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A water feature can add a beautiful highlight to your front yard. Unfortunately, running the wiring to power a pump can be cumbersome, not to mention the fact that no one wants to waste electricity on something superficial. Not to worry, there is a simple solution to all your water pump issues, a solar-powered water pump.

Solar pond pumps are powered by the sun meaning that they do not require any extra wiring or electricity. They are also eco-friendly, as well as budget-friendly. Many companies produce quality solar pumps, so finding the right one could be time-consuming, but don’t worry, we’re here for you. We have done some research and compiled a list of the best solar pond pumps so you won’t have to look too far to find a quality solar solution for your pond pump problem.

Top 5 Best Solar Pond Pumps of 2021


Reviews of the Best Solar Pond Pumps

Sunnydaze Solar Water Pump

Sunnydaze Solar Water Pump

Quick Look: 12V Brushless motor pump. 7W Solar panel with 7.4V Lithium battery. Comes with LED light features and remote control. Comes with 1-year warranty. Check Price at Amazon

Want to improve the water aeration and look of your garden pond? Then look no further than the Sunnydaze Solar Water Pump. This pump kit comes with everything you need to set up a beautiful water feature that is powered by the sun.

This kit comes with a 12V pump that can move 105GPH and has a 55” lift. It comes with LED lights as well as multiple nozzles so you can customize the look of your fountain. Speaking of customization, your solar fountain is very easy to control with the included remote control. You can change the flow and the lights with the press of a button.

Most solar pumps only work when the sun is shining, but this kit includes a backup battery that will run for up to 4 hours after the sun has gone, so you can still enjoy your water feature after dark.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Lewisia 10W Solar Water Pump

Lewisia 10W Solar Water Pump

Quick Look: 17V/10W solar panel, 6-24V Brushless motor pump. Flow rate: 357GPH with a 26ft. water lift. 16.4ft. cable from pump to solar panel. Includes two sprayer heads. Check Price at Amazon

Using solar power often means saving money and that is definitely the case with the Lewisia 10W Solar Water Pump. This pump is budget-friendly and quite powerful. It can move 357GPH and has a maximum water height of 6.5ft. You won’t have any problems setting up a pleasant fountain with this solar pump.

The 16.4ft. cable that connects the pump to the 17V solar panel allows you to place the panel in the sunniest area, even if it is a sight distance from the pump. The cable and all the wiring is simple and straightforward, so even those who have never used a solar pump before should have no trouble setting it up.

If there is clear sunlight, this pump will begin working the moment it is plugged in, so make sure you have the pump in place before attaching the wirings to the solar panel. This kit does not come with a backup battery, so it will automatically shut off as soon as the sunlight disappears.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit

Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit

Quick Look: Flow rate 900GPH. Comes with two 35W solar panels and a 16ft cable. Max water lift of 10ft. Includes 16ft. of tubing. Comes with 1-year Warranty. Check Price at Amazon

If you would like to move things along a little quicker, then check out the Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit. This pump can move up to 900GPH with a water lift of 10ft. This pump is great for fountains, ponds, and even animal troughs. It is non-toxic and has a prefilter on the water intake to stop small fish from being pulled in.

The pump itself is fully submersible and has a brushless magnetic motor that is designed to last for more than 20,000 hours of use. The solar panels come with sturdy frames and stakes to hold them in place. The kit comes with a 16ft. cable to connect the panels to the pump. If that is not long enough for your project, Solariver also sells extension cords for this model.

This pump is easy to set up and once it is attached to the solar panels, it will run anytime the sun is shining. The pump is lightweight, but durable and comes with a 100% money-back guarantee as well as a 1-year warranty.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
AEO Solar Water Pump

AEO Solar Water Pump

Quick Look: 12-24V Brushless magnetic motor, flow rate of 196GPH. 10W aluminum frame solar panel. No wiring required. Comes with a 1-year warranty. Check Price at Amazon

If you’re looking for an ultra user-friendly solar water pump then the AEO Solar Water Pump may be the one for you. This model from AEO requires no wiring, simply plug in the connector and you’re good to go. The 12-24V brushless motor is 100% oil-free, which means you won’t have to worry about it contaminating your pond. It is compatible with both fresh and saltwater.

This kit comes with a durable 10W solar panel that has an aluminum frame and stakes for mounting. The 16ft connector cable provides easy maneuverability for the solar panel.

This fully submersible motor is designed to last through 20,000 hours of continuous use and is backed by a 1-year warranty. If this sounds like a style that would work for you, but you need something a little bigger, AEO offers pumps of other sizes to fit your water feature needs.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Eco-Worthy Solar Water Pump

Eco-Worthy Solar Water Pump

Quick Look: 12V pump with 100W solar panels. 420GPH with 260ft. water lift. Anti-corrosion design with stainless steel anti-clogging strainer. Maximum submersion 100ft. Check Price at Amazon

Sometimes a small water pump just won’t do the job. If you’re looking for something a little more heavy-duty, then take a look at the Eco-Worthy Solar Water Pump. This magnetic motor is designed to pump 420GPH and has a water lift of 260ft. It is submersible up to 100ft., so you could even use it to pump water out of a well.

The pump has an anti-corrosion design that helps the pump maintain integrity even after long periods under the water. It also has a stainless steel strainer surrounding the water intake to help avoid clogging and motor damage.

Whether you are designing a large water feature or just trying to irrigate your land, this solar-powered pump will do the trick. It is powered by a 100W monocrystalline solar panel that has a pair of 16.4ft. cables to connect the panel to the pump. This unit also comes with a 20A PWM charge controller with an LCD screen. Although this kit does not come with a battery, it is compatible should you want to connect one to the solar panel.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon

How We Chose The Best Solar Pond Pumps

Although there were many solar pond pumps to choose from, we tried to focus on those that provided sufficient power, versatility, and ease of use.

Power

When you’re looking into purchasing a water pump, the first thing you look at is how powerful the pump is and how much water it can move. Looking at solar-powered pumps is very similar except you also have to look at how powerful the solar panel is. It won’t do you any good to choose a powerful pump if the accompanying solar panel does not provide enough energy to sustain it. With that in mind, we looked for kits that came with pumps and solar panels that were equally matched, no matter how big or how small.

Versatility

We also looked for pumps that offered a little bit of versatility in both setup and operation. Some people need pumps for gardening while others just want them for decoration. That is why we looked for pumps that would work for multiple types of water features such as fountains, waterfalls, and even birdbaths. We also looked for more heavy-duty models that could move large amounts of water for those bigger projects.

Ease of Use

Lots of people want to switch to solar power equipment but they are worried that the change will be too complicated. With that in mind, we looked for solar water pumps that anyone could set up in just a matter of minutes. A few of our picks do require some minor wiring, but nothing complicated. Simply place the pump in your desired location, connect the solar panel, and enjoy the new water pump that can run all day without ever costing you extra money.

What You Need To Know About Solar Pond Pumps

When buying a solar-powered pond pump, you have to consider the flow rate, water lift, and motor voltage as well as the power of the accompanying solar panel.

Flow Rate and Height

The flow rate on a water pump measures the amount of water that the pump can move in a given amount of time, such as Gallons Per Hour (GPH). Obviously, the higher the number, the more water will be moved through the pump every minute, so if you need to circulate water in a large pond you would want to look for a pump that has a high flow rate.

If you are planning on moving water from a very low point to a higher level, you will also want to consider the pump’s lift. The lift indicates the height to which the pump can force water. Some will indicate the height from the pump while others will state the height from the water’s surface. You may also notice that some manufacturers list the water lift and the water height. Where the lift refers to the level of actual elevation, the water height indicates the height the water will reach when being pumped out, such as in the case of a fountain.

Some of the specifications can be a bit confusing because they seem to vary between manufacturers, so make sure you read the manufacturer’s term definitions before making your final purchase.

Solar Panels

As we mentioned in the section about how we chose our favorite solar-powered pumps, it is important to make sure your solar panel is strong enough to fully power your water pump. Sometimes you will see that solar panel output is measured in both watts and volts, but the power output from pumps is usually measured in volts. Just make sure that the power of the solar panel is equal to or higher than the pump requirements.

You should also look at the construction of the solar panel, especially if you plan on leaving your pump out all year long. Some companies will provide quality pumps but then skimp on the construction of the solar panel. Things like aluminum frames are a good element to look for.

Last but not least, make sure you have the equipment you need to mount your solar panel. Some kits will come with mounting brackets or stakes, but not all do. You do not want to get all the way out to the pond to set up your pump only to find that you have to go back to the hardware store for more supplies, so it is a good idea to double-check before you get too far along.

Battery Backup

If you want your pump to function on cloudy days or after dark then you will want to invest in a kit that has a battery backup. Many solar pumps simply funnel the energy from the solar panel to the pump without any energy storage. This means that as soon as the sun goes down, the pump will shut off because it no longer has power. A backup battery will store any extra energy to run the pump even when there isn’t direct sunlight on the solar panel. The length of time that the pump will run on battery power depends on the battery, but many will last for 3 or 4 hours without sunlight.

How to Choose The Best Solar Pond Pump For You

Now that you know everything to look for, let’s talk about how this information relates to your situation so you can find the perfect pump.

How Much Water Do You Want to Move?

The first thing you need to decide is how much water you need to move, which will determine the size of the pump you’re looking for. If you’re building a garden water feature or just want a small fountain in a garden pond, then something in the 100 to 200GPH range should work just fine. As the features become more elaborate or complicated, you’ll need more water. For example, if you need a pump to power a waterfall then you’ll probably want to choose something in the 300 to 400GPH range.

Where Do You Want to Move The Water To?

The next thing to determine is how far the water will need to go. This is where the water lift and height come in. If you’re moving water for irrigation purposes and you need to go uphill, you’ll want a pump with a high water lift. If you’re pumping the water to a place that is on relatively the same elevation as where the pump is located, then lift may not be as much of an issue. If you intend to build a tall fountain, then you’ll need more water height. Just remember to read the manufacturer’s term definitions for their specifications because they may vary.

Extra Features

Once you have found the pump specifications that will move the amount of water you want to the location that you want, the last step is to decide if you want any extra features. Most solar powered pond pumps are pretty straight forward, but there are a few extras that you could consider, such as different fountain configurations, LED lighting, or the ability to control the pump with a remote. None of these features will affect the functionality of the pump, but they could be enjoyable and don’t add much to the cost of the pump, so they are worth considering.

Bottom Line

A water pump can add interest to your pond while helping to aerate the water and improve water quality. Installing a water pump does not have to involve installing a bunch of extra wiring or using extra electricity. With a solar pond pump, you can have the water feature you want without all the hassle and extra cost of a traditional electric pump.

It’s hard to go wrong with any of our top solar pond pump options, but we recommend Sunnydaze Solar Water Pump for its flow rate and battery backup. Compare all of your options before making a final decision, though, to make sure that you’re choosing the right model for your circumstances

Top 5 Best Solar Pond Pumps of 2021