If you own a pool, you know how important it is to keep your pool cover clear of water and debris in the winter time. This is especially true for those that live in areas that are prone to heavy rains. You need a good method to remove all of that water before your pool cover is destroyed from all the extra weight.
Finding the right pool cover pump for your pool can be tricky depending on the climate you live in and the size of your pool. You also need to consider if you want a pump that requires some work on your end or if you want a pump that you can just set down and forget about.
High-performance, extremely popular automatic pump.
Very affordable and highly-rated manual pool cover drain pump.
Here are a few reviews to help you start shopping and a few tips on what to look for in the best pool cover pump.
Best Cover Pumps of 2020 Reviewed
| image | title | price | summary | button |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Little Giant APCP-1700 Automatic Cover Submersible Pump |  |
High-performance, extremely popular automatic pump. | CHECK PRICE NOW |
 |
Wayne WAPC250 Pump | |
Popular automatic option. | CHECK PRICE NOW |
 |
Little Giant 5-APCP Automatic Pump | |
Another automatic option. | CHECK PRICE NOW |
 |
Little Giant PCP550 Pump | |
Purpose-made affordable manual cover pump. | CHECK PRICE NOW |
 |
Superior Pump 91330 Submersible Utility Pump | |
Generic affordable submersible pump. | CHECK PRICE NOW |
 |
FibroPool Electric Winter Cover Drain Pump | |
Very affordable and highly-rated manual pool cover drain pump. | CHECK PRICE NOW |
Little Giant APCP-1700 Automatic Cover Submersible Pump
Features:
- Pump Capacity: 800 gallons per hour through a standard ¾ inch garden hose.
- Motor: 270 watts, automatic activation and shut off.
- Power Cord Length: 25 ft
- Warranty: 3 years limited warranty.
- Other Features: Carrying handle and removable intake screen.
Little Giant’s APCP-1700 drain pump is one of the more high-end models available for purchase on the consumer market. It includes an integrated float switch that automatically activates the pump when placed in about 2 inches of water and disables it when removed. This means it can be left on the pool cover and it will work on its own when the correct amount of water activates it.
The pump comes with a fitting to connect a standard ¾ inch garden hose. However, it does not include a hose of its own, so that will need to be provided by the customer.
This pump has a 270 watt electric motor, capable of pushing 800 gallons per hour through a standard ¾ inch garden hose. With a 1 inch hose it can move up to 1600 gallons per hour making it one of the more powerful drain pumps available for non-industrial applications.
*Priming is the process of removing air from the pump and suction line so that water can start running through.
- Easy to use
- High performance
- Automatic
- Comparatively expensive
- Somewhat heavy
Bottom Line
High-performance pump that while expensive, is fully automatic and very efficient at moving water.
Wayne WAPC250 Pump
Wayne WAPC250 Pump
Now, you might think that one pool cover pump is just as good as another. And for many of the pumps on the market, this is true. But there are some that have different features or do a better job than other. The Wayne WAPC250 is one of the more popular products from Wayne Water Systems that is part of the Kirby Company that sells durable and reliable products that we use every day.
The Wayne WAPC250 Pool Cover Pump has a lot of awesome features including pumping up to 3,000 GPH which over twice what the Little Giant 5-APCP pumps. This is also an automatic pump that you can just plug in and leave for worry free water removal, plus it includes built-in ice and debris overload protection.
The iSwitch® Sensing Technology – Microprocessor provides optimum operation while the sealed thermoplastic construction is ideal for submersible use. This is an energy efficient pump that uses a high flow oil-free motor and includes a check valve reducer that lessens short-cycling. It also features a strainer that minimizes clogging to help increase the lifespan of the pump.
The pump automatically turns on at 2 1/8 inches and off at 3/4 inches. It uses a 1/4 HP motor featuring 2.5 Amps that is incredibly powerful to remove 3,000 gallons of water per hour. This is obviously not going to happen too often, but it does have the incredible speed to do it if necessary.
The versatility of a pool cover pump can come in handy if you have a flooded basement, especially if you live in an area that tends to flood. And remember that 3,000 gallons of water per hour ability, this is when that feature would really come in handy.
- Easy to use and durable
- Saves you a lot of work
- Pumps quickly, good quality product
- Since it hasn’t been on the market long, you don’t know what its lifespan will be
- A little on the expensive side
Bottom Line
The versatility of the Wayne WAPC250 does come in handy if your basement tends to flood a lot. It does run on the expensive side, but reviewers have appreciated its ease of use and durability. When you want a pump that works quickly and has solid construction, the Wayne WAPC250 has the versatility and durability to do a lot of work for you in a short amount of time, plus it also features a lot of extras you may not even know you wanted.
Little Giant 5-APCP Automatic Pump
When you are looking for a good pool cover pump, you want to pay attention to the brand you are looking at. The Little Giant Brand is known for quality pool cover pumps and the 5-ADCP is one of their most popular models. These are pretty versatile pumps that have the primary purpose to prolong the life of your pool cover by pumping off the water as quickly as possible.
Using a flow rate of around 1200 gallons per hour, the Little Giant 5-APCP is pretty comparable to its competitors that average between 1000-1500 GPH. It does work well in the rain, but it struggles some with freezing water situations.
It is an automatic pool cover pump that activates when in approximately 3 1/4″ of water, and it will turn off at around 1 3/4″ of water. Manual pumps can be tiring to have to run out periodically to manual start, so having the automatic feature can be a nice benefit.
If you live in a pretty windy area, the detachable stabilizing plate can be handy when you have a pool cover pump sitting on top of an above ground pool, so its not flopping around and tipping over. It is a nice additional feature to have to not have to run out often to readjust it.
It also comes with a bottom inlet that includes a screen to keep out debris and leaves that could clog the pump. The screen is easy to clean out and snaps in and out of place requiring no tools.
- Long life span with really good suction
- Reliable and sturdy pool cover pump
- Does not work the best in freezing conditions
- Too much water is left on the pool cover when you allow it to auto shut off
Bottom Line
As long as you use the Little Giant 5-APCP in warmer climates, you will have a reliable and durable pump that will give you a lot of years. It does not seem to work well in the colder weather, but those living in warmer climates will appreciate its suction and pumping speed.
Little Giant PCP550 Pump
If you have a small to medium sized pool cover, you will need to look at a mid-range size pump like the Little Giant PCP550 Pool Cover Pump. This is the ideal for a small to medium sized pool since it is powerful and small, plus it is also a good value. When you aren’t interested in a machine with a bunch of extras, but you just want to get your water removed in a decent amount of time, this is the pump you need to look at.
Perfect for above ground pools that measure between 12’ and 24’ round or has a cover with square footage less than 450’ or less. Since it only has a flow rate of 550 GPH (Gallons Per Hour), the Little Giant can do a good job in steadily removing water from these smaller areas and pumps that can remove water over 1000 GPH will be more than you need.
- Good pump and a good value
- Has a good flow and doesn’t get clogged
- Works well, quiet and solid pump
- Doesn’t work quickly
- Could lay flatter to get more water off the cover
Bottom Line
When you are looking at pool cover pumps, you will find that different pumps work for different situations. The Little Giant PCP550 is one of those pumps that works well for small to medium sized pools and is a great value. It does its job well without any bells and whistles and is better than the larger pump that is loud and is more of a pump than your will need.
Superior Pump 91330 Submersible Utility Pump
Superior Pump 91330 Submersible Utility Pump
Versatility is a great feature in a pool cover pump. One doesn’t necessarily think of what else you can do with a pool cover pump until that type of job comes up. Many people have discovered that you can use a pool cover pump for other things like pumping water out of your pool or hot tub, and you can even use it to pump water out of a flooded basement.
So, when you are choosing a pool cover pump, you want to get one that strong enough for several different uses. The Superior Pump 91330 utility pump is durable enough to tackle any standing water job you may have. Its structure is based on thermoplastic construction which is a lot better than its competitors.
The Superior Pump 91330 uses a one-piece motor housing making it stronger with fewer weak areas that also allows the heat to dissipate faster from the motor. You basically have a more efficient pump that will have a longer lifespan and is less susceptible to breaking. This is a great advantage when you have a piece of equipment that will spend a lot of time running in harsh weather.
It also includes double o-ring seals located on the motor plate that keeps water from leaking into the motor housing while also keeping oil from leaking out. Keeping water out of the motor is a sign of solid construction and is a perfect design for a pool cover pump.
- Convenient and powerful pump
- Very quiet and effective
- Works well in the rain
- Can get clogged with small debris
- Is slow to pump the water out
Bottom Line
This is a great little pump that is also very versatile, so if you need a pump that will work in a lot of situations, the Superior Pump 91330 will work well. This may not be the best pump to leave out all year long and it may not pump as quickly as you anticipate. But, if you are looking more at the versatility and durability, this is a great little pump for its class.
FibroPool Electric Winter Cover Drain Pump
Features:
- Weight: 4.41 pounds
- Pump Capacity: 600 gallons per hour
- Motor: 75 watts, manual shut off.
- Power Cord Length: 16 ft
- Accessories: 16ft drain hose with nozzle attachments
This very affordable drain pump is designed for both in-ground and above-ground pools of small to medium size. It is lightweight compared to available alternatives and does not weigh down the pool cover it rests upon.
The pump comes with a 16ft drain hose and three barbed nozzle attachments of several different widths, which when used with a hose clamp could support other types of hoses for drainage. However, it does not include a nozzle for connection to a threaded standard ¾ inch garden hose, which may be important to some customers.
The electric motor provides a modest 75 watts and is capable of pushing 600 gallons per hour, which is lower compared to other models, but should be sufficient for small-to-medium sized pools. The motor does not have an automatic shutoff however, so it will require observation when in use.
This pump has no buttons; it’s lowered onto the surface of the pool cover and functions as long as it remains plugged in to a power outlet. Simply unplug the power cord to cease function and remove from the pool when finished.
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Has trouble standing upright
Bottom Line
Very affordable and highly-rated pool cover drain pump.
Buying Guide
The best way to get rid of this standing water is to use a swimming pool cover pump. Getting a good pool cover pump will help to remove the water quickly and help to keep freezing water to a minimum during the winter to lessen the potential damage to your pool cover.
Benefits of Using a Swimming Pool Cover Pump
Keeping your pool safe is the number one benefit of using a pool cover pump. You will find that there are several types of pumps.
Manual Cover “Pumps”/Siphon
A manual pump comes equipped with a thirteen-foot siphon hose that works by squeezing the siphon ball to make the water begin to flow through the tube. This will remove the water from the cover until the water stops flowing.
This is the cheapest and simplest type of cover pump that you can purchase. Since it has a simple design, it won’t break easily, and it will provide a safe pool for you year round.
Electric Cover Pumps
An electric pump is easily operated with a simple on and off switch. However, you do have to remember to monitor this type of cover pump to ensure that it is turned on when it starts raining and then off again when all the water has been successfully pumped off the pool cover.
Automatic Cover Pumps
Unlike the more simple electric cover pump, an automatic cover pump does not need to be monitored and will automatically turn on when water collects on the pool cover and then turn itself off when the cover is dry. It will need a regular garden hose to work correctly.
Choosing the Best Pool Cover Pump
Here are a few tips on what to look for when deciding on the best pool cover pump for your pool.
Size – The size and type of pump you need will be determined by the size of your pool cover. The more area that has will affect what pump you will need.
GPH – Gallons per hour (GPH) is the rating a pool cover pump gets based on how many gallons they can pump per hour or on their maximum flow rate. You need to look for a pump that has an over 1500 gallons per hour (GPH) flow rate to pump water from your pool cover in a sufficient amount of time.
Strainer – Keeping leaves and debris out of your pump can help increase its lifespan. Getting a pump with a strainer that is removable on its plastic base means that you will have a lot fewer problems with clogging. Also, strainers are easy to remove and clean which is a small price to pay for having a pump that is working well and not choking on debris.
Climate – You may not need a large and expensive water pump if you live in a warmer climate, but you will if you also happen to live in a rainy climate. Those climates that tend to get a large amount of ice and snow will need a heavy duty pump that can withstand harsh weather for longer time periods.
Cost – Depending on your budget, you may want to get a smaller hand water pump that runs around twenty dollars. If you have a larger budget, you may want a sturdy and durable automatic pool pump. The type of machine you ultimately choose will depend a lot on how much you want to spend on your pool cover pump.
Other Uses – Some people also use a pool cover pump for other reasons like pumping water out other places that it can accumulate like a basement. Make sure the pump you purchase is equipped to handle these other situations.
Warranty – It is important to find a pool cover pump that has a good warranty, especially if it is an electronic or automatic pump that can fail. This is especially true for those models that may sit out for months on end in pretty harsh weather.
Any time you are ready to buy new equipment for your pool, the best thing to do is make sure to read plenty of reviews to help you decide which product will fit your needs the best. Buying the right pool cover pump can be tricky, but just make sure to decide what features are really important to you and find the right pump to match your needs and budget. Remember, if you have the budget for a pool cover pump, it is money that is well spent in protecting your pool and pool cover.
