The influence of thermal lens effect in LD end-pumped α-cut Nd∶GdVO4 self-Raman laser on output characteristics was studied. The thermal lens effect in a CW Nd∶GdVO4 self-Raman laser was measured under diode end-pumping at 808 and 879 nm by using lateral shear interferometry. Thermal lens values were obtained at different wavelengths. Meanwhile,thermal lens effect of the first-Stokes scattered light was observed by CCD camera. Experimental results show that thermal lens effects of laser crystal pumped at 879 nm is smaller than that pumped at 808 nm. To verify these results,the Raman light and the fundamental light under diode end-pumping at 808 nm and 879 nm in the experiment were studied. Raman lights with the maximum output powers of 1.4 W and 1.6 W were obtained under two different pumping lights. When the pump power exceeds 20 W,Raman laser pumped at 808 nm shows significant reduction. At the same time,the fundamental lights at 879 nm and 808 nm were studied,and the corresponding output slope efficiencies are 38% and 27.5%. The difference of outputs is not obvious under small power pumping. The output pumped at 879 nm is obvious under high power pumping. Experimental and theoretical analysis shows that 879 nm pumping can enhance the quantum efficiency of Nd∶GdVO4 laser.