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Lightweight Solar Powered Birdbath Made From Solid Resin & Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Sure To Please With An Attractive Design!
I’ve left nothing to chance in this thorough and definitive review of the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath.
Throughout the review, you’ll discover that I covered this product from every angle and touched upon the following:
- How it was designed
- How easy it is to assemble
- How easy it is to clean
- How aesthetically appealing it is
- And other key areas…
Getting to the heart of the matter…
I tested 8 solar bird baths over the course of many weeks. During my testing, I discovered that the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath is the best of the group.
I liked it so much that I made it Editor’s Pick!
SmartSolar Solar Birdbath Review Highlights
- Weight: 16.5 pounds
- Construction: Resin
- Color: Olive Green
- Dimensions: 17.75” x 17.75” x 24.5”
- Installation Type: Pedestal
- Manufacturer: Smart Solar
Overall Score
Bottom Line:
I chose this model as the best of the bunch because it’s relatively lightweight at 16.5 pounds, it’s made of solid resin and glass fiber reinforced concrete, and I really like the attractive design. It works best in direct sunlight, it’s really easy to clean and maintain, and the underwater pump system isn’t even noticeable.
What’s Good
- Underwater integrated solar panel
- Patented low-voltage water pump
- Easy to drain
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy & durable
What’s Bad
- Requires direct sunlight
- Water freezes in the winter
- Pricey
Our Verdict: SmartSolar Solar Birdbath
You love seeing gorgeous winged creatures spending time in your backyard, and you’ve decided that you want more of it.
That’s amazing!
Guess what? The best way to attract finches, cardinals, bluebirds, and other amazing flying friends is with a solar birdbath.
How do I know?
I just spent more than 20 hours reviewing 8 solar bird baths to see how they stack up against one another.
And you know what?
I came to an exciting conclusion. I chose the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath as the best-of-breed. I gave it the distinct award of Editor’s Pick.
What makes this solar birdbath so special?
First off, the material is right up my alley. It’s lightweight, which makes it easy to maneuver the birdbath so you can relocate it wherever it’s best in your backyard.
But on the other hand…
It’s made of glass fiber reinforced concrete. So, it can withstand the elements, a few bumps and bruises, and much more.
Besides that:
This particular birdbath looks really attractive, it’s easy to clean and maintain, and the assembly is a piece of cake.
I’ll go into further detail about that and more below. Just know that this is my top recommendation, so if you’re looking for a new solar birdbath this is a great place to start.
Related: A Buying Guide To The Best Solar Bird Baths
Our Analysis, Comparisons & Test Results
Right now, it’s time to focus on analysis, comparisons, and test results.
I did the work. It’s time for you to reap the benefits.
I focused on six specific areas to decide which one of the eight solar birdbaths would get the distinction of being my editor’s pick.
And here’s what I determined to be the most important categories during my research:
- Power Output
- Design
- Ease of Cleaning
- Ease of Assembly
- Aesthetics
- Material
So, here’s what happens next:
I dig into each of these categories in greater detail below.
I look at each category and compare the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath to the other seven products that I also like out of dozens of other birdbaths powered by solar energy.
I’ll tell you why I gave this product the rating that I gave it. And, I’ll let you know why it’s stacked up that way in comparison to the other solar bird baths that I tested.
Sound good?
Let’s get to it.
Power Output
This category is critical when choosing a solar birdbath.
How so?
If it doesn’t put out enough power, you won’t be able to enjoy the amazing features like the running fountain or water filtration in the daytime leading into the evening.
Compared to the other seven products in this category, the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath stacks up in 2nd position with a 97 out of 100 rating.
In fact, I like this birdbath so much because it draws in loads of solar energy and provides enough output to allow the fountain to continue to operate at full capacity as long as the sun is in direct view.
If the sun is partially obstructed by a cloud, trees, or shrubbery, it will perform at a reduced capacity.
Just remember…
The solar panel needs to absorb enough energy from the sun during the day in order to receive a full charge.
And…
It needs to use a low power usage to make sure the underwater pump system is running fresh water through the fountain late into the evening.
As a reminder, it doesn’t have a battery backup so it will not work at night, so keep that in mind.
You’ll love watching the birds enjoy your fountain. And you’ll feel good knowing that you provided such a wonderful opportunity for these winged creatures to enjoy throughout the day when the sun shines brightly in your neighborhood.
So, as far as power output is concerned, this birdbath is at the top of the list!
How the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath stacks up in the power output ratings:
Design
Now we’ll focus on design…
Although this product only received a 92 out of 100, and two other products received better ratings in this category, it’s still one of the best nonetheless.
How so?
I like the way they placed the solar panel and pump system underwater. It’s out of the way and hidden so it doesn’t look ugly or unattractive, and it’s very effective to boot.
It’s tall enough that it’s easy to get plenty of direct sunlight to power the device before the sun goes down. And it’s heavy enough that you won’t have to worry about it tipping over the next time a strong gust of wind rips through your backyard.
Even better…
The fountain doesn’t need to run all day long if you prefer to keep it off. Simply move the birdbath out of the direct view of the sun and put it in the shade. This will prevent the pump system from operating.
Having an on/off switch would’ve been a really nice option, but for some reason they didn’t think to add this feature.
How the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath stacks up in the design ratings:
Ease of Cleaning
Based on our comparison review, the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath landed in first place compared to the other products that we reviewed.
What makes cleaning so easy?
It’s light enough that even the weakest person can gently tip it over and drain the fountain.
After that, all you have to do is wipe it down, rinse it out, and refill it.
That doesn’t sound very difficult, right?
And when you look at the birdbath, you’ll see that it isn’t very big or bulky. This makes it easy to move around and maneuver.
So, you should have no trouble simply maneuvering it to drain it out.
And once it’s empty…
… You can take a wash rag or paper towels and wipe off the dirt and grime from top to bottom. It’s small enough where this should only take a few minutes.
On the other hand…
If it’s particularly dirty, you might want to wash it out with soap and water or your favorite cleaning solution. The resin material can easily handle every type of cleaning solution, so feel free to use your favorite.
How the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath stacks up in the ease of cleaning ratings:
Ease of Assembly
This birdbath is in first place because assembling the device is really simple to accomplish.
As a matter of fact, it doesn’t actually require assembly at all. It will be delivered to you fully assembled.
Keep in mind that…
at times, this system is going to get clogged with algae, so you’ll need to remove the pump and panel to clean them.
And:
You’ll need to reassemble the birdbath after you’ve thoroughly cleaned and rinsed off the internal pump system and solar panel.
But don’t worry, because it’s really easy!
I promise that you do not have to be mechanically inclined to remove the solar fountain, the panel, or the pump system for cleaning purposes. They simply slide back into place as soon as you’re done washing them off, wiping them down, and rinsing them out.
How the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath stacks up in the ease of assembly ratings:
Aesthetics
The aesthetic design is attractive enough that I gave it 93 out of 100 stars. But some of you might push it further down the list.
And when you compare it to other solar birdbaths that I reviewed, it’s in fourth place.
Why did I lower my rating in this category?
Basically, I lowered it because of the color. Although I think it looks nice, some people aren’t particularly fond of the olive-green shade that it comes in.
According to some owners, the color is a little dull, drab, and boring. It doesn’t really pop or stand out. In fact, it mostly blends in with the rest of the outdoor colors in nature.
But the aesthetic features are very attractive.
I love the flower shaped bird bath bowl and the attractive and natural flower decorative patterns on the pedestal. And the base also looks beautiful with a style that’s very reminiscent of stucco.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You’ll have to decide if this birdbath is aesthetically pleasing enough to meet your tastes and standards.
How the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath stacks up in the aesthetics ratings:
SmartSolar Solar Birdbath FAQs
How Do I Get Replacement Parts For My SmartSolar Solar Birdbath?
So, you need replacement parts for your solar birdbath.
How do you find them? It’s fairly simple, actually.
First, you can attempt to go directly to the manufacturer. But believe it or not, you’ll probably have a tough time getting them to sell you extra parts.
They’d rather their customers purchase an entirely new solar birdbath instead of fixing the one they already have.
But don’t worry, because all hope is not lost.
There are websites online that provide replacement parts for solar bird baths including the ones from SmartSolar.
Go to Google and search, “SmartSolar Solar birdbath replacement parts” and you’ll find a number of great resources.
Or if you feel more comfortable…
Visit eBay and search for spare parts/replacement parts on their platform. You’ll likely come across one or two private sellers offering the exact parts that you need for a fair price.
Does Solar Power Keep The Water From Freezing During The Winter?
Unfortunately, based on personal experience and information gathered from other SmartSolar bird bath owners, I can tell you with 100% accuracy that solar power does not prevent the water from freezing.
In fact…
This is a major concern for many who own this product.
How so?
You cannot leave the solar panel outside during freezing temperatures.
Why?
It will freeze up and eventually shatter. Then you’ll have to hunt down a spare part to replace your broken solar panel.
Instead of going through the hassle and wasting your money, just remove the solar panel and bring it inside during the freezing cold winter months.
How Many Inches Deep Is the Bowl of the SmartSolar Solar Bird Bath?
The total depth of the bowl is about 1.3 inches deep. This provides plenty of room for one or more birds to take a dip, clean themselves, or get a nice drink of cool water from your solar fountain.
Is There a Switch to Turn on the Solar Pump?
No. Unfortunately, they didn’t provide a switch to turn the water pump on and off.
So, if your pump isn’t working, it’s because of a different reason.
It’s possible the pump is disconnected from the solar panel. Check the connection to make sure you hooked it back up correctly the last time you cleaned the pump.
Or…
Make sure the solar birdbath is getting ample amounts of direct sunlight. If it isn’t getting the proper amount of sunlight, the pump will not work.
Is It Possible to Get a Replacement Fountain Head?
Certainly! But it might not be as easy to come by as you might think.
You’ll have a hard time getting this replacement directly from the manufacturer. But ingenious online sellers have fountain head kits that you can purchase.
One seller is Smart Living HG. Visit their website to find the proper fountainhead replacement and kit.
Or…
You can look for one on eBay, Craigslist, or other online auction and classified websites.
Our Final Verdict: SmartSolar Solar Birdbath
Okay, so that’s about it for this review.
Overall, I gave the SmartSolar Solar Birdbath the Editor’s Pick Award because out of the eight bird baths that I reviewed; this was the all-around favorite.
And for good reason because there was so much to love about it.
In particular, I’m a big fan of:
- The glass fiber reinforced concrete
- The 16.5 pounds of weight that provide extra stability
- The underwater integral solar panel and pump system
- The low-voltage water pump
- The low maintenance requirements that make it simple to clean, drain the water, and properly care for the birdbath
- The fact that it runs on solar energy, so operating costs are nonexistent
- And it operates directly from the solar panel, so wiring isn’t necessary
To read a full review of my favorite solar birdbaths, please check out: A Buying Guide To The Best Solar Birdbaths
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