If you are in the market for a submersible water pump, then take a look at our recommended options below.
All these pumps have been tested by our in-house engineers and are the best submersible pumps available on the market.
The criteria our engineers tested against to find the highest quality submersible water pumps were the following.

Number of Applications
Unless you’re buying a specific submersible for a set job, a high-quality submersible water pump should have the flexibility to work across a variety of applications, including operation in both commercial and domestic settings.

Price
Nobody wants to fork out thousands on a clearing a flooded basement. That’s why we consider price when scrutinizing a pump.

Endurance
Submersible pumps will often need to be left in operation for extended periods pumping hundreds of gallons per hour. That’s why the quality of the pump features and components need to be top-notch.

Cable Length
Submersible water pumps will often have to work in difficult to reach locations. Think deep wells and boreholes with few electrical connections. For this reason, you need a long, waterproof cable that provides power in even the most awkward situations.

Flow Rate
Waiting hours for a reservoir to clear can be a real drain on your time and resources, especially if you’re operating in a commercial setting. That’s why considering flow rate is important. The higher the flow rate, the quicker it is to clear a liquid.

If you’re struggling for submersible water pump advice, call our dedicated pump experts for free advice on 0800 112 3134 or 0333 577 3134.

Best Drainage Submersible Water Pumps

Grundfos Unilift KP 350-AV-1 Drainage Sump Pump

In a nutshell: Best for draining swimming pools or hot tubs

The Unilift from Grundfos is the perfect pumping solution for purposes such as cellar drainage and dewatering of pools or liquid storage tanks.

  1. Easy to clean
  2. Safety cut-off switch
  3. Dry run protection
  4. Built-in strainer and filter
  5. Clean and dirty water applications

Built with long-life stainless steel submersible components and an automated safety cut-off switch to prevent overheating in case of dry-running, this pump is a hardy tool that has many uses including pumping dirty water.

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Search prices on the Grundfos Unilift here.

Stuart Turner Supervort Drainage Pump

In a nutshell: Best sump pump when you’re on a budget

An excellent choice for general-purpose, low-intensity applications, the Supervort drainage system is best suited for rainwater harvesting or in ponds with large gravity-fed filters.

  1. Budget option
  2. General low-intensity application
  3. Adjustable float switch
  4. 10-metre power cord

Pump control is automated through the adjustable float switch. They are not suitable for sewage-handling, though, making them a good budget choice for domestic consumers.

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Search prices on the Stuart Turner Surpervort here.

Wilo-Drain Emergency Drainage Pump

In a nutshell: Best for draining floodwaters

One of the most common uses of submersible water pumps is to drain floodwater. If that’s a situation you expect to find yourself in, then this emergency flood kit from Wilo is your best option.

  1. Best for flooded areas
  2. Built-in float switch so the pump can’t run dry
  3. Self-cooling jacket ensures the pump is continuously cooled
  4. Great budget submersible pump

This kit is guaranteed to make the difficult situation of a flooded house much easier to deal with. Featuring additional accessories such as a cage basket for filtering debris and leaves, the pump also has a 10-metre hose, allowing you to easily connect to electrical power.

All at a great price, too!

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Search prices on the Wilo-Drain Kits here.

Best Puddle Submersible Pumps

Puddle Buddy

In a nutshell: Best for clearing puddles of open water

Draining down to 1mm, the Puddle Buddy is a next-generation submersible water pump that makes clearing puddles super easy and affordable.

  1. Anti-airlock prevents the pump from air locking
  2. Easy to clean and maintain
  3. Easy to install in small and narrow spaces
  4. Drains down to 1 mm

Featuring an air-filled motor, this pump has a self-cooling system, allowing you to let the pump run dry for a prolonged period of time.

Besides being ideal for puddles, this pump can also be used for clearing burst pipes, flooded cellars, garages and more.

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Search prices on the Puddle Buddy here.

Koshin Ponstar

In a nutshell: Best “long-life” puddle pump

Known as the “puddle sucker”, the Ponstar from Koshin is a stainless steel design submersible pump that can drain puddles of water down to 1mm.

  1. 10 metre power cable
  2. Drain down to 1mm
  3. Electronic control for automatic operation
  4. Volute plate made from a special rubber for a much longer life expectancy

The main feature of this pump is the urethane rubber impeller and volute plate, which prolongs the average life of the pump.

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Search prices on the Koshin Ponstar.

JS RSD

In a nutshell: Best high-performance puddle pump

If you need to shift a puddle, and you need to shift it fast, then the RSD range from JS is ideal for you. Regular puddle pumps operate at a maximum flow rate of 120 l/min, compared to the JS RSD which can operate at 180 l/min, helping you shift an extra 60 litres of water per minute.

  1. 180 litres/min flow rate
  2. Drainage down to 1mm
  3. 10 Metre power cord

Draining down to 1mm, this pump is ideal for removing flood water from cellars or garages, pumping water out of receiving tanks or pits, draining water on construction sites or even pumping water out of swimming pools. A powerful, flexible submersible water pump.

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Search prices on the JS RSD.

Best Sewage Submersible Pumps

Calpeda GXC/GXV Sewage Submersible Pumps

In a nutshell: Best submersible water pump suitable for septic tanks

For sewage and dirty water applications, the Calpeda GXCm submersible system will get the job done.

  1. Drain water containing solids up to 35mm diameter
  2. Particularly suitable for liquids with a high solid content
  3. Easy to clean
  4. Suitable for the food industry

The design means it's suitable for use in liquids containing solids, up to 35mm in diameter, and it incorporates smooth stainless steel surfaces for easy cleaning.

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Search prices on the Calpeda GXC/GXV here.

Lowara Domo Sewage Pump

In a nutshell: Best for clearing solid-laden wastewater

Designed to handle solids up to 50mm in diameter, the Lowara Domo is a stainless steel submersible pump that combines with performance with economic output to give you one of the best sump pumps for the commercial market.

  1. Emptying of septic tanks and residential sumps
  2. Emptying of wells and tanks in industrial and ecological applications
  3. Emptying of tanks or reservoirs
  4. Emergency draining in flooded areas

Applications of this sump pump include clearing septic tanks, pumping water out of wells, shifting water from reservoirs and even draining flooded areas.

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Search Prices on the Lowara Domo here.

Calpeda GEO230 Sewage Pump Lifting Station

In a nutshell: Best heavy-duty electric submersible pump

For serious pump users, the Calpeda GEO230 submersible pump lifting station provides a 230-litre capacity tank solution for use with the Calpeda GXVM/GQSM range of drainage pumps.

  1. Huge tank capacity
  2. Can handle domestic, civil and industrial wastewater
  3. Integral float switch protects the pump from running dry

The automatic collecting and lifting station is suitable for both clean and wastewater, depending on the pump used. The stainless steel construction ensures an extended service life and also makes the device easy to clean.

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Search prices on the Calpeda GEO230 here.

Best Aggressive Liquid Submersible Water Pumps

Jung US 73 HES Submersible Drainage Pump

In a nutshell: Best for clearing hot liquids

If you’re trying to clear contaminated or fibrous wastewater, (such as in a laundrette), then the sump pump you need is the Jung US 73.

  1. Pump hot water up to 90°C
  2. Pump solids up to 30mm in diameter
  3. Best at pumping fibrous wastewater, as found in laundries or automatic launderettes

This heavy-duty submersible can handle wastewater up to 90 degrees celsius and is also ideal for handling wastewater containing solids up to 30mm in size (works best without stones).

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Search prices on the Jung US 73 here.

KSB AMA-Drainer

In a nutshell: Best for draining aggressive liquids (seawater, vinegar)

If you’re looking to shift aggressive liquids such as seawater, vinegar, swimming pool water, lime water and sodium chloride, then the best submersible pump available is the AMA-Drainer from KSB.

  1. Corrosion-proof thanks to the high-quality plastic casing
  2. Best for pumping aggressive liquids such as seawater, vinegar, swimming pool water
  3. Frame-cooled motor protects from overheating
  4. Pump liquids up to 50˚C

Made from a hardy plastic to resist rust, the AMA strainer is ideal for extracting from rivers, reservoirs or the sea, but can also be used in a variety of domestic settings, including clearing basements, puddles or flooded areas.

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Search Prices on the KSB AMA-Drainer here.

JST KZN Heavy Duty Slurry Submersible Pump

In a nutshell: Best heavy-duty submersible pump

Looking for a submersible pump that can handle slurry or thick sewage? Then look no further than the JST KZN Submersible Pump. This is the most powerful pump of its kind on the market and will shift even the thickest sludge you can imagine.

  1. Built-in agitator keeps the impeller clear and unclogged
  2. Best for civil engineering projects and architectural works
  3. Heavy-duty wear-resistant impeller
  4. Huge 20-metre power cable

The heavy-duty construction of this sump pump makes it the perfect kit for clearing water from quarries, dams, tunnels and construction sites where water often gets mixed in with thick sediments.

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Search prices on the JST KZN here.

The Different Types of Submersible Pumps

From draining puddles to clearing dense, thick sewage, submersible pumps can have a range of different applications.

But if you’re new to sump pumps, you’re likely to find the range and terminology of all these pumps quite confusing.

To help make it easier for you to find the best submersible pump for your needs, here is an easy to digest breakdown of the different water pumps on the market.

Drainage Submersible Pumps

A drainage submersible pump should be used for flood water drainage, private garden and horticultural watering, or for decorative effects such as internal and external fountains and waterfalls.

Drainage Submersible Water Pumps include:

- Grundfos Unilift
- KSB AMA-Drainer
- Lowara Doc

Wastewater and Sewage Submersible Pumps

A sewage submersible pump (or dirty water pump as it’s also known) is used to clear out water that is likely to contain solid particles. They usually contain a grinder which is capable of handling solids up to 60mm in diameter.

Dirty water pumps include:

- Grundfos AP
- KSB AMA-Porter
- Lowara Domo

Puddle Pumps

A puddle pump is a special type of sump pump that does not need to submersed in the water to operate. This means that they can operate at very low levels of water, usually down to 1mm.

Puddle pumps include:

- Puddle Buddy
- Koshin Ponstar
- JS RSD

Hot Water Submersible Pumps

As the name suggests, a hot water submersible pump can shift water at high temperatures. Most hot water pumps can easily shift water at 90˚C, making it ideal for pumping liquids in the food and launderette industry.

Hot water submersible pumps include:

- Jung US

Slurry and Sludge Submersible Pumps

A slurry pump is a type of submersible pump specifically designed to pump liquid containing thick solid particles. The casing of these pumps will be metal aligned to protect the inner components from damage and rust.

Slurry and sludge pumps include:

- JST KZN

Need help finding the best submersible water pump? Contact us!

If you’re struggling for advice, call our dedicated pump experts for free advice on: 0800 112 3134 or 0333 577 3134.

We’re open Monday to Friday 07:00 - 17:30 and Saturday 08:30 - 12:30.