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Best Sprinkler Pumps in 2022
Ever wondered how your neighbor keeps their lawn and garden beautiful? It’s not all about keeping out weeds and having better seeds. Sometimes, it’s as simple as keeping them watered to help them get the nutrients they need. Of course we all know this but such a task is often easier said than done.
This is where sprinkler pumps come to play. These pumps are just what you need whether you want a better pressure for your garden hose, properly running sprinklers, or both.
Keep your plants clean, and healthy with the help of the best sprinkler pumps chosen based on performance, price, and quality from among dozens of models across different brands. Don’t know anything about sprinkler pumps? Read our buyer’s guide below and learn everything you need to know on how to keep the grass greener on your side!
| GOULDS Irrigator | AMT Booster | Wayne PLS100 |
|---|---|---|
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Best for most people |
Best for larger systems |
Best for portability |
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Max flow of 88 GPM |
Max flow of 157 GPM |
Max flow of 14 GPM |
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Max pressure of 54 psi |
Max pressure of 77 psi |
Max pressure of 60 psi |
|
Editor Rating: 4.8 ★ |
Editor Rating: 4.6 ★ |
Editor Rating: 4.5 ★ |
The Best Sprinkler Pumps in 2021
Best sprinker pump for most applications
- Pros
- Can take water from lakes, rivers, shallow wells
- Max flow of 88 GPM
- Max pressure of 54 psi
- Max suction lift of 25'
- Easy to install and maintain
- Cons
- Cast iron housing will rust when it loses coating
Goulds is the way to go if you want a pump with the best set of performance, price, and reputation. Its IRRI-gator series is capable of max flow and pressure of up to 88 GPM and 54 psi respectively. It doesn’t matter if you’re taking water from a lake, a river, or a shallow well this pump will move it. The Goulds GT Irri-gator pump is built to ensure a perfectly healthy lawn.
It’s available in ¾ HP, 1 HP, 1 ½ HP, 2 HP, and 3 HP models to accommodate most systems. You can check out the pump curves from Goulds here.
Best against corrosion
- Pros
- Corrosion resistant housing material
- Max pressure of 69 GPM
- Max pressure of 50 psi
- Max lift of 25'
- Great price point
- Cons
- Durability can be improved
This Flotec sprinkler pump is capable of operating up to 30 sprinkler heads in the case of the powerful 2 HP motor model. Achieving a maximum flow, pressure, and lift of 69 GPM, 50 psi, and 25′ respectively. nWhat I like the most about it though is its build quality. It’s made with a rugged fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic that offers complete corrosion resistance.
The pump is available in 1 HP, 1 ½ HP, and 2 HP models with performance chart as shown from Pentair here.
Best for larger zones
- Pros
- Does the job of 2 or more pumps
- Max flow of 157 GPM
- Max pressure of 77 psi
- Stainless steel impeller
- Durable cast iron housing
- Cons
- A bit expensive
To water larger areas of grass, you need a powerful pump that can cover it. The AMT sprinkler booster pump is a self-priming cast iron pump equipped with a corrosion-resistant stainless steel impeller. The largest variant is capable of producing up to 157 GPM or 77 psi to help you cover the entirety of your lawn by doing the job of two pumps with one. The AMT sprinkler booster is available in 1 ½ HP, 2, HP, and 7 ½ HP (3 Phase).
Best portable sprinkler pump
- Pros
- Very affordable
- Max pressure of 60 psi
- Max flow of 14 GPM
- Stainless steel housing
- Great portability
- Cons
- Limited flow capacity
From Wayne comes my favorite portable sprinkler pump. The Wayne PLS100 is an awesome 1 HP pump you can use almost anywhere to power up your sprinklers, as long as there’s electricity. You can use it pump water from a tank, creek, or lake — all on the same day.
It’s a stainless steel pump with a max flow, pressure, and suction lift of 14 GPM, 60 psi, and 20’ respectively. Best used for a small set of sprinklers, it comes with the perfect mix of price, performance, and portability you can hope for.
Best for small gardens and mobility
- Pros
- Great for small areas
- Can be used anywhere with solar or battery
- Max flow of 5.5 GPM
- Max pressure of 60 psi
- Powerful for its size
- Cons
- Can only operate one sprinkler
This SEAFLO diaphragm pump is the ideal choice for small gardens and mobile spraying applications. It’s super compact but every last bit of it is filled with power. Add to that the fact that it’s a DC pump, you can have the ability to pump water anywhere as long as you have a battery or a solar panel. The pump can reach a maximum flow and pressure of 5.5 GPM and 60 psi respectively, good enough for a sprinkler or two.
Buyer's Guide
1. Power
The first thing to consider when buying a sprinkler pump is its capacity. The pump should be able to handle the flow and pressure needed by your system. If you don’t know how to size a pump, I’ll discuss it a bit more in detail below.
2. Water source
The source of your water should also be considered when choosing a pump. Different sources require different types of pumps for the best output possible. For example, if you’re taking water from a lake or river, a suction lift pump like the Goulds Irri-gator will do best. If, however, there’s any chance of flooding, a submersible pump would be preferable. A submersible is also great for deeper wells since it won’t have to do any sucking.
3. Build quality
Make sure to also consider the pump’s construction. Cast iron pumps are sturdy but they’re heavy and are prone to rusting after a few years. Thermoplastic pumps won’t corrode but they’re not as durable. Another type that’s resistant to corrosion is the stainless steel pumps. These are usually lighter than cast iron pumps but sturdier than thermoplastic pumps. They’re a lot more expensive though so you probably won’t find one specially for larger capacity pumps.
What is a sprinkler pump?
A sprinkler pump, often called a sprinkler booster pump, is used to provide water to sprinklers for irrigation purposes. It’s a popular method of irrigation since it minimizes manual labor and helps you use an otherwise inaccessible water source.
These pumps are commonly used in residential, commercial, and even industrial settings to provide water to plants in a large area with reliable consistency.
How does a sprinkler pump work?
Most sprinkler pumps use a motor that spins an impeller and impart velocity to the water. This velocity is converted to pressure with the help of the shape of the pump’s casing. The pressure allows the water to travel far and high through pipes that lead to a discharge point, often a sprinkler. Sprinkler systems are often divided into zones with valves that open interchangeably allowing the water to have enough pressure to reach the desired area.
How to size a sprinkler pump?
Sizing a sprinkler pump will depend on how much your sprinklers need. Typical sprinkler systems are divided into zones with the help of zone valves that open interchangeably. There are three important steps in sizing the pump:
1. Determine the GPM of the largest zone in the system
You can get the total amount of flow that a zone needs by adding the rated flow of each sprinkler nozzle. Different types of sprinklers will vary in flow so it’s best to check yours just to be sure.
2. Determine the pressure for the farthest or highest sprinkler
Typical sprinkler heads need around 30 to 50 psi to function properly. When sizing a pump, make sure the remaining pressure in your system is around that much after subtracting all the head losses. These losses result from friction and elevation. You can compute the amount using Pentair’s calculator.
3. Find a pump that can meet your requirements
When you have the required flow and pressure of your system, you’re ready to go look for a pump. Check the performance chart for all the pumps you’re interested in and plot in your required flow and pressure. The pump with the closest curve to the right will be the best fit for your system.