The Best Shallow Well Pumps for Your Well Water Needs in 2024

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A quality well pump is a necessity to ensure homes that use well water never run dry.

Though it typically sits in the crawl space under a home, out of sight and out of mind, a shallow well pump is one of the most important appliances for a home that relies on well water. 

These machines, with ½- to 1-horsepower motors, supply all the water to the house, drawing it up from the well in the ground to the kitchen and bathrooms. Shallow well pumps move 6 to 12 gallons of water per minute or more from wells up to 25 feet in the ground into a pressurized holding tank that stores the water for use in the home. 

Our pick for the best overall shallow well pump is the Red Lion Premium Cast Iron Shallow Jet Pump for its heavy-duty and long-lasting build; powerful 1,380 gallon per hour (GPH) motor; glass-filled impeller; and lightweight construction. Use this guide to learn about the crucial features to consider when shopping for the best shallow well pump, and check out some more quality models that suit a variety of situations.

1. BEST OVERALL: Red Lion Premium Cast Iron Shallow Jet Pump
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2. RUNNER-UP: Acquaer ½ HP Shallow/Deep Well Jet Pump
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3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: FluentPower 1 HP Portable Garden Transfer Pump
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4. BEST BOOSTER: Pentair Simer ¾ HP Pressure Booster Pump
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5. BEST THERMOPLASTIC: Everbilt J100A3 ½-HP Shallow Well Jet Pump
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6. BEST WITH TANK: Everbilt J100A2 ½-HP Shallow Well Jet Pump
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7. BEST CAST-IRON: Red Lion Cast Iron Shallow Well Jet Pump
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8. BEST FOR SEDIMENT: Aquastrong 1⅗-HP Shallow Well Pump with Pressure Tank
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9. ALSO CONSIDER: Wayne ½-HP Cast Iron Shallow Well Pump
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How We Chose the Best Shallow Well Pumps

We reviewed and assessed more than 20 different shallow well pumps while researching this article. We used several criteria to evaluate them. Our selections come from reputable pump brands, including Wayne, Red Lion, and Everbilt. Durability is crucial, so we looked at submersible pumps that can endure extended use with either stainless steel or cast-iron construction. 

Our selections also include pumps with various sizes of electric motors to suit the water-pressure demands of different households. With that in mind, we included ½-horsepower models, suitable for irrigation purposes and smaller homes, and larger ¾ to 1½ horsepower models for full-size homes. All of the units we chose are easy to operate, thanks to features that automatically turn them off and on based on water pressure. 

Our Top Picks

The submersible pumps described here are constructed with durable materials and are powerful enough to meet the needs of small and large houses. Any of them can do a solid job of supplying a home with enough water to meet the needs of its occupants. 

Best Overall

Red Lion Premium Cast Iron Shallow Jet Pump

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Product Specs 

• Motor size: 1 horsepower (½ horsepower and  ¾ horsepower also available)
• Dimensions: 17.72 inches long by 9.1 inches wide by 9.1 inches high
• Maximum flow rate: 1,380 GPH (1-horsepower model)

What We Like

• Rugged durable cast-iron pump holds up to long-term use
• Powerful motor is capable of moving up to 1,380 GPH (1-horsepower model)
• A glass-filled impeller produces excellent flow rate

What We Don’t Like

• Some customers report that the pump can be difficult to prime

Rock-solid construction and size options make this Red Lion pump work for different household sizes. It’s available in ½-horsepower/12 gallons per minute (GPM), ¾-horsepower/16 GPM, and 1-horsepower/23 GPM options to suit small and large homes. 

The durable 1-HP shallow well pump has thick cast-iron construction and weighs 40-plus pounds. It features a glass-filled thermoplastic impeller for optimal flow rate. This pump can work with both 115-volt and 230-volt power supplies.

Get the Red Lion Premium shallow well pump at Amazon or Walmart.

Runner Up

Acquaer ½ HP Shallow/Deep Well Jet Pump

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Product Specs 

• Motor size: ½ horsepower
• Dimensions: 13 inches long by 8.3 inches wide by 7.1 inches high
• Maximum flow rate: 710 GPH

What We Like

• This mode is much more affordable than other ½-horsepower well pumps
• Resists cracks and leaks thanks to its durable cast-iron construction
• Pump functions automatically with pressure switch preset 

What We Don’t Like

• Has a lower maximum flow rate than other higher-priced well pumps

This Acquaer model offers construction and power similar to other shallow well pumps at a more affordable price. The ½-horsepower pump can move 12 gallons of water per minute, typically enough to handle even larger households. 

Although the housing, which consists of cast-iron and steel parts, isn’t as rugged as models with all-cast-iron construction, it’s durable enough to stand up to daily use for many years. And its comparably high flow rate means it won’t need to run constantly to keep up with the home’s water demands. A preset switch shuts off when the tank reaches 50 pounds per square inch (PSI) and turns it back on when it drops to 30 PSI. This pump works on both 115-volt and 230-volt power. 

Get the Acquaer shallow well pump at Amazon.

Best Bang For The Buck

FluentPower 1 HP Portable Garden Transfer Pump

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Product Specs 

• Motor size: 1 horsepower 
• Dimensions: 13.2 inches long by 8.9 inches wide by 9.8 inches high 
• Maximum flow rate: 900 GPH

What We Like

• Made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel; built to last for years 
• Features a waterproof on/off switch; priming and drain ports; a cooling, vented design; and two ¾-inch standard garden hose adapters
• Maximum output of 360 GPH, maximum lift head up to 144 feet, and a maximum suction depth of 26 feet 

What We Don’t Like

• Some users have reported that this unit can leak when in operation 

Anyone interested in a sleek, affordable, and user-friendly shallow well pump will want to take a look at this model from FluentPower. This 1 HP model features corrosion-resistant stainless steel housing; a waterproof on/off switch; a portable handle; priming and drain ports; a cooling, vented design; and two ¾-inch standard garden hose adapters.

It also has a maximum flow rate of 900 GPH and an output flow of 350 GPH, a maximum lift head up to 144 feet, and a maximum suction depth of 26 feet. It has a wear-resistant seal structure and overheating protection. This pump is also compatible with a pressure regulator and works with a booster pump. 

Get the FluentPower shallow well pump at Amazon.

Best Booster

Pentair Simer ¾ HP Pressure Booster Pump

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Product Specs 

• Motor size: ¾ horsepower
• Dimensions: 18.1 inches long by 10 inches wide by 17.3 inches high
• Maximum flow rate: Not available

What We Like

• Automatically turns on to provide a boost when it senses low water pressure
• Threaded connections and mounting plate make it easy to install
• Corrosion- and rust-resistant, thanks to stainless steel construction 

What We Don’t Like

• Some customers report that the pump is too noisy during operation

With its ¾-horsepower motor, this pump is ideal for homes with low water pressure. The booster will raise water pressure by up to 40 PSI and plugs into a standard 115-volt outlet. The pump works by tying into the existing well pump system and automatically turns on when water pressure drops below a certain level. 

With its stainless steel construction, it resists rust and corrosion. Threaded connections on the top and side of the pump make it easy to connect to the water supply line entering the house to boost pressure. The pump sits on a mounting plate with four holes, making it possible to mount it to a base for added support. 

Get the Pentair shallow well pump at Amazon.

Best Thermoplastic

Everbilt J100A3 ½-HP Shallow Well Jet Pump

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Product Specs 

• Motor size: ½ horsepower
• Dimensions: 15.16 inches long by 7.87 inches wide by 8.5 inches high
• Maximum flow rate: 432 GPH

What We Like

• Compact pump size makes it ideal for use in smaller spaces; reaches depths of 25 feet 
• Thermoplastic and rustproof housing makes it resistant to corrosion 
• Fan helps keep the motor from overheating, extending its life 

What We Don’t Like

• Lower flow rate may make it unsuitable for larger homes

With a ½-horsepower motor and the ability to pump up to 7 gallons per minute, this Everbilt pump has a durable thermoplastic pump body, which resists corrosion and rust better than other materials. It functions off a pressure switch that turns on the pump when the pressure tank drops to 30 PSI and turns it off when it reaches 50 PSI. 

A fan cools the motor during operation, helping to extend its life. It’s one of the more compact pumps for wells on the market, making maneuvering it into tight areas, such as a crawl space, more manageable. This shallow well pump with pressure tank can work with either 115-volt or 230-volt connections and weighs 15 pounds. 

Get the Everbilt shallow well pump at The Home Depot or Amazon.

Best with Tank

Everbilt J100A2 ½ HP Shallow Well Jet Pump

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Product Specs 

• Motor size: ½ horsepower
• Dimensions: 20.5 inches long by 19.5 inches wide by 11.25 inches high 
• Maximum flow rate: 432 GPH

What We Like

• Comes with its own 6-gallon pressure tank for light-duty use
• Does not require manual priming; turns on and off automatically
• The pump is conveniently attached to the pressurized tank

What We Don’t Like

• Tank isn’t large enough to serve as a well pump for a home 

This ½-horsepower pump from Everbilt doesn’t require a pressure tank; instead, it comes with its own. The pump sits on a 6-gallon tank, and while this is too small to handle the needs of a house, it can suit homes with a separate well or water source for irrigation or for vacation cabins that pull water from a lake or small well. 

The pump and tank produce 7 gallons of water per minute. The preprimed pump can automatically start when the pressure in the tank falls to 30 PSI and can turn off when it reaches the tank’s maximum 50 PSI pressure level. Made of durable cast iron, the tank is bolted to the steel tank, which provides a solid base for the pump. The shallow well irrigation pump is prewired to work with either 115-volt or 230-volt power.

Get the Everbilt J100A2 shallow well pump at The Home Depot or DK Hardware.

Best Cast Iron

Red Lion Cast Iron Shallow Well Jet Pump

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Product Specs 

• Motor size: ½ horsepower
• Dimensions: 8.54 inches long by 13.86 inches wide by 8.4 inches high
• Maximum flow rate: 420 GPH

What We Like

• Can handle heavy usage thanks to durable cast-iron construction 
• Produces a flow rate high enough to serve smaller single-bathroom homes 
• Features a preset pressure switch that automatically turns the pump on and off

What We Don’t Like

• Some customers complain that the pump is too noisy 

With an ample output and durable construction, this model from Red Lion is a great pick for smaller homes with a single bathroom. Its ½-horsepower motor is powerful enough to produce a flow rate of up to 7 gallons per minute. The rugged, durable, cast-iron pump’s housing is durable, ensuring it can hold up to many years of use.

The shut-off switch turns on at 30 PSI and turns off at 50 PSI automatically. This pump comes prewired with either 115-volt or 230-volt connections.

Get the Red Lion cast-iron shallow well pump at A