Best Submersible Well Pumps (7 Dependable Picks) Review of 2024

Installing a submersible well pump unit in your private well ensures a consistent and reliable source of water for any household. Not to mention, they are easier to use than traditional units.

We compared hundreds of options, and looked at their performance, design, materials, reliability, power, and ease of use and installation, to help you choose the perfect unit.

Main Advantages of Submersible Pumps

These types of pumps are becoming increasingly popular because they are versatile, affordable, and easy to use. Here we listed four advantages.

  • They work great for both deep and shallow wells
  • You can install them directly in the well, deep underwater
  • They are often watertight and require little to no maintenance
  • Some of the best models have incredibly long lifespans.

Types of Wells

Here’s a list of the 3 main types of wells, and which type of submersible pump you need for each.

  • Dug Well – about 30 feet deep – you’ll need a shallow unit. 
  • Driven Well – from 30 to about 50 feet deep – you’ll need a deep unit. 
  • Drilled Well – from 50 to 300 feet deep, or even deeper in some cases- you’ll need a deep unit. 

Quick Comparisons

Goulds 18HS10412C 4" Submersible Water Well Pump,...
Hallmark Industries MA0414X-7A Deep Well...
SCHRAIBERPUMP 4" Deep Well Submersible Pump 2HP,...
Goulds 18HS10412C Submersible Water Well Pump
Hallmark Industries MA0414X-7A Deep Well Submersible Pump
SCHRAIBERPUMP Deep Well Submersible Pump
Horse power
1 HP
1 HP
2 HP
Best for
Best Submersible Well Pump for Overall Value
Best Submersible Well Pump for Heavy-Duty Use
Best submersible Well Pump for Multiple Purposes
Star rating
Prime?
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-
Goulds 18HS10412C 4" Submersible Water Well Pump,...
Goulds 18HS10412C Submersible Water Well Pump
Horse power
1 HP
Best for
Best Submersible Well Pump for Overall Value
Star rating
Prime?
-
Hallmark Industries MA0414X-7A Deep Well...
Hallmark Industries MA0414X-7A Deep Well Submersible Pump
Horse power
1 HP
Best for
Best Submersible Well Pump for Heavy-Duty Use
Star rating
Prime?
SCHRAIBERPUMP 4" Deep Well Submersible Pump 2HP,...
SCHRAIBERPUMP Deep Well Submersible Pump
Horse power
2 HP
Best for
Best submersible Well Pump for Multiple Purposes
Star rating
Prime?
-

7 Products We Reviewed

7. Pump! Deep Well Solar 

LED display solar water pump
Materials: Stainless steel
Design: Brushless motor | 48V
Horsepower: 2/3 HP
Performance: Maintenance-free | Perfect for irrigation, livestock watering | No external batteries or electricity needed
Warranty: Contact seller

The Pump! Deep Well Solar has an impressive maximum flow of 1700 LPH. You get improved performance compared to other models because of its brushless motor, which reduces energy consumption without sacrificing efficiency.

This unit’s intelligent design is further enhanced by its water shortage protection. This feature automatically shuts off the unit if no water is left in the well. It’s also a solar water pump, which is an excellent choice for those living in sunny areas and looking for more eco-friendly solutions.

As for the exterior, the unit is enclosed in a strong wooden case, and a strong stainless steel buckle found on the main control unit provides extra support. An easy-to-read LED display shows any defects or warning messages.

Pros
Permanent magnet DC brushless synchronous motor
No other power sources required
High temperature and over-voltage protection
Cons
Fairly high price
Solar panel not included

6. XtremepowerUS Stainless Submersible Deep Bore Well Pump

heavy duty deep well water pump
Materials: Stainless steel
Design: Built-in check valve | 220V
Horsepower: 1/2 HP
Performance: Oil and water-resistant | Minimal sand water allowed | Max pressure 50 PSI
Warranty: 1-year

Another great contender is the Deep Bore Well Pump from XtremepowerUS.

This high-end model of sump pump features a double-cooling mechanism providing thermal protection and increased efficiency.

Additionally, it contains a multi-stage thermoplastic top diffuser and impeller fan components, delivering a flow rate of 2000 GPH. The 2-wire induction motor capacitor also delivers high torque, pumping the water from wells up to 150 – 200 ft.

The heavy-duty stainless steel and thermoplastic material ensures protection from harsh environmental conditions and is both water- and oil-resistant.

This unit also has a removable built-in check valve for your convenience, and its proven PPO staging allows close contact action. This unit features a bearing made of Hex rubber, which provides an extremely large surface for stability, allowing for multiple flow channels to keep particles away. 

Pros
Quick to install
Starts up right away
Affordable 
Cons
Potential for housing to crack
Not very durable

5. Happybuy Deep Well Pump

affordable deep well water pump
Materials: Stainless steel
Design: 5 impellers | Hermetically sealed motor | 5ft electric cord
Horsepower: 1/2 HP
Performance: Efficient motor | 25 GPM max flow | Stable performance with 5 impellers
Warranty: N/A

The Happybuy is a high-value product at an affordable price. It’s very versatile and can be used in both home and industrial environments. It boasts a more than adequate flow rate and is an easy pump to manage. 

The Happybuy has a 4″ diameter and 1/2 HP motor that can operate on 220V, delivering 25 gallons per minute. Six impellers provide prime performance as they can draw water from wells up to 125 feet. It is made of stainless steel, and the motor is hermetically sealed to prevent overheating.

This unit can be mounted horizontally as well as vertically. Other notable qualities are its small footprint, and easy installation and maintenance, which means no need to construct a pump room. This unit works great on wells and water pumps and can be used in multiple well designs including steel pipe wells, soil wells, and plastic pipes.

The Happybuy is a perfect unit for those looking to save money, without having compromising overall quality and performance.

Pros
Reasonably priced
Good flow rate
Suitable for hard water
Cons
Short cable
Casing may rust

4. Red Lion RL12G05-2W2V Deep Well Pump

1/2 HP deep well water pump
Materials: Stainless steel shell | Thermoplastic motor bracket and discharge
Design: Built-in check valve and suction screen | Hex rubber bearing | 2-wire
Horsepower: 1/2 HP
Performance: 1¼” NPT discharge head for a full-flow | Extra large surface for shaft stability
Warranty: 3-year

The Red Lion RL12G05-2W2V is one of the most durable pumps on the market. It’s made from plastic, which helps against overheating, and the external design makes it compact and corrosion-resistant, featuring waterproof connectors.

The inner channel offers a built-in suction screen, which blocks dirt from entering the impellers and causing clogs. It also has several self-protective features, including multiple flow channels, which block small particles from entering the bearings. 

This unit can operate in wells up to 100 feet. The double seals allow good pumping action for a submersible well pump reaching an outstanding flow rate of 22GPH. It also has a self-installed control box that runs from 1/2HP to 1HP.

The Red Lion is very easy to install and can be installed vertically or horizontally with a positive suction head from a water tank.

This unit is best for those looking for something highly durable and versatile, for either a home or farm setting.

Pros
Straightforward installation 
Fires up quickly
Good quality
Pump is good up to 200′
Cons
Somewhat noisy
Questionable longevity

3. SCHRAIBERPUMP Deep Well Submersible

deep well high flow submersible well pump
Materials: Stainless steel frame
Design: 5ft cable | Built-in check valve | 2-wire
Horsepower: 2 HP
Performance: Impeller for high-flow up and high head
Warranty: 1-year

The SCHRAIBERPUMP is a top contender when it comes to easy installation. It has a wire splice kit with copper winding, giving it a considerable advantage.

The motor offers a 95ºF maximum working temperature to prevent overheating. This unit also features an impeller design that allows for high flow and better durability and can reduce 240 feet at a flow rate of 22 gallons per minute.

This unit can work in a variety of spaces including wells, pools, flooded areas, and sprinkler irrigation.

The SCHRAIBERPUMP is a great option for those looking for something with straightforward installation and versatility at an affordable price.

Pros
Satisfactory output
User-friendly install
Fights off overheating
Cons
Poor check valve
Pressure can switch on and off with no notice

2. Hallmark Industries MA0414X-7A Deep Well Submersible Pump

deep well pump buyers guide
Materials: Stainless steel
Design: Built-in control box | Sealed ball bearings | Built-in check valve
Horsepower: 1 HP
Performance: 2-wire with 3 wires (2 wires in addition to a ground wire) | Thermal protection switch
Warranty: N/A

The Hallmark Industries MA0414X-7A is a high energy-efficient unit and is designed with a UL-approved, high-quality motor, which though being 1HP, almost matches the effectiveness of 2HP units, which is rare to find. At maximum capacity, it can reach up to 207 feet in open water tanks, and its high-quality sealed ball bearings guarantee efficient performance. 

Although it’s considered an industrial-grade pump, it is versatile enough for household applications and features a built-in starter box, so no outside control box is required. It also offers a convenient built-in control box and built-in check valve with a submersible design that allows for quieter operation when extracting water. 

This pump will also last much longer compared to other units. The top is made of cast iron, supporting the weight of the entire installation, and due to its stainless steel casing, you won’t have to worry about corrosion.

This is a premium-grade unit that supports all the functions and features that you may need. In addition, Hallmark Industries’ customer service is very helpful if you need assistance with the installation. All of these factors combine to make this one of the best units on the market.

Pros
Good weather protection
Works as advertised
Great value for money
Powerful 
Cons
Small wiring
Low-quality plastic check valve

1. Goulds 18HS10412C Submersible Water Well Pump

1 HP submersible water well pump

Materials: Stainless steel
Design: CentriPro 4″ motors | Shaft couplings | Hex design shafts
Horsepower: 1 HP
Performance: Flow range 6 GPM “ 28 GPM | casings and stage fight off corrosion
Warranty: 1-year against manufacture date

The Goulds 18HS10412C is a reliable premium unit that can be used by anyone. It’s equipped with a 1HP, three-wire motor, with a maximum flow rate of 18 gallons per minute.

It features an impeller design that allows for better handling of sand and potential abrasive materials than many models. Additionally, the Goulds 18HS10412C has a crimped design, which helps it withstand harsh conditions for better use year-round.

This unit has a thermal-protected motor, which gives ensures a much longer life span. It doesn’t come with a filtration unit but is compatible with many countertop water filters on the market.

For an all-around reliable pump, this durable Goulds model is a great pick for any setting.

Pros
Long-lasting
Good amount of power
Allows extra pressure
Resistant toward hard water
Cons
Difficult to repair
Plastic impellers

Our Recommendations

Before you buy a new submersible water pump, you will want to make sure its specifications and features meet the requirements of your well. Don’t forget to consider things like the water flow rate (or gallons per hour/GPH), HP, needed voltage, and other variables.

Since most who use well water probably use a whole house water filter and an RO system for the sinks, make sure the pump and filter don’t clash, as some water filters tend to lower the GPM. You may need to make some calculations to ensure this won’t be an issue. If you also use a hot water recirculating pump with well water, you may need to extend those calculations even further.

Of course, it is always a good idea to check with a local plumber regarding any concerns, especially if you are building an entirely new well from scratch.

Fixing Submersible Well Pumps

When your unit stops working, a lot of the time the culprit is either the impeller, electrical supply, or float switches.

Here we listed a short guide with three suggestions about fixing common issues with submersible well pumps.

1. Unblock the Impeller

  • Switch off the unit, unplug it, and then remove the outlet pipe connection.
  • Now, remove from the sump basin and unscrew its base to reach the impeller chamber.
  • You will need to remove the screws from the chamber, take out the impeller, and wash both the chamber and the impeller with clean water -– preferably under a tap with an installed water filter.
  • Afterward, shake off the excess water from the impeller and chamber, and re-assemble.
  • Finally, put the assembled chamber and impeller back into the base of the pump and screw them tightly like they were before. You can now put the unit back into the basin and reconnect it to the outlet pipe.

2. Swapping the Float Switches

  • Look at the top part of the well pump and unscrew the float chamber.
  • Check the manual to see where the existing wires are connected. Make a sketch or take a photo to keep handy so that you can easily reconnect the float switches later.
  • Gently pull out the wires and unscrew the switches. To replace the defective switches with new ones, screw them in and reattach the wiring accordingly.
  • After the switches are replaced, put the top part of the pump back onto the float chamber, and screw it back in.
  • Put the unit back in the basin and reconnect the outlet pipe. Turn it on to see if it works. If not, the electrical supply might be the issue.

3. Checking the Electrical Supply

  • Check the main power supply to see if the power is working first. If it works and you have a backup unit, let that one take over until you finish repairing your main well pump.
  • Switch off the unit and remove it from its socket. Unscrew the plug unit and check the fuse. If the fuse is still in position, then change it with another one and screw the unit back in place. If it isn’t, simply reposition it and screw the unit back in.
  • Switch the unit back on and it should work. If none of the methods mentioned here seem to work, then you might need to contact an expert.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does a Submersible Water Pump Work?

They work by pushing water to the surface using pressure energy that is created by a combination of kinetic and rotational energy.

The water first gets pulled in through intake, where then the impeller rotates to push the water through the diffuser. From there, water gets expelled to the surface. This simple design is what took us from the old technique of lowering a bucket.

How Long Will a Pump Last?

Pump durability depends on water usage. In a home with moderate average consumption, it is possible for a unit to last for up to 15 years before a replacement is needed. However, in the average household, the standard lifetime is about 8 to 10 years.

What Size Water Pump do I Need?

You can accurately estimate the size of your unit by measuring the diameter of the fountain spout. Multiply the result by 100. These will be your GPH needs. For example, a 2-inch fountain spot will need a 200 GPH for best results.

Overall

The best submersible well pump design makes pulling water from your well efficient and easy. Choosing a unit that is user-friendly enough to install on your own may save you time and money as well.

Be sure to read the manual carefully before you install any unit. Take your time to avoid irreparable damages or voiding your pump’s warranty. If you’re not confident in your ability to install the unit on your own, it is better to let an expert do the job so that there aren’t any problems in the future.