Stock Your Home With a Handy Sump Pump (2024)

Our Top Picks

If you ask us, the best sump pump comes from Rigid. This 1/2 horsepower model can pump up to 5,220 gallons of water per hour. (The brand also makes 1/3 and 1 horsepower models that pump up to 4,230 and 6,660 gallons per hour, respectively.) The dual-suction design effortlessly removes debris and passes solids as big as a half-inch. Despite the powerful performance and high capacity, the motor is virtually silent when running.

Designed for easy installation, this submersible sump pump has a 1.5-inch NPT (national pipe thread, the technical standard for screw threads). It should only take about 15 minutes to set up, and you shouldn't need any special equipment or supplies. That said, you'll need a sump basin of 11 to 14 inches in diameter, which is bigger than average. This means that if you have limited space, you may need to consider other options.

The Rigid Sump Pump boasts corrosion- and rust-resistant stainless steel housing and fasteners and a cast iron base. It's UL Listed, which tells you it meets UL Solutions's third-party criteria for safety, energy efficiency, and performance. This model was tested with an "accelerated life" method of one million cycles to ensure it'll hold up through extended use. And the brand backs it with a five-year warranty.

More affordable sump pumps are available. But considering the high capacity, ultra-durable design, and manufacturer guarantee, it might be worth the investment.

_{Type: Submersible | Power Source: Electric | Pumping Capacity: 5,220 GPH | Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 10 inches}

Investing in a high-capacity pump may not be necessary if you only use a sump pump occasionally, say, for minor flooding. For those interested in a more affordable option, we suggest the Superior Pump Thermoplastic Utility Pump. This submersible sump pump can move up to 1,800 gallons per hour (30 gallons per minute), lift water up to 25 feet vertically, and pass solids up to one-eighth of an inch.

While it's not as powerful as our top pick, the Rigid 1/2 HP Dual Suction Sump Pump, we still recommend it to homeowners who have infrequent water problems in the basem*nt. However, it is not suitable for a large basem*nt.Although the housing is thermoplastic, the pump has stainless steel shaft seals and copper motor windings.

This easy-to-install pump has a 1.25 NPT and comes with a 0.75-inch garden hose adaptor to make it compatible with any standard garden hose. It also has a 10-foot power cord and works with standard 6-inch floor drains. In addition to being UL-listed and CSA-certified, it has been factory-tested to ensure it fulfills industry requirements for safety, energy efficiency, and technological performance. Furthermore, the pump comes with a warranty that is valid for one year.

_{Type: Submersible | Power Source: Electric | Pumping Capacity: 1,800 GPH | Dimensions: 12 x 7 x 7 inches}

For a submersible pump, we recommend this 3/4 horsepower one from Wayne, which pumps up to 5,490 gallons of water per hour (the most on our list). It has a heavy-duty cast iron base and stainless steel housing that resists rust and corrosion.

The top-suction design is meant to easily filter debris of various sizes while minimizing clogs. One thing to note is that, like the Rigid Sump Pump (our best overall pick), this high-capacity model is compatible with larger sump pits and requires a basin of at least 11 inches in diameter. Also, while installation should be a relatively quick and straightforward process (it takes 15 minutes from start to finish), you'll need to buy most of the plumbing accessories separately, including PVC piping, a hose, and plumber's glue.

_{Type: Submersible | Power Source: Electric | Pumping Capacity: 5,490 GPH | Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 10 inches}

Everbilt's Sump Pump is a pedestal pump that has an integrated float to ensure it stays above water, and you can easily adjust it to change the operating cycle. It's a great option for big basem*nts or crawl spaces that require continuous draining because it can move up to 4,600 gallons of water each hour. Even the most difficult drainage problems are no match for this sump pump's 22-foot vertical lift capacity.

Despite its high capacity, the Everbilt Pedestal Sump Pump is remarkably silent while pumping water, which is great for homeowners who don't want disruptions while using their space.

It features a sturdy cast iron base, a stainless steel motor shaft, and a dual ball-bearing PSC (permanent split capacitor) motor with 1/2 horsepower. Backed by a three-year warranty, the motor has built-in thermal overload protection to prevent overheating and optimize efficiency.

At 22 pounds, it's a bit heavier than average, but the float prevents you from having to manually lift it while pumping. We should also mention that it's designed for larger pits, and you'll need a 12-inch sump basin.

_{Type: Pedestal | Power Source: Electric | Pumping Capacity: 4,600 GPH | Dimensions: 32.5 x 9 x 7 inches}

If you live in an area with frequent outages, it is important to have a backup sump pump that will operate in the event of a power failure. With this in mind, we think this 1/3 horsepower model from Basem*nt Watchdog is the best battery backup option. It can move up to 2,600 gallons per hour, which is nearly half the amount of our top recommendation). Due to its low flow rate, it might not be the best choice for a primary pump, but it's great as a backup.

In addition to being a backup sump pump, this pump may also be used to keep an eye on the humidity in your basem*nt or garage. If irregularities are detected, it'll sound an alarm and show a warning on the control box. It also hooks up to an optional WiFi module that can send you mobile alerts. The dual micro-reed float switch will turn on if pumping is necessary.

The battery is sold separately and, unfortunately, costs almost as much as the pump itself. But if you live in a flood zone and want peace of mind in the event of a power outage, it might be worth investing in this backup drainage system.

_{Type: Backup | Power Source: Battery | Pumping Capacity: 2,600 GPH | Dimensions: 9 x 5.5 x 5 inches}

If you're looking for something smaller and lighter-weight, the DekoPro Water Pump might be your best bet. It's less than a foot tall, just 6 and a half inches in diameter, and weighs about 8 pounds. But despite the compact design, the performance is pretty impressive. The 1/3 horsepower, energy-efficient motor can move up to 2,450 gallons per hour with a vertical lift of up to 28 feet—and it's surprisingly quiet.

This submersible sump pump has a thermoplastic shell. (The brand also makes stainless steel models with 3/4 and 1 horsepower.) It has a 1.25-inch NPT and comes with a 0.75-inch garden hose adapter. Additionally, the detachable suction screen filters debris and can pass solids up to an eighth of an inch in size (like our best value pick).

The DekoPro Pump is easy to set up and operate. It has a 10-foot power cord and can be plugged into any standard outlet. This product is backed by a two-year warranty. While it may not hold up as long as higher-end models, the versatile design is suitable for smaller tasks around your home.

_{Type: Submersible | Power Source: Electric | Pumping Capacity: 2,450 GPH | Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches}

This system from Wayne works as both a primary sump pump and a backup battery pump, which eliminates the need to purchase two separate pumps. The primary pump has a capacity of 5,100 gallons per hour (which is comparable to our best overall pick), and the battery-powered component can move up to 2,700 gallons per hour.

We like that the Wayne Combination System comes pre-assembled and drop-in ready. You won't need to spend hours figuring out how to put everything together because the installation should take only 15 minutes. Having said that, keep in mind that this product weighs about 30 pounds, making it very bulky and hard to lift.

Just note that the battery is sold separately.However,if you reside in a location that often experiences power outages or bad weather, we think the combination of power sources makes it a wise buy. With a remarkable three-year warranty backing the Wayne Combination System, you can rest easy knowing that you're getting quality product.

_{Type: Combination | Power Source: Electric/battery | Pumping Capacity: 5,100 GPH; 2,700 GPH | Dimensions: 23.5 x 18 x 14 inches}

A water-powered model can also be used as a backup in the event of a power outage—unlike the Basem*nt Watchdog (our best battery backup pick), no battery is needed. If you're looking for a water-powered model, consider the Liberty Pumps SumpJet. It hooks up to a water source and drains 2 gallons of water per 1 gallon it uses to power itself. It can pump up to 1,188 gallons per hour (the least on our list) at a 5-foot vertical lift.

This sump pump arrives fully assembled and ready to install. It attaches to your water supply with PVC piping and can be mounted using the adjustable stainless steel hose clamp.

The SumpJet will work with a municipal water supply. However, if you get your water from a well, it won't operate during a power outage because well pumps need electricity to run. Still, we think it's reasonable for a backup pump, especially since the brand backs it with a three-year warranty.

_{Type: Water-powered | Power Source: Water | Pumping Capacity: 1,188 GPH | Dimensions: 21.5 x 14.5 x 5 inches}

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is the Rigid 1/2 HP Dual Suction Sump Pump. This submersible system quietly and efficiently pumps up to 5,220 gallons of water per hour, and it's backed by a five-year warranty. But if you're interested in something more affordable for smaller jobs and occasional use, the Superior Pump 1/4 HP Thermoplastic Utility Pump (our best value suggestion) might be a better choice.

FAQ

• Why is a sump pump necessary?

  When water saturates the ground around your home during a rainstorm, and the basin fills, the sump pump is activated via a sensor or float. It pumps the standing water up and away from your basem*nt. That is important because water that accumulates in your basem*nt fosters the growth of mold, which can damage walls, floors, and carpeting, as well asimpart a nasty, musty odor to your surroundings.“FEMA states that mold will develop in as quickly as 24 to 48 hours and can rapidly spread if not cleaned up and addressed quickly,” says Vinny Lobdell, founder and past president of the Healthway family of brands and Intellipure Inc.

• How long does a sump pump last?

  A sump pump can last around 10 years, so it’s a worthwhile and even necessary expense, especially if you live in an area that is prone to receiving a lot of rain over a limited time. Many newer sump pump systems alert users to replace the battery or perform similar maintenance, but older models might not. If your system is more than ten years old, it may be time to replace it.

• How much do sump pumps cost?

  You can buy a basic sump pump for $60 to $100, but a good-quality, reliable sump pump for most home systems that can last for years typically costs $150 to $300. High-end models with smart technology capabilities and backup systems can run $500 or more when you factor in the cost of specialty batteries.

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