The best aquarium led light is not just for the sake of a good-looking aquarium. When you are looking to purchase an aquarium led light, you need to make sure it will provide enough light for the plants in the aquarium as well. They need light for the photosynthesis process.
If you want what’s best for your fish and aquarium plants, if you want them to feel like home in their tank, then you need to think about purchasing the best LED light for the aquarium that will bring enough light in, but also not too much as to fill your tank with plants in just a few days. Yes, this is also possible if you choose a light that is too strong for the size of your tank. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Table of Contents
- Comparison of 10 Best Aquarium LED Lights in 2020
- Top 10 Best Aquarium LED Light Reviews in 2020
- 1. NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light
- 2. Current USA Orbit Marine LED Light
- 3. Finnex Planted+ Fully Automated Aquarium LED
- 4. Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED
- 5. Koval Aquarium Fish Tank Light
- 6. Finnex FugeRay Planted+ Aquarium LED Light
- 7. VIPARSPECTRA LED Aquarium Light
- 8. Beamworks LED Pent Aquarium Light
- 9. Current USA Satellite Plus PRO LED Light
- 10. Current USA Fixture Orbit Marine Pro
- Quick Buying Guide to Choosing the Best Aquarium LED Light
- What is the Best Aquarium LED Light?
- Relevant Resources
Comparison of 10 Best Aquarium LED Lights in 2020
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light |
| Check Price |
 | Current USA Orbit Marine LED Light |
| Check Price |
 | Finnex Planted+ Aquarium LED |
| Check Price |
 | Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED |
| Check Price |
 | Koval Aquarium Fish Tank Light |
| Check Price |
 | Finnex FugeRay Planted+ LED Light |
| Check Price |
 | VIPARSPECTRA LED Aquarium Light |
| Check Price |
 | Beamworks LED Pent Aquarium Light |
| Check Price |
 | Current USA Satellite Plus PRO LED Light |
| Check Price |
 | Current USA Fixture Orbit Marine Pro |
| Check Price |
Top 10 Best Aquarium LED Light Reviews in 2020
We’ve scanned the market a little bit and came up with 10 great options for aquarium led lights. As you will see, they have a couple of additional features as well, which can make your life easier in the long-term. Let’s take a look!
1. NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light
This NICREW led light strip could very well be the best led aquarium light on the market right now. The light it offers looks quite strong, able to support low light corals. However, you should always bear in mind that it will also help the algae grow and spread around.
This best aquarium LED light strip looks ready to use out of the box. Just plug it in and switch it on. Be careful not to submerge it into your water tank completely. A few splashes here and there,won’t hurt it, but I’m not sure it will survive a full plunge.
One thing you will love about this led light is its thickness; it’s hardly half an inch. It boasts a few attractive light settings, like shimmering effect, or moonlight for a more intense blue color. It comes in many sizes, so pick the one that fits your aquarium.
- Beautiful shimmer and moonlight effects
- It comes in 5 different sizes to fit your aquarium
- Apart from the lighting effects, you can also select blue and white colors
- It does not come with a built-in timer; you’ll have to acquire it separately from NICREW
- It is not waterproof
Also Read: Best Reef LED Light of 2020 – Top Rated Lights Compared
2. Current USA Orbit Marine LED Light
We continue our quest for the best led light for aquarium with this Current USA Led Light which features a very impressive light spectrum made of two color-channels, actinic blue, and white.
It works well for fish, corals, or other marine invertebrates. The LEDs look heavy-duty and like they’re able to take a beating and keep by your side for a long time. One interesting feature of this aquarium LED lights is its slow ramp-up mode which gives the fish time to gradually get used to it.
Moreover, the wide-angle dispersion lenses spread the light evenly throughout the aquarium. Something the fish will surely love about this product is its 24-hour light cycle. The light adjusts to mimic sunrise, sunset, and also the moonlight, and it can also be customized to simulate various weather conditions light.
- It features wide-angle lenses which spread light evenly in the aquarium
- It has a customizable light cycle
- Easy to use, no-hassle install
- It comes in various sizes to fit any aquarium
- You can adjust it using a remote
- The screws and mounts do not look too high-quality and might rust over time
3. Finnex Planted+ Fully Automated Aquarium LED
It’s hard to say which is the best cheapest aquarium led light on the market at the moment, but this Finnex Planted+ 24/7 is getting close to that. The led system is fully-automated, which means you can set it up to simulate the light of the day, from sunrise until sunset.
It features a memory function that remembers your latest settings of lights. It also comes with a multifunctional remote which will enable you to easily control the lighting modes.
Speaking of modes, this led light system features four customizable color channels and dimmable, weather modes. As for the quality of the build, this product is covered in aluminum for better durability. It also features a splash guard to keep the water away from the LED fixture.
- Great 24/7 mode
- Pretty good build quality for the money
- Easy to operate
- The converter for power supply might be a bit too bulky and heavy
4. Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED
Some of the best aquarium led light reviews on the market might belong to this one. All its features show it is quite an overall efficient device. It comes in four different sizes, to fit small, medium, and large tanks.
Overall, the lights are not meant to create a high quantity of light, but they will do good for a small number of plants. It won’t penetrate too deep in a tank full of plants, so bear that in mind before making the purchase.
The lights are easy to customize. You’ve got about eight light modes to choose from. There are two lunar light modes, two storm modes, three fade modes for a cloudy effect, and a dusk mode for evening. Moreover, the white and blue LEDs can be turned on/off or dimmed independently.
The LEDs come with a remote control to set the modes as you wish from the comfort of your sofa. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a timer. However, it’s good you can change the intensity of the beams in tons of different ways to keep your fish and plants healthy and happy.
- It comes with a remote control that makes changing the light easier and more fun
- A lot of settings designed to simulate natural light in your tank
- Nice-looking light show for your tank
- There is no timer included
Also Read: Best Reef Salt of 2020 – Top 10 Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
5. Koval Aquarium Fish Tank Light
Another good one on our list of best rated aquarium led light is this Koval fish tank light with extendable brackets. The Koval aquarium LED lights come in multiple versions, but the one we’re reviewing here is one of the biggest, with 156 LEDs.
The LED lights have got 5 colors, creating a full spectrum, from green, red, white to pink, and blue. This will make your aquarium look livelier and also might prove beneficial to the fish and plants in your tank.
This specific aquarium LED light is advertised as very efficient by the manufacturer. It should not weight too much on your electricity bills. The lights should last for at least 50,000 hours or 6250 days if used for 8 hours every day.
That’s 17 years! All in all, this is a very easy-to-use and easy-to-install aquarium LED light with full, detailed instructions from the manufacturer. The extendable brackets make it easy to install on your tank.
- Extendable brackets for a better fit on various sized aquariums
- LEDs with a full-spectrum light
- Good build quality and durability
- Long-lasting LED lights
- It does not come with a timer
6. Finnex FugeRay Planted+ Aquarium LED Light
Among the top-rated led aquarium lights, you will also find this another FinnexFugeRay. The first thing that strikes you from a first glance is the sleek and beautiful slim design of this product.
The materials are durable and moisture-resistant; moreover, you get a splash guard for extra protection. It features two adjustable legs to make it easy to mount on various kinds of aquariums.
It looks like it could work well even with rimless aquariums. The sleek metal enclosure on this product also helps cool the system more efficiently than most other aquarium LED lights. Having your LEDs working at the optimal temperature at all times is a great asset.
- Splash guard and moisture-resistant materials
- Sleek, slim design that also looks good
- Powerful light
- Adjustable legs
- If you keep it too close to the water level, it might condense moisture because of its metal design
7. VIPARSPECTRA LED Aquarium Light
This led aquarium light from Viparspectra is a high-powered device, perfect for coral. It comes in two high-power versions, a 165W and 300W one. The one we’re reviewing today is the 165W type.
The only difference between these two is size and power. If you have a large reef tank, then you should consider buying the 300W kind. Both these models have two light channels: blue and white.
You can control them using the remote it comes in the package. The system also boasts a 24/7 program that knows to adapt the light in the tank for optimal effect. You can customize the two light channels as you wish.
You can dim one or the other, you can go for a certain color in that specific channel, like all kinds of red, violets, or greens. On the whole, this is a great led aquarium light for coral tanks. For a final review, this is what we thought was great, and what we thought was not so great.
- Easy-to-use
- Sturdy design
- Multiple light colors and a full range of reef hues
- Two powerful versions perfect for mid-sized to large-size coral tanks
- Quite bulky design
- Not very customizable
8. Beamworks LED Pent Aquarium Light
The aquarium led lights from Beamworks are always quite neat-looking. Their contemporary design usually goes well with the whole set-up of any tank. This product here makes no exception whatsoever.
It comes in multiple variations. What we are reviewing here is the smallest type, a 60 cm – 24” model with an intensity of 3100 Lumen. For bigger aquariums, you can opt for an 80cm, 90cm, or even 120 cm variant.
This one here has got 60 LEDs of 0.55 watt each. It features only two modes: all lights on or just 8 LEDs working, for a dimmer set-up. They might not be too strong, to reach the bottom of the tank, but for a medium-sized home aquarium, it will do the job well.
This model also features a night blue-light mode, but you might find it too strong for its purpose. All in all, this is a reasonably best aquarium LED light, with a good, solid build. The power adapter is just right, it does not get too hot, and all the hardware seems sturdy enough.
- Good solid build
- Easy-to-operate and mount on the aquarium
- Perfect for freshwater aquariums
- The blue-light mode might prove too powerful for its purpose
Also Read: Best HOB Filter for Your Aquarium in 2020 – Reviews with Comparison
9. Current USA Satellite Plus PRO LED Light
If you want high-quality aquarium led lights, then you should not overlook this another PRO LED product from Current USA. It comes in four different size versions, to suit your aquarium.
It’s got white and RGBW LEDs and multiple functioning modes, from cloud cover effects to spectacular storm modes complete with lightning strikes that might surprise you. The dusk and lunar modes are perfect for “chilling” and perfectly simulate the night mood.
Apart from white and blue lights, the manufacturer also boasts some pretty realistic aquatic conditions to make your fish feel like home. On the plus side, it comes with wireless control that enables you to easily program all the modes you want in a completely hassle-free way.
The lights also have a 24-hour integrated timer function which you can program to start the sunrise, and sunset at your chosen time. You can even control the intensity of the daylight and moonlight.
- Overall good-looking, sleek design
- It comes with ahighly-customizable 24-hour timer
- It features a lot of lighting modes
- You can pair it with a digital timer to also program it to turn off at a specific time
- You can’t program it to completely turn off at certain times; you need an additional digital timer for that
10. Current USA Fixture Orbit Marine Pro
This aquarium led light features high-output LEDs and a light spectrum fit for corals. It comes with a wireless controller and also features a 24-hour timer. The manufacturer claims it is water-resistant, but I think you shouldn’t test that willingly.
It has no cooling fan. We’re not sure if that’s a good or not-so-good thing. However, it is easy to install and easy to clean. So low-maintenance and durability are always a good feature of any product.
- The overall good light intensity
- Easy to install
- 24-hour timer
- You might encounter some production issues on some models
Quick Buying Guide to Choosing the Best Aquarium LED Light
Buying the best aquarium led light might not be as easy as you’ve thought. It is not a trifling matter. There are a couple of things you should take into consideration. Aquarium led lights have got different light spectrums, control features, and modes. Some are easier to install than others. The durability of materials and safety characteristics are also important. Also, let’s not forget about the size and lighting properties.
Light Spectrum, Color Modes, and Additional Features
Once you have settled on a budget, look for the led aquarium light with the largest light spectrum. It should include as many colors as possible to make sure the aquarium plants receive enough light throughout the day for a proper photosynthesis process. Some aquarium led lights also feature additional lighting modest simulate night time, sunset, or sunrise.
You can always switch between them depending on what you see works best for your aquarium. Remote control to do this would be a nice touch. Some aquarium led lights can be a real hassle to control, so make sure you get one that is easy to install and control, and preferably, one that has a timer as well.
A timer is very useful for an aquarium light because it can turn off on its own and you won’t have to worry about spending too much on your electricity bill or growing too many plants in your aquarium. If the light is too intense or if it stays on all the time, you might grow wat too many plants that you’ve anticipated and that can be a real nuisance.
Also Read: Best Aquarium Heater in 2020 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews
Durability and Water-Protection Features
The desirable product should be able to offer a constant type of performance over time. This means it should be durable. The durability is very much dependent on the type of material that the led lights are made. It also depends on the type of LEDs and how they’re positioned.
Some aquarium led lights come with a splash guard which helps keep the water away because we know that water and electric lights do not and should not mix. Moreover, LEDs are notorious for getting hot, so a good ventilation system is also desirable. It is important to dissipate the heat that builds up throughout the operation.
Last, but not least, check the Lumen category on the product description. The LED lights need to be intense enough to penetrate to the bottom of the aquarium to offer the plants the quantity of light they need. On the other hand, if the lights are too intense for the size of your aquarium, it might overflood it with plants. You need to keep a balance here.
What is the Best Aquarium LED Light?
As usual, there is no universal answer to a buying question like this. However, if you follow our instructions closely and browse through the options displayed above, you might find the best aquarium led light faster than you’d think.
