Gardner Pet Fountain vs PETKIT EverSweet: Cordless Battery or Wireless Pump?

The short version

Most of this choice comes down to one word: wireless. On a PETKIT EverSweet, “wireless” means the pump has no cable. It gets power by induction from a base that stays plugged in by USB. The PETKIT EverSweet 3 Pro listing on Amazon says outright “NOT cordless”, and PETKIT’s own FAQ for the Solo SE says it has to stay plugged in. The Gardner Pet Cordless 3.8 L fountain is the one here with a built-in battery (5,000 mAh), so it is the only one that can sit away from an outlet.

Once that is settled, the PETKIT models compete on features. The Solo SE is the no-app option. The 3 Pro adds a stainless steel tank and app-controlled flow modes. We have not tested any of these fountains. This comparison uses the Amazon listings, PETKIT’s product pages, and the user manuals linked from the listings.

Side by side

Gardner Pet’s other fountain, the USB-powered Vortex 1-gallon, would be the closest Gardner match for the Solo SE. On Oct 19, 2026, its Amazon listing showed it as currently unavailable with no featured offer, so we have left it out of the main cards. If it comes back, our Gardner Pet Cordless vs Vortex comparison covers how it differs from the cordless model.

Power and placement: only the Gardner runs without an outlet

Start where your cat already drinks. If there is no outlet there, or a cord across the floor would get chewed or tripped over, the Gardner Cordless is the only fountain on this page built for that. Its listing says it keeps running on battery when the power goes out, and Gardner claims “over 30 days” of battery use. That claim depends on use, and we have not checked it.

Both PETKIT fountains need their base plugged in all the time. What the wireless pump gives you instead is easier handling. The tank lifts off the powered base, so the part you carry to the sink has no cable attached. That is a cleaning advantage, not a placement one. Neither PETKIT box includes a USB wall adapter, so budget for one, or check that you have a 5 V 1 A adapter spare.

During a power cut, PETKIT says the 3 Pro keeps about 60 ml of water in its tray. That is a small reserve of standing water, not circulation. The Solo SE lists no reserve. PETKIT’s own comparison table lists a plug-in/battery option only for its larger EverSweet Max 2, which this page does not cover.

Flow behavior and control

The three fountains handle flow in three different ways.

• Gardner Cordless: choose sensor or continuous flow while plugged in. On battery it runs in sensor mode only, so water moves when a pet comes near. A cat that only drinks from water that is already moving may not take to that.
• EverSweet Solo SE: one continuous mode. PETKIT’s FAQ says the flow cannot be adjusted. The manual says the light flashes three times at power-on, then stays off while the water runs, and flashes blue when water is low and the pump has stopped.
• EverSweet 3 Pro: smart mode runs the pump in cycles (the manual’s default is 3 minutes on and 3 minutes off, adjustable in the app), normal mode runs it continuously, and do-not-disturb pauses it during hours you choose. A pump that is resting in smart mode can look like a fault. Our fountain not pumping water guide starts with that check.

Steel parts: which part is stainless matters

“Stainless steel fountain” can mean different parts. Here is what each brand lists:

• The Gardner Cordless has a stainless steel drinking tray, the surface the cat’s chin touches.
• The EverSweet 3 Pro has a 304 stainless steel tank, but PETKIT’s comparison table lists its tray as food-grade ABS. Its full materials list is ABS, silicone, 304 stainless steel, and PP.
• The EverSweet Solo SE is ABS and silicone, with no steel parts.

If you care most about the surface your cat drinks from, the Gardner’s tray is the steel one. If you care most about the tank, the 3 Pro is the steel one. None of these three has both.

Capacity and refills

The Gardner Cordless holds more than twice as much water as either PETKIT model. PETKIT’s own estimates are about 8 to 10 days for 1 to 2 cats with the Solo SE, and 5 to 7 days with the 3 Pro. Those are brand figures, and real use will vary. More water between refills does not mean you can clean less often. All three brands still expect regular cleaning and monthly filter changes.

Filters, spare parts, and running costs

Both PETKIT models use PETKIT Filter Unit 3.0, and PETKIT’s product pages suggest changing it about every 4 weeks. Our PETKIT filter schedule guide explains how the replacement interval changes between smart and normal mode, and how to reset the filter light. Both Amazon listings name the same spare part, PETKIT’s replacement wireless pump (B0B2DM5Q7N), so a failed pump can be swapped without replacing the whole fountain. Our fountain not pumping water guide lists the checks to run before buying one.

The Gardner Cordless also calls for monthly filter changes. Its listing is inconsistent about how many filters are in the box: the variant names say 5 or 10 filters, but the packing list says three. Confirm what you are getting before you pay extra for a bigger bundle. We did not find a replacement pump listed for the Gardner Cordless.

App features on the 3 Pro, and their limits

The 3 Pro connects to the PETKIT app over Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi. In the app you can switch modes, see filter life, and get low-water reminders. Remote control away from home needs another PETKIT “main” device within 8 m (26 ft), such as a PETKIT litter box or the Fresh Element Solo feeder. Without one, you have to be close to the fountain to use the app. If you will not use the app, the Solo SE gives you the same wireless-pump layout.

One more check: PETKIT’s own store now sells a UVC version of the 3 Pro. The Amazon listing we link (B09QRH6L3M) does not mention UVC, so confirm which version you are buying.

Track record and claims to treat with care

The Gardner Cordless first appeared on Amazon on October 5, 2026. That is too little ownership history to judge battery ageing or pump wear. Both PETKIT models have been sold for years. Even so, Amazon’s AI-generated review summaries for both PETKIT models describe mixed reliability and pump-life feedback, and the 3 Pro page showed a “frequently returned item” notice. Treat every quiet-pump figure (25 dB, under 25 dB) and battery-life figure here as a brand claim. We have not measured them.

Which one fits

• Choose the Gardner Pet Cordless if the fountain has to sit away from an outlet or keep running through short power cuts, and sensor-only flow on battery is acceptable.
• Choose the EverSweet Solo SE if there is an outlet nearby and one continuous mode is enough.
• Choose the EverSweet 3 Pro if there is an outlet nearby and you will actually use the stainless tank, the smart and do-not-disturb modes, and the app reminders.
• Choose none yet if you want a steel tray and a steel tank, need capacity for several large dogs, or will not keep up with monthly filters and pump cleaning.

Not sure which features matter? Our guide to choosing a cat water fountain walks through placement, capacity, materials, filters, and cleaning in order.