The best garden wind spinners spark new ideas and encourage upbeat feelings. This form of garden décor has its origins in Chinese culture and mid-century modern art. Kinetic art is epitomised by Alexander Calder's mobiles and like so many design ideas of the 20th-Century, has found its way into our everyday lives and our gardens. Taking the tubular steel furniture of the Bauhaus movement as a case-in-point, it may be almost 100 years old but would look en pointe in any modern garden.
Three-dimensional sculpture can be inexpensive and yet provide dramatic op art against the backdrop of your garden. Pair a mesmerising mandala with morphing movement in front of a garden mirror for a focus to meditate on. Or get your zenergy back with a lawn full of colourful windmills. Essentially a wind spinner has multiple spinning parts that create an optical illusion and reflect undulating colours. Similarly, there are mobiles, windmills and weathervanes that are transformed into pleasing, dynamic forms by the wind.
Best garden wind spinners at a glance
• Best overall garden wind spinner: SteadyDoggie Emerald Wind Spinner - View on Amazon UK
• Best handmade wind spinner: Burghley Bronze Garden Wind Sculpture - View on Etsy
• Best butterfly-themed wind spinners: Viveta Butterfly Garden Wind Spinners - View on Amazon UK
• Best sunflower wind spinner: Glixoft Sunflower Wind Spinners - View on Amazon UK
Amongst the blousy peonies, abounding wisteria, and lolling heads of plump roses, why not turn your garden into a mini sculpture park? Create new shadows, reflections and movement with sunflower, rainbow, and bird-themed wind spinners. Imagine a rippling metallic heart shape popping against copper garden décor; sensory enjoyment is so good for unblocking emotional stress. Additionally, your outdoor art gallery can extend into the evening with light-up kinetic sculptures that are charged by the sun during the day.
Catch a gleam on a dull day, and even keep pesky pigeons at bay, garden wind spinners are an inexpensive garden accessory that adds colour and year-round interest. Also, a cute whirligig makes an excellent gift for a loved one who spends a lot of time in the garden. As much as possible, we try to recommend products that are made from sustainable materials and produced ethically. If we've peaked your creativity and you want to get hands-on with your garden décor, scroll to the FAQs at the end of this article. Otherwise, prepare to be blown away. Once you begin your moving sculpture collection it's difficult not to become that person whose front garden is full of windmills and pinwheels.
Best garden wind spinners
Best overall garden wind spinner
SteadyDoggieIt's a little bit arty with a touch of spiritual steampunk - and the Wind Spinner Emerald is enormously popular on Amazon - making it a winner in our books too. There's something very soothing about its steady spin that reduces stress.
This hand-crafted wind spinner is made of durable metal and has been finished with azure powder coating. Position on your lawn for a perfect addition to your outdoor art gallery. This stands at a striking 1.55 metres tall, while the spinner itself measures in at 33cm in diameter.
Pros
- Attractive, with an arty and charming design
- Robust to withstand all kinds of weather
Cons
- Some reviews comment on problems with the fitting nut
| Dimensions: | H155 x W33 x D8cm |
| Material: | Metal |
- Easy assembly with a choice of heights
- SteadyDoggie have an environmental focus with their products
Best handmade wind spinner
Burghley Bronzewww.etsy.com
You could totally transform a drab lawn with this Bronze Garden Wind Sculpture which makes for a striking centrepiece to your garden sculpture park. This not just adds visual interest, but will create a talking point at your next garden soirée.
This quality wind spinner has received thousands of positive reviews on Etsy and because it's made from premium materials, it stands to last longer throughout all weather conditions. Position anywhere with its sturdy ground stake and elevate the ambience of your plot.
Pros
- Striking choice that creates a focal point
- Handmade by a five-star Etsy seller
Cons
- Note the dimensions, it's large
| Dimensions: | H213 x W61cm |
| Material: | Powder coated metal |
- Rust-proof
- Handmade by a small business in the UK
Best butterfly-themed wind spinners
VivetaWe're fans of this pair of whimsical wind spinners that offer a delicate and elegant design to brighten up a spot in your outdoor space. The theme of butterflies for a wind spinner makes perfect sense to us, and we like the lilac, teal, and gold colour scheme.
This have a sturdy metal stake with a pronged base to stick firmly into the ground, or the soil in a container, and can be left out year-round thanks to the rust-resistant materials. These have a diameter of 32cm. Reviewers are pleased they spin even in the slightest breeze.
Pros
- Reviewers say they spin well with a light breeze
- Sturdy, pronged base metal stake
Cons
- Only available in one set of colours
Best sunflower wind spinner
Glixoft Manifest happiness for yourself and those around you with the cheerful Sunflower Wind Spinners. These colourful little pinwheels are lovely lawn decorations, making the summer holidays that much sunnier. Say hooray, happy days are here to stay and use them as inexpensive garden party decoration.
Alternatively, spruce up your pots and planters with this set of two pinwheels - ideal if you have a dull balcony that needs jollifying. These sunflower wind spinners will help you to start every day with sunshine in your heart. Reviewers rate them as cheap and cheerful.
Pros
- These work well placed in pots and containers
- Ideal to add cheer to summer garden parties
Cons
- Primarily constructed from plastic
| Dimensions: | 38.6 x 25.9 x 4.8cm |
| Material: | Plastic |
- Made of high quality PVC - nontoxic and durable
- Safe around children
Best wind spinner for a range of colours
FONMYLike a Magic Eye picture this rainbow red wind spinner pairs colour therapy with a pulsing effect that is deeply meditative. The FONMY Wind Spinner 3D Hanging Garden Decoration has an S-shaped hook that allows for 360-degree rotation.
Additionally, a huge range of wonderful colours and patterns are available, including mandala-effect and kaleidoscope. Hang it from your balcony, a tree or a fence - and make even the bleakest day feel a bit sunnier. Reviewers describe this as absolutely mesmerising.
Pros
- Durable, rust-proof and weather resistant
- Wonderful range of colours and designs available
Cons
- Some reviewers thought it was going to be larger than it actually was
| Dimensions: | 30.5 x 30.5 x 0.5cm |
| Material: | Stainless steel |
- Available in an array of colours
- Long-lasting - coated with UV protection
Best light-up wind spinner
SteadyDoggie A must-have for lovers of steampunk. This Solar Wind Spinner Jewel Cup is coated with a bronze powder finish which gives it an antique charm. Let your imagination run wild as the multi-colour LED light charges with solar energy by day to give you a stunning light show at night.
As if by magic, the solar-powered glass ball casts enchanting illumination and the dual blades rotate in opposite directions for mesmerising effect. It's little wonder this wind sculpture has been very highly praised on Amazon, even the bright jewels catching the sun are a spectacle for those who love to day-dream.
Pros
- Eye-catching colour-changing effects
- Doesn't require wiring as it's solar-powered
Cons
- Could be fragile in strong wind
| Dimensions: | 36 x 20 x 190cm |
| Material: | Alloy steel, glass |
- SteadyDoggie have an environment focus which is why this wind spinner is solar-powered
- Some assembly required
Best novelty wind spinner
CIMFly like the wind and feel as free as a bird with the CIM Wind Spinner. Reviewers like that this can be hung as a mobile or attached to a stake so it's freestanding in the ground. The flexible stake pivots with the wind so your parrot looks like it's riding the air current with glee.
Say yes to a bit of fun and exotic vibrancy - it's a small and simple way to bring a smile to someone's face. Additionally, children are going to love the other creatures in this range - and this could be the perfect finishing touch to a sand pit or a fort.
Pros
- Flexible positioning - can be hung or freestanding
- Other creatures available to create a collection
Cons
- Not as sturdy as some other wind spinners
| Dimensions: | 35.7 x 33.29 x 4.4cm |
| Material: | Laminated canvas and break-resistant fibreglass |
- Range of creatures available
- Manufactured sustainably and ethically
Best vintage-style wind spinner
The Fun Garden Company www.etsy.com
Standing the same height as a person, this impressive Blenheim Verdigris Garden Wind Sculpture evokes Victoriana vibes. Making the ideal accessory for an Alice In Wonderland-style tea party, this kinetic sculpture is both whimsical and elegant.
With its tulip shape, it would suit a large traditional garden, making for a focal point amongst garden growth. Reviewers love this kinetic sculpture, saying it turns very easily in the wind. We think it's ideal for your croquet lawn!
Pros
- Sturdy design that stands at nearly two metres tall
- Adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor space
Cons
- Note the product dimensions - this is best suited to large gardens
| Dimensions: | H192 x W43cm |
| Material: | Powder-coated metal |
- Handmade
- Made by a small UK business
How we chose the best garden wind spinners
All of these garden wind spinners have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the size, design, and kinetic action in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching all types of outdoor spinners to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
FAQs
What should I consider when buying a garden wind spinner?
First, there are all sorts of reasons why you might be buying a wind spinner. For some, it's purely a decorative device to brighten up the garden. It might be a gift for a loved one who has a particular passion for motorbikes or sunflowers. Also, a wind spinner might be for a memorial and therefore has a poignancy about the style you choose. Consider the size of the wind spinner and bear in mind its scale in relation to your garden. Like a garden statue, an oversized ornament will make a small space feel cluttered.
Style is the essential factor, for example, you may be looking for a tasteful and traditional garden accessory rather than a bright and bold spinner.
Finally, if you want to display your wind spinner outside all year round, opt for a product that's made from a weatherproof material, such as powder-coated steel. Also, where you position the wind spinner is important too, a more fragile piece is best in a sheltered spot. You could hang it from a tree, balcony, lamp or wall. Additionally, there are some freestanding wind spinners stakes so you can position them in a planter or on the lawn.
How do I create my own garden accessories?
At Modern Gardens we're passionate about sustainability. We can all do better and reduce, reuse and recycle. It can be fun too. We all get through a lot of glass bottles each month, be it wine, beer, soft drinks or condiments. Instead of tossing them into the recycling, make something unique with them to style up your outside living space. Clare Howcutt-Kelly explains how to upcycle empty glass bottles into fabulous bottle lights for the garden that'll gently sway in the wind.
Bottle Lights
You will need:
Selection of wine bottles
Safety goggles and gloves
Bottle cutter
Sandpaper
Galvanised wire
Tea lights
What to do:
1. Make a mark on each bottle where you want to cut off the base.
2. Put the gloves and safety goggles on to protect from any stray shards of glass.
3. Position each bottle in the cutter and follow the instructions carefully. Sand off any rough edges after cutting.
4. Set the bottles aside and measure out three lengths of wire roughly twice the length of your bottles. Curl the wire into spirals by winding around the bottle neck.
5. Slightly stretch out the spirals and slide up into each of the bottles and feed through the bottle neck. Pop the tea lights on the bottom spiral inside each bottle.
6. Attach the lengths of wire to a piece of suspended string or sturdy tree branch.
What to read next:
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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.