It is easier to install a battery-operated backup sump pump during the installation process. However,what happens when you want to add a battery backup system to your existing sump pump?
What if you made a mistake and didn't think of a backup system? Normally, you would have to pull out your existing pump and install a dual pump system. It's easier said than done.
Let me introduce you to a much simpler way. Get the best battery backup sump pump on the market and use it as a secondary pump.
It's a good idea to have a secondary pump installed because most of the sump pumps that are dual pump systems have a weaker motor. When you lose power, that weaker pump has to work even harder, which might end up in a failure.
Image | Name | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Wayne WSS30VN Upgraded Combination (Best Choice) | ||
  | WAYNE BGSP50 Premium Wi-Fi Connected (Best Futuristic) | ||
  | Wayne ESP25 (Best Budget Pick) | ||
  | Basement Watchdog BWE 1000 Sump Pump Backup System | ||
  | Superior Pump 92900 Battery Backup Sump Pump |
5 Best Battery Backup Sump Pump Reviews
Here is a list of five of the top-rated battery backup sump pump reviews that are reliable, powerful, and easy to install.
1. Wayne WSS30VN Upgraded Combination - Best Choice
Say goodbye to basement flooding with the Wayne WSS30VN. With this unit, you only need to drop the pump in the basin, connect the pipes, and ready to go. From start to finish, the whole installation process takes about 15 minutes. That's how easy it is to set it up.
It's a powerful, pre-assembled, all-in-one backup sump pump system that will keep your basement safe when your main pump fails. When it comes to choosing the best battery powered sump pump, you can rely on WAYNE. A lot of plumbers will swear by this brand without any hesitation.
This battery-powered pump works flawlessly and runs super quiet. Make sure to hook this system up with two deep cycle marine batteries, and you will be good to go. As for the construction of this pump, it features cast iron & epoxy coated steel construction.
The 12V motor produces 1/2 HP, which is powerful enough to move up to 5100 GPH at 0'. As the height increases, the GPH will decrease. However, this pump can still maintain 900 GPH at 20'. Overall, this is a good pump to use as a backup system.
Pros
- Assembled in the USA
- Reliable backup pump
- Durable steel and cast-iron construction
- Smooth & quiet operation
Cons
- The float switch has a short travel
2. WAYNE BGSP50 Premium Wi-Fi Connected - Best Futuristic
The WAYNE BGSP50 is a state-of-the-art basement protection system. It's not just a new pump. Rather, it's a whole new system. This thing has two pumps. One is a backup on a battery, which you can check it with an app. Now, that's smart. This pump has Wi-Fi connectivity.
No matter where you are, you can always check your phone and tell whether the pump is working or not. You can even check it when the power goes out. When this pump kicks in, it has enough power to suck out a whole swimming pool worth of water, if it comes to that.
The Wayne Basement Guardian is dubbed as the best sump pump backup system on the market. It has two cast-iron constructed pumps that deliver super smooth and quiet performance. On a single charge, these pumps can move up to 11000 gallons of water.
To eliminate the most common sump pump failure, the WAYNE BGSP50 features an air switch, as well as two independent processors housed in an aluminum shell. There is also a backup float switch in case the main float switch messes things up. For the money, you won't find a better model than this one.
Pros
- Triple redundancy protection system
- One of the most reliable battery powered back up sump pumps
- Drop-in ready
- Premium protection guaranteed
Cons
- Expensive
3. Wayne ESP25 - Best Budget Pick
If you are on a tight budget, this model might be the one you should look at. The Wayne ESP25 is also assembled in the USA to guarantee a performance that lasts for years to come. Even though this one is our budget pick, you are not sacrificing any performance here.
When the protection of your basement is the main concern, you don't want to skimp on quality. This is where the Wayne ESP25 comes into play. It's a high-volume backup pump with a suitable and affordable price tag. This pump is easy to hook up and use.
As for the power, the motor is just as powerful as any regular sump pump. However, keep in mind that the installation process will require basic plumbing skills such as cutting PVC pipes, wiring to the battery, etc. Try to go with a nice AGM deep cycle battery for the best performance.
In terms of construction, the pump unit features a cast-iron base and epoxy coated steel body. You won't find any ordinary plastic components on the pump. The battery case features thermoplastic construction. On the case, there is an audible alarm and a display.
Pros
- Can move 2700 gallons of water per hour at 0'
- Built-in water alarm
- Thermoplastic Impeller
- Steel body and cast-iron base
Cons
- Use a good quality AGM battery instead of the Wayne one
4. Basement Watchdog BWE 1000 Sump Pump Backup System
I have somewhat mixed feelings about this backup system. If it works, then it works. If it doesn't, then you end up with a broken pump. The Basement Watchdog BWE is a hit or miss product. It has a strong pump, and the whole backup system is very reliable.
The only downside of this system is that you will need a really good marine battery. It's recommended that you use maintenance-free AGM batteries instead of wet cell batteries for maximum performance. Ironically, the cost of these batteries will be more than the unit.
Apart from that, you won't have any problem with the pump itself. It's a powerful and compact pump that fits easily next to your main AC pump. Thanks to its small shape, it doesn't take up much space.
One thing you need to keep in mind is that this pump isn't for every homeowner out there. If you are the type of person that simply wants a backup system to just pump out water on a small scale, this is the pump for you. No more, no less.
Pros
- Good for small scale use
- Compact form factor
- 2000 GPH pumping capacity at 0'
- Easy to install
Cons
- Not very reliable
5. Superior Pump 92900 Battery Backup Sump Pump
Last but not least, we have the Superior Pump 92900. This is a thermoplastic constructed backup sump pump that features a powerful 12V motor. The motor in this pump can easily lift 1380 gallons of water/hour up to 25' of vertical height. It's certainly more powerful than a lot of main sump pump system.
Let's talk about the electronic control panel. A good backup system is only as good as the electronic controller that comes with it. The control panel on the 92900 features an 87-decibel alarm, indicator lights, manual test button, polarity protection, and many more.
As for the design and build quality, the pump features thermoplastic construction. It's a durable type of plastic that's also corrosion resistant. This submersible unit features an intake screen that filters out dirt and debris from getting into the impeller.
The tethered float switch is connected to the alarm system. When the float switch is engaged, the alarm also gets activated. The on and off height of the switch is adjustable. Depending on the water level, the float switch starts and shuts off automatically.
Pros
- Comes with all the mounting hardware
- Can be installed alongside any sump pump
- Simple and effortless setup
- Quality and durable components
Cons
- Appears solid, not sure how it will perform in the long run
Choosing The Best Battery Backup Sump Pump | A Definitive Buyer's Guide
When there is a power outage during heavy rain & thunderstorm, a good backup pump is the only thing that can prevent your basement from getting flooded. When you have the best backup sump pump system installed, you can have peace of mind knowing that your basement is well protected.
In this section, we will talk about the key components that you should keep in mind when choosing battery operated backup sump pumps.
Battery
Since this guide mostly focuses on battery backup systems, the key component here is the battery. Most pumps in this list don't come with batteries, and for that reason, it's up to you to decide the type of battery you want. Or, to be more specific, the type of power system you want.
There are two ways you can go about this. One is that you can install a backup generator and connect your sump pump to your generator's power line. Two, you can go with the traditional battery backup system.
A third and less popular opinion is installing solar batteries. Now, the best route to take is to use AGM batteries. Now, this is the best type of batteries you can find, especially for sump pumps that feature technologically advanced systems.
AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat. From wet cell to marine grade to deep cycle and maintenance-free batteries, there are a bunch of them. To keep it short, go with maintenance-free AGM batteries.
These AGM batteries run longer and don't require constant maintenance. This makes these batteries the perfect choice for emergency backup sump pumps.
Construction
Battery operated sump pumps will be the only safety measurement when your existing pump malfunctions. This means it's equally important that the model you choose is durable and longer lasting.
Any sump pump, whether it's a backup unit or the main unit, needs to be constructed using the right material. In short, you want a sump pump that has a cast iron base and stainless-steel constructed body.
If you have the cash to spare and don't have any budget problem, always go with the most durable pump you can find on the market. A cheaper option is plastic, but under heavy load, the body might crack. In the end, it's not even worth buying them.
GPH
This indicates the pumping capacity of a sump pump. Almost every manufacturer will provide a GPH rating. In this case, the higher, the better. Your secondary pump needs to have the same GPH rating as to your primary pump.
When pumping large volumes of water, having a powerful motor with higher pumping capacity will ensure your basement stays dry and safe.
Size
You will want to get a pump that you can place alongside your main pump. As for the size, try to keep it similar to your existing pump. You should also ensure that your sump basin has enough space to hold two pumps at once.
What happens when you can't fit two pumps? Well, there are compact backup pumps out there that should do the job. If this is your first time buying a sump pump, I would suggest you get a combination sump pump with a battery backup option.
Additional Features
Last but not least, a good backup system should have some extra features for your peace of mind. If I were you, I would always invest in the most feature-packed emergency backup system out there.
For example, an LED display indicator, alarm system in case anything goes wrong, vertical float switch, a secondary float switch, Wi-Fi connectivity, etc. Keep in mind that the more features you want, the more you will have to pay. And you don't need all the features that I just said.
Types Of Backup Sump Pumps
Alongside your primary pump, you can actually use two different types of backup sump pumps. The most popular one is obviously a battery backup unit. The lesser popular option is a water-powered sump pump.
Now, not every homeowner can use a water-powered backup pump. We will talk more about that in the following section. But first, let's have a look at the two primary types of backup pumps and see why one of them is better than the other.
1. Battery Powered Backup Sump Pump
This the focus of this guide, so there isn't much to talk about. You already know what this is and why you need one. Now, while it is possible to connect a battery case (backup system) to your main pump, the process is a long one, and it's not worth the effort.
This is where a pre-assembled backup system comes into play. The unit comes completely ready to use. All you have to do is place the pump alongside your main pump and connect all the cables and pipes.
When the main pump fails, the backup system kicks in and starts pumping out water. A backup sump pump that is powered by a battery will also have additional features like alarm system, battery status indicator, and much more.
2. Water Powered Sump Pump Backup
Another popular option is a water-powered sump pump. Instead of relying on battery, these pumps utilize water pressure from your municipal water line to pump out sump water.
We have a separate guide dedicated to this type of sump pump. The only problem is that you will need to have a residential water supply with steady water pressure. Those of you that don't have a city water line, your only option is to go with a marine battery backup sump pump.
Now, this brings us to another important question. What is the best backup for a sump pump? The answer is simple, actually. If you don't have a city water line, an ac dc backup sump pump is your best bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I Need A Battery Backup For My Sump Pump?
If you only have one primary sump pump and nothing else to back that up, you will need a battery backup system. Not all primary pumps can be turned into a battery backup pump.
For this method to work, you will need a dual pump system. It's easier to get a new one and use it alongside your main pump instead of turning your existing pump into a battery backup pump. On a side note, you have a backup generator installed; you won't have to use a secondary pump.
However, by any chance your main pump fails, you won't have anything to prevent basement flooding. That's why it's a good idea to use a secondary pump with battery backup.
2. What Kind Of Battery Should I Use?
The best type of battery for sump pumps is the AGM battery. These batteries have different grades, and amongst them, the most preferred one is the maintenance-free AGM battery.
Alternatively, you can also use marine batteries as well. However, you will need to periodically check the condition of those batteries. If you can do that, you will find that marine batteries can be more reliable than any other type of batteries.
3. How Long Does A Battery Backup Sump Pump Last?
It depends on two conditions—first, the condition of your pump and second, the condition of your batteries. Most homeowners tend to neglect the maintenance parts. A well-maintained backup sump pump can easily last for years.
In addition to constant maintenance, the quality of your pump also matters. Avoid plastic pumps and make sure to get good quality steel and cast iron constructed pumps for a longer lifespan.
4. How Long Will A Sump Pump Run On Battery?
Most high-end sump pumps will run for 8 to 12 hours on a single charge, if not more. The running capacity will depend on the type of battery you choose. If there is heavy flooding, your backup pump will have to work even harder.
If you live in a place where heavy rain is common, go with something powerful with a longer runtime than average backup systems.
5. Can I Backup Any Sump Pump With A Battery?
No. It's not possible to backup any sump pump with a battery. As I've said before, you will need a dual pump system to achieve that. You can, however, backup any sump with a backup power source. For example, you can use a backup generator to provide power when there is a power outage.
There is, however, one way that you can connect batteries to your existing pump. For this method to work, you will need a device that will act as a sensor between your sump pump and the household electrical supply.
You will need to route the pump cables to the battery and the battery cable to the pump permanently. Then the battery acts as a UPS and will provide backup when the device signals it.
6. How Can I Connect Two Batteries Together?
You don't have to manually connect to batteries together. Most backup sump pumps will come with a battery case. You simply slide the corresponding batteries into that case, plug in the wires following the instruction on your user manual, and you will be good to go.
If you don't have a battery case and looking for a more DIY approach, you can wire batteries in two ways: Series and parallel connection. For a parallel connection, you will need jumper wires (two for + and -) to connect the positive and negative terminals of both batteries.
Remember that you are working with both water and electricity. If you don't have the skills or don't have enough confidence, don't take any risks. Hire a professional.
Conclusion
Ask any plumbing service company, and they will tell you that every winter and spring, they get tons of calls about basement flooding and failed sump pumps. Rain showers and thawing snow is the primary cause of basement flooding during these times of the year.
Winter power outages & storm-related power outages are becoming more common, and to protect your basement during these times, you will need the best battery backup sump pump.
If you want complete peace of mind during these events, go with the Wayne WSS30VN. This is the clear winner of this battery backup sump pump reviews.