Purpose <p>This study conducts a comprehensive comparative analysis of the global dynamics and performance characteristics of a geometrically nonlinear vibration energy harvester (VEH) subjected to a harmonic ambient excitation across various multi-well configurations.</p> Methods <p>Static bifurcation analysis of the VEH dynamic system is employed to configure double-, triple- and quadruple-well systems within the VEH dynamic framework. The method of multiple scales and the averaging method are utilized to analyze the intra-well and inter-well resonant responses, respectively. Numerical validation is achieved via the fourth-order Runge–Kutta approach and the cell-mapping method, yielding phase portraits, Poincaré maps, frequency spectra and basins of attraction (BAs) to verify theoretical predictions and elucidate global dynamical and energetic properties.</p> Results and Conclusions <p>It is found that inter-well periodic responses manifest across broader frequency bands and at lower excitation thresholds in double- and quadruple-well configurations compared to triple-well systems. Comparative performance analysis reveals that VEH output depends not only on attractor characteristics but also significantly on the BAs of the coexisting attractors. Under low excitation levels with initial conditions away from extremal well centers, quad-stable systems outperform bistable configurations. However, High excitation strengths favor the performance of bistable VEH systems. Complex dynamical phenomena including higher-order periodic attractors, chaotic regimes, tri-stable inter-well responses, fractal BAs, and rare/hidden attractors can be observed. These results offer potential value for optimizing the design of geometrically nonlinear vibration energy harvesters with multiple-well configurations.</p>