Distilling years of experience into an all-inclusive article about the best sump pump brands would require a book length article. So, I will highlight the distinctions of various sump pump brands to make your buying decision as easy as possible.

Overall Best Sump Pump Brands

I have chosen the overall top 5 best sump pump brands. However, when you value one feature over another, a single pump from any of the brands listed may be the best brand for your needs.

The overall best sump pump brands are: Zoeller, Wayne, Superior, Basement Watchdog, Liberty Pumps.

First is the plumber prefered brand, the Zoeller 98-0001 1/2 Horse Power Model M98 Flow-Mate Automatic Cast Iron Submersible Sump Pump and Effluent Pump. This can be used in a septic tank or in the basement shower or with a drain tile system to keep the basement dry.

Second is the WAYNE CDU790 – 1/3 HP Submersible Sump Pump. The Wayne brand is more popular with homeowners than with plumbers.

The Superior Pump company is located in Minneapolis Minnesota. Shown below is the Superior Pump 92341 It is also available in a 1/2 HP version.

Next is the BASEMENT WATCHDOG Model BWT050 1/2 HP Cast Iron Submersible Sump Pump. It has two float ball switches. If the first float switch fails, the second one will still operate. That is a very good design because float switches are always the first thing to fail for all sump pump brands.

The Liberty pumps are known for their one piece cast iron housings which eliminates one gasket that other pumps have. This reduces the chances of the pump failing.

Also Liberty pumps generally use 40% less electricity than equivelent pumps from other brands. That will save money every time the pump runs.

What To Look for When Comparing Sump Pump Brands

Personally, I do tend to prefer the USA made sump pumps. Those companies have been in business many years and have invest in improving their products. Also, repair parts are more readily available.

1/3 HP vs ½ HP Sump Pumps

Most homes need a 1/3 HP sump pump. Homes that need a ½ HP sump pump should consider that the Zoeller are built with a 20% surplus capacity than the rated horsepower. So, a 1/3 HP Zoeller pump may well equal the performance of a ½ Hp pump from another brand.

Also, the Zoeller vortex impeller helps the lower horse powered pump perform better. So, consider buying these three 1/3 HP Zoeller sump pumps.

First is the Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate sump pump. It can be used in the basement or with a French drain or in a septic tank.

Next is the longer lasting Zoeller M63 sump pump. It has a better quality switch than the Zoeller M53. So, it has a 5 year warranty instead of 3 years.

Many Zoeller sump pumps have plastic impellers and/or plastic bases but not the Zoeller M57. The plastic parts are lighter weight and some people think they don’t last as long as the cast iron parts. The Zoeller M57 sump pump has it’s main parts made of cast iron. Including the Switch Case, Housings, Base and Impeller. Even though the advertisement says it is stainless steel, just the handle and screws are stainless steel. The main parts of the pump are cast iron.

Gallons Per Hour (GPH) Pumped

Having the right sized pump will ensure that the pump does the job and lasts longer. Which will save money in several ways.

Pump performance is a combination of the gallons pumped and the amount of electricity needed. The Basement Watchdog and Wayne brands are good examples.

Cast Iron vs Plastic Sump Pump Housing Materials

A cast iron pump housing will last much longer than the other parts of the sump pump. But another advantage of cast iron is the weight. All sump pumps vibrate and try to move around because of it. If the sump pump moves it can force the float switch to get stuck in the “on” or “off” position. The heavier cast iron sump pumps will move less than the plastic housing sump pumps.

Zoeller pumps are very popular cast iron sump pumps. Also, Superior Pumps, Little Giant, Basement Watchdog, Barnes, Goulds, Wayne, Red Lion. Also, Liberty sewage pumps.

Plastic sump pump housings do not dissipate heat from the motor as fast as cast iron does. Thus, plastic sump pump housings tend to warp and crack from heat. Which means replacing the sump pump. Whereas the cast iron sump pumps typically only need other parts to be replaced.

Should I Buy a Manual or Automatic Sump Pump?

Most pumps are automatic but manual pumps are available. In which case they are now called utility pumps. Utility pumps can be made automatic by adding a piggyback float or electronic water depth sensor.

Vortex Impellers vs Other Sump Pump Impellers

I prefer the vortex impellers over the plain impellers.

Vortex impellers create what looks like a whirlpool or hurricane where the water is sucked up and flung out. In this way much of the water does not even touch the impeller which reduces the amount of wear on it.

Also, it permits the pump to pass larger objects, such as rocks, without breaking or jamming up. The Zoeller brand uses vortex impellers.

Also, if you need an effluent sump pump check out the Little Giant brand.

Also, the 1/3 HP Liberty Pumps 257-2 cast iron effluent pump with a 10-Foot power cord has a vortex impeller. The power cord can be replaced without breaking motor seals.

Float Switches Are the Most Important Feature?

No matter which sump pump brand you buy the weakest part is the on-off float switch. So, when comparing the best sump pump brands this is where to start.

There are several different types of sump pump switches. One is not necessarily better than the other depending upon what the pump is used for. Also, you will generally pay more for a better sump pump switch that lasts longer.

Not all sump pumps come with a switch. However, a switch can easily be added to the pump.

Probably all submersible sump brands have at least one pump with a tethered float switch. Separate tethered float switches can be bought to make manual pumps into automatic pumps.

Below are examples of a tethered float switch, a snap action float switch and a vertical float switch.

Notice that the Superior Pump 92341 1/3 HP Cast Iron Sump Pump (shown above) has the switch outside of the pump housing. Whereas other brands like the Zoeller M53 sump pump has an internal switch housing.

Shown below, the Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate 1/3 Hp Automatic Submersible Sump Pump, has an automatic snap action float switch with the switch being inside the pump housing.

Below is the Zoeller N53 Mighty-Mate Non-Automatic Submersible Pump is also called Zoeller 53-0002. It does not have a float switch, but one can be added to it.

You can get tethered switches, vertical switches, and dual sensor switches to replace or add onto manual sump pumps. Take a look at these options:

All brands that build pedestal sump pumps will have a vertical float switch system. Such as the Zoeller 84-0001 Old Faithful Pedestal Pump, also called the Zoeller M84. It has a vertical float where the ball slides up the rail as shown below.

Solid Switch Floats Are Better Than Hollow Ones

Zoeller Pump Company and the Red Lion brand have solid floats. So, they can’t be punctured and fill with water that stops the sump pump from turning on.

Which Vertical Float Switch Design Is Best?

Most vertical float switches are the manual type. That is where a lever is moved by the float. However, a magnetic switch appears to be more reliable. You can get magnetic switch sump pumps from the Star, Flint Walling and Liberty brands.

Snap Action Float Switches

In simple terms a snap action float switch makes the electrical connection faster than a reed switch. Faster connections mean less arching between contacts, which means a longer lasting switch. The Red Lion sump pump brand has a snap action float switch.

Diaphragm Switch vs Float Switch

Over the years I have owned a couple of Little Giant sump pumps. They have a diaphragm switch where the diaphragm moves up and down instead of a float. These are long lasting but the diaphragm can be damaged by abrasive water. By abrasive I mean very dirty water or very high mineral content “hard” water.

Also, since the diaphragm is constantly flexing it will eventually crack and fail.

Are Electronic Float Switches Reliable?

Some live up to their warranty and some do not. All sump pump brands have products that work great for some people but not for others. For example, hard water can crust over the sensor probes and require constant cleaning. One brand seems to have this problem, the Wayne Switch Genius sump pumps.

Also, some electronic switches can be fouled by sewage and others are not.

Whereas the Ortis adjustable electronic float switch controller does not seem to have these problems according to customers. The Ortis Electronic Adjustable Float Switch Controller with Dual Sensors is perfect for sewage pits, fish tanks, water tanks. See it below.

Also, the very reliable HydroCheck Sump Pump Float Switch is highly recommended.

Float Switches Used by Popular Sump Pump Brands

Zoeller Pump Company sells many pumps with a vertical float switch. They also sell some pumps with a tethered switch.

Basement Watchdog by Glentronics has two vertical float switches inside of a cage. Only the lower switch works until it fails and then the upper switch takes over. It uses reed switches to send signals to a control panel.

The float switch cage can be easily replaced when needed. That is because it is placed on the plastic discharge pipe close to where the pipe is connected to the sump pump.

Another positive point for the Basement Watchdog sump pumps is that they generally use less electricity than other brands.

Superior brand sump pumps have mostly vertical floats. Plus some tethered float sump pumps.

Wayne pumps have either tethered or vertical float switches. On the vertical float types, a float ball rides up and down a metal rod. However, sometimes the rod also moves upwards and can get stuck in the “on” position. The metal rod is connected to a plastic arm that activates the switch. The plastic arm might not be as durable as the metal arms from Zoeller, and other brands.

Also, there is a metal protection loop that keeps the float away from the side of the sump basin. That is an improvement over the tethered floats.

Goulds sump pumps have tethered and vertical float switch models.

Flotec vertical float switches have a metal rod that a solid float moves up and down on. Plus, that rod is connected to a metal rod that activates the switch.  Solid floats cannot fill up with water like hollow floats might do. The float ball can move side to side somewhat and might get hung up even though it has a protection bar.

Flotec also has tethered float switch sump pumps.

Red Lion Sump Pumps have tethered floats, vertical floats, and snap action float switches.

Simer pumps have tethered and vertical float switches.

Shown below is the very popular and highly rated Simer 2925B Laundry Sink Pump with a 6 Gallon Drainage Tank

1-5 Year Sump Pump Warranties

Customers will pay for longer warranties because the manufacturers know how long their pumps will last. Longer lasting pumps are made with more reliable parts.

Most warranties are from the date of purchase. However, the Zoeller Pump Company has a warranty from the date of manufacture. So, if the pump has been in someone’s warehouse a long time, that warranty may be a lot shorter.

List Of Sump Pump Brands

There are bound to be some sump pump brands that I am not aware of. So, this list may be updated occasionally. Keep in mind that I simply cannot compare all of them in this article.

Acquaer (made in China)

Agiiman (origin unknown)

Aisitin (made in China)

Anbull (pool cover sump pump)

Aquamiracle by Tenyon

Bacoeng

Barnes (made in China)

Basement Watchdog by Glentronics is one of the best sump pump brands available. They have excellent backup systems which every home should have. Their headquarters are in Lincolnshire, IL USA. The company is family owned.)

Bcorld

Black + Decker (pool cover sump pump, origin unknown)

Blue Wave by Dirt Defender

Coleman

Danner

Drummond (made in USA)

Edou

Eco-Flo and Everbilt by Ashland Water Group. The Ashland Water Group is located in Ashland Ohio USA. They are responsible for the design and marketing of the Eco-Flo and Everbilt brand sump pumps. However, the pumps are made in China.

EZ Travel Collection

Fibropool

Flint Walling. Star brand name. (owned by Zoeller)

Flotec by Pentair (Headquarters in Delevan, Wisconsin. Pumps are imported)

Fluentpower

Glentronics. See Basement Watchdog

Goulds (made in USA)

Grundfos (Headquarters are in Denmark)

Hydromatic

Jackel brand is better known for their sump pump basins, and covers. Which are high quality and easy to install. Headquarters are in Mishawaka, IN USA. Take a look at the JACKEL 1/2 HP Submersible Sewage Pump Model: JP550T shown below.

Janz

Knifel

Lanchez

Liberty is one of the best sump pump brands because of their motors use less electricity than other brands. The sump pumps are made in the USA. The company is employee owned)

Little Giant (made in Fort Wayne, Indiana USA. Owned by Franklin Electric)

Myers by Pentair (Made in Delavan, Wisconsin USA with Headquarters in Ashland OH USA)

Medas

Ocean Blue Water Products by Robelle Industries

Patioer

Proflo

Red Lion (made in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA. Owned by Franklin Electric)

Ridgid (assembled in USA)

Schraiberpump

ShurFlo by Pentair (Located in Costa Mesa, California USA. Pumps are imported)

Simer by Pentair (Headquarters in Delevan, Wisconsin. Pumps are imported)

Star (owned by Zoeller)

Sunnora

Superior (Headquarters in Saint Paul, MN USA, Family owned. Made in China)

Surmountway

Tsurumi (A subsidiary of Tsurumi Manufacturing Company, Japan. Pump origin unknown.)

Valwix (made in China)

Wayne is anothe of the best sump pump brands. The pumps are assembled in Harrison, Ohio, USA. Owned by Scott Fitzer Company.

Wwahuayuan

Xtremepowerus

Zoeller is one of the best sump pump brands. Their main factory and headquarters are in Louisville, Kentucky USA where 95% of their products are made. Second factory in Taiwan where 5% of pumps are made primarily for the Asian market. Family owned.

6699 by Volcanorbuy (made in China)

Conclusions On The Best Sump Pump Brands

I spent a lot of time discussing sump pump float switches because the switches are the most likely parts to fail. For sump pumps with factory attached float switches, the tethered switch may be the longest lasting. Otherwise the electronic switches that are added onto a pump are the best choice.

To narrow down your choices of best sump pump brands consider these sump pump brands:

Zoeller Pump Company Cast iron pumps with vortex impellers are a favorite with plumbers.

Wayne probably has more happy customers than the other best sump pump brands.

Superior Pumps has over 34,700 customer reviews with an overall 4.6 star rating.

The Basement Watchdog is one of the best sump pump brands They have a unique caged verticle float switch that acts as its own backup switch. Also, they are well known for having excellent backup sump pumps and batteries.

Liberty Pumps. Generally speaking, the cast iron Liberty pumps brand provides the most efficient pumps that save money by using less electricity.

Related Articles:

Zoeller M53 Sump Pump Review. Best Value, Clog Free, Reliable

Zoeller M84 Pedestal Sump Pump Review (Zoeller 84-0001)

Zoeller M98 Sump Pump Review 1/2 HP Effluent and Dewatering

The first time I helped to install a drain tile and basement sump pump system was 1978.

Since then I have worked for a city water utility where I worked with and maintained pumps.

My rental properties and personal homes all needed sump pumps.

As a modular home dealer/builder, those new homes needed sump pumps.

I put that experience to good use by providing reliable, useful, and practical advice on buying, using, and maintaining sump pumps.