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A pool cover is a pool’s best defense against debris and dirt that can alter its chemistry, turning it into a bog during the off-season. However, even a quality pool cover can quickly become damaged if water, leaves, and sticks are allowed to accumulate on it during the off-season. A good pool cover pump is necessary to prevent this from happening.
These devices sit on top of the pool cover and pump rainwater off the cover. They have various flow rates to suit different climates and pool cover sizes. Some will even turn on and off automatically based on the water level on top of the cover. Ahead, learn more about the different types of pool cover pumps, and find out what features are important to consider when shopping for the best pool cover pump.
- BEST OVERALL: Wayne Fully Submersible Pool Cover Pump
- RUNNER-UP: Little Giant APCP-1700 Automatic Pool Cover Pump
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Superior Pump 91014 Utility Pump
- BEST ABOVE-GROUND: Edou Submersible Swimming Pool Cover Pump
- ALSO CONSIDER: AgiiMan Pool Cover Pump
What to Consider When Choosing Pool Cover Pumps
When selecting a pool cover pump, it’s crucial to consider what pump size, flow rate, and cord length are suitable for the size of the pool cover. Ahead, learn more about these and other important features.
Manual vs. Automatic
There are two types of pool cover pumps—manual and automatic. An automatic pool cover pump senses when there is too much water on top of the pool cover and switches on automatically to pump that excess water off the cover. This type of pump is ideal for pool owners who aren’t able to monitor their pool daily to make sure water doesn’t accumulate and damage the cover or create a drowning hazard. In contrast, an electric manual pump must be turned on manually by the pump owner to remove water from the top of the pool cover.
Flow Rate
Pool cover pumps vary in how much water they can pump off per hour. Pool cover pump flow rates range from 250 gallons per hour (GPH) to 2,500 GPH. Choosing the right size pump depends on the surface area of the pool cover and the climate of the pool’s location. Smaller 850 GPH pumps are suitable for above-ground pools and small inground pools, while larger inground pools require a pump with a flow rate of at least 1,500 GPH. Climate is also important. Pools located in regions that experience a high amount of precipitation require a pool cover pump with a higher flow rate than those located in more arid regions.
Cord Length and Hose Hookup
Power cord length is also an important factor to consider when selecting a pool cover pump. The pump’s power cord should be long enough to extend from the center of the pool to the nearest outdoor GFCI power outlet. While it’s OK to use an extension cord to increase the range of the pump, the pump’s cord should be long enough to at least reach the pool deck, minimizing the chances of electric shock.
One should also consider hose length. While most pumps use a standard .75-inch garden hose to carry water from the pump to another location, others come with designated drain hoses. The drain hose should be long enough to extend into a part of the yard that directs water away from any structures and the pool.
Fully Submersible
Many pool cover pumps can be fully submerged, which makes them useful not only for removing water from the pool cover but also for lowering the pool level to prevent overflow during periods of heavy precipitation. Fully submersible pumps are also quieter since the water absorbs much of the noise of the pump’s motor and impeller.
Our Top Picks
The list below includes pool pumps suitable for large inground-pool covers as well as smaller above-ground pool covers. These pumps feature high flow rates and designs that make them easy to maintain.
Best Overall
Wayne Fully Submersible Pool Cover Pump
A large drain hose and automatic design make this pool cover pump one of the best ways to keep one’s pool cover dry. With a discharge that will accept a 1.25-inch drain hose, this pump can remove up to 3,000 GPH. It also comes with an adapter for a .75-inch garden hose. That high flow rate, coupled with its 25-foot-long power cord, makes this pump ideal for larger pools.
It also comes equipped with an extended base that makes it difficult to turn over. With its submersible design, this pump can also be used to lower the water level in the pool. A float switch automatically turns the pump on when the water reaches a certain level and then shuts it off when the cover is nearly dry.
Product Specs
- Type: Automatic
- Flow rate: 3,000 GPH
- Power cord length: 25 feet
Pros
- Very high flow rate with large 1.25-inch drain hose
- Float switch automatically turns pump on and off
- Wide base prevents pump from flipping over
Cons
- Screen requires frequent clearing for pools with a lot of debris
Get the Wayne pool cover pump on Amazon.
Runner-Up
Little Giant APCP-1700 Automatic Pool Cover Pump
Little Giant’s automatic pool cover water pump makes managing the water level on top of your cover in the off-season an easy task by allowing one to set it and forget it. It features an automatic design that turns the pump on whenever the water reaches a level of 2 inches, after which it will pump the water off until it’s nearly dry.
Its 1/3-horsepower motor allows it to pump 1,745 gallons of water per hour, making it well suited for rainy climates or larger pool covers. Its long 25-foot power cord provides ample length for bigger pools. The pump is equipped with a wide base that makes it difficult to tip over and has an intake screen that is easy to remove for periodic debris removal.
Product Specs
- Type: Automatic
- Flow rate: 1,745 GPH
- Power cord length: 25 feet
Pros
- High flow rate suitable for larger pools and rainy climates
- Automatic float switch
- Long power cord length
Cons
- Sometimes fails to self-prime
Get the Little Giant pool cover pump on Amazon or Walmart.
Best Bang For The Buck
Superior Pump 91014 Utility Pump
Those with smaller pools or who live in dryer climates don’t need an expensive automatic pool cover pump. This utility pump, which costs less than half of many pool cover pumps, will work just fine. It lacks the automatic features of higher-end pumps. However, it’s capable of removing up to 2,220 gallons per hour, reducing the amount of time one will have to spend draining water off the pool. And since it’s submersible, it is also a good option for lowering a pool’s water level.
It also comes equipped with a screen that filters out debris. It does have a shorter 8-foot power cord, which limits its usage to smaller pools, and the narrower base makes it more susceptible to falling over.
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Flow rate: 2,200 GPH
- Power cord length: 8 feet
Pros
- High flow rate
- Less than half the cost of some pool cover pumps
- Fully submersible design
Cons
- Short power cord
- More susceptible to falling over
Get the Superior Pump utility pump on Amazon or Lowe’s.
Best Above-Ground
Edou Submersible Swimming Pool Cover Pump
This above-ground pool cover pump’s lower flow rate and manual design make it ideal for those with above-ground pools looking for a way to clear water off the pool cover without having to invest in an expensive pump. While its 850 GPH flow rate may not be suitable for larger pools, it’s enough power to keep most above-ground pool covers dry.
This submersible pump comes with a 16-foot drainage hose. There is also an adapter for those who prefer to attach a standard .75-inch garden hose. And with its 25-foot power cord, the Edou pool cover pump is ideal for above-ground pools that are often farther from outdoor outlets than inground pools.
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Flow rate: 850 GPH
- Power cord length: 25 feet
Pros
- More affordably priced than larger pumps
- Ample flow rate for an above-ground pool
- Long 25-foot cord length
Cons
- Can turn over more easily than larger pumps
Get the EDOU submersible pool cover pump on Amazon.
Also Consider
AgiiMan Pool Cover Pump
This small but mighty manual pump is suitable for removing water off the cover of above-ground pools or even smaller inground pools, thanks to its 1,100 GPH flow rate. It features an intake that has a mesh screen on four sides, making it less susceptible to clogging than other pump designs.
The AgiiMan can be used with a 16-foot anti-twist drainage hose that’s included or a .75-inch garden hose with an adapter. Since the pump is submersible, it’s also ideal for lowering the water level in a pool. A long 25-foot power cord provides ample range for reaching an outdoor power outlet.
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Flow rate: 1,100 GPH
- Power cord length: 25 feet
Pros
- High flow rate for small pump
- Doesn’t clog as easily as other designs
- Submersible design
- Long 25-foot power cord
Cons
- Manual design requires user to manually turn it on or off
Get the AgiiMan pool cover pump on Amazon.
Our Verdict
With its ability to pump out 3,000 GPH, an automatic design, and an extended base that prevents it from flipping over, the Wayne pool cover pump is the best all-around pool cover pump on the market. Those looking for a budget option will want to consider the affordably priced Superior Pump utility pump, which costs a fraction of the price of higher-end pool cover pumps and is still capable of removing up to 2,200 GPH.
How We Chose the Best Pool Cover Pumps
To narrow the field of pool cover pumps on the market to these top options, we considered a variety of factors. First and foremost, a pool cover pump should be able to remove water quickly, so we chose models with a high flow rate. For our inground pool selections, we narrowed our choices to pumps with the ability to remove at least 1,500 GPH. For our above-ground pool selections, we chose models with the ability to remove at least 850 GPH. For our top models, we chose pumps with float switches that allow them to turn on and off automatically, eliminating the need for the pool owner to constantly monitor the pool cover. Finally, we selected models with power cords long enough to extend beyond the pool deck, which minimizes the risk of electric shock.
FAQs
If you’re not sure where to position your pump on the pool cover or how to keep your pool cover firmly in place, then read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about pool covers.
Q. How do you keep rain off your pool cover?
To keep rain off your pool cover, place the automatic pump at the center of the cover and leave it plugged in. For manual pool cover pumps, monitor the weather and use the pump after it rains to remove water from the pool cover.
Q. What is the best pool cover pump?
With its ability to remove 3,000 GPH and turn on and off automatically, the Wayne pool cover pump is the best all-around pool pump on the market.
Q. Where should a pool cover pump be placed?
Place the pool cover pump at the center of the cover, where rainwater accumulates on top of it.
Q. How do you weigh down a pool cover?
The best way to weigh down the edges of a pool cover to keep it taut is to use sandbags, which are not rough or shaped like rocks or bricks that can damage the cover.