Sump pumps (2026)
A sump pump is the main pump in your basement pit: it switches on when groundwater rises and pushes it out of the house. This page compares primary (plug-in) sump pumps from 1/3 HP to 3/4 HP on the figure that matters most, the maker's gallons per hour at 10 feet of lift, plus the switch and what the pump is made of. Every spec is from the maker's page, manual or brochure, read on the date in each card's notes; we haven't used these ourselves. A plug-in pump stops when the power does, so read the backup note below too.
By Tom Calder · Updated November 9, 2026 · 9 products, all price-tracked
Our picks
Photo: AmazonWayne HALO50
Basements where an early alert matters
as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Photo: AmazonZoeller M53
Basement sump with a modest water table
as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Photo: AmazonWayne CDU980E
Deep lift or heavy inflow
as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.All 9 compared
| Pump | Horsepower | Flow at 10 ft (maker) | Switch | Build | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3/4 HP · 4,600 GPH at 10 ft · Vertical float · Stainless + cast iron Deep lift or heavy inflow | 3/4 HP | 4,600 GPH at 10 ft | Vertical float | Stainless + cast iron | $189 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The highest flow in this group, 4,600 GPH at 10 ft per Wayne's manual, with a stainless housing and a 5-year warranty. Best for Deep lift or heavy inflow Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if a 1/3 or 1/2 HP pump already keeps up with your pit. | |||||
1/2 HP · 3,840 GPH at 10 ft · Electronic air switch, no float · Stainless + cast iron Basements where an early alert matters | 1/2 HP | 3,840 GPH at 10 ft | Electronic air switch, no float | Stainless + cast iron | $399.89 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Same flow as the CDU800 with an air switch instead of a float and Wi-Fi alerts for high water, clogs and power loss. 10-year limited warranty. Best for Basements where an early alert matters Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have no Wi-Fi near the sump or do not want an app. | |||||
0.30 HP (3/10) per Zoeller · 2,040 GPH at 10 ft (34 GPM) · Integral snap-action float, float guard · Cast iron Basement sump with a modest water table | 0.30 HP (3/10) per Zoeller | 2,040 GPH at 10 ft (34 GPM) | Integral snap-action float, float guard | Cast iron | $205.05 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A long-running cast iron pump with a snap-action float and float guard. Zoeller's own curve gives about 2,040 GPH at 10 ft of lift, so it suits sumps with modest lift and inflow. Best for Basement sump with a modest water table Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your sump has high lift or heavy inflow and you want a 1/2 HP pump. | |||||
 1/2 HP · 3,660 GPH at 10 ft · Automatic float (98-0001) · Cast iron Higher inflow or lift at 1/2 HP | 1/2 HP | 3,660 GPH at 10 ft | Automatic float (98-0001) | Cast iron | $309.17 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Zoeller rates the M98 at 3,660 GPH at 10 ft, well above the M53's curve. Cast iron, oil-filled, 3-year warranty. Best for Higher inflow or lift at 1/2 HP Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your pit is small and you have not checked it fits a 1/2 HP pump. | |||||
 1/3 HP · 3,060 GPH at 10 ft · Vertical float · Cast iron + coated steel Standard 11 in pit, moderate inflow | 1/3 HP | 3,060 GPH at 10 ft | Vertical float | Cast iron + coated steel | $135.96 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 3,060 GPH at 10 ft from a 1/3 HP motor, 3-year warranty, and fits an 11 in basin. A vertical float needs room to move freely. Best for Standard 11 in pit, moderate inflow Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your pit is under 11 inches wide. | |||||
 1/2 HP · 3,840 GPH at 10 ft · Vertical float · Cast iron + coated steel Standard pit, higher lift or inflow | 1/2 HP | 3,840 GPH at 10 ft | Vertical float | Cast iron + coated steel | $179.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Same body as the CDU790 with a 1/2 HP motor: 3,840 GPH at 10 ft per Wayne. Fits an 11 in pit. Best for Standard pit, higher lift or inflow Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your pit is under 11 inches wide. | |||||
 1/2 HP · 2,770 GPH at 10 ft · Dual caged micro-reed floats · Cast iron + aluminum Pits where a float might snag | 1/2 HP | 2,770 GPH at 10 ft | Dual caged micro-reed floats | Cast iron + aluminum | $169 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Two caged micro-reed floats ('twice the protection', the maker says) and a piggyback plug for easy float testing. 2,770 GPH at 10 ft is mid-pack for a 1/2 HP pump. Best for Pits where a float might snag Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need the highest flow at 10 ft of lift. | |||||
 1/3 HP · 1,800 GPH at 10 ft · Vertical float (piggyback) · Cast iron Small budget basements with low lift | 1/3 HP | 1,800 GPH at 10 ft | Vertical float (piggyback) | Cast iron | $139.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A cast iron 1/3 HP pump with a piggyback float you can unplug and test on its own. Superior rates it at 1,800 GPH at 10 ft, the lowest in this group. Best for Small budget basements with low lift Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your discharge rises 10 feet or more and inflow is heavy. | |||||
 1/3 HP · 2,400 GPH at 10 ft · Vertical float (piggyback) · Thermoplastic Light-duty sump on a budget | 1/3 HP | 2,400 GPH at 10 ft | Vertical float (piggyback) | Thermoplastic | $113.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A lightweight thermoplastic pump with a piggyback float and 2,400 GPH at 10 ft per Superior. The warranty is 1 year. Best for Light-duty sump on a budget Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a multi-year warranty on your main pump. | |||||
ⓘ As an Amazon Associate, PreparedStates earns from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. When two products are close, commission can decide which one we pick. A clearly better product always wins. Amazon prices come from Amazon's own product data and can change at any time.
Before you buy
Compare pumps at your lift, not at 0 feet.
Lift (head) is the height from the pump to where the pipe leaves the house. The pumps here range from 1,800 to 4,600 gallons per hour at 10 feet (maker figures); the 0 ft figure on the box is always higher.
Horsepower: 1/3 HP suits many ordinary basements; 1/2 HP is for more inflow or a higher lift; 3/4 HP for heavy inflow or deep basements.
If your current pump keeps up and runs in short bursts, the same size is usually right.
Switch type: a vertical float needs less room than a tethered float.
Wayne says its vertical-float pumps need a basin at least 11 inches across. Electronic switches with no moving float (Wayne HALO50) and caged floats (Basement Watchdog) are less likely to snag on the pit wall or debris.
Build: cast iron pumps are heavier and tend to carry longer maker warranties; thermoplastic pumps are lighter and cost less.
Warranties here run from 1 year (Superior 92372) to 10 years (Wayne HALO50).
Alerts: a pump that fails quietly is the real risk.
A smart pump like the HALO50 sends app alerts; for any other pump, a water alarm or Wi-Fi leak sensor beside the pit can warn you when water rises.
Discharge: Wayne's manual says to discharge at least 3 feet from the foundation.
Replacing a pump is plumbing and electrical work.
Unplug the pump before touching it, and get a plumber if the pit, discharge pipe or outlet needs changes.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test. When two products are close, commission can decide which one we pick. A clearly better product always wins. Read our full methodology →
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Common questions
What size sump pump do I need?
Match the flow at your lift to how fast water comes in. Most makers give gallons per hour at 10 feet: the pumps here run from 1,800 GPH (Superior 92341, 1/3 HP) to 4,600 GPH (Wayne CDU980E, 3/4 HP). If your current pump keeps up, the same horsepower is a sensible replacement.
Is a float switch or an electronic switch better?
Both work. Vertical floats are simple and fit an 11-inch pit (Wayne's figure for its pumps). Electronic and caged switches have no open float to catch on the pit wall or debris.
Do I still need a battery backup?
If losing the pump in a storm outage would flood your basement, yes. Ready.gov says to consider a sump pump with a battery, and CDC says to install sump pumps with back-up power. A primary pump of any size stops when the power goes.
Cast iron or thermoplastic?
Cast iron pumps are heavier and their makers give longer warranties (Superior gives 3 years on its cast iron 92341 and 1 year on the thermoplastic 92372). Thermoplastic pumps are lighter and cheaper for light-duty pits.
Can I run my sump pump on a generator?
Check the manual. Wayne says its CDU pumps are not designed for use with a portable generator and not to use an extension cord. Ready.gov says to use generators only outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages.