What To Look For in a Garden Wind Spinners
In this guide we’ll take a look at the best garden wind spinners.
We’ve compared durability, ease of installation, design and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
Every product we recommend is carefully researched, fact checked and tested where possible. If you buy from a link, we may earn a small commission. Learn more.
In this guide we’ll take a look at the best garden wind spinners.
We’ve compared durability, ease of installation, design and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
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This decorative Creekwood Blenheim Wind Spinner is just as much a sculpture as a mesmerising spinner.
It’s available in two colours, either Verdigris – a lighter green option with elements of copper showing through – or brushed copper – with a textured black and copper finish. Both options complement the garden in different ways and look great against the natural hues of the garden.
Standing at 192 cm tall, this is a relatively large structure; the ‘flower bud’ top measures 43 x 43 cm which is why this works as an impressive and visually-interesting sculpture on top of being a lovely spinner.
The spinning actions itself is slow and smooth. The bearing inside allows the head of the spinner to move freely in very little wind, so there aren’t many days when you won’t be able to benefit from the decorative spinner in your garden.
Although it has the appearance of copper, this sculpture is actually made from powder-coated metal and is sturdy and robust. Minimal assembly is required on arrival, and there are four pronged ground stakes on the end of the spinner which help it stay firmly planted in the ground, even in relatively strong winds.
Overall, this is one of the best garden spinners if you want something minimalist and modern. It’s not too ‘busy’, and offers a soothing and relaxing element to the garden.
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If you want a piece that’s decorative during both the day and night, the Smart Garden Gemini Wind Spinner is an aesthetically charming structure that also lights up after dusk.
Containing a rechargeable battery and a solar panel, the power generated by sunlight during the day helps the central globe to illuminate when the sun goes down. It creates a bright light that phases through different colours, adding a point of interest after dark, and is a great focal point when entertaining guests.
Plus, if you don’t want the light on, there’s a simple switch to turn it off. It also charges well even on relatively overcast days.
The spinner itself is made of metal, realistically painted to resemble brushed copper. It consists of two turbines, fitted with eight spoon-shaped paddles each, that spin and catch the wind. It stands at approximately 130 cm tall and holds itself relatively firmly in the ground using the two prongs at the base.
Nevertheless, it’s still a little top heavy so the prongs do need to be securely buried, or weighted to hold it in place (particularly if you live in a windy area).
Considering that this is a relatively inexpensive spinner, it has a lot working in its favour. The quality of the construction is high and even the extra components, like the light, function well. The paddles spin freely creating an interesting aesthetic element in the garden, and all things considered it’s one of the best garden spinners available in terms of value for money.
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After something a little quirky for the garden? You might have found it in this Easy2eden Wise Owl Wind Rocker.
A wise brown owl, with glasses, a book, and a mortarboard hat sits atop an elegant metal structure. As the wind blows, a pendulum moves, causing the owl to rock backwards and forwards. The effect this creates is very charming, resulting in an animated owl who seems to be really enjoying a good book.
It’s 146 cm tall in total, including the ground spike, and made from a metal that has the effect of weather-beaten iron. It will fit in well with the majority of garden schemes, and contrasts nicely with greenery.
Although the rust-effect is pleasing, treating the metal on arrival, with some form of rust protector, might be a good idea to help increase its resilience against the weather and prevent further rust.
The owl itself is well made, and the supportive pole is reasonably sturdy, but it may need a little help standing up straight depending on how hard your soil is. Given that the structure is quite top-heavy, and there’s only one stake holding it into the ground, additional reinforcement might be required.
Not only is it a lovely object for those who are fond of slightly more unusual garden ornaments, it would also be a lovely item for anyone who collects owl-related paraphernalia.
A great option for either your own garden, or as a fun gift to give to someone else, this is one of the best garden spinners if you’re after something a little different and quirky. It’s interesting, well designed, and undeniably full of character.
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The Virgo Wind Spinner by Smart Garden is a great option if you’re working on a budget but still want quality decorations that don’t look budget at all.
Despite being the cheapest spinner featured here, this 120-centimetre-tall model is well designed, sturdily built, and beautifully finished.
Manufactured by the same company as the ‘Gemini Wind Spinner’ (also featured on this page) it shares a very similar design to that model, just without the solar light.
There are two turbines, which are approximately 27 cm wide, and each consist of eight spoon-shaped paddles. These connect to a sturdy stand with two spokes at the base. It moves well in light wind, and the turbines spin in opposite directions to create a relaxing and visually-interesting focal point in the garden.
All of the components are made from metal that has been painted to resemble brushed copper. The effect is subtle yet eye-catching, and complements the natural colours of the garden.
Although this is one of the best garden spinners to buy on a budget, it is not quite as well made as premium models would be (as you might expect). Extra reinforcements may be required to keep it secure in stronger winds, and the components can bend if care isn’t taken when assembling the pieces.
Even so, it’s a good item for the price, and a great way to get a visually-attractive spinner in the garden without having to spend a lot of money.
Once you’ve got the basics of your garden complete, you might want to start thinking about the finer, decorative details that you can add.
One possible option is a wind spinner. These structures add a decorative touch to the garden and come in a range of different styles. They can be relaxing and therapeutic to look at, as well as adding some dynamic, visual interest to your outside space.
Choosing the best garden wind spinner design will come down to personal preference a lot of the time, but there are other considerations to keep in mind that will affect its longevity, stability and function. We’ll take a look at these points in more detail below.
The wind spinner that you choose for your garden will naturally depend on your own style and design preferences. However, it’s worth talking about the different sorts of options available.
Spinners can rotate on either a horizontal or vertical axis, which creates a different type of aesthetic look. A spinner turning on a horizontal axis will result in a design that somewhat resembles a windmill. Spinners that use a vertical axis often have a more modern appearance.
There are also ‘rockers’ available, that don’t spin at all. These use the wind to create a bobbing, pendulum motion.
Some spinners are pushed into the ground with a stake, whilst others have a hanging hook. Hanging spinners are smaller, and more suitable for small gardens. They can also be installed in areas such as porches or patios.
You’ll also find that wind spinners come in a lot of different sizes. Certain standing models are quite large, perhaps larger than you would expect, and may overwhelm a small garden. Take note of the measurements carefully, and use a tape measure to help visualise the true size of the spinner before you buy it.
Taller wind spinners may catch the wind easily on still days, but they can also be less stable than shorter spinners due to their higher centre of gravity.
Metal wind spinners are often the most durable, but they need to be made of weather-resistant materials. The majority of metal wind spinners will be made from stainless steel because it is durable, inexpensive and doesn’t corrode. The spinning mechanism should last well without wearing out.
Wooden spinners are also available which have a more rustic appearance. They can often be painted as well, to fit in with specific colour schemes in the garden. As always, the main problem with wood is that it needs to be frequently treated to stop it from suffering from rot or insect infestations.
Finally, there are also many plastic spinners on the market. These aren’t particularly long lasting, but they can offer a cheap and easy way to add visual interest to the garden or house.
Wind spinners can be fitted with solar lights so that they add visual interest to the garden during both day and night.
This is something to consider if you like entertaining guests outside in summer, or just enjoy relaxing out there yourself in an ambient atmosphere.
For the most part, solar lights are extremely low maintenance, and small lights don’t require much sun at all to charge. You just need to make sure that the spinner is fitted with a rechargeable battery so that the solar power is stored until night.
The specific maintenance for your wind spinner will depend on what material it is made from. However, there are some general pointers to bear in mind too:
Some wind spinners do scare birds, especially if they have a lot of moving arms. However, a lot of birds get used to spinners after a while. If you want to use the spinner to scare birds, you may need to move it frequently to try to keep them on their toes.
Unlike wind chimes, wind spinners do not usually make a noticeable noise. However, some wind spinners have chimes attached, which should make a relaxing and gentle sound.
Most garden spinners have bearings inside which help them turn smoothly. Sometimes, they can stick and affect how freely the spinner moves. Using a oil lubricant on the bearings will help them move better and allow the spinner to turn smoothly.
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