There’s nothing quite like a birdbath fountain to tie your yard together. Besides being an attractive piece, birdbaths are instrumental in bringing birds to your yard. Now, who wouldn’t want that?
The sounds of birds singing and water flowing could make for a perfect yard. If it’s solar-powered, then even better. Combining design, nature, and sustainability is always a plus.
Getting your own solar birdbath fountain or pump kit also means dealing with minimal costs and installation. There’s no need for ugly or obtrusive circuitry because they’re entirely powered by sunlight.
Though this seems great, looking for the right solar birdbath fountain might be a task all by itself. We tested the best ones and reviewed them for you. Here are our top 5 picks for the best solar birdbath fountains and 5 honorable mentions.
Our Top Picks
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: VOROSY Solar Fountain | The VOROSY Solar Fountain is a dream to have in your yard. With 4 nozzles and easy-to-use instructions, it could make your birdbath perfect. A plastic “fixer” keeps the fountain from floating to the edge, conserving your water. | Check Price |
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Runner-Up: OKMEE Solar Fountain | This fountain has low-water motor protection and PET plastic solar panels for longevity. The patented 4-in-1 nozzle personalizes your birdbath without losing nozzles. | Check Price |
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Best Full Solar Fountain: Smart Solar Ceramic Solar Cascade Fountain | This ceramic fountain will add a sense of tranquility to any yard. With no wiring required, the simple and seamless design is unmatched. The bowls encourage birds to drink and bathe in the gently cascading water. | Check Price |
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Best Budget: Solatec Solar Fountain | Solatec’s Solar Fountain is a nice fountain with a strong pump and 4 nozzles. It turns on quickly but must be completely exposed to sunshine to work. | Check Price |
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Best Free-Standing: Lewisia Solar Birdbath Fountain Pump | Compared to the other options on this list, Lewisia’s solar birdbath fountain pump is basically the “little birdbath that could.” Though it has limitations, the cord and larger solar panel enable it to be placed in an area with less sunshine. | Check Price |
How We Chose the Best Solar Birdbath Fountains
A birdbath fountain isn’t a product that a lot of people are familiar with. Knowing which qualities are essential and which ones are frivolous might make your decision-making a little easier. Adding a niche characteristic like solar power technology might even complicate matters further.
When it comes to solar birdbaths and what they absolutely need to function, these factors are what we take into consideration.
Ease of Use
Installing and using something like a birdbath or pump kit shouldn’t be very difficult. Installing some of the products is as easy as submerging them in water. Those obviously should get higher marks considering how easy it was to install.
Whether or not the fountain will remain in the center of your birdbath or can be fixed to the bottom largely depends on the shape, depth, and materials that your birdbath is made from.
For example, a fountain with suction cups on the bottom will not stick to the basin of a rough concrete birdbath, so a floating pump will work better and give you less frustration when you install and use the fountain.
Solar Panel Sensitivity
Solar panels have become a lot cheaper in recent years, which is great because it makes this technology accessible to nearly everyone. However, cheaper solar panels encourage more developers to enter the market and produce varying qualities of products.
Some of the solar bird bath fountains on this list will work a little bit better when there’s some cloud cover in the sky. Others will need constant and direct sunlight to function. Fountains that function more often and in cloudy conditions will rank higher on this list.
Consider the average cloud cover in your area before you purchase to make sure you get a fountain that will work when you want it to.
Maintenance
One of the many perks of having a solar birdbath fountain is that it disrupts stagnant water and discourages insect breeding and algae growth. Still, the pump kit or bath can get clogged with bird or organic debris and even foliage. Getting clogged can lead to it getting damaged.
Overall, having a solar bird bath fountain with an easy-to-clean method plays a role in our grading. Even fountains with a filter over the pump should be cleaned frequently to promote longevity.
Best Solar Birdbath Fountains Reviewed
1. Best Overall: VOROSY Solar Fountain
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Design | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Versatility | 5/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Sizes: 6.3″ | Material: Plastic | Brand: VOROSY | Weight: 9.6 Ounces | Backup Battery: No
What We Liked
- Fixer prevents it from moving randomly
- 4 nozzles for different water fountain patterns
- Submerging it in water allows for easy installation
- Made of PET material, allowing it for long-lasting use in harsh environments
What We Didn’t Like
- Some spray patterns may be a little too aggressive for smaller birds
- It needs full sunshine to work
The Solar Fountain can turn any yard into a bird pool party. With a max spray height of 20-27.5 inches, it’s quite a spectacle to see. With the water rising so high, you have to monitor the water levels more often.
The more-aggressive sprays might be too much for some of the birds, as well, so switching it up might be a wise decision if you want to see different kinds of birds throughout the year.
This particular fountain is better for larger baths as more surface area allows more water to be caught. It’s not ideal for smaller capacity fountains because the high splash rate will make the water levels decrease quickly.
See Price on Amazon2. Runner-Up: OKMEE Solar Fountain
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Design | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Versatility | 4/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Sizes: 6.3″ x 0.12″ | Material: Plastic | Brand: OKMEE | Weight: N/A | Backup Battery: No
What We Liked
- 4-in-1 nozzle
- 7 different water styles
- Made of PET material, which equals long-lasting use in harsh environments
What We Didn’t Like
- Only upgraded versions have a backup battery
- Suction cups don’t work well underwater or on rough basins
- Filter gets clogged easily
Although the filter of this solar birdbath fountain requires a little more attention, the other facets of OKMEE’s version don’t require much maintenance. The OKMEE patented 4-in-1 nozzle also allows how much water flows through the fountain.
We were able to use the highest setting whenever we were around to monitor the fountain so the birds could wash their wings with a more powerful stream. Whenever we decided to leave the area, we switched it to the lowest setting to keep the water inside the bath.
See Price on Amazon3. Best Full-Set: Smart Solar Ceramic Solar Cascade Fountain
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Design | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 3/5 |
| Versatility | 2/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Sizes: 17.5″ x 15.5″ x 22″ | Material: Ceramic | Brand: Smart Solar | Weight: 25 Pounds | Backup Battery: No
What We Liked
- Ceramic bowls are beautiful to look at
- Four-tier design makes for wonderful trickling sounds
- A great option for someone who doesn’t have a birdbath to start with
- Doubles as lovely yard or deck decor
What We Didn’t Like
- No backup battery unit makes the pump halt during nighttime
- Suction cups don’t keep it grounded very well
- It’s a lot pricier than other fountains we tested
This full set from Smart Solar has an added perk that some of the other entries do not: a beautiful design by itself. The others on this list require you to have a birdbath set up already, while this is the full package (and a neat one at that).
This fountain is great to look at but is a little lacking in functionality given its price. The assembly was a tad odd and it needed a little bit of propping up due to its suction cups being an unreliable base. It also doesn’t have a backup battery, so it stops flowing at night.
See Price on Amazon4. Best Budget: Solatec Solar Fountain
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Design | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 3/5 |
| Versatility | 4/5 |
| Quality | 3/5 |
Sizes: 6.3″ x 6.3″ x 1.6″ | Material: Plastic | Brand: Solatec | Weight: 8.1 Ounces | Backup Battery: No
What We Liked
- 4 nozzles for different water fountain patterns
- Submerging it in water allows for easy installation
- Intermittent sprays allow for fewer overall refills
What We Didn’t Like
- Suction cups don’t work well underwater
- Doesn’t produce a very high stream
- Seems like change in manufacturer affected quality
Another solar fountain that fits best with larger birdbaths. Solatec’s version works very similarly to VOROSY’s, but not as efficiently which could be good for birdbaths with smaller basins. They have the same amount of nozzles and work just about the same way but are slightly cheaper (it reflects so in its quality).
It might as well be a budget version of VOROSY’s. It will still get the job done, but more maintenance and attention might be required.
See Price on Amazon5. Best Free-Standing: Lewisia Solar birdbath Fountain Pump
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Design | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 |
| Versatility | 4/5 |
| Quality | 5/5 |
Sizes: 1.6″ x 1.4″ x 1.5″, 10′ (Cord Length) | Material: Polycrystalline silicon and ABS | Brand: Lewisia | Weight: 0.75 Pounds | Backup Battery: No
What We Liked
- Durable cord
- Worked in overcast weather
- Cords allows you to put birdbath in shade
- Durable materials for longevity
What We Didn’t Like
- Cord can get in the way during and after installation
This pump is one of the better ones for smaller-scale fountains. While it doesn’t have the powerful stream capabilities that some of the others on this list have, it functions well as a mini version of them.
Even though the cord isn’t as attractive as the cordless options, it pays for it in versatility. The separated panel allows you to put the bath (and its bird denizens) in the shade.
We loved this little fountain for creating a shady oasis for the birds without having to run an extension cord for a powered pump. We think the short included cord to the detached panel is worth the trade-off.
See Price on AmazonComparison Chart
| Products | Best Overall | Runner-Up | Best Full-Set | Best Budget | Best Free-Standing |
| Overall Rating | 4.6/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Design | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Versatility | 5/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
The Winner
The VOROSY Solar Fountain functions the best out of all the birdbaths we have found on the market. While it does require some specific requirements, including full sun, the end product is worth the maintenance. If the birds love it, we love it. Chances are, you will too!
How to Choose the Best Solar birdbath Fountain
Given our selections, there still may be some uncertainty in choosing the best solar birdbath fountain for you. Boiling down all the features and gradings can be even simpler if you consider the specifics of the fountain and what you need to fit in your birdbath.
How Easy is it to Install, Use, and Maintain?
How easy the solar birdbath is to install, use, and maintain are 3 essential questions to ask about any tech-oriented product. Despite that being true, that doesn’t mean it has to be a complicated process.
The easier it is to install, the faster you’ll be up and running with less frustration. However, the trade-off might be in long-term longevity or capability. For instance, the fastest fountains simply drop in the water and run in full sun, with the trade-off that they won’t run under a tree or when a cloud drifts over.
Maintenance is important because if the pump becomes clogged the unit will have to be opened for cleaning or replaced. Choose a pump with some type of filter, and keep the filter clean as often as possible.
Here are a few detailed explanations on how to install and clean your birdbath.
Looking for more ways to maintain your solar devices? Check out our guide on Cleaning Solar Panels.
Honorable Mentions
Here’s a brief look at the 5 options that didn’t make our best solar birdbath fountain list.
1. Viajero 2021 4W Solar Fountain – Considered for Best Overall
Viajero has a very specific flaw in its design: plastic suction cups. It does make up for it by having the elusive backup battery that most of these fountains don’t have. If your fountain is smooth on the bottom without any curves, this might be perfect for you.
Ultimately, it doesn’t make the initial list because its parts don’t seem to last very long. Our birdbaths worked with the VOROSY Solar Fountain and OKMEE Solar Fountain, so we recommend them though they don’t have batteries.
2. Ankway 1.4W Solar Fountain – Considered for Best Overall
Ankway’s version of the solar fountain caught our attention because it has 8 different kinds of spraying styles available. Talk about versatility! The shortcomings lie in some of the nozzles, themselves, which have a relatively weak spray. It might be a great fountain for a very small birdbath.
The OKMEE Solar Fountain has 7 water styles in comparison and its patented 4-in-1 water nozzle executes better.
3. Biling Solar birdbath Fountain Pump – Considered for Overall
The Biling Fountain Pump senses when to stop pumping in certain situations, like when the water level is too low or the pump is clogged, to protect itself from damage. The little solar panels continue to work even when the clouds start to cover the sun.
It seems like it has all the tools to make it on this list but requires a lot of attention with its many parts which we found finicky to maintain. We prefer the VOROSY Solar Fountain for the sheer ease of setup and maintenance.
4. Wishing Well Solar Fountain – Considered for Full-Set
The Wishing Well Fountain might not be in the price range for most but it does have a nice-looking exterior that blends in more into most yards. If you’re certain that this is the exact style you’re looking for, then go for it.
Anything else on this list would work for a fraction of the price. The full-set look is still better made and more affordable with the Smart Solar Ceramic Solar Cascade Fountain.
5. Best Choice Products 2-Tier Solar birdbath – Considered for Full-Set
While this Best Choice Products Solar birdbath is another full-set fountain, its look is very unique to anything on this list. What sets it back is its lightweight build and high-maintenance use. It’s more prone to tipping because the base is very lightweight, so keep that in mind for the placement of this fountain.
Though it doesn’t go in a flower garden as well due to the low profile, we love the style, shape, and functionality of the Smart Solar Ceramic Solar Cascade Fountain.