Sump pumps are a potential lifesaver for flood-prone basements. However, they do have some limitations regarding their power supply. After all, what good is a sump pump during a storm if the power has gone out? Well, that’s where battery backup sump pumps come into play. In this article, we’re looking at the best combination sump pump with a battery backup.
Battery backup sump pumps can run for several hours to remove water from a basement, even during a power outage. They offer additional protection to homeowners, are reliable, and, most importantly, they’re power-independent. Newer models also offer WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity for remote monitoring and control.
This guide will teach you why you should choose a backup battery sump pump, even if you already have a standard sump pump in your basement. Plus, you’ll discover 4 of the best battery backup sump pumps available on the market today.
Let’s get started.
Why You Should Choose A Sump Pump With A Backup Battery
If you’re reading this article, you likely understand why sump pumps are essential and might even have one in your basement already. However, it’s crucial to realize that sump pumps, on their own, have several limitations.
Here are 4 quick reasons why a sump pump with a battery backup makes for a much better investment for your home:
- Power-independent: The first and most apparent difference with a battery backup sump pump is that it’s battery operated, making it power-independent. Suppose a heavy storm is simultaneously causing a power disruption and basement flooding. In that case, the battery-powered sump pump can still operate to keep your basement dry.
- Additional protection: Battery backup sump pumps are often used alongside a primary pump plugged into the wall socket. Even with a stable power supply, these pumps could potentially fail. If that happens, the battery-powered sump pump can act as a backup, continuing to remove water from your basement.
- Connectivity for monitoring: These days, sump pumps with backup batteries have plenty of high-tech features, such as modern connectivity. Unlike older pumps that you might still rely on, newer ones allow for remote monitoring and diagnostics. So, whether you’re upstairs in the bedroom or halfway around the world, you’ll be the first to know when the pump activates and if it has any problems.
- Peace of mind: Lastly, these battery backup pumps offer you something that all homeowners want, and that’s peace of mind.
How To Choose The Best Battery Backup Sump Pump
Now, before we dive into the best battery backup sump pumps you can buy today, let’s lay some groundwork. For most people, choosing the most suitable pump depends on their budget, as it should.
After all, you don’t want to pay for a pump that offers far more protection and performance than you’ll ever need.
Still, there are two critical considerations you should make when choosing the best pump for your household, which are:
#1 Materials
Firstly, battery backup sump pumps are made of different materials. This will affect both the price and the pump’s durability. For example, stainless steel is the classic choice for many buyers. However, thermoplastic materials are incredibly durable and lower the overall pump price.
#2 Capacity
A sump pump’s purpose is to remove water from the sump as quickly as possible. So, its water capacity is another crucial factor to consider. That capacity is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour (GPH).
The amount of water your sump pump can remove is related to its horsepower. For example, most homes will find a 1/3 horsepower sump pump will work just fine, whereas more extensive or deeper basements would probably need 2/3 to 1 horsepower.
4 of the Best Battery Backup Sump Pumps On The Market
Now that you know why they matter and how to choose the best ones, here are 4 of the best battery backup sump pumps you can buy today, in no particular order.
Basement Guardian By Wayne
First on this list is the Basement Guardian by pump brand Wayne. Wayne is a Scott Fetzer company that manufactures household water pumps across several categories. One of those categories is basement protection systems.
For this list, we’re looking at what the company calls “The Ultimate Basement Protection System“, with its cast iron body, wireless connectivity, and high capacity for getting water out of your sump.
The pump is assembled locally in the United States and relies on a solid-state air switch to sense when water levels rise, so it can get to work.
Key features:
- Materials: The pump body is made from cast iron.
- Capacity: 85 gallons a minute, or 11,000 gallons total, on a full battery charge.
- Connectivity: WiFi connectivity and Innovative Local Link allow it to send data to the mobile app even when your home router has no power.
What we like about this: One of the best things about this sump pump is that it comes pre-plumbed, making it ready to install in just minutes.
Besides that, its water capacity is incredibly high, allowing it to handle even the most severe basement floodings easily.
What could be better: Despite being a pre-plumbed and complete unit, it’s unfortunate that the instructions provided are not as helpful as they should be. You won’t need a plumber to help you install it, but doing it on your own will likely require some time to figure everything out.
Basement Watchdog By Glentronics
Next, we have the Basement Watchdog by Glentronics. Glentronics is a family-run business specializing in manufacturing a vast range of pumps, including the Basement Watchdog product line.
This compact yet powerful battery backup sump pump has dual float switches for added protection. This unit also has plenty of options for monitoring and connectivity so that you can keep a close watch on it at all times and be alerted to any issues.
Key features:
- Materials: This pump is made from a durable plastic material.
- Capacity: 8.33 gallons a minute.
- Connectivity: WiFi connectivity and compatibility with home security systems.
What we like about this: Many homeowners will love Glentronics’ Basement Watchdog because of its compact size. The dimensions are 12.7 x 22.86 x 19.38 centimeters, allowing it to fit anywhere.
As a result, you won’t have to worry about making any adjustments to your basement sump to keep it dry.
What could be better: One of the downsides of this pump is the plastic material. But, to be fair, the plastic used here is incredibly durable and capable of lasting a long time.
However, that might not be enough to give buyers the assurance and peace of mind they want from their sump pump investment. That’s especially true, considering how critical the battery backup sump pump is towards keeping their basements safe.
Aquanot 508 by Zoeller
Zoeller earns its place on this list with their Aquanot 508 battery backup sump pump. Like the other companies on this list, Zoeller is a long-time specialist in manufacturing household water pumps. They also take pride in being an American company with its headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
The company’s Aquanot 508 sump pump has all the features you’d expect, like excellent water-moving capacity, WiFi connectivity, and even self-diagnostics.
Key features:
- Materials: This sump pump is made from Polyethylene, a durable type of plastic.
- Capacity: 35 gallons a minute.
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi connectivity.
What we like about this: Overall, the Aquanot 508 is an excellent mid-range battery backup sump pump that’ll suit most households.
For example, the Glentronics model earlier is compact with a relatively lower capacity of 8.33 gallons per minute. However, the Wayne model, in the beginning, had a capacity of 85 gallons per minute.
The Aquanot 508 offers a mid-range option of 35 gallons per minute that’s neither too small nor too large for most people.
What could be better: Unfortunately, the app that connects to this pump needs a lot of work because it’s glitchy and has a habit of crashing. Without a reliable app, users might not get the pump connectivity they need, especially in crucial moments like during basement flooding. Hopefully they deal with the app issues soon and make it more reliable.
Battery Backup Sump Pump by Superior Pump
Lastly, we have the Battery Backup Sump Pump by Superior Pump.
Superior Pump is another family-owned American company that’s been building pumps since 1932.
Their 92900 model battery backup sump pump is built to last with high-quality components, such as the hard thermoplastic shell that protects the pump’s internal components.
Aside from high-quality components, the company tests their pumps extensively at their factory to ensure they’re reliable before they’re sold to customers.
Key features:
- Materials: This pump is mrigidf a tough thermoplastic material, which offers it a long lifespan and protects it from corrosion.
- Capacity: 23 gallons per minute.
- Connectivity: None.
What we like about this: One thing that’s excellent is how clear and easy to understand the installation instructions are. Those clear instructions enable you to get this pump operational quickly without paying a plumber to help you.
What could be better: Unfortunately, the only thing missing from this great pump is its connectivity. No WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity option exists, meaning remote monitoring and control are out of the question. That’s not a deal breaker for many customers, but it’s something you should be aware of upfront.
The Best Battery Backup for Existing Sump Pump
If you’re looking for a battery backup for your existing sump pump, then a battery power station is your answer.
Portable power stations are not just great for a sump pump; they are also perfect for charging your phone during an outage, ensuring you have internet, keeping appliances working, and so much more. Having one nearby will give you peace of mind.
There are lots of portable power stations available on the market today. But I found one that is very efficient and won’t break the bank.
I have been using the VTOMAN Portable Power Station for several months now, and really love it.
- It comes with ten battery protections for safe charging.
- It has a large capacity of 1408Wh
- It gives you 3000 cycles of lifespan
- This battery gives you pure sine wave 1000W load capacity (Surge 2000W)
- This power station gives you multiple USB-C and USB ports
- You get three outlets
- Charge to 80% in only 6 hours
Overall, this is a fantastic battery backup, and it would work great with your sump pump, depending on its size. Just purchase this battery power station and have it close by in case of an emergency.
Final Thoughts
As you can see from the four battery backup sump pumps above, there’s plenty of variety when choosing a suitable pump. Understandably, you’ll want a pump that fits your budget.
You could also choose a battery power station for a lot more flexibility.
If you decide to choose a built-in battery backup, don’t forget to base your choice on other crucial criteria, like the pump capacity (or flow rate).
When your sump or basement gets flooded, you’ll want to know that your pump can handle the job efficiently and protect your home.
