Don’t Let Your Pool Cover Sink—These Pumps Are Lifesavers

A pool cover pump is essential for keeping your pool cover clear of rainwater, melting snow, and debris that can cause damage or lead to a messy cleanup in the spring. To find the most effective options, we tested seven popular models, evaluating their performance in real-world conditions, including heavy rain and leafy buildup in pools of various sizes.

Why does this matter? Even a durable pool cover can tear or sag if too much water or debris accumulates. A reliable pool cover pump helps extend the life of your pool cover while saving you time and hassle. After hands-on testing, the Acquaer PCP025 Automatic Pool Cover Pump earned our top recommendation for its powerful flow rate, built-in automatic sensor, and hassle-free setup.

Pool owners in rainy or snowy regions—or anyone else who wants to protect their investment—will benefit from finding a high-performing pump that suits their climate and cover type. Ahead, learn more about the different types of pool cover pumps and the features to look for when shopping for the best pool cover pump.

1. BEST OVERALL: Acquaer PCP025 Automatic Pool Cover Pump
   ↓ Jump to Review
2. RUNNER UP: Wayne WAPC250 Fully Submersible Pool Cover Pump 
   ↓ Jump to Review
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Swimline Hydrotools Pool Cover Water Siphon
   ↓ Jump to Review
4. BEST FOR HEAVY RAINFALL: Little Giant APCP-1700 Automatic Pool Cover Pump 
   ↓ Jump to Review
5. BEST MULTI-PURPOSE: Superior Pump 91014 Utility Pump
   ↓ Jump to Review
6. BEST FOR PORTABILITY: AgiiMan Pool Cover Pump
   ↓ Jump to Review

Pool Cover Pumps Comparison

Our Top Picks

The list below includes options suitable for both large inground pool covers and smaller above-ground pool covers to add to your pool supply kit. These pumps feature high flow rates and designs that make them easy to maintain. 

Our Ratings

When it comes to keeping your pool cover clear and protected, the Acquaer PCP025 Automatic Pool Cover Pump is tough to beat. This pump stood out during testing for its combination of power, reliability, and convenience. It’s a big, robust unit that’s ready to work—just place it on the pool cover and it automatically kicks on when it senses more than 2 inches of water. Once the job is done, it shuts off at around 0.4 inches, preventing unnecessary runtime and saving energy.

The 25-foot power cord provides plenty of flexibility to reach your nearest outlet, and although you’ll need to supply your own garden hose, the pump’s standard hose connection makes setup easy. We found it started pumping almost instantly when placed in standing water, with no priming or fiddling required. Overall, the Acquaer is a powerful and efficient pick that can handle everything from regular maintenance to heavy downpours.

What our tester says: “I just placed this unit on my pool cover and it got to work right away—no setup headaches. It’s powerful, dependable, and handled a heavy rain without breaking a sweat.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Acquaer pool cover water pump at Amazon or Aquastrong.

Our Ratings

The fully submersible Wayne WAPC250 offers impressive performance and shares many of the same strengths as our top pick. It’s designed to move serious amounts of water—up to 3,000 gallons per hour—with the help of its large 1.25-inch drain hose connection. An adapter is also included for standard 0.75-inch garden hoses, making it a versatile option no matter what kind of hose setup you use. With a 25-foot power cord and a stable, extended base that resists tipping, this pump is well suited for larger pool covers and heavy rainfall.

Like the Acquaer, the WAPC250 features an automatic on/off float switch that activates the pump when water reaches a certain level and shuts it off when the job is done. In testing, it worked just as well as our Best Overall pick, though it required a slightly higher water level before it started pumping. That’s a minor drawback, but worth considering if your goal is to keep your cover as dry as possible at all times.

Get the Wayne pool cover pump on Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.

Our Ratings

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to remove standing water from your pool cover, the Swimline Hydrotools water siphon is a simple yet surprisingly effective solution. Unlike electric or automatic pumps, this siphon-style tool requires no power—simply attach the included hoses, give the bulb pump a few squeezes, and let gravity do the rest. It’s lightweight, compact, and easy to store, making it ideal for pool owners who only need to deal with water buildup occasionally.

While it doesn’t offer the convenience of automatic models, the Hydrotools siphon makes up for it with its smooth, no-frills operation and affordability. That said, it does require manual effort to get started each time, and it’s not ideal for regions with frequent heavy rain. But for light-duty use and occasional maintenance, it’s a surprisingly handy tool, especially considering the ultra-low price tag.

What our tester says: “It’s not fancy, but it works. Just give it a few squeezes and it starts pulling water off the cover. It’s a clever little tool for the price.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Swimline pool cover pump at Amazon, Walmart, or Aqua Pools.

Our Ratings

When you’re dealing with frequent storms or a high volume of rain, the Little Giant is a pump you can count on. With a powerful 1/3-horsepower motor capable of moving up to 1,700 gallons of water per hour, this unit is built to keep up with wet weather and larger pool covers. It features an automatic design that kicks on when water reaches 2 inches deep and continues working until the surface is nearly dry, making it a great “set it and forget it” solution for hands-off maintenance.

The pump’s wide base gives it excellent stability, and the 25-foot power cord makes it easy to reach outlets around most pool setups. During testing, setup was simple and the pump began working right away with no fuss. While the unit is a bit bulkier than some other models, it delivers reliable performance that’s perfect for homes in rainy regions or for pool owners who don’t want to worry about frequent water buildup.

Get the Little Giant pool cover pump on Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Our Ratings

While the Superior Pump isn’t technically a pool cover pump, it impressed us with its strong performance and versatility. With a flow rate of up to 2,220 gallons per hour, it was one of the fastest units we tested. And since it’s a basic utility pump, it can be used for a variety of household tasks, from draining a pool cover to emptying a hot tub or even managing basement water during a storm. It turns on as soon as it’s plugged in, so there’s no water sensor or float switch—just manual control.

This no-frills design comes with trade-offs. The pump lacks a base pad, so it can suction to your pool cover if left running too long, though the built-in anti-airlock valve helps prevent it from sticking too much. It also features a relatively short 8-foot power cord, which limits the distance you can position it from an outlet—something to consider for larger pool setups. Still, for smaller pools or those who want a pump they can use beyond pool season, the Superior Pump offers impressive power at a much lower price than fully automatic models.

Get the Superior Pump utility pump on Amazon, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., or Walmart.

Our Ratings

This pool cover pump from AgiiMan is a surprisingly capable little unit that punches above its weight, especially when it comes to portability and ease of use. It arrives in unbranded packaging, but don’t let that fool you. Despite its compact size and lightweight build, this pump did an impressive job clearing water off the pool cover during testing. It offers a flow rate of 850 gallons per hour, which is plenty for small to medium-sized pools, and it comes with a 25-foot power cord that provides good reach to nearby outlets.

The included drainage hose is functional and fits well, though it’s not the most durable-feeling component. Still, for a pump that’s this affordable and compact, the performance is more than respectable. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, highly portable pool cover pump to tackle moderate water buildup without hassle, the AgiiMan is a solid choice.

Get the Agiiman swimming pool cover pump at Amazon.

ALSO TESTED

While the size and price point make it appealing for casual use, the Edou Submersible Swimming Pool Cover Pump struggled to effectively move water through the hose. Instead, water often spluttered out of the body of the unit, and the included hose was frustratingly difficult to attach. For small pools in dry climates, it might be a passable option, but we found it more frustrating than functional.

How We Tested the Best Pool Cover Pumps

To determine the best pool cover pumps, we researched more than a dozen models from major brands, evaluating each on factors such as flow rate, design, price, ease of use, and safety features. We prioritized pumps with high water removal capacity—at least 1,500 gallons per hour (GPH) for inground pools and 850 GPH for above-ground models. Other key criteria were automatic operation via float switch, long power cords (minimum 25 feet), and overall reliability. Each pump was tested in real-world conditions on an inground pool cover after periods of rainfall. We measured how quickly each unit began pumping, how effectively it removed water, how easy it was to set up, and how well it remained fixed in place. 

Additional factors, like hose compatibility, build quality, and any performance quirks (like suction issues or false starts) were noted. These hands-on results helped us score and compare performance, usability, and value across the board.

What to Consider When Choosing Pool Cover Pumps

When selecting a pool cover pump, it’s crucial to consider what pump size, flow rate, and cord length are suitable for the size of the pool cover. Ahead, learn more about these and other important features to avoid making mistakes with your pool setup. 

Manual vs. Automatic

There are two types of pool cover pumps—manual and automatic. An automatic pool cover pump senses when there is too much water on top of the pool cover and switches on automatically to pump that excess water off the cover. This type of pump is ideal for pool owners who aren’t able to monitor their pool daily to make sure water doesn’t accumulate and damage the cover or create a drowning hazard. In contrast, an electric manual pump must be turned on manually by the pump owner to remove water from the top of the pool cover. 

Flow Rate

Pool cover pumps vary in terms of how much water they can pump off the cover per hour. Pool cover pump flow rates range from 250 GPH to 2,500 GPH. Choosing the right size pump depends on the surface area of the pool cover and the climate of the pool’s location. Smaller 850 GPH units are suitable as above-ground pool cover pumps , as well as for small inground pools, while larger inground pools require a pump with a flow rate of at least 1,500 GPH. Climate is also important. Pools located in regions that experience a high amount of precipitation require a pool cover pump with a higher flow rate than those located in more arid regions.

Cord Length and Hose Hookup

Power cord length is also an important factor to consider when selecting a pool cover pump. The pump’s power cord should be long enough to extend from the center of the pool to the nearest outdoor GFCI power outlet. While it’s OK to use an extension cord to increase the range of the pump, the pump’s cord should be at least long enough to reach the pool deck, minimizing the chances of electric shock. 

One should also consider hose length. While most pumps use a standard .75-inch garden hose to carry water from the pump to another location, others come with designated drain hoses. The drain hose should be long enough to extend into a part of the yard that directs water away from any structures and the pool. 

Fully Submersible 

Many pool cover pumps can be fully submerged, which makes them useful not only for removing water from the pool cover but also for lowering the pool level to prevent overflow during periods of heavy precipitation. Fully submersible pumps are also quieter since the water absorbs much of the noise generated by the pump’s motor and impeller. 

FAQs

If you’re not sure where to position your pump on the pool cover or how to keep your pool cover firmly in place, then read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about pool covers. 

Meet the Tester

Paul Rankin is a home improvement writer and product tester with extensive experience testing outdoor equipment and seasonal maintenance tools. For this article, he personally evaluated each pool cover pump to identify models that deliver reliable, real-world performance. His product reviews are straightforward and practical, helping readers make confident, informed buying decisions.

Additional research provided by Tony Carrick

 

All You Need to Care for Your Lawn & Garden

Keeping your grass green and your plants thriving doesn’t just take a green thumb—it starts with the right tools and supplies.