Best Sump Pump Reviews and Ratings For 2020

​This model gets a 5 out of five for performance, a four for durability, a four for how versatile it is, a five for comfort, and a five for how much bang you get for your buck.

The pros of this pump are its two-year warranty, a volute made of cast iron, and a 1 1/2 NPT outlet for discharge. We like pumps that have a longer warranty like this one because you never know when the machine will give out or have a malfunction.

There's only one negative aspect of this pump and that is the motor housing made of thermoplastic. We prefer all our sump pump housing to be made of cast iron, but the Wayne SPV-800 will work just fine, even with a thermoplastic housing material. 

Overall this pump is highly regarded as the best to use as a basement pump. Pedestal pumps tend to be much taller and so they can lift and pump water from deeper basins. With a lift of twenty feet, it can pump 1,500 gallons of water every hour.

At a 10-foot lift this machine can pump up to three thousand gallons of water per hour. We give this pump a four for performance, a four on durability, a four on versatility, a four on comfort, and a four for bang for your buck.

The pros for this one are its three-year warranty, its assembly made of cast iron and a 1 1/2 NPT outlet for discharge.

The only negative aspect is that the pump is Chinese so it may be a hassle to get the warranty or replacement parts if anything were to happen. Just like the Wayne SPV-800, the Superior Pump 92301 will work just fine in any crawl space or basement. We obsess over the positive 1.5-inch NPT outlet because it will match most pipes. 

This gives the user clarity when making a purchasing decision since their home's pipes will more than likely fit the pump. The pump housing and the shaft are made of durable material, however, we cannot say the same about the motor. The pump weighs about twenty-five pounds which will allow it to remain stable in any sump measuring a minimum diameter of twelve inches.

​I am not going to write the full name of this spec every time so I will just call it the Flotec. This pump receives a four on performance, a 3 for durability, a three for versatility, a five in comfort, and a 4 for value/bang for your buck.

The pros are that it is very economical and it has a 1 1/4 NPT outlet for discharge. The negative side to it is the fact that its warranty is only for 1 year and it is made completely out of thermoplastic. The flow capacity for this pump reaches 2460 gallons per hour with a ten-foot lift.

This pump is good for sumps that are no less than 12 inches in diameter. Even though it has much less power than other 1/3 horsepower sump pumps it will still handle the majority of sump basin pumping occasions. Because it is made of thermoplastic it is very lightweight which makes installation much easier. In smaller basements, it may even outlast other pumps by two times the lifespan.

​This pump is great and fell short of a perfect score. Our rating consists of a 5 in performance, durability, comfort, and bang for your buck. It falls short of a perfect score with a four in versatility.

Its two pros include a fully cast iron housing and a 1.5-inch NPT outlet for discharge.

The negative trait is the short one year warranty. The cast iron helps tremendously to prevent any failure before the first year, but it would be nice to have two or even three years in the warranty. The manufacturer Zoeller has a variety of pumps of high quality and it's no surprise that this one was near perfect in our rating. 

This sump pump can also become a pump for your septic tank in case you own a home with septic. This sump pump has a 23-foot lift for discharge and can pump 4320 gallons of water every hour. Zoeller is well-known for building pumps which will work well in even the worst of conditions.

This pump receives a perfect rating with a five in every category. It's hard to find a pump that is versatile, inexpensive, durable, and delivers performance for a very long time. It is also a comfortable sump pump to have. The housing is made of 100% cast iron for ultimate durability. It's got a 1.5-inch NPT outlet for discharge and a huge positive trait with a two-year warranty.

It's an incredible machine and how Liberty Pumps manufactures it makes it almost impossible to beat on pricing. An affordable price combined with a long operating life creates a superior sump pump. The body is cast in iron in one piece, the bearings are lubricated for permanence, and the motor's ruggedness ensures your pump will have a long-lasting life.

The minimum size of sump this should be in is 10 inches in diameter. Unlike the other pumps, this one has a shorter electric cord for quick release so you may have to purchase an extension. The motor can reach a flow of fifty gallons per hour with a 21-foot lift.

This one has three positives and one negative aspect, but I will begin the rating by giving it a four in performance.

The best pro aspect is its high portability and lightweight. It is very quiet even when it is under tremendous load and the debris screen is very easily cleaned.

However, the biggest drawback is that it is not to be used for permanent installation; it's just not durable enough. You can use this pump for moving the water from pools and washing machines or as a backup sump. It can also be used for a fountain or to simply clean up a spill. The cost is about fifty dollars which is more than good for a replacement submersible pump.

The performance stats that follow explain how much water it can pump by the hour and by the minute depending on the head size. With a 0' head, it will pump 30 gallons per minute and 1,800 gallons per hour. With a 5' head, it will pump twenty-two gallons per minute and 1,320 per hour. A 10' head will produce twenty gallons per minute and 1,200 per hour. 

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The Attwood pump's pros are that it is easy to store and super lightweight. It uses three Duracell batteries which will power the machine for an average of five hours.

The only and major drawback of this pump is that it relies on those batteries and doesn't have an external port for power. We rate it a four in performance, a four in durability, a four in versatility, a five for comfort, and a four for value/bang for your buck.

This pump is one of the handiest pumps out for sale today. With those same three batteries, it can move close to two hundred gallons of water per hour for up to five hours. Not bad for a smaller machine. 

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This pump is another that came very close to a perfect rating. We gave it a 5 in everything except comfort, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great machine.

It has three great positive attributes with a 1/3 motor that's capable of moving 2000 gallons of water per hour from any basement.

One thing that a lot of other portable pumps such as the previous one we mentioned don't have is a cord for external power. The Superior Pump 92330 has a 10-foot cord so you can feel good when the power source would be out of reach for most pumps. The outlet that comes with it will match most outlets and the only negative is the manufacturer's instruction manual translations.

Although most of these would serve as backup pumps, the Superior Pump 92330 will work as a primary as well. The score we gave it for versatility is because of the ease in which it can be moved to other pumping projects such as pools. Versatility also means you can fit this pump to all pedestal or standard submersible pump fittings. It prevents any debris clogs by using both the bottom and side inlets. 

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The name says it all because it is a little giant. This pump almost fits in your pocket and we're not kidding. It will pump out about 250 gallons per hour. We give it a rating of 4 in performance, a five in durability, a four in versatility, a three in comfort, and a four for value/bang for your buck.

This is a very good rating for such a small pump, but the power makes up for it. It will do a continuous flow throughout. Unlike the pumps we've discussed already, this one has only a 1/4 inch outlet which is perfect for fountains and ponds, but that's about it. The body is cast of metal to protect the pump.

The motor is filled with oil and sealed so that the Little Giant 501004 can be fully submersible without a lack of efficiency. It's also got a six-foot cord so you can plug it into an outlet in your basement or wherever you take it. It's only about four inches in diameter and four inches in height so storage won't be an issue at all. 

This pump receives a 5 in performance, a five in durability, a four for versatility, a four for comfort, and a four on value/bang for your buck.

The pros of this pump are the fact that it comes pre-assembled so you don't have to worry about assembly. Both pumps have very high flow and it also has valves for a dual check.

The only drawback is that the minimum sump diameter needs to be fifteen inches. This pump is suitable as a primary in the basement or as a backup pump. ThisWayne WSS30V combines the ESP25 Pump with the primary Wayne CDU800. The main pump is durable, made of cast iron.

After seeing all the previous pumps you might want to take this one home since it will keep your basement dry no matter how harsh the weather. 

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Two major positive traits of this pump are that it is easy to install and it will work with any sump pump that was already there.

The negative side is that the backup will have a lot less flow than the primary pumps it will be backing up. We give it a rating of four in everything; performance, durability, versatility, comfort, and bang for your buck.

You can start to see a pattern with Zoeller pumps being second in more than one category. This pump works well with any other sump pump. It also has a one year warranty. This pump is about a 1/3 or 1/2 as efficient as far as the capacity of flow than other pumps, yet it will be limited during heavy work.

If you've completed a basement and want to keep it dry from any damage water can have, then this Zoeller 507 is perfect. The backup pump will operate by using a deep-cycle battery. This backup system also has a charger within itself to charge the 12V battery. 

The capacity of flow in this pump is close to any ordinary main pump. It's also got a small footprint for the basin.

The only negative aspect is that it can be damaged easily if not taken care of since any hard debris can damage the plastic impeller. We rate it with a five-for performance, a four for durability, a four for versatility, a five for comfort and value as well.

If there's ever a power outage you want to have this backup pump for high discharge flow. There's an alarm that will alert the owner of when the backup pump begins to work. This pump, though being a backup, is very close to any other 1/3 horsepower pump as far as output. This pump comes with a check valve, a heavy-duty charger, and a charge box with lights to let you know when it's fully charged.

The deep-cycle battery will also have to be provided by the buyer since it is not included in the system. Reviews from happy buyers mention this pump being easy to install and the operation being super reliable. 

Types of Sump Pumps

For those who don't know the differences between the four pumps, we've been reviewing we'll describe them in this section. There are pedestal pumps, battery backup, submersible, and portable sump pumps.

A pedestal pump is ideal for a shallow sump as well as deep ones. Due to the design being less expensive to manufacture, the buyer will end up saving more money on a pedestal pump compared to the other more expensive types. The reason it's called a pedestal pump is that the motor is put above to be on a "pedestal." This is done to protect the motor. They are tall pumps so you need to make sure they are tied very well to some sort of support. This tall design is the reason why they are less expensive to manufacture and thus cheaper for the buyer.

Submersible pumps were made to be completely submerged underwater while it pumps it out. This means the sump has to be deeper than the size of the pump or else it won't fulfill the purpose of its name. It is smaller than the pedestal pumps which makes it easier to manage since it can be hidden from sight under the floors.This kind of pump can last you anywhere from ten to fifteen years.

Portable sump pumps tend to be used where there are floods that don't occur frequently. Portable pumps are meant to be temporary, being brought into the flooding zone only when it occurs. If it doesn't have a gas motor then it will be powered by an electrical cord. These backup pumps are not like the main permanent ones so instead of pumping water out it sort of just pushes it. When running a sump pump like this, it is advised to keep an eye on it because if it ends up drying the sump it may also burn the motor.

"It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it," is a quote that will stick with me forever. This applies to sump pumps as well because if you want the job done right then there should also be a backup available just in case anything were to happen to the primary pump. Backup sump pumps turn on and continue pumping simply with the pressure of the water or with a battery. These backup pumps will always alert when they begin operating.

How Do Sump Pumps Work/Operate?

The main object of a sump pump is to keep your basement dry. When it begins to rain the water will accumulate in your sump pit. You should already have a pump installed preferably, as you have read, with a backup pump attached to it. You can have a water-powered pump which will be triggered once the water pressure raises past a certain level at which point there will also be an alarm going off to let you know. For it to begin operating the pump will use the municipal water going into your home to create a suction motion.

This suction is caused by the Venturi Principle which you can research outside of this article if you'd like. The water will be pumped out until the level comes back down to normal. Whenever the level rises again the same process will restart only if you have a backup pump. If you don't have a backup pump then you run the risk of your main pump overloading and having a flooded sump pit when you finally get to realize you should have had a backup.

Why You Need to Get A Sump Pump

First off we want you to understand the difference between an asset and a liability. Liabilities are almost always going to be things you spend money on and that don't have much of a purpose. Buying a sump pump can be a great investment. If you're moving into a new house and expect it will flood or live in one with a past of flooding then it is a very wise decision to get a sump pump with a backup as well.

The pump will protect your home and your wallet from excessive water damage due to flooding. This type of damage can hurt your home's structure and may even seep into carpets from underneath. Too much moisture in an area will tend to create mold. Mold by itself is harmless, but when there's too much of it and it's been in one spot for a long time it can be of harm to people's health.

Excess water and moisture will also tend to rot everything from wood, paper, clothes, among others. If you've ever left a bike or something metal outside with light rain you will see a quick buildup of rust. Imagine what would happen to the pipes, and other metals in your basement if left excess water and moisture rust them. Because the foundation of the house, as well as the basement, is still connected to it there will always be a way for things to get inside the house.

These include fumes and very light debris particles. If your basement is neglected and moisture begins to create all the issues we listed it may cause health problems for the people living inside the home.

So now you know why you need a sump pump, but you need to plan on having a backup pump as well. During a power outage or in case the pump has a mechanical internal failure, you need to be prepared so the backup can continue the work of the primary.

How Should A Sump Pump Be Used?

Just like anything else in life, there's always planning and preparation. It's the same for your sump pump. If you don't want to learn about installing your sump pump then you can leave it to the professionals. However, if you want to get familiar with how to install then you'll have to do it yourself and test. As you build it you'll know all of the components to fix or replace in the future. The following list of tasks should be done every year to ensure the pump continues to operate well.

• First, ensure that your power source is a GFI outlet that is grounded properly so your pump can work at maximum capacity.
• If for whatever reason you were to remove the pump, you must disconnect the pump first.
• Take the cover off the sump if there is one
• Clean the basin of debris since it can clog the sump pump
• Connect the pump to an electric outlet and fill it up from the bottom with any hose or bucket
• As the water level, increases make sure that the float rises smoothly as well
• The pump should run smoothly as soon as you turn it on if not there's something wrong
• When it begins to run you shouldn't hear any loud noises or unusual sounds
• Turn the water from the hose off and watch to see how the pump behaves as it slowly turns off
• After the sump pump has shut off you will be able to hear the sound of the check valve as it closes.
• Once you've reached this step, redo the whole test again to make sure that every step is working properly

What Should You Consider When Selecting A Sump Pump

For the sake of space, we will mention that most of the sump pumps on the market will be divided into eight categories. We are not talking about pedestal vs. battery backup, we're talking about capacity, power, float type, warranty, price, etc. These eight characteristics should be compiled and compared before you make your final choice on which sump pump to use.

Warranty

It doesn't matter what you buy it should always come with a warranty. Your iPhone, televisions, even your mattress comes with a warranty. A sump pump should especially have one extended to no less than one year. Because sump pumps are put to use under very harsh conditions the warranty on them will only be between one or two years.

Price

The cost of a sump pump comes down to how much power it has. A 1/3 of a horsepower pedestal pump will be much cheaper than a one horsepower submersible pump. Aside from how much HP it has the cost will reflect what the pump's materials are made of.

Materials

You don't want your sump pump to be made of any plastics that will melt at high heat. Because the pumps use motors they also create tons of heat so they must be made of cast iron some other strong metal material.

Size of Inlet

The size of the impeller often times called "inlet" is recommended to be half an inch. This allows any debris of that size to pass through and not clog the pump as it works. It's also a good idea to select a pump that has metal inlets to prevent any debris such as pebbles to damage them.

Switches

If you're looking to purchase a sump pump that does not have an automatic switch we advise you not to buy that pump. The sump pump you install will need to have an automatic switch to work whenever it has to, not just whenever you turn it on.

Type of Float

The float type will be important concerning how many times the pump cycles power. If the float is longer it will be less, shorter more. It's just like the frequency of different waves. The longer the wave the lower the frequency, the shorter the wave, the higher the frequency. If you're looking for a good float then a pedestal pump will provide just that since they provide some of the longest float travel available. If you're looking to buy a hollow float think again and get a solid one instead.

Power

Just like car motors are measured in horsepower (HP) so are sump pumps. Most pumps come in a standard 1/3 HP which will be good for most needs anyway. In case you need to pump water up to ten or fifty feet, then you will need to get a 1/2 or even a 1 HP sump pump. If you need to replace an old pump make sure to replace it with one that has the same HP or more.

Capacity

Finally, the capacity of a sump pump is very important. It will be listed or given as gallons per hour or minute. These numbers are given as a ratio of how high the head is. As it increases so does the capacity. This is the reason why we mentioned to get a 1 HP sump pump so the gallons per minute won't decrease as much at deeper sumps.

How Did We Select Our Pumps?

To remove water efficiently without damaging your crawlspace or basement, you need a good sump pump. This pump, as we discussed earlier, should be able to operate on its own. The owner of a home will want a pump that not only works unattended but will be long-lasting. For that reason, we look at pumps that have solid rugged materials that will not crumble under pressure, water, or motor heat. For a refresher on the other factors chosen for this article please reread it. Now let's begin discussing how to best keep your basement maintained.

Maintaining Your Basement

Make sure that your sump is properly covered. If radon is a common problem where you live then it's best to cover the lid and seal it with tape and plastic to prevent it from seeping into the house. Make sure there's no opportunity for water to puddle near the walls. This is the worst and so make sure that the grade of the lot slopes opposite to the house.

To handle runoff during heavy rain you should have taken preemptive measures maintaining your footing drains, downspouts, and gutters clean. This will prevent any water to run off into your basement. You could lay some river rock in your window wells as well as the periphery of the basement to absorb water. This will prevent it from being absorbed by any of the walls.

Make sure that the vents coming from the bathroom and the dryer are always vented outside and not into your basement. The cold water pipes must be insulated so that there is not a build-up of condensation that can then become harmful. If you have done everything mentioned in this section and you're still getting a lot of humidity and water in your basement then look into installing a humidifier.

Sump Pump Brands We Recommend

You might have seen we listed a few sump pump brands and some that were in multiple categories. That's because we like the Wayne, Liberty, and Zoeller Pumps. We've seen, rated, and used plenty of sump pumps in the past and these three have come close to taking the number one spot. Right now they're all tied. The Zoeller company is located right here in the United States and thus is known around the country as the provider of great sump pumps.

Zoeller pumps use cast iron for most of their builds and we have noticed almost all of the Zoeller pumps are very quiet when operating. You might remember a few paragraphs back we discussed how price increases with higher horsepower and better materials. Well, the Zoeller pumps are very affordable even though they're made from high-quality materials. If you look at most Zoeller reviews online you will see that it is from buyers who went and installed the sump pump themselves. You will certainly find extra discharge outlets and inlets when you purchase a Zoeller. This is because the company wants its pumps to fit any installation system available in homes.

Next, the Liberty pumps brand is a household name when it comes to sewage pumps, drain, utility, and sump pumps. Unlike the Zoeller company whose pumps are all made of cast iron, The Liberty Pumps brand makes them from thermoplastic as well. Liberty Pumps also makes backup pumps that come with the battery or water-powered options. Liberty Pumps also offers a two-year warranty on most of their pumps, they're inexpensive and provide quiet operation. Lastly, the Wayne pump systems are made so that almost any house can use them.

In addition to all types of pumps we've discussed in this article thus far, Wayne also creates drain pumps, sprinklers, utility pumps, and more. If you're looking for a great pump that will come with a three-year warranty, then look no further than Wayne pumps. Again, don't get confused at an affordable price while being able to develop a high-quality product with great materials.

How To Install A Sump Pump

It's always best to prepare before you do any work. When preparing to install a new pump to replace an old one you need to have a set of tools handy. You're going to need a felt marker and some measuring tape, a screwdriver with a flat blade, rubber couplings that will fit the outlet pipe and that have a hose clamp, a PVC pipe saw or ratcheting snips, some zip ties, and a utility pump for the bottom inlet that's also portable. If you're going to replace the pump then these will be some of the steps to take.

• Have your backup utility pump ready to use
• Turn off the power away from the primary pump
• Put away the lid of the sump basin
• Disconnect or remove the previous check valve
• Lift the existing pump-out
• Clean up any sediment or water that's in the basin

Now onto the second part of this if you want to keep replacing with a new pump.

• Give a new adapter or couplet to the fitting for discharge. Make sure it is the same size as the pipe where the water discharges.
• Connect some outlet pipe to the fitting and make sure it extends a foot above the basin
• Use this pipe to put/lower the pump back into the sump basin
• Assemble all of the outlet plumbing
• Hold the power cord of the pump in place by using a zip tie and reconnect the power
• Run the pump and observe the operation to make sure it is running correctly.

Time to Make Your Own Decision

As you have seen throughout this article there are many different sump pump choices and characteristics that you have to take into consideration. When making your choice you will have to first choose a size that will be able to remove any amount of water in your sump pit even when the rain seems to be unstoppable. If you're going to be doing a full sump pump replacement then make sure to buy the new with as much or more horsepower than the primary you had before.

If for some reason your confidence level is not at 100% when buying a pump, make sure that you buy it one size bigger for any errors. Paying a little more money for a 1/2 horsepower pump instead of a 1/3 pump is worth it because it's better to pay a little more now than a lot later when the water damages the home.

When buying your sump pump make sure to add an extra amount of money to the budget to also purchase a backup pump. This will ensure that the pump will continue working no matter what. If for whatever reason the primary fails, the secondary pump will kick in and as soon as it does it will alert you with a specific noise. All of the pumps we listed are of great quality, yet you still need to have a backup just in case the laws of the universe aren't in your favor during heavy rainfall.

All it takes is one time for a pump malfunction to ruin your whole basement. If you take care of your pump it will last you at least ten years and some last up to thirty years. Whether you choose a pedestal pump or a submersible pump or a combination of a primary and a backup sump pump, always make sure the installation is done properly.

If you think you know how to install pumps you may want to get a second opinion from a professional unless you are the professional. The pump will cost you anywhere from $50 to $300 or more so even if you have to pay an extra few hundred bucks to get it installed it will be worth it in the long haul.

Get Your Pump

It wouldn't be fair for us to give you all of this information without linking the products we have described before the article ends. You will find most of these products so we'll begin with the first pumps we rated.

Conclusion

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In conclusion in this article, we discussed the topic of sump pumps and provided a list of some of the best pumps you will find on the market today. Along with this list, we wrote a detailed review and gave the pumps a rating based on our opinion of quality, durability, versatility, and performance.

The four types of sump pumps discussed include the pedestal sump pumps, submersible pumps, battery backup pumps, and portable sump pumps. In this article, you also got an overview of how sump pumps work and what you need to do to get the best out of them. Some pumps will be better than others, but it will all depend on your specific situation. You may only need a portable pump for one or two days and so you should only look at portable pumps.

You should always have a backup pump in case there's a power outage or a mechanical disruption inside the pump. Seek a pump that is cast in iron, preferably in one piece. Also, look for pumps with a good warranty to make sure you can use it for at least two years without having to worry. A sump pump is highly recommended in homes where there's been a history of flooding or if you know the home you're about to live in will flood in the future.

A sump pump is not only a good investment for normal use, but it will protect your wallet from thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in water damage for leaving your basement sump basin unprotected. If you've read this whole article and still feel like you don't have all of the information to make a decision, please consult with a local professional who can visit your home and give you a few choices based on your situation.

Other than that, please feel free to visit the Amazon links in this article where you will find the exact pumps we've been discussing. It took as a while to compile the list and the ratings and descriptions we've given them are as true to fact as they come. Thank you and happy sump pump shopping.

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