8 Best Pond Skimmers in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Keeping a pond clean can be a chore, so any piece of equipment you can add to make it easier on yourself is oftentimes the best way to go.

Pond skimmers capture debris in the pond before it has a chance to sink below the surface. The right one can make it so much easier on you by working to keep your pond clean before it has a chance to get dirty.

These reviews cover the best pond skimmers we could find to, hopefully, make choosing the best pond skimmer for your pond the easiest part of the task.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites for 2024

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Waterscapes International PS4500 Pond Skimmer	Skims a pond up to 600 sq ft Includes filter mat and basket Compatible with pumps from 2000 - 4000 GPH	Check Price
Best Value		Tetra In-Pond Skimmer	Includes replaceable filter pad and hoses Thorough instructions and easy installation 2-year limited warranty	Check Price
Premium Choice		Aquascape 43020 Signature Series Pond Skimmer	Includes fittings and debris net or basket The larger versions include a filter mat and overflow kit Lifetime warranty	Check Price
		OASE Swimskim Floating Pond Skimmer	Skims ponds up to 270 sq ft Doesn’t require a separate pump Self-adjusting to water level	Check Price
		Atlantic Water Gardens Spillway & Skimmer Kit	Spillway and skimmer kit Skims ponds up to 600 sq ft Works with pumps from 2000 - 4000 GPH	Check Price

The 8 Best Pond Skimmers

1. Waterscapes International PS4500 Pond Skimmer – Best Overall

The best overall pond skimmer is the Waterscapes International PS4500 Pond Skimmer, which can skim a pond up to 600 sq ft. It’s compatible with pumps that filter 2,000–4,000 GPH and includes a filter mat, basket, and silicone. The lid is removable for easy access and cleaning and Waterscapes International offers a lifetime warranty on the body of the skimmer. It includes thorough instructions and easy installation.

The lid of this skimmer may begin to warp over time, but this can often be disguised with landscaping. Also, the included leaf basket is not always fully functional and may require some tweaking.

2. Tetra In-Pond Skimmer – Best Value

The best pond skimmer for the money is the Tetra In-Pond Skimmer, which is affordable and functional. This skimmer can support ponds from 500–1,000 gallons and works with pumps that process 550–1,900 GPH. It includes a replaceable filter pad and the hoses and connectors needed to get it working. It includes thorough instructions and is easy to install. It includes a limited 2-year warranty through Tetra.

The included filter basket doesn’t fit into the housing well, but it will still function correctly if not seated. Also, the location of the hose connections may be difficult to reach once the skimmer is installed, so you may have to plan its location around this.

3. Aquascape 43020 Signature Series Pond Skimmer – Premium Choice

If you’re in the market for a more premium product, the Aquascape 43020 Signature Series Pond Skimmer may be the product you’re looking for. This pond skimmer is available in three sizes for ponds up to 1,000 sq ft and pumps up to 10,000 GPH. It includes all necessary fittings, as well as a debris net in the 200 version and a debris basket in the 400 and 1,000 versions. The 400 and 1,000 versions also include a filter mat and overflow kit. Aquascape offers a lifetime warranty on these skimmers.

These skimmers are a premium price, so be prepared to invest in one of these products. Some people feel that for the price, this skimmer should also include the pump, but it does not.

4. OASE Swimskim Floating Pond Skimmer

The OASE Swimskim Floating Pond Skimmer is a great pick if you’re attempting to retrofit a small pond with a skimmer. This skimmer includes a built-in pump and floats on the surface of the pond, self-adjusting as water levels change. All you have to do to install this skimmer is plug it in and drop it in. It has an integrated aerator that helps increase the oxygen levels in your pond. This product is compact enough for the smallest ponds.

For this skimmer to work properly, the pond should be at least 16 inches deep. This skimmer has to be cleaned regularly, and many people find themselves needing to empty the basket daily. This is not a good option for ponds with heavy surface debris, like leaves.

5. Atlantic Water Gardens Spillway & Skimmer Kit

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive kit, the Atlantic Water Gardens Spillway & Skimmer Kit is a good pick. This skimmer skims ponds up to 600 sq ft and works with pumps from 2,000–4,000 GPH. It includes a biological waterfall spillway, filter mats, and baskets. The housing for the skimmer and the spillway both has a lifetime warranty covering them.

This skimmer doesn’t include any kind of camouflage to help it blend into your pond environment, so you may have difficulty disguising it. This kit is a premium price, so it is an investment to purchase, and it doesn’t include a pump for the price.

6. EasyPro PS4E Eco-Series Prelude Pond Skimmer

The EasyPro PS4E Eco-Series Prelude Pond Skimmer is a good pick for prefab ponds and retrofitting. It works for ponds up to 600 sq feet and pumps up to 1,800 GPH. This skimmer includes a filter mat and removable filter basket. It requires a tool-free installation, guaranteeing that even the most inexperienced installers can perform this installation at home themselves.

The interior compartment for the pump is slightly smaller than some other models, so finding the right pump to fit this skimmer may be difficult. The size and shape of this skimmer may allow for some debris to float past and not get pulled into the skimmer. Some people report being able to remedy this by adjusting the skimmer’s depth or location in the pond, but it may not work well for ponds of all shapes and sizes.

7. Jebao SK-30 Floating Pond Skimmer

The Jebao SK-30 Floating Pond Skimmer is a hassle-free option for pond skimming for ponds up to 1,500 gallons. This skimmer includes a built-in pump and floats on the surface of the pond, allowing it to self-adjust to the water’s depth. All you have to do to install this skimmer is snap the pieces together, plug it in, and drop it into the pond.

The design of this skimmer requires routine cleaning and will likely require daily emptying. The pieces may be difficult to properly snap together, which can make the initial setup of this skimmer frustrating for some people. Because this skimmer floats, it may catch floating plants and require manual declogging. If you have delicate floating plants, this may not work well for your pond.

8. The Pond Guy ClearSkim Skimmer

The Pond Guy ClearSkim Skimmer is a nice pick for ponds up to 250 sq ft, or around 3,000 gallons. This skimmer can work with pumps up to 5,000 GPH and includes a filter mat, debris net, and all necessary fittings for installation. This skimmer does have replacement parts available through the manufacturer, which may be difficult to find for other skimmers.

This is a premium price skimmer and does not include a pump. It also doesn’t include the necessary hoses for installation. The weir door opening for debris entry is smaller than the weir doors for many other designs of skimmers.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Pond Skimmer

Why Do You Need a Skimmer for Your Pond?

Pond skimmers are often overlooked but they can be an excellent addition to the cleaning gear for a pond. This is especially true if your pond is prone to picking up large amounts of floating debris. Ponds that are located under trees are prone to collecting leaves and acorns, while those containing koi or goldfish may have uneaten food that can foul the water. Even if your pond is located near grass, it may catch grass clippings and other yard waste. The addition of a skimmer helps to grab all this surface debris and keep it safely put away until you clean the skimmer. This reduces the number of things in the water that may foul it or add to algae growth or sludge.

Understanding How a Skimmer Works

Just reading about the function of a pond skimmer can be confusing, so here’s a video that shows you how a skimmer works and why pond skimmers are important but often overlooked.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, these reviews have condensed the information about pond skimmers down for you and helped you narrow the field to what type of product you need for your pond. The best overall pond skimmer is the Waterscapes International PS4500 Pond Skimmer because of its sturdy design and functionality. If you’re on a tighter budget, though, then the Tetra In-Pond Skimmer is another functional option that can suit your budget. A pond skimmer can make cleaning and maintenance easier on you and create better water quality for your pond’s inhabitants.