Keeping water out of your basement and removing it after it’s entered is the key to maintaining a clean, structurally sound basement. Sump pumps, therefore, become one of the most important features in your basement or crawl space. Responsible for pumping water out of your home and keeping everything dry and free of mold and mildew, sump pumps do a big job. Choosing the right brand, therefore, becomes paramount.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular sump pump brands, evaluating each for their pros and cons, their pricing, availability and customer satisfaction. We’ll also look at the various products each brand sells and how they’re rated in terms of reliability and features. By the end, you should be able to make an informed decision on the brand of sump pump you’d like to have installed in your home.
Best Brands at a Glance
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- Long-standing reputation, in business since 1939.
- Widespread availability at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and other major retailers nationwide.
- Pricing information available online through third-party retailers.
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- In business since 1928, the company is known for its reliability and customer satisfaction.
- Widespread availability through sellers such as Amazon, Walmart, Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.
- Many customers report high reliability for these long-lasting pumps which are also very quiet.
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- Most sump pumps Liberty Pumps sells come with a 3-year limited warranty.
- Liberty offers a range of products including sump pumps, grinder pumps, effluent pumps, etc.
- Available nationally and internationally in 35 countries.
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- Superior Pump offers some of the most affordable prices for sump pumps ranging from ¼ to 1 HP.
- Their thermoplastic models are especially lightweight as far as sump pump designs go.
- The company offers tons of video and troubleshooting resources online, making it easy to install your pump up at home.
Top 10 Sump Pump Brands
Zoeller
- Average Cost: $200 - $900
What We Love
Founded in 1939, this family-owned business soon grew, creating a name for itself as having high-quality, submersible pumps, all of which have been factory tested for dependability underwater. Now the company is one of the oldest in the industry and prides itself on its commitment to its employees, charitable causes and the environment.
Cost Information
Zoeller pumps typically range from $200 to $900 with the average sump pump costing about $400. Their pricing information is readily available online through third-party retailers for easy comparison against competing brands.
Best Model
The Zoeller at Home 1/3 HP Cast Iron Submersible Sump Pump uses an electromagnetic float switch to sense water levels and can pump up to 42 gallons per minute once engaged. It’s backed by a two-year limited warranty and features a non-clogging vortex impeller.
Wayne Water Systems
- Average Cost: $150 - $400
What We Love
Wayne is another long-standing brand in the sump pump industry. Founded in 1928 in Fort Wayne Indiana, the family-owned business began by manufacturing oil burners for home furnaces, space heaters, boilers and industrial ovens. But that was a seasonal business, and so in the 1940s the company began manufacturing water pumps. Today, the company is located in Harrison, Ohio and offers a full line of water protection systems for basements. The company also offers warranties on its products and promises rust-resistant construction.
Cost Information
Wayne sump pumps range in price greatly from $150 to upwards of $1,000 for more industrial strength models, but the bulk of their products are below $400 and around $200, making them one of the more affordable, budget-friendly brands in the industry. Their pricing information is readily available online through third-party sellers.
Best Model
The Wayne 58321-WYN3 Submersible Cast Iron and Stainless Steel Sump Pump can pump 4,600 gallons of water per hour. It has a vertical float switch and automatic operation and its top suction design filters debris to minimize clogging. It’s designed to be easily installed and has a five-year warranty.
Liberty Pumps
- Average Cost: $200 - $700
What We Love
Liberty Pumps specializes in all types of water pumps including sump pumps, back-up sump pumps, drain/condensate pumps, effluent pumps, sewage pumps, grinder pumps, macerating toilet systems and specialty pumps. Founded in New York in 1965, it bills itself as a family- and employee-owned company. The company also prides itself on its innovation and uses a lean manufacturing environment and process, aimed at reducing waste and cost.
Cost Information
Liberty Pumps typically range from $200 to $700. Because their products are sold through plumbing distributors, full pricing information online is limited.
Best Feature
Liberty Pumps offers a specialized pump monitoring system for use with any of its pumps called NightEye. The NightEye alarm is a wireless device that connects to your alarm and sends notifications to your phone when your backup pump has been activated. It also sends notifications for low basement temperatures and works seamlessly through your home’s wifi.
Superior Pump
- Average Cost: $100 - $400
What We Love
In business since 1999 and backed with more than 150 years of pump experience, Superior Pump prides itself on building all manner of water pumps that last. The company also prides itself on its warranties and customer service, including a host of troubleshooting and how-to video on its site to make operation of its pumps simple and straightforward.
Cost Information
Superior Pump models range from $100 to $400, making them one of the most affordable options in the market. Pricing is not available on their website, and must be found through third-party sellers and retailers.
Best Model
The Superior Pump 92250 1/4 HP Thermoplastic Submersible Utility Pump is known for its simplicity and reliability. Able to pump water up to 25 feet vertically, it is made with thermoplastic and can be used as a utility pump when you remove the float switch. At its lowest height, it can pump 1,800 gallons per hour. At 25-feet, this number drops to 120 gallons per hour. This light-weight model comes with a 1-year warranty.
The Basement Watchdog
- Average Cost: $100 - $400
What We Love
Basement Watchdog is known for its affordable water pumps including sump pumps, backup pumps, combo pumps, utility pumps and sewage pumps. The company also sells alarms and accessories for its products. Originally a company focused on battery distribution, Basement Watchdog noticed problems with battery systems for backup pumps and began looking into the problem. They sold their first battery monitor system in 1989 and expanded from there. In 2005, they released a line of energy efficient sump pumps.
Cost Information
Basement Watchdog pumps typically range in price from $100 to $400, depending on the number of features and the pump’s construction, and most pricing information is available through third-party retailers.
Best Feature
The Basement Watchdog Watchdog 360 Water Alarm detects as little as 1/32 inch of water in your basement. Its compact size means it fits almost anywhere and it sounds a 110 decibel alarm you will hear throughout your home in the event of a leak or water intrusion. While this alarm doesn’t connect to your phone to send an alert, it does offer a long battery life and 5-year limited warranty.
Flotec
- Average Cost: $100 - $400
What We Love
Flotec pumps offer good performance at a lower-range price point, which makes them suitable for homeowners looking for reliability without breaking the bank. Their products come with a warranty, and they have user manuals readily available on their site for digital download.
Cost Information
Flotec sump pumps range from just under $100 to about $400, making them accessible to homeowners on a lower budget. Much of the pricing information about their products is only available through online sellers such as Amazon or in person at retailers such as Ace Hardware and Tractor Supply Co.
Best Model
The Pentair Flotec FPZS33T ⅓ HP Submersible Thermoplastic Sump Pump is made with engineered thermoplastic composites which are considered corrosion resistant. The motor is housed in zinc, which quickly dissipates heat, prolonging the life of the motor. And it’s also made with stainless steel fasteners to prolong its lifetime. The product comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
ECO-FLO
- Average Cost: $100 - $250
What We Love
ECO-FLO prides itself on offering submersible pumps and sump systems that are considered eco-friendly. Many of their models are high-efficiency, requiring less energy to operate. And their motors have a lower carbon footprint. Their pumps are lab-tested and certified by SSPMA (Sump and Sewage Pumps Manufacturers Association.)
Cost Information
ECO-FLO sump pumps typically range in price from $100 to $250, which makes them one of the most affordable brands on the list. They are available through some retailers such as Ace Hardware and through plumbing distributors both online and in person.
Best Model
The ECO-FLO 1/3 HP Smart WIFI Sump Pump is known for its ability to sync with your home’s WIFI, sending you notifications through a free app to alert you to high water, power outages or system faults in the product. You can also control your pump from your phone to ensure you never have a problem tackling water intrusion, even if you’re away.
Little Giant
- Average Cost: $100 - $500
What We Love
Little Giant pumps are a brand under parent company Franklin Electric and they have become a leader in wastewater pumping. They sell pumps for residential, industrial and commercial uses but also specialize in offering products and solutions to HVAC professionals. The brand can trace its roots back to 1926 when a plumber designed an evaporative pump to solve a common plumbing problem. The company went on to patent condensate pumps before expanding into sump pumps in the 1960s.
Cost Information
Little Giant sump pumps typically range from $100 to $500. You cannot purchase Little Giant sump pumps from the company’s website and must instead go through a sales rep or plumbing distributor. Some of their pumps are also available at Home Depot, Amazon and Menards.
Best Model
The Little Giant 15EC Series Sump Pump is a powerful sump pump that is fully submersible and automatic with an integral vertical float switch. Its motor housing is cast iron as well as its base and cover and the motor is thermally protected. This model is capable of pumping 80 gallons per minute and can handle semi solids of less than an inch.
Simer
- Average Cost: $100 - $400
What We Love
Simer is another brand under the parent company Pentair, which is backed by years of experience and sells water pumps for several applications under several brands for a range of products. Like Flotec, Simer specializes in residential water management products.
Cost Information
Simer models range from $100 to $400, making them one of the more affordable options in the market. Their products are available online through sellers such as Amazon as well as big box home improvement retailers and smaller hardware stores.
Best Model
The Pentair Simer A5200 Emergency Battery Backup Sump Pump System prevents water damage by acting as a plan B during power outages when your primary sump pump fails. This backup sump pump kicks on automatically in the event of a power outage or pump failure and can recharge its battery up to five times faster than competitors to ensure it’s always ready to go. The product also comes with a 1-year warranty.
Red Lion
- Average Cost: $150 - $350
What We Love
Known for its bright red parts and design, Red Lion pumps are a great solution for homeowners with a mid-range budget. They offer cast iron, stainless steel and thermoplastic sump pumps depending on your needs. They also offer a range of products from low-volume residential needs to commercial water removals. They also sell battery backup systems and accessories.
Cost Information
Red Lion sump pumps range from $100 to $400, making them accessible to homeowners on a moderate budget. These pumps are available through Amazon, Ace Hardware and Home Depot as well as smaller plumbing distributors.
Best Model
The Red Lion 1/3 HP Dual Cast Iron Sump Pump System is good for high-volume water removal and works in basements or crawl spaces as well as laundry rooms. The system includes a backup pump and can also double its flow rate in certain situations. The pump also features a clog-resistant design that can handle semi solids of up to a half inch.
