Deciding on the best sump pump, will be affected by your needs. There are countless sump pump reviews, all claiming to be the best. Though not all really make the grade. If you’re looking for a submersible sump pump, the options can be bewildering. Not only do we intend to provide you with the most comprehensive sump pump review, this should also be a valuable guide on how to set about buying the best sump for your individual needs.
Top Rated Submersible Sump Pumps With Battery Backup Options
We’ve done some intense research for this sump pump review. By observing what people require when buying a submersible sump pump, we’ve narrowed your search down to a few of the best options. Some are aimed at the budget buyer, offering an acceptable level of quality and dependability, at a reasonable price. Amongst the more expensive pumps in this review, you’ll find more heavy-duty machines with greater capabilities. We’ve also included a mighty powerful sump pump with 12-volt battery backup. So you can be sure that your home will be protected from water damage and unwanted flooding.
1. WAYNE CDU980E 3/4 HP Submersible Cast Iron and Stainless Steel Sump Pump
Power, durability, and superb design define the Wayne CDU980E ¾HP submersible sump pump. Although there are many cheaper options, for this class of pump, the Wayne ¾HP model offers outstanding value for money. This is the second largest model in the Wayne submersible sump pump range, the largest is a 1 HP machine.
An ultra-durable pump, the Wayne CDU980E consists of a stainless steel housing and cast iron pump base. It utilizes top suction to reduce the risk of airlocks and blockage resulting from debris in the sump pit.
The vertical float makes for a compact pump (11” diameter sump) and 1½” NPT discharge allows for excellent flow rates, from 5,490 Gallons per Hour (GPH) at 0’ head, to 3,500 GPH with a head of 20’.
For such a powerful machine, the Wayne submersible pump range is exceptionally quiet, it won’t disturb your sleep. It is also one of best sump pumps in terms of build quality. The float switch is tested for a million cycles, you can depend on these pumps to work hard for years.
Made in the US, with local and imported components, quality control is of the highest standard. This is abundantly clear when look at the fantastic 5-year warranty.
2. Zoeller M53 Mighty-Mate Submersible Sump Pump, 1/3 Hp
Of the models featured in this submersible sump pump review, the Zoeller Mighty-Mate is one of the least powerful. Being a ¹⁄₃HP pump, it is more affordable than the larger models. This makes it one of the best cheap sump pumps for a small basement. You will also save on energy consumption. So the little Zoeller Mighty-Mate is an all-round winner when it comes to your budget.
Delightfully compact, with a vertical float, it’s ideal for smaller sumps. It is also a designed for longevity, all cast iron with an epoxy powder coating.
The 1½” discharge can handle solid particles up to ½” without blocking. Even though this is not the biggest, or most powerful pump, it is quite capable, and can handle a maximum head of 19.25 Ft, with a flow rate of 43 GPM at 5 Ft. head.
An inexpensive submersible sump pump need not be second best. This exemplifies the Zoeller M53 Mighty-Mate. It is durable and provides excellent performance for its size. With a 3-year warranty, this pump is obviously of a high quality standard.
3. Wayne WSS30VN Upgraded Combination 1/2 HP and 12-Volt Battery Back Up System
A utility pump that will keep running during an outage, the Wayne WSS30VN offers the best of all worlds. With a main 115V AC pump, and a backup 12V DC pump, the Wayne combination sump pump will keep your basement dry 24/7, no matter what happens.
Because the Wayne WSS30VN utilizes two pumps, you will need to make sure your sump basin can accommodate the extra size, you’ll need at least 15” diameter. Not bad for this type of unit.
The AC primary pump is rated at ½ HP. So it packs quite a punch, removing 5,040 GPH at 0’ head, and 900 GPH at 20’ head. The 12V backup pump is not quite as powerful, starting at 2,900 GPH at 0’ head. The battery will pump up to 10,000 gallons on a single charge.
Despite all the complexities involved with a dual pump setup, the Wayne WSS30VN is remarkably easy to install. The unit arrives fully assembled. It takes roughly 15-minutes to install and is not at all complicated to do. It also comes with a fully enclosed battery housing, keeping everything neat and safe. You will need to buy a check valve separately. This is required whenever you have dual pump system.
Like the other Wayne pump (reviewed above), this model is also blissfully quiet. It is made from cast iron with a durable epoxy coating. It should remain rust-free for a long time, though probably not quite as long as the elite stainless Wayne pumps. This model has a 3-year warranty. As with other Wayne sump pumps, the float switch is tested for 1,000,000 cycles.
4. Liberty Pumps 257 Series Cast Iron Automatic Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump
At first, you may think the Liberty a little expensive for a small ¹⁄₃HP sump pump. Though, once you take into account the durable nature and superior performance of this mighty little machine, it starts to make sense. This sump pump fits into a drain as small 10” in diameter and does an incredible job keeping your basement free of unwanted water.
The one-piece design, made from epoxy coated cast iron, makes the Liberty 257 an incredibly durable submersible sump pump. The AC electric motor is of the highest standard, being both immensely durable and fantastically energy efficient. This could save you up to 40% in electricity costs.
Few ¹⁄₃ HP submersible sump pumps can compete with this one. It pumps up to 50 GPH and can handle an incredible maximum head of 21-feet. The 1½” discharge handles solid debris up ½” with absolute ease. Despite the large debris capacity offered by this model, the guys at Liberty Pumps recommend the 251 and 253 models for effluent. This is because the Liberty 257 has a fixed time cycle for the Vertical Magnetic Float (VMF) switch. It has relatively short on off cycles that cannot be adjusted.
Quite a remarkable submersible sump pump and enduringly rugged, the Liberty Pumps 257 is worth every dime of its above average price tag. It uses less electricity than most equivalents, yet pumps more water in a shorter space of time, to a greater height. Quality is assured from a respected manufacturer, with a 3-year warranty.
5. WaterAce WA33SAS Sump Pump
Bargain basement price, above average durability and performance. It seems quite incredible that the WaterAce WA33SAS¹⁄₃HP sump pump can be so cheap. There is nothing that would suggest this is an inferior product. To the contrary, it has a solid cast iron body, with a rust resistant coating, and performance to match any of the best sump pumps in this review.
With a flow rate of 5,100 GPH (at 0’ head), the WaterAce defies expectations. A powerful pump that is compact enough to fit into an 11” dimeter sump drain is a real bonus.
Comparable to any high-end sump pump, the little WaterAce has no problem dealing with solid debris up to ½ inch. It’s also a money saver in the energy consumption department, simply adding to the long term value for money.
Although a good deal cheaper than most other pumps of a similar size, the WaterAce matches, even exceeds, most of its competitors on every level. The 2-year warranty may not be as good as some of the most expensive equivalents; but is better than the average 1-year warranty that you get for others costing this little. Look at it from any point of view, the WaterAce WA33SAS submersible sump pump amounts to outstanding value for money.
Submersible Sump Pump Buying Guide
Having read our submersible sump pump review, many of you may still have some questions. One crucial element is deciding what size submersible sump pump is going to be best. Though there are several other factors to consider. In this buying guide, I intend to help the undecided make an informed decision and buy with confidence.
What is a Submersible Sump Pump?
The purpose of a sump pump is to remove excess water from low-lying areas of a building, typically a basement or crawl space beneath the floor. Ground water and flooding will find its way through cracks in the foundation or seep gradually through walls. Water will always collect at the lowest point, under the floor of your home.
As we all know, water damage is a serious risk and we, therefore, need to ensure that we keep unwanted moisture under control. A basement will usually have a pit or drain. Referred to as a sump, this is a recess in the floor of the basement, creating a low area where water will collect. As the sump fills, water needs to be removed. A pump is used to lift the water to ground level and then channel it to a safe distance from the home, where it cannot cause damage.
Two types of pumps are used to remove water from a sump
1. Submersible Sump Pump
2. Pedestal Pump
The primary difference is that a submersible pump is situated inside the pit or sump and is permanently submersed in the water. A pedestal pump is placed above the sump with a pipe leading int the pit. There are pros and cons to both pumps. Though submersible sump pumps are the most popular for their ease of use and safety. I’ll list the pros and cons of submersible sump pumps vs pedestal pumps.
Submersible Sump Pump Pros:
Submersible Sump Pump Cons:
Pedestal Pump Pros:
Pedestal Pump Cons:
Buying the Right Size Sump Pump
Sizing your sump pump is probably the most important decision. There are two factors to the pump size. One is the physical size. A submersible sump pump needs to fit into the basement pit. We also need to consider the size of the electric motor.
Sump pumps are generally powered by a motor rated from ¼Hp to 1HP. Normally, when sizing a pump, going bigger is better. You can move more water and a higher horsepower rating would mean the pump doesn’t have to work as hard t achieve this. Though this is not true for sump pumps. The pump needs to be sized according to the vertical lift (head) and the amount of water that needs to be displaced.
If the pump is overpowered, it will remove the water too quickly. This will result in short cycles; the pump will switch on and off more than it needs to. Short pumping cycles place extra wear on the pump, reducing its lifespan.
An underpowered pump will have the converse effect. For one thing, the pump may not have enough power to lift the water to a sufficient height. This will render the pump useless. If the basement experiences heavy flooding, the pump may not be powerful enough to remove the water fast enough.
So, it’s important to consider the head capability of the pump, relative to the amount of water it is required to remove per hour. As the head increases, so the Gallons per Hour (GPH) is reduced. To remove a lot of water from a deep basement, you will obviously need a more powerful pump. A graph or chart should be available for the pump you’re buying. This will show the relationship between lift height (head) and the amount of water the pump will remove.
For the average home, a ¹⁄₃Hp should be sufficient. These pumps will usually be cheaper and use less electricity than larger pumps. They are also smaller in size and will fit most pits. These pumps are most effective for a height of 7 – 10 feet. While some are rated for a head of up to 21’, their efficiency is greatly reduced when pumping to this kind of height. In other words, when you exceed 10’, the pump probably won’t remove the water fast enough to prevent flooding. As you increase the pump size you can remove greater quantities of water to a higher point.
Automation
Any sump pump designed specifically for this purpose needs to switch on when needed and off when sufficient water is removed. It should do this automatically. The most common method to control the pump is to use a float switch. These are relatively inexpensive and very reliable. As you’ve seen in the review, a sump pump should have a built-in float switch, or similar device to automatically control the pump.
When the water reaches a certain volume in the pit, the pump will automatically switch on and run until the water drops to a safe level. Some sump pumps use a timer, which will switch the pump on and off at regular intervals. These pumps need a constant flow into the basement as they can run dry when no water is the sump.
Some high-end sump pumps have Wi Fi apps that give you remote control over the pump, even when you are not at home. These apps will alert you to faults, so you know what’s going on without having to physically go down to the basement and check on your pump. Others may have an alarm that will sound when the pump fails, or a fault is detected.
Battery Backup
Flooding and water seepage does not cease when the power goes out. The only way to ensure that you have a pump that functions during an outage is to install a sump pump with battery backup. If you have a backup generator, this won’t be entirely necessary. Though you may not be home when the power fails. This will mean the sump pump will not function until some one switches the generator on.
Battery backup sump pumps automatically switch over to battery power when the mains power goes down. The battery will then automatically be recharged when the power is restored. Giving you hands-off permanent peace of mind. There are two methods of providing battery backup for a sump pump.
An inverter that converts the DC power from the battery into AC power is probably the best. This is because only one pump is required, and you don’t need extra space in the basin. However, inverters are expensive and more complicated, which could result in higher long term maintenance costs.
The most common battery backup system for a sump pump is to use two pumps. These will consist of a primary AC pump which runs on the mains power. A second DC pump is powered directly from the battery and functions only when the mains power is disconnected. There are two issues that need to be considered when using a dual pump battery backup pump. One is the size of the unit. Because you have two pumps, your sump pit needs to be large enough to accommodate both pumps. The second thing to consider is the pumping capacity of the backup DC pump. These are generally less powerful than the primary AC pump and will, therefore, remove less water per hour.
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