Sump pumps are a key part of your home’s maintenance as well as important protection against catastrophic water events. Water damage can be devastating to your home and expensive to repair. So we talk a lot about the best sump pumps around here behind the scenes at Water Advisor and we get a lot of questions about which units we recommend. Let’s talk about Zoeller sump pumps and take a look at our top three picks.
We recommend installing a water-powered backup like the Liberty SJ10 or a battery backup sump pump system to go along with your primary.
Table of Contents
Our Top 3 Zoeller Sump Pumps:
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Zoeller M63 Premium Series 5 Year Warranty Mighty-Mate Submersible Sump Pump, 1/3 Hp
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Zoeller 57-0001 M57 Basement High Capacity Sump Pump
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Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Submersible Sump Pump, 1/3 Hp
These pumps are all very similar in terms of performance. All of these are 1/3 horsepower units. The main differences between the will be in some of the materials, and therefore you can probably expect the lifespans to vary. The one with the highest build quality (as well as the 5-year warranty!) is the M63.
A little background on Zoeller — the company is based in Louisville, Kentucky and the pumps are made in the USA. Just mentioning that because for a lot of us, US-made is an important selling point. Zoeller is one of the best brands out there.
If you want to take a look at the competition then I would suggest looking at the Wayne units. (This is a great one and it includes the battery backup all in one unit.)
Zoeller M63 Premium Series 5 Year Warranty Mighty-Mate Submersible Sump Pump, 1/3 Hp
- Housing material : Cast iron
- Submersible
- Horsepower : 3/10 HP
- 1-1/2" NPT discharge
- Maximum discharge flow : 43 gym
Last update on 2024-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Some of this pump’s key features are the corrosion-resistant, powder coated epoxy finish; the float-operated, submersible, 2-pole mechanical switch integrating advanced switch technology; and the oil-filled, hermetically-sealed, automatic reset thermal overload protected motor. It runs quietly and installs easily. Performance rating is for up to 19.25 feet.
You can check out the installation instructions right here.
Zoeller puts these units through pressure testing after assembly, and it has permanently oiled bearings. The M63 will fit into basins sized 14 inches or larger. This unit doesn’t have any parts that you need to be concerned about with rust or corrosion.
Specs:
Max. flow rate: 43 Gallons Per Minute
Performance: See Chart
Motor: 3/10 HP
Voltage:115 V
Phase: 1 Ph
RPM: 1550 RPM
Max Operating Temperature: 130 °F (54 °C)
Cap: Cast iron
Motor Housing: Cast iron
Pump Housing: Cast iron
Base: Cast iron
Warranty: 5-year
Zoeller 57-0001 M57 Basement High Capacity Sump Pump
- 3/10 HP pump for residential sump pits or septic tanks
- 1½" discharge, passes 1/2" solids
- Automatic model with integral float switch
- Performance: 43 GPM at 5' TDH, shut-off: 19.25' TDH
- All cast iron construction with stainless steel guard and handle
Last update on 2024-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This unit shares a lot of the features that the M63 has. It has the corrosion-resistant, powder coated epoxy painted exterior. And it has an integral float switch, and has been pressure tested. It passes 1/2 inch solids due to the non-clogging vortex impeller design. It is watertight and dust tight. Performance at up to 19.25 feet.
Here are the install instructions so you can take a look at what’s involved if you haven’t done it before. (Many people buy the same or similar Zoeller pumps when it’s time for replacement after a few years or up to ten years or so, depending on the amount of use and other factors.)
Specs:
Max. Flow Rate: 43 Gallons Per Minute
Performance: See Chart
Motor: 3/10 HP
Voltage:115 V
Phase: 1 Ph
RPM: 1550 RPM
Max Operating Temperature: 130 °F
Cap: Cast iron
Motor Housing: Cast iron
Pump Housing: Cast iron
Base: Cast iron
Warranty: 3-year
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 2024-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Like the others, this one has the corrosion-resistant, powder coated epoxy painted body, oil-filled cooling, non-clogging vortex impeller, and performance at up to 19.25 feet.
Here are the install instructions for the M53.
Specs:
Max. flow rate: 43 Gallons Per Minute
Performance: See Chart
Motor: 3/10 HP
Voltage:115 V
Phase: 1 Ph
RPM: 1550 RPM
Max Operating Temperature: 130 °F
Cap: Cast iron
Motor Housing: Cast iron
Pump Housing: Cast iron
Base: Engineered thermoplastic
Warranty: 3-year
Let’s cover some FAQs that apply to all of these Zoeller pumps.
Some of these questions may seem very basic but I’m just trying to cover all the bases here. I hope this is helpful.
When will the pump start working?
The units will start pumping when water in the basic reaches about 4 to 6 inches.
Are these acceptable for potable water?
No, these are sump pumps, they are not meant to be used for drinking water. (The components are not rated as being safe for potable water.)
Are these pumps submersible?
Yes, all of these are submersible.
Are these pumps noisy?
When installed correctly, these sump pumps operate pretty quietly.
If I don’t want to install it who should I can to get it done properly?
Call a licensed plumber to do the installation.
How long is the power cord?
The cord is about 9 feet long.
Does this pump run on batteries?
No, this needs to be plugged in. It runs on your home’s power. You’re thinking along the right lines though, you do need a battery-powered sump pump as a backup so you don’t have to worry about flooding during a power outage.
How much will the pump be actually running?
It depends on your conditions. Groundwater levels can vary due to a variety of circumstances and it’s not possible to guess the run time for your particular situation. These pumps are designed to run continuously if needed. In addition, it’s always a good idea to have a good backup pump.
Final Thoughts on Zoeller Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are an incredibly important part of protecting your home and avoiding expensive damage, insurance deductibles and hassles, and having possessions ruined. As such, it’s really not an area where buying the cheapest will do.
While all of these are good pumps, it’s not much more costly to get the best — the M63. I always say it and I’ll do it again every time, a sump pump is not an area where you want to cut corners. When you get the better quality pump, you can expect a longer lifespan out of it sue to its superior construction materials.
Photo by huggleperson 