guests come over. It’s also a nice break from plain, clear aquariums.

It has a crescent shape that makes it easy to fit in corners, and it’s fairly unobtrusive for a 5-gallon model.

There’s one big problem with it, though: the filter. It’s extremely noisy, which would make you think that it’s working, but the water gets cloudy quickly. It also tends to break down often.

If you can get the filter to work (or find a quality replacement), then the Tetra GloFish Kit would be an excellent fit for anyone looking for an attractive and unique tank. Until they fix it, though, we can’t justify ranking this kit higher on this list.

It’s simply a plastic case attached to a black stand, and a decorative background is as close to fancy as it comes. This is not something that will draw jealous stares, but if you’re not that serious about the hobby, then this might be all you need.

The upside to its simplicity is that it’s incredibly cheap. But don’t expect it to last that long, and it likely won’t survive being dropped or knocked over.

Cleaning it is incredibly easy. Debris sinks to the bottom and gets flushed to a reservoir on the back of the tank, so once that reservoir is filled, you simply dump it out and add more clean water. It’s stress-free, but it’s probably not as thorough as an actual filter would be. You’ll also need to add more water frequently.

It’s not big enough to house a Betta for its entire lifespan, so it’s best reserved for use when you’re cleaning the main tank or waiting to buy something better.

The Marina EZ Care Kit is certainly easy, but it’s not substantial enough to serve as a full-time solution.

It’s best suited for users who don’t want to spend a great deal of time on their Betta. You can set it up in seconds, and it requires practically zero upkeep. It’s also extremely quiet, so you can work in peace with it on your desk.

However, it doesn’t offer much in the way of aesthetics either. It’s plain and boring to look at and only offers stark white light, which can be overpowering at times.

The filter is absolutely huge as well and dominates your view of the thing. It feels like you bought an aquarium filter with a fish attached, which likely isn’t the look you’re going for.

The Penn Plax has a limited role that it can capably fill, but for the most part, this is a cheap and forgettable option.

If your fish survives the constant pull of gravity, it won’t have much room to grow, because each individual chamber is tiny. The packaging implies that there’s room for three fish, but we wouldn’t recommend keeping more than one in here (and if you do add additional fish, don’t be surprised if they fight when they find themselves in the same chamber).

Despite its diminutive size, it’s fairly pricey, so you’ll pay quite a bit of money for not much tank.

The Aqueon Betta Falls certainly seems like a fun and charming option, but your fish will probably be grateful if you skip it for something that offers calmer waters.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Betta Fish Tanks

If you’ve never had to buy a fish tank for Bettas before, you might find all the options overwhelming. What’s worse, this seems like an area where there’s no room for error, as the wrong tank will almost certainly leave your fish belly-up before too long.

In the guide below, we’ll show you what to look for in a Betta tank, so your little swimmer should be around for quite some time.

Do I Really Need a Tank for My Betta? Can’t I Just Keep It in a Bowl?

You can keep it in a bowl, sure — for a few days, at least. If you actually want your fish to survive, though, you’ll need something more formidable.

The general rule of thumb is that Bettas need at least 5 gallons of water. This gives them plenty of room while also making it easier for you to maintain the water properly.

You can get a smaller bowl, but view it as a short-term option until you find something bigger. Also, smaller bowls can come in handy when it’s time to clean the bigger tank.

Besides Tank Size, What Else Do I Need to Look For?

A filtration system is extremely important for any tank that’s going to be used long term. Filters help remove waste and other matter before it produces ammonia, which will poison your fish. They also help pump the water full of oxygen so your pet can breathe.

One thing to note about filtration systems, though, is that more powerful isn’t necessarily better for Bettas. You want something that will produce a gentle current, or else your fish will constantly be swimming for its life. Some filters allow you to control the flow, while some users prefer installing a flow baffle on their own.

A heater is also important, as Bettas are warm-water fish. Try to keep the water temperature between 78° and 80° Fahrenheit. Having a built-in thermostat can help with this.

Bettas need plenty of light. In the wild, they typically stick to shallow waters that can easily be penetrated by the sun’s rays, so it’s important to replicate that at home. Make sure they have plenty of light for at least 12 hours a day.

You’ll also need to give them a break, though, so simulate nightfall by turning the light off before you go to bed.

Do I Need Plants and Other Decorations?

The tank is your fish’s home, so why not make it as cozy as possible for them?

Start by adding a substrate to the bottom of the tank. You can use sand, gravel, marbles, or any other suitable material. Just make sure it doesn’t have too many large chunks that could potentially injure your Betta.

You can use plastic plants as decorations if you like, but it’s always better to use live ones. Not only do they look better and make the Betta feel more at home, but they’ll help oxygenate the water as well. Java ferns and dwarf hairgrass are excellent choices.

How Many Bettas Can I Have in a Single Tank?

That depends on the sex of the fish.

Bettas are also known as “Siamese fighting fish,” and if you put two males in the same tank, you’ll soon learn why. They’re extremely territorial, and two rivals will almost certainly fight to the death.

You can have more than one female in a tank at a time, but just make sure there’s plenty of room for them to get away from each other when they need to.

Generally speaking, though, it’s best to limit yourself to just one Betta at a time. That doesn’t mean your fish can’t have friends, though. Bettas get along wonderfully with other species, like ghost shrimp, snails, and most bottom-dwelling species.

How Do I Clean My Tank?

It’s important to clean your fish’s tank regularly, and it’s equally important to do it right. Wearing gloves is essential, as your hands are filled with oils that can contaminate the water.

Start by filling a separate bowl with some water from the tank. Put your fish in the bowl, and cover it — they can (and will) jump out. If you’re changing the water, set aside about 20% of what’s in the tank, as you never want to change all the water at once.

Turn everything off and remove any non-living decorations. These can be scrubbed clean or soaked in extremely hot water. Then, scrub all the algae off with an algae scrubber. This is the most important part, so don’t skimp on this step.

Next, take a gravel vacuum to the substrate to remove waste, leftover food, and other contaminants. You can remove the gravel and wash it in a sieve as well.

Finally, take the leftover water you saved and put it in the clean tank, then fill it up the rest of the way with fresh water. Be sure to prepare the new water before adding it to make sure it’s suitable for your fish. Let the filter run for at least 10 minutes, and ensure that the temperature is correct before adding your Betta back to the tank.

Conclusion

Our favorite tank is the Koller Products Starter Kit, as it offers gorgeous views of your fish from any angle. It also boasts a powerful filtration system that should keep your Betta safe and healthy for quite some time.

If you want a quality option that won’t break the bank, consider the Tetra Half Moon. It’s rugged and well-made, making it a great choice for kids.

Many of the options above would make fantastic digs for your new fish, and they’ll keep it happy and healthy for a long time. We hope that these reviews have made finding the right tank for your Betta less stressful — after all, you’re getting one of these fish to reduce your anxiety, not add to it.

Featured Image Credit: Koller Products Tropical 360 View Aquarium Starter Kit, Chewy