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7 Best Submersible Water Pumps for Aquariums in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Lindsey Stanton Profile Picture

By Lindsey Stanton

aquarium with airflow from submersible filter

One of the most useful aspects of a submersible water pump is that it can help stop the accumulating of waste and dirt in a certain area too. So, what is the best submersible water pump?

A small submersible water pump is a pretty good accessory to have in any aquarium (this is our top pick). The point of these things is to create a water current of sorts. This can be good for providing your fish with some exercise, it is great for creating an inviting atmosphere with plants that move in the flow, and it can help direct water to the filter.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Homasy Submersible Water Pump Homasy Submersible Water Pump
  • Compact
  • Quiet
  • Durable motor
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Tiger Pumps Tiger Pumps
  • 120 gallons per hour
  • Long power cord
  • Two different nozzles
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Professional Submersible Water Pump Professional Submersible Water Pump
  • Adjustable flow rate
  • Very safe
  • Easy to operate
  • BACOENG Submersible Fountain Water Pump BACOENG Submersible Fountain Water Pump
  • Ideal for small tanks
  • Durable housing
  • Suction cup feet
  • COODIA Aquarium Submersible Pump COODIA Aquarium Submersible Pump
  • Comes with a variety of nozzles
  • Fairly quiet
  • Nice LED lights
  • The 7 Best Submersible Water Pumps for Aquariums

    After a lot of research, we feel this is one of the best options and our top pick; You can check the current price here.

    1. Homasy Submersible Water Pump

    Homasy Submersible Water Pump

    The Homasy Submersible Water Pump as it has a variety of decent features. First off, this pump comes with two nozzles, one that is 13 mm and one that is 8.5 mm. Each nozzle creates a different water flow effect, one being high and one being low. This means that it can be used for various aquariums and various purposes too.

    On that same note, the Homasy Submersible Water Pump is ideal for aquariums of virtually any size (up to a certain point). This is because it comes with a knob that lets you adjust the flow rate, with a maximum flow rate of 80 gallons per hour, which means that it can handle some pretty big fish tanks with ease. We do really like this option because it comes with a fairly long power cord, making it easy to plug in and place pretty much anywhere.

    You are also going to like the fact that it is very small and compact, thus providing your aquarium with great water flow effects, all without taking up too much space. Finally, this particular Homasy Submersible Water Pump has a very durable motor that will last you for a long time to come, plus it is fairly quiet too, thus preserving the serenity that is your aquarium. It’s impressive because this pump can elevate the water column in your fish tank by up to 2.6 feet!

    Pros
    • Compact
    • Quiet
    • Durable motor
    • Can elevate the water column by 2.6 feet
    • Adjustable flow rate
    • Max flow rate of 80 gallons per hour
    • Fairly long power cord
    • Two different nozzles for different flow effects
    Cons
    • Will not work on very large aquariums (may need two)

    2. Tiger Pumps

    Tiger Pumps

    We like the Tiger Pump, especially if you have a fairly large aquarium. This particular submersible pump can provide you with a flow rate of up to 120 gallons per hour. The flow rate on the Tiger Pump is adjustable, which is of course very useful for accommodating various fish, plants, and aquarium sizes. The high maximum flow rate of the Tiger Pump makes it ideal for even the largest of aquariums.

    The Tiger Pump comes with convenient suction cup feet so that you can attach it to any surface in your aquarium, plus it has a 5-foot long power cord in order to make plugging in and position as easy as can be. Moreover, this particular pump features a super low noise design. You can barely hear this thing running, which is something that both you and your fish are going to appreciate.

    The fact that the Tiger Pump is very compact is also something many people will love. It provides you with great water flow without taking up too much room. Finally, the Tiger Pump comes with two different nozzles, a half inch and a quarter inch, thus providing you with either a wide or narrow water flow effect.

    Pros
    • 120 gallons per hour
    • Adjustable flow rate
    • Long power cord
    • Extremely quiet
    • Two different nozzles
    • Can be used for various purposes
    Cons
    • Motor is not all that durable

    3. Professional Submersible Water Pump

    Professional Submersible Water Pump

    If you need a good water pump for a small pond or aquarium, then the AD Submersible Water Pump is a great option to consider. This particular pump can move up to 40 gallons per hour, which makes it good for small and small-medium sized aquariums. The flow rate on this small submersible pump is adjustable up to 40 gallons per hour, so you can have a fairly light or heavy flow as you see fit.

    This is probably one of the smallest submersible water pumps out there, making it ideal for small and confined spaces. It won’t take up too much room, which is definitely a good thing. Moreover, this pump comes with convenient suction cup feet so you can place it on the base or on the walls of your aquarium.

    The fact that this pump features an ultra-quiet design is something that all people and all fish will appreciate no doubt. Also, everything is sealed in the chamber, is made to last, and also comes with several safety mechanisms too. The power cord on this submersible water pump is close to five feet long, which is ideal for most circumstances.

    Pros
    • Very small
    • Very quiet
    • Adjustable flow rate
    • Very safe
    • Very durable
    • Easy to operate
    Cons
    • Not ideal for large tanks
    • Only comes with one nozzle

    4. BACOENG Submersible Fountain Water Pump

    BACOENG Submersible Fountain Water Pump

    This is a neat little submersible water pump that can be used for a variety of applications. The BACOENG Submersible Water Pump has an adjustable flow rate that can be easily changed to your needs. The max flow rate of this model is 58 gallons per hour, making it ideal for small and medium size aquariums. The small profile build of this particular water pump means that it won’t take up too much space in any aquarium.

    Moreover, the 6-foot long power cord makes it easy to place in position. It’s also easy to place thanks to the suction cup feet which come included with it, which allow you to mount it in a vertical or horizontal position. Everything is sealed in a solid case in order to ensure that it does not suffer any water damage, therefore making it fairly durable. The fact that this thing is fairly quiet is another bonus that everyone will like.

    Pros
    • Quiet
    • Compact
    • Suction cup feet
    • Adjustable flow rate
    • Max flow rate of 58 gallons per hour
    • Ideal for small tanks
    • Durable housing
    Cons
    • Not ideal for tanks over 12 gallons large

    5. COODIA Aquarium Submersible Pump

    COODIA Aquarium Submersible Pump

    This is one of the more powerful submersible water pumps out there. It has a max flow rate of 270 gallons per hour, making it ideal for the largest of aquariums, fountains, and outdoor ponds too. The flow rate can be adjusted with the turn of a dial, thus making it quite versatile.

    This particular pump comes with several nozzle head attachments for various flow and fountain effects, which means that you can put it in a fish tank or use it as a fountain too. The COODIA Aquarium Submersible Pump is energy-saving, which is something that everyone’s wallet will appreciate. Perhaps the coolest feature of this pump is the ring of LED lights that it comes with, gently illuminating the water and providing you with a stunning visual effect.

    This thing is also built to be durable thanks to solid housing, it is designed to be very quiet, and it doesn’t take up all that much space either. This pump has a 1.8-meter-long power cord that is ideal for a variety of applications. What is also good about this pump is that it is easy to disassemble for cleaning.

    Pros
    • Ideal for very large applications
    • Adjustable flow rate
    • Nice LED lights
    • Long power cord
    • Very durable
    • Comes with a variety of nozzles
    • Fairly quiet
    • Quite compact
    Cons
    • Not ideal for smaller applications

    6. UL80 Submersible Pump

    UL80 Submersible Pump

    This is a good option to go with for smaller applications such as a 20-gallon aquarium or a small outdoor fountain. The flow rate is adjustable in order to suit your needs, plus the max flow rate of this model is 80 gallons per hour, thus making it ideal for small and small-medium aquariums.

    The detachable pump head is a nice feature because it allows for easy cleaning and maintenance. This thing can actually raise the water column by up to 2.5 feet, which is quite impressive for such a small, compact, and space saving submersible pump.

    The fact that it has a super durable housing with a very quiet function makes it one of the better pumps you can find today. The power cord is 6 feet long for your convenience, plus it has suction cup feet for easy placement.

    Pros
    • Quiet
    • Compact
    • 80 gallon per hour flow rate
    • Adjustable flow rate
    • Solid housing
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • Not ideal for anything over 8–10 gallons

    7. SongJoy Submersible Aquarium Water Pump

    SongJoy Submersible Aquarium Water Pump

    This is another decent option to go with. This particular model can pump up to 132 gallons per hour, making it ideal for medium and medium-large applications. It does have an adjustable flow rate so you can change the flow as needed. Cleaning and maintenance is easy because it does not require tools for you to take apart.

    This is a very quiet submersible water pump that won’t disturb you or your fish, plus it is quite compact and space saving too. What is impressive is that this thing can be used for both fresh water and salt water applications. The motor of this pump is made to last, made to dissipate heat, and is located in a totally waterproof housing.

    Pros
    • Adjustable flow rate
    • Ideal for medium and fairly large applications
    • Easy to clean and maintain
    • Pretty quiet
    • Durable motor
    • Solid housing
    • Fairly compact
    Cons
    • Doesn’t work well as a vertical fountain

    Conclusion

    While all of the above pumps are great in their own right, make sure to know exactly what you need it for. A pump for an aquarium usually does not need to be as powerful as when you want to use it for a vertical fountain. At any rate, if you want some good water flow, you should definitely check out the above submersible water pumps.

    We have also covered a review post on Protein skimmers here.


    Featured Image Credit: Lapis2380, Shutterstock

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