Submersible pumps have the advantage of sitting directly in the water they are pumping, minimizing the number of necessary hoses. Their uses and applications are vast, ranging from water transfer to cleanup.
I'm here to help you pick the best submersible water pumps for general use, dirty water, and pool cover water removal. After working with pumps for decades, I want to steer homeowners, contractors, and facility managers in the right direction.
| Best Submersible Utility Pump | Best Submersible Trash Pump | Best Pool Cover Pump |
|---|---|---|
| | | |
The Simer 2385 is a fantastic all-around submersible utility pump that removes water from basements, rooftops, window wells, crawl spaces, and more. Although mostly used for emergency water removal, I’ve had customers use it to run their outdoor fountain and drain their fishpond!
Weighing only 10 pounds, the Simer 2385 is easy to move and position wherever needed, especially with its 8-foot power cord. The pump can handle up to 3,000 gallons per hour at zero elevation and has a total head lift of 20 feet. Thanks to its bottom intake design, it can remove water to within 1 inch of the surface. Plus, an included ¾-inch garden hose adaptor equips the pump for various common household uses.
The pump’s thermoplastic and stainless-steel construction prevents corrosion, while its thermally protected motor guards against overheating. These durability features promote a long pump life, and Simer offers a one-year limited warranty for extra reassurance. Overall, I recommend this as a one-stop pump for anything around your home or business.
| Spec | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | - 50 GPM; 20' total head lift - 1-¼" outlet Includes 3/4" garden hose adaptor - Removes water to within 1" of the surface | |
| Reliability | - Thermoplastic & stainless-steel construction resists corrosion - Thermally protected motor | |
| Warranty | - 1-year limited warranty | |
| Overall Value | Great, multi-use pump for a good price. |
For dirty pumping jobs, I recommend the Tsurumi HS2.4S submersible trash pump, which can easily move water with sand, debris, and solids up to ¼ inches in diameter. This makes it great for draining dirty water with small solids from ponds and cleaning after a severe storm or hurricane. Designed for continuous operation, the pump will run until the job is done.
The HS2.4S boasts the strongest pump seal in the industry. Its V-Ring design defends against abrasive particles, and an oil lifter keeps the top face of the seal lubricated.
The pump’s durable urethane semi-vortex impeller lasts three times as long as traditional cast-iron impellers. Furthermore, its built-in shaft-mounted agitator suspends solids to provide minimal wear and clogging. All is contained inside a corrosion-resistant grey iron casting case.
The HS2.4S can handle 53 gallons per minute and has a total head lift of 39 feet. A 20-foot power cord lets you use this pump where needed without worrying about a nearby outlet. The copper windings and permanent magnet motor maximize lifespan and reduce electricity consumption.
Overall, this is the best pump I’ve seen for general clean or dirty water removal, thanks to its stellar durability and 2-year limited manufacturer's warranty. It’s time to take out the trash!
| Specs | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | - 53 GPM; 39' total head lift - 2" outlet - 20' power cord - Works for continuous operation - Handles solids up to 1/4" | |
| Reliability | - Silicon carbide seal (V-Ring design) - Built-in shaft-mounted agitator minimizes clogging - Urethane semi-vortex impeller - Oil lifter lubricates seal faces - Grey iron casting case | |
| Warranty | - 2-year limited warranty | |
| Overall Value | A durable beast of a pump that will handle almost anything you throw at it. |
I recommend using the Little Giant APCP-1700 submersible pool cover pump to protect your pool cover from water damage and bacteria growth. Once set up, its integrated float switch will take over and automatically activate when there are as little as 2 inches of water on the pool cover. It will deactivate in approximately 1.5 inches of water.
This pump is designed to make household use as easy as possible. It comes with a 3/4-inch garden hose connection, a 1-inch FNPT discharge, and a 25-foot power cord that accommodates distant power outlets. A removable intake screen makes cleaning easy. Furthermore, it weighs only 13 pounds and has a built-in handle that makes transport and placement nearly effortless. A wide base design adds stability.
The Little Giant has a low energy consumption PSC motor mounted in a sealed, stainless-steel housing case and cooled by the flow of the pumping fluid. As for specs, this pump handles 29 gallons of water per minute and has a total head lift of 21.5 feet.
If these features aren't enough, the 3-year warranty offers peace of mind that you can't ignore. With this pump, you’ll take a clean pool cover for granted.
| Specs | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | - 29 GPM; 21.5' total head lift - 1" outlet - Integrated float switch activates in 2" of water Low energy consumption motor - 3/4" garden hose connection - 25' power cord | |
| Reliability | - Sealed, stainless steel housing - Removable intake screen makes cleaning easy - Wide base adds stability | |
| Warranty | - 1-year limited warranty | |
| Overall Value | A budget-friendly little pump for making pool cover cleaning an afterthought. |
When recommending submersible water pumps, we take four features into account.
We evaluate all the performance features that set one pump apart from another, such as connections, operation, the ability to handle solids, power options, and more. We also consider gallons per minute (GPM), although this is heavily dependent on application, and more doesn’t always mean better.
Water pumps must often handle demanding applications for years, so they need to be built reliably. This is where we look at construction features, including the motor, impeller, and housing. We also consider design decisions that are meant to increase longevity, like V-ring seals and oil lifters. Maintenance-friendly features that allow faster, easier servicing also raise the score here.
Warranty and reliability go hand-in-glove. We look for brands that back their pumps up with great warranties and aftermarket support. If something goes wrong with the pump, you need to be able to trust the manufacturer to make it right.
We assign an overall value score that considers the above performance, reliability, and warranty criteria plus price. An inexpensive water pump isn’t always a good value, especially if the manufacturer takes shortcuts in its design and construction. Saving on upfront costs means little if you end up replacing the pump in a couple of years.
Submersible pumps are submerged underwater and, therefore, do not require intake hoses to draw in water. Instead, their motor is enclosed in a water-tight case and spins the impeller, which sucks the water directly through the pump and out through the discharge hose.
Submersible water pumps have several advantages over their non-submersible counterparts. For one, they are more efficient and don't need to be primed (have air purged) since they sit directly in the water. They are also quieter, with the water muffling their sound, and they save space. Finally, they typically require less maintenance because the surrounding water helps prevent overheating, and delicate motor parts are well protected inside the water-tight case.
Choosing the right submersible water pump depends on your application, how much water you need to pump, how quickly you need to pump it, and how far you need to pump it. Answering these questions will help you select a pump with the appropriate capabilities for the following:
Read our water pump buyer's guide for more information on selecting the right water pump. Also, contact us to get expert advice when sizing a pump for your application.
Jim has nurtured a professional obsession with pumps for nearly 30 years. After spending well over a decade selling pumps for an HVAC wholesaler, Jim joined the Power Equipment Direct team as a product expert and hasn’t looked back.
Over the past 13 years, Jim has helped thousands of PED customers find, size, and purchase the perfect sump pump, water pump, or pressure washer for their needs. In doing so, he has accumulated vast knowledge about the different kinds of pumps and their manufacturers. He has also participated in many video productions highlighting pump installations, performance, and applications.
A native Chicagoan, when he’s not pumping out expert advice, Jim enjoys just about every cold-weather activity, especially skiing. Despite being visibly agitated by warmth and sunshine, Jim stays busy during summer by fishing and taking photos. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his family and grandkids as much as he can.