Our top overall pick is the 40-inch-Tall Outdoor 4-Tier Rock Water Fountain from Alpine Corporation, which sets up easily and brings your outdoor space the look of real stone and the sound of a mountain stream for season after season. Here are our selections for the best water fountains. Alpine Corporation’s 40-inch-tall outdoor water fountain brings the sight and sound of a mountain waterfall to your home, and combines the look of carefully carved stone with the durability of resin, stone powder, and fiberglass. We liked that the included LED lights illuminate each of the fountain’s four tiers, and that the compact footprint perfectly fits a garden, patio, deck, porch, or yard. The user manual outlines eight setup steps, which include initially filling the fountain, which needs refilling every two to five days, depending on the temperature. (The manufacturer recommends using distilled water to prevent scale buildup.) You clean the outside with soap and water. Also, every month or so, remove built-up algae from the pump’s pre-filter cage by running it under warm water and scrubbing with an old toothbrush. Despite the needed TLC, we were impressed with the Alpine’s ease of setup, and its durability to earn it our Best Overall pick. Price at time of publish: $234 Designed for outdoor use, this fountain is about 15.5-inches round and 17-inches high, with a water capacity of just over 2 gallons. It comes with all the necessary hardware, plus a pump for easy installation. Plus, the soft LED lights make for a whimsical display after the sun goes down. Price at time of publish: $157 The artisanal-inspired piece weighs 318 pounds, measures 30 inches wide and 15 inches high, and boasts a 12-gallon capacity. It’ll add fluid beauty to your garden, patio, or porch, but if you’ve got the space, you can even place it inside your home. Price at time of publish: $1,300 This fountain is 33 inches tall, 17.5 inches wide, and weighs just 20 pounds. It can be hung indoors or out and comes with everything you need for installation, including a pump that plugs into a standard outlet. Price at time of publish: $180 At 8 inches tall, 8 inches wide, and weighing just 3 pounds, it’s perfectly compact. The included recirculating pump keeps the water flowing continuously, and you can add your own pebbles to enhance the soothing trickling sound. Plus, this fountain has a crystal ball at the top that illuminates with a built-in LED light for the ultimate sensory experience. Price at time of publish: $39 It’s about 22 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 14 inches deep, with a capacity of 9 gallons. Made of sturdy polyresin, this fixture resists weather damage year-round. It comes with an electric pump, which circulates water for a continuous bubbling sound. As if this fountain weren’t serene enough, it also has a built-in LED light, creating a warm, soothing twilight glow. Price at time of publish: $238 The bowls each have LED lights, creating a warm and tranquil ambiance. This cascading outdoor fixture is made of resilient, weatherproof resin, making it the perfect addition to your outdoor space. It’s about 33 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and easy to install thanks to the built-in pump. Price at time of publish: $142 While this fountain may look charmingly old-fashioned, it actually has a cutting-edge solar-powered pump. The battery charges in the sunlight, usually taking a day or two in bright light to gain a full charge. After that, you’ll get about six hours of run time. Price at time of publish: $227 This sculptural fountain measures 31.5 inches high and 19 inches wide with a 4-gallon capacity. It’s just the thing for adding a finishing touch to your garden, patio, or landscaping—and thanks to the 132-inch power cord, you can plug it in almost anywhere. Price at time of publish: $628
Material
A majority of the water fountains you’ll find on the market today are made of polyresin, a supremely durable substance made of polyester and resin. The sturdy material is resistant to weather damage, rust, and fading, making it ideal for outdoor use. Other popular materials are ceramic, fiberglass, and concrete, which are also resilient and designed to hold up outdoors, although they can be more expensive depending on the size and style.
Size
If you’re placing your fountain outdoors, you probably have more space to work with, but make sure you have enough room to fit it in your garden or on your porch, patio, or deck. Tabletop fixtures tend to be smaller, but the surface needs to be large enough that it won’t fall off. Mounted fountains don’t take up any floor or counter space, but you’ll need to ensure you’ve got an open wall that’s sturdy enough to hold it. And of course, make sure you have an easily accessible outlet, as most modern fountains are electric.
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Theresa Holland has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019. She has several years of experience writing about home goods, decor, and outdoor design. You can find more of her home-related content on MyDomaine.
