The filter is a key component of any fish tank and among the existing types on the market, the hang-on-back (HOB) type is the most common. If you have decided to use these filters for your tank, you have come to the right place as we’re about to help you choose the best quiet HOB filter.
Here are the best quiet hob filters you can buy in 2025:
- Best For Small Tanks: boxtech Aquarium Hang On Filter
- Best For Large Tanks: Penn-Plax Cascade Hang-on Aquarium Filter
- Energy Efficient: AquaClear Fish Tank Filter
- Easy To Clean: Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter for Aquariums
- Powerful: Aquatop PF40-UV
| 5 Best Quiet Hob Filters | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Small Tanks | boxtech Aquarium Hang On Filter | |
Best For Large Tanks | Penn-Plax Cascade Hang-on Aquarium Filter | |
Energy Efficient | AquaClear Fish Tank Filter | |
Easy To Clean | Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter for Aquariums | |
Powerful | Aquatop PF40-UV | |
Best For Small Tanks: boxtech Aquarium Hang On Filter
- Ideal for small tanks – a measurement of 4.72 x 4.72 x 3.54 inches & ultra-thin, filter-plate design
- Multifunctional – able to work as a cleaning oil-film, oxygen aeration, or a filtration
- Afford various needs – adjustable flow rate valves
- No instructions on how to install it
If you have a small aquarium with limited space, this hob filter is an appropriate choice for some good reasons.
First off, it has a modest size of 4.72 x 4.72 x 3.54 inches. Secondly, it boasts an ultra-thin filter plate design that can be conveniently hung on your tank for more space-saving.
Small yet mighty, it can function as a cleaning oil-film, oxygen aeration, or a filtration in a tank. The biggest bonus is that you can adjust its flow rate due to your needs and besides, it runs quietly that will not disturb your work, mood, or sleep.
| boxtech Aquarium Hang On Filter Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 9.59 Ounces |
Dimension | 4.72 x 4.72 x 3.54 inches |
Flow Rate | 34-40 GPH |
Recommended Tank Size | 5-10 gallons |
Highlight Features | measurement of 4.72 x 4.72 x 3.54 inches & ultra-thin, filter-plate design 3-in-1 design adjustable flow rate valves |
Grab the boxtech Aquarium Hang On Filter if you want to clean the water from your small tanks in the most effortless way.
Best For Large Tanks: Penn-Plax Cascade Hang-on Aquarium Filter
- Ideal for large tanks from 55-100 GPH in size – offer up to 300GPH of flow rate with the adjustable flow control knob
- Eliminate odors, discoloration, and toxins & trap floating particulate matter - activated carbon cartridges and bio floss
- Encourage oxygen exchange & enhance beneficial anaerobic bacteria colonization - outer Bio-Falls booster and inner sponge
- Unable to change out carbon without possibly damaging the cartridge
In contrast to the boxtech Aquarium Filter, this one is professionally created for large tanks from 55 to 100 gallons in size, and it can produce up to 300GPH of flow rate.
Similarly, it has an adjustable flow rate control knob to meet different needs and the motor runs efficiently with nearly no noise. It also requires no maintenance during use.
But the thing making this filter stand out from other competitors is the included activated carbon cartridges and bio floss. They help trap floating particulate matter as well as eliminate unpleasant odors from the water.
Another notable feature is its combination of outer Bio-Falls booster and inner sponge. Thanks to them, the oxygen exchange is excelled on the outside while the beneficial anaerobic bacteria colonization is optimized on the inside of the filter.
In comparison to other counterparts, it cleans the water more efficiently.
| Penn-Plax Cascade Hang-on Aquarium Filter Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 4 Pounds |
Dimension | 8.25” (H) x 11.25” (W) x 6.25” (D) |
Flow Rate | 300 gallons per hour |
Recommended Tank Size | 100 gallons |
Highlight Features | offer up to 300GPH of flow rate with the adjustable flow control knob activated carbon cartridges and bio floss outer Bio-Falls booster and inner sponge |
Offering up to 300GPH flow rate without making a loud noise, the Penn-Plax Cascade Hang-on Aquarium Filter is best for large tanks
Energy Efficient: AquaClear Fish Tank Filter
- Offer 7x larger filtration volume – an energy-efficient pump & great contact time between the filter media and the filtration system
- Water quality enhancement – feature BioMax, Activated Carbon Filter, AquaClear Foam, and cycle guard
- Reliable – backed by the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty
- The motor is a bit too sensitive
- Instructions are vague
If you wish to optimize the operating costs of a hob filter, this is a no brainer.
It boasts an energy-efficient pump with better contact time between the filter media and the filtration system. Therefore, compared to other counterparts, it offers 7x larger filtration volume at the same energy consumption amount.
The filtration system includes BioMax, Activated Carbon Filter, and AquaClear Foam. Moreover, it comes with a cycle guard for enhanced water quality.
And your purchase is under the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty, so it’s worth a try.
| AquaClear Fish Tank Filter Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.5 Pounds |
Dimension | 4.5 x 8.2 x 6.7 inches |
Flow Rate | 150 U.S. Gal./h |
Recommended Tank Size | 10 to 30 Gallons |
Highlight Features | an energy-efficient pump & great contact time between the filter media and the filtration system feature BioMax, Activated Carbon Filter, AquaClear Foam, and cycle guard backed by the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty |
The AquaClear Fish Tank Filter is an energy-efficient godsend for those people who want to keep their fish tank clean in the most economical way.
Easy To Clean: Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter for Aquariums
- Keep the tank water clean & remain ideal pH levels with no priming required - Stay-Clean Technology & a self-priming submerged motor
- Made to last – better impeller and material upgrades
- Ideal for 45-gallon tanks – offer 215GPH of flow rate
- The filter setup is too high
Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter for Aquariums is one of the easiest-to-use options available in the market.
It keeps your fish healthy by providing and retaining ideal pH levels using Stay-Clean Technology. This brilliant technology application also helps reduce the operating noise to a minimum (under 40dB).
Besides, it highlights a self-priming submerged motor that will automatically begin to operate with no adjustment needed.
The only thing you have to do is change its cartridges once per month and that’s it!
| Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter for Aquariums Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Dimension | 7 x 6.25 x 8.75 inches |
Flow Rate | 215 GPH |
Recommended Tank Size | 45 gallons |
Highlight Features | Stay-Clean Technology & a self-priming submerged motor better impeller and material upgrades offer 215GPH of flow rate |
With no priming or maintenance required, the Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter is an effortless, easy-to-clean option for busy fish owners.
Powerful: Aquatop PF40-UV
- Small yet mighty – deliver 7W pumping power and 128GPH flow rate
- Offer optimum water surface cleaning & unwanted algae bloom prevention – feature a self-adjusting surface skimmer, a UV Sterilizer, and AQUATOP's Bamboo Carbon
- Convenient and simple to set up – fit on any tank rims up to ¾” thick
- The intake pipe gets dirty fast
In terms of hob filters for 40-gallon tanks, we find Aquatop PF40-UV to be the most powerful.
It offers 7W pumping power and 128GPH flow rate despite a modest size of only 8.5” x 6.5” x 11”.
What’s worth mentioning here is its filtration system that includes a self-adjusting surface skimmer to clean the water surface efficiently, a UV Sterilizer for unwanted algae bloom prevention and AQUATOP's Bamboo Carbon.
While it’s built to capably filter both chemically and mechanically, the unit fits on any tank rims up to ¾” thick.
| Aquatop PF40-UV Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.5 Pounds |
Dimension | 8-1/2-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch by 11-Inch. |
Flow Rate | 128-Gallons per hour |
Recommended Tank Size | 15 to 40 gallons. |
Highlight Features | deliver 7W pumping power and 128GPH flow rate feature a self-adjusting surface skimmer, a UV Sterilizer, and AQUATOP's Bamboo Carbon fit on any tank rims up to ¾” thick |
If you’re searching or the most powerful yet quiet hob filter for your tanks, the Aquatop PF40-UV is a shining candidate
How To Choose The Best Quiet Hob Filter?
Noise level
A HOB filter is usually louder because its motor is external and it sits on the tank instead of under it. The motor is the cause of vibration, making the lids and lose parts rattle. This is especially true for cheap models.
Noises may also come from the impeller and the outflow. In addition, your filter tends to get noisier as it ages.
Therefore, when shopping for a HOB filter, you need to look into this specification indicated by the manufacturer and go with the quietest model you can find.
Tank size
As HOB filters are mostly made for small tanks, they are not a good choice for large aquariums. So, when shopping for a HOB filter, you need to make sure that your tank has the right size for this type of filter or your fish may end up in an under-filtered tank and get sick.
Media type
The most common type of media is a sponge, which is cheap and easy to clean without the need for changing often. You can also opt for other types of media such as bio-media and ceramic rings. Another way is using sponges with activated carbon to improve efficiency.
Required flow
Using filters, you can control the water flow. On a HOB filter, there is often an adjustable slider for this feature.
The flow requirements vary among different types of fish in the tank. In general, however, a filter should have a 30-gallon output per hour when it’s used for 1 tank of 9 to 10 gallons.
Motor and Impeller
HOB filters come with an external motor that’s connected to the bottom of the filter box’s intake side. Inside the box, there is an impeller powered by the motor that spins and pulls water into the intake tube.
The magnetic impeller is exposed to the water that moves through the filter while the motor stays dry.
Which Brands Make The Best Quiet Hob Filter?
boxtech
boxtech offers HOB filters for fish tanks, and you can choose from different tank sizes ranging from 5 to 30 gallons.
Penn-Plax
Over decades of operation, this company has served a lot of customers around the world. Its strength comes from the power of innovation that’s delivered through each product.
Tetra
Founded 69 years ago, this is one of the largest manufacturers of fish food and equipment in the world. Here, you will find products made with expertise and dedication.
Aquatop
With over three decades of experience in the industry, this brand is worth a try if you are looking for a reliable place to buy filters.
FAQs
What can I do with the humming sound?
You need to find out where the humming sound comes from and fix it. If the humming sound comes from an outlet or wiring, there could be a dangerous problem. You need to have the outlet grounded properly. However, it’s best to have a professional electrician look into the problem for you.
How often should I change my filter cartridge?
Generally speaking, you should change the filter cartridge once a month.
How does a HOB filter work?
Here’s how a HOB filter works:
- Water is carried from the tank to the filter through an intake tube.
- Now, the water inside the case is filtered by the sponge or other types of medium.
- Then, the filtered water goes back to the tank.
Are HOB filters quieter?
No, they aren’t. In fact, HOB filters are noisier than canister filters due to their design.
How to clean my hob filter?
First of all, remember to keep bio sponges and biowheels from drying out and contacting chlorine. You should float them inside the tank as you maintain the filter.
Fill the canister filter with tank water until it is 1 inch from the top. Ensure the hose shutoff valves are open.
Now, install the motor to make sure the seal ring is seated properly. Next, position the funnel on the intake hose then fill the funnel with tank water until the water goes out of the return side hose. As the water is pouring, you need to shut the intake side.
Then, fill all air spaces of the return side using the funnel and turn off the valve once it overflows. Now, the canister is filled and you need to connect it to the tank.
Conclusion
This is the end of our complete guide on finding the best quiet HOB filter. We hope that after reading all the useful information here, you will be able to buy the perfect product for your needs.
