8 Best Freshwater Aquariums in 2025 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

There are so many aquariums of all shapes and sizes, and it can be challenging to narrow down your options, especially if you’re a beginner. Choosing freshwater fish is a great way to get started because there are fewer factors to consider when caring for them. However, even if you keep freshwater fish, so many aquariums are available.

So, we have reviews of some of the best and most popular aquariums. We also have information on selecting a suitable aquarium for your freshwater fish. Here’s all you need to know before you buy an aquarium.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2025

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit	Relatively affordable Comes with essential accessories Great for beginners	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Tetra LED Cube Kit Fish Aquarium	Very affordable Comes with LED light and filter Great for beginners	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Lifegard Crystal Aquarium w/Side Filter	Uses low-iron glass and invisible glue Inconspicuous side filter Sleek minimalist design	CHECK PRICE
		Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit	Clean and sleek design Hides filter and pump Comes with sleek LED light	CHECK PRICE
		Koller Products 360 View Aquarium Starter Kit	Completely unobstructed view of the tank LED lamp with changing colors Internal filter	CHECK PRICE

The 8 Best Freshwater Aquariums

1. Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit – Best Overall

The Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit is the best overall freshwater aquarium because it’s a high-quality tank that is also relatively affordable. It’s difficult to find a 10-gallon tank at a similar price point that doesn’t compromise quality.

The tank also includes the essentials to start an aquarium, so it’s great for beginners. The kit comes with an LED hood, aquarium cover, filter, heater, thermometer, and fishnet. Just keep in mind that the accessories aren’t the most advanced. You’ll eventually have to replace them, especially as you gain experience caring for your fish.

2. Tetra LED Cube Kit Fish Aquarium – Best Value

If you’re starting out, it can be daunting to purchase an aquarium because it can get expensive very quickly. Fortunately, the Tetra LED Cube Kit Fish Aquarium is a great budget option and the best freshwater aquarium for the money.

Although it’s made with cheaper material, it’s a good kit that’ll help you get started. It also comes with an LED light and filter. The tank is suitable for just one or two fish at a time, but it’s ideal for first-timers who want to take good care of a few fish before advancing to a bigger tank with more fish.

If you're new to the world of goldfish keeping or are experienced but love to learn more, we highly recommend you check out the best-selling book, The Truth About Goldfish, on Amazon.

From diagnosing illnesses and providing correct treatments to proper nutrition, tank maintenance and water quality advice, this book will help you to ensure your goldfish are happy and to be the best goldfish keeper you can be.

3. Lifegard Crystal Aquarium w/ Side Filter – Premium Choice

The Lifegard Crystal Aquarium w/ Side Filter is a beautiful premium fish tank with a sleek and minimalist design. It uses low-iron glass, and the edges are attached with invisible glue. This results in an extremely clear view of the tank, allowing you to see the vibrant colors of your fish and any fun accessories that you put inside.

The tank has an inconspicuous side filter that doesn’t stick out awkwardly, so you can easily place the aquarium anywhere in the house. However, it’s pretty heavy, so make sure that the surface can adequately support the tank after it’s filled with water, substrates, and accessories.

4. Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit

The Fluval Spec Aquarium Kit is a substantial 5-gallon tank that provides a clear view and a safe environment for your fish. It has a compartment that hides the filter and pump from view and a sleek LED light that makes the entire tank look clean and sophisticated.

The tank is just 5 gallons, so it can hold one or two small fish. While small, it fits perfectly on top of desks and small tables, making it a great ornamental tank. Overall, this aquarium kit contains everything you need to keep your fish healthy, so you just have to focus on decorating the inside and creating a fun home for your fish.

5. Koller Products 360 View Aquarium Starter Kit

If you’re looking for a fun and decorative aquarium, the Koller Products Tropical 360 View Aquarium Starter Kit is a great option. Its round shape provides a completely unobstructed view of your aquarium, and it helps you keep an eye on your fish’s condition.

The tank comes with an LED lamp that displays seven colors. It also has an internal filter, which eliminates the worry of trying to hide a bulky filter. The tank may be made with cheaper material, making it incredibly lightweight. So, it can safely rest on most surfaces. Since it doesn’t take up a lot of horizontal space, it can even be a good desk accessory.

6. Marina LED Aquarium Kit

The Marina LED Aquarium Kit is one of the more affordable options for larger aquarium kits. This 20-gallon tank is made with high-quality glass and provides a clear view of your fish and aquarium accessories. The tank is a great size if you’re interested in caring for small community fish.

The kit includes an LED lamp that mimics sunlight well and shines a natural light throughout your aquarium. Another notable accessory is the slim clip-on filter, which mostly stays out of sight and is also very easy to replace. The kit also includes fish food, water conditioner, and biological supplements.

While this aquarium kit comes with many essentials, it doesn’t include a heater. So, it’s best for fish that are fine with colder water.

7. Cobalt Aquatics Microvue Aquarium Kit

The Cobalt Aquatics Microvue 360 Aquarium Kit is an ideal choice for small freshwater fish. It’s made with glass that doesn’t affect how you see colors, and the edges are connected with a clear silicone sealant that creates a minimally obstructed view of the tank.

The kit includes a 6-watt LED lamp and an internal filter. It’s easy to set up, so you can have new fish ready to settle inside relatively quickly. The fish best suited for this tank are betta fish, guppies, and small goldfish. It’s not a good option for any fish or marine animals that can jump or crawl out because there’s no lid to keep them contained.

8. Marineland Portrait Aquarium Kit

The Marineland Portrait Blade Light Aquarium Kit contains a sleek tank that’s great for displaying all your fish and aquarium accessories. Even though this tank is on the smaller side, it’s pretty heavy. However, it still has some great features that make it a great display tank.

The kit contains an LED lamp that switches from blue to white to provide a unique ambiance for your tank. The tank also has a sliding glass canopy, which keeps your fish safely inside and enables you to easily feed them. It also contains a hidden filtration system and pump, so the overall display looks clean and tidy.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Freshwater Aquarium

Finding the right aquarium can be challenging, especially for beginners. There are many factors you have to consider before bringing new fish home. Along with doing your own research on the species of fish you’re interested in purchasing, you’ll have to make sure you can set up a tank that will help them thrive.

Here are some factors to consider when looking for a new aquarium tank.

Capacity

The general rule for selecting the correct size is to add a gallon to every inch of fish you have. So, if you have two fish that are 2 inches long, you’ll want a tank that’s at least 4 gallons.

However, these rules don’t apply if the species is particularly active and requires a lot of room to swim. So, it’s best to determine the type of fish you want first before purchasing a tank.

Shape

Tanks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some are tall and cylindrical while others are stouter and wider. In general, wide aquariums are the best for fish. They provide enough space for fish to swim without fighting for space and have better oxygen flow.

Material

Most tanks are either made out of glass or acrylic. The benefit of glass is that it’s usually more affordable and scratch-resistant. It also provides the clearest view of your aquarium.

Acrylic is lighter than glass and more durable, but you can make quick repairs. However, it can turn yellow and cloudy over time.

Accessories

Many aquariums come with accessories, such as water filters and LED lights. Most of these accessories are suitable for beginners who are just starting. However, as you gain experience, you’ll notice that you’ll most likely have to upgrade them.

So, aquarium kits with several accessories are great for beginners but not for more advanced aquarists.

How We Determined This List of Freshwater Aquariums

All the freshwater aquariums reviewed in this article were chosen by our writers, editors, and team of experienced veterinary professionals to ensure that they are safe and meet the care needs of your pet. When choosing which freshwater aquariums to feature, we took into account brand reputation, personal and hands-on experience, reviews from other customers, and of course, feedback from our beloved pets, to make sure to bring you only the best of the best. We at PangoVet want to give you only the best products to choose from in our reviews, to ensure that they meet your pets’ needs for optimal health and well-being.

Why Trust PangoVet?

We are a team of experienced veterinarians, writers, and editors who are pet owners ourselves, so we understand how important your pets and the products they use and consume are to you. Whether you are caring for a furry, scaly, or feathered friend, we make sure that you have honest and unbiased reviews of the top freshwater aquariums on the market, so you can make an informed decision.

Conclusion

Overall, the Aqueon LED Fish Aquarium Starter Kit is the best freshwater aquarium because it’s durable and has useful accessories for beginners. The Lifegard Crystal Aquarium w/ Side Filter is a great investment for more advanced aquarists because it uses high-quality materials and is more expensive than basic tanks.

It’s important to take your time selecting an aquarium because it’s difficult to replace once your fish move in. However, it’ll be worth your time because the right tank will make caring for your fish easier.

Featured Image Credit: Alexander AV3RKIN, Unsplash