Best Battery Backups for Aquariums: Air Pumps and Power Stations

Our verdict

Our Top Picks at a Glance

Four battery air pumps that take over in an outage, each in its maker’s way, and four power stations; we have not tested them.

Compare the picks

Compare the 8 battery backups

AllAir pumpsPower stations

8 of 8 battery backups

Battery backup	Suited to	Switch	Backup and runtime	Price	Specs
hygger PowerView SAuto-switch pump, 60 gal	AirSmall tanks	Automatic	2200 mAh; up to 30 h continuous (all sizes)	Check current price	Specs
hygger 087, 4WDual-outlet auto-switch pump	AirTwo outlets	Automatic	Automatic (LCD model)	Check current price	Specs
Aquatop BREZA AC-DC-OneD-cell outage pump	AirD cells	Automatic	Automatic, sensor cord	Check current price	Specs
Aquatop Pro AC/DCLi-ion pump, two outlets	AirTwo outlets	Automatic	Li-ion; up to 16 h	Check current price	Specs
BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini128 Wh station, UPS mode	Plug-in gear	UPS mode	UPS mode, 10 ms	Check current price	Specs
BLUETTI Elite 30 V2288 Wh station, UPS mode	Plug-in gear	UPS mode	UPS mode, 10 ms	Check current price	Specs
EcoFlow DELTA 31024 Wh station, UPS mode	Plug-in gearLarge setups	UPS on wall power	UPS on wall power, 10 ms	Check current price	Specs
Jackery Explorer 300292 Wh station, no UPS listed	Plug-in gear	No UPS mode listed	292 Wh; 300 W AC	Check current price	Specs

Before You Buy: Runtime and the UPS Question

Air first. A poster on the Aquarium Co-Op forum, run by a retailer, wrote: “Aeration is the most pressing need when the power goes out.” Heat and generator safety: our power outage guide.

Runtime depends on the load. In a test (page updated May 2021), Bulk Reef Supply, a battery-backup retailer, ran an 18-watt pump at 100%. On two CyberPower UPS units it lasted “5.25 hours” and “5.75 hours”, at the full 18 watts.

Why no computer UPS. APC’s FAQ says its Back-UPS, Back-UPS Pro and Smart-UPS SC units “are not designed to be used with motor loads such as fish filters”. CyberPower’s UPS pages say: “High drain devices, medical equipment, and aquatic equipment also void the unit’s warranty.”

If fish look unwell after an outage, test the water and contact an aquatic veterinarian.

How We Chose These Backups

Our battery backup criteria

Keeps air or plug-in gear running in an outage; several brands; sold on Amazon in early November by Amazon.com, the brand or a store the brand lists as authorized, at or below the maker’s list price.

Detailed Reviews: The 8 Battery Backups

hygger PowerView S, Auto-switch pump, 60 gal

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: hygger.

hygger lists this size as “3W-30GPH-2200mAh for up to 60Gal” and says it “automatically switches from AC power to battery mode during power failures.” Its page gives “up to 30 hours (continuous mode) and 78 hours (intermittent mode)” for the 2200, 3500 and 4800 mAh sizes together, without test conditions. hygger lists “under 30 dB”; its manual says it is “IPX4 waterproof, which only protects against water splashes.” The manual gives one outlet for this size. Our air pump roundup picks the 150-gallon L instead.

Maker cautions: “To avoid possible electric shock, do not immerse the air pump in the water when energized. If the pump falls into the water or becomes wet, do not touch it until you have unplugged it.” “CAUTION: To prevent possible machine damaged resulting from water back-siphoning, the pump should be used with a check valve or positioned higher than the tank’s water level.”

Specs (linked: PowerView S, HG309-3W)

• Battery: 2200 mAh; 3 W, 30 GPH, one outlet (maker)

hygger 087, 4W, Dual-outlet auto-switch pump

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: hygger.

hygger says “When there is a power outage, the pump switches to DC power and is powered by a lithium battery.” Its manual limits that to the “LCD PATTERN ONLY” and gives the 4W “≤23hours” continuous, “≤24hours” intermittent and “≦35dB”. The product page says 25 hours and 30 dB.

Maker cautions: “Install the air pump with check valves or place the air pump 25cm (9.8″) higher than the surface of tank water in order to avoid water backflow and potential damage to the pump.” “Keep the air pump away from water as the air pump is not waterproof.”

Specs (linked: HG087-4W)

• Air output: 2 x 2.6 L/min, two outlets (maker)

Aquatop BREZA AC-DC-One, D-cell outage pump

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Aquatop.

Aquatop’s manual lists “2.5 L/M”, one outlet and “2 x D” cells, “( Not Included )”. With the sensor cord plugged in, “The air pump will turn off”; in an outage it “will automatically power on using battery power only.”

Maker cautions: “A GFCI (Ground fault circuit interrupter) should be used in the branch circuit supplying all power to air pumps and electrical aquarium equipment. If you do not have a GFCI, we strongly recommend having a qualified electrician install one prior to operating any aquarium component.” “Do not plug into extension cord/power strip.” “For indoor use only.” “NOTE: AQUATOP RECOMMENDS INSTALLING THE UNIT ABOVE THE AQUARIUM’S WATER LINE.”

Specs (linked: AC-DC-One, removable battery)

• Power: 2 D cells, not included (maker)

Aquatop Pro AC/DC, Li-ion pump, two outlets

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Aquatop.

Aquatop lists “Flow: 1.0 l/min x2” and says it “Operates up to 16 hours on a single charge, or up to 45 hours in Power Save mode.”

Maker cautions (manual): “Always disconnect electrical devices from the power before putting hands into the water.” “Never immerse the air pump. In the event of accidental immersion, disconnect the power cord before reaching in to retrieve it.” “When the pump is connected to air tubing, maintain the pump body in a position higher than the surface level of the water. If this is not possible, install a check valve in the air tubing a few inches past the output to prevent backflow of water.”

Specs (linked: ACDC-PRO2)

• Air output: 1.0 L/min x 2 (maker)

BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini, 128 Wh station, UPS mode

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: BLUETTI.

BLUETTI lists “1 AC + 5 DC outlets”; its manual says it “swiftly switches to battery power within 10 ms during an outage.”

Maker cautions: “Do not use the product in the rain or high humidity environments.” “Do not expose the battery to high temperatures, as this may cause an explosion or leakage of flammable liquids or gases.” “Charge the product in a well-ventilated area.”

Specs (linked: Elite 10, grey)

• Capacity: 128 Wh; 200 W AC, 1 AC outlet (maker)

BLUETTI Elite 30 V2, 288 Wh station, UPS mode

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: BLUETTI.

BLUETTI lists “600W Rated Power” and “<30dB” under light loads. Its US manual says to “Set UPS modes in the app”. Its FAQ adds: “Some devices with motors or compressors may start at 2-4 times their rated power, which could easily overload the Elite 30 V2.”

Maker cautions: “Do not use the product in the rain or high humidity environments.” “Do not expose the battery to high temperatures, as this may cause an explosion or leakage of flammable liquids or gases.” “Charge the product in a well-ventilated area.”

Specs (linked: Elite 30 V2, grey)

• Capacity: 288 Wh; 600 W AC (maker)

EcoFlow DELTA 3, 1024 Wh station, UPS mode

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: EcoFlow.

EcoFlow’s manual says it “acts as a standby UPS with a transfer time of 10 ms”, but unless it gets more grid power than its loads draw, it “is unable to function as a UPS since its batteries won’t maintain a charge”. Its product page lists “6 outlets, 1800W total”.

Maker cautions: “Do not get the product wet or immerse it in any liquid. When using the product in wet environments like rainy areas or places near water, protect it with a waterproof bag.” “If the product gets wet, stop using it immediately and refrain from further operation or powering it on. Place the product in a secure, waterproof, and well-ventilated area, then contact EcoFlow Customer Service for assistance.” “Do not block or restrict the heat dissipation system of the product during operation.”

Specs (linked: DELTA 3)

• Capacity: 1024 Wh LiFePO4; 1800 W AC, 6 AC outlets (maker)

Jackery Explorer 300, 292 Wh station, no UPS listed

Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Jackery.

Jackery lists “292Wh capacity”, “2 AC outlets” and “300W rated output”. Its Explorer 300 manual covers the earlier 293.8 Wh lithium-ion model (we found none for this LiFePO4 version), and its FAQ says: “No, the E300 can’t be used as UPS, need to press the power button to turn on the AC/USB /DC output,so it can’t turn on and off automatically.”

Maker cautions (same manual): “Use and store the unit only in a clean and dry environment. DO NOT use and store in dusty and wet environment.” “DANGER: This device is for indoor use only (e.g. RV/tent/off-grid cabin, etc.). Do not use outdoors under any circumstances (e.g. where exposed to rain or snow or use it in wet environments by the sea or waterways).” “DO NOT expose a power pack to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature above 130°C may cause explosion.” “When charging the internal battery, work in a well ventilated area and do not restrict ventilation in any way.”

Specs (linked: Explorer 300, E300)

• Capacity: 292 Wh; 300 W AC, 2 AC outlets (maker)

Frequently Asked Questions

CyberPower rates its ST425 at “425 VA / 260 W” and lists “6 min” at half load (130 W) and “1.5 min” at full load, on new, fully charged batteries.

The bottom line

Final Verdict

Air: hygger PowerView S (check price), hygger 087, 4W (check price), Aquatop Pro AC/DC (check price), Aquatop BREZA AC-DC-One (check price). Stations with UPS mode: BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini (check price), BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 (check price), EcoFlow DELTA 3 (check price); without: Jackery Explorer 300 (check price).

More guides: air stones, filters, heaters.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.