Wayne CDU980E
#1 in 1/2 HP and upFull review
For deep basements and heavy water where a 1/2 HP pump falls behind, with a stainless housing and a 5 year warranty at a mid range price.
Amazon $189$189
A sump pump sits in a pit in the basement or crawl space floor and pumps out ground water before it reaches the floor. These rankings compare what the makers publish on the same terms: how much water you move for the money, how much it moves at a real lift, how it’s built and how long it’s covered.
Flow at 10 ft is the number that matters. Horsepower and the flow at 0 ft printed on the box say little about a real basement, where water is lifted 8 to 12 ft to get outside. Every pump here is compared at 10 ft of total head, from the maker’s own performance table.
Build decides how long it lasts. A cast iron motor housing sheds heat and outlasts plastic, a vertical float or electronic switch fits a narrow pit without snagging, and an alarm warns you before the floor gets wet.
Top Picks
Wayne CDU1000
#2 in 1/2 HP and upFull review
For a basement with a very high water table or a long, high discharge run. Most homes will be better served by a 1/2 HP pump.
Amazon $254.99$254.99
Shop by Size
Up to 1/3 HP
16 rankedPumps for a typical basement with a lift of up to about 10 ft and normal ground water.
Top rated: Wayne CDU790 $136.90
1/2 HP and up
17 rankedPumps for deep basements, long discharge runs and pits that fill fast in heavy rain.
Top rated: Wayne CDU980E $189
Narrow It Down
Prices were last checked October 31, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best 1/3 HP Sump Pumps
- Wayne CDU790#1 of 16Full review
A strong value for an ordinary basement: more flow at 10 ft than most 1/3 HP pumps for a modest price.
Amazon $136.90$136.901/3 HP3,060 GPHVertical float - Red Lion RL-33SC#2 of 16Full review
For a small pit with a real lift, where a compact cast iron pump with strong flow is worth a little more.
Amazon $203.84$203.841/3 HP3,000 GPHTethered float - Little Giant 6EC-CIA-SFS#3 of 16Full review
For a basement with a higher lift where a 1/3 HP pump with near 1/2 HP flow and a cast iron body is wanted.
Amazon $220.50$220.501/3 HP3,000 GPHTethered float - Wayne SPF33#4 of 16Full review
A light, low cost pump for a shallow basement with modest water. The 1 year warranty makes it a budget pick rather than a long term one.
Amazon $128.20$128.201/3 HP2,718 GPHVertical float - Red Lion RL-SP33V#5 of 16Full review
For a narrow pit on a budget, where a light pump with good flow and a vertical float does the job.
Amazon $114.99$114.991/3 HP2,366 GPHVertical float
Best 1/2 HP and Bigger Sump Pumps
- Wayne CDU980E#1 of 17Full review
For deep basements and heavy water where a 1/2 HP pump falls behind, with a stainless housing and a 5 year warranty at a mid range price.
Amazon $189$1893/4 HP4,600 GPHVertical float - Wayne CDU1000#2 of 17Full review
For a basement with a very high water table or a long, high discharge run. Most homes will be better served by a 1/2 HP pump.
Amazon $254.99$254.991 HP5,100 GPHVertical float - Superior Pump 92751#3 of 17Full review
For deep basements or long discharge runs that need high lift, at a fair price for a 3/4 HP stainless pump.
Amazon $194.98$194.983/4 HP4,140 GPHVertical float - Wayne CDU800#4 of 17Full review
For a wet or deep basement on a budget: it pumps as much as pumps costing twice as much.
Amazon $163.25$163.251/2 HP3,840 GPHVertical float - Zoeller M95 Premium#5 of 17Full review
For a basement that floods hard and often, where an owner wants maximum flow with a 5 year warranty and an all cast iron build.
Amazon $432.16$432.161/2 HP4,000 GPHVertical float
How We Rank
Each pump is ranked against others of the same motor size, and scored on its price per 1,000 gallons an hour at 10 ft, its flow at 10 ft, its build and its warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per 1,000 gallons an hour at 10 ft | 30% |
| Flow | gallons an hour at 10 ft of lift | 30% |
| Build | cast iron housing, a switch that fits a narrow pit, alarm or Wi-Fi | 20% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 20% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.