What is the best solar pond pump on the market in 2021? The answer to that very much is down to the power of the pump required and whether you aim to use it as a replacement pump, or as additional power source for a water feature or fountain.

In this review roundup, we have selected suitable pumps to cover both these needs.

For our findings at a glance, just head to the table below. For in-depth reviews on our top 5 choices to get the ultimate low down, keep on reading.

Best Solar Pond Pump – Top 5

NAME	IMAGE	DETAILS
BEST BUDGET PICK: Lewisia 10W Solar Water Pump Kit		10W Solar Collector 16.4' (5m) cord Filter Included	CHECK PRICE
BEST MID-BUDGET PICK: Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit		400+GPH Submersible 20 Watt Panel (No battery backup)	CHECK PRICE
BEST PREMIUM PUMP: AQUAPLANCTON MNP SP50		50W Twin Panel Powered Pump Kit Max 898 GPH 16' of Hose	CHECK PRICE
Sunnydaze Outdoor Solar Pump		Fountain Kit with Battery Pack, LED Light, 132 GPH, 56-Inch Lift	CHECK PRICE
Tangpan Solar Panel Power		15W Brushless Fountain Pump Small Pond or Birdbath	CHECK PRICE

Solar Pond Pump Reviews

A key benefit of using a solar pond pump is that it will save your monthly energy bill.

As long as you get sufficient sunlight, you will not have any problem powering your pump. Not only are these systems environmentally friendly, but you also do not have to worry about long cabling in order to connect your pump to the grid.

All that being said, choosing a solar water pump is not always easy. The many options can be confusing if you don’t have a clear idea on what you are after. The following 5 reviews should help you decide which solar pump is best suited your needs.

1. Lewisia 10W Solar Water Pump Kit

BEST BUDGET SOLAR WATER PUMP

(Suitable for small pond fountain system)

The Lewisia 10W Solar Water Pump Kit comes with Mushroom and Blossom Spray Heads. A quality budget solution for a DIY Pond Water Feature and fountain setup.

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This solar pond pump is affordable and it can easily fit into your budget. It features 357 GPH and unique spray water patterns.

Also, it has a higher wattage rating than its competitors and that puts more energy for better water flow and circulation.

The panel is attached to a sturdy steel frame to offer the required support for easy positioning.

This solar pump is very powerful and will start working within three to five minutes with enough sun exposure. The unique spray water patterns offer customization options.

You can use any such as mushroom, blossom, or other patterns depending on your requirement.

Lewisia 10W Solar Water Pump Kit does not come with a battery. You might not need a battery backup when there is full sunlight. You will get the required electricity.

It will work when there is direct sunlight. You can simply turn off it during night time and harsh weather conditions. However, you will have to think of alternatives in the absence of full sunlight.

It features a good connection long cable with 16.4 ft for easy installation. Even if your fountain is in the shade, the panel will be in the sun to offer more efficiency.

Also, it has eight output heads to absorb maximum sunlight. These heads are replaceable. It comes with a metal bracket and offers two ways of installation. You can simply stand it on the ground and can also mount it on the wall using the given screws.

In the package, you will get one solar panel, six water outlet caps, eight screws, eight nuts, one water pump with power wire, four sleeve anchors, and one filter bag, and one manual. All these will ensure easy assembly and smooth functioning.

Bottom Line

Lewisia 10W Solar Water Pump Kit can be an ideal choice for those pond owners who want a compact but powerful solar pond pump. This pond pump can be perfect for ponds up to 500 gallons. Also, it can be great for the pool, big bird bath, garden decoration, fish tank, and water circulation.

2. Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit

BEST MEDIUM PRICED SOLAR PUMP

(20W Pump & Panel Kit)

The Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit is suitable for large fountains, water features, ponds.

With 20W of solar power theres no need to connect to the grid for your water pumping needs.

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Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit will not cost more. However, it can fulfill all your needs. It is capable of supplying 400 GPH at maximum voltage.

It is designed to move water more efficiently and quickly. The best part is that you can use it for a number of applications including water features, large fountains, ponds, waterfalls, streams, rainwater collection, greenhouses, aquaponics, hydroponics, animal troughs, and any other place where you need pump water without wasting on your energy bill.

Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit comes with a durable life up to 20, 000+ hours. Also, it features a removable pre-filter to prevent clogging.

Another benefit is that it is non-toxic to frog, fish, and any other aquatic life. This pond pump has two different spray pattern adopters.

This pond pump is well constructed featuring a sturdy aluminum frame. It has a longer life than brushless motors and brushed pumps.

You can place the panel up to sixteen feet away from the pump using the power cord. The product is also supported by a 100% money-back warranty offer. If you are not satisfied with the result, you are free to choose this option.

Assembling is super easy with a plastic stake and 16ft cable provided in the package. The maintenance is also easy. You just need to wipe out the dust and clean the removable filter.

This pond pump is highly appreciated for its more torque per watt, quiet running, zero ionizing sparks, increased reliability, and lower electromagnetic interference.

Bottom Line

Solariver Solar Water Pump Kit can be perfect for all those looking for a powerful, efficient, and durable solar pond pump for their aquatic creatures. It is easy to install, easy to operate, and easy to maintain as well.

• Related Content: Solar Aerator Reviews – Top rated picks for 2021

3. AQUAPLANCTON MNP SP50 50W Twin Fish Pond Pump Kit

BEST PREMIUM SOLAR POND PUMP

(Complete Pump Kit: Max 898 GPH)

The AQUAPLANCTON MNP SP50 50W Fish Pond Pump Kit is a powerful solution in order to add a waterfall or filter system to an existing pond set up. Our top pick overall.

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AQUAPLANCTON MNP SP50 50W Twin Fish Pond Pump Kit can be ideal for all those who are looking for a cost-effective and environmental and friendly solution to connect waterfall to an existing pond setup.

It features two panels that can be placed up to sixteen feet from the pump. There are two sensors to be submerged to ensure smooth operation.

It has locked rotor protection to prevent any debris clogging that can cause pump failure.

This solar pump includes a sixteen feet plastic hose to connect the pump to the waterfall. The weight of this pump is five pounds. It works very efficiently. It comes with the full package.

Once the product is delivered, you can run it within a few minutes on a full sunny day. Also, the package includes a 16ft electrical cable that you can use to connect your pump to the panel.

AQUAPLANCTON MNP SP50 50W Twin Fish Pond Pump Kit is easy to maintain and clean. It has a dry run cut off feature that means it will save some water for your fish in the adverse conditions and it will run until your pond is dried out.

The brushless DC motors work smoothly and do not need maintenance. It features a shaft seal and a failure-proof carbon brush to ensure a durable result.

As it comes with two panels, you can use one to catch the before noon sun and the other for afternoon sun. Both these can help to get the required energy.

Bottom Line

AQUAPLANCTON MNP SP50 50W Twin Fish Pond Pump Kit is well-built and easy to install and maintain. It is ideal for small ponds and works exceptionally on a full sunny day.

However, you will have to look for an alternative for a cloudy day because it does not provide battery backup.

• Related Content: In search of the best pond pump – top 5 reviews

4: Sunnydaze Outdoor Solar Pump and Panel Fountain Kit

SUITABLE FOR WATER FOUNTAIN

(132 GPH, 56-Inch Lift)

The Sunnydaze Outdoor Solar Pump and Panel Fountain Kit is best suited for a DIY water fountain setup rather than a dedicated pond pump system. With an impressive 56 inch lift, the results look great however.

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You might find Sunnydaze Outdoor Solar Panel Fountain Kit worth spending because it can support your needs throughout the day and night even in the absence of sun.

Yes, it comes with a large battery pack system and a LED fountain light. It has everything that you need to get started with your solar powered water systems such as four hours battery backup, 132 GPH, 5-watt solar display, and many fountain attachments.

You might find the panel a bit small in comparison to other models. However, it works best under full sunlight. It can offer a 4.5-foot water display during a full sunny day or when the battery is fully charged. It will be ideal for birdbaths, small ponds, or even for extra aeration.

This pump kit is highly appreciated by users for the large battery pack that can offer up to four hours backup and you can use it during the overcast periods.

Also, the battery will be charged slowly through the solar panels in strong sunlight and it will be switched on automatically when the sunlight is low.

It will send the power to the fountain directly without your intervention.

In addition, the battery system comes with an indicator lighting system and control panel. You can use these features to set a daily timer or to alternate the flow rate of your fountain for an exact height.

When it comes to accessories, you will find many. The package comes with four different fountain heads, two 16 ft cables, one LED light, four footpads, one solar-powered panel, four three inches extension tubes, and the battery pack.

Also, it has a bright LED light that you will find on the fountainhead. This light will do a great job at night making your fountain look alive.

However, it will not be able to illuminate enough light. But it will look nice. It will only work at night and will be switched off automatically.

Sunnydaze Solar Panel Fountain pump can push or spray waters up to fifty-six inches at a rate of the 132 gallons per hour. This pump is supported by the one-year manufacturer warranty.

Bottom Line

The Sunnydaze Outdoor Solar Pump and Panel Fountain Kit can be ideal for you if you want your fountain display to run after hours. It provides lots of fountain display options and maximum twilight operation. The LED light is certainly a great addition.

5: Tangpan 15W Brushless Solar Panel Power Fountain Pump

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This solar pond pump is designed for a small pond or bird bath. It is extremely versatile. It comes with a high maximum flow capacity to run in all sizes of pond including small or large sizes. It can pump water very high up to 2.5 meters in height.

Tangpan 15W is a solar-powered decorative fountain made of a new brushless pump and a highly efficient solar panel. The solar panel is made of the aluminum alloy frame material. The brushless pump input is DC6-24V and the connector line length is 300 cm.

The maximum flow is 450-1350L/h and the maximum delivery head: 800cm. This product can be best for your garden decoration, water circulation for oxygen, swimming pool, traveling fish tank in addition to the bird bath.

In addition, the pump will start automatically within three seconds soon after the bright sunlight shines on your solar panel. It will work non-stop on a sunny day.

This solar panel is compact and easy to install. You can easily move it to different locations and can use it whenever required without any complication.

The compact size, easy installation, and a few accessories make it an ideal option for traveling. It has multiple fountain heads to work well for different water patterns.

However, it needs maintenance. You need to clean the pump regularly to ensure smooth functioning. Also, it requires a full shine to work. The edge of the solar panel is a bit sharp and you need to take extra caution while using it.

You should not put the control box and your solar panel in the water for a long time. Prolonged water exposure might damage them.

This product comes with full instruction to ensure easy installation. You just need to follow the sketch map for assembling. You should always set your solar panel on the right place to get better sun exposure. Otherwise, your solar pond pump will not work efficiently.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a versatile, safe, efficient, and durable solar pond pump, you can go with Tangpan 15W Brushless Solar Panel Power Fountain Pump. This compact and powerful pump can meet most of your fountain needs.

• Related Content: Pond filter reviews – Our top 5 picks for 2021

Things to consider when buying a solar pond pump

There are a number of issues to consider before you buy a solar pump for your pond.

One of the main things is the size of the pond you have. As you will have found from the review section above solar powered pumps are limited in the amount of water flow they can generate. There are not many solar pumps available that can power a large body of water.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of a solar-powered pond pump.

Advantages of the solar pond pump

1. Inexpensive to operate

Needless to say, a unit generated by solar power is not going to have any operational costs, this is free electricity.

Yes, if you already have a working system in place and you are looking to change to a solar-powered pump, there will be some cost of removing the old parts and installing the new.

Once that is done, however, you can reap the wonderful benefits of renewable energy.

Furthermore, as long as you opt for a unit with a simple and robust design you will not spend valuable time and money, adjusting, maintaining or repairing the pump’s components

2. Simple Installation

If you are building your pond or creating a water fountain from scratch, installing a solar powered pump will be relatively simple.

Due to the fact you do not need to rig the system up to the grid, you avoid the cumbersome process of laying power lines or insulating components so that they waterproof; the all in one nature of a solar pump means you can ‘set it and forget it’.

3. Very quiet

One complaint many people have with standard pond pumps is that they generate a lot of noise. This is especially true for those with small ponds and gardens where the sound of the pump chugging away can very off-putting.

The solar-powered pond pump avoids this through the simplicity of the design.

With fewer moving parts and a building design that doesn’t require external rigging, the solar pump runs a great deal quieter than traditional electrical models.

This is a massive advantage for many pond owners.

4. Versatile

With the wide range of solar-powered pumps available you should easily be able to find a system to suit your needs.

Above you can see that we have reviewed models suitable for Koi, suitable for fountains, small enough for birdbaths even

Versatile in locations where electricity is difficult to connect to, a solar-powered pump really does take the hassle out of pond ownership. 

5. Environmentally friendly

One of the biggest advantages of a solar-powered device is that clean, renewable energy is so good for the environment. In fact, this is one of the main reasons pond owners decide to make the change in the first place.

Reducing your carbon footprint is a very positive move to make, a solar-powered pond pump over its lifetime achieves that very well indeed.

• Related Content: Best portable solar generators reviewed for 2021

6. Suitable for Fountain

The small size of many solar pumps and the fact no electrical rigging is required makes them perfect for water fountains and features.

The pump can be tucked away as the power source for the fountain without the need for any ugly cabling getting in the way.

If you’re thinking about adding such a feature to your pond, a solar pump is definitely the way to go.

Disadvantages of the solar pond pump

1. The need for solar energy

Clearly the biggest disadvantage of the solar pump is that you need a consistent amount of solar energy for it to work.

That means the sun needs to pop out from behind the clouds enough for you to be able to efficiently keep your pump running and your pond in good health.

If you have large and expensive fish living in your pond, you may not want to risk the chance of the pump malfunctioning due to a lack of power.

In fact, if you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain and fog or cloudy days, a solar-powered pond pump is probably best avoided.

There are, however, solar pumps available that feature battery back up so all is not lost.

2. Limited Flow Rate

We briefly covered this above, however, another real disadvantage of the solar pond pump is the relative lack of power when compared to an electrically powered pump.

Solar pumps do not move the water quickly enough for bigger ponds; the flow rate is just not up to it.

If you have a large garden pond, you will need to check the specs of the solar pump in order to see whether the capacity will stretch to your demands.

Further Reading

• • Medium.com – Guide to Solar Pond Pumps
  • PowerBee.co.uk – Solar Powered Water Pump Trouble Shooting Guide
  • Book: Water in the Garden: A Complete Guide to the Design and Installation of Ponds, Fountains, Streams, and Waterfalls; by James Allison
  • Book: All About Building Waterfalls, Ponds, and Streams; by Ortho