The Best Sump Pumps for Crawl Spaces and Basements

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Find out how to choose a high-performing sump pump to keep your basement safe and dry.

A good sump pump is invaluable in times of flooding or to prevent mildew. Sump pumps reside in a pit below the basement’s surface or sit on the basement floor. Once standing water reaches a certain level, the pump turns on and pumps groundwater outside of the home and away from the home’s foundation.

We used sump pump reviews and user experience to examine the features and benefits sump pumps offer and select some of the top-rated sump pumps on the market. We also talked to general contractors to get their expert advice. Here’s what shoppers need to know before buying a sump pump and some of the best sump pump options available.

1. BEST OVERALL: Wayne WSS30Vn Basement Backup Sump Pump
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Superior Pump 92250 ¼-HP Thermoplastic Sump Pump
3. BEST ENERGY-SAVING: Basement Watchdog BW1050 Sump Pump
4. BEST PRIMARY: Superior Pump 92551 ½-HP Cast Iron Pedestal Pump
5. BEST BATTERY BACKUP: Wayne ESP25 Reinforced Battery Backup Sump Pump
6. BEST COMBINATION: Zoeller Aquanot Spin 508 Sump Pump With ProPak
7. BEST SMART: Basement Watchdog BWSP Special Connect Sump Pump
8. MOST VERSATILE: Wayne CDU1000 1-HP Submersible Sump Pump
9. ALSO CONSIDER: Zoeller Model 53 Submersible Sump Pump

How We Chose the Best Sump Pumps

We interviewed Ben Illig, a general contractor with decades of experience and owner of Illig Properties in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. His main advice for shoppers is to opt for high-quality options: “Durability is important, because it’s something you put in your basement and want to never need to check. If it stops working, your basement floods.” For this reason, he suggests considering slightly higher price points to ensure you have a reliable and durable sump pump, because, as he adds, “You don’t know it’s bad until it’s too late.”

For basement flooding, power outages, or even keeping the house dry in high-moisture areas, a sump pump is an easy and reliable way to keep a homeowner’s mind at ease.

Many of our top picks have the ability to move thousands of gallons of water an hour, and some can achieve this whether they are on or off. Our top selections also have the reliability of durable construction, functionality at deep depths, and lightweight construction.

Some of these sump pumps go above and beyond in their user-friendliness by including long power cords, compatibility with various basin sizes, and double float power switches for ultimate control while using. Make sure that a battery is included with those models that do not have a plug-in feature, as some manufacturers sell batteries separately.

Our Top Picks

Our top picks of best sump pumps include some of the highest-performing units shoppers can buy from the industry’s most reputable manufacturers.

Best Overall

Wayne WSS30Vn Basement Backup Sump Pump

Product Specs 

• Type: Combination
• Flow rate: 2,700 to 5,100 gallons per hour (GPH)
• Motor power: ½ horsepower (hp)

Pros

• Compact unit that’s easy to install in crawl spaces or basements; operates quietly
• Suitable for regular flooding and power outages; automatically switches to battery power during outages
• Compatible with large sump basins up to 16 inches in diameter

Cons

• Discharge outlet uses a less durable plastic thread; prone to breakage if not careful

For wet areas that experience regular flooding and power outages, you need a powerful sump pump that will keep your basement dry whether there’s power or not. This combination sump pump comes equipped with a ½-hp motor capable of pumping out up to 5,100 GPH when the power is on and up to 2,700 GPH when it isn’t. Operating off of a 75-amp hour battery, this submersible sump pump will continue operating for hours after the power goes out.

This basement sump pump conveniently switches over to battery power during outages, preventing delays in pumping. Among the top-rated water pumps out there, this basement or crawl space sump pump will work in basins 16 inches in diameter and larger. A waterproof case with digital display protects the battery (which can be purchased separately).

Get the Wayne WSS30Vn sump pump at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Northern Tool + Equipment.

Best Bang For The Buck

Superior Pump 92250 ¼-HP Thermoplastic Sump Pump

Product Specs 

• Type: Submersible
• Flow rate: 1,800 GPH
• Motor power: ¼ hp

Pros

• Budget-friendly unit is far more affordable than other sump pump options in the market
• Lightweight build is compact, easy to install, and operates quietly
• Includes automatic turn on/off functionality and built-in 10-foot cord length

Cons

• This sump pump’s low horsepower makes it ideal for light-duty applications only

There’s no need to spring for a pump with firehose-like power for basements with minor excess water issues. A light-duty sump pump such as this one from pump specialist Superior Pump will do its job well. With a ¼-horsepower motor, this submersible-style pump is a great option for basements that face occasional light to moderate flooding. It’s capable of pumping out up to 1,200 gallons per hour to a height of 10 feet. It features a suction screen that filters out up to ⅛-inch solids.

The pump’s body is constructed of thermoplastic, which resists corrosion. An adapter allows for easy hook up of a 1¼-inch or a 1½-inch discharge hose or standard garden hose while a float automatically turns the unit on and off. This cheap sump pump option is highly functional for basements that experience minor flooding.

Get the Superior Pump 92250 sump pump at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best Energy-Saving

Basement Watchdog BW1050 Sump Pump

Product Specs 

• Type: Submersible
• Flow rate: Up to 4,400 GPH
• Battery power: ½ hp

Pros

• Energy-efficient option at just 4.2 amps of power used
• Despite lower power, can still pump up to 4,400 GPH
• Water cooled instead of oil cooled; no oil leaks in water system

Cons

• Cannot fit in spaces smaller than 7 feet in diameter
• Lower horsepower than competing models; may not be suitable for larger projects

Pumping water out of the basement with an electric sump pump can get costly, especially if you live in a wet area that forces your pump to work overtime. If you’re worried about energy costs, then check out the Basement Watchdog.

This ½-hp submersible pump will keep your carbon footprint in check thanks to a split capacitor motor that only pulls 4.2 amps of energy— that’s about half the amount of amps that similarly powered sump pumps use. And while you might think the trade-off comes in power, it doesn’t—this sump pump can move up to 4,400 gallons per hour or 3,540 GPH at 10 feet.

The Basement Watchdog features a double-float power switch system for redundancy and a compact design—this sump pump will fit in pits as small as 7 inches in diameter.

Get the Basement Watchdog BW1050 sump pump at Amazon. 

Best Primary

Superior Pump 92551 ½-HP Cast Iron Pedestal Pump

Product Specs 

• Type: Pedestal
• Flow rate: Up to 3,600 GPH
• Battery power: ½ hp

Pros

• Pedestal construction keeps the motor safe while pumping out water; suitable for basements that flood regularly
• 5-blade impeller pumps out up to 3,600 GPH (depending on the depth)
• Durable stainless steel and cast-iron construction provides long-term use and stability

Cons

• Some users have reported that the motor tends to lock up

A good pedestal pump will keep its vulnerable motor safely out of harm’s way while performing its duties and will provide easy access when you’re doing routine checks. With its 3-foot height, this pedestal-style primary sump pump from Superior Pump keeps its powerful ½-hp motor dry while its five-blade impeller pumps out up to 3,600 GPH or 2,700 GPH to a height of 10 feet. With its impressive motor and tall design, this heavy-duty sump pump is a great primary option for basements that flood regularly, and it can handle water at temperatures of up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Features include durable stainless steel construction and a heavy cast-iron base for stability. An adjustable float switch turns the pump on or off based on water depth. Pedestal sump pumps can be bulky, taking up valuable real estate in a basement, but this sump pump’s tall and thin profile keeps it safely out of the way.

Get the Superior Pump 92551 sump pump at Amazon.

Best Battery Backup

Wayne ESP25 Reinforced Battery Backup Sump Pump

Product Specs 

• Type: Battery backup
• Flow rate: 2,500 GPH
• Battery power: 12 volt, 75 amp hours

Pros

• This model’s durable cast-iron construction will last longer than plastic alternatives
• Can move 2,500 gallons of water per hour; suitable for most uses
• Includes a 12-volt 75-amp-hour battery in a corrosion-resistant waterproof case

Cons

• This model’s durable, corrosion-resistant construction means it costs a bit more than similar models

When the storm is raging, and the power goes out, unless you have enough family members to form a bucket brigade, you’d better have a quality battery-powered sump pump to keep your basement from filling with water. This 12-volt battery backup system is your stopgap against a flooding disaster.

It uses a 75-amp hour battery to produce up to 2,500 gallons per hour of pumping volume—It can pump up to 10,000 gallons of water on a single charge. Cast iron construction makes this a durable pump while top suction design prevents airlocks from happening. The kit comes with a waterproof protective battery case that features an LED display and emits an audible alarm when the pump switches on.

Get the Wayne ESP25 sump pump at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Best Combination

Zoeller Aquanot Spin 508 Sump Pump With ProPak

Product Specs

• Type: Submersible
• Flow rate: 72 gallons per minute (GPM) (ProPak); 35 GPM (backup)
• Battery power: ⅓ to ½ hp (ProPak); 12 volt (backup)

Pros

• Has a sturdy, thermoplastic exterior that is sealed hermetically for durability
• LED screen is easy to read, providing all necessary information
• Flexible battery options; can operate using all group size 27, 29 and 31 batteries

Cons

• Pricier compared to similar options, considering that the battery is purchased separately

For high efficiency and flood protection in a combination unit, look no further than the Zoeller Aquanot Spin 508 combination primary and backup sump pump system. This nested unit features a primary ProPak pump that can move 72 GPM of water at a 5-foot lift and a backup pump that can move 35 GPM at 10 feet on its 12-volt battery.

This combination unit features an engineered thermoplastic exterior, and the housing is filled with oil and sealed hermetically to protect the pumps. The battery charger has an LED screen that displays the voltage left in the battery and other essential system information.

When the power goes off, the Zoeller combination pump system emits an audible alert. The unit works on AC for the primary pump and a 12-volt battery (not included) for the backup pump.

Get the Zoeller Aquanot sump pump at Amazon, Sump Pumps Direct, or Ferguson.

Best Smart

Basement Watchdog BWSP Special Connect Sump Pump

Product Specs

• Type: Battery backup
• Flow rate: 2,600 GPH
• Battery power: 115-volt AC

Pros

• Great for tech homes; syncs with smartphones and sends alerts via Wi-Fi
• Comes with downloadable app that’s easy to set up and use
• Emits audible alarm in power outage for added peace of mind

Cons

• The primary pump is not included; neither is the battery

Receive notifications when the power goes out with the Basement Watchdog battery backup sump pump with Wi-Fi. This submersible, backup-only pump is designed to sync with your home’s Wi-Fi system and send notifications directly to your smartphone via a downloadable app. You also can monitor the pit’s fluid level and the remaining battery charge from your phone.

This battery backup system is designed for use with an existing primary sump pump. When the power goes out, it springs into action, pumping up to 1,850 GPH water to a 10-foot lift (2,600 GPH at a 0-foot lift). In addition to sending notifications to a smartphone, the backup pump emits an audible alarm when the power goes out or when maintenance is needed.

Get the Basement Watchdog BWSP sump pump at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.

Most Versatile

Wayne CDU1000 1-HP Submersible Sump Pump

Product Specs 

• Type: Submersible
• Flow rate: Up to 6,100 GPH
• Battery power: 1 hp

Pros

• Made with a 1.5-inch-diameter discharge, top suction design, and a large float
• Capable of moving up to 6,100 GPH; can move up to 5,400 GPH at a 10-foot depth
• Manual switch automatically turns on when the water reaches a set level
• Works in basins of 11 inches in diameter or larger

Cons

• Some users have reported that some components tend to rust

A powerful unit capable of pumping out thousands of gallons of water in an hour is a sensible option for basements prone to flooding. With a 1-hp engine and 1.5-inch-diameter discharge, this sump pump submersible can move up to 5,400 GPH to a height of 10 feet and at peak power, it can emit 6,100 GPH. This makes it one of the most powerful submersible sump pumps you can buy.

It’s made of durable cast-iron and stainless steel construction. It also features a top suction design, eliminating the dreaded air lock problem that can stop some sump pumps in their tracks. A large float operates a manual switch, automatically turning on when water reaches a set level. This automatic sump pump will work in sump pump basins 11 inches in diameter or larger.

Get the Wayne CDU1000 sump pump at Amazon.

Also Consider

Zoeller Model 53 Submersible Sump Pump

Product Specs