What is a portable sump pump?
A portable sump pump is one of the quickest ways to remove standing water from your basement, backyard, or crawl space. Many homeowners already have a permanent pump installed in their basements but don’t realize how owning a portable pump can protect their homes.
The portable pump you should use depends on how much water you need to pump, how durable it is, and the power source. Some pumps are better for “once a year” floods, while others are built to be used and moved constantly! Some people use them to drain standing water after heavy rainfall or keep the top of a pool cover dry. Most people already own a pump in their basement, but they are not very mobile and have to be connected to the house’s plumbing.
How do portable sump pumps work?
Portable sump pumps help remove water from flooded basements, building sites, and other places where water buildup is problematic. They operate on the idea of pumping water up or out of the building from a lower level.
An overview of how do portable sump pumps work is provided below:
Intake: The pump is positioned in a sump pit or another area that needs water to be removed. It features an information or suction mechanism that sucks water into the pump, typically as a hose or pipe.
Impeller: An impeller, a revolving device with vanes or blades, is inside the pump. When the pump is turned on, the impeller begins to rotate quickly.
Centrifugal force: Water is pushed away from the impeller’s core and toward its outside edges by centrifugal force, which is produced as the impeller rotates. A low-pressure region is made at the impeller’s center due to this force.
Water expulsion: Water is sucked into the pump through the intake due to the low-pressure area that the rotating impeller creates. After that, the water is compelled to exit and is discharged through a discharge hose or pipe attached to the pump.
Discharge: The ejected water is directed from the pumped area to a suitable location, usually outside the building or to a drainage system.
Repetition: The pump runs continuously until the water level in the pumped region has been appropriately decreased. It draws in water and expels it.
It’s crucial to remember that portable sump pumps typically run on an electric motor and need a power source to work. They might also include other features, such as float switches, that would turn on the pump when the water level reached a specified level and turn it off when it dropped.
What is the best portable sump pump?
We reviewed all of the top portable sump pumps to find the best of the best. To make our list, we looked at all kinds of pumps you can pick up with one hand! Some are built for heavy pumping, while others are better for occasional jobs – no matter what you are looking for, it is on our list!
We chose the Wayne VIP50 as a top pick since it offers a combination of durability, efficiency, high flow rate, and positive customer feedback, making it a top choice as a portable sump pump for various water removal needs.
In This Article
The 5 Best Portable Sump Pumps
| Our Picks | Pump | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Top Pick | Wayne VIP50 | 4.4 |
| Runner Up | Trupow 1/10 HP | 4 |
| Pedestal Pump | Superior Pump 92333 | 4.3 |
| Budget Pick | Superior Pump 91250 | 4.5 |
| High Power | Zoeller M57 | 4 |
Top Pick: Wayne VIP50
This portable pump by Wayne stood out thanks to its power and quick set up time
The Wayne VIP50 sump pump has a high flow rate (41 GPM) and is easy to pick up with one hand since it only weighs 6.8 pounds. The pump clears water down to 1/8 inch, making it suitable for various indoor and outdoor uses.
One of the main reasons we choose this pump as our top pick is the variety of adapters and user-friendly features. The VIP50 can connect to almost any hose or drainage line via various adapters, and the inside can hand up to 1/2 solids so that you can set and forget!
Pump Features
- 1/2 HP motor
- Easy to move and install
- Discharges to garden hoses or traditional lines
Pros
- Tough thermoplastic out body
- Works in almost any environment
- Pumps water down to 1/8 inch
- Discharge valve swivles 360 degrees to connect drain lines
Cons
- Better options for long term basement installation
Runner Up: Trupow 1/10HP
Not every job requires a super powerful pump. If you need an on the go pump for around the house work check out this Trupow pump
This Trupow 1/10 HP pump may have a low profile but don’t let that fool you; it can pump up to 330 gallons of water per hour. The pump itself is super lightweight – weighing only 5.2 pounds. Many people use this pump for small, around-the-house jobs like draining a fish tank or clearing a pool cover.
Like many competitors, the Trupow picks up water down to 1/8″. The hose is only 6′, so larger jobs may be difficult or require moving the pump to drain all the water. This pump is a little loud, so it is not recommended for basement use.
Pump Features
- 1/10 HP motor
- Drains water to 1/8″
- Works in sump pits, aquariums and outside
- Max flow rate of 330 gallons of water per hour
- Weighs about 5 pounds
Pros
- Metal hose connectors for extended life and leak prevention
- Comes with impeller replacement kit
Cons
- Very loud while pumping water
Pedestal Pump: Superior Pump 92333
Pedestal pumps like the Superior Pump 92333 are easy to move due to their small body but don’t sacrifice pump power
The Superior Pump 92333 might not look like much due to its skinny neck, but it packs a punch with a 1/3 HP pump in the head. The pump can move up to 3000 gallons of water per hour, and the cast iron body means it is built to last. Thanks to the corrosion-resistant drive shaft and stainless steel insides, don’t worry about corrosion. Measuring 7 x 31.5 x 9 inches and weighing 13.2 pounds, you will have no problem moving and installing the pump around your home.
Pump Features
- 1/3 HP motor
- Pumps max 3000 GPH at 20′ head
- Stainless steel body
- Fits 1 1/4″ NPT discharge lines
- Powerful enough to handle 90 degree turns in drain pipes
- Weighs about 13 pounds
Pros
- Easy to carry
- Fits 1-1/4-inch NPT discharge lines
- Factory tested and approved
Cons
- Needs to be standing up relatively straight
Budget Pick: Superior Pump 91250
If you need a portable sump pump that does not break the bank but can still be moved and installed in minutes, we recommend the Superior Pump 91250
The Superior Pump 91250 is robust and durable thanks to the thermoplastic exterior and is affordable since it costs less than $50. The pump is designed to drain water to 1/8 inches off the ground and has a filter to prevent clogs and damage from particles up to 1/8″.
The pump has a 1/4 HP motor for small to medium around-the-house jobs. It can pump water at 30 gallons per minute up to 25 feet in the air, draining most backyard pools in a few hours. One of the biggest selling points of this pump is the thermally insulated thermoplastic body. This tough exterior means the pump is built to last many years and will have no problem working outdoors. This model is also available in 1/3 HP, 1/5 HP, and 1/2 HP motors.
Pump Features
- 1/4 HP motor
- Thermoplastic exterior body
- Fits 1 1/4″ NPT discharge lines with hose adapter
- Screen filers large solids
- Max 1800 GPH
- Split capacitor for extra pump power
- Double sealed interior protects the motor
Pros
- Thermoplastic body is designed to last – even in rough conditions
- Factory tested
- Comes with garden hose adapter
Cons
- Short cord length requires extension cord
High Power: Zoeller M57
A super powerful pump that can still be picked up with one hand and turned on in a few minutes
The Zoeller M57 is one of the biggest pumps that can easily move around. Many homes use this or a similar model full-time in their basement. The pump is made of cast iron and stainless steel and fits 1.5″ discharge lines. It weighs 27 pounds, so it might take 2 hands to move, but it is still a good option if you plan to leave it in one place for a few weeks.
The pump has an anti-clog vortex impeller and is designed to pass solids up to 1/2″ in size, making it great for outdoor use. Another thing we liked about this pump is that it is tested in the factory, so you know you won’t get a lemon.
Pump Features
- 3/10 HP pump
- Attaches to 1 1/2″ NPT discharge
- Cast iron and stainless steel construction
- Tested in the factory before shipping
- Weighs about 27 pounds
Pros
- Powerful 1/3 HP pump
- Coated cast iron exterior that is rust and corrosion resistant
- Able too pass 1/2″ solids and debris
Cons
- Some reports of a short lifespan
Who Needs a Portable Sump Pump
There is an old saying that you will know when you need a sump pump. Most homes in the Midwest and Northeast with basements or crawl spaces have sump pumps installed in a basin, but these are not very portable.
Small pumps that can quickly be moved to the location of a flood and activated are handy to keep around the house for a variety of reasons like:
- Clearing backyard floods
- Emptying water beds
- Draining pool covers
- Preventing floods from heavy rains
If you live near a river, lake or stream that flood regularly we recommend having a pump with at least 1/2 HP that you can move to areas of heavy flooding after a storm.
Top Features to Consider
Picking a suitable model can be confusing. There are many similar models from big-name manufacturers. The most important features to consider before buying a new pump are the horsepower, max flow rate, body type, and interior filters. Most people do not need a super-powerful pump, but if flooding is a problem, you might want a motor with extra power.
Our Final Say
Still unsure about which portable sump pump is right for you? In most circumstances, Wayne VIP50 will be a good pick. It is affordable on most budgets and has enough power and durability to keep your home dry.
