Best Pool Pump

When it comes to the best pool pump, the obvious to pick for our review is the Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump which has a double insulated pump. It can easily work with the 18 ft easy set, 10 ft x 18 ft oval frame pools or 18 ft metal frame and it is open for easy cartridge replacement every 2 weeks. In addition, the bottom of the filter chamber has a sediment flush valve an inside the filter chamber, there is an air release valve for letting out the trapped air.

Top Pick: Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump

Our step-up pick is the WAYNE WAPC250 1/4 HP Automatic Pump which has an auto off feature when the water is at or below 0.75 inches and the auto on also activates when the water is above 2 1/8 inches. There is also an automatic freeze protection that prevents the damage of the pump and to keep the pump from accidentally tipping over, it has been further enhanced with the strainer base filter debris that helps to minimize the clogging within. In addition, the pump is oil free, high flow and very efficient when it comes to energy use and you can simply plug in the pump and leave it with less worry. Furthermore, it has a water presence triggered switch technology.

The budget pick is the EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Submersible Pump which has a flow rate of 396 GPH or gallons per hour under a 36 W motor and it is suitable for most ponds, freshwater, saltwater and hydroponic systems. It can also work in filter systems, fountains and aquariums and it comes with a 120V power cord with a length of 69 inches. The fittings included are 0.75 in threaded x 0.75 in barbed (3), 5 in barbed x 0.75 threaded (2) and a nozzle x 0.75 in threaded and it is greatly recommended for dry land use, in-line or water submersing. This pool pump is widely available in a variety of GPHs.

A Little Background

A pool pump is an important device to have if you want to have a private or public swimming pool in your place. Basically, its job is to pump water in and out of the pool, especially if you have large sized pools. Added to that, some pool pumps can also be attached with filtration systems so that there will be less algae and bacteria on your pool.
To keep your pool pump well-maintained, it should be used under favorable conditions. Always consult the user manual to make sure that your pool pump is fit for either submersible or above ground operation.

How We Picked

When it comes to picking the best pool pump, we based from the following criteria and pointers:
What is the price of the pool pump? You must know that the pool pump is not always cheap and it must be high quality and just right for its price.
Do the reviews give you more pros than cons? Look at the pros and the cons and make sure that the flaws are not deal breakers for the whole pool pump package.
How much gallons per minute can the pool pump work on? The GPM or gallons per minute is important when it comes to choosing the best pool pump. It must be able to work for the right pool size and able to pump powerfully with a lot of gallons of water.
Are there special features that make the pool pump worth its price? The pool pump must be able to have unique features to enhance its durability, stability and safety.
What is the price? Consider a price that is just right for its price and a pool pump that must have a good GPM and specifications for what you pay it.
Is the pool pump submersible or only for above ground operation? Do know if the pool pump is okay to use underwater or it is only for above ground operation. Most submersible pool pumps can also be used for aquariums as well as hydroponics.
What are the dimensions? The dimensions must be just right so it can fit snugly on your swimming pool filter and it will accompany all of the other pool equipment.

Our Pick

Top Pick: Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump
For our best pool pump, we picked the Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump because it can easily work with the 18 ft easy set, 10 ft x 18 ft oval frame pools or 18 ft metal frame. In addition, this pool pump has a double insulated pump and what’s more is that the bottom of the filter chamber has a sediment flush valve.
One thing to consider about the Intex Krystal is that inside the filter chamber, there is an air release valve for letting out the trapped air. In addition to that, you can open for easy cartridge replacement every 2 weeks. All in all, this filter cartridge has a pump flow rate of 2,500 GPH or gallons per hour.
In addition to these features, the system flow rate of this pool pump is at 1,900 GPH as it also has easy maintenance of this pool pump which uses cartridges that are type B filters. It is recommended that you should change the cartridge every couple of weeks or two so that it can withstand many filtering and pumping sessions.
The Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge best pool pump can be placed up to 24 ft diameter pools and in addition to that, it also comes with a built-in timer to set the pool pump’s operating time. This amazing pool pump has overall dimensions of 16 in x 13 in x 18 in and it also weighs 23.15 lbs. The Krystal Clear Filter Pump was given a gray finish for long-lasting operation and sleekness.

Who Else Likes It?

In the reviews on Walmart , the Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump has a very well tested durability. In addition to that, this is very affordable for a pool pump and can save you amounts of swimming pool chlorine.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

The only known flaw for the Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump is that some models might have a few small manufacturing defects, but this could also be a result of misuse, so it is minor.

Step-up Pick

WAYNE WAPC250 1/4 HP Automatic Pump
The WAYNE WAPC250 1/4 HP Automatic Pump is our step-up pick in which the pump is oil free, high flow and very efficient when it comes to energy use. The auto on also activates when the water is above 2 1/8 inches and in addition, has a water presence triggered switch technology.
To keep the pump from accidentally tipping over, it has been further enhanced with the strainer base filter debris that helps to minimize the clogging within. One more thing to note is that it has an auto off feature when the water is at or below 0.75 inches. In addition, there is also an automatic freeze protection that prevents the damage of the pump.
With the WAYNE pool pump, you can simply plug in the pump and leave it with less worry. It runs on 1/4 HP and in addition, it also includes a 3/4 inch garden hose adapter that is attached to the check valve. Furthermore, the power cord included is a 25 ft cord which also has a pull to shore rope that is included and the max flow rate of the pool pump is up to 3,000 gallons per hour or GPH.
The WAYNE WAPC250 uses a 1 1/4 inch drain hose and it also weighs 10.4 lbs. This super efficient pool pump has overall dimensions of 11 in x 7 in x 11 in and has been made in the USA. It is under a 3 years warranty.

Budget Pick

EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Submersible Pump
The EcoPlus 728310 Eco 396 Submersible Pump is our budget pick as it has a flow rate of 396 GPH or gallons per hour under a 36 W motor. In addition to that, it is suitable for most ponds, freshwater, saltwater and hydroponic systems.
One thing to consider about the EcoPlus 728310 is that this pump can also work in filter systems, fountains and aquariums. Furthermore about this pool pump, it comes with a 120V power cord with a length of 69 inches. The fittings included are 0.75 in threaded x 0.75 in barbed (3), 5 in barbed x 0.75 threaded (2) and a nozzle x 0.75 in threaded.
This pool pump is recommended for dry land use, in-line or water submersing and it is available in a variety of GPHs. The EcoPlus Pump weighs 2.1 lbs and it has overall dimensions of 4 in x 8 in x 4 in. This pool pump uses synchronous technology and in addition, it uses EcoPlus submersible pumps even for saltwater.

Best Above Ground Pool Pump

Hayward SP1580X15 Power-Flo LX Series Pump
As the best pump for above ground use on swimming pools, the Hayward SP1580X15 Power-Flo LX Series Pump is an outstanding pick.
This comes as a pump only package but it is also available with a cover and with that, you can choose between 1 HP and 1 1/2 HP. When you choose this pool pump, it comes with a cord and in addition, this item is the 1 1/2 horsepower (1.5 HP) version and is made for above ground use at a high performance.
The strainer included enhances the performance of the pool pump and furthermore to this pool pump, there is a 118 cu in debris basket that is extra large to keep the maintenance of the pool as small as possible so that it will have less time for cleaning. The basket’s cleaning needs are shown with the clear cover.
Because of its design, it is 100% drip proof – the seal is also heat resistant to keep the motor running for a long time. The Hayward SP1580X15 pump has overall dimensions of 22 in x 10 in x 8 in and it weighs 20 lbs with a shipping weight of 24.7 lbs. One interesting and useful thing is that it also has a 6 foot power cord at 120 volts.
In addition, there is also a single phase motor that has a 60 cycle and 115 volts at 1.5 HP with 20 amps of circuit breakers and furthermore, there is no need for lubrication with this pool pump. When you want to use and buy this pool pump, you should store this motor and pool pump in a well ventilated and dry room. It is a super quiet pool pump that adheres to world standards for its performance and in addition, it can be set to horizontal so that it can fit on most filters.

Best Variable Speed Pool Pump

Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo Variable Speed Pump
For a pool pump that is variable speed and is great for most swimming pools, you might want to choose this.
When you choose this pool pump, it can save up to 90% of energy versus old and traditional pool pump and in addition, it operates as quiet as possible. One thing to note is that there are up to 8 programmable speed settings for this pool pump.
The Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo is also Energy Star certified so it will save you a lot when it comes to energy and efficiency. It runs on 230 volts and runs up to 3 HP as this is a variable speed pump with 1 phase and a high performance.
Being colored in light brown finish, the Pentair 011018 Pump also has a built-in timer so that it can run at optimum speed. The efficiency is enhanced by its timer and speed settings and with the 011018 Pentair pump, there are also built-in diagnostics with this pool pump to keep it protected and safe.
This pool pump can also be used on a wide variety of tasks such as heating, filtering, spa jets, cleaning and waterfalls as it weighs 47 lbs and it has a shipping weight of 48.2 lbs. The pool pump has overall product dimensions of 28 in x 15 in x 12 in and it is made in the USA, being distributed by Pentair.
You can save about $1,500 a year due to its energy saving features as it also has an LCD screen that displays information about the actual wattage consumption as well as the speed of the pump. One important thing to note is that its quiet operation at only 45 dB makes it about 4 times quieter than other pumps out there and furthermore, it has an integrated keypad that makes it user-friendly when it comes to operation and settings.
With the Pentair Variable Speed, it uses a TEFC or totally enclosed fan cooled motor design to keep it safe from harm and to keep operation as quiet as possible and the filtration quality of the water is uncompromised. One cooler thing about owning a variable speed is that it can not only reduce noise and save energy but it also improved the performance of the chlorinator and filters and keeps algae buildup to a minimum. This pool pump is under a 3 years warranty (when registered and installed by a qualified technician) and 1 year warranty (unregistered).

Best Single Speed Pool Pump

Hayward SP2610X15 Super Pump
The Hayward SP2610X15 Super Pump runs at 1.5 HP and is our best single speed pool pump to consider buying for any swimming pool setup, whether on private or public business resorts. You can also choose from other horsepower variations, such as 0.5 HP, 2 HP, 0.75 HP, 2.5 HP and 1 HP.
This is a single speed pool pump and it does not require any additional tools for assembly. The Hayward SP2610X15 has a strainer cover that is clear and can let you see the basket if it needs cleaning. In addition, it comes with no clamps and no loose parts at all.
To make it easier to remove the cover strainer, there are swing away hand knobs. All in all, the Hayward Pump very easy to install and it uses a 4 bolt access to its inner components. The cool thing is that the basket is oversized to have a big holding capacity so you don’t have to have a lot of maintenance time.
With overall dimensions of 12 in x 9 in x 30 in, the Hayward Super Pump for swimming pools weighs 39 lbs and has an overall shipping weight of 39.2 lbs. In addition, the basket measures 110 cubic inch for a bigger capacity and the parts of the pool pump are made from PermaGlas XL that is resistant to rust and corrosion.
Do remember that it is a one piece housing design that is built for rugged use and furthermore, it also has full flow ports that keep it priming rapidly and operating continuously. It can work for pools as well as spas and the self-priming feature can lift suction as much as 10 ft above the water level. A cool feature is that the motor is heavy duty and comes with a ventilation air flow to keep it quiet as it operates at high performance.
The Hayward pool pump comes with a mounting base to keep it steady as it can also adapt to 56 frame and 48 frame motors and in addition to those features, one more thing you need to know about this super cool pool pump is that the ceramic seal is not just industrial size but also resistant to heat to keep it drip proof and longer lasting compared to other pool pump seals. When you use this pool pump for swimming pool, it is convenient to know that the input and output connection size is 2 inches.

Best Pool Pump that can also be used for Hydroponic and Aquariums

Active Aqua AAPW1000 1000-GPH Submersible Pump
The Active Aqua AAPW1000 1000-GPH Submersible Pump can also be greatly used for aquarium systems as well as hydroponic systems.
This is a good pump for reservoirs that keep more than 100 gallons as this pool pump can pump about 1,000 gallons of water per hour. It is ideal and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and it is coated in gray coat finish. The Active Aqua AAPW1000 is available in 40 GPH, 160 GPH, 800 GPH, 250 GPH, 550 GPH and 400 GPH as well for smaller scale operations.
One more thing to note about the Active Aqua Submersible Pump it is easily submersible, making it ideal for ponds, hydroponic gardens and as an aquarium pump. It also includes a 10 ft cord and has been manufactured and distributed by Hydrofarm.
The Aqua 1000-GPH Pump is friendly for the environment because it is free from oil and it has overall dimensions of 9 in x 5 in x 5 in and it weighs 1.6 lbs with a shipping weight of 4.4 lbs. This pool pump runs on 92 watts and / or 120 VAC and it also includes multiple hose fittings for exact fit.
You can easily reduce the vibration well with its rubber mounting feet and it also comes with powerfully constructed drive that features impellers and foam filters. With the AAPW1000 Pump, there is a 1 year warranty for this pool pump.

2 Set Pool Pump

Set of 2 Intex Large Pump
The Set of 2 Intex Large Pump is priced cheaply and is a 2 set pool pump. It is a 2 for the price of 1 value and it is generally good for 1.5 HP Intex Pool. This can be compatible with 4,000 GPH, 2,500 GPH and 1,500 GPH and also good for saltwater chlorinators with 2,000 GPH.
The 2 Pump set large Intex has overall dimensions of 12 in x 2 in x 6 in and weighs 1 lbs with a shipping weight of 1.1 lbs. It has been manufactured and distributed by Intex and it fits on a lot of standard sized pools. It is definitely a big improvement over its old model style.

Pool Pump with Replacement Lid

Hayward SP1580X15 Power-Flo LX Series Pump
The Hayward SP1580X15 Power-Flo LX Series Pump is an ideal pool pump that comes with a replacement lid and it is available in 1.5 HP or 1 HP. This pool pump is a newly released product that is highly popular.
In addition to that, this is also a 2 item bundle so you can get two products for the price of one. Furthermore, it comes with a replacement lid o-ring as well as cord. Specifically, this model runs at 1.5 HP and it makes a great pool pump for above ground setups.
Being colored in black finish, the Hayward SP1580X15 also comes with a clear strainer cover and what’s more, this pool pump includes a 120 volts power cord at 6 feet. When you use the pool pump, it is good to know and remember that the impeller is high performance.
In addition to its durability, the seal is double sized, drip proof and heat resistant that helps the motor extend its lifespan and it is designed for pool plumbing at 1.5 inch diameter. The Power-Flo LX Series Pump has been manufactured and distributed by In the Swim and a free replacement lid o-ring is also included when you order online or from the store.

Best Energy Efficient Pool Pump

Pentair LA01N Energy Efficient Single Speed
The Pentair LA01N Energy Efficient Single Speed is our best bet for an energy efficient pool pump, especially for those who have pools that are used for business purposes, such as resorts or just for personal uses.
The Pentair LA01N runs at 0.75 horsepower and at 115 / 230 volts and it is a pool cleaner booster pump and it has a single speed feature. One more thing is that it is highly energy efficient for energy efficiency. This booster pump is a universal design that will work on most pools and in addition to that, it provides 50 PSI at 12 GPM.
The body of the Pentair Speed pump is made from rust-free materials to enhance its durability and in addition, it can be used with other pool cleaners such as legend platinum series. One more thing is that it comes with adapters and a hose and beautifully, it has a black finish color.
On full load, it runs on 13 / 6.5 amps and it runs on 1.5 SF and 1.13 SFHP. The Pentair Energy Efficient pump weighs 28 lbs and it has a shipping weight of 29.6 lbs with overall dimensions of 16 in x 10 in x 9.2 in. It has been manufactured and distributed by Pentair and it is a high quality pool pump that is made in the USA for high standards.

The Competition

The pool pumps that did not make it to this review are not too useful because they have a lot of flaws to be wary of. Some pool pumps are too cheap and lacked features or are too expensive but did not have a lot of good features and durability. What we look for in a pool pump is a high GPM and a sturdy build.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How important is circulating and filtering the water on your swimming pool?
A: According to this article from BioGuard , cleaning your swimming pool whether it is private or public is important for sanitation so that all the bacteria that comes from your body or from the surroundings will not affect your health, especially for the children who will use the pool. In addition, it is ideal for removing loose debris as well as removing oil and hard to clean debris. Furthermore, the pool filtration and pumping system reduces algae buildup and bacteria. You have to remember that the right cleaning material can reduce the discoloration of tiles and mosaics of the pool.

Q: What is the importance of having swimming pool pumps?
A: According to Pool Spa and Filtration Supplies , you need a swimming pool pump because of its variable speed and its quiet operation. The intense power depending on pool size is also considered that’s why more people are looking for powerful swimming pool pumps and also because of their heavy duty construction.

Q: Any tips on how to properly maintain a swimming pool pump?
A: According to Hayward , to maintain a pool pump, you must use brush and use vacuum. In addition, you should check the water circulation and you should take away leaves and debris to keep it clean. You should also clean the skimmer and you should always check the filter. It should have a regular shock treatment to clean the pool from algae and bacteria.

Wrapping It Up

All in all, the Intex Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump is our best pool pump. It is not just affordable but it is also very useful with a high GPM rate so that it can easily help you maintain your swimming pool, public or private.