If you live in a location that has an on and off-season for when your pool is active/inactive, then you likely have a pool cover to keep the water from getting dirty. But one of the major problems with this is water that develops on the top of the cover itself. Removing this standing water is very hard to do without a pool cover pump.
Having pumped out water from multiple pools and other flooded locations, I’ve found nine products that are the best pool cover pumps for consumers online. You’ll be happy to have these units around when it’s time for you to break out of the pool once the weather warms up. Let’s see which product is the best for you!
8 Best Pool Cover Pumps:
1. Wayne 57729-WYNP WAPC250 Pool Cover Pump
The Wayne 57729-WYNP WAPC250 is the best pool cover pump for people that want to set and forget. Most features are automatic and perform quickly at pumping out the liquid in record time.
Review
The Wayne pool cover pump has a long cable length that’ll likely reach your outlets without any problems. Just plug it in and you’ll be set to get that nasty water from the top of your pool.
Features
Assembly is a breeze, just follow the instructions as they are given in the manual and you shouldn’t have any problems. It turns on automatically based on the level of water that’s sitting on top of your cover.
What consumers are saying
Most consumers liked well the Wayne pump handles automatic features. Its activation is accurate, so you’ll hardly ever see water in your pool if you leave this on top of the cover during the off-season.
Pros
- Has a good power cable length
- Easy enough for most to put together without problems
- Automatically turns on and off by monitoring water levels
Cons
- It May does not work well with a conventional garden hose (1.25 in recommended)
2. Little Giant APCP-1700 Automatic Swimming Pool Cover
The Little Giant APCP-1700 is the best automatic pool cover pump for large and medium-sized pools. It works on its own, turning on and off by the level of water that surrounds the bottom.
Review
One feature that might be overlooked in the product’s description is the handle. It’s very strong and makes moving the unit around very easy. But since it turns on when the water level reaches 2 inches, you’ll probably never have to pick it up in the first place.
What consumers are saying
Consumers love how well the Little Giant Pool Pump handles automation. It’s recommended for people that want to avoid water from accumulating in their pool altogether, no matter how shallow it may be.
Pros
- Has a large handle that’s easy to lift and move around with one hand
- Turns on when the water level reaches 2 inches
- Works well in both hot and cold climates
Cons
- May clogged when used in pools with a large amount of debris
3. FibroPool Electric Swimming Pool Winter Cover Drain Pump
The FibroPool Electric Swimming Pool is built to last and is very strong. It will float easily in any water you place it in. Here’s why you should check it out:
Review
This unit is the best pool cover pump for winter weather. Granted, if you live in a location that gets well below freezing, you might not be able to pump out anything until the temps rise. Still, it’s perfectly safe for you to leave it outside and will never take on damages due to the cold and ice. Once everything melts, you’ll find no liquid on your pool cover, ever.
Features
Pumping is very fast, so expect to have a full cover emptied on the same day that you plug in the machine. For large pools, this is great and the entire operation can be finished for most within 6 to 7 hours.
What consumers are saying
Many users like the way that the FibroPool handles liquid in winter weather. If small chunks of ice make it through the pump, it’ll quickly melt and won’t club in the tube.
Pros
- Safe to use in both above-ground and in-ground pools
- Good pumping rate that quickly gets water from most cover sizes
- Easy to clean when not in use
Cons
- Has no automatic shut-off feature; the unit must be turned off manually
4. WAYNE WWB WaterBUG Submersible Pump
The Wayne WWB WaterBUG is a pool cover water pump that’s great for indoor and semi-outdoor pools. It will get out all of the water, no matter how much has accumulated in the off-season.
Review
You can place this model in tight, hard-to-reach spaces and it will continue to work as expected. Small one-off puddles that other pumps couldn’t siphon well are taken care of with this unit.
Features
You’ll never see the pump leak water from the area where the hose is connected. This is important and can prevent such machines that do suffer from the issue from pumping water out in an efficient manner. But not here. You’ll maintain an excellent flow rate at all times.
What consumers are saying
Try out this submersible sump pump for swimming pool areas that have excessive small puddles that are shallow but numerous in number. Your cover will be dry in no time at all.
Pros
- Effectively gets out water in tight spaces without leaving shallow ponds
- Works well for pumping out water not only in pools but flooded pathways and interior spaces (such as basements)
- Doesn’t leak water from the hose connector
Cons
- Although its usage is simple, the included instructions aren’t very detailed
5. Blue Wave Dredger Jr. 350 GPH Above Ground Pool Winter Cover Pump
The Blue Wave Dredger Jr. is a pump to remove water from pool cover pieces that are large and flexible. As you may know, the flexible covers seem to have the most issues with water buildup. You’ll be able to suck up the liquid in only a couple of hours with this product.
Review
Up to 300 gallons of water can be removed with the Blue Wave, all in about an hour’s worth of time. That’s pretty fast, and the rate is accurate. In short, this means that you’re not getting a pump that says it can do 300 in an hour but doesn’t deliver as anticipated. What’s specified is the correct flow rate.
Features
This pump has a very long power cord length that spans 25 feet total. You’ll be able to position the pump anywhere you want. It’s great for large pools that are wide or homes with few places to plug-in electrical appliances outside.
What consumers are saying
The Blue Wave will filter out all the bad water so nothing percolates through your cover. If you have one that’s cheap, this is a great product so get water immediately when it appears after a rainstorm. You’ll have to turn it off on your own, so keep this in mind if you’re looking for a pump that automates this feature.
Pros
- Removes water at a rate of over 300 gallons every hour
- The power cord length is 25 feet, great for people with large homes (or anyone with few places to plug in such a unit)
- Successfully filters out most leaves and other tree debris
Cons
- Must be manually turned off
6. Pumps Away 350 GPH Submersible Swimming Pool Winter Cover Pump
The Pumps Away 350 GPH Submersible is an automatic pool cover pump that’s built for mild and frigid winter weather. When your pool is not in operation from the cold, you’ll be able to keep the chlorine-filled water safe from seepage.
Review
With the Pumps Away, shallow is an understatement. You’ll find that this model will turn on when less than an inch of water collects on top of your cover. With this in mind, understand that the motor operates in an energy-efficient manner that doesn’t take too much power to run.
Features
You won’t have to make lots of adjustments to the pool’s position in most cases. Just throw it in your flooded area and let the unit do the hard work. It’s not loud at all, so run the machine at any time of the day (or night) that you wish.
What consumers are saying
Overall, consumers loved how the Pumps Away 350 performs on pools that are filled with cold, slushy water. If you settle on this product, it won’t be long before your cover is completely dry.
Pros
- Pumping works on water pools that are less than an inch deep
- Minimal adjustments for clearing away debris from the pump is needed
- Produces hardly any noise at all, especially when the pump is underwater
Cons
- Doesn’t appear to pump out water at the rate that’s claimed by the company
7. Little Giant 500500 1-AA-18 Submersible Cover Pump
The Little Giant 500500 is a great submersible pool cover pump for warm and cold climates alike. Lightweight and easy to put together, it will stay in your backyard for years without succumbing to damage.
Review
The motor won’t break down when the water gets too hot or cold. Silent but fast, water pumps through the tube at a good rate of speed. Even if you were to tip the pump over, it would continue to work as if nothing happened.
Features
Since operation will resume regardless of the pump’s position (as stated in the last section), water will never collect in your pool for as long as you have the unit on top of your cover.
What consumers are saying
Most found the Little Giant 500500 to be great for pool covers that have debris on top of them. This could cause tipping, to which the pump here won’t stop working under such conditions.
Pros
- Its lightweight build is easy to handle and carry around
- Doesn’t break down when used in cold regions
- Continues to work regardless of the unit being tipped
Cons
- The power cord is very stiff and makes it more difficult to position the pump
8. Little Giant 5-APCP Automatic Pool Cover Pump
The Little Giant 5-APCP is a winter pool cover pump that can withstand nasty weather of all types, and continue to work with things clear up.
Review
If you have lots of snow where you live, the 5-APCP can get out liquid as soon as it melts. It also contains a plate that’s situated at the bottom. This will prevent the unit from tipping over when used in a location that has deep water.
Features
With the 5-APCP, you don’t have to limit what you can pump to a swimming pool. It’s safe to use this in any location that has flooding problems, including basements, driveways, patios, and overfilled ditches.
What consumers are saying
The best thing that consumers like about 5-APCP is its cord flexibility. You can position it anywhere and never leave it in an awkward stance. Use caution when it’s raining or snowing outside; water can get into the area where the adapter is plugged.
Pros
- Has a plate at the bottom of the unit that keeps it from tipping over
- Automatic and manual modes of operation for the pump
- The cord is flexible and doesn’t prevent the pump from being positioned in small spaces
Cons
- The air tube is located near the adapter outlet and could become damaged if water gets inside
Pool Covers Info
If you want a pool cover that’s durable and can hold up to winter weather, be sure that you do your homework before you decide.
The more that it rains, the better off you’ll be with something that’s completely automated. This will keep you from having to manually turn it on and off when water fills around your poo’s cover.
Factors to Consider When Buying Best Pool Cover Pumps
The best-rated pool cover pump products will usually have submersible features in common. With most, you’ll be able to keep it functioning even when the bottom is underwater. A few of them can even work if the main unit (with the engine) is tipped.
Pool cover maintenance will allow you to get better results than allowing it to accumulate with leaves and other small debris. While many pumps can filter these things out, some of them may work poorly and easily clog.
Pool Cover Pumps FAQs
How to get water off pool covers quickly?
Cover pumps can handle most of this for you, especially those that are automated. You’ll find that water never has time to build upon the top portion of your cover, minimizing stains and keeping the dirty water from seeping into your pool.
How are Pool Cover Pumps Cleaned?
Just a simple hose down (while avoiding the motor and adapter outlet) should be enough to get it clean again. If you have excessive debris on your cover, be sure that you check the inside to see if there are any leaves or tree bits on the inside, to prevent clogging from occurring.
Where else can Pool Cover Pumps be Used?
Pool pumps will work anywhere there’s a large amount of unwanted water buildup. You can pump water from your flooded porch, garage, and basement. Of course, some models are built more for alternative purposes so check with the manufacturer (or refer to the user manual) of the product that interests you.
Summary
Have you decided on which brand is best for your pool? It’s difficult to choose the best pool cover pumps without mentioning them all since all nine brands are shown to have their own individual advantages. But feature-wise, the Wayne 57729-WYNP WAPC250 maintains excellent pumping speeds and is great for all regions and climates.
However, don’t take that as some sort of a put down to the other eights shown. Collectively, they all perform well and will last a long time. Pick the pump that you want and say goodbye to standing water!
