The Best Portable Sump Pump Reviews & Guide in 2020

2. SumpMarine 330 GPH Portable Water Transfer System

The SumpMarine UTP is suitable for use in everyday household water transfer needs and light commercial applications as well. While this unit only operates at 1/10th Horse Power, it can pump as much as 330 gallons of water in an hour. Thanks to its compact design, it works effectively and only needs to be connected to an 115V wall socket. 

Despite being lightweight and portable, you don’t have to worry about this unit breaking down under pressure. It is built with durable materials including hose connectors made of metal instead of plastic threads commonly used in others. It also comes with an impeller replacement kit for easy replacement of impeller in case it gets broken.  

3. Superior 92330 1/3 HP Thermoplastic Submersible Sump Machine

The Superior Pump 92330 is designed for superior quality performance and long term durability. Not only is this unit built with top quality components such as motor winding made of solid copper. It also features a split capacitor which helps to protect the pump’s electrical system as well which by the way is designed to deliver exceptionally as well. To further extend the life-span of this pump, there is an easy to clean screen which helps to filter out debris as big as 1/8 inches. This reduces the chances of your pump getting clogged. It has a thermoplastic casing which is resistant to corrosion. 

Perhaps the most outstanding feature of this sump pump is its vertical float switch. This automatically turns the unit on and off based on the water level. You can set the power plus to enable either automatic or manual settings for this pump. 

4. WAYNE PC2 Portable Transfer Water Engine

This heavy-duty portable water pump from Wayne is designed to deliver quite effectively for both household and commercial application. This unit can pump as much as 410 gallons of water at optimum capacity or up to 350. GPM. It does this while keeping the noise level as low as possible gives off just 74dBA at a 3 ft distance. 

The pump discharge is threaded such that you can use a standard garden hose with it. The pump also comes with its suction hose and attachment. The entire housing is bronze-plated and this does a lot to enhance the unit’s durability

5. Liberty 280-Series Automatic Sump Pump 

The Liberty Pumps 287 1/2-Horse Power submersible pump is a powerful heavy-duty pump designed to be compact enough to work in sump pit as small as 10 inches in diameter. It can pump up to 67 gallons of water per minute which makes it quite suitable for a variety of purposes including some heavy-duty industrial uses. 

This pump has a one-piece cast iron housing. Having fewer parts and pieces reduces the chances of anything breaking and going loose. The motor is also well lubricated and thermally protected within the housing. The unit also has a magnetic VMF switch which can detect water level and turn unit on and off accordingly. 

6. Goplus Water Transfer Pump Portable Electric 120V

Despite its portability, you can be sure of the unit’s lifting capacity. The pump features a standard 3/4 inches garden hose thread. This makes installation quite easy. There is also an attached suction filter which prevents clogs in the unit. It is suitable for use in a variety of situations and works quite effectively under different use-conditions. 

This mini-water transfer pump is designed to be able to withstand heavy use thanks to its heavy-duty metal design. This unit has a copper wire motor, copper hose connectors, stainless steel connectors, among other highly sturdy and highly durable pieces. 

7. WAYNE CDU980E 3/4 HP Submersible Cast Iron and Stainless Steel

The Wayne is made of a combination of cast iron and stainless steel for optimum durability. The impeller is also made from reinforced polycarbonate material. This submersible unit is also inbuilt with a top-suction design and this helps to minimize clogging by filtering out debris. 

One of the best things about this unit is the ease of installation. You don’t need to make any plumbing changes to your home since it comes with the standard 1 to 1/2 inch discharge. It is also designed for easy handling as well using its easy carry handle which enhances portability. 

8. Little Giant GIDDS Automatic Pump

The little giant automatic sump pump is ideal for handling large volumes of water without stress. It is designed to continuous operation thanks to its overload protection and shaded pole motor which ensures that the unit continues to work even under the most demanding conditions in residential or even industrial settings. 

If you prefer an automatic sump pump unit to a manual one, then this product should be top on your list of consideration. It turns on a water depth of about 7 to 10 inches and automatically goes off at 1 to 4-inch water depth for absolute convenience. This product is one of the best to consider if you want a pump that continues to deliver without having to spend all day monitoring flood levels. 

9. Homdox 1/2 HP Sump Submersible Water Pump

This high-quality portable submersible pump is suitable for pumping both clean and dirty water efficiently in a wide range of environments. It is made from corrosion-resistant thermoplastic materials which ensure long term usage in residential and commercial buildings. 

This pump has a base plate that is higher than most models. This helps in avoiding debris collection within the sump pit. It uses an automatic flow switch which engages the unit when the water level exceeds 12 inches vertically or (8 inches for lay across). 

Using A Portable Sump Pump

A portable sump pump system is a low-pressure unit designed to move water from one a location to another. They typically consist of an impeller driven by a motor. All these parts are encased in a tight-fitting housing. Portable pumps are used to combat flooding. However, because they are smaller and with less capacity to handle flood water compared to regular-sized units, there are some considerations as far as placement is concerned. They are best suited for areas with minimal flooding. Portable sump pumps will work effectively in clearing up small floodwaters but may be inefficient for larger floods. 

Most portable sump pumps are electrical powered although there are some with battery backups. They push water rather than pull it which is why they are to be placed near the floor so that water isn’t pulled into the impeller. 

Bear in mind that portable sump pumps are more of temporary solutions for small flooding rather than permanent once. They also don’t have valves which means you must keep the pump turned off as it empties to avoid damage due to dry-running. In the case of larger water drainage issues, it is best to get a larger pump. But if your flooding problem is simpler, then a portable pump will be a better alternative. 

Types Of Portable Sump Pumps

• Primary Sump Pump:

These are the commonest type of portable sump pumps used by homeowners. This kind of sump is designed to remove excess water from areas of your building such as the basement to prevent flooding. Primary sump pumps are generally of two kinds 

• Submersible pumps:

As the name implies, submersible pumps are placed underwater within the sump pump basin. They are typically well sealed to prevent electrical short circuits and are also built to be corrosion resistant as well. 

• Pedestal pumps:

These are best used in small basins. In a pedestal pump, only the pump base is below the water surface, the rest of the pump including the pump motor is positioned above the water. They are more easily serviced and monitored. 

• Battery backup pumps:

These types of sump pumps have a battery which serves as a backup in case the primary power supply fails. Thus they continue to work even when there is a power outage. 

• Combination sump pumps:

A combination sump pump is a combination of battery backup and a primary system. This helps to protect your home from flooding both in normal scenarios or when there is a power outage. 

• Sewage pumps:

These are not sump pumps in the traditional sense of it, although they can be used for the same purpose as sump pumps. They are built specifically for pumping effluent waste and sewage to your home’s septic tank. Thus, they can pass bigger solid components better than regular portable sump pumps. 

Single Sump Pump Systems And Multi-Pump Systems

Basement system may be made up of a single pump or multiple pumps working together depending on your needs and preferences. A multi-pump system will protect your home more effectively in case of a power outage or extremely wet situations when there is a lot of water to pump. In some cases, a multi-system will consist of a primary pump, a second sump pump which comes up if the first one stops working or when there is a too much volume to handle and a third one which is battery powered to kick-in in case of a power outage. 

Pros And Cons Of Portable Sump Pumps 

Pros 

• Easier to use and maintain:

With portability comes and ease of installation, use, and maintenance. A portable sump pump will be much easier to handle compared to large heavy-duty units. It works great even if you have less space to spare and using most portable unit is as simple as simply plugging it into a power outlet.

• Cheaper:

Smaller sump pumps are cheaper than the bigger heavy-duty models. This makes it a great choice especially when you have less to spend. 

• Economical:

Since sump pumps require electricity, a smaller unit means you will spend less on power bills. This is particularly important when you experience very minimal flooding in your area. In such cases, buying a large sump pump will be a mere waste of money when you can buy a portable one that works efficiently at a fraction of the cost.

Cons 

• It Cannot Handle Heavy Tasks:

A portable sump pump is only a smart decision if you live in an area that experiences very minimal flooding. It might not hold up when the water level becomes too high for it to handle and may break down under the heavy load. Hence, you must be sure that your water pumping needs are unlikely to exceed the capacity of your portable sump pump before you purchase. 

Knowing Which Best Portable Sump Pump Reviews 

If you live in an area prone to flooding, then we recommend that you buy a sump pump and have it available in case of flooding. Of course, the biggest challenge is figuring out which of the many options is the best for you based on reviews you’ve read online. There are some factors that a good review will cover and how to choose the best portable sump pump based on this. 

Type of portable sump pump

This is the starting point of any good sump pump reviews. There are various types of sump pumps you can choose from depending largely on your needs. In terms of placement, you can choose between submersible and pedestal pumps. Portable sump pumps also come with either a cast iron or plastic core with the case iron more likely to last longer than the plastic-type. You also have to compare between manual and automatic units. Automatic units offer more convenience since they kick in on their own without the need to pump the water manually. These are some of the comparison points between various types of portable sump pumps. 

Check the type of switch

Basically, you can choose between a pressure switch pump and a mechanical switch system. Pressure switch systems rely on the force of the water on a sensor while mechanical ones depend on a float sitting above the water level. While pressure switch seems like a cool idea, they are less reliable compared to mechanical switches. Also, a solid float is more preferable since it is less likely to become waterlogged. 

Check the head pressure

This is an important factor which determines how high your sump pump can raise the water it removes. Be sure to check this before you purchase a pump and also check how high the water needs to be lifted to pick a unit that does the job effectively. 

Check the HP

The commonest horsepower range for portable sump pumps is 1/4 or 1/3. Which one you go for depends largely on how much use your unit will be getting. If you live in an area not prone to flooding then a unit with a lower HP should work well. 

Screen

This may sound counter-intuitive but a sump pump without screen is a more recommended option compared to one with screens. This is because the screen itself may get clogged which will lead to an overflow. Hence, it is best to buy a no-screen pump instead. 

Optional accessories

There is a wide range of additional accessories that you can consider when choosing a sump pump. Some models have water level alarms which notify you when the water level becomes too high. Others may also have a backup which ensures that your basement stays dry even when the power is out. You can look out for some of these features the next time you go shopping for a portable sump pump. 

Wrapping It Up

A portable sump pump is an ideal option for getting rid of excess water especially when your water pumping needs are quite minimal. The challenging part is choosing the right one for your needs. You can consult our list of top quality products above to choose the right one for your need. The WAYNE CDU980E 3/4 HP Submersible sump pump is our top pick from this list although any of the top quality pumps reviewed above will work great as well. You can make your choice based on your need and personal preferences.