Without a doubt, submersible pumps are some of the most versatile tools of the modern age. They can be used for jobs such as providing clean water to irrigation systems, pumping well water, and even for pumping sewage from septic tanks. However, that’s only the tip of the proverbial iceberg because they can also be used for a lot of other jobs as well. Everyone at some time is probably going to need one of these pumps for one thing or another. And that’s why we’ve decided to go ahead and review the ten best submersible pumps, so our readers can find the pump that best suits their needs.

Best Submersible Pumps

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10Zoeller M53 Mighty-Mate Sump Pump

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Since this pump is named the Mighty Mate, we were expecting a powerful sump pump, but we didn’t know just how powerful it was going to be. Fortunately, we were pleasantly surprised and found this to be one of the best submersible pumps available. It has a durable cast-iron case, a powerful heavy-duty 3/10-HP motor, and has extremely durable housing. It can pump 43 gallons of water per minute at a 5-foot TDH. It also has a shut-off switch, a 1.5-inch discharge, and an integral float-activated switch. It’s certainly a quality pump that we feel many people are going to find quite useful.

9Wayne 1/3-HP Submersible Cast-Iron Pump

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This submersible sump pump is not only designed to be powerful but is also designed to be extremely durable. It’s manufactured in the U.S. from quality components and is made using a combination of steel and cast iron that should hold up to just about any conditions. This model also contains an oil-filled heavy-duty motor and has been tested to a million cycles to ensure that it’s reliable. Additional features that can be found on this submersible pump includes a mechanical float switch that allows it to be installed in sump basins 11-inch in diameter or larger and a high-capacity 1.5-inch NPT discharge.

8Wayne WWB Water-Bug Pump

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This multi-flow submersible pump is manufactured in the U.S from quality components and is designed to deal with a variety of different water pumping applications. Since it’s equipped with multi-flow technology, the user can select how the water should be discharged. If the need to remove water from a confined space, then its top discharge can be selected and is suitable for pumping water from buckets or window wells. If water needs to be removed from flat surfaces, then a side-discharge can be selected, and that’s suitable for pumping water from flooded basements or standing water on the lawn. All of which makes it a very versatile pump.

7Hallmark Industries Deep-Well Pump

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Designed as a deep-well submersible pump, this product can easily be placed into 4-inch or 5-inch well casings and has many of the features that property owners look for in one of these pumps. It has a maximum head of 150-feet that’s designed to pump into an open tank, and it has a built-in control box, so the consumer doesn’t have to buy one separately. This model is also equipped with a built-in check valve, a 1.25-inch NPT discharge, and has a 1/2-HP capacitor start. It’s also equipped with a thermal protection switch that prevents it from overheating under load.

6Superior Pump 1/3-HP Cast-Iron Sump Pump

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Even though this product from Superior Pumps is designed to be used as a sump pump, it still has many of the features that a homeowner can count on when an emergency strikes. This pump is made out of high-quality cast-iron, so it’s designed to last, and it has a 10-foot power cord that allows it to be easily hooked up to a standard outlet. It’s also a model that’s been fully tested at the factory for quality and performance, so the homeowner knows when they set it up there’s isn’t going to be any surprises. Overall, it’s a quality sump pump that’s has a 25-foot vertical pump height and can move 2,760 gallons of water per hour.

5Eco-Flo Manual Utility Pump

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It doesn’t matter if a homeowner wants to get this submersible utility pump for pumping water out of their flooded basement, for pumping water from a well, or for circulating water in a pond, it’s a great pump to own and use. Unlike some of the submersible pumps its currently competing with, this model is designed to have a low carbon footprint, so homeowners can use it with confidence. It’s also a pump that’s designed to last for a long time and is made out of a corrosion-resistant plastic that should keep the unit running for years to come.

4Homasy 400-GPH Water Fountain Pump

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This 25-watt water fountain pump has many of the features that people look for out of a submersible pump. It has a compact size, is capable of pumping up to 400 gallons of water per minute, and has a maximum water lift height of 6.9-feet. Its motor is an energy-efficient model as well, so the person using it doesn’t have to worry about it driving up their electric bill. Other key features that can be found on this pump include a suction cup for easy glass installation and a 5.9-foot power cord. All of these features make this pump great for using on fountains, aquariums, ponds or hydroponic systems.

3Kedsum 550-GPH Ultra-Quiet Pump

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This submersible pump is designed to be used in fish tanks, ponds, aquariums or any other body of water that doesn’t contain more than 132 gallons of water. It’s made with 4 suction cups on its bottom, so it can easily be mounted either horizontally or vertically to a glass surface. This pump is also designed with a 6.5-foot power cord with grounded plug for safety. As far as pumping power is concerned, this pump is a winner in that department as well. That’s because it’s capable of easily pumping up to 550 gallons-per-minute, so it can even be used for hydroponic use.

2Simple Deluxe 400-GPH Water Pump

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This water pump is great for aerating the water for fish or turtles, and it has the features that allow it to do that job quite well. It doesn’t have any exposed copper that could harm these animals, and it has a pre-filter that prevents debris from clogging its intake. It also has a waterproof cord that’s grounded, has a polished aluminum oxide impeller shaft, and its key motor components are coated with an epoxy resin encasement system that protects them. That makes this pump great for not only fish tanks but also for founts, hydroponic system or just about any other application where a submersible pump comes in handy.

1Little Giant 1/6-HP Hydroponic Pump

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With a pump rate of 1,200 gallons-per-minute and pre-screen that helps prevent its intake from sucking up the debris that might be harmful to its motor, this submersible pump is ideal for hydroponic use or other applications that require constant water pumping. This model is extremely quiet as well and is capable of removing water up to 1/8th of an inch of the water’s surface. Its 1/6-HP motor is thermally protected, to prevent it from burning out, and this pump is equipped with a lifetime oil that never needs to be changed. All of which makes this pump suitable for a variety of tasks.

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A Guide To Submersible Pumps

Buying the best submersible pump doesn’t have to be an ordeal, as our top ten list above clearly shows. As long as the consumer keeps their needs in mind while they’re shopping, they should have no problem identifying a pump that’s suitable for their needs. In this guide, we list some additional tips that will make this process even smoother and allow all of our readers to find the submersible pump that works best for them. Sound good? Well, if it does, then let’s get started.

How Does A Submersible Pump Operate?

Before we talk about how to purchase the best submersible pump available, it’s properly a good idea for us to talk about just precisely what qualifies a pump as a submersible pump. As the name implies, these pumps can be submerged underwater to pump water out of wells, flooded basements or for other applications. Because they’re submerged, these pumps have to have off their inner electrical system hermetically sealed, and they’re equipped with impellers that are customized according to the liquids they’re tasked with dealing with. When the float switch of the pump detects water, it turns on the motor, which in turn starts the impellers to pull water into the pump. These impellers then force the water out of the pump where it can be guided to its final destination.

Choosing The Right Submersible Pump

Now that we know how submersible pumps work, at least in theory, it’s time to talk about some of the features that the consumer is going to want to think about while they’re choosing a new pump. Although these pumps are quite simple, there are a few things that the consumer is going to want to concern themselves with. Let’s take a look at some of the features that the consumer might want to keep in mind when choosing a pump that’s right for their home.

Step One: Choose A Type Of Submersible Pump

Although there are a variety of submersible pumps available, the vast majority of them can be parked into one of three different groups: Wastewater Submersibles, Well Water Submersibles, and Drainage Submersibles. Let’s take a closer look at each of these types and find out a little bit about each one.

  • Wastewater Submersibles – Also known as Sewage Submersible Pumps, these pumps are designed to pump dirty water and sewage. Due to the nature of their work, they have to be more durable than other types of submersible pumps and they’re equipped with filtering systems that are designed to deal with solids floating in the water.
  • Wellwater Submersibles – These pumps are designed to be used in wells to pump water. These pumps are further classified into a few sub-categories which include Shallow Well Pumps, Deep Well Pumps, and Convertible Jet Well Pumps. Shallow pumps are suitable for wells to 25-feet or under, deep well pumps are for wells that are 90 to 300-feet deep, and convertible jet pumps can operator anywhere from 0 to 25-feet of depth.
  • Drainage Submersible Pumps – These types of pumps are designed for drainage uses. Some of them designed for clearing floodwater from basements or flooding, and some are designed to be placed in sump pump wells to keep groundwater from seeping into the home in the first place. Some of the pumps can also be used in conjunction with a lift station to pump water away from the property and store it into a tank for use later.

Step Two: Selecting A Replacement Pump

If you’re replacing a pump that you currently owned and simply needs to be replaced because it’s worn out, then you’re probably going to just want to look at your old pump and buy a comparable model. After all, if the pump had been working effectively for you, then there’s no reason to invent the wheel. On the other hand, if you’re looking to upgrade, then this step isn’t likely to help you all that much, so feel free to move into the next section of this guide.

Step Three: Decide On A Float Switch Type

The next thing that consumers should consider when selecting a new submersible pump is the type of float switch that’s listed on it. Although there are a few different types of float switches available, most of them can be categorized as either Vertical Switches or Tethered Switches. Vertical switches activate the pump when they move upwards and are often equipped on pumps that have a 10-inch diameter or smaller. Tethered Switches activate the pump when they move in a diagonal direction. These switches are often used on pumps that have a 12-inch or higher intake or on heavy-duty pump models.

Step Four: Consider The Strength Of The Submersible

The next thing that the consumer is going to want to consider is how strong of a pump they need. The further the distance from the pump that the water is to be moved, the stronger the pump needs to be. Of course, buying a pump that’s stronger than what needed is just a waste of money, especially considering that the more powerful the pump is the more likely it is to cost.

Step Five: Consider A Backup Battery System

The consumer should also consider whether they need a battery backup system as well. If they’re pumping floodwater from their basement or water from their well, then they will probably want to make sure that their pump has a backup battery system. Of course, it’s all up to the consumer, but we feel that most people are probably going to want a pump with a backup battery.