Best Carbon Canister Filters of 2025

"This product is a great replacement piece for ensuring clean water for my turtle."

"I love these carbon filters. They work perfectly and keep my tank crystal clear."

"After adding this charcoal to my Fluval 13.5 EVO, my water has never been so clear. The low price allowed me to stock up, and it fits perfectly!"

"This filter fits great and ensures there’s no leakage. It works effectively to clean the water and keeps all the junk out."

"I had cloudy water in my 10-gallon betta tank. I tried multiple filters without success. When I came across this product, I decided to give it a shot. In less than 24 hours, the clarity improved by 50%! Just make sure to follow the instructions closely before using."

"I found these hard to locate in pet stores, so I buy them here on Amazon. The price is comparable either way."

"I've been using this product for years, and it's exactly as described. It performs well every time."

"I find these bags to be the perfect size for my canister filter. It's so much easier to just rinse and add them than to deal with charcoal in a media bag, even if they cost a bit more."

"Using this in my filter has really helped. It keeps my freshwater tank free from ammonia build-up, extending the time between water changes significantly."

"I always use a bag of carbon in my filter media system for my reef aquarium. This activated carbon is a great price and a trusted brand. It effectively removes excess organic compounds, keeps the water clear, and helps prevent chemical warfare among my 40-50 corals. I replace it monthly to maintain its effectiveness, and it's a crucial part of my aquarium maintenance routine."

"I really like this product, especially for its affordability. Just a heads-up for future buyers: be sure to rinse it thoroughly until all the black is gone. If you skip this step, you might end up with carbon dust all over your aquarium, and you'll definitely regret it!"

"I've switched to this activated carbon after using ChemiPure, but I've noticed issues. My skimmer started making strange noises, and the carbon was floating on the surface of my tank. Unfortunately, I didn't see any improvement in water quality with this product, so I'm going back to ChemiPure."

"I use this in my filter for my turtle's tank and it works great."

"I prefer activated carbon pellets, and while these are a bit skimpy, they make cleaning my canister filter much easier. Just rinse and toss in!"

"I've been using this activated carbon for over a year. It effectively absorbs harmful contaminants, and I appreciate the consistent quality from Penn Plax."

"I found this product to work perfectly for controlling the smell in my grow room while also helping to exhaust warm air. I even bought another one for my second grow tent!"

"This filter really does the job! I have a 4x4 tent filled with Garlic Cookies at 7 weeks, and there’s not a smell outside the tent. It gives me peace of mind knowing my setup is discreet."

"After searching for a solution, I decided to try this filter. It worked wonders in removing all the smells from my workshop. Even without venting the air outside, the odors were gone in just a few minutes!"

"This product is fantastic! I had trouble finding carbon in a 1 lb size, but this 4 lb package was perfect. It was well-sealed and had significantly less dust than I expected. I needed it for my outdoor pond, and it worked great!"

"I switched to CNZ filter bags for my turtles' water, and what a difference! The water is much clearer for longer, and the bags are super easy to wash. I wish I had started using these sooner!"

"These activated carbon charcoal bags did wonders for my aquarium. They quickly removed unpleasant odors and made the water crystal clear. Following the advice of using one bag for every 60 gallons really helped."

"I purchased this kit for my 32 gallon aquarium. I used smaller mesh bags for the bio balls and ceramic rings in my 3 section filter, along with a fine mesh bag for the charcoal. It was more affordable to buy this kit than separate items. The zipped mesh bags make storage easy, and it’s very simple to use. My aquarium remains crystal clear, so I highly recommend this filter media kit!"

"I'm using this Aquarium Filter Media Kit for my two different canisters. The quality is impressive and I'm satisfied with my purchase. It’s definitely a good value for the price!"

"This was the worst purchase I've ever made. I started a new tank and bought this package, thinking it was a good deal. After washing the charcoal, I added it to my aquarium, but it spread black debris all over my sump and tank. Now I face the daunting task of emptying my entire 150 gallon tank to clean it, which will take a whole day. Please consider this product at your own risk!"

“I placed the whole packet in a plastic container in my fridge, which is now 100% odor-free. This works so much better than baking soda, and I can rejuvenate it by popping it in the freezer for a few hours. It ends up being more cost-effective.”

“I bought this after our renovation to absorb VOCs. I combined it with my air purifier's filter. It should work well in theory.”

“I was very pleased with the customer service. After I ordered activated charcoal, I received a call within a couple of days from the seller, who informed me they had forgotten the mesh bags. They offered to send them separately or process a return. It was a small order, but they took it seriously, and I'm a happy customer!”

"I find it easy to cut to size. I use it to maintain my water clarity and remove chemicals after treatment. Great quality and it holds its shape perfectly. I'm an all-time fan!"

"I think this is pretty good quality filter material. It’s simple to cut to fit my filter. It does help filter out debris, but I'm not sure how well the carbon aspect works for clearer water. I had cloudy water for a while and tried some products, but it didn’t completely resolve."

"These filters are much better at filtration than what I’ve used before. They’re half an inch thick, and I can rinse and reuse them several times. With the 10”x36” size, I can make 14 filters and probably reuse each at least 5 times, giving me a total of 70 filters!"