During the hospitable summer months, it’s easy to forget your pool needs seasonal maintenance. As long as you use the cover, keep the chemicals balanced, and clean the filter, you’re good to go… Until the clouds start to roll in.
 
Even if you live in the sunniest climate—like California or Florida—a storm can still rain on your parade. But by then, it’s too late.

Once the clouds open up and rain starts pouring down, you’ll realize hindsight is 20/20. You’ll find yourself wishing you’d prepared by gathering the necessary supplies… especially once you’re stuck spending hours manually fishing out dirt and debris from your once-pristine pool.
 
Stop trouble before it starts by being prepared. Read on to learn about the best cover pump for your pool in 2022.

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Should You Get a Manual Cover Pump or Automatic?

There are 2 types of pool cover pumps: manual and automatic, sometimes called electric. Both types are lightweight, easy to carry, and attach to your standard garden hose. Both have a Gallons Per Hour rating and balance the pressure caused by excess water weight during rainfall. Finally, both types must sit on top of your pool cover for the duration of bad weather—for an entire storm or the entire winter.
 
The differences between automatic and manual cover pumps are simple, but large. Automatic cover pumps will automatically shut off once the overflow water depth is within 1/8” of your pool cover.

And a manual cover pump… won’t. Though less expensive to operate than an electric model, you must go outside to operate the pump manually every time. Consider how meticulous you like to be about your pool maintenance to choose the best cover pump for you.

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Our Best Manual Cover Pumps

 

​BLACK+DECKER 1500 GPH Manual Water Removal Winter Submersible Swimming Pool Cover Pump with 25 Foot Power Cord and 30 Foot Discharge Hose

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This manual cover pump takes care of everything you need:

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• Includes a 3-year extendable warranty

• Designed for aboveground and inground pools

• Manual switch keeps you in control of your pool maintenance

• Removes an unrivaled 15,000 gallons per hour thanks to high horsepower

• No clogs thanks to a patented pre-filter sponge pad

• Flexible 25ft power cord

• Quick and easy installation with included standard hose adapter

• Maximize efficiency with extra-long 30ft discharge hose

• Environmentally friendly and easy to clean thanks to an oil-free design

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​​​​​​​​​​Old Man Winter Manual Cover Pump with 25 Foot Power Cord and 30 Foot Discharge Hose

This pool cover pump strives to beat BLACK+DECKER at their own game:

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• Includes a 3-year extendable warranty

• Designed for aboveground and inground pools

• Manual switch keeps you in control of your pool maintenance

• Removes an unrivaled 15,000 gallons per hour thanks to high horsepower

• No clogs thanks to a patented pre-filter sponge pad

• Flexible 25ft power cord

• Quick and easy installation with included standard hose adapter

• Maximize efficiency with extra-long 30ft discharge hose

• Environmentally friendly and no-stress, no-mess clean-up thanks to the oil-free design

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sunnora 800 Standard Cover Pump

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Sunnora is a lesser-known brand with plenty of huge benefits:

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• Includes a 1-year extendable warranty

• Manual switch puts you in the driver’s seat for pool maintenance

• Removes up to 800 gallons per hour

• Clog-free thanks to a filter sponge

• Stabilized XXL 7” base

• Flexible 25ft power cord

• Quick and easy installation with included standard hose adapter

• Environmentally friendly and easy to clean thanks to oil-free design

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Our Best Automatic Cover Pumps

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​​​​​​​​​​​Old Man Winter Automatic Cover Pump with 25 Foot Power Cord and 30 Foot Discharge Hose.

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This Old Man Winter pump is similar to BLACK+DECKER… you can expect all the same great benefits:

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• Includes a 3-year warranty

• Designed for aboveground and inground pools

• Self-operates to save you money on energy bills

• Removes a whopping 15,000 gallons per hour thanks to high horsepower

• Automatic switch turns off at 1/8” depth, activates at 4.25” depth

• No clogs thanks to patented pre-filter sponge pad

• Flexible 25ft power cord

• Quick and easy installation with included standard hose adapter

• Maximize efficiency with extra-long 30ft discharge hose

• Environmentally friendly and easy to clean thanks to oil-free design

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​​​​​​​​​​​​BLACK+DECKER 800 GPH Automatic Pool Cover Pump

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Our favorite features of this cover pump:

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• Includes a 1-year warranty

• Self-operates to save big on your energy bill

• Removes up to 800 gallons per hour

• Automatic switch turns off at 1/8” depth, turns on the moment water rises above the hose

• No clogs thanks to patented pre-filter sponge pad

• Flexible 25ft power cord

• Quick and easy installation with included standard hose adapter

• Easy to clean and environmentally friendly thanks to oil-free design

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​BLACK+DECKER 350 GPH Automatic Pool Cover Pump

Best features of this cover pump:

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• Includes a 1-year warranty

• Self-operates to save big on energy costs

• Removes a respectable 350 gallons per hour

• Automatic switch turns off at 1/8” depth, turns on at 1” depth

• No clogs thanks to patented pre-filter sponge pad

• Flexible 25ft power cord

• Quick and easy installation with included standard hose adapter

• Easy to clean and environmentally friendly thanks to oil-free design

 
The Best Cover Pump for You Depends on Your Personal Needs

Crowning the “best cover pump of 2022” isn’t a cut-and-dry matter. Every single one, whether manual or automatic, is the best fit for at least one homeowner out there.
 
Before you buy, consider how involved you like to be with your pool’s maintenance. Also, make sure the GPH is a good match for the size of your pool and the intensity of your climate’s winter season. For example, a 350 GPH automatic cover pump would be a nightmare in a rainy or volatile climate. At the same time, a 1,500 GPH manual cover pump might not make sense in extremely dry, predictable environments.
 
If you still can’t narrow down your options, we’ve got your back! Contact us today. One of our pool pros will help you pick the best cover pump for your backyard oasis.