A solar water feature can bring all the sound and beauty of a flowing fountain to your garden, without the hassle of connecting to the water mains and running up extra monthly costs. It's also a more eco-friendly option and can provide a space for wild birds to hydrate.
If you’d like a sparkling statement for your garden, or want to add some calm to your decking with a smaller fountain, we’ve selected some of the best solar water features that will complement your green space.
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Best solar water features for 2024
Chatsworth Water Feature
This fountain solar water feature would make an ideal perching spot for your flying garden visitors, and we love the classic design. At 70cm tall, it's the perfect way to fill an empty space in need of some attention.
Stand in direct sunlight and make sure the water is topped up when it's particularly sunny.
Solar Vase Water Feature
Vase solar water features are a lovely choice if you're looking for a garden accessory that'll effortlessly blend into your outdoor space. This subtle yet sophisticated option offers a natural looking stone effect, and at 33 x 34cm, it's a decent size without being too obtrusive. Place amongst your favourite terracotta pots in a sunny area.
Solar Powered Cascade Water Feature
The BTGGG Solar Powered Garden Water Feature is the perfect addition to your garden oasis. This three-tiered water fountain is designed to create a serene and peaceful ambiance while adding a touch of elegance to any outdoor space.
Simply place it in a sunny spot in your garden to allow the solar panels to power the gentle cascade of water that flows from tier to tier. This water feature also comes equipped with LED lights, creating a stunning display at night. The soft glow of the lights enhances the beauty of the water as it falls, making it a true centrepiece of your outdoor space.
Solar Powered Trunk Textured Bowls Water Feature
- Buy now from Primrose (£159.99).
Looking for something a little more contemporary? The textured effect of the bowls is a nice touch, and this design is a soothing choice for those looking to unwind in the garden as the water cascades over the three bowls. The addition of the ground spike is useful too - choose your preferred spot and secure the solar feature in place.
There's an integrated LED light to illuminate the water, as well as a handy backup battery for mains operation.
Versailles Solar Water Feature
For a touch of royal glamour, opt for this grand Versailles solar water feature. The aged bronze finish helps this garden feature stand out, and it's sure to complete your garden's look if you're hosting a social gathering. Find a sunny spot, add some water and you're ready to go.
Barnwell Ivory 3-Tier Cascading Solar Water Feature
- Buy now from Primrose (£169.99).
If you're a fan of the ivory-look, this three tier solar water feature could be just what your decking is missing. Made of a light polyresin, you can move it around the garden with ease. It's frost and UV resistant too, making it a practical and pretty choice.
Add an outdoor rug to your decking too for the dreamiest of chill out spaces.
Wishing Well Water Feature
Bring a charming countryside scene into your garden, wherever you are, with this wishing well water feature. Easy to set up, simply connect the pump to the solar panel in an area that has direct access to sunlight, and the water will begin to flow alongside the realistic bird ornament. Made from durable polyresin material it should survive outdoors for many years, enduring frost and UV without losing its colour.
Fantaghiro Acrylic Solar Fountain with Light
- Buy now from ManoMano (£179.99)
Set the tone of your garden with this solar powered water fountain. While it has an authentic stone look it’s really made from acrylic so it should be light enough to place anywhere in your green space that has direct sunlight, storing the energy before turning on the additional light at night.
Acrylic Solar Fountain with Light
This versatile two-piece water fountain can be used around the clock, thanks to its solar power properties which provide up to eight hours of battery nightlife. A fitting focal point for a modern garden, the ball element can also be removed and functions separately as a water feature for a pond.
The pump capacity and fountain height are adjustable, and it comes with an LED light so you can watch the water flow at night.
Terracotta Solar Water Feature
- Buy now from Primrose (£79.99)
The H55cm Terracotta Solar Water Feature with Battery Backup and Lights by Solaray is the perfect combination of style, function, and eco-friendliness. This stunning water feature is designed to bring a touch of elegance and serenity to your outdoor space while harnessing the power of the sun.
At 55cm tall, this water feature is made from high-quality terracotta, giving it a natural and rustic charm that will complement any garden or patio décor. Not only is this water feature powered by the sun, but it also comes equipped with a battery backup, ensuring that it can operate even on cloudy days or during the night. The LED lights further enhance the beauty of the water feature, creating a soothing and relaxing atmosphere in your outdoor space.
Tipping Pail Water Feature
Bring some movement into your garden with this dynamic water fountain featuring a bronze resin boy and girl, tipping water into a pail which swings as the water moves over it. Powered by a low voltage pump while in the sun, it requires no plumbing or wires. However, it does require some maintenance as it’s advised you top up the water in the warmer months and fully drain the fountain during the colder months to protect it from frost damage.
Garden Duck Family Water Feature
This solar powered display depicts a cheerful scene of brightly coloured ducks gathering as water pours over their umbrella into a birdbath below. Ideal for a garden, patio or balcony, it requires minimum maintenance, simply keep it in sunlight and top up the water when needed.
Solar Powered 4-tier Cascading Herb Planter
- Buy now from Primrose (£209.99)
The H42cm Perth Solar 4-Tier Herb Planter Cascading Water Feature by Solaray is the perfect addition to any garden or patio for those who love both plants and water features. This unique water feature is not only beautiful but also practical, with four tiers of herb planters integrated into its design.
Crafted from high-quality resin, this water feature is built to last and is resistant to harsh weather conditions, and with its compact size of 42cm, this water feature is perfect for smaller gardens, patios, or balconies.
The Perth Solar 4-Tier Herb Planter Cascading Water Feature also features LED lights, providing a beautiful display at night that will enhance the ambiance of your outdoor space. And with its easy installation process, you can start enjoying this unique water feature in no time.
Serenity Sandstone Sphere Water Feature
- Buy now from Thompson & Morgan (£99.99).
A stylish, sandstone centre piece, perfect for a modern garden. Due to its solar power function this self-contained item can be moved around easily as it’s not tied down to an electricity line or water supply. Just ensure the solar panel has access to sunlight.
Once you add water to the basin it will then take care of itself, with no concerns that it will rust or crack thanks to its tough polyresin structure.
Two Tier Barrel Fountain
This two tier fountain comes with a separate solar panel that should be placed in a sunny spot nearby which, thanks to an improved performance, aims to work well even in periods of limited sunlight. The water trickles from the old-fashioned hand-pump into the barrels, creating a constant flow of water in the sun that should create a soothing atmosphere, while giving wild birds a source of hydration in your garden.
Do solar water features work at night?
While solar water features naturally perform best when positioned in direct sunlight, there are some models that come with backup batteries. The batteries charge during the day as the sun shines, and power the water features as the weather changes and night time falls.
For more ways to decorate your outdoor area, see our favourite solar garden lights for an enchanting, cosy glow.
Looking for more garden features to spruce up your outdoor space? Take a look at the best cocoon chairs and the best fire pits for outdoor entertaining.