The right water pump depends on what kind of water you need to pump out and where you need to send it. A rainwater-filled sump needs a different pump from a flooded basement, a cesspit or watering from a tank. Below, you’ll find a recommended pump for each job, along with the features that make a difference: how high it can lift the water, how large the solids it can pass are, and whether it switches off automatically.

For a yard drain that fills up when it rains

In a yard without natural drainage, rainwater collects in the drain and needs to be pumped out to the road. The Total TWP84001 is a submersible pump with a float switch that turns it on when the water level rises and off when the drain is empty.

It pumps up to 13 m³ per hour and can lift water up to 5 metres—enough to move it from the drain to the roadside gutter. The 9-metre cable lets you keep the power outlet well away from the water. It can also pump water containing leaves or dirt from washing down the patio.

For basements, when water needs to be pumped up high

In a basement, it’s not enough to pump water out of the pit: it needs to go up the stairs and reach street level. The Kraft SP 900 X can pump water up to 9 metres high, nearly twice the distance of a basic sump pump.

It is made of stainless steel and handles both clean rainwater and dirty water containing particles up to 5 mm. It pumps up to 13 m³ per hour and has a float switch, so it can stay in place and start automatically when water rises.

For muddy water after a flood

After a flood, water left in basements and shops is thick with mud and debris that can clog a standard pump. The Makita PF1110 can pass solids up to 35 mm across—much larger than the 5 mm particles handled by clean-water pumps.

With a 1.5 hp motor and a stainless steel body, it pumps up to 14 m³ per hour and can lift water up to 10 metres. It is designed to drain areas when needed, not to run continuously in a tank. For long-term use, it is worth replacing the impeller seals regularly.

To leave the floor almost dry

Most submersible pumps stop drawing water when the level drops by a few centimetres, leaving a puddle on the floor that has to be removed by hand. The Karcher 1.645-840.0 features shallow suction and continues pumping water down to a very low level.

Instead of a conventional float switch, it has an electronic level sensor, which takes up less space in tight areas. It can pump water up to 9 metres, so it can move water from a flooded basement to an outlet.

For septic tanks and wastewater with solids

In a cesspit or septic tank, solids can quickly clog a standard sewage pump. The Total TWP7150026 has cutters that chop solids before they pass through the impeller, and a 2-inch outlet to keep the flow unrestricted.

With its 2 hp motor, it pumps up to 20 m³ per hour and lifts water up to 14 meters. Hair can wrap around the blade, so it’s worth taking the pump out and cleaning it from time to time. Also tighten all the screws before first use.

For watering from a tank or well

To water your garden from a tank or a shallow well, you need a surface pump that stays out of the water and pressurizes the hose. The Plus PM5 has a 0.5 hp motor and can lift water up to 35 metres, making it suitable for a hose or a small irrigation system.

It is single-phase, so it plugs into a standard outlet. It does not switch off automatically when the water runs out, so make sure to turn it off before the tank is empty to prevent it from running dry.

Before choosing, measure how high the water needs to be lifted, from the bottom of the pit to the outlet, and allow some extra capacity, as the flow rate decreases as the lift height increases. Also consider what kind of water you’ll be pumping: clean water, muddy water, or sewage. And if the pump will remain in place permanently, choose one with a float switch or level sensor.

This article was created with the help of AI and reviewed and edited by the Skroutz team.