Even though it’s the source of life on this planet, too much water can be a terrible thing. Yes, we need it for a lot of things – cooking, cleaning, showering – but if it collects in the wrong place, it can be a massive pain to remove.
Fortunately, with the best water pumps, you don’t have to worry as much about water getting everywhere it shouldn’t. These handy devices come in a variety of sizes and power levels so that you can remove liquid quickly and efficiently.
Whether you’re taking water out of a pond, a fish tank, or a flooded basement, the right water pump will make your life so much easier. Let’s see what these models have to offer.
The Best Water Pumps
|
Picture |
Name |
Price |
|---|---|---|
| WAYNE PC2 Portable Transfer Water Pump | ||
| SumpMarine UTP Portable Transfer Water Pump | ||
| SHURFLO 4008-101-A65 New RV Water Pump Revolution | ||
| Meditool 1.6HP Shallow Well Pump Stainless Booster Pump | ||
| EcoPlus 748470 Submersible Water Pump |
Recommended 5 Best Water Pump Reviews
1. WAYNE PC2 Portable Transfer Water Pump
Our Rating:
When looking at different water pumps, you want to be sure that you’re getting the best unit for your needs. For example, a pump that’s designed to remove flood water isn’t going to help you if all you have to do is clean your aquarium.
In this case, the Wayne PC2 Portable Transfer Pump is designed for the latter.
It’s a compact model that weighs just a couple of pounds, meaning that you can bring it almost anywhere without any issues. It even comes with a rubberized carrying handle to ensure that it’s as convenient as possible.
One thing we like about this pump is that it’s really versatile. It comes with a six-foot threaded hose to help you reach into almost any space, and it can connect to a standard garden hose for extraction. Best of all, it can move up to 340 gallons per hour (at 0 feet), making it faster and more efficient than other compact models.
Another excellent feature of this pump is the fact that it can suction down to as little as 1/8 of an inch. Thus, if you are removing water from a fish tank or something similar, you can be sure that there won’t be much liquid left at the end.
Finally, this pump comes with a one-year limited warranty.
PROS
- checkDurable bronze plated construction
- checkCompact and lightweight design
- checkExtraction hose included for convenience
- checkMoves up to 340 gallons per hour
- checkSuctions down to ⅛ of an inch
- checkDischarge accepts a standard garden hose
- checkEasy carry handle for transportation
- checkCan lift water up to 35 feet
- check300 GPH at 10 feet
- checkOne-year limited warranty
CONS
- Not meant for heavy duty drainage jobs
- Non-submersible design
2. SumpMarine UTP Portable Transfer Water Pump
Our Rating:
Next, we have another portable transfer pump, meaning that it’s built for small household jobs, like cleaning out a clogged sink or a fish tank. This model is durable, and it uses stainless steel components to help ensure that it stays in pristine shape for a long time.
One thing that we should talk about is the flow rate. In this case, the device is rated to move up to 330 gallons per hour (at zero feet).
At first, you may think that that means you can literally pump hundreds of gallons with no problems. However, the rating can be a little misleading.
Overall, the GPH is a measure of how fast the water will move through the system. This is a portable pump, so it won’t be able to handle high-volume jobs with hundreds of gallons of water. 330 GPH is fast, but it’s really meant for small applications.
We like this pump because it comes with a six-foot hose and a suction attachment. This accessory helps draw more water at once, and it provides a built-in filter so that you don’t risk clogging the machine with dirt and debris. Also, it connects to standard garden hoses to make it more versatile.
PROS
- checkHeavy duty stainless steel construction
- checkEasy carry handle for convenience
- checkMoves up to 330 gallons per hour
- checkMetal hose connectors last longer
- checkSelf-priming pump starts immediately
- checkSix-foot hose included
- checkWorks with standard garden hoses
- checkIntegrated suction attachment included
- checkImpeller replacement kit provided
CONS
- In some cases, the motor may overheat, and the unit will shut down
- Not meant for high-volume water transferring
3. SHURFLO 4008-101-A65 RV Water Pump Revolution
Our Rating:
If you have an RV, then you know that indoor plumbing is not something you can take for granted. To help you get the most out of your motorhome, you need to install high-quality water pumps to keep everything flowing smoothly.
In this case, we have a high-flow pump from Shurflo.
This unit is rated to deliver up to three gallons per minute, making it an ideal choice for bathroom or kitchen sinks. What makes it even more reliable is that it comes with an internal bypass, meaning that it won’t have to cycle all the time when you’re running water. Overall, this makes the pump quieter and prevents it from burning out. Most parts were manufactured by a cnc machining company.
The other thing we like about this pump is that it comes with thermal protection. That means that if you do run out of water, it won’t damage the internal components by operating dry. Also, it’s self-priming, so even if that does happen, you don’t have to refill the tank manually to get it going again. Depending on where you install this device in your RV, this feature could save you a lot of grief.
PROS
- checkDurable construction
- checkFlow rate of three gallons per minute
- checkBuilt for RVs
- checkMounting bracket included
- checkSelf-priming pump for convenience
- checkInternal bypass means low cycling
- checkQuiet operation
- checkThermal protection if dry
- checkBuilt-in check valve for safety
- check12-volt DC operation
CONS
- In rare cases, the pump may start to leak
- Noise level may not be as quiet as it should be
4. Meditool 1.6HP Shallow Well Pump Stainless Booster Pump
Our Rating:
If you are in need of an outdoor water pump, then you want something that is both durable and reliable. Lawn pumps are designed to help remove water from ponds and lakes for irrigation, or they can be deployed to use with sprinkler systems instead. Either way, they are built to move a lot of water without breaking down or overheating.
The construction of this pump is incredible.
It has a stainless steel housing and a copper motor so that it will last for years. It also has waterproof components to prevent rust, and it uses an iron handle for easy transportation.
The power of this unit is also fantastic. It can move up to 845 gallons per hour (at 0 feet), and it can draw water up to 23 feet with no problems. As you increase the angle of the water, it will lower the flow rate, but this pump won’t break down as a result.
The only downside to this pump is that it has to be primed before you can use it. This also means that you can’t have it run dry without damaging the internal mechanisms, so you have to watch it to make sure that doesn’t happen. Nonetheless, it comes with a one-year warranty to provide peace of mind.
PROS
- checkDurable steel construction
- checkPowerful 1.6 horsepower motor
- checkEnergy efficient model
- checkCopper motor doesn’t overheat and lasts longer
- checkWaterproof materials for extra safety
- checkEasy carry handle to bring it out in the field
- checkConvenient one-inch connectors
- checkDraws water up to 23 feet
- checkFlow rate of 845 gallons per hour
- checkCovered on/off switch
- checkOne-year limited warranty
CONS
- The unit must be primed before use
- Can get clogged easily if there is debris in the water
5. EcoPlus 748470 Submersible Water Pump
Our Rating:
So far, we’ve been looking at the best water pumps for projects or temporary use. For example, draining your aquarium so that you can clean it, or pumping water out of a small pond. However, what if you need a pump to keep water flowing constantly? Fish tanks and other devices need pumps like this model from EcoPlus.
What we like about this unit is that it’s small and compact, yet it has a lot of power. It uses a mag drive motor, which lasts longer and doesn’t get as much wear and tear. It also has a flow rate of 900 GPH, meaning that it can move a lot of water if necessary.
Because it’s designed for fountains or aquariums, this pump is also submersible. It also comes with several adapters so that you can use a variety of hoses with it. It doesn’t connect to a standard garden hose, but most fish tanks or ponds don’t use them anyway, so it shouldn’t matter that much.
As the name suggests, this is an eco-friendly hose, which means that it uses less energy and doesn’t produce any waste. Since your fish water has to stay purified, this is a must.
PROS
- checkDurable utility pump
- checkSubmersible design
- checkMeant for water tanks and aquariums
- checkFlow rate of 900 gallons per hour
- checkEco-friendly design
- checkEnergy efficient model
- checkMag drive lasts longer and doesn’t break down easily
- checkMultiple accessories available for it
CONS
- Must use proprietary hose sizes
- The inline gasket is kind of flimsy
How to Choose a Water Pump
Pump Type
Since there are water pumps for every occasion, the first thing you have to figure out is what you are going to be using the pump to do. For example, a pump that’s built for lawn sprinklers is not going to work to drain your fish tank.
Most pumps are broken down into a few varieties. Here is an overview of the most common.
- RV Pump: built to provide water in a motorhome. The flow rate is higher, and it is usually protected against dry pumping.
- Utility Pump: these models are mostly compact and made for light household work
- Lawn Pump: if you need to operate a sprinkler system or drain a pond, then this is your best bet
- Well Pump: these units are meant to bring water up from a well
- Pool Pump: if you need to drain a pool or keep water from collecting on your pool cover, you will need this kind of device
- Flood Pump: these machines are made to remove water out of flooded areas. They have stronger motors, and they include filters to keep debris from clogging the system.
Priming
Depending on the type of pump you get, you may need to prime it before you can turn it on. This process means that you have to put water into the system manually. If you don’t, then it won’t work properly, and it could damage the machine.
If you don’t want to have to worry about that, you can opt for a self-priming model instead. These are much easier to maintain because they are usually protected against dry pumping. With a manual priming unit, not having water inside could be disastrous.
Submersible
In some cases, you will have to keep your pump underwater for it to work correctly. For example, if you are running a fish tank or a pond fountain, then you need a submersible pump. Also, most flood pumps are built this way so that you can drain the area faster without affecting the flow rate.
If a pump is not submersible, that usually means that it’s not waterproof either. As such, you have to be careful not to get the machine wet as it could damage the motor or cause it to fail altogether.
Flow Rate
We talked a little bit about this already. Even though the flow rate can be high for most water pumps, that doesn’t mean that the machine is built for that kind of drainage. Instead, think of it as a guideline that shows how quickly you can move water from one place to the other.
Most compact pumps will have flow rates of around 300, while high-powered units can go up to 800-1000 gallons per hour. If the pump is designed for RVs, it will usually list gallons per minute instead.
One thing to remember about the flow rate is that the angle and length of the hose will affect it. For example, if you’re using a 20-foot hose at an incline of 10 feet, you can drastically reduce the flow rate. Instead of being 800 GPH, it could go down to 500 or so. Keep that in mind so that you’re not confused when the water isn’t moving as quickly.
Final Verdict
Since we looked at a variety of pump types, it’s impossible to say which one is the best water pump overall. If you’re looking for a utility pump, then we like the durability and versatility of the Wayne PC2. Otherwise, the Meditool 1.6 HP Pump is a viable option for larger outdoor jobs. Both of these units are well crafted and should last for years to come, provided that you use them correctly.
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