Sump Pumps & Backups
Primary pumps, battery and water-powered backups, alarms.
Buying guides
- The best water-powered backup sump pumpsIf you are on municipal water with 60 psi or better, the Zoeller Home Guard Max 503 moves the most water of any water-powered backup we could document: 1,140 GPH at 10 ft, with no battery to die. Buy the Liberty SumpJet SJ10A if your pressure is low, and the Basepump RB750-EZ if you want the backflow preventer, alarm and a 5-year warranty in one box.Updated October 30, 2026
- The best sump pumpsFor most basements, buy the Zoeller M53 Mighty-Mate: a cast iron 3/10 HP pump that moves 2,040 GPH at 10 ft and outlives everything else we pull out of pits. Buy the Wayne CDU980E if you want more than twice the flow and a 5-year warranty for similar money, the Wayne CDU1000 for a pit that fills fast, and the Liberty 257 for a narrow pit.Updated October 30, 2026
- The best battery backup sump pumpsFor most homes, buy the Basement Watchdog Big Dog CONNECT: 2,200 GPH at 10 ft, a 20 A charger that refills the battery between storms, and a weekly self-test. Buy the Special CONNECT if the budget is tight, the Zoeller Aquanot Fit 508 ProPak if you are replacing the primary pump too, and the PumpSpy PS2000 if you want your phone to know before the carpet does.Updated October 30, 2026
Calculators
- Sump pump sizing calculatorMeasure how fast your pit fills, enter your lift and pipe run, and this calculator returns the flow you need at your actual head, with a 1.5x storm margin, and the pump class that delivers it. Most houses need less pump than they buy; a few need a lot more.Updated October 30, 2026