10 Best Sump Pumps in 2021 – (Review & Buying Guide)

If you have a basement or crawlspace, then one of the most crucial appliances you can own is a sump pump. This device can save you thousands of dollars in repairs and damages by keeping your spaces clean and dry when it starts to get flooded.

Because a sump pump is so critical to your home’s safety, you want to make sure that you’re choosing the right model for your needs. To help you make the right choice, we’ve compiled a list of the top pumps available. Let’s see what they have to offer.

Best Sump Pumps – Comparison

IMAGE	NAME	FEATURES	PRICE
	WAYNE CDU980E 3/4 HP	Weight: 12 pounds Primary Material: Cast Iron Horse power: 3/4	Check Price
	WAYNE CDU800 1/2 HP	Weight: 17.8 pounds Primary Material: Cast Iron Horse power: 1.00	Check Price
	WAYNE WSS30V Pre-Assembled	Weight: 33.5 Pounds Primary Material: Cast Iron Horse power: 0.5	Check Price

Best Sump Pumps – Reviews

1. WAYNE CDU980E 3/4 HP Submersible Sump Pump

When looking for the best sump pumps, Wayne is one of the most prolific brands in the industry. They make some of the higher-quality sump pumps, meaning that they are more reliable and easier to use than other models.

In this case, we have a submersible sump pump. This type of pump is usually better for flooding because if they are submerged in water, they won’t stop working. Also, because sump pumps need water flowing through to work correctly, it’s usually better to have them in water at all times, just in case.

One of the most crucial elements to pay attention to when picking out a sump pump is the flow rate. This is usually translated in either gallon per minute or gallons per hour. The higher the number is, the better the pump will be at keeping your basement or crawlspace dry at all times. In this case, the Wayne CDU98OE is designed to remove up to 4600 gallons per hour, which is one of the best flow rates you can find.

Another thing to consider about flow rate is how much lift the pump has. Since it’s removing water from your basement, you will have to pump the water vertically to get it out. Most sump pumps can usually move it up about 10-20 feet. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the higher the lift, the less water it can move. Thus, while the maximum flow rate is 4600 gph, it will be substantially less if you have to lift water more than 10 feet.

One feature that we like about this pump is that it has a filter on the top of the suction tube. This ensures that debris doesn’t get inside and clog the impeller, preventing the pump from working. Since you can’t be sure that the water flooding your basement or crawlspace will be clean, it’s imperative that you have a pump with some type of filter installed.

2. WAYNE CDU800 1/2 HP Submersible Cast Iron

If you like the idea of having a Wayne sump pump in your basement, then you will want to choose the right size for your space. We’ve already seen what the CDU980E can do, but this model is a step down regarding performance and capacity. Thus, if you have a smaller area, you may prefer getting a pump like this instead.

The first thing we like about this model is that it’s made of high-quality stainless steel and cast iron components. Since the pump can be submerged for extended periods, it’s critical that it won’t rust or corrode quickly. Stainless steel is well-known for being some of the most resilient materials available, so you can rest easy when you have this pump in place.

Another element that extends the life of this model is the ceramic mechanical seal. Because it’s not made of metal, it will withstand dirty water much more easily. Rust is not an issue with ceramic, so the motor housing can stay dry and operational for years to come.

One element that we haven’t yet discussed about sump pumps is how they activate. Because you need it to work when water is flowing into your basement, you want a system that’s both simple and reliable. In most cases, the pump turns on with a float switch. This is a small ball filled with air that floats up, activating the system. Wayne Pumps also have a stopper to prevent the switch from getting caught in the up position, which can keep the motor running when there isn’t any water. This feature helps extend the life of the appliance.

Compared to the CDU980E, this model has a flow rate of 4200 gallons per hour. Also, it has a smaller ½-horsepower motor, meaning that it may get overloaded if your basement floods regularly. While this pump is reliable, it’s not infallible, so be sure that you’re not putting unnecessary stress on it.

3. WAYNE WSS30V Pre-Assembled 120/12V 1/2 HP Primary

One thing to keep in mind about sump pumps is that they work better in pairs. Most of the pumps that we have on this list are designed as primary units, meaning that they are your first line of defense against flooding.

Unfortunately, pumps can fail from time to time for a variety of reasons, so it’s imperative that you have a backup. One common reason is if the power goes out. Since primary pumps run off of your electricity, it won’t activate if the grid goes down. Thus, you will usually want a battery-powered backup in place.

Fortunately, this set from Wayne includes both a primary and a battery backup sump pump. This can save you a lot of time and energy because you can install both of them at the same time. Also, you don’t have to search and compare different backup units since you already have one in place.

One thing to keep in mind with a backup sump pump is that you want it to be as close to the primary as possible. The flow rate and motor are the most crucial elements, and both of these pumps are tough and reliable.

The primary pump can remove up to 4200 gallons per hour, while the backup can remove up to 3300 gph.

Considering that it’s running off of a battery, that’s an impressive number. Another thing that we like about this two-in-one system is that it comes with an alarm that notifies you when the backup is activated. This feature is designed to help you know that your pump is working, so you don’t have to worry about coming into a flooded basement. There are also signal indicator lights to provide a visual reminder as well.

4. Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Submersible Sump Pump

Although Wayne is one of the most prolific brands of sump pumps, Zoeller is another high-quality manufacturer. These pumps are well-known for being easy to install and able to last a long time, so putting it in your basement can help ensure that you don’t have to worry about flooding for years.

While this model is not as powerful as some of the Wayne Pumps we’ve seen, it’s meant for smaller basements and crawlspaces. It has a flow rate of 2680 gallons per hour, and it comes with a robust ⅓-horsepower motor.

One thing that we like about this pump is that it comes with a vortex impeller. This design is present in all Zoeller Sump Pumps, so even if you get a different model, you know that it won’t clog very easy. Since clogging is one of the most widespread issues that can cause a pump to fail, this impeller system can provide additional peace of mind.

Another feature we appreciate about this pump is the fact that it has thermal overload protection. When pumps don’t activate for months at a time, the energy load can overwhelm the motor and cause it to shut down. With this protection in place, you can be sure that your motor will keep on ticking after long periods of inactivity.

5. Wayne VIP50 1/2 HP Thermoplastic Portable Electric

For the most part, sump pumps are made of rugged metal components. Stainless steel and cast iron are the primary choices because they can stay intact after years of use. However, one issue with a metal housing is that it can rust and corrode over time, especially if you have dirty water in your basement. To avoid this problem altogether, you can get a pump with a thermoplastic shell instead.

What makes thermoplastic ideal is that it’s both durable and corrosion-proof. This way, the pump can be in place for a long time and still work like a dream. The other benefit is that the appliance is much lighter. In this case, having less weight is an advantage because the pump is designed to be portable.

With portable sump pumps, the goal is to deploy them in any flooded area. Some great examples include fountains, pools, and boats, but any space will work with this kind of pump. That being said, you shouldn’t install it as a primary sump pump in your basement as it’s not designed for that kind of load.

What makes this model even more versatile is the fact that you can connect it to a standard garden hose. This enables you to drain water more effectively, no matter where you are. Also, it can drain water down to ⅛ of an inch, meaning that you can dry out your space much faster than with other pump models.

Although this is a smaller unit, it can remove up to 2500 gallons per hour, and it comes with a ½-horsepower motor. It has up to 10 feet of vertical lift, and it has a built-in filter that strains large particles out of the system.

6. Liberty Pumps 257 1/3-Horsepower 1-1/2-Inch Discharge

Although Liberty Pumps is not as prolific as Wayne or Zoeller, the company does make some high-quality parts and machines. In this case, we have the 257 model, which is designed as an energy-efficient pump. It has a flow rate of 51 gallons per minute (over 3000 per hour), and it comes with a ⅓-horsepower motor.

One thing we like about this model is that it comes with a magnetic float switch. The magnets help ensure that the switch stays in place and doesn’t accidentally trigger the pump. Also, we appreciate the fact that the motor is thermally protected and oil-lubricated so that it will stay in pristine condition for years to come.

7. Zoeller 57-0001 M57 Basement High Capacity Pump

We’ve already seen what Zoeller pumps can do, but this model is designed for high-capacity pumping, meaning that it will work better than the other. It has a ⅓ horsepower motor, and it uses Zoeller’s non-clogging impeller system to extend its life. Also, the powder coating on the cast iron housing ensures that the metal won’t break down or corrode easily.

Overall, this pump is a workhorse. It doesn’t have a lot of special features, but it’s designed to work time and time again when you need it. Get the peace of mind by installing this appliance in your basement or crawlspace. Also, because it’s submersible, you can keep it underwater at all times.

8. Basement Watchdog BW1050 Sump Pump

With most sump pumps, they’re designed to kick in when your basement floods and shut off when all of the water is gone. That means that the motor can get damaged or overloaded if it has to stay running for long periods. Fortunately, this unit from Basement Watchdog was built as a continuous pump, meaning that you’re actually extending its life by using it as a sump pump.

One unique feature of this pump is the fact that it comes with two float switches instead of one. This means that even if one switch isn’t working correctly, there’s a backup to ensure that your pump always activates when it’s supposed to.

The flow rate of this pump is 2860 gallons per hour, and it has a plastic housing to prevent rust and corrosion. That being said, the plastic can start to break down if it’s submerged at all times, so we don’t recommend doing that. The motor is resilient for continuous use, but the housing is not the same quality.

9. Rule A53 Series 1800 GPH Submersible Sump/Utility Pump

Once again, we have a portable, on-demand sump pump that can work in a variety of situations. While you can use it as your primary pump in your basement, we suggest only doing that if you have a small area. The motor and flow rate of this model are not as great as other units, so install it with that in mind.

Overall, this pump is great as a utility pump. Thus, if you need to drain water from a fountain or something else, this is an excellent choice. It can remove up to 1800 gallons per hour, and it’s compact and lightweight enough to be deployed almost anywhere.

Features that we like about this model is that it’s fully submersible, it’s quieter than other pumps, and it has a strainer on the bottom to keep it from getting clogged. One thing to note, however, is that while this pump can sound like it will be great for pool covers, that’s not what it’s designed to do. Continuous operation can overload the motor and cause it to break down, and it will void the warranty.

10. ECO-FLO Products EFSA50 1/2 hp 5160 Gph Cast Iron Sump Pump

Our final sump pump is an economic model that helps you save money when it’s active. Because pumps can drain your home’s electricity, it’s nice to know that this unit will be much more efficient when keeping your basement or crawlspace clean and dry.

One feature that we appreciate about the Eco-Flo Pump is that it is super easy to install. You can set it up and have it running in minutes, making it one of the better models out there. That being said, if you’re not sure what you’re doing, we always suggest consulting a professional to make sure that you don’t blow a gasket or create a leak by accident.

This pump is designed to allow smaller particles to flow through, meaning that your water doesn’t have to be pristine to ensure that it won’t overload the motor. The system also has thermal protection to keep the internal components from breaking down over time.

Overall, if you like saving money and you want a pump that works, this is an excellent choice.

Final Verdict:

As we’ve mentioned, having the right sump pump can make a world of difference for your basement. Rather than spending potentially thousands on cleanup and repairs, you can keep your spaces dry and clean at all times.

Because these pumps are so crucial, we have to say that our top models are the Zoeller M57 High-Capacity Pump, as well as the two-in-one set from Wayne. We like the M57 because it’s built tough and it’s easy to install, but we appreciate the fact that you get a battery backup included with the Wayne model. Both of these pumps will provide you with peace of mind at all times.