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BlogWe independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.Keep Your Drains in Check With the Best Utility Pump
Last updated: 23 Feb 2023There are many different reasons why your drain might get clogged, whether it’s because of things like hair getting stuck in it, rainwater, or something else entirely. We can all admit that having a clogged pipe is not the most ideal situation but, luckily, there’s an easy solution to having unclogged pipes.
That solution, of course, is a utility pump. This helpful tool unclogs drains, pumps water out of your house after a bad rainstorm, and more. However, there’s much more than a utility pump can do than just unclog drains. If you’re looking for a good utility pump to help keep your drains in check, this buying guide has you covered. We have rated and reviewed the highest-rated utility pumps of 2023 for you.
Show contentsElite Utility Pumps Worth Considering in 2023Buying Guide: Purchasing a Quality Utility Pump
It can be annoying when water accumulates in parts of your home or when you need to drain your pool but don’t have the right materials to do it. In such situations, a utility pump is a tool that can really come in handy.
This buying guide will give you all the information you’ll need on utility pumps.
What to Look for in a Utility Pump
Portability
You’ll most likely have to carry your utility pump around, so it’s best to get one that is lightweight. A good utility pump will have a handle that allows you to carry it with ease. Also, look for pumps with a strong base to help you keep them stable on flat surfaces such as driveways.
A portable pump is also easy to store after use. So, if you have limited garage space or don’t have a designated area to store a utility pump, you should look for a compact and collapsible design.
Filter
There’s more than just water that gets accumulated after a rainstorm. A pump should have a good filter to remove small pieces of debris. This is an important feature to look for, especially if you’re looking for a pump for your swimming pool.
These filters are mostly removable to help you clean them if debris ever gets stuck in them. A helpful tip to keep your filter clean is to use a small brush to get all the dirt out. A good filter can help you keep your pool clean.
Material
Since a utility pump is submerged underwater, it’s important for it to be made of materials that won’t corrode easily. Most utility pumps are made from very durable thermoplastic, so if you get one made of thermoplastic it’s likely to last you a long time.
Thermoplastic is also chemical resistant, so you can use pumps made of this material in chlorinated pool water. Another great benefit of thermoplastic is that it’s environmentally friendly, so once you’re ready to get rid of your old pump, it won’t harm the earth. Overall, we’d recommend choosing pumps made of thermoplastic over other materials.
Safety
A utility pump has a motor inside it and it is submerged underwater, so there’s a lot of space for things to go wrong. However, many have extra safety measures to help keep you safe, such as a thermal protection device that can be removed in case the motor overheats.
What’s the Difference Between Utility Pumps and Sump Pumps?
They may look the same and have similar names, but both of these pumps are slightly different. A sump pump is usually connected to the lowest level of your house to prevent it from flooding in extreme weather situations. A utility pump, on the other hand, removes large amounts of water from environments like a swimming pool or pond.
Another difference is that sump pumps can usually be used 24/7 without any issues. On the other hand, a utility pump is best for removing a large quantity of water in a short amount of time. You can’t use a utility pump continuously like you can a sump pump.
A sump pump is usually used only for one purpose: keeping water out of your house. However, a utility pump is very versatile and can be used in places like your driveway or an aquarium.
Another huge difference is that sump pumps are usually not portable, which is because they are installed in the pit of your house to keep it dry. On the contrary, a utility pump is portable and they usually have handles to help you carry them around. Sump pumps are usually kept to keep areas like basements dry, particularly in areas where it rains heavily. Utility pumps tend to be used by people that have pools or ponds and want to keep them clean.
Choose the Right Utility Pump
If you don’t know which pump you should get, we can help you figure it out. First, you need to know what exactly you want to use the pump for. If you need a pump that will work for a longer amount of time, then you should choose a sump pump. However, if you just need a pump for small and quick jobs, you should purchase a utility pump.
Make sure you compare the different details with each type of pump to see which one will work best for you. Also, keep in mind that utility pumps usually require more voltage to work than sump pumps do.
Elite Utility Pumps Worth Considering in 2023
1TOPWAY Utility Pump
– Best OverallBuy on AmazonIf you need to drain some water from your aquarium or deal with a badly clogged sink, this pump can help. It’s lightweight, which enables you to carry it around easily, and it can also be connected to most hoses via metal connectors. But, the best thing about this pick is that it’s super easy to use. Just attach the hose that the pump comes with, along with the suction device, and watch it suck up all the unnecessary water.
This pump has a strong base along with a metal handle that you can use to carry it with ease, while the included suction head helps filter water and helps your pump stay in top shape. This pump also comes with an impeller and a carbon brush replacement kit, so you can fix it at home if there’s an issue. This versatile, multi-purpose utility pump is suitable for professional and personal use, making it the best overall choice.
Pros- Perfect for unclogging drains
- Has a metal handle for easy carrying
- Lightweight and portable
- Comes with a carbon brush replacement kit
Cons- Can’t be used for pool water
2DEKOPRO Utility Pump
– Editor’s PickBuy on AmazonCheck On WalmartThis powerful pump can help you remove water and it works great for messes like flooded basements. It removes up to 2,450 gallons per hour and also has a suction filter to provide even more efficiency. The best thing about this utility pump is that, if it ever overheats, you can simply disconnect the protection device and cool it down immediately. This makes the pump safer to use and also helps it last longer.
This pump is lightweight and easy to carry around because it comes with a handle, but it remains very durable because of its thermoplastic build. It’s also smaller in size, letting you easily store it after use, and quieter when compared to most other utility pumps. And, if you’re desperate, you can even use this utility pump to wash your car.
Pros- Has a handle for easy carrying
- Quieter than most utility pumps
- Removes up to 2,450 gallons per hour
- Features a protection device
Cons- Connecting garden hoses may be difficult
3LANCHEZ Utility Pump
– Most PowerfulBuy on AmazonIf you’re looking for a good utility pump to help you remove water from your swimming pool, this is a great pick. A lot of pumps can’t be used to remove swimming pool water since chlorine can damage the pump. But this pump is designed to help you remove water from places like swimming pools and ponds because it can withstand chlorine and other harsh conditions.
This pump has a powerful motor that helps to drain up to 4,450 gallons of water per hour and can also be submerged underwater. One of this water pump’s greatest features is that it’s made of durable thermoplastic that doesn’t corrode easily. It also has thermal protection, which helps cool down the pump if it ever overheats. Overall, this utility pump is super easy to use, and all you have to do is turn it on and watch the water get drained out of your pool.
Pros- Perfect for draining swimming pools or ponds
- Drains 4,450 gallons per hour
- Durable thermoplastic build
- Very easy to use
Cons- Works better for smaller pools
4Superior Pump Utility Pump
– Affordable ChoiceBuy on AmazonThis high-quality utility pump has a powerful motor that helps to remove up to 1,800 gallons of water per hour. Even better, this pump has a very long cord, can be submerged underwater, and is made of durable thermoplastic, which will help it last a long time.
This pump also includes a garden hose adapter and a suction screen that helps it filter out any debris along with a strong carrying handle that makes it super portable. The great thing about this pump is that it can easily be connected to most garden hoses with ease, while the filter screen can be removed and cleaned easily. If you have a clogged pipe or need to remove water quickly on a budget, this pump will work wonders.
Pros- Has a handle for easy carrying
- Can be connected to most garden hoses
- Filter screen filters out debris
- Designed with a 10-foot cord
Cons- Doesn’t remove as much water as other pumps
5Wayne Store Utility Pump
– Honorable MentionBuy on AmazonRemoving water has never been easier than with this pump, which boasts a powerful self-starting motor. Even more, this utility pump features amazing technology which helps it detect when water levels are rising and immediately turns it on. Offering up even more utility, this pick can even be submerged if you need to drain a pool or an aquarium.
It’s small enough to fit places like window wells while still being powerful enough to remove water from bigger areas as well. With a durable, lightweight thermoplastic build that allows you to carry it and a filter that helps to suction out tiny pieces of debris, this utility pump is perfect to use in all areas of your house. Whether it’s your roof or driveway, this pump is handy.
Pros- Fits in smaller areas
- Has a handle for easy carrying
- Durable thermoplastic build
- Self-starting iSwitch design
Cons- Large debris might clog the filter
People Also Asked
Q: How can I clean debris from my utility pump?A: Debris can form on a utility pump which can then lead to it getting clogged. Luckily there’s an easy fix to this problem. First, you need to disconnect the pump and use a hose to rinse off the outside. Once that is done, you can remove the filter from the inside and scrape off the debris from there as well.
Q: Do utility pumps shut off once the water is gone?A: This all depends on the features that your utility pump has. A lot of pumps can turn on once they detect water and turn off once all the water has been sucked up, but most have to be unplugged manually once the water has been removed.
Q: How long can I run my utility pump?A: This depends on what kind of pump you have. If you have a sump pump, it can run for 24 hours without any issue since it’s designed to keep your basement dry. A utility pump, on the other hand, works for a couple of hours and is designed to do quick jobs.
The Pop Wood Review Team’s product reviews and comprehensive guides are here to help you select the best gear and tools to efficiently complete top-quality woodworking projects. The content is created by The Pop Wood Review Team. Popular Woodworking’s editorial staff is not involved. Popular Woodworking is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.