Top 15 Best Pool Cover Pumps to Buy in 2024

Using a swimming pool cover to protect your pool from debris or leaves is not a strange solution with pool owners. However, too much water, rain, or snow accumulating on your pool cover can cause you lots of trouble.

The easiest way is to use a pool cover pump, which helps remove water from the pool cover quickly and effectively.

With different brands providing various cover pumps, you may find it challenging to choose an appropriate one for your pool. That’s why I did research and write this review for your consultation.

Let’s take a look and pick your suitable one before too much water accumulates on your pool cover.

Why Do You Need a Pool Cover Pump?

A pool cover is a crucial part of protecting your pool from the debris and keeping water clean, especially during winter months. With winter pool covers, your water level is also filled during the off-season.

However, it may cause a lot of problems for you when removing your pool cover, especially when you live in an area with lots of rain. In this case, using a pool cover pump will help a lot. It makes removing water from your pool cover easier and more effective.

Aside from this key advantage, there are several reasons that make a pool cover pump a good assistant in pool maintenance. The first reason is to save your pool cover.

You all know that buying a pool cover is not cheap. You may not intentionally tear your pool cover from large amounts of accumulated water, but it’s a sad truth. Why do you want to risk damaging your pool cover like that?

Keeping collected water from your pool cover using a pool cover pump will save your pool cover from tearing or stretching out and keep it last as long as possible.

The second reason that makes pool cover pumps a good solution for pool maintenance is safety. Just imagine, what if your pool cover is full of water and soaked in the water? What if your child or pet falls into it?

The last one is that some pool cover pumps can gather leaves and debris on the top of your pool cover, which makes cleaning afterwards become trouble-free.

So getting the best pool cover pump will ensure your pool cover isn’t sagging into the water. That means your child or pet will be safe.

What Is the Best Pool Cover Pump?

Let’s look at the short description of some of the best pool cover pumps to narrow down overwhelmed options.

• Best Overall: Wayne WAPC250 Automatic Pool Cover Pump
  “Energy-efficient, iSwitch technology for automatic operation; strainer base for minimizing clog.”
• Best Budget: Splash Pools Universal Pool Cover Pump
  “Economical option, perfect for lightweight pool covers; 24-feet power cord for convenient use.”
• Best for Winter: FibroPool Electric Pool Winter Cover Pump
  “Perfect for both inground and above ground pools, durable and strong material for longevity; hose included for easy installation.”
• Best Automatic Cover Pump: Ocean Blue 195093
  “Can detect water levels for automatically turn on/off; clog resistance; long power cord for flexible use.”
• Best value for the Money: Little Giant PCP550 Manual Pool Cover Pump
  “Removable intake screen for filtering out debris; pump water out relatively fast; easy to install with the hose included.”
• Best for Inground Pools: Danner Model 350 Pool Cover Pump
  “Ideal for inground pools; easy installation; good automatic option; 5 years warranty.”
• Best for Above Ground Pools: OceanBlue W2900 Pool Cover Siphon Pump
  “Great for above ground pools; lightweight and portable design; easy installation and storage.”
• Best Rated: Aquabeacon Pool Cover Pump
  “Durable and sturdy ABS casing for longevity; long power cord to ensure comfortable use; hose included for smooth installation.”
• Best With Float Switch: Little Giant 1700 Automatic Pool Cover Submersible Pump
  “Float switch for conveniently automatic operation; removable intake screen for trouble-free maintenance; portable and easy to store.”
• The Quietest Cover Pump: Yescom Submersible Pump
  “Quiet operation; heavy-duty and sturdy material for long lifespan; can pump water fast.”
• Most Durable: Superior 91250 Pool Cover Pump
  “Made to last; removable intake screen for reducing clog; easy to install and use.”
• Best Lightweight: Superior 92395 Pool Cover Pump
  “Lightweight for convenient use and store; float switch included for automation operation; easy maintenance.”

Comparison Chart

The table below is the summary of the 15 best pool cover pumps that I’m going to review. You can take a glance at this table and compare each product’s features before deciding which cover pump you should buy.

The 15 Best Pool Cover Pumps Reviews

Now it’s time to get a closer look at the detailed review of each item. This part will cover all the functions, pros and cons of 15 best pool cover pumps.

Wayne WAPC250 Automatic Pool Cover Pump

(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)

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The Wayne WAPC250 Automatic Pool Cover Pump wins the first rank in the best pool cover pumps on the market for some reasons.

Firstly, this cover pump comes with an iSwitch technology that turns the pump on and off by sensing the water on your pool cover’s top. This is such an incredible feature for those who don’t have much time to check the water level each time removing it.

Another huge advantage of this device is the strainer base. This feature helps the pump stay more balanced on your pool cover. With this great feature, you don’t need to waste your time collecting debris on pool cover because it is designed to minimize clogging.

The Wayne WAPC250 Automatic is also integrated with automatic freeze protection, which protects your pump from damage if the water freezes.

Aside from these advantages, this pump has some features that make it the best overall pool cover pump. This includes energy efficiency, high flow, and no oil used.

FibroPool Electric Pool Winter Cover Pump

(Best for Winter)

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Living in an area that has such a severe winter that you have to use a pool heater to warm up your water? Need a pool cover pump to keep your pool cover free of snow, debris when not in use? The FibroPool Electric Pool Winter Cover Pump will be an excellent choice for you.

This pump is made using heavy-duty material and ABS casing, which can resist harsh weather and ensure your pump’s lifespan.

Although heavy-duty designed, the cover pump is incredibly lightweight and durable, which will not make your pool cover sag into the pool. So the FibroPool Electric Pool Winter is suitable for both inground and above ground pools.

Another convenient feature of this cover pump is that it comes with a 16-foot removal hose and can plug into standard electrical outlets. What’s more, this device can remove water at up to 600 gallons per hour, which saves you a lot of time.

Ocean Blue 195093 Automatic Pool Cover Pump

(Best Automatic Cover Pump)

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The Ocean Blue 195093 Automatic Pool Cover Pump is designed as a set-it-and-forget-it cover pump. It is integrated with an automatic on/off system, which saves you a lot of time in pumping water off from your cover.

This pump makes maintenance easier because it features only one moving part. It is designed to fit a standard garden hose. So you just need to plug it into an electrical outlet to operate it.

With the power cord length of up to 25 feet, it is more convenient for you to use the cover pump anywhere within this distance.

Another good thing about the Ocean Blue 195093 Automatic Pool Cover Pump is that it is integrated with a mesh filter, which can resist clog during operation, can be usable, and make cleaning easier.

See Also: 15 Best Automatic Pool Cleaners

Little Giant PCP550 Manual Pool Cover Pump

(Best value for the Money)

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The Little Giant PCP550 Manual Pool Cover Pump is a manual pump that is made to remove water accumulated on the pool cover. It is especially an ideal option for all households who need to transfer water.

One big wonderful feature of this pump is that it is made from thermoplastic with a removable intake screen, which makes cleaning and maintenance no longer a pain. The intake screen can fix the problem of sucking in too much water that may damage the pump.

With the 3/4 inch garden hose connection and 25 feet power cord, installation becomes easier than ever. The Little Giant PCP550 Manual provides a flow rate at 500 gallons per hour, which is fast enough to remove water off the pool cover in a reasonable amount of time.

See Also: 8 Best Pool Booster Pumps

Danner Model 350 Pool Cover Pump

(Best for Inground Pools)

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The Danner Model 350 Pool Cover Pump is made using a magnetic drive motor, which makes the draining water off the cover more convenient and faster. It is also designed to fit any inground pools.

What’s more, this cover pump offers four different pumping capacities. With this feature, you don’t need to worry if it fits your pool’s size because you can easily accommodate almost any inground pool sizes.

With automatic design, the Danner Model 350 will run automatically once it detects water levels. Plus, you can easily connect this cover pump with a standard garden hose for smooth installation.

Another strong point of this cover pump is that it has a very long warranty, up to 5 years. You don’t need to worry about wasting your money to replace it with another one.

OceanBlue W2900 Pool Cover Siphon Pump

(Best for Above Ground Pools)

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The OceanBlue W2900 Pool Cover Siphon Pump is a kind of hand pump made from plastic, which is incredibly lightweight.

With this compact and lightweight design, this cover pump can work well enough to remove a standard amount of standing water from your pool covers with small sizes. So it will be best fitted with above ground pools that have small sizes.

Besides, the OceanBlue W2900 can be easily portable anywhere, which is perfect for leaving it on the cover to drain water in spring. However, it seems not to be a good choice for removing water in winter.

Aquabeacon Pool Cover Pump

(Best Rated)

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The Aquabeacon Pool Cover Pump comes with compact design and powerful operation. This cover pump can remove water from your pool cover up to 600 gallons per hour, which saves you lots of time.

Featured with a 16-feet long power cord, this pump can be plugged into a standard 110-volt wall outlet, and you can stand anywhere within this distance to pump water off effortlessly.

This cover pump comes with a durable and strong ABS casing, which can resist severe weather, mildew, rust, and surrounding impacts. This saves you lots of costly replacements because it can ensure the pump’s longevity.

It is also equipped with the heavy-duty kink-proof hose for convenient installation. You don’t need to spend more money on extra attachments. However, this cover pump is not a kind of set-it-and-forget-it one. You will need to shut it off manually when it’s done.

Little Giant 1700 Automatic Pool Cover Submersible Pump

(Best With Float Switch)

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The Little Giant 1700 Automatic Pool Cover Submersible Pump is outstanding from other similar pumps thanks to its float switch. This part is integrated into the pump for reliable automatic operation, which prevents energy wastage.

This cover pump comes with a side discharge that can optimize draining water from your pool cover. It is also built in handle for ease of replacement and storage.

Another excellent feature of the Little Giant 1700 Automatic is that it is integrated with a removable intake screen, which makes maintenance straightforward. What’s more, it comes with a 25-feet power cord and is easily connected with a ¾-inch garden hose.

Yescom Submersible Pool Cover Pump

(The Quietest Cover Pump)

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The Yescom Submersible Pool Cover Pump is made from durable and sturdy resin, which can operate under the water for a long time while still ensuring its prolonged lifespan.

This cover pump is powered by a durable oil-cooled electric motor, which can pump water off from your pool cover at an incredible flow rate, up to 3,434 gallons per hour. This is considered one of the most strong points of this pump that makes it outstanding from others.

Although constructed with heavy-duty resin, the Yescom Submersible Cover Pump still performs impressively while not making noisy sounds. The pump’s quiet operation makes it widely used by a large number of people, especially by those who easily get irritated by noise.

Superior 91250 Pool Cover Pump

(Most Durable)

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The Superior 91250 Pool Cover Pump is constructed with a tough thermoplastic. This is one of the best durable materials, which can ensure the cover pump’s longevity and resist corrosion. The manufacturer even guarantees that this pump is built to last.

This pump is equipped with a removable intake screen for filtering out debris during the operation. This feature will help to minimize clogging and make cleaning straightforward.

Another great thing about this pump is its thermally protected – split capacitor motor. This motor enables the pump to drain water at the flow rate of up to 1,800 gallons per hour. This way, you will save heaps of time to do other tasks.

You can also easily move this pump from one place to another thanks to its carrying handle.

Superior 92395 Pool Cover Pump

(Best Lightweight)

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If you’re looking for a lightweight cover pump while still strong enough to pump water off from your pool cover, the Superior 92395 Pool Cover Pump deserves the best choice. With this incredibly compact and lightweight design, you can use it both indoors and outdoors.

Like Little Giant 1700 Automatic, this cover pump features a float switch, which enables the pump to operate automatically. It is also designed to filter the debris and leaves out of the pump. This helps you clean and maintain the pump effortlessly.

Plus, a removable intake screen is integrated with this cover pump. This makes cleaning become even easier.

Splash Pools Universal Pool Cover Pump

(Best Budget)

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The Splash Pools Universal Pool Cover Pump is a perfect choice for those who have a tight budget while doing good in getting water off from your pool cover.

This pump is technically a submersible pump. It can be used to get rid of water from not only your pool cover but also wet basements, ponds, or anywhere you need to remove water.

The power cord length is up to 24 feet. This enables you to connect it to the electrical outlet and stand anywhere within this distance to pump water out.

However, you may need to use a skimmer to prevent clogging while using this cover pump. The reason is that it doesn’t come with a strainer base as the Wayne WAPC250 Automatic does. This pump also provides quite a low flow rate, which is only 500 gallons per hour.

Rule 1800 Pool Cover Pump

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Like some other cover pumps, the Rule 1800 Pool Cover Pump is equipped with a strainer base. However, this base is specially made to filter out leaves and debris, hence, minimize the clogging more effectively.

This cover pump can remove accumulated water from your pool cover at a relatively high rate, up to 1,800 GHP. It also comes with a 24-foot power cord for more flexible and convenient use.

What’s more, the Rule 1800 Pool Cover Pump is designed to be able to detect the water levels to operate automatically. This way, you don’t need to wait for it to finish pumping and turn it off manually.

Pumps Away 350 GPH Submersible Pool Cover Pump

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This Pumps Away 350 GPH Submersible Pool Cover Pump is one of a few pumps that can be submersible and pump water off up to 350 gallons per hour.

While some cover pumps use an intake screen to prevent debris, this pump is equipped with a unique pre-filter sponge pad, which can reduce clogging. It also features a power cord of up to 25 feet in length to ensure flexible use.

If you are the kind of person who cares about the environment, this Pumps Away 350 GPH Submersible is a must-buy. It is operated with no oil to protect the environment and save energy as well.

Wayne WaterBUG Submersible Pool Cover Pump

(Best for Multi-Use)

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The Wayne WaterBUG Submersible Pool Cover Pump features both top discharge and side discharge. This is ideal for not only those who have tight spaces like small pool covers but also those who need to drain water from flat open surfaces such as yards, basements, etc.

This cover pump is made from thermoplastic, which ensures a prolonged lifespan for your pump. This way, you don’t need to spend extra for costly replacements.

The Wayne WaterBUG Submersible is also equipped with a multi-ring suction strainer, which helps prevent debris and clog during operations. Hence, cleaning and maintenance is no longer a pain.

Choosing the Best Pool Cover Pump – Buying Guide

In this part, I’ll give some suggestions to help your decision process more straightforwardly. It includes some of the most crucial factors when buying a pool cover pump. Let’s check it out!

Manual vs. Automatic

Basically, there are two types of pool cover pumps, which are manual and automatic ones.

With the automatic cover pumps, you don’t need to turn on/off the machine because it will start pumping everything when your pool cover is ready to be pumped out. In contrast, you will need to turn on the manual pump when the water is accumulated on the pool cover.

The manual and automatic pumps place an important role in deciding the amount of money you’ll spend to buy it. Generally, the manual pumps are three times cheaper than the automatic ones. However, it doesn’t mean automatic pumps are always better than manual ones.

If you don’t have much time during the winters, when your pool cover needs to be maintained, an automatic pump will be a huge help. Or if you live in an area with harsh winters, I’d like to recommend getting the automatic.

In case you have more free time and you just need to use your pool pump once in a while to remove accumulated water, all you need is a manual pump.

Size and Weight

Another important thing to consider before you purchase a pool cover pump is its size and weight. Of course, you won’t want your cover to be collapsed by a too heavyweight pool cover pump. Also, pay attention to the size of the cover pump to make sure it fits your pool’s size.

That way, the water pump, and maintenance will be easier.

Speed

Generally speaking, the pool cover pump’s speed varies depending on the pump’s types. There are some high-class devices that will pump water out rapidly, and other low-class ones won’t.

If you usually check your pool cover’s condition, the pump’s speed won’t affect too much. However, if you don’t have much time and only check your pool cover once in a while, it is necessary to choose a pool cover with high speed.

This way, the water that is accumulated on the top of your pool cover will be gotten off faster, which will save you a lot of time.

Hose Hookup

Normally, manufacturers will equip a hose for the pool cover pumps. However, not all brands have this feature. That means you will need additional pieces, like a garden hose, to attach to the unit.

So make sure you clearly know how your water will be exited from your pool cover. From that, you can have the right tool for it to work properly.

Power Cord

The fact is that you need to use electricity to operate your pool cover pump. Different units will feature its own power cord. Some pumps will be equipped with very long cords, which is up to 30 feet long. In the meanwhile, others may offer 116-feet long cords.

Make sure to measure the distance from your power source to your outlet to choose the best-fit pool cover pump.

Price

Price is always an essential criterion that affects your choice before you buy anything; a pool cover pump is not an exception. There is no exact price for a good pool cover pump because it depends on the features and quality of the pump.

The fact is that you get what you pay for. So make sure you determine your needs and all the above suggestions to get exactly what you are looking for to get the water off your pool cover.

How to Use a Pool Cover Pump?

Most models you can buy are compact and easy to use, but how you use them will depend on the type of pump you buy.

Most models you choose to buy usually come with a manual, and each pump type will have different usage. In this part, I’ll show you how to use a pool cover pump in general.

Basically, you just simply install the cover pump with the attached equipment. As I said before, some units feature hose hookup, while others don’t. If your pool cover pump already has a hose hookup, you just need to direct the hose to the place where you want the water to be drained to. If not, you will need to attach it to a standard garden hose.

After that, plug your device into a power source. And the water will be pumped off.

Please note that in order for your pump to operate, you will need to physically turn the pump on if you’re using a manual cover pump. In case you use an automatic unit, just set it up the same way as the manual one and let it do the rest for you.

I put the instruction video down below to help you quickly visualize the steps to use your pool cover pump.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Finally, I’d like to give suggested answers to some frequently asked questions about pool cover pumps.

Swim Network Overview

I hope that you find this review helpful for your decision on choosing the best pool cover pumps.

Through the article, it can be said that the Wayne WAPC250 Automatic Pool Cover Pump stands out as the best model for its ease of use, powerful construction, and energy efficiency.

For the best budget model, I’d highly recommend the Splash Pools Universal Pool Cover Pump. It’s not only affordable but also can pump water off your cover relatively effectively.

If you are the kind of person who easily gets irritated by noisy sounds, try the Yescom Submersible Pool Cover Pump, and you will feel its comfort.

Maybe I didn’t review all available cover pumps; therefore, it’d be nice to share your thoughts on any good pool cover pumps that you are using or know. Plus, don’t hesitate to share this article with your friends to help them find their suitable pool cover pumps.