“Sump pumps are optimal with areas with standing water or where water can enter the structure,” says Vinny Lobdell, founder and past president of the Healthway family of brands and Intellipure Inc. Our top pick, the Ridgid 1 HP Stainless Steel Dual Suction Sump Pump, delivers plenty of power while still being quiet. The durable construction means that it can protect your basement from flooding for years without early wear and breakdown. Here are the best sump pumps. Because it uses standard 1.5-inch national pipe tapered thread, you can install it without special equipment or supplies other than plumbing tape. Note that it requires a sump basin with a diameter of at least 11 inches, so it isn’t suitable for smaller spaces. Finally, we appreciate the 5-year warranty, which is a nice feature, since this unit is on the expensive side, compared with smaller models. Price at time of publish: $329 The Superior 01250 pumps 1,800 gallons per hour and removes water down to ⅛ inch from the base. It also removes debris up to ⅛ inch, which can pass through the removable debris screen. The thermoplastic product can be carried by the built-in handle. It should be positioned close to a standard electrical outlet, which should be well above any potential water. The product connects to a standard garden hose to discharge the water. Price at time of publish: $55 The unit pumps up to 5,490 gallons per hour and can clear even larger spaces quickly. It uses standard 1.5-inch NPT plumbing connections and doesn’t require professional installation. However, it requires a sump basin with a 15-inch diameter or larger, so you may need to expand your existing space to fit this larger unit. Price at time of publish: $430 The system pumps up to 2,600 gallons per hour when placed at the water level. However, we note that this product’s control box requires maintenance in the form of adding distilled water every six months; the control system cleverly alerts you to do that. This combination of features could justify its somewhat higher price point. Price at time of publish: $268 The pump is powder coated cast iron and, as such, is heavier than stainless steel or plastic models, weighing over 20 pounds. You may need two people to install it—not because installation is complex but because the product can be hard to move into place, due to its weight. We appreciate, though, that it lasts for years and doesn’t rattle or make any noise when operating. Price at time of publish: $206 The ⅓-HP pump from Superior Pump has all stainless steel components, including the drive shaft and cover, float ball, rod, and rod guide. The base is made of cast iron to keep it in place and weighted down. The motor is air-cooled and pumps up to 3,000 gallons per hour. It can lift water up to 25 feet to remove it from the area. You need to have access to power in the right place for the 10-foot cord. The base measures 12 inches in diameter, so make sure it fits in your sump basin. Price at time of publish: $146 When at the water level, it can pump up to 3,000 gallons per hour. It can pump up to 20 feet of lift, which lowers the pumping rate to 250 gallons per hour. It does not have a float, but it uses a sensor to automatically turn on when the water rises above 1.75 inches and to turn off when it falls below 0.5 inches. If you want to completely clear the water, this may not be the best option. However, it does mean you can leave the pump unattended and not worry about it burning out. Price at time of publish: $170 The pump can move up to 3,720 gallons per hour at 0-foot lift and 3,100 gallons per hour at a 10-foot lift. It also has a backup system that can pump up to 2,000 gallons per hour, as well as 1,000 gallons per hour under power-outage conditions. The monitoring panel operates 24 hours per day and alerts to a plethora of indications, including pump activation or failure, required battery changes, an interrupted power supply, water needed in the battery compartment, and whether the system is operating properly. It does require a battery, which is sold separately and adds to the system’s high cost. Price at time of publish: $332
Footprint
The sump pump’s base is almost always the heaviest part of the assembly and made of an extra-durable material such as cast iron. It is also the primary determining factor in how much space the sump pump needs on the floor or in another location. You need a sump basin, where the sump pump is located. Look at the required minimum sump basin diameter when determining which sump pump is right for your space.
Material
Sump pumps can be made of stainless steel, which is light and durable. Thermoplastic is also light and affordable, but it can wear with time. Cast iron is the most durable, but it is heavy to move and expensive. All are good options for a sump pump, which can last for years with the right maintenance and care.
Power
Many sump pumps run on corded electric power. For those, you need to have an electrical outlet nearby to provide power, and the outlet must be positioned above the pump, as well as above any anticipated water line. Electric cords generally can plug into GFCI outlets, following any building codes. Helpful when the electricity goes out, battery-backup sump pumps run on specially made marine batteries. Some batteries are rechargeable; all require swapping out within three years or so.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. When researching the best sump pumps, she considered cost and installation, as well as the power and speed that each pump offered. She also gathered insight from Vinny Lobdell, founder and past president of the Healthway family of brands and Intellipure Inc. Lobdell is an air quality expert and global entrepreneur with more than 25 years of indoor air quality experience. He provided insight on the needs for a sump pump in certain environments.
