Best Conical Fermenters Under $200: FastFerment vs Speidel vs Anvil Bucket

A conical fermenter is one of the best homebrewing upgrades you can make. Trub collection at the bottom means cleaner beer, easier transfers, and no need for secondary fermentation. Here are the top options under $200.

Why Upgrade to a Conical?

• Cleaner transfers: Dump trub without moving the fermenter
• Reduced oxidation: Closed system = less oxygen contact
• No secondary needed: Cone collects yeast cake naturally
• Better hop management: Some models have racking arms

FastFerment 7.9 Gallon Conical

Key Specs

• 7.9-gallon capacity
• Food-grade HDPE plastic
• Collection ball for yeast/trub
• Wall-mountable
• ~$65

Pros

• Cheapest true conical on the market
• Collection ball lets you harvest yeast
• 7.9 gallons handles a 5-gallon batch with headspace

Cons

• Plastic scratches (harbors bacteria over time)
• No temperature ports
• Not as easy to clean as stainless

Best For

Brewing on a tight budget who want conical benefits without the price tag.

Speidel 30L Plastic Fermenter

Key Specs

• 30 liter (7.9 gallon) capacity
• German food-grade HDPE
• Flat bottom (not conical, but exceptional quality)
• Racking valve
• ~$55

Pros

• Best plastic fermenter on the market by build quality
• German manufacturing = tight tolerances, excellent seals
• Very easy to clean
• Translucent walls to monitor fermentation

Cons

• Technically not a conical (flat bottom)
• No yeast collection without additional equipment

Best For

Brewers who want plastic durability and German quality without paying for stainless.

Anvil Bucket Fermenter 7.5 Gallon

Key Specs

• 7.5-gallon stainless steel
• Conical bottom with dump valve
• Rotating racking arm
• Temperature port
• ~$150

Pros

• Stainless steel (doesn't scratch, lasts decades)
• Rotating racking arm = precise beer pickup height
• Temperature probe port for fermentation control
• Professional quality at entry-level price

Cons

• 2–3x more expensive than plastic options
• Heavier and harder to move

Best For

Brewing for the long term. The Anvil Bucket is the best value in stainless conicals.

Comparison Table

Our Recommendation

Best budget conical: FastFerment — it gives you true conical functionality at the lowest price.

Best plastic option overall: Speidel — the build quality is exceptional, even without a conical bottom.

Best long-term investment: Anvil Bucket — stainless steel, rotating racking arm, and temperature port make it the clear winner if you can stretch the budget to $150.

Final Word

If you're upgrading from a standard bucket, any of these three is a meaningful improvement. But if you're serious about the hobby, skip the plastic and go straight to the Anvil. You'll thank yourself in two years when the FastFerment has scratches and the Anvil still looks new.