just looked at the Aqeon filters...
poor design for sure, you are forced to remove the majority of the filtration media every time you clean it.
another example of a product designed specifically to force the owners to continually re-purchase consumable items.
Same racket as printer manufacturers use, the unit itself is relatively inexpensive, but the consumables is where they make the $$$
In my opinion/experience, most HOB filters are inadequate junk, especially ones that force you to use "cartridges".
Canister filters get my vote over HOB if for no other reason than you can usually use whatever media you choose in them.