A solar powered water fountain can be a great addition to your pond, swimming pool, bird bath, or anywhere in your backyard where there is standing water. Moving water adds life and fun to your outdoor environment. The key to getting water to move is that you need a water pump. The problem with traditional water pumps is that you need to either place them where you have a powered outlet or you need to cleverly install them where the cables cannot be seen in your yard. Also, traditional powered water pumps require electricity, consume energy and therefore cost money to run. Wouldn’t it be great if they made solar-powered water pumps that you could place anywhere and didn’t need any cabling or electricity to run. The good news is that they do make them, they are pretty inexpensive, and they work pretty well. Below are my advantages and disadvantages on these inexpensive solar powered water fountains. There may be more expensive models which trade-off cost for some of the disadvantages I’ve outlined below. This review is on inexpensive solar water fountains ranging from $15.00 to $40.00.
Solar Powered Water Fountain Operation
Advantages
You can put them any where there is sun and standing water and you will have an instant water fountain.
Small (6-8″ in diameter) and fit nicely in a bird bath.
They are inexpensive
They do not require electricity to run
They do not require cabling
They are a breeze to install
With sun, the operation of the pump is instantaneous
Disadvantages
They require sunlight.
The flow is intermittent in indirect sunlight. (Operates best in direct sun)
Unlike Solar Lights, they do not hold a charge. When the sun is gone, the water fountain doesn’t function.
They require direct sunlight for continuous water fountain flow.
Bird Baths and other small areas require refilling with water as fountain splashes the water out from them.
As I mentioned earlier, perhaps bigger, expensive models bypass some of these disadvantages. The model pictured above is the Anself Solar-power Fountain Brushless Pump which sells for only $14.00 on Amazon. Most of the solar powered water fountains that I found in this price range are from 6-8″ in diameter which makes them the perfect size for a bird bath. The pump only produces an intermittent flow unless the sun is directly shining on it. In indirect sun or with even so much as a leaf shading it, the water flow slows down to an intermittent pace. I’ve demonstrated this the best I can in the two videos below. All in all, the inexpensive solar powered water fountain is an excellent and convenient way to add some ambiance to your backyard. For the price, I could see having a couple of these or more.
Do you have the Anself Solar Fountain? Please Rate
16 Comments
Craig cockburnJune 16, 2017
We have it in our pool parts had to be duck tapped lame 3-4″ spray worked for 3 days and now does not work
No on and off switch. All you need is direct sunlight and water. Make sure the protective, transparent plastic is taken off the top solar panel. That could be blocking the sun.
I don’t recommend buying this fountain. I’m trying to get my money back as it is not like shown, the ris so small you have to be right next to it to see. Unfortunately I ordered two!!!
Mary, in direct sunlight the fountain gives me about a 2-foot rise of air. Even in indirect sun, I get a decent stream of water. It works beautifully for me. Make sure you remove the plastic film? Try moving it to a place with more direct sunlight.
No good. Worked for a day. Always in direct sun when there is sun. Took off protective covering when received, so that’s not the problem. Should be sold at $1.00 store
I would love to get more information from those who have bought these and left reviews. Location and climate would be interesting. Mine continues to work flawlessly, but Colorado air is drier and thinner than most places and the sun is brighter. I wonder if more humid states with more haze just don’t get the required sunlight to drive the solar panel. I’ve gotten nothing but bad feedback, but I can’t be the only one who has had success with it. There are enough ” target=”_blank”>good reviews on Amazon to know that not everyone is having trouble. Also, it doesn’t appear that other brands are getting any better reviews. It’s a mystery.
How long does it take for initial start? Has been in full sun for 2 hours and nothing is happening… trying to be patient, but wondering now after reading these comments did I just waste my money??
Sheila, it works immediately when in the direct sun. There is no charging time required. if nothing is happening after 2 hours then it’s not right. Others have complained too, so perhaps there are some manufacturing defects in these units. What state are you in?
I too was a little disappointed with the spray height, but the thing that really caused us a problem was the fact that it only had 2 suction cup feet on it which means it can’t be attached to the bottom of the bird bath and be level. Had I read the instructions on the sale site I likely wouldn’t have bought it because it’s obvious whoever is selling it does not understand the English language. It’s difficult to make sense of what they’re saying.
Set mine in water, in the direct sun for 3 days- nothing happened.
I set it up in shallow water thinking that the sun had to hit it directly, and also in water about 1.2 inch over the top surface. Either way: NOTHING. The solar fountain is a great idea . . .if only it worked!
Just sent an e-mail to the company: MSDADA (CustomerServiceTeam@outlook.com). Maybe they will send me a new one . . .
Love it except for the constant movement. I can’t keep water in the birdbath because the fountain keeps moving and emptying the basin. I have tried a bed of rocks but still moves too much. I am going to try a deeper bird bath and see what happens.
Lin Stonehouse in Traverse City Michigan
Anself Solar-power Fountain
We have it in our pool parts had to be duck tapped lame 3-4″ spray worked for 3 days and now does not work
Never can get this little pump to go, us there a on / off switch? What am I doing wrong?
No on and off switch. All you need is direct sunlight and water. Make sure the protective, transparent plastic is taken off the top solar panel. That could be blocking the sun.
I don’t recommend buying this fountain. I’m trying to get my money back as it is not like shown, the ris so small you have to be right next to it to see. Unfortunately I ordered two!!!
Mary, in direct sunlight the fountain gives me about a 2-foot rise of air. Even in indirect sun, I get a decent stream of water. It works beautifully for me. Make sure you remove the plastic film? Try moving it to a place with more direct sunlight.
Rob
Does not work … have had it in FULL sun.
Chez,
Send it back. Sorry for your trouble. Try another model.
Rob
No good. Worked for a day. Always in direct sun when there is sun. Took off protective covering when received, so that’s not the problem. Should be sold at $1.00 store
I would love to get more information from those who have bought these and left reviews. Location and climate would be interesting. Mine continues to work flawlessly, but Colorado air is drier and thinner than most places and the sun is brighter. I wonder if more humid states with more haze just don’t get the required sunlight to drive the solar panel. I’ve gotten nothing but bad feedback, but I can’t be the only one who has had success with it. There are enough ” target=”_blank”>good reviews on Amazon to know that not everyone is having trouble. Also, it doesn’t appear that other brands are getting any better reviews. It’s a mystery.
Rob
One word review.
Sucks.
Pam, could you tell us the state where you are located? I’m trying to make connections with why some work and some don’t.
Thanks,
Rob
How long does it take for initial start? Has been in full sun for 2 hours and nothing is happening… trying to be patient, but wondering now after reading these comments did I just waste my money??
Sheila, it works immediately when in the direct sun. There is no charging time required. if nothing is happening after 2 hours then it’s not right. Others have complained too, so perhaps there are some manufacturing defects in these units. What state are you in?
I too was a little disappointed with the spray height, but the thing that really caused us a problem was the fact that it only had 2 suction cup feet on it which means it can’t be attached to the bottom of the bird bath and be level. Had I read the instructions on the sale site I likely wouldn’t have bought it because it’s obvious whoever is selling it does not understand the English language. It’s difficult to make sense of what they’re saying.
Set mine in water, in the direct sun for 3 days- nothing happened.
I set it up in shallow water thinking that the sun had to hit it directly, and also in water about 1.2 inch over the top surface. Either way: NOTHING. The solar fountain is a great idea . . .if only it worked!
Just sent an e-mail to the company: MSDADA (CustomerServiceTeam@outlook.com). Maybe they will send me a new one . . .
Love it except for the constant movement. I can’t keep water in the birdbath because the fountain keeps moving and emptying the basin. I have tried a bed of rocks but still moves too much. I am going to try a deeper bird bath and see what happens.
Lin Stonehouse in Traverse City Michigan