Best Pool Pump – Best Variable Speed Pool Pump Review

Top 4 Best Pool Pumps


Undoubtedly, we cannot deny the aesthetic benefits of having a swimming pool in our homes or environs. What many may not be aware of, especially if they are just visitors to the pool, is one of the most essential components of the swimming pool – the pool pump. Basically, this pool pump is often referred to as the heart of the swimming pool. For this reason, it is paramount to have one of the best pool pumps installed in your swimming pool.

There are two main parts of the pool pump; the wet end and the electric motor. Just as the name implies, the wet end is the part that gets submerged in the water. This wet part is separated from the electric motor by a ceramic seal. It is generally advised that this electric motor is kept safely away from any water contact.

The pool pump has a pump housing which serves to hold water. Some of these best pool pumps are designed to have auto-priming features. During operation, this pump housing is filled with water which creates the necessary pressure for water to be sucked out. When it is not in operation, usually the pump housing is either still filled with water or partially filled.

These best pool pumps are purchased with a key factor in mind, which is its performance. Like other best pool pump, the pool pump varies from one another by their performance capabilities which are measured in litres per minute. These differences are often seen in its pipe size, filtration equipment, horsepower, and also distance from the pool.

Top 4 Best Pool Pumps on the Market

Product

Image

Price

Our Rating

Hayward SP2607X10 Super Pump 1-HP Max-Rated Single-Pool Pump

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Pentair 011017 IntelliFlo VS+SVRS High Performance Pool Pump with Safety Vacuum Release System, 3 Horsepower, 230 Volt, 1 Phase – Energy Star Certified

$$$$

Hayward SP3400VSP EcoStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump Energy Star Certified

$$$$

Pentair 340039 SuperFlo High Performance Single Speed Pool Pump, 1-1/2 Horsepower, 115/230 Volt, 1 Phase

$$

Reviews of four Best Pool Pumps

1. Hayward SP2607X10 Super Pump 1-HP Max-Rated Single-Pool Pump

This is one of the best pool pumps for in-ground pools because of its efficient and dependable circulation performance. It is ideal for all sizes and types of pols. Its high performance and heavy duty operational working capabilities ensures a smoother and quieter operation. It guarantees easy access to its internal parts with an easy cover removal. The cover removal is also designed in such a way that one could see when the basket is in dire need of cleaning. To avoid clogging or fouling, this pool pump comes with an anti-corrosion impeller with wider openings. As a self-priming pump, it is able to lift water up to 10 feet above water level.

Editor’s Rating

2. Pentair 011017 IntelliFlo VS+SVRS High Performance Pool Pump with Safety Vacuum Release System, 3 Horsepower, 230 Volt, 1 Phase – Energy Star Certified

This product is super quiet when in operation and also very energy efficient. This is made possible by its four variable speeds feature. To prevent overheating, power problems and other associating problems, it comes with an inbuilt diagnostic protection. The pool pump is very easy to program and operate and easily compatible with suntouch, intellitouch, and easytouch. In a situation where the drains are blocked, this product comes with an inbuilt safety release system. This system automatically detects and shuts down the pump in such cases. It allows for flexibility in programming speeds for several operations. From spa jets, heating, water features, filtering, to cleaning.

Editor’s Rating

3. Hayward SP3400VSP EcoStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump Energy Star Certified

This product comes with an advanced hydraulic design. This makes it worked effectively and quietly when in operation. For an even quieter operation, its motor speed can be reduced. The product comes with a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) that functions to avoid the possibility of suction entrapment. What this translates to, is the fact that the product does not need any other additional plumbing or any other device. The product has an advanced control interface that cannot just be wall mouthed but can rotate in four different positions. This pool pump is easily programmable and comes with about eight custom speeds and a 24-hour time clock.

Editor’s Rating

4. Pentair 340039 SuperFlo High Performance Single Speed Pool Pump, 1-1/2 Horsepower, 115/230 Volt, 1 Phase

This pool pump is ideal for lower operating cost without compromising on the effectiveness and efficiency of moving water. It comes with a very superior internal flow design that allows for quiet operations. It comes with a heavy duty motor and thick walled body parts. Maintenance is less stressful because it comes with an oversize strainer basket. This means the time interval for cleaning and maintenance is longer. The bucket cover also has an easy see-through to help tell when cleaning is needed. This pool pump is self-priming and easy to operate. It comes with a one year manufacturer warranty.

Editor’s Rating

Benefits of Using a Pool Pump

As earlier stated, pool pumps are basically the heart of any swimming pool. They function to keep the pool clean and neat at all times. No matter the size or type of swimming pool, walking in to see its water dirty or filled with particles is a huge turn off for anybody. For this reason, there has to be a way to efficiently and effectively keep the water clean. Ideally, swimming pools are designed to be in-ground and would not effectively drain under gravity. This is what these best pool pumps are designed for.

Installing a pool pump is one thing, knowing the exact performance needed is a totally different thing. For this reason, there are several types of pool pumps available in the market which differs from one another in flow rate. So with a bigger swimming pool, a greater pool pump with higher performance capability would be needed. These pool pumps come with filtration systems which allow particle materials to be filtered and drained out of the swimming pool.

How to choose the best pool pump

Just like any other pump, buying a good pool pump would require some knowledge on some certain factors. For most people, they tend to leave this buying part to professionals because of the technicalities involved and the knowledge required. This shouldn’t be the case as a good research would avail one with the necessary information required. So to begin, one has to start from the basics.

Understanding basic terminologies

When it comes to pumps and pressure, there are some common terminologies one has to acquaint oneself with. These terminologies include GPM (Gallon per Minute), Head, Flow rate, Resistance, Turnover, and Pool capacity. With these terminologies fully understood, one would be able to know the difference of one pool pump to the other.

Make necessary calculations

If you are one to dread maths and all its variations, this may seem like a big turn off. Once the pool pump terminologies are fully understood, proceeding further with calculations would be much easier. These calculations would include

– Calculate the pool capacity

You would need to calculate the average pool depth, pool capacity for circular pool, pool capacity in relation to the shape of the pool.

– Calculate the flow rate

This can be calculated by dividing the pool capacity by the turnover rate in minutes. With the calculated flow rate, it would be easy to know the type and size of filter to be installed on the pipes.

– Calculate the resistance

This is done to calculate the required pressure needed to run through the pipes. For a more detailed formula for calculating the resistance, make an detailed research on the subject.

Operating cost for using a pool pump

The next thing to take into consideration is the operating cost. With the results from the above calculations, one should already know the type of pool pump that would best fit their pool. Pool pumps with less power would obviously save more energy. The operating cost overtime should be what should be looked into and not just the energy saving initially. In the long run, the operating cost and cost of maintenance should be such that is ideal for the pool owner.

Type of pool pump

When it comes to performance and speed, there are three main types of pool pumps. These are the two speed pump, four speed pumps, and the variable speed pump. Knowing the best pump speed that would be ideal for your pool is as important as installing a pool pump itself.

Manufacturer’s brand

There are quite a number of pool pump brands available in the market. Just like any other purchase, the choice of which brand to settle for who b determined by several factors. These include preferences, price, quality, reputation, and performance capacity. So it is idea that you do a detailed research on all the available shortlisted brands. If you are working under a budget, you may want to look for a brand that does not compromise on quality and still has pool pumps with efficient performance.

Tips for using a pool pump

For most people, a swimming pool is one large beautifully designed hole in the ground. Unless one has a good understanding of the workings in a swimming pool, a pool pump will sound like a foreign space object. Yet, the pool pump is unarguably the most important component in a swimming pool. The pump is composed of an electric motor which functions primarily to drive the impeller.

When the impeller is working, it pushes water through the strainer basket and filter and right back to the water inlet. In other words, the strainer basket is also another important component of the pump. It is in this strainer that debris materials like leaves get captured to prevent clogging of the pipes. Once this is done, the resulting water heads straight for the filter(s).

These filters are generally regarded as high rate filters which consist of one or two large tank. In this tank, there is a thick bed at the bottom made from grade sand. The water being pumped enters into these tanks and with much pressure is pushed through this thick bed of grade sand. Since the debris material like leaves have already been caught by the strainer basket, whatever is left is caught by the grade sand. With common knowledge, if proper maintenance is not taken on these tanks, accumulated debris material would begin to slow down the water flow generally due to clogging. In some localities, there are laws that determine the time and pressure that the water should use in going through this system. For this reason, regular and proper cleaning practices are recommended.

When the filtering process is completed, the next is usually the addition of pool chemicals. Water is treated with chemicals to kill off existing pathogens and balance the chemical constituents in the water. A swimming pool with a wrong chemical balance can cause irritation to the human skin and is usually seen as cloudy. Adding some of these chemicals would also help in maintaining the pool’s pH over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

During the use or installation of the best pool pumps, there are series of questions on troubleshooting or solutions that one would need to get answers for. Here are just few of these possible questions many would want to know much about.

Can one perform a DIY for pool pumps?

During installation of pool pumps, is there any possible danger?

Can I service my pool pump without discounting from electricity?

 Is it safe for my kids to help switch on the pool pump?

 How often should I check for debris in the strainer basket?

What type of care should I give my pool pump?

Are pool pumps self-priming?

 What happens when the pool pump runs dry?

 Why is my pool pump not starting?

Do I need a strainer basket in my pool pump?

Conclusion


As beautiful as swimming pools may look to any environment, it is the level of care and maintenance that truly matters in the very end. This is what a pool pump was designed to do. It helps strain and filter debris from the water. The only way to achieve this efficiency is to have one of the best pool pumps installed in your swimming pool. There are quite a number of things to know before going out to purchase a pool pump. With a basic idea of these things, it would be easy to know exactly what type would suit your swimming size. There are also several brands of pool pumps available in the market today. The one to settle for would largely be determined by one or a combination of these; preferences, price, quality, reputation, and performance capacity. Whichever one you choose, ensure it is one of the best pool pumps out there.