If your home needs a sump pump due to a high water table or storm water issues, you should take a careful look at what’s on the market so you get a good piece of equipment that will work reliably and last. In this article we’re going to take a look at Wayne vs Zoeller sump pump models as these are two of the most commonly used brands out there.
My advice is to stick with these trusted brands. You should also shop for a sump pump with information on hand such as what the sump pit diameter is in your home and how much pumping capacity you need.
Also, buy the best you can afford. A sump pump isn’t the time to cut corners in terms of expenses. It can save you from serious losses.
Two common sump pumps to shop for are a 1/2 HP unit and a 1/3 HP unit. So we’re going to stack up the Wayne vs Zoeller sump pump 1/2 HP units and then look at the 1/3 HP pumps. Should be enlightening!
I know that when I shop for equipment I usually narrow down to the two top contenders for what I’m looking at. In the case of sump pumps, the models below are some of the best-selling and top-rated ones on the market.
Zoeller and Wayne are both established companies with long track records, with Wayne established in 1928 and Zoeller in 1939. Both are American companies, with Wayne established in Indiana and Zoeller in Kentucky. Both brands are trusted, go-to companies for sum pumps and other equipment.
Here we go. Round one is the 1/2 HP comparison.
Table of Contents
Wayne vs Zoeller 1/2 HP
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
And now we’ll look closer at each of them.
WAYNE CICDU800 1/2 HP Heavy Duty Cast Iron Submersible Sump Pump
- Assembled in the US with foreign and domestic parts
- Tested to 1 million cycles*
- 1/2 HP max flow 5100 gpm 3840 gpm @ 10 ft
- All cast iron construction for maximum durability and long life
- Top suction design eliminates air locks and minimizes clogging
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This heavy duty Wayne submersible sump pump features epoxy-coated all cast iron construction and extra quiet running. It has upper and lower ball bearings inside of a sealed oil bath, making for extremely silent operation. This is a durable, reliable unit that you can expect to get a long, trouble-free life from. The top suction design of this sump pump eliminates air locks and keeps clogs to a minimum. Integrated vertical float switch.
The eight-foot power cord is water resistant.
It has a 3-year limited warranty.
Dimensions are 9.75 x 9.75 x 13.75 inches.
11-inch minimum sump basin size recommended.
Zoeller 98-0001 115-Volt 1/2 Horse Power Model M98 Flow-Mate Automatic Cast Iron Single Phase Submersible Sump/Effluent Pump
- 1/2 HP pump for residential sump pits or septic tanks
- Automatic model with integral float switch, 1½" discharge, passes 1/2" solids
- Performance: 72 GPM at 5' head, shut-off: 23' TDH
- All cast iron construction with stainless steel guard and handle
- 100% factory tested
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This Zoeller unit has an expoxy-coated all cast-iron construction with a stainless steel guard and handle. In addition, the screws and seal assembly are stainless steel. It has a vortex impeller that won’t clog since it allows small solids to pass.
The Zoeller M98 warranty policy says: “12 months from date of installation or 18 months from date of manufacture (on most Zoeller pumps), whichever comes first.” You will have a date stamped on the unit you buy which will determine your warranty period.
The dimensions are 10.8 x 8 x 12.3 inches.
The Winner of This Matchup Is…
Due to its heavier-duty build, super silent operation, much better warranty, and honestly, much more consistently good reviews…
the winner of this sump pump matchup is the Wayne.
Next for round two we have the 1/3 HP units.
Wayne vs Zoeller 1/3 HP
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Now here’s more detail on both of these pumps.
WAYNE CICDU790 1/3 HP Heavy Duty Cast Iron Submersible Sump Pump
- Assembled in the US with foreign and domestic parts
- Tested to 1 million cycles*
- 1/3 HP max flow 3800 gpm; 3420 gpm @ 5 ft
- All cast iron construction for maximum durability and long life
- Top suction design eliminates air locks and minimizes clogging
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Like the 1/2 HP Wayne we discussed earlier, this one has a durable epoxy-coated cast iron build and the integrated vertical float switch. The unit runs very quietly, and they say it in their literature and it’s really true — you won’t even know it’s running. If you like to know each and every time your sump pump runs because it lets you stay in tune with any water situations you need to monitor, then I suppose that would be a drawback. However, if you get the right sump pump for your home and you have a backup system in place then you shouldn’t have to worry about it.
This one also has the top-suction design that keept the unit from getting air-locked and prevents most clogs.
As with the 1/2 HP unit, it includes an 8-foot water resistant power cord. Installs easily into sump basins at least 11 inches in diameter.
Three-year warranty.
Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Submersible Sump Pump, 1/3 HP
- Automatic with float activated switch
- Non-clogging vortex impeller design
- Durable cast iron switch case, motor, and pump housing
- Cast iron switch case, motor, and pump housing, plastic base
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Zoeller M53 has a cast iron switch case, motor, and pump housing, while the base is plastic. It has a plastic vortex impeller. It requires a basin size of at least 18 inches in diameter.
Like the Zoeller M98 above, the warranty date is 12 months from the install date or 18 months from date of manufacture, whichever comes first. When it arrives, it will have a date stamped on it so take note when you receive it.
Nine-foot power cord.
7.8 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches.
The Winner of This Matchup Is…
Again, we’re going to go with the Wayne. The things that make it stand out from the Zoeller are the extremely quiet operation (though the Zoeller is pretty quiet also) and especially the warranty. The Wayne has a three-year warranty while the Zoeller company for some reason insists on having a 12-year or 18-month system in place. It kind of makes it sound like they just want the warranty period to be over as soon as possible, as if, I don’t know, they don’t have the type of confidence in their products that could get them to spring for a three-year warranty period? I’m not sure what the thinking is there. I’m not saying the don’t have confidence in their sump pumps. But I do think a stronger warranty would help. And from the research, there are some cases where customers had some trouble (or failed completely) in getting the Zoeller warranty honored.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, when comparing these Zoeller and Wayne sump pumps there are a lot of similar features and specs but there’s sure to be one that matches your criteria the most closely. Like we said in the intro, it’s a good idea to get the best sump pump you can afford since it’s such a key part of keeping your home free from trouble.
Photo by mrnash 
