Best Submersible Pumps Reviews 2018
When it comes to moving water from point A to point B, the best way to do this is with an automated pump. Regardless of your need, this kind of device will make the process so much easier than if you tried to do it by hand. You could need to remove water from a flooded basement, operate a fountain, or even pump water through a hydroponic system, but no matter what it is a pump is a crucial part of the operation.
So, with that in mind, we are going to look at the best submersible pumps you can find. While there are varying classes of pumps, we are going to focus on these because they can do so much for your needs. Also, we are going to go over the features and considerations that you should think about when deciding on the right pump for you.
Post Contents
- 1 What is a Submersible Pump?
- 2 Best Submersible Water Pumps Comparison Table
- 3 Best Submersible Pumps Reviews - In Depth Reviews
- 4 How to Choose The Best Submersible Pumps
- 5 Final Verdict
What is a Submersible Pump?
Simply put, this is a water pump that can be completely submerged. The housing and the motor are insulated to prevent damage, meaning that you can drop it in your water tank and it will still work perfectly. There are a few reasons to have a submersible pump, such as if you want to move water through a fountain or an aquarium.
That being said, these kinds of pumps can also be good at removing water from flooded areas or pools, depending on how they are built and what their primary purpose is. No matter what, through, only submersible pumps can be placed underwater. If it doesn’t specify, then don’t risk it.
Best Submersible Water Pumps Comparison Table
Name | Image | HP | Warranty | Price and review | Editors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Superior Pump 1/4 HP Top Picks |  | 1/4 HP | 1 Year | ||
Zoeller M53 |  | 1/3 HP | 1 Year | ||
Simer 2305-04 |  | 1/4 HP | 1 Year | ||
VicTsing 80 GPH |  | 4 Watts | 3 Years | ||
Active Aqua AAPW250 |  | - | 1 Year |
Best Submersible Pumps Reviews - In Depth Reviews
1. Superior Pump 1/4 HP Thermoplastic Submersible Pump
Starting our list is this utility pump from Superior Pump. This means that this particular model is built to handle water removal or high-capacity recycling duties. As such, the materials used are industrial grade, meaning that they are rust and corrosion resistant.
A thermoplastic housing is what keeps the ¼ horsepower motor protected, making this a versatile and reliable pump for all kinds of utility applications.
What we like most about this pump is the performance. It can move up to thirty gallons per minute, and it has a vertical lift of
25 feet. This is better than most other pumps out there, and it means that you can make short work of any water removal project. The only downside is that it won’t shut off on its own, so you will have to monitor it to keep it from getting damaged
Pros
- Powerful ¼ horsepower motor
- Corrosion-resistant thermoplastic housing
- Ideal for utility applications
- Long ten-foot power cord
- Lifts water up to 25 feet high
- Durable iron pipe discharge thread
- Moves up to 30 gallons per minute
- Clog resistant suction
- Continuous operation
- Compact design
- Optional float switch to use as a sump pump
- Pumps water down to ⅛ inch
- Thermally protected motor
- Hose adapter included
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- No automatic shutoff
- In rare cases, the unit may develop a leak
- May develop scale buildup over time
Also check out Superior Pump 91250 review
2. Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Submersible Sump Pump
If you’re not familiar with a sump pump, it is a device that is meant to keep your basement from flooding. It’s usually installed in the ground with a float switch that activates the pump if it reaches a certain level. So, if you live in a house that experiences flooding on a regular basis, this could be a great option for you.
What we like most about this pump is the durability of the materials. Unlike most other models, it uses cast iron components and a thermoplastic bottom to not only insulate the motor (making it submersible) but keep it working year after year.
As long as it doesn’t contact saltwater, you should be able to keep this pump installed for a long time. The other thing we like is that it comes with thermal overload protection, which means that it will shut off on its own as long as the float switch is working properly.
Pros
- Durable cast iron components
- Corrosion-resistant thermoplastic base
- Powerful ⅓ horsepower motor
- Non-clogging vortex impeller
- Automatic operation with float switch
- Designed as a sump pump, but can work for other applications
- Long nine-foot power cord
- Thermal overload protection
- Oil-filled motor for better operation
- Flow rate of 45 gallons per minute
- Vertical lift of 15 feet
- Cast iron stays cool for longer operation
Cons
- Float switch may not be as durable as the pump itself
- In some cases, it may not shut off on its own
- In rare instances, the motor may not be sealed correctly
3. Simer 2305-04 Geyser II 1/4 HP Submersible Pump
If you’re looking for a simple and easy way to get water out somewhere, then this pump from Simer is a perfect way to do it. It’s ready to go right out of the box, meaning that all you have to do is plug it in and let it work. It’s self-priming and will operate until all the water is gone, although you do have to monitor it to shut it off when there is no more water left.
While it doesn’t have quite the same performance as the Superior Pump above, it does offer a flow rate of 21 gallons per minute and a vertical lift of up to ten feet. This is ideal for most utility applications and should provide excellent results no matter what your needs are.
Also, it does have thermal overload protection just in case it does overheat. Finally, it comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
Pros
- Powerful ¼ horsepower motor
- Corrosion-resistant thermoplastic housing
- Compact and lightweight design
- Plug and play operation
- Garden hose adapter included
- Long eight-foot power cord
- Flow rate of 21 gallons per minute
- Vertical lift of ten feet
- Pumps down to ¼ inches of water
- Ideal for utility applications
- Thermal overload protection
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- No automatic shutoff
- Cord may overheat at times
- In rare cases, the unit may turn off unexpectedly
4. VicTsing 80 GPH (300L/H) Submersible Water Pump
So far, we’ve seen heavy duty pumps that are meant for water removal. In this case, though, we are looking at a smaller pump that is built for things like aquariums and hydroponics.
The VicTsing Pump is one of the lightest and most convenient models that we’ve seen, which means that no matter what kind of recycling you want to do, it should help you make it a reality.
What we like most about this pump is that it can fit practically anywhere. Also, it has two adapters so that you can attach almost any hose to it, making it one of the most versatile mini pumps we’ve seen.
It even has suction cup feet so that you can mount it vertically or horizontally on glass if need be. This is the perfect aquarium or fountain pump.
Pros
- Small, compact pump
- Ideal for aquariums and hydroponics
- Adjustable flow rate
- Max rate of 80 gallons per hour
- Super quiet operation
- Suction cup feet for stability
- Vertical lift of 2.6 feet
- Hose adapters included
- Percolator reduces clogging
- Easy to take apart to fix
- Cost effective
Cons
- Short power cord
- Can get clogged easily
- Not designed for heavy duty use or water removal
5. Active Aqua Submersible Water Pump
Our final model is a water pump from Active Aqua. This particular model is built with hydroponics in mind, although it will work well as a recycling pump for other applications such as fountains or aquariums. As long as you don’t put salt water inside of it, you can do a lot with this machine.
One feature that we love about this pump is that it has a flow rate adjustment. Although the max flow is 1000 gallons per hour, you can set it to your liking with the simple dial knob on the front. The other thing we like is that it delivers
clean water. Most pumps have oil lubrication, meaning that the water gets contaminated as it flows through. This model, however, doesn’t use such materials, so it will work for food applications, such as hydroponics. Overall, if you want a robust recycling pump, this is a great buy.
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Designed for large hydroponic tanks
- Flow rate of 1000 gallons per hour
- Bottom feet for stability
- Long ten-foot power cord
- Insulated to protect motor
- Removable foam filters to prevent clogs
- Multiple hose fittings
- Lightweight design
- Oil free for cleaner water
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Adjustable flow rate
- Vertical lift of 7.9 feet
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- Will degrade in salt water
- In rare cases, motor may overheat and shut off unexpectedly
- In rare instances, the flow rate may not be as advertised
How to Choose The Best Submersible Pumps
Purpose
First and foremost, you have to figure out what you need the pump to do. Since there are so many different sizes and types out there, it’s imperative that you find one that’s suited to your exact needs. For example, if you want a pump to run a fountain then you won’t search for one that’s built as a sump pump, and vice versa. Once you’ve figured out the pump’s purpose, then it will be much easier to find which one will work best.
Size
This is partially related to figuring out what you need the pump to do. If you are trying to move water through a hydroponic system, then you need something that will fit nicely in your water tank without taking up too much room. If you want to drain a pool, however, you might need something a lot bigger. Other factors such as flow rate and vertical lift can also play a part, but it’s critical that you find a pump that will fit into the space you need it to.
Flow Rate
This term refers to how much water the pump can move at any given time. Slower pumps will have a flow rating of gallons per hour, while more robust models will showcase their rates as gallons per minutes. Overall, if you are moving a ton of water (such as draining a pool), you want something with a higher flow rate. If the pump is meant for a recycling purpose (such as a fountain), then a lower rate is ideal. In some cases, you can even find pumps that have adjustable rates so that you can set it to your preference.
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Vertical Lift
This rating refers to how high the water can go before it stops moving altogether. So, if a pump has a vertical lift of ten feet, that means that it won’t be able to do anything if the hose reaches eleven feet above the pump. What’s important to note is that the higher the water goes, the less pressure it will have, so you will have a much lower flow rate. For example, a pump could have a flow rate of 80 gallons per hour at ground level, and that rate will go down to 30 gallons per hour at a lift of five feet.
The only time you want to pay attention to this is if you are pumping water out of somewhere and it will need to move vertically to get out. So, for example, draining an eight-foot pool would require a pump with at least ten feet of lift.
Dry Pump Protection
This is a feature that can save your pump from damaging itself. It’s usually found in pumps that are built to remove water rather than cycle it through, but it’s an important feature to have. The reason that you need such protection is that if the pump operates without water flowing through it, the whole system can get damaged as a result.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a heavy duty pump that can make short work out of any water removal job, then we highly recommend the Superior Pump model. It has the best features and most durable construction, which means that it’s built to last. Not only that, but it can displace a lot of water in a short period, even with a higher vertical lift.
For those who are looking to recycle water pump, such as in a fountain or an aquarium, we highly suggest the Active Aqua Water Pump. It may be small, but it works wonders and won’t break down easily. Best Submersible Pumps of all, it can be mounted vertically or horizontally (on glass), making it an excellent choice for aquariums or other similar applications.
