Lighting will have a huge impact on your aquarium. If you have live plants or coral, you’ll need powerful lighting to provide the right amount of light to keep them healthy and growing. And, even if you don’t have live plants or coral in your aquarium, the appearance of your tank, and the fish you have in it, will be greatly affected by the lighting that you use.

LED aquarium lights are an excellent option for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. They are great for plant and coral growth. They are energy efficient. And they can make your aquarium (and its residents!) look amazing! But there are lots of choices out there for LED aquarium lights. So which one is the best choice for your tank? Start with the list below. We’ve done the research for you and come up with a list of 7 great LED aquarium lights to choose from.

Key Features To Look For

• Overall design – Is it suitable for your concept? Will it work with your existing decor?
• Size – Is it compatible with the aquarium you have? Would you have to buy a new aquarium to accommodate them?
• Life Span – Is there a guarantee for how long the lights should last?
• Quality – Is the light built to last?
• Energy Consumption – How does it compare in energy usage to other lights?

Best LED Aquarium Lights

Best Overall Pick: NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light, Fish Tank Light with Extendable Brackets, White and Blue LEDs

For design ease and functionality, our top pick is the LED Aquarium Lighting fixture by NiCrew. It features two lighting modes that help create a spectacular atmosphere for your aquarium display.

With its beautiful features, this light easily showcases your fish and other pets. It uses low voltage and is safe to use. This light also fits seamlessly in both rimless and framed aquariums.

Key Features

• Two lighting modes
• Bright, energy-efficient LEDs
• Low voltage, safe for use
• The recommended lighting time is 8-10 hours
• Fits multiple aquarium sizes
• Recommended for use over a glass aquarium cover or panel

What Others Are Saying About The LED Aquarium Light by NiCrew

“I purchased this item for my daughters Aqua plant tank. The first one worked great for about 2 months and then it stopped working due to wiring issues. I contacted NICREW they were great with customer service. They inquired about the issue with the item and then they replaced it right away. It’s been about a month since the new LED light came in. So far seems to be working great. Will purchase from them again in the future, highly recommended.”

“This light has some great intensity to it. I use the 30″ model on a 20 gallon long tank, which is fairly shallow for an aquarium. I have the tank set up as a riverine system, but fairly well planted. This light has all of my plants pearling quite nicely, plus helps grow small amounts of algae (which is referred for my algae consuming stock.) Overall, this light is pretty fantastic. I’ve had other Nicrew lights on other tanks and they have all performed well for me. Very affordable b leather as well, which is helpful when you have several dozen tanks to light.”

“I have a very big 55 gallon corner tank that had a big hood on the top. After looking at bulbs and seeing the prices i thought I’d look at LED to see what i could find. This lights had the reviews i was looking for. I bought the smaller one without realizing it. I didn’t want to bother with contacting the company to change my order so i waited to see how this small one faired. I’m glad i did because it is extremely bright, and does a great job at lighting up my whole tank.”

Best Budget-Friendly Pick: Mingdak LED Aquarium Light, Fish Tank Light Under Water Light Submersible Crystal Glass Lights

Whether you’re housing a pet turtle, fish, or reptiles, the MingDak LED Aquarium Light is a great lighting option for any aquarium. It gives aesthetic lighting to illuminate your fish tank and helps accentuate the colors of your pets and decor.

Additionally, this light helps meet the daylight needs of plants in your aquarium. This light is easy to control and budget-friendly for everyone!

Key Features

• Cool, white lighting color
• Bright, energy-efficient LED bulbs
• Low voltage and safe to use
• Works great underwater
• Strong mounting suction cup
• Convenient to install

What Others Are Saying About The MingDak LED Aquarium Light

“I have the 11 inch in my small 5 gallon planted betta tank, and let me tell you, I am super impressed. We have two anubias plants, a smaller amazon sword and a moneywort plant along with a floating pond plant that the betta uses as his bed. These plants are thriving! I have to trim back the floating plant once a week! The anubias’ have gained 1 new leaf each and the sword has baby shoots starting to spring up. I was really worried that this light wasn’t going to be strong enough for plants, but in the 5 gallon is has done amazing. It also shows off the betta’s colors wonderfully.”

“I used the 11 inch (30 led) light to replace the incandescent bulb assembly, on my ten gallon tank. Because of my Tetra pump and airstone bubbling water onto the lights of my hood, I did not want a fire risk. Plus, incandescent bulbs look crappy to me. So ordered this product, removed the standard bulb housing, and replaced with this one. So I do not have it submerged, but trust me, these led lights do not get hot. Also, they are not very bright either. They do put off a nice white/blue tint light.”

“Perfect light for what I’m using it for. Refugium light on the back of aquarium (biocube). As long as surface is clean and you moisten the suction cups then they stay on pretty good. Also submersible so if needed I could just drop the light inside the tank too.”

Customer’s Top Pick: S SMIFUL LED Aquarium Light, Fish Tank Light RGB Color Changing Underwater Light Submersible Crystal Glass Lights

With over nine-hundred positive reviews online and counting, the S SMIFUL LED Aquarium Light is our customer’s top pick. It features colorful LED lights with sixteen colors and four different modes that can be easily controlled using the wireless remote control.

The dimness of the light is fully adjustable and provides a safe and clear light for your aquarium thanks to the explosion protection acrylic glass. 

Key Features

• Can be widely used in fish tanks, cisterns, rockeries, pet cages, and others
• The bright LED bar makes any tank look natural and oceanic 
• Waterproof
• 5050 LED lights chip provides a bright light for reliable, long-term performance
• Energy saving and safe

What Others Are Saying About The S SMIFUL LED Aquarium Light

“Small enough to fit on the tank side and gives enough light for the whole 50 gal tank! My Betta likes it because he can go to the far end if its too bright. It’s great that you can dim the light during the night hours and still have the Tetras shine. I really like this light. You will not be disappointed.”

“Best and most affordable LED light. The rod at first looked too small for my 20 gallon tank. But once you place it in there, it’s just enough light. All of the lights work, white, blue, red, green, etc. Tip: the closer you place the light to the water line, the better it will illuminate your tank.”

“This is the absolute best little light for my 5 gallon betta tank. I’ve put it on the outside using the suction cups, lights pointed down. I love the remote and all the different lighting set ups. My fish is very happy, I use the blue to wake up to first thing in the morning, then switch to a brighter color during the day, then back to blue to wind down before sleep. The blue is also good for my plants. I highly recommend this light for smaller tanks.”

Other Top Picks:

Koval Aquarium Lighting Fish Tank Light Hood with Extendable Brackets, White and Blue LEDs

Another exceptional option is the Koval Aquarium Lighting Fish Tank Light Hood with extendable brackets. It helps to illuminate aquariums beautifully and keeps algae growing luxuriously.

Key Features

• Bright five color and full-spectrum LEDs make phycophyta vivid
• Extendable bracket allows the light to fit different size aquariums
• High-quality LEDs can be used at least 50,000 hours
• High efficiency, low energy dissipation save costs and extend the light’s lifespan

What Others Are Saying About The Koval Aquarium Lighting Fish Tank Light Hood

“I have this on a split-hood 50gal tank :). Fits like a charm, and lights up the tank beautifully. Wanted to replace our existing tube lights, and decided to try LED since our tube lights have a habit of melting the plastic inside the hood around the bulb (I use a timer, so no reason for this). The slim line design of this light makes it look more aesthetically appealing even when it is off. Since I left my hood on the tank I simply flipped the hangars the other way so it stands over the tank rather than hangs, and the feet sit well in the tiny gap between the hood and the tank lip so the light is secure. Should have bought something like this years ago!”

“Amazing light. Bright new life to my 45 gallon tank. The daylight setting did just what it said. I ended up purchasing a new back ground and special white decorations specifically for the blue light feature. One of the best purchases I’ve made for my tanks in a long time. I’m hoping to see if it will support plant life shortly. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Converted my old fluorescent lighting to LED – WOW – what a difference! I love the all blue light for night time. I am glad I went to LED. Nice product – fits nicely on my hood. I added a couple pieces of plastic to the ends to eliminate the light leak (my tank is longer than the lights). But it is gorgeous. The KOVAL light fit well – was packaged very securely. I just took it out, set it on the hood and plugged it in. Works great. Nice price, too.”

BeamsWork DA FSPEC LED Aquarium Light Pent Freshwater

The BeamsWork DA FSPEC LED Aquarium Light Pent Freshwater does not only provide high-quality lighting for your aquarium, but it also cuts down on energy consumption. With this light, there is no need to replace bulbs and it features two modes, full power during the day and moonlight during the night. 

Key Features

• 4,000 Lumen
• 80x 0.50W LEDs
• Timer Ready with a mode for day and night
• Suitable for freshwater, plants, and cichlid aquariums

What Others Are Saying About The BeamsWork DA FSPEC LED Aquarium Light Pent Freshwater

“I bought the 48″ DA FSPEC model for my 55 gal planted tank. I can’t believe how bright it is. At first i felt like it was to bright. I had to get use to it. The picture doesn’t do it justice. The light is very well made and came packaged in 2 boxes and bubble wrap so it arrived in perfect condition. It also arrived way earlier than expected, all around great experience.”

“this light is bright! I have the fspec beadwork on 55 gal tank and it does great. My plants grow well too. I bought one of these DA fspec to see how it looks on my 125 gal tank. I wanted to split the lighting I to 2 36″ lights so I can have day and night at the same time. I think it’s a little overpowering. pic show this light and my original florescent tube light. will be ordering a second one to balance out the lighting. might order the next one in 30″ to cut back a little. No need for hallway lights with these on.”

“Great lights that perform really well especially at this price point. Proven to be able to grow just about whatever you want. Make sure to buy the timer that is available. The timer allows a lot more options in regards to staggering your lights. I am running two of these over a 30 gallon and have 0 complaints!”

Lightimetunnel WiFi LED Aquarium Light

The LightMeTunnel WiFi LED Aquarium Light does not only illuminate aquariums beautifully, but it also helps promote the healthy growth of fish & aquatic plants. The best part is the light mode can be controlled and switched using a mobile phone, anywhere and anytime. 

Key Features

• Features blue light which promotes the absorption of coral calcium and synthesizes vitamin D3 to make coral grow brightly
• Independent APP controls operating system
• 25% brighter than classic LED aquarium lights
• Four different seasonal channels to choose from

What Others Are Saying About The LightMeTunnel WiFi LED Aquarium Light

“Great light and the company will work with you with any problems well worth the money I know it a little bigger then the tank but it is great for the coral and work awesome and now I need to get one for my other tank so I can put coral in that one buy this light works great any question just ask me!!! ”

“Functionality is outstanding. Corals are doing great. Here are the basics. Connecting to WiFi is ok. Took a little time for this. However, once connected you are good to go. App will take a little time to get use to. Again, once you figure it out it works really good. Working with Lightimetunnel’s customer service on a small issue and they have been nothing but extremely helpful. Would definitely buy again.”

“I used this lights for my 90gal reef thank. So far very pleased with it. Little bit complicated to work the wifi. I had to change ftom 5g to regular, once that was changed, i got it to work. So far i am very happy with it. The settings needed to be played with. Once you get the hang of it, you will be fine.”