Best Sump Pumps 2023 Guide

To help you select a pump that’s right for your home, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best sump pumps on market today. Below we compare various models, talk about what to look for when shopping, and provide answers to common buyer questions. Here are our top picks.

Top 6 Sump Pumps

Most Compact: Superior Pump Store 1/4-Horsepower Utility Pump

Pros and Cons

✔ Is factory-tested by the manufacturer for reliability and longevity✔ Includes a 3/4-inch garden hose adapter✔ The suction screen handles up to 1/8-inch solids ✘ Has a weaker gph water output than some competitors✘ Some users reported that the unit leaked oil

What Customers Are Saying

Customers with varying needs found this sump pump to be useful, stating that it operated efficiently and quietly. They added that the pump’s filter did a great job in preventing the unit from getting clogged due to dirt, debris, or algae build-up. Customers who were disappointed in this product wished that it would’ve lasted longer, citing reliability and longevity issues.

Best Submersible Pump: Zoeller M53 Mighty-Mate Sump Pump

Pros and Cons

✔ Discharges up to 43 gallons of water per minute✔ Comes with a 9-foot power cord✔ Can take in solids up to a 1/2-inch thick ✘ Manufacturer has not listed the gph output✘ Though easy to install, some customers experienced reliability issues

What Customers Are Saying

Although customer feedback was mixed, over 80% of reviewers gave this sump pump a five-star rating at the time of this review. Happy customers mentioned the pump’s simple installation and affordable price point in their positive reviews. Unhappy customers said that while the pump was heavy-duty, it shorted out after a few years, expecting greater longevity out of the product. Additionally, one user had issues with the flow valve leaking.

Best Power: Wayne Submersible Cast-Iron and Stainless-Steel Sump Pump

Pros and Cons

✔ Can discharge water up 20-foot inclines✔ Users don’t need to drill a weep hole to install the sump pump✔ Has an easy installation process that only takes about 15 minutes ✘ Though powerful, this model uses more electricity than other sump pumps✘ A few users reported that the float switch worked inconsistently

What Customers Are Saying

Positively, customers who give this sump pump a four- or five-star rating reported that the unit consistently moved water without any issues, meeting or exceeding their expectations. In some reviews, they also mentioned that the manufacturer’s Halo mobile app was convenient for remotely monitoring the pump’s status. Negatively, there were complaints about the pump’s float switch working intermittently rather than consistently.

Best Battery Backup: Wayne Upgraded Combination Battery Back-Up Sump Pump

Pros and Cons

✔ Is powered by electricity, but uses a backup battery to work through power outages✔ Arrives pre-assembled for drop-in installation✔ Assembled in the USA using quality, factory-tested parts ✘ Expensive✘ 8-foot power cord is short compared to other models

What Customers Are Saying

Positive aspects of this sump pump that users highlighted included its compact size, fast installation, quiet operation, and overall power. On the other hand, several reviewers reported that the manufacturer was slow to respond to their inquiries, or didn’t respond at all, despite multiple attempts. One user also complained about the plastic threads in the discharge outlet, stating that it was difficult to screw in adapters.

Most Versatile: Superior Pump Cast-Iron Submersible Sump Pump

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with an easy-clean removable screen filter✔ With its powerful motor, the pump can move water up 20-foot inclines✔ Includes a lengthy 10-foot power cord ✘ Its cast iron materials make the unit relatively heavy at 17 nearly pounds✘ The float is short, which may accelerate rusting of the pump

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied users who gave this pump positive reviews said that it was an effective pump that performed just as strongly after two years of use as it did on the first day of use. They also appreciated the pump’s effortless installation. Conversely, there were some reports of the sump pump’s cast iron materials prematurely rusting, rendering the unit useless for a handful of customers. Additionally, some users said that the float switch was too short, which lead to excess standing water.

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes a built-in automatic thermal overload protector✔ Its thermoplastic materials are non-corrosive to withstand rust ✔ Comes with a 10-foot grounded and waterproof power cord ✘ Provides limited gph output ✘ Though the unit offers excellent value, it may be too light-duty for some users

What Customers Are Saying

Given the pump’s entry-level price point, several customers were impressed with how reliable and powerful it was. They mentioned that the pump was effective for draining pools, adding that the 10-foot power cord offered some flexibility with the positioning of the pump. Alternatively, there were some complaints about the unit’s inability to pump viscous, muddy water, and others wished that the unit pumped water faster.

Types of Sump Pumps

There are four main types of sump pumps: submersible, pedestal, battery backup, and combination.

Submersible

Submersible sump pumps are completely submerged in the pit, or sump basin, that’s located below your basement’s floor. Once the pit fills with a certain amount of water, a sensor is triggered, which turns on the sump pump to pump the water out. This type of sump pump is typically quieter than other types of sump pumps because its motor is inside the pump, but it’s more expensive than other pumps.

Pedestal

Pedestal sump pumps sit in a basin that’s level with your basement floor and remove water through a pipe that leads to a drainage area in your yard. They’re more affordable than submersible sump pumps, but their motor is attached to the outside of the device, making them noisier.

Battery Backup

Unlike submersible and pedestal models that run solely on electricity through a power cord, battery backup sump pumps have a battery-powered backup pump that kicks on when the main unit can’t run due to a power outage. The battery on the backup pump can typically last for a few hours on a single charge. While this is enough for short surges, the battery will eventually die if it’s pumping a lot of water during an hours-long outage.

Combination

Combination sump pumps include the power cord of pedestal and submersible models and the backup battery of battery models, allowing them to work in all situations. They usually sit in a below-the-floor basin like submersible sump pumps, but they’re larger, which means you can’t use the basin you dug for your old submersible sump pump for your new combination sump pump.

Buying Guide

Before purchasing and installing a sump pump, it’s important to understand how each model’s design and specifications impact its performance. Here are a few factors to consider when buying a sump pump.

Power Source

Most sump pumps are powered by electricity, but some models include a battery backup that powers the device in the event of a blackout. For example, some pumps include a battery that can pump thousands of gallons on a single charge. Models that don’t have a battery backup can pump thousands of gallons of water per hour as long as electricity is available.

Horsepower

The horsepower (HP) of a sump pump’s motor refers to its overall power, with a higher HP motor being able to pump more water per hour than a lower HP motor. Many sump pumps contain ½-HP or ⅓-HP engines, though some models contain more powerful ¾-HP engines. While higher HP motors can pump more water per hour, they’re typically more expensive.

Switch

Most sump pumps use either a digital or manual switch to start their motors. Manual models contain floats that rise with the flood water, turning on the pumps when the water reaches a certain level. When the floats dip below the set level, the pump stops. Other models feature digital on-and-off sensors. When the water rises to meet the on sensor, the pump starts working. Once the water lowers and reaches the off sensor, the pump turns off. The benefit of digital switches is that they continue pumping water until they reach the off sensor, even if the water level dips below the on sensor.

Alerts

Many sump pumps come with audible alarms that signal rising water levels in your home.

Material

Sump pumps are usually made of plastic or some sort of metal, such as aluminum, stainless, steel, or cast iron. Plastic sump pumps are more affordable, but they’re not as durable as metal sump pumps.

What’s the purpose of a sump pump?

A sump pump is typically placed in a basement to prevent damage brought on by significant flooding. It detects rising water levels and then pumps that water out of your basement and directs it away from your home.

Does my sump pump require regular maintenance?

To ensure that your sump pump functions properly, clean its components at least every three months by following these steps:

Disconnect the pump from the wall outlet or battery. Disconnect the pump’s discharge pipe. Bring the pump to your yard. Scrape off the grime with a sponge or cloth. If there’s too much grime to remove by hand, use a standard garden hose to blast it off. Disinfect the pump and its basin by wiping them with bleach, vinegar, or another disinfectant. Use a shop vac to clean the remaining debris and water from the basin. Reconnect the pump.

Where do sump pumps discharge water?

Most sump pumps send the excess water into a storm drain or dry well.

Do sump pumps smell?

Sump pumps can develop an odor if they haven’t been used in a while. Infrequent use causes the water in the pump’s basin to fully dry, releasing smelly gases into the air. Mold and bacteria growth inside the pump and the basin can also cause a smell. You can eliminate these odors by creating a solution with a ratio of 1 cup of bleach to every 1 gallon of water. Pour this solution into the basin until the pump is activated. To prevent an odor from developing in the future, wash your sump pump regularly and keep the basin full of enough fresh water to cover the drain lines.

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