An aquarium filter is a necessity as it helps in filtering all the dust and debris from the aquarium water as well as absorbs all the nitrates and ammonia from the water. The filter also aerates the whole water to make it clean and oxygen-rich for your fishes to breathe in it safely. These filters may make a very disturbing sound that may be unpleasant for a lot of people and especially for the ones who are nearby the aquarium. The loud noise made by these filters is due to the motor used in them. To avoid such an inconvenience, you can get your hands on the quietest aquarium filter and replace your old one with it.
A quiet aquarium filter is one that can work without making any noise and will be able to deliver a very effective as well as quiet performance. This will help you in dealing with the noise issues easily and get the work done as well. You can easily find a good and quiet aquarium filter easily with the help of the top 5 suggestions given by us of the best and the quietest aquarium filters available in the market.
Top 5 quietest aquarium filters
1. Fluval 307 Performance Canister Filter

Fluval is a very renowned brand that is working towards manufacturing quiet and good quality aquarium filters and is also very reputable as well. This Fluval 307 aquarium filter is one of the Fluval 07 series. This model comes with a heavy-duty Italian pump motor that is able to deliver a much longer working life and is also a very trouble-free option as well.
The durability of this motor pump is very good and it promises to deliver a very long-lasting performance. The impeller shaft of this filter is coated with a diamond polish and is also equipped with a liquid crystal rotor that helps in reducing the vibrations when the filter is in use. This also helps in reducing the sound made while the filter is in use.
The plastic cover of the impeller is co-molded with a polymer to ensure a perfect and tight seal over the shaft to keep it stable and in place. The inner structure of this pump is designed in such a manner that the humming, as well as the light vibrations, have been reduced to a great extent in order to make it completely noise-free. There is also a large rubber foot that is used for adsorbing the vibrations.
The filter baskets of this model are also easy to remove as well as clean. If you wish to change the filter or the media, you do not have to empty the whole canister tank as the process now is way easier than before. The priming pump of this filter is also much stronger than before.
Pros
- The motor is super-quiet
- Comes with a complete filter media
- Strong priming pump
Cons
- Comes with a flimsy hose
Our Verdict
A good quality filter that is able to deliver a very quiet and completely noise-free performance to its users. The working of this filter is very efficient and is also a very durable and reliable option to get your hands on.
2. Penn Plax Cascade CCF3UL Canister Filter

The one thing about this filter that impresses all its users is the quiet operating sound while it is doing its job. The motor that works in this filter is also a silent one and this is one of the major reasons why this canister aquarium filter is very silent and does not produce any noise when in use. Another feature of this filter is that the flow rate of this filter can be easily adjusted whenever needed as per your choice.
This filter is also equipped with the feature of rotating 360 degrees easily, this means, you can easily position it anywhere you want and it will be able to deliver an excellent performance to you.
These filters are also fit to be placed in large aquariums and they will do their job perfectly. This filter comes with a self-priming button as well that helps in the easy removal of the air-trapped inside the filter. The kit of this filter is well-equipped with all the types of pieces in it such as the tubing, spray bar, media, etc.
This filter is also equipped with flow-rate control panels that can be used by the users to control the flow. There are also hose clamps that come with this canister filter so that it can be used with swimming pools as well. There is also a push-button for the priming feature. It can be used whenever you feel the need to prime the filter when there is air trapped inside the filter and is making a humming sound.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- 360degrees rotation possible
- Self-priming ability
Cons
- None found
Our Verdict
This is good quality and a very effective filter that works super quietly without producing any sound at all. The filter comes with a self-priming ability and also a push-button for the same. It is a durable option to get your hands on.
3. Hydor Professional Aquarium External Filter

Manufactured by using a very high-quality ceramic shaft on the pump of the motor to make it soundproof and deliver a very quiet as well as effective performance. The impeller that is used for the pumping of water is able to rotate on the shaft making it efficient. The ceramic shaft of this filter ensures that the performance is very smooth and noise-free.
The hose available is to connect the filter well and allow it to deliver an amazing performance. This canister filter comes with two types of media- one is the mechanical filter pads and the others are the biological filtration ones.
There is also a spray bar in this filter and this helps in the aeration of the water to produce more oxygen for the fishes to breathe easily. This filter also comes with a priming system and you just have to pump the priming knob and the filter will start filling the canister tank with water easily. This helps in the easy starting up of the filter.
The quick disconnection system also helps in protecting the filter from any leaks. There is no carbon that comes along with this filter so you will have to buy it separately. The filters by Hydor are also available in various sizes so you can choose any one as per your needs. The flow rate varies from 160 to 290 gallons every hour.
Pros
- Comes with filter media baskets
- The priming system is easy to use
- Has a ceramic pump shaft
Cons
- Activated carbon not present
Our Verdict
It is a good quality aquarium filter that is able to deliver a good performance by being super quiet and noise-free. It comes with an easy priming system that helps in a quick start. Overall, it is a very durable and reliable filter.
4. Fluval FX6 High-Performance Aquarium Filter

This is a basket-in-a-basket design and this is a new approach by the brand Fluval. There are baskets that stack on top of each other, this is known as the FX design. In this model of the FX design filters, water will be passing through 6 filter media as it will consist of 6 media pads for the perfect filtration of water.
These FX pads are such that they are able to trap the large particles, the debris as well as the fine particles easily. These are bio-foam pads that are used in this filter and the carbon-impregnated filter pads are also present in this one that helps in the perfect filtration of water easily.
The smart pump technology is able to deliver a very good performance as it can easily prime the filter effectively and reduce the sound made by it. The operation of this filter is also noise-free and quiet. Another outstanding feature of this filter is the smart speed monitor that is able to adjust the pump speed to ensure a continuous and constant flow.
The Aqua Stop Disconnect valves also make it easy for users to remove or change the canister easily. The construction of this filter is very heavy duty that makes it very durable and long-lasting as well. There is also a multi-directional output system that helps in easy performance.
Pros
- Delivers a quiet performance
- Comes with a large canister
- Heavy-duty and durable
Cons
- Needs a lot of space
Our Verdict
A perfect filter for your large-sized aquarium that comes with a lot of features to deliver an excellent performance. Not only this, but the filter is also able to deliver a completely noise-free and quiet performance.
5. MarineLand Penguin 350 Power Filter

This is one of the most affordable filters on the list. Being affordable does not mean that there are any issues with the working of this filter. Instead, it is able to deliver excellent performance by being noise-free. It is a very powerful filter that can work well with your medium or even large-sized aquariums.
The process of removing as well as cleaning this filter is as easy as a walk in the park and it can be done very easily. You do not need to put any extra effort into the cleaning of the media. There is also a bio-wheel that keeps rotating to deliver a good wet/dry filtration.
This filter comes with a multi-level filtration system that includes- mechanical, biological as well as a chemical filtration systems. This filter is also available in five different sizes and you can choose any one among them as per your needs and requirements.
If you are looking for an aquarium filter that is available at a very affordable rate and is also able to deliver an amazing performance then this is the one you should go for. This filter is able to provide you with an efficient as well as a very quiet performance when used with a compatible aquarium.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Multi-level filtration
- Noise-free operation
Cons
- Issues with the bio-wheel
Our Verdict
People who are looking for a reliable, as well as effective option, can get their hands on this filter easily. It is available at a very affordable rate and delivers a very promising as well as noise-free performance.
Final Verdict
The best aquarium filter that will not only deliver you an effective and efficient as well as a noise-free and quiet performance is Fluval 307 Performance Canister Filter or rather all the models of the Fluval 07 series.
Buying Guide
The major factors that are to be addressed before buying a quiet aquarium filter are-
Noise level
Check the noise levels of each of the options available in the market and get your hands on the one that works completely noise-freely.
Media and filter
Go for the ones that come with easily washable and removable media to make sure that you can easily clean them and reuse them.
Filtration levels
Select the ones that come with more filtration levels to be able to keep the water completely clean and aerated for the fishes.
Pump
The pump of the motor decides the performance delivered by the filter. Select the ones that are powerful and are able to deliver a good performance.
Price
Try to find the best one available in a given budget as there are many options.
Conclusion
Quiet aquarium filters help in keeping the water clean as well as aerated without disturbing anyone nearby. These filters do not make any noise when being used and deliver a very efficient as well as effective performance. Quiet filters are also convenient if your aquarium is kept in your bedroom and you do not want it to disturb you while you are asleep. You can easily get your hands on one of the best and the quietest aquarium filters by going through the list provided by us.