Best hand well pumps for power outages: Simple Pump, Bison and Flojak (2026)

A stainless hand pump that goes into your existing well beside the electric submersible, so you keep well water when the power's out. It reaches a 325 ft static water level, can pump at up to 45 psi (maker), and Simple Pump says it fits casings from 2 inches. Its 12-volt motor option has been discontinued.

Best for Hand-pumped water from a deep private well in a long outage

• Shares the well with your electric pump
• Works to 325 ft static water level
• Lifetime warranty

• Price climbs with depth
• Hand pumping a lot of water is hard work

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you're on city water or rent: this is for private well owners.

Bison's stainless pump shares the casing with your submersible (in a 5 inch or larger casing with a pitless adapter) and lifts from up to 250 feet, or 300 with the heavy-duty head. It's freeze proof, about 20 oz a stroke with the 3 inch cylinder, and Bison prices it after you send in your well details.

Best for A freeze-proof stainless backup for a deep well

• Freeze proof
• About 20 oz per stroke (3 in cylinder)
• Can pressurize the house with an accessory

• Priced by quote only
• Needs the right casing size

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your casing is under 5 inches and already holds a submersible: check Bison's other models first.

A stainless pitcher pump for water within 25 feet: about 7 strokes fill a gallon, and Bison says it needs no priming. An optional drain-back helps in freezing weather.

Best for A stainless pitcher pump for shallow wells and cisterns

• About 7 strokes per gallon
• Stainless, no priming (maker)

• 25 ft lift limit
• Needs drain-back for freezing climates

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your water is deeper than 25 feet.

Simple Pump's suction pump for shallow wells: it lifts water from up to 25 feet at sea level, losing a foot of lift for every 900 feet of elevation. It isn't freeze proof, so it suits mild climates or seasonal use.

Best for Wells with water within 25 feet of the surface

• Simpler and cheaper than the deep well system
• 8.5 oz per stroke

• 25 ft limit, less at altitude
• Not freeze proof

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your static water level is deeper than about 25 ft: suction can't lift it.

Bison's answer when a narrow casing already has a submersible in it: the hand pump stacks above it. It's limited to a 160 ft static water level, moves about 12 oz a stroke, and isn't freeze proof.

Best for Narrow casings that already hold a submersible

• Works in casings of 4 in or less
• Keeps the submersible in place

• 160 ft limit
• Not freeze proof
• Quote only

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have a 5 in+ casing with a pitless adapter: the Standard model is freeze proof and goes deeper.

Flojak's modular stainless-and-PVC hand pump fits a 4 inch or larger casing beside your submersible and reaches water up to 200 feet down; Flojak says up to 3 gpm and that it can pump into a pressure tank. It can stay in the well (well seals are sold for permanent installs). It was sold out at the maker on November 9.

Best for A deep well hand pump that can pump into a pressure tank

• Up to 200 ft static water level (maker)
• Can pump into a pressure tank (maker)
• Made in USA

• Sold out at the maker on Nov 9, 2026
• Needs a 4 in or larger casing

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your casing is under 4 inches: the Flojak Ready fits 2 in of clearance.

Flojak's smaller kit fits any open well with 2 inches of clearance beside your submersible, in lengths up to 150 feet. The maker gives two different flow figures, so we haven't quoted one. Sold out at the maker, shipping in 3 to 4 weeks, on November 9.

Best for The most compact well backup for a shelf

• Fits 2 in of clearance
• Coils up for storage

• Flow figure unclear
• Sold out at the maker on Nov 9, 2026

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your water sits deeper than the longest 150 ft kit: look at the Flojak Plus or Simple Pump.