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Best Outdoor Fountains Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Materials
As you may expect, fountains are made from a variety of different materials. The materials have a noticeable impact on how the fountain looks and also on how long it will last. While you are shopping for a fountain, you will want to take a look at the materials used to make sure that they are consistent with the look that you are going for and that it will also last in your region and climate.
For example, many low-cost fountains are made of resin, which is essentially a plastic material. The advantage of resin is that it will keep the cost of the fountain down and it's also lightweight so that you can move it. However, the fact that it's lightweight will mean that you will need to secure the fountain so that it doesn't blow over in the wind. Furthermore, UV light can also damage the resin over time and cause it to crack and fail.
Bronze, on the other hand, has a great look and it will last pretty much forever. However, if you do not polish bronze on a regular basis it will start to look dull and it will corrode which will take away from the appearance of the fountain. You may notice that bronze is more prone to corrosion is you live in a wet or a humid climate but it might be better suited towards drier climates that have a lot of sunshine.
The point is that you will want to think about how the fountain looks and how it will last when it is placed outside. Fountains are made of lots of different materials such as resin, ceramic, metals, concrete, and even marble. All of these materials will have a noticeable effect on how the fountain looks and how long it will last.
Style
A great thing about fountains is that they come in a large variety of designs. The design that you pick will be based on your personal preferences and the area that you are trying to decorate. Some of the more popular designs include designed such as tiered fountains, pedestal designed, jar fountains, or ones that are shaped like antiques or animals. You will want to take your time when you are looking for a fountain so that you get one that will properly match the area that you are looking to decorate.
It's important to keep in mind that many of the designs can be combined as well. For example, a jar fountain can be combined with a tiered one. A jar fountain is shaped like an urn or a large water basin. The water typically bubbles up to the top and then runs down the side of the jar. A tiered fountain is one in which water fills a basin and then spills down into another basin. The more basins there are, the more tiers there are to the fountain. Sometimes jar fountains and tiered ones are combined where there are one or more jars that fill up and then spill into the next tier.
Of course, there are plenty of other designs. Some people like to have rock designed fountains or ones that look like whiskey barrels. There are even ones that feature a sculpture of a person or an animal and allow the water to ripple down the sculpture. In other words, you will have more than enough artistic choices when it comes to fountains so you should do the best to pick one that best decorates the area.
Application
When you are purchasing a fountain, you are going to want to think about a few different maintenance topics and consider what that is going to mean for the care of your fountain. Taking care of your fountain is important because ti will make a large difference in the amount of time that it will last. The better job you do with taking care of your fountain, the longer it will be able to provide you with an excellent outdoor decoration.
One thing that you will always need to do is to keep the water fairly clean. This is because dirty water will clog and may even ruin the pump that is needed to operate the fountain. Some pumps are more sensitive to dirt than others so this should be taken into consideration as well. You may even want to look for a fountain that has a replaceable pump so that you can continue to use it int he even that the pumps fails.
If the fountain has lights, then you will want to look at what sort of light bulbs are used for the fountain. You will want to look for ones that have bulbs that are easily found and replaced. This is because the light bulbs are going to eventually burn out so replacing the bulbs will be a fairly normal maintenance task. The easier you can find bulbs for the fountain and the easier they are to replace, the happier you will be with the fountain.
10 Best Outdoor Fountains
1. Royalsell Solar
The Royalsell is meant to be used in existing water basins such as a pool or a bird bath. This is a great way to add to the appearance of your home because you can easily add the fountain to any item that holds water. There are different nozzles that you can choose between to allow for additional customization of the look.
It's easy to use the Royalsell because there are no wires or batteries that you would otherwise need to accommodate. It's powered by solar energy so you just simply drop it into the water basin and turn it on.
It's sold with four different nozzles. This will provide you with the opportunity to customize the appearance of the water stream so that you get the exact look that you desired.
Since this is a fountain pump that is added to an existing item, you will be able to get it at a price that is well below the average price.
2. Bond Zen Fountain
We love the way this lights up and the way the water maintains its shape and form, so we’re going with Zen indeed is the most descriptive way to describe this fountain. The soft yellow LED lights add some nice contrasts to the fountain in all the right places. So if you’re looking for an easy way to relax with a nice fountain that will bubble softly in the background this is one of our favorites.
Envirostone is a composite made of sand mixed with plant glue. You usually find it being used for the joints between sandstone landscaping but it’s an incredibly versatile product and in this case it was crafted into an environmentally friendly sandstone fountain that mimics real sandstone.
We like LED lights and we like that they can be manipulated to create the soft glow that brightens this fountain. There are three lamps that turn the fountain into a wavering light show that is mesmerizing.
It’s not cheap but if you want to get a really nice looking fountain that’s not going to break or just weather away over time this is the way to go. The elegant construction of three different sized square basins and the pump that comes included make this one of our favorites and a unique entry into this list.
3. Solatec Solar
The Solatec is a great way to add an attractive fountain stream to any existing water basin. This makes it into the perfect choice for when you want to enhance the look of a bird bath, pool, pond, or some other source of water. You will love how it has no operating costs associated with it and can run all day long.
You won't need to worry about securing it to the bottom of the basin. Instead, the pump floats on the water so you just need to put it on the water and enjoy.
The device is solar powered. That means there are no wires or batteries that you need to worry about. It will run as long as it's exposed to sunlight.
You will be able to purchase the Solartec at a price that is well below the average price. This makes it into a great option when you want to add a fountain to a basin.
4. Kotula Wishing Well
The Wishing Well Fountain is an ideal way to add a truly unique decoration to your yard or garden. It features a pump that fills a bucket which will dump the water out when it gets full. This is a great way to add the sound of running and water and splashing to your outdoor environment which will enhance the look at the mood.
The well is made of Chinese Fir wood. This will offer it a rustic look that truly adds to the look and feel of the fountain and will make it look natural in your yard.
The well is lined to keep it from leaking. This means that it will not require a regular source of water and you will only need to add water due to evaporation.
You will need to plan on spending an amount that is much higher than the average price for the Wishing Well because it is a complete work of art that costs more to make.
5. Peaktop Jar
The Jar Fountain gives you a three-tiered work of art that you can put anywhere in your yard or patio. It's completely self-contained which means that it won't leak water. You can use it anywhere you want which includes the inside of your home so that you get decoration and the relaxing mood that comes with the sound of running water.
The jars are completely self-contained so that they will not leak water. This means that you are free to use them inside and outside of the home which gives you a lot of flexibility.
The product has been designed for quick and easy assembly. You can put it together in about five minutes which means that you will be able to use it right away.
You will be able to purchase the Peaktop Jar Fountains at a price that is around the average price. This makes them into an affordable option for when you are looking for decoration.
6. Glenville Cascading Fountain
This hidden little gem reminds us of something you’d see in Hobbiton. It’s very ‘English gardeny’ and if that’s the look you’re going for you really can’t do better than this fountain. The two little buckets and the simulated water pump are really cute, for lack of a better word. Not only that but there’s a planter pot that comes along with this foundation so you can plant whatever you’d like as long as it fits into the small-ish pot.
The fountain itself is made of polyresin and fiberglass but the bricks and wood have been hand detailed to give it unique and ‘real’ look.
Built right into the fountain is a small pot for whatever you’d like. Just add a bit of potting soil and toss in whatever you think would look good growing alongside your fountain and you’re good to go. Plus, if you like change you can mix it up by planting something new every year.
Not bad at all for such a nice fountain. It’s cheaper than some of the others on our list but the retro and cottage garden look of this fountain just makes us happy. If it makes you happy as well then it’s not much at all to spend on a fountain that will give you a bit of joy on a warm afternoon.
7. Alpine Rock Fountain
This fiberglass piece of coolness looks dangerously like rock, but we guess that is the point. We also like the way the water seems to move so effortlessly from basin to basin like the pathway has been dug by a few thousand years of erosion. We also like the 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
What is about soft blue light? Too blue and it’s too much and anything white starts glowing, but we find that just the right amount of blue light and things just get soothing. I’m sure there’s science to back this up but for now we’ll just say the the blue LED’s work, and they work well.
You may not be able to see it in the picture but the rock has a weathered look that suggests that the manufacturers spent some time to add that special bit of detail that will make this a special addition to your garden. The weathered rock look will make it a compliment to what’s around it instead of overwhelming everything else in your garden.
So, it’s a bit pricey. But given what you’re getting for your money this is still one of our favorites on our list. It’s a natural looking fountain with some soft blue lighting that will easily fit right in to your garden. The tiered fountain system works quite nicely as well.
8. John Timberland Seven Cascade
The Seven Cascade is another work of art that you will love to have on your patio, in your garden, or anywhere outdoors that you want to bring to life. It features a jar that is cut open where you can see seven tiers of water basins and spouts that allow the water to fall elegantly down the fountain.
There are seven tiers on the fountain that are arranged in a back and forth pattern. It allows the water to fall blissfully down the tiers and help to set the mood.
It's made of a faux ceramic material that allows it to have the appearance of a ceramic fountain but it will be lighter and less prone to breaking than real ceramic.
You will be able to purchase the Seven Cascade at a price that is slightly higher than the average price. This makes it a great purchase for when you want to decorate.
9. Jeco Inc.
You will love the look and the style that this fountain will bring to your yard or patio. It features three tiers of whiskey barrel replicas that cascade the water and the spigot is a replica of an old water pump. There is even a planter where you can put a small plant to further enhance the look of the fountain.
It's made of a polyresin and fiberglass. This will help it last for a long time and resist wear and fading that can come from the outdoor weather and the sun.
The fountain has been detailed by hand to give it a truly unique look. You will love how accurate the bricks and the wood appear on this fountain and might mistake them for the real thing.
This product is sold at an average price which makes it great option to consider when you are looking to improve the look of your patio or yard since you don't have to spend a premium amount on it.
10. Peaktop Glazed
Peaktop makes the perfect glazed fountain. It's seventeen inches tall and will be a wonderful addition to your yard or inside of your house. You will have no trouble moving it around since it's lightweight and it even lights up at night so that you can enjoy its beauty when it is dark outside. You even get your choice of color with it so that it will match your decor.
It's sold in three different color options. There is red, blue, and green. You can easily match it to the existing decor in your home or outdoors so that the fountain matches your home.
The jar is made of a glazed polyresin. This will help it last when it is used outside since it's less likely to fade or break from the weather.
You will be able to purchase it for a price that is lower than the average price. The low price makes it into a great choice for when you want to accent your home or yard.
