Gilson Lyceum is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Best Heated Ground Bird Bath of 2024

Lorin Nielsen
  Mar 29, 2024 11:51 AM

We spent several hours searching the internet for best heated ground bird bath, reading reviews, and drawing on our own personal experiences to compile our list of the top 13 best heated ground bird bath now available on the market.


Overview

Temperatures decrease and water freezes, making it difficult for birds to drink, preen and wash when the weather is cold and wet. Snow can provide for birds' necessities, but it costs them metabolic energy they could be spending to stay warm. Our feathered friends have a better chance of surviving the winter if they have access to heated bird baths.

An added benefit of heated baths for birds is that they allow birdwatchers to study them during the off-season, when they are less active. To attract birds to your home in an area where water is scarce, you may want to consider installing a heated bird bath.

Learn more about how to choose the best heated bird bath for your garden in the following paragraphs.


Compare Products

1
  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    hugeneroy
2
  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    SOLID ROCK STONE WORKS
3
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    API
4
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Hanizi
5
  • SCORE
    8.8
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    API
6
  • SCORE
    8.6
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    vantiorango
7
  • SCORE
    8.6
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Farm Innovators
8
  • SCORE
    8.6
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    API
9
  • SCORE
    8.6
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    soundfair
10
  • SCORE
    8.4
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Fabulas
11
  • SCORE
    8.4
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    GESAIL
12
  • SCORE
    8.4
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Erva
13
  • SCORE
    8.0
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    K&H PET PRODUCTS

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

The Type

You must first determine the sort of birdbath you want before considering any other design features or designs.

There are many different kinds of types.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Pedestal mounting

  • Deck mounting

  • Ground mounting

Alternatively, how about...?

Putting a birdbath on a pedestal is an option for some individuals. Or they don't want to ruin their wooden deck by drilling a hole for it. In the worst-case scenario, they'd rather not let it fall in the first place at all.

Prior to taking any further action, it is essential to think about this first.

You may also come across a heated hanging bird bath. So far, I've only came across one model, and it lacks reviews, so I can't recommend it. On the other hand, things could shift in the future.

Prior to proceeding to the next category, you must first choose a type.

The Aesthetics

Everyone has an opinion on what constitutes "beauty." Whether you're purchasing a new automobile, a house, or a heated birdbath for your lawn, this is probably the case.

Do you have a favorite type of birdbath in mind?

Would you like one with a more obvious heating element? This design may not be the most visually appealing.

Do you want the heating element exposed, or do you want it hidden?

Do you desire a floral theme? Alternatively, how about something painted in vibrant hues? Or perhaps a more subdued shade of the same color?

If you want to get the best heated bath, browse around online at different models and see which one you like best.

In the hope that it'll also shine in some of the other categories, it'll be an outstanding pick for your requirements.

The Power Source

When it comes to selecting a heated bird bath, there are basically just two alternatives to think about: electric or propane.

It is possible to select a model that is powered by conventional electricity.

Or…

A solar-powered model is an option.

Electric baths, in my opinion, outperform solar-powered baths in terms of performance.

Because I couldn't locate a solar-powered solution that suited my high standards, I didn't even endorse it.

You have these options to pick from, in any case.

In the event that you elect to use power, make certain that you have a enough extension cord available. Place the birdbath near a power outlet if you want to keep it running. Either option will do.

Safe & Effective

You want your heated birdbath to be safe for the birds when you purchase it.

In order to ensure the safety of the heated birdbath, it should be equipped with a built-in thermostat that will switch it off after the ice has melted. The thermostat, in fact, is a must for the heated birdbath, as it protects the birds from hypothermia. The birds will be harmed if the water continues to rise to dangerously high temperatures as they bathe or drink.

Thermostats are standard equipment on every birdbath I tested and recommend.

The depth of the bowl is critical. Birds may drink from as little as two or three inches of water.

Also is perfect for smaller birds since they can easily jump from shallow to deeper places without worry of drowning, and it works for larger birds that may choose to dive directly in. You should avoid bowls that are excessively deep.

The heated birdbath must be powerful enough to prevent the water from freezing if it is to be useful. There are heated birdbaths ranging from 50W to 150W in output.

As a reminder, every birdbath I have tested and endorsed is capable of accomplishing its intended purpose.

Offer a bowl that is safe for perching. Drinking water is a common reason why birds visit a birdbath. Perch on the rim, bend over, and sip your drink. Perching on the edge of the rim can be difficult for these birds, so they may give up and go. It's best to have rims with curved edges for sitting.

All of the birdbaths I've reviewed and suggest have a large enough bowl to accommodate birds.

Durable Construction

Don't use anything made of concrete. They say that these materials are vulnerable to cracking if they are submerged in water for a long time.

 

You should also avoid using a metal bowl because it might be dangerous for wildlife to drink from wet, cold metal. (Have you ever licked your lips before walking into a freezing pole? Although birds don't have lips, the idea is the same.)

Pay attention to the weight of the heated birdbath if you want it to stay in place during strong gusts.

The base of a pedestal-style heated birdbath should be weighty or be able to be filled with sand or rocks in order to give a stable foundation.

Using mounting brackets will keep it in place if it's a mounted model.

Consider a heavy-duty model if you're looking for a ground-style. A giant boulder or several medium-sized rocks could also be used as a weight to keep it in place.

Easy To Clean

For those of you who have known me for any length of time, you know I'm a great advocate of proper backyard birding. It is our duty to ensure that wild birds have a secure place to stay while they are in our yard. Fresh food and water must be provided for the birds, as well as the feeders and birdbaths.

If you're looking for a heated birdbath, check sure the basin is easy to clean. Plastics are perfect for cleaning because they are so easy to remove and replace. Since plastic materials are also excellent for durability (see point #2 above), this is a welcome development.

A 1:9 bleach/water solution should be used to clean a birdbath. As a result, you should steer clear of materials that are easily porous, such as wood.

Mounting Style 

The way a heated bird bath is installed and maintained has a significant impact on the type of bath it is. The majority of pedestal bathtubs are attached to a metal or plastic pedestal, whereas the majority of mounted baths are attached to a deck railing using a bracket.

Tilting the basin makes it easier to clean some deck-mounted types. You don't have to do anything more than tilt the basin down, remove the old water, and refill it.

You can get heated bird baths that you can mount on your deck railing or place on a pedestal, but they are few and few between. These models can be quite costly, though, due to their high level of adaptability.

Materials 

Make sure you buy a heated bird bath that's built of durable materials; those that don't stand the test of time aren't ideal. Plastic or fiberglass-based heated bird baths are among the best.

If you plan to use a deicer on your bird bath, be sure it isn't made of porcelain or concrete, as these materials can break when they're heated. Concrete heated bird baths are available for purchase, but they are not recommended due to the risks associated with using them. Because porous surfaces absorb water, the bath may split if frozen water is repeatedly thawed by the product's heating element.

Depth and Size 

Most heated bird bath basins have a diameter of 20 inches and a depth of 2 inches, which is the typical size. Models with larger and smaller basins are available, but a 20-by-2-inch model is large enough to provide birds with plenty of bathing room while still being deep enough for them to move about in.

It is well knowledge that huge birds prefer to bathe on the ground rather than in a pedestal or elevated bath. If you live in an apartment with a balcony or a small yard, a smaller bird bath is great for you. Before you go buying, make sure you measure the space where the bird bath will go.


Faqs

Does A Heated Birdbath Keep The Water From Freezing?

That is, after all, the ultimate objective.

With your heated bath, birds can bathe, groom, and drink during the colder months of the year. To provide this, the heating element must keep the water from freezing.

It's evident that certain bird bath heaters perform better than others.

A majority of the heaters I've encountered can keep the bath water from freezing at temps as low as -20°F on average. I even found one that can keep water from freezing in temperatures as low as -40°, which is incredible!

Water will not freeze, and a good heating element will keep the water totally free of chunks of ice and ice sheets so that it can be used by birds of all kinds.

How Much Will I Pay For Electricity To Operate A Heated Bird Bath?

Are you concerned about the rising cost of your electricity?

Actually, most heated bird baths only consume between 50 and 75 watts of power.

That's about the same as a lightbulb's wattage. The cost of using a light bulb is around a penny an hour if you're familiar with the subject.

Since the winter is about 100 days long, you'd have to pay an additional $24 in electricity costs to have your heated birdbath running all year.

You don't have to have the heater on all the time, but that doesn't mean you should. Running it for eight hours a day for the whole of the winter will only cost you $8.

Only one birdbath I've seen that utilizes 150 W of energy has caught my eye. As a result, this model costs twice as much to run as it does to produce power.

Does A Heated Birdbath Use A Lot Of Electricity?

Thermostatically regulated heated birdbaths consume very little electricity. Using a thermostat feature, the heater can only be used when it is absolutely necessary (e.g. when the air temperature drops below 32 F).

How Do You Keep A Birdbath From Freezing?

If you already have a birdbath and want to use it in the winter, you can install a deicer in it. Alternatively, a heated birdbath will keep the water from freezing.

Why are heated bird baths important? 

Birdbaths are one of the best ways to attract birds all year round, and you can expect a broader variety of species to visit them than feeders.

Due to the fact that every bird needs a place to drink and bathe, but only a limited number of "feeder" birds are able to stop by your feeders for your food.

The provision of heated open water sources also aids the survival of birds. Winter is a particularly taxing time for birds since they are always on the prowl for new water sources. When the temperature dips below freezing, finding water that isn't frozen can be quite difficult.

Why won’t birds come to my bird bath? 

Your bird bath may not be clean or the water may not be fresh if birds aren't visiting it. Using a 9:1 water to vinegar ratio, scrub the basin thoroughly and replenish it with new water.


Conclusion

When it comes to choosing a birdbath, you should already be aware of these six factors. However, based on your preferences and requirements, you may not need to pay attention to them all.

As previously said, a low price may not be a deciding element in your decision-making process. The power supply may not be an issue if you reside in a warmer environment.

Consider your surroundings, your own needs, and other things that are essential to you while selecting the most crucial aspects to focus on.

A good warranty is a must-have. There are exceptions, such as when you know you can readily replace it.

Alternately, check to see if the design fulfills your expectations in terms of appearance. To get a bath that's perfect for your requirements, combine this with the correct materials and power source.

Finally…

Use this guide as a starting point. It doesn't have to be a set of rigid guidelines. Adapt it to fit your personality and use it to help you think and make decisions.


4.5
2 ratings