Everything You Need to Know About the Best Sump Pumps
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Superior Pump 91250 1/4 HP Sump Pump -
WAYNE CDU980E 3/4 HP Sump Pump -
DEKOPRO 1HP 3302GPH 750W Sump Pump -
Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Sump Pump -
AgiiMan Pool Cover Sump Pump -
Buyer's Guide
If you have a basement that occasionally or regularly floods, you would benefit from a sump pump. The right sump pump will remove excess water from your basement quickly and quietly.
There are many types of sump pumps with different power sources, switches, and horsepower. To choose the best sump pump, you can research what features are available and what will best suit your specific needs. We will discuss this later in the article.
First, you should check out our list of the best sump pumps in 2022. We have done extensive research to bring you the best products around. Continue reading to see our recommendations below.
Superior Pump 91250 1/4 HP Sump Pump
- Available in stainless steel or thermoplastic
- Available in different horsepowers
- 10-foot power cord
- Some products are sent without cooling oil. Ensure your product has cooling oil before first use
WAYNE CDU980E 3/4 HP Sump Pump
- Durable stainless steel
- Automatic float switch
- It pumps out a lot of gallons per hour
- It uses a lot of power to run at full capacity.
DEKOPRO 1HP 3302GPH 750W Sump Pump
- Can pump high volumes of water per hour
- Automatic switch
- Does not rust
- There is no output suitable for a garden hose
Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Sump Pump
- Made from durable thermoplastic
- Can pump a lot of water and small debris
- Automatic float switch
- Many customers have found that the float switch doesn’t work well on this device.
AgiiMan Pool Cover Sump Pump
- Lets water in from all sides
- Sturdy ABS shell
- Long power cord
- It takes a long time to empty a large pool
Best Sump Pumps of 2022 Reviewed in Detail
Superior Pump 91250 1/4 HP Sump Pump - Best Overall
Superior Pump makes a steel utility pump or a thermoplastic pump. The thermoplastic sump pump comes with various horsepowers, including 0.5 HP, ⅓ HP, ¼ HP, and ⅕ HP. The thermoplastic pump contains durable stainless steel hardware. It is a manual pump that is turned on and off at an AC power source. It has a 10 foot power cord. The 0.5 HP model can pump up to 3300 gallons per hour and up to 25 feet high. The steel utility pump is available in 0.25 HP 1 HP or ⅓ HP. The ⅓ HP stainless steel model moves up to 3300 gallons up to 30 feet in the air.
- Available in stainless steel or thermoplastic
- Available in different horsepowers
- 10-foot power cord
- Some products are sent without cooling oil. Ensure your product has cooling oil before first use
WAYNE CDU980E 3/4 HP Sump Pump - Runner Up
This sump pump is a ¾ HP submersible stainless steel sump pump. It is a corded electric device and has a 7.5-inch power cord. The vertical float switch will automatically turn on the sump pump when the water level reaches a certain point and automatically turn it off when the water recedes to an acceptable level. This device's maximum flow rate is 77 gallons per minute which equates to 4620 gallons per hour. Wayne also makes a smart pump that you can connect to your smart devices to receive updates on changes, such as when your pump turns on and off. You can also monitor your pump’s performance in the same way.
- Durable stainless steel
- Automatic float switch
- It pumps out a lot of gallons per hour
- It uses a lot of power to run at full capacity.
DEKOPRO 1HP 3302GPH 750W Sump Pump - Honorable Mention
This sump pump has a 1 HP motor that can pump up to 3302 gallons of water per hour. It won’t be blocked by any items under 1 inch in diameter. It lifts water as high as 16 feet. There are three fitting spacers to use where you can attach pipes or hoses for the water outflow, depending on how much outflow is created. This device has an automatic float switch that will activate when the water in your sump pit rises to 4.7 inches. Likewise, it will automatically switch off when the water depletes beneath this level. In addition, this product has an oil-free motor requiring little maintenance. The motor is also quiet when in use. Thanks to the thermoplastic used to make this product, it will not rust as there are no exposed metal parts.
- Can pump high volumes of water per hour
- Automatic switch
- Does not rust
- There is no output suitable for a garden hose
Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Sump Pump - Contender
This submersible sump pump is an automatic model which uses a float switch. When the water level rises to a certain point, the float switch will activate the pump. When the water level depletes, it turns the pump off. The thermoplastic base ensures a durable design and a rust-free life. In addition, the cast iron switch is durable and won’t stick. This sump pump can pump up to 43 gallons per minute, which pumps up to 2580 gallons per hour. In addition, it can pump up to 15 feet high at 1140 gallons per hour. This sump pump will also pump small pieces of debris of up to ½ inches in size. This product is available to buy as a singular item or in a pack of two or three.
- Made from durable thermoplastic
- Can pump a lot of water and small debris
- Automatic float switch
- Many customers have found that the float switch doesn’t work well on this device.
AgiiMan Pool Cover Sump Pump - Also Consider
This sump pump is made to drain swimming pools. This above-ground pool pump has a sturdy ABS shell which will protect the pump from harsh weather conditions. The pump is surrounded by mesh screens that let water in from all sides. This pump has a temperature safety control that prevents burnout when it is not receiving enough water. This device can drain up to 850 gallons per hour and comes with three different nozzles to attach three different types of hoses to the device. A hose is included in the price. In addition, it has a massive 25-foot power cord keeping you safe and shock-free.
- Lets water in from all sides
- Sturdy ABS shell
- Long power cord
- It takes a long time to empty a large pool
Buyer's Guide
What is a sump pump?
A sump is a pit under your basement floor. Its purpose is to prevent your basement from flooding. When the sump becomes too full, the sump pump comes into play. A sump pump removes the water from the pit and away from your home.
Sump pumps usually possess a float switch that will turn the pump on when it floats to a certain height. Then, when the water has drained enough, the switch will move back down and turn the pump off.
Alternatively, a sump pump may have a pressure sensor that turns on when enough pressure builds due to the water and turns off when the pressure relinquishes to a suitable level.
Internal pipes lead the excess water to an outside drain. These pipes contain valves that prevent the water from moving back up the pipes.
Things to consider when choosing a sump pump
Choosing the best sump pump for your needs might seem like a daunting task. However, by considering the following factors, you will find the perfect product in no time.
How much horsepower do you need?
To figure out what horsepower you need, work out how much water you need to pump per hour and how high you need the water pumped to get out of the basement. The further the water needs to be pumped, the less water it will pump per hour.
A higher horsepower sump pump will use more electricity and therefore cost more to run. If you opt for a sump pump with high horsepower, you may need a wider discharge pipe to accommodate the increased water flow.
Submersible or pedestal pump
Submersible pumps are reliable and have plenty of horsepower to pump out large amounts of water to keep your basement dry. If you have a shallow basement prone to flooding, the best pump for a basement like this is a submersible pump.
A pedestal pump is noisy and sticks out above the ground. Therefore, it does not perform as well as a submersible pump. However, a pedestal pump is less expensive and easier to reach and repair than a submersible pump. Due to it being predominantly above the water, a pedestal pump is also less likely to rust.
If you can afford the extra expense, we recommend buying a submersible pump simply because it will outperform a pedestal pump.
Combination sump pump
A combination sump pump has a backup pump that starts working when there is a power outage. The spare sump pump runs on a large battery. A regular pump needs electricity to work.
Manual sump pump
You may want to purchase a manual sump pump. A manual sump pump is activated by plugging its power cord into an electrical outlet. These pumps are mostly used for manually draining basements, pools, and similar applications. Consider coupling a manual sump pump with a piggyback switch to allow for automatic operation.
Automatic sump pump
An automatic sump pump has a switch or float that automatically turns the pump on when water reaches a certain level. This switch can be activated by reaching a certain height or by the amount of pressure applied due to large amounts of water. The switch will automatically turn the pump off when the water reduces to an acceptable level.
Most people opt for an automatic sump pump because it saves you from going down into a wet basement. It will also take care of excess water when you are not home.
Electronic or diaphragm switches
An alternative to a floating switch is an electronic or diaphragm switch. These switches register the levels of water via metal probes. When water touches the probe, it turns the pump on. Likewise, when water no longer touches the off probe, the pump will turn off.
The benefit of using this type of switch is the lack of moving parts. A floating switch can get stuck and prevent the pump from turning on or off. With an electrical or diaphragm switch, you will not have this problem.
An issue that may arise with an electrical switch is that if your water contains a lot of calcium, it will cause a layer of buildup on the probes, which will affect their ability to feel the water.
Basin diameter
Measure the diameter of your sump pit at its narrowest point. If you buy a sump pump with a wide-angle switch, you must ensure that the switch has enough space to maneuver. If the switch gets stuck on the wall, the pump won’t turn off, and you will have a large electricity bill to pay. Even worse, it could get stuck on the wall on the way up and won’t turn the sump pump on, allowing flooding and a lot of damage.
Power cord length
The power cord needs to be long enough to reach a power socket without using an extension lead. Measure the distance between your sump pit and the power socket to ensure you buy the right length of cord.
Customer reviews
To ensure you get the best product possible, read the customer reviews of the sump pump you want to buy. With so many products on the market, you can afford to only buy a sump pump with predominantly positive reviews.
Warranty
Make sure the sump pump you choose has a long warranty that covers all the sump pump parts. A manufacturer that provides a long warranty has faith in the quality of its product.
How we choose the best sump pump
To choose the best sump pump, we consider how much water the device can pump up per hour, how far it can pump the water, its power source, and the switch type. We also considered whether the pump is good-value-for money. We read countless verified customer reviews to ensure we only recommend the most reliable and popular products, and we only recommend products we would purchase ourselves.
Sump pump price range
When purchasing a sump pump, you should budget between $40 and $800. This is a large price range, but the price you pay really depends on how much water you need to pump and how quickly you need to do so.
Sump Pump FAQ
Q: Is it ok to drain my laundry softener into my sump basin?
A: It is not recommended that you drain your laundry softener into your sump basin because the chemicals and debris can affect probes and floats from turning the sump pump on and off.
Q: Can I use a sump pump for a pond, waterfall, or garden aeration?
A: No, you should not use a sump pump for a pond, waterfall, or garden aeration. A sump pump is not designed to run continuously. It may overheat and break. In addition, the oil from the sump pump will likely kill animal and plant life in your pond.
Q: Why won’t my sump pump stop working?
A: If your sump pump stops working, it is most likely because a switch is stuck in the on position. If your sump pump uses a float switch, it is probably stuck on something preventing it from moving downwards. If your sump pump uses an electrical switch, it may have a build-up of chemicals preventing the off switch from registering a lack of water.
