Best Battery Backup Sump Pump Reviews For 2024

How to Choose the Right Battery Backup Sump Pump

Battery Type

Because we’re looking at battery-operated backup pumps, one of the most critical elements will be the quality of the battery it has. When checking out different models, you will notice that a lot of them highlight the fact that they are low-maintenance or that they are maintenance-free. However, we want you to understand what’s going on inside the battery so that you can make the right decision for your needs. Here are some common elements to pay attention to when picking out the right battery backup sump pump.

Deep Cycle

When looking at various models, you may notice that a lot of them resemble a standard car battery. However, one thing to remember is that if your backup pump activates, it will drain the unit, forcing you to recharge it. With most batteries, this constant use and reuse wears down the internal components, meaning that you have to change it more often. Deep cycle batteries, however, are designed for this. So, when choosing a model, you will want to make sure that it is rated for deep cycle use. Typically, batteries that are built for RVs and boats will be deep cycle, so look for units that are designed for those situations.

AC/DC Power

Typically speaking, a battery backup sump pump will only kick in when the power shuts off. However, you can also buy a model that will activate if your regular sump pump isn’t working properly (or is overflowing). In that case, you don’t want to be running off of battery power if you don’t have to. The primary danger of doing this is that you could forget to recharge the unit (particularly if you weren’t aware that it was working), meaning that it may be dead when you need it most. Some models are designed to draw electricity when it’s available and keep the battery charged as a reserve. Thus, you never have to worry about experiencing flooding because your backup was out of juice.

Wet Cell

For the most part, new batteries are fully sealed. However, you can still find “wet cell” versions that require distilled water every so often to ensure that the internal components don’t dry out. While these batteries can be more affordable than higher-end versions, it’s usually not worth the added maintenance. For example, if you forget to check the battery and it runs dry, the system could short out.

Sealed

There are two types of sealed batteries - absorbed glass mat (AGM) and gel. Both of these versions are excellent because they require no input from you, and they are built to last a long time without corroding or wearing down. Overall, what matters most is the manufacturer, as that will dictate how well the unit performs. Thus, if you buy a cheaper model from a brand you don’t know, you could be creating problems for yourself down the road.

Flow Rate

When you picked out your sump pump, one of the first things you should have paid attention to was the flow rate. The reason that this is so crucial is that it ensures your interior spaces can be kept dry at all times. If you have a pump with a flow rate that doesn’t keep up with the size of the area, then there’s almost no point in having one. Unfortunately, one mistake that many people make is choosing a battery backup sump pump that is not the same size as their original version. Because it’s a backup and won’t be used as often, users believe that they can get away with a smaller model. However, if your primary pump fails, then why are you going to choose something that can’t keep up? If you have a backup with a substantially lower flow rate, you will still experience flooding, even if it’s only handling the overflow. Overall, you should try to match your current sump pump if possible to avoid this issue.

Float Switch

If you want your backup sump pump to activate when your regular unit is overwhelmed, then one of the best ways to do that is with a float switch. This mechanism will sense when there’s too much water and ensure that your backup kicks into gear. If you want to make the most out of your float switch, you’ll make sure that your pump can run on electricity as well as a battery. That way you don’t have to worry about draining it.

Who Needs the Best Battery Backup Sump Pump?

If you have a sump pump in your home already, then it’s always a good idea to have a backup. However, if you notice that your sump pump rarely gets used, then you may be able to forgo installing a secondary unit. Anyone who still experiences flooding with a sump pump already in place should automatically have a battery backup model to help cover the overflow and protect the property at all times.

Final Verdict

When choosing the best battery backup sump pump, you have to be sure that it will work well in your situation. Thus, we want to provide you with our top picks for both large and small areas so that you’re prepared in either case. For Large Basements: you can’t go wrong with the Wayne ESP25. It has an incredible flow rate, and the smart charger will ensure that your system stays in good shape for years to come. If you don’t have a sump pump already, then you may prefer to get the two-in-one model instead.

For Small Basements: we like the compact unit from Hi & Dry. The construction and design of the pump are clever, and it will ensure that you don’t have to worry about it at all.