Best Power Inverters for Sump Pumps 2024: Battery backups rated
From budget to fully automatic inverter chargers, find the best sump pump inverter for your home
If you’re one of the countless homeowners worried about your sump pump failing from power loss and flooding your home, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll talk about power inverters — what they are, how they work, and what to look for when choosing them.
Of course, we’ll also dive into the best ones available in the market depending on what your priorities are. These choices are based on our research and chosen in terms of performance, features, price, and customer feedback. Now, let’s dive deep into it.
Table of Contents
| PumpSentry 822PS | PumpSpy Backup | AIMS PICOGLF1250W |
|---|---|---|
|
Best overall |
Best value |
Best features |
|
1200W (25A surge) |
1500W (21A surge) |
1250W (31A surge) |
|
Auto switch & 20A charger |
Auto switch & 10A charger |
Auto switch & 35A charger |
|
Editor Rating: 4.9 ★ |
Editor Rating: 4.7 ★ |
Editor Rating: 4.6 ★ |
How does a power inverter work?
A power inverter is a device that converts and amplifies the 12V DC power stored in batteries to 120V AC power (the power from your outlet) which is what your typical sump pump needs. The ones made for sump pump applications usually have a transfer switch and charger for automatic operation of the pump. When the power goes out, the switch transfers the power source from your outlet to the battery allowing the pump to run. When power goes back, it automatically switches back to normal and the charger does its magic.
Is this like a UPS for sump pumps?
A power inverter is basically a UPS for sump pumps. Unlike a UPS, however, you can use a separate, larger capacity battery to supply power for your sump pump which is great for longer power outages.
Why use a power inverter instead of a battery backup pump?
The best power inverters for sump pumps
The best inverter charger for sump pumps
- Capacity: 4.8 ★
- Performance: 4.8 ★
- Build: 5.0 ★
- Features: 5.0 ★
Capacity: 1200W with 3000W surge|Power: Modified sine wave optimized for motors | Auto transfer: Yes | Charger: 20A |Best for: Up to 1/2 HP pumps (3/4 HP for 1622PS)
- Pros
- Superb build quality
- Sleek and compact design
- Comes with battery cables
- Cons
- Pricey
If you have the budget and want a no non-sense solution to basement flooding, a PumpSentry is what you need. It’s a fully automatic inverter tailor-made for sump pump applications. And everything — from the sleek aluminum design, silent operation, and user-friendly interface — oozes quality.
The price is the only real blocker, as its price is higher compared to the alternatives which means it might not be for everyone. But if you’d rather pay a premium for that extra peace of mind, this is what you should be paying for.
Best bang for the buck alternative
- Capacity: 4.8 ★
- Performance: 4.9 ★
- Build: 4.7 ★
- Features: 4.5 ★
Capacity: 1500W with 2500W surge | Power: Pure sine wave | Auto transfer: Yes | Charger: 10A |Can run: Up to 3/4 HP pumps
- Pros
- More affordable than the PumpSentry
- Pure sine wave power
- Higher capacity running capacity
- Cons
- Slow charger
If you want to use an inverter but just can’t stomach the price of the PumpSentry, you should check out the PumpSpy Sump Pump Inverter. This seems to have the same specs as the popular Raybend sump pump inverter which is no longer available. Compared to the PumpSentry, this inverter is much cheaper yet is able to power up larger pumps (up to 3/4 HP) with pure sine wave power. That means power supply as clean as the one directly from your outlet, ensuring the pump runs smooth and quiet — helping it last longer.
The drawback is the slower charger which is half as fast as the PumpSentry at 10 amps. That’s a bummer but may not be a problem as long as there’s no back-to-back power interruption, in which case a backup battery (which you should have anyway) could help. It also doesn’t have as deep of a track record, although more and more people are giving it a chance given the possible savings and the slightly better performance. And from what we’ve seen, a lot of them are more than happy with that decision.
Best featured inverter charger for sump pumps
- Capacity: 4.8 ★
- Performance: 4.7 ★
- Build: 4.2 ★
- Features: 5.0 ★
Capacity: 1250W with 3750W surge | Power: Pure sine wave | Auto transfer: Yes | Charger: 35A | Best for: 1/2 HP pumps, some 3/4 HP
- Pros
- Crazy high surge capacity
- Clean power for better pump life
- Power-saving mode for optimized battery use
- Cons
- Bulky build
Dependable build quality
- Capacity: 4.5 ★
- Performance: 4.5 ★
- Build: 4.8 ★
- Features: 4.7★
Capacity: 1250W with 2500W surge | Power: Modified sine wave | Auto transfer: Yes | Charger: 30A | Best for: Up to 1/2 HP pumps
- Pros
- Rugged quality
- Reasonable price
- Faster charger for frequent power outages
- Cons
- Surge capacity isn't as high
If you’re looking for a great alternative to the PumpSentry, the PowerVerter APS1250 should be at the top of your list. It provides 1250W of continuous power for pumps up to 1/2 HP. It also sports a faster charger that’s perfect if you live somewhere with frequent power interruptions.
The PowerVerter APS1250 is a heavy-duty power inverter designed for a variety of applications. But this isn’t as great as it sounds. That’s because it means it misses a few touches that makes the PumpSentry, which is a specialist, stand out. One example is the lower surge capacity that would’ve been really useful for starting inductive loads like sump pumps.
There is a reason, however, that this was chosen as the next best — it has exceptional quality. And the fact that it’s from a trusted brand in power solutions might be why. So if you’re on a budget and happen to have a softer starting pump, this is for you.
A pure sine wave non-automatic inverter great for non-critical areas
- Capacity: 4.9 ★
- Performance: 4.8 ★
- Build: 4.2 ★
- Features: 4.0★
Capacity: 2000W with 4000W surge | Power: Pure sine wave | Auto transfer: No | Charger: No
- Pros
- High running and starting capacity
- Comes with battery cables and fuse
- Clean power supply for long lasting pump
- Cons
- Draws 1.5A while on standby
- Not automatic
If you can live without the auto switch and charger, the WZRELB power inverter is a wise choice. With pure sine wave power output at 2000W, you’ll have plenty of power to run a sump pump plus a couple of other appliances on top of it. A total lifesaver specially in times of disaster. Although it lacks the complete convenience you get from the others, it makes up for it in terms of extra capacity, a pure sine wave power, and a much better price.
An affordable inverter from a trusted brand
- Capacity: 4.9 ★
- Performance: 4.5 ★
- Build: 4.2 ★
- Features: 4.0★
- Pros
- Great capacity for a sweet price
- Comes with battery cables
- 2 years of warranty
- Cons
- Not automatic
From a trusted battery brand comes this affordable power inverter. The Energizer power inverter is capable of producing 2000W and 4000W of continuous and surge power respectively. It’s packed with the same quality as all their products and even backed by a two year warranty. It doesn’t produce pure sine wave and it’s not automatic but for the people that can live with that — you’ll be happy with this.
The best 24V inverter charger for those who need extra power
- Capacity: 5.0 ★
- Performance: 4.9★
- Build: 4.3 ★
- Features: 5.0★
- Pros
- Very high power output
- Clean power you can also use for electronics
- Double the voltage, half the current
- Cons
- Pricey
- Huge
A higher voltage is a great help in a lot of circumstances. Particularly when you have higher loads. AIMS once again delivers with a pure sine wave power inverter capable of producing up to 3000W of power. Perfect for larger pumps plus a few other appliances in your home. This is for a niche audience though, it’s not for everyone. For this size, many people usually opt for a generator. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, however, this is perfect.
What to look for in power inverters for sump pumps?
Most people aren’t familiar with power inverters so we’ve put up five key factors to keep in mind when choosing one.
1. Capacity: How many watts(W) do you need?
First to consider is if it can successfully run your pump. There’s no point in buying an inverter that overloads the minute the pump starts causing your basement to flood. To avoid that, we’ll discuss sizing in more detail in the next section.
2. Power type: What's pure and modified sine waves?
Inverters produce different qualities of power. Pure sine wave power is ‘clean’ and has the same, or even better, quality than the one from your home’s outlet. It makes the pump run better which translates to a longer life. Although it’s preferable, it’s not exactly a requirement. Pumps are simple enough and don’t usually have sensitive electronics that could get damaged easily.
3. Build: Why does it matter?
You need a high-quality inverter with a sealed enclosure and high quality electronics since we’re expecting moisture in the basement. Using cheap inverters may not only cause flooding, it could pose a risk to you and your family as well.
4. Features: What makes an inverter truly great?
The best inverters to use for sump pumps have auto transfer switches and chargers that make everything automatic. When there’s a power outage, the switch automatically changes power source from grid to battery. Allowing the pump to run like normal. When the power returns, it changes the source back to the grid and the charger does its magic.
5. Price: How much is too much?
You can find many inverters with all the points above but they won’t be worth buying if they cost too much. That’s why we tried to find those with the best value for the price and offered alternatives depending on what you’re looking for.
How to size an inverter for your pump
How to size the battery
If you have an 5A/120V pump, that would be around 600 watts. To pull that amount of power with a tenth of the voltage at 12V, you’ll need ten times the amount of current at 50A. Including losses due to efficiency, you’d need a 75AH of battery to run the pump straight for an hour.
The best type would be a deep cycle battery. It works best with the load characteristics of sump pumps. Don’t use car batteries as they’re not fit for the application. Also, make sure your cables are rated to handle the amount of current passing through them. The manufacturer usually states the recommended size in the manual.
How to install a power inverter for sump pump
- Find a dry and well-ventilated space a few feet near the sump pit to install the unit.
- Secure the battery in a battery box to keep it protected.
- Turn the inverter’s switch off.
- Connect red (positive) battery cable to red terminal of the unit and black (negative) battery cable to the black terminal.
- Plug the pump into one of the outlets in the inverter.
- Plug the inverter to one of the AC outlets of your home.
- Turn the inverter switch on.
- Test the system by unplugging the inverter from the outlet (simulating a power outage).
Conclusion
Using power inverters for sump pumps is a wise choice specially when it comes to convenience. Without hiring a plumber or even getting your hands wet, you get to enjoy the benefits of a flood protected home during power outages.
It’s still not as well-known as battery backup pumps but more and more people are starting to convert — specially those with large amounts of flooding. They might cost more but the benefits are usually worth it. But you really don’t have to choose between the two. If you really want a well-rounded protection, you can combine their strengths to combat their weaknesses.
If you want the best power inverter you can get, take a look at the PumpSentry. It’s hard to go wrong with it and plenty of people trust their basements with it. But if that initial investment is too much for you, the PumpSpy is also a great alternative.
How about you? Do you have any experience with using any of the inverters above? Are there other inverters you’d like to add to the list? Is there anything you’d like to ask about? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
3 thoughts on “Best Power Inverters for Sump Pumps 2024: Battery backups rated”
Is there such a thing that you can hook a sump to a car battery to run it for a very short time during heavy rain and not a lot of water to move?
Hi Keith, you’re looking for a DC backup pump. These pumps can run on batteries, although a certain type (deep cycle battery) is preferred than the one commonly found in cars.
This seems like an excellent quality inverter/charger at an incredible price point. Aims Power Model #PWRIC1500W.