A pond pump is the lifeline of any garden pond system.
It circulates water through the filter, spillway, and other pond installations. It also creates a continuous current, which encourages the fish to swim, and therefore they become healthy.
Most of the garden pond requires a constant water flow, therefore, the pump needs to be heavy-duty.
If you’re looking for the best pond pump to help you maintain your pond, then look no further. In this blog, we’ll cover the best pond pumps available today.
Whether you’re looking for a small pump for your mini garden pond or a large one, this guide will help you pick the most suitable one for your pond.
If you are in a hurry, our picks for the best pond pumps are –
- For 300-400 gallons Pond: FREESEA 160-1100 GPH Submersible Water Pump
- For 500 gallons Pond: PULACO 10Watt 160 GPH Submersible Fountain Pump
- For 1000 gallons Pond: GROWNEER 550GPH Submersible Pump
- For 1500 gallons Pond: VIVOSUN 800GPH Submersible Pump
- For 1800 gallons Pond: KEDSUM 880GPH Submersible Pump
- For 2000 gallons Pond: TetraPond Water Garden Pump
- For 3000 gallons Pond: Tetra Pond Debris-Handling Pump
- For 3200 gallons Pond: VIVOSUN 1600 GPH Submersible Pond Pump
- For 4000 gallons Pond: Pond Boss 2000 GPH Pump
- For 4200 gallons Pond: Alpine Corporation Alpine PAL2100 Cyclone Pump
- For 6200 gallons Pond: Alpine Corporation Alpine PAL3100 Cyclone Pond Pump
- For 8500 gallons Pond: Laguna Max-Flo Waterfall and Filter Pump for Ponds
- For 10000 gallons Pond: TotalPond 5100 GPH Waterfall Pump
- For 18000 gallons Pond: VIVOSUN 9000GPH Submersible Water Pump
Table of Contents
Best Pond Pumps With Reviews And Features
FREESEA 160-1100 GPH Submersible Water Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 160 GPH
- Lift Height: 3.6 ft.
- Power Chord: 5.9 ft.
For ponds up to 500 gallons, this pump delivers a strong, steady flow of water at a rate of 160 GPH with a lift height of 3.6 ft.
The Freesea submersible pump is designed to deliver a powerful flow of water in your pond. It is very energy-efficient and can help you save money on power bills. So, it is an ideal pump for small ponds.
The pump features four suction cups that will make it easy to install without any tools and save time and money. The pump comes with a 12-months warranty and the 5.9 ft. power cord is long enough to fit in most locations.
Freesea offers 5 different models of this pump from 160 GPH to 1100 GPH flow rate.
PULACO 10Watt 160 GPH Submersible Fountain Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 160 GPH
- Lift Height: 4 ft.
- Power Cord: 5.9 ft.
This submersible fountain pump is a great way to create a lovely mini pond with fountain in your garden.
It is very easy to install with 4 suction cups and it requires no special tools. And it is very easy to clean.
It features 12 LED lights, 4 colors (red, blue, green, yellow), and an ultra-quiet motor. So, it’s perfect for a quiet and relaxing experience.
The pump is powerful enough to raise water levels up to four feet. It is very compact so it can be placed on any flat surface, making it very easy to conceal. So, it is also suitable for any indoor fountain, small pond, garden, fish tank, aquarium, etc.
GROWNEER 550GPH Submersible Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 550 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 7.2 ft.
- Power Cord: 5.9 ft.
The Growneer 550 GPH Submersible Pump is an ideal choice for small ponds and water features up to 1200 gallons.
It has an adjustable flow knob to allow you to control the water flow rate and also features a lift height of up to 7.2 ft. so that you can create a waterfall or cascade in your pond.
The Growneer pump is very energy-efficient and its motor is UL 1081 certified, so it will last for years to come and the pump is built to deliver a strong suction.
This pump comes with three different nozzles, and they can be replaced with different nozzles for different water features. There are 4 suction cups that help to ensure that the pump stays firmly in place. And the power cord is long enough to reach any wall, and the power plug makes it easy to connect to the power source.
VIVOSUN 800GPH Submersible Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 800 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 10 ft.
- Power Cord: 6.5 ft.
The VIVOSUN 800GPH Submersible Pump is designed to deliver a maximum flow rate of 800 GPH, which is suitable for 1600 gallon ponds.
This powerful yet small-sized pump is easy to hide. It has a detachable and cleanable design, so it is easy to take apart and wash.
The VIVOSUN submersible pump is well-suited for use in ponds, fountains, waterfalls, or for use in any other water feature. It is a powerful yet energy-efficient pump and is designed to run continuously.
With the VIVOSUN pump, you can also create different water effects with the three nozzles, which include 0.51 in., 0.62 in., and 0.74 in. diameter nozzles. This will help you create a different look and feel of your pond and waterfall.
KEDSUM 880GPH Submersible Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 880 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 11.3 ft.
- Power Cord: 9.5 ft.
KEDSUM 880GPH Submersible Pump is extremely quiet and can provide you with up to 880 GPH of water flow, which can help you with any kind of water feature you might have in your pond or fountain.
The pump is equipped with 3 Outlet Adapters that allow you to adjust the water flow to suit your needs. So it is easy to choose the right water flow for your pond.
The rotor is made of polyacetal material, which is more durable than steel. It comes with a ceramics shaft and another additional steel shaft for replacement. And the suction cups on the bottom make it easier to attach the pump to a hard surface.
KEDSUM 880GPH Submersible Pump comes with a one-year warranty. For best results, use the larger tubing size to reduce friction and maximum water flow.
TetraPond Water Garden Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 1000 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 8 ft.
- Power Cord: 16 ft.
The TetraPond submersible pump has an energy-efficient motor with high efficiency of 90% to power your water garden pond.
It has a whisper-quiet operation so you can sit back and relax while you watch your beautiful waterfall or fountain cascade down with the gentle trickling sounds of the water in the background.
It is easy to clean and requires minimal maintenance, plus it is covered by a one-year warranty.
This reliable pump has a 16-foot power cord and will pump water from your pond up to 1000 gallons per hour.
Tetra Pond Debris-Handling Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 1500 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 11.4 ft.
- Power Cord: 15 ft.
The Tetra Pond Debris-Handling Pump is an ideal solution for ponds that need a clog-free pump. It can be used for filters or waterfalls and it has an integrated pre-filter cage that keeps large debris from entering the unit.
So it is a great pump for ponds where you want to avoid having to clean the pump frequently.
It has a 1500 GPH and is suitable for ponds up to 3000 gallons. This pump is UL certified. Therefore, you can run this pump continuously without any worry.
VIVOSUN 1600 GPH Submersible Pond Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 1600 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 13.7 ft.
- Power Cord: 20.3 ft.
The 1600 GPH Submersible Water Pump Pond Pump is an ideal pump for large ponds, and it comes with a convenient handle so you can lift and move the pump around your water feature.
The pump is very quiet and energy-efficient, and it has an extended service life. It can be used to power your pond, water feature as well as other applications.
The VIVOSUN pond pump is extremely versatile as it can be used to pump water from small ponds, fish tanks, and even from larger ponds. And since it has a removable filter, you can clean it easily.
The pump can easily be installed into your water feature in a matter of minutes.
Pond Boss 2000 GPH Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 1600 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 10 ft.
- Power Cord: 16 ft.
With a 2000 GPH flow rate, the Pond Boss 2000 GPH Pump is an ideal choice for ponds and water feature up to 4000 gallons.
The Pond Boss Waterfall Pump is designed for pond use with its anti-clog technology.
This pump is energy efficient and very quiet, which makes it ideal for pond installations.
It is also easy to install as there are no tools needed for the assembly process.
Alpine Corporation Alpine PAL2100 Cyclone Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 2100 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 10 ft.
- Power Cord: 33 ft.
The Alpine Corporation PAL2100 Cyclone Waterfall Pump is a high-performance pump that is designed for use in ponds up to 4200 gallons.
With 2100 GPH and an energy-saving design, this submersible pump will deliver an impressive flow for your pond.
The Alpine CYCLONE water pump comes with a large integrated pre-filter that keeps the debris out and increases efficiency. It is whisper-quiet, so you can enjoy the sound of your water feature without any annoying background noise.
The impeller is made of ceramic, which makes it resistant to corrosion, and has a long cord that makes installation and maintenance easy. It is covered by a one-year warranty.
Alpine Corporation Alpine PAL3100 Cyclone Pond Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 3100 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 21.5 ft.
- Power Cord: 33 ft.
The Alpine Corporation Alpine PAL3100 Cyclone Pond Pump is a highly efficient and reliable submersible pump for your pond or fountain.
It has a GPH of 3100 and has a powerful magnetic drive motor that ensures constant, reliable performance.
The pump is designed to run for many years on a single set of ceramic impellers, so it is one of the most durable pumps available.
It can also be used for water fountains in your pond, and as the unit is quiet, you can enjoy your water garden or feature without any annoying background mechanical noise.
The Alpine PAL3100 submersible pump comes with a large pre-filter for easy disassembly and ease of maintenance and has a 33’ long cord for convenient placement and accessibility.
Laguna Max-Flo 4280 GPH Pump for Ponds
Features:
- Flow Rate: 4280 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 14.8 ft.
- Power Cord: 25 ft.
For excellent performance and efficiency, the Laguna Max-Flo 4280 is a reliable and powerful pump for ponds. It is integrated with Smart pump technology that monitors the condition of different parts of the pump and ensures the best flow.
This pump is suitable for ponds up to 8560 gallons and will give you a great water flow, along with a waterfall, and also has a filter system that will ensure that your pond stays clean and healthy.
It features couplings diameter of ¾” 1″, and 1 ¼”. Therefore you can easily fit the most common size hose with it.
This pump can be used for ponds with a variety of features, as it is very easy to install and also offers a lot of flexibility. This pump can handle solids up to 3/8″ in size, therefore won’t clog easily.
TotalPond 5100 GPH Waterfall Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 5100 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 23 ft.
- Power Cord: 16 ft.
For large ponds to 10000 gallons, the TotalPond 5100 GPH pump is ideal.
The unique feature of this pump is its debris handling capacity. It is equally good at separating both large and small particles and the self-cleaning technology continuously cleans the impeller and bearing. The mesh barrier prevents debris from clogging and hence ensures maximum flow all the time.
With back spitting technology, TotalPond 5100 GPH pump is able to run continuously for a long time without overheating or wearing down.
The pump doesn’t overheat and hence can be run continuously. It comes with a 16-ft. power cord.
VIVOSUN 9000GPH Submersible Water Pump
Features:
- Flow Rate: 9000 GPH
- Lift Height at 0 GPH: 20.3 ft.
- Power Cord: 20.3 ft.
The VIVOSUN 9000GPH Submersible Water Pump is the perfect water feature pump for large ponds. It has an adjustable outlet direction and 20.3 ft long power cord, and it is compatible with 1 and 1.25” tubing.
With 9000 LPH pumping capacity, this pump is an ideal choice for ponds up to 20000 gallons. It is also very easy to use, and it can be installed quickly and easily.
The pump has a solid construction with silicon carbide material to reduce erosion and increase service life. It has an IPX-8 rated watertight design and comes with a pre-filter system.
Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Pond Pump
A pond pump is probably one of the most essential pieces of equipment in your backyard – it’s the thing that takes water from your pond and releases it into your garden.
Pond pumps come in different shapes and sizes, but the two main types are the submersible pond pumps and external pond pumps. The submersible pumps are typically built to last and offer better performance compared to the surface-mounted pumps.
The size of the pump you buy depends on how much water you need to release, and where you want to place it. A small pond will need a small pump while a large one will need a bigger one.
Cable length, build quality, flow rate, maximum height, and warranty are some of the things you’ll need to consider when buying a pump.
It should also feature an easy installation process so that you can install the pond pump yourself.
Again if you don’t want to buy a filter separately, then you should get a pond pump and filter system combo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pond Pump
How much should you spend on a pond pump?
Pond pumps come in a variety of prices, ranging from as low as $15 to $1,000+. The higher the price, the more powerful it is.
If your budget is $100 or less, then you can go for a basic model. Otherwise, if you need something more robust, such as a large koi pond pump, then you might want to invest more. But remember that, the larger your pond is, the more you will need to spend on the pump.
What are the types of pond pumps?
Different types of pond pumps are available for different types of jobs and conditions. Below are the most common types of pond pumps:
- Magnetic Drive
- Statuary Pumps
- Submersible Pump
- Solar Powered Pump
- Fountain Pumps
- External Pump
- Debris Handling Pumps
How do I find the best pond pump for my pond?
There are a number of different pond pumps available in the market today. However, if you want to get a high-quality one, you should ensure that it’s made of heavy-duty materials, good user experience, and has a long warranty period.
What are some good features to look for in a pond pump?
You should look for a pond pump with features like a good quality motor, lift height, low noise, and a warranty. These features will ensure that your pump runs efficiently and is durable.
If you want to adjust the flow and create a weave you can do that with a variable speed pond pump.
Do I need a pond pump?
As long as you are not building a naturally sustainable pond, you will need a pond pump. In most cases, garden ponds are small. Therefore, the water doesn’t circulate naturally. For this reason, most of the garden pond needs a pump
What is the best pond pump?
The best pond pump is the Submersible Pond Pump. It stays underwater and therefore, doesn’t overheat when run if continuously. On the other hand, being underwater, it doesn’t make noise. So you can enjoy a relaxing environment in your pond. This makes it a perfect choice for your pond or water feature.
What type of pond pump is best for a small pond?
Submersible Pond Pumps are the best pumps for a small pond. They are cheap and easy to install and requires less maintenance.
Is it better to use a centrifugal or submersible pump?
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. A centrifugal pump is placed above ground. Hence it is easier to access and maintain. It also offers more pressure.
On the other hand, a submersible pump is placed under the water. Hence it makes less noise.
Can I power my water pump with solar panels?
Yes. If you have a solar panel and water pump, then you can power your pump with the energy that is created by your solar panel. If the pump is DC powered, then you can directly power it, otherwise, you will need a DC to AC converter.
There are a number of models of Solar Pond Pump With & Without Battery Backup. It is wise to get one with battery backup if you need to run it at night.
How Long Does a Pond Pump Last?
In general pond pumps last approximately three years. But some can last up to five years. After that time the pump will probably need to be replaced. Clean pond pump regularly to have an extended life.
Are Solar Powered Pond Pumps Worth It?
Yes, they are. Many pond owners have installed solar-powered pond pumps. These pumps use the sun’s energy to power the pump. So, in the long run, you can save a good amount of money on the electricity bill. If you have a small pond, then you can get a solar-powered pond pump for it.
People also use solar fountain pump to create a beautiful landscape in their garden or yard.
How Do I Get Maximum Flow From My Pump
Every pond pump has a certain capacity. You can take some measures to get the maximum flow from your pump. To get more flow from your pump, make sure the lift height is less. The lesser the lift height the more flow you will have from the pump.
The flow also depends on the hose you use. Different size hose has different frictional resistance thus impacting the flow differently. You can read our guide on selecting the best pond hose to find the most efficient hose for your pump.
