It’s fair to say, there’s no worse feeling than making your way into the basement to find it completely flooded. Not only is the flooding an inconvenience, but the potential damage and cost to remove the water can be heartbreaking.
To avoid the awful feeling, most homeowners install a sump pump but did you know you can also install a battery backup sump pump for added security. While a primary pump does a fine job at pumping water out, a battery backup sump pump acts as a brilliant insurance provider. These backup pumps are especially useful in areas prone to flooding.
Finding the best battery backup sump pump can be difficult though. There are an overwhelming number of options available, so how do you find the best one?
Well, you come to us of course. We have done the research and found the best 5 battery backup sump pumps. In this article, you’ll find a review of each one, looking at what they offer and any pros or cons you should be aware of.
If you need a new battery backup sump pump, make sure you stick around!
The first battery backup sump pump on our list is this versatile option from Superior Pump. If you’re in the market for a high-performing backup sump pump, this is certainly one you’ll want to check out.
The 92900 Superior Pump makes our list for a number of reasons, the main one being its ability to pump an impressive 1,380 gallons of water every hour. Also coming equipped with a loud, yet mutable alarm, a powerful 12V battery, and a solid thermoplastic design, this pump is guaranteed to keep your basement safe.
As if that wasn’t enough, this pump can run off both water and battery power. This only improves performance and ensures the pump keeps going during short power outages.
To guarantee every pump sold is up to standard, Superior Pump factory tests every unit before releasing it from the warehouse.
When we tested this pump, we loved the polarity alarm. This alarm notifies you if the battery is hooked up the wrong way round.
Pros
- Affordable – The 92900 12V battery backup sump pump is on the market at a great price.
- Two power modes – This pump runs off water and battery power.
- Impressive pumping capabilities – The pump is capable of pumping out 1,380 gallons of water an hour.
Cons
- The alarm doesn’t shut off – You might have to turn the alarm off manually sometimes.
Also available at:
The first battery backup sump pump on our list is this versatile option from Superior Pump. If you’re in the market for a high-performing backup sump pump, this is certainly one you’ll want to check out.
The 92900 Superior Pump makes our list for a number of reasons, the main one being its ability to pump an impressive 1,380 gallons of water every hour. Also coming equipped with a loud, yet mutable alarm, a powerful 12V battery, and a solid thermoplastic design, this pump is guaranteed to keep your basement safe.
As if that wasn’t enough, this pump can run off both water and battery power. This only improves performance and ensures the pump keeps going during short power outages.
To guarantee every pump sold is up to standard, Superior Pump factory tests every unit before releasing it from the warehouse.
When we tested this pump, we loved the polarity alarm. This alarm notifies you if the battery is hooked up the wrong way round.
Pros
- Affordable – The 92900 12V battery backup sump pump is on the market at a great price.
- Two power modes – This pump runs off water and battery power.
- Impressive pumping capabilities – The pump is capable of pumping out 1,380 gallons of water an hour.
Cons
- The alarm doesn’t shut off – You might have to turn the alarm off manually sometimes.
Also available at;
The next battery backup sump pump on our list is the 441 backup sump pump from Liberty Pumps. If it’s an easy to set up, well-performing sump pump you require, this one could be well worth looking at.
Like the other units on our list so far, this pump also uses a 12V battery to operate. However, this one also has a 5-stage charging system.
With the system, you’ll receive a battery box, plumbing connections, and an easy-to-connect terminal block.
Liberty Pumps has designed this backup system to work brilliantly with most primary sump pumps, but it performs best when working with a 120-volt pump. Unfortunately, the battery for this doesn’t come with your original purchase.
In terms of durability, the 441 sump pump has been built-to-last. Made from durable thermoplastic, you can rest assured that the pump will work for many years to come.
Aside from a solid performance and neat control panel, the thing we were pleased with most with this pump was the fact it comes pre-assembled.
This makes your life a lot easier when it comes to setting the pump up. This is particularly useful if you have no prior experience working with a sump pump.
Pros
- Pre-assembled – This backup pump arrives pre-assembled.
- Lightweight – The 441 sump pump only weighs 13 lbs.
- Technical support available – For those with little sump pump experience, technical support is given by Liberty Pumps.
Cons
- Pricey – This pump is quite expensive.
Also available at:
One of the best things about Wayne’s upgraded battery backup sump pump system is that all assembly is done for you before it arrives.
This is just one of many things that make the pump a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable, durable, effective backup sump pump.
To ensure this pump lasts a lifetime, Wayne has used cast iron and epoxy-coated steel to make it incredibly durable and resistant to any rust. In terms of performance, the Wayne ESP25 is up there with the very best.
Incredibly, this backup sump pump is capable of pumping 2,900 gph at 0 feet of head. It can do this almost silently thanks to the 12-volt battery and Smart Charging Technology the pump comes with.
Smart Charging Technology makes sure the battery is charged to its optimal level. When charged to its optimal levels, you can expect the pump to pump out 10,000 gallons of water before needing to be recharged.
This will keep the pump running for hours. This comes in extremely useful during power outages.
We appreciated the sound alarm that comes with this pump. When the pump is active, an alarm will sound to notify the homeowner that pumping has begun. You can also see system readiness on the smart LED display.
Pros
- Quiet operator – The ESP25 runs nice and quietly.
- Pre-assembled – Your pump arrives all ready to go.
- Smart technology – This pump comes with smart charging technology.
Cons
- Unfavorable check valve positioning – The check valves on this pump are located quite high. Some people won’t like this.
Also available at:
The final battery backup sump pump on our list is another high-quality sump pump from Basement Watchdog.
Having this backup pump installed will quickly reduce any fears or anxiety you feel about rising water in your basement.
Meeting every emergency sump pump and backup sump pump standard we would expect, this great value for money pump has a solid thermoplastic body and strong pumping features that effortlessly pump up to 2,600 gallons of water every hour. That’s not all though!
What makes this sump pump stand out is Basement Watchdog’s interesting Special Connect system. The Special Connect system can be plugged into home security or any message receiving system you have in your home.
Basement Watchdog has even designed an app to keep you informed.
You might need to buy some extra cables and devices alongside the pump, but thanks to Special Connect, you can receive various notifications directly to your chosen device.
We were very impressed with how well Special Connect works. After testing out the brand’s Wi-Fi controller too, we can confirm it performs brilliantly.
If you’re looking for a solid choice that ticks all the boxes, we strongly recommend taking a much closer look at Basement Watchdogs Special Connect Sump Pump.
Pros
- Wi-Fi compatible – You can connect this pump to a Wi-Fi connection if you wish.
- Phone app available – To make life easier, Basement Watchdog offers an app with this pump.
- Compatible with home security – You can connect the pump to your home security system.
Cons
- Bulky – This system is a lot bulkier and heavier than others on our list.
Also available at:
Buyer’s Guide
Before making your final decision in regards to which battery backup sump pump you need to buy, there are a number of important things you need to take into consideration. By not taking these things into account, you could easily make the wrong choice when picking a sump pump out.
To help you out, we’ve put together this short buyer’s guide that looks at the most important things you need to think about. By taking each point we make into account, you’ll be able to make a decision you can be pleased with.
Size
One of the most important factors to take into account is the size of the sump pump you need. You need to determine how much water the backup pump needs to be able to remove from your house per hour as well as how much space you have in your basement.
Generally speaking, a sump pump is installed into a sump pit below floor level. This means the pump will operate 10 feet high in order to remove the water. In regions with more downpours, the pump will need to remove more water per hour.
For example, in areas where frequent floods are common, a pump that can remove 2,600 gallons of water per hour is much more appropriate than one that only pumps 1,000 gph.
When considering space, you need to ensure you physically have room in your basement for the pump. If your basement is only small, you’ll need a pump with a smaller configuration.
On the other hand, if your basement is larger, it might be a good idea to choose a bigger pump.
Durability
Taking durability into account is absolutely crucial.
The last thing you need is a sump pump backup that fails on you just when you need it most. You’re also going to want your sump pump to last for many years, so if it isn’t durable enough, you’re going to feel let down very quickly.
Luckily, finding the most durable battery backup sump pumps isn’t too difficult. All you need to do is look out for ones that are made out of solid materials. By far the most durable type of pump you can buy is one made out of cast iron.
These pumps should last for several years if not more when correctly maintained. Stainless steel and epoxy-coated stainless steel pumps are also very reliable and durable.
Alarm
While it may not be super important, you might want to consider choosing a battery backup sump pump that comes with an alarm feature. Having an alarm built-in to the pump is incredibly useful because it notifies you whenever the pump is active.
This alarm feature is also very useful because it tells you when any maintenance needs to be carried out and the status of the battery. Some pumps will not only alarm you but also solve any maintenance issues automatically after grabbing your attention.
Battery Life
Seen as though battery backup sump pumps run off battery power, you’re going to have to think carefully about how effective the battery is.
Ideally, you don’t want to end up in a situation where you have to charge the battery two or three times a week. Instead, you should try and find a battery that only needs charging once a week after intense pumping.
A pump with a longer battery life will be able to pump water out of your basement for longer periods of time. This will result in more water being pumped out, keeping your basement dryer in the process.
Look for pumps that are capable of pumping around 10,000 gallons of water before needing to be recharged if possible. Alternatively, look at units that can keep pumping for hours or even days when necessary.
You might also wish to look for pumps that come with smart battery technology. These units will have a fully optimized battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Buy A Backup Sump Pump?
A backup sump pump helps protect your home when the primary pump isn’t working. This is especially important during power outages because your primary pump will stop working due to the loss of power.
The backup pump will kick in and start removing the water effectively to keep your basement dry and protect belongings. This type of pump also gives you peace of mind that when you’re out of the house, the basement will still be protected if anything goes wrong.
How Long Does A Battery Backup Sump Pump Run?
Battery backup sump pumps vary when it comes to how long they run without needing to be recharged. Typically though, this type of sump pump will last for approximately 5 to 7 hours continuously without needing to be recharged.
You can expect the pump to last 1 to 3 days if it is only running now and again.
How Often Should I Replace My Battery Backup Sump Pumps Battery?
The battery in your battery backup sump pump should be replaced, on average, every five years.
Final Thoughts
There’s only one thing better than having a high-quality, effective sump pump in your basement, having two!
Installing a battery backup sump pump in your basement alongside your primary sump pump gives your basement even more protection against flooding.
It also gives you an extra level of security and assurance that if your main pump doesn’t do its job, the backup pump will get the job done. This is super important in areas prone to flooding and power outages.
In this article, we have shown you 5 of the best battery backup sump pumps that are on the market right now. We have shown you what you can expect from each one, why they are good, and any downsides you need to know about.
While each pump may vary slightly in terms of pumping capabilities and design, they all offer great performance and reliable results.
Now you have our list and buyer’s guide at your fingertips, take some time to cut the list down and find the battery backup sump pump that suits your needs and requirements best.