Best Utility Pumps in 2027

The Seesii BDP9001 leads our ranking. Its 1 HP motor, tied for the most powerful here, moves up to 4,755 gallons per hour, the highest flow on this page, so it empties a flooded basement, pool cover or hot tub quickly.

It lifts water up to 36 ft, the most here, which lets you push water up and out of a basement window or across a long yard. A built-in filter blocks small debris to reduce clogging, and the pump is easy to clean.

It comes ready to use with a 23 ft hose and adapters, and its 25 ft power cord, the longest here, reaches outlets that are well away from the water. It weighs 9.19 lb with a thermoplastic housing, and Seesii lists a 3-year warranty, the longest here. For homeowners who want one pump that handles big jobs fast, it is the best choice on this page. Plug it into a GFCI outlet, never run it dry, and stay with it while it works, since a utility pump has no automatic shut-off float.

Second in our ranking, the Aquastrong ESU100PM also has a 1 HP motor and moves up to 4,500 gallons per hour, about 75 gallons per minute at 5 ft of lift, with a maximum lift of 30 ft.

It is simple to use: plug it in to run, unplug to stop. Its bottom suction design filters debris and removes water down to 0.2 in from the floor, so it leaves little behind in a flooded basement. A 1-1/4 in NPT discharge comes with a 1-1/2 in elbow adapter and snap couplings for 3/4, 1 and 1-1/4 in hoses.

The reinforced thermoplastic casing resists corrosion and abrasion, it passes solids up to 0.2 in, and thermal overload protection guards the motor. It weighs 8.51 lb, has a 10 ft cord and a 2-year warranty. For basement flooding and larger drain jobs, it is an excellent pick. Use a wide discharge hose where you can, since a garden hose limits flow, and lift the pump onto a brick if the floor is muddy so the intake does not clog.

The Cleartide EUZP25A ranks third. It delivers up to 2,760 gallons per hour and 32 ft of maximum head from a 1/3 HP pro-grade copper motor, and it has a stainless steel housing, the only one in our top five, which resists corrosion and damage better than plastic.

Thermal overload protection prevents overheating, and vent holes stop airlocks so it starts pumping steadily. It pumps down to 0.16 in of water and handles solids up to 0.125 in.

It has a foldable handle for carrying, and Cleartide markets it as lightweight and portable. Our data does not list its cord length, weight or warranty. For homeowners who want a tougher housing for regular use around a property, it is a good option. Its flow is lower than the 1 HP pumps above, so it suits smaller jobs such as draining a water heater, rain barrel or window well. Rinse it with clean water after pumping dirty water to keep the intake clear.

Fourth in our ranking, the 6699 SUB 1600 is a compact 1/4 HP pump that moves up to 1,600 gallons per hour. Its standout figure is how low it pumps: it can lower water to 0.083 in, tied for the lowest here, leaving very little behind on a flat floor or in a tub.

It is a manual drain pump, so you plug it in to start and unplug to stop, and it is meant for clean water. Two plastic hose adapters are included for quick connection to standard hoses.

At 5.9 in across and 8.3 in tall, it is small enough to fit in a tub, sink or tight window well, and it weighs 5.91 lb with a 10 ft cord. Its maximum lift is not listed in our data. For homeowners who mainly drain clogged tubs, sinks and small flooded areas, it is a handy option. Do not use it for dirty water with debris, and keep an eye on it so it does not run dry once the water is gone.

The 6699 SUB 1500 completes our top five. It is a 1/4 HP, 115V pump that discharges up to 1,500 gallons per hour, the lowest flow here, with a maximum delivery height of 23 ft.

Like its sibling, it pumps down to 0.083 in, tied for the lowest, and it handles particles up to 0.2 in, tied for the most here. Its corrosion-resistant thermoplastic shell keeps it light at 6.19 lb, and it comes with a 1 in discharge hose adapter and a 3/4 in garden hose adapter.

It has a 10 ft cord. Its flow and lift are modest, so it suits small, occasional jobs: emptying a water heater, a rain barrel, an aquarium or a small hot tub. For buyers who want an inexpensive pump to keep on hand for small drains, it does the job. Expect longer pumping times on large volumes, and use the larger 1 in adapter where possible for better flow. Store it dry, and clean the intake screen after each use.