10 Best Filter Media for Betta Fish 2025: According to Reviews | Chewy

The 10 Best Filter Media for Betta Fish

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How we created this filter medium list

We leveraged input from our veterinarians and artificial intelligence to identify key considerations to help you find the best filter media for betta fish.
We scanned thousands of customer reviews and ratings and scored each product based on its performance against each of the key considerations. We then considered how popular a product is with Chewy customers and combined that with its key consideration scores to create the list of the best filter media for betta fishes.

Key filter medium considerations

Compatibility

Durability

Filtration Efficiency

Longevity

1
AquaClear Activated Carbon Filter Insert, Size 30
AquaClear Activated Carbon Filter Insert, Size 30

AquaClear Activated Carbon Filter Insert, Size 30

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
115
$4.99Chewy Price
($4.99/ea)
Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code CELEBRATE

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.5/5
Great

Durability

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.5/5
Great

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Goldfish...
2
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge
SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge

SunGrow Betta Aquarium & Koi Pond Polishing Filter Floss, Media Pad for Fish Tank Cartridge

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
18
$14.99Chewy Price
($14.99/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.2/5
Great

Durability

4.4/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.6/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Cotton

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Marine Invertebrate...
3
Boyd Chemi-Pure Green Ultimate Filter Media, 5-oz jar

Boyd Chemi-Pure Green Ultimate Filter Media, 5-oz jar

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
17
$9.46Chewy Price
($1.90/oz)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.8/5
Excellent

Durability

4.8/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Plastic

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Goldfish...
4
API Water Softener Pillow, Size 5
API Water Softener Pillow, Size 5

API Water Softener Pillow, Size 5

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
35
$7.58Chewy Price
($7.58/ea)
Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code CELEBRATE

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Durability

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.5/5
Great

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Goldfish, Bottom Feeder...
5
Eheim Substrate Pro Biological Filter Media, 1-L

Eheim Substrate Pro Biological Filter Media, 1-L

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
7
$19.99Chewy Price
($19.99/l)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Durability

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Betta, Bottom Feeder, Cichlid, Goldfish...
6
SunGrow Activated Carbon Aquarium Filter Media Bag for Betta Fish Tank Maintenance, 10 count
SunGrow Activated Carbon Aquarium Filter Media Bag for Betta Fish Tank Maintenance, 10 count
SunGrow Activated Carbon Aquarium Filter Media Bag for Betta Fish Tank Maintenance, 10 count
SunGrow Activated Carbon Aquarium Filter Media Bag for Betta Fish Tank Maintenance, 10 count
SunGrow Activated Carbon Aquarium Filter Media Bag for Betta Fish Tank Maintenance, 10 count
SunGrow Activated Carbon Aquarium Filter Media Bag for Betta Fish Tank Maintenance, 10 count

SunGrow Activated Carbon Aquarium Filter Media Bag for Betta Fish Tank Maintenance, 10 count

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars
15
$7.99Chewy Price
($0.80/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Durability

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Nylon, Mesh

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Betta, Goldfish, Cichlid, Tropical Freshwater...
7
AquaClear Mini Activated Carbon Filter Insert, Size 20

AquaClear Mini Activated Carbon Filter Insert, Size 20

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
28
$1.96Chewy Price
($1.96/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.7/5
Excellent

Durability

4.7/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.7/5
Excellent

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Mesh, Synthetic Fabric

Aquarium Type

Nano Tank, Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Goldfish...
8
Eheim Pro 4+ Canister Filter Pads, 5 count

Eheim Pro 4+ Canister Filter Pads, 5 count

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
9
$21.99Chewy Price
($4.40/ea)
Promo, New Customers Only: Spend $49+, Get $20 eGift Card

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.5/5
Great

Durability

4.1/5
Great

Filtration Efficiency

4.7/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.1/5
Great

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Aquarium Type

Freshwater

Fish Type

Betta, Bottom Feeder, Cichlid, Goldfish...
9
Marineland Rite-Size S, Fit C-Series, Magniflow 160, 180, 220 & 250 Mechanical Aquarium Filtration Polishing Filter Pads Media, 2 count
Marineland Rite-Size S, Fit C-Series, Magniflow 160, 180, 220 & 250 Mechanical Aquarium Filtration Polishing Filter Pads Media, 2 count
Marineland Rite-Size S, Fit C-Series, Magniflow 160, 180, 220 & 250 Mechanical Aquarium Filtration Polishing Filter Pads Media, 2 count

Marineland Rite-Size S, Fit C-Series, Magniflow 160, 180, 220 & 250 Mechanical Aquarium Filtration Polishing Filter Pads Media, 2 count

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
19
$4.79Chewy Price
($2.40/ea)
Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code CELEBRATE

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Durability

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.5/5
Great

Longevity

4.4/5
Great

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Foam

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Goldfish...
10
Fluval C2 Poly/Foam Pad Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval C2 Poly/Foam Pad Filter Media, 3 count
Fluval C2 Poly/Foam Pad Filter Media, 3 count

Fluval C2 Poly/Foam Pad Filter Media, 3 count

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
13
$8.17Chewy Price
($2.73/ea)
Promo, Spend $100, Get $30 eGift Card with code CELEBRATE

Our ratings

Compatibility

4.6/5
Excellent

Durability

4.6/5
Excellent

Filtration Efficiency

4.6/5
Excellent

Longevity

4.5/5
Great

Is this filter medium right for my pet?

Material

Foam

Aquarium Type

Freshwater, Saltwater

Fish Type

Tropical Freshwater, Betta, Cichlid, Goldfish...