The Best Submersible Pond Pump 2022 (Reviews & Costs)
The Best Pond Pumps 2022 (Reviews, Costs, and Comparison)
At the heart of every healthy garden pond is the pump, which powers the pond’s filtration, features, and water flow. When designing a pond, choosing a quality pond pump could arguably be the most important long-term decision you can make. In this article, we provide comparisons of different pump types, as well as recommend the current top submersible pump picks to make the choice a little easier.
US Pond Owner? We recommend..
UK Pond Owner? We recommend..
Things to Consider when Selecting a Submersible Pump
As a rule in life, quality usually costs, and the same principle often applies to pond pumps. Although more expensive models often have better features, you can save money by carefully selecting a pump that meets your individual needs.
For example, if you just need the pump for a water fountain, choosing one with a good water head height as a primary criteria may be cheaper than choosing an “all-rounder.” If you just need the pump for powering your filtration system, water lift height is less of a concern and you’ll want to look more closely to make sure the flow rate provides sufficient water turnover. Other important things to consider when selecting a pump are below:
Submersible Pond Pumps vs External Pond Pumps
Currently, there are two different kinds of common fish pond pumps on the market – submersible pumps and external pumps.
Both of these pond pumps have their uses, and both have their pros and cons. Let’s go through these quickly below:
1. Submersible Pond Pumps
Easily the most common type of pond pump on the market. The submersible pump does exactly what it says on the tin – it works under the water! These types of pond pumps are popular because they’re easy to hide, less noisy, and require much less installation work.
Submersible pumps usually sit on the floor of the pond (directly on the pond liner), at the lowest depth point, making them incredibly discreet solutions. These pumps range in size and can power both small goldfish garden ponds, as well as much larger koi ponds. The major drawback of these types of pond pumps is that they’re harder to clean, as you’ll need to wade the pond pump out to carry out any kind of maintenance.
With that said, a high-quality submersible pond pump will rarely break 
2. External Pond Pumps
External pond pumps range in size, but unlike submersible pond pumps, can power both the smallest and largest of the large ponds. If you have a much larger pond (8,000+ US gallons), or a pond that is heavily stocked with koi carp, a powerful external fish pond pump may be a good choice.
These types of pond pumps are noisier and much less discreet; however, this can be remedied by burying the pond pump alongside the pond itself. External pond pumps are more costly to purchase, but slightly more energy-efficient than submersible pond pumps, which means extra savings over time.
With that said, external pond pumps are not as beginner-friendly and require more planning for the plumbing framework. It’ll be more difficult to set up this kind of pond pump in comparison to a submersible pond pump. On the other hand, they’re also easier to clean and maintain as they’re above ground and easy to access.
What pump type do we recommend?
Unless an external pump is preferred as a design choice, we usually recommend a submersible pond pump due to its ease of installation. An external pump will require extra plumbing and is less discreet, whereas most submersible pumps are incredibly easy to get started. Most submersible pumps will be able to provide enough pumping power for most pond owners’ needs, so unless an external is required, we feel a quality submersible pump will simply be an easier option!
For ponds over 8,000 US gallons, an external pond may be a good long-term investment as the energy savings really add up at this flow rate. If you have a larger pond or a heavily stocked fish pond, you may want to check out our dedicated article on the top external models here. Even though we recommend one in this article, it’s mainly submersible pumps that are on review.
How do I know what size pond pump I need?
Pond pumps are generally sized in gallons per hour (GPH) in the United States and litres per hour (LPH) in the United Kingdom. Both of these are calculated at one foot of height from the ground.
To determine the pond pump size you will need, first you need to know the volume of water contained in your pond. This is pretty easy to calculate by following the formula below:
As a rule of thumb, your entire pond water should be circulated at least once per hour (ponds without fish every 2 hours). For example, if you have a 1000 gallon koi pond, you would need to purchase a pump that runs at a rating of at least 1000 gallons per hour. Likewise for UK pond owners, if your pond is 3500 litres, you’ll need a 3500 litre per hour pump as a minimum. If you don’t have fish in your pond, 2 hours for complete circulation should be fine, so if your pond is 1000 gallons, a 500 GPH pump would be sufficient.
What if I want a fountain or waterfall?
If you’re looking to also include extra water features in your pond system, such as waterfalls or fountains, you’ll need to take this into account when choosing a pond pump. Depending on the pond pump you choose, it may be easier to purchase a separate pond pump just to run your extra water features so you can achieve the required water height.
Maximum Lift (Head) Height
To work out if a pond pump is sufficient to power your additional water features, you’ll need to take into account the water pump’s maximum lift height. This is essentially the maximum height a pond pump can lift water above the pond’s waterline for effective water discharge.
So, if you want your water fountain to raise water 6.5 feet (2 meters) above the surface, you’ll need a pond pump with a head height of at least 6.5 feet, or 2 meters. If you’re running the pump with a filter as well as a water feature, you’d likely need a more powerful pond pump with a higher maximum head height to compensate for the added resistance.
Maximum head height for pond pumps will be listed in their specifications, and even though you can run both water features alongside filters, we recommend you instead create a separate circuit with an additional pump designed for fountains/waterfalls. This is because it is much easier to calculate exactly how much head height you’ll need from a pump based on your water features, and purchase a pond water pump just for that purpose.
We’ve included some great waterfall/fountain pond pumps in our reviews below, so selecting one should be easy. We also have a dedicated article that goes into more detail if you are just looking for a feature pump. You can view our top water feature models here!
Working out Monthly Costs
A final important factor to consider when purchasing a pond pump is its monthly running costs and overall efficiency. To calculate how much a pond pump will set you back monthly, you just need its Wattage rated and the cost of 1 Kilo-Watt hour from your most recent electricity bill. When you have these, you just need to follow the steps outlined below:
Step 1: Pond Pump Wattage x Daily run time in hours = Total Daily Watts
Step 2: Total Daily Watts / 1000 = KiloWatt per hour (kWh), per day
Step 3: kWh per day x Monthly run time in days = kWh per month
Step 4: kWh per month x cost of 1 kWh from your electricity bill = Monthly costs
Example: A pond pump with a wattage of 100w, running 24 hours a day, 30 days a month. Electricity cost is 0.10 dollars per kWh.
Using the steps above we would have 100w multiplied by 24 hours, giving us 2400 watts per day. Then we divide this by 1000 to get the kWh usage per day, which would be 2.4 kWh. We then multiply this by the number of days running, which would be 30 in this example, giving us 72 kWh per month usage. We then multiply this value by the cost of 1 kWh from an electricity bill, which would be $0.10 in this example. This provides us a final monthly running cost of 0.10 dollars x 72 kWh, which equals a $7.2 monthly operation cost.
To make things easier we’ve calculated the monthly running costs of our review pumps for comparison, but if you’d like a more accurate answer to match your own electricity costs, you just need to follow the steps above!
The Best Submersible Water Pump 2022 (Reviews & Running Costs)
Due to the different brands available between the US and UK markets, we’ve researched and divided our categories to provide both American and UK pond owners a review on the best underwater pond pumps available. We have listed below our best-rated pond pump picks available to both the US and UK markets.
US - Best Submersible Pumps
1) Aquascape AquaForce Submersible Pump Review
One of the best submersible pump options, providing powerful flow rates, good water lift heights, and great energy efficiency in a compact package. Aquascape’s AquaForce submersible range is ideal for powering small or large ponds, with them being especially suitable for koi ponds in place of an external model.
The AquaForce range provides unbeatable efficiency for koi ponds up to 6,000 US gallons thanks to their asynchronous motor technology. Unlike many other submersible models which operate through older magnetic-drive or direct-drive motors, Aquaforce’s asynchronous motor allows the pump to work at high flow rates and head heights with little increase in overall running costs. The pumps have models for both small and large ponds, with the entry model requiring just 55w of power and the top models requiring 360w of power – both of which are extremely efficient for underwater pumps.
Alongside the very good energy efficiency, AquaForce models also provide a good range of different flow rates for various pond sizes, and have decent head height values making them a good choice for fountains and waterfalls. The maximum water lift heights range from 10 foot (1000 Model) up to 25 foot ( 5200 Model), so would be suitable for deep pond placement and both smaller and larger water displays.
To aid with maintenance, all pumps come with a sturdy pre-filter casing on the pump’s intake which does a decent job of stopping debris clogging the motor chamber. Although it won’t stop the smallest of debris, it’s one of the better anti-clogging designs which makes cleaning easier and keeps the pump running longer than cheaper models.
Included is a great internal cooling system that keeps the internal system fairly cool during peak operation, and there is little noise even if the pump is installed on a shallow shelf. Being submersible in design, these pumps will need to be placed underwater to operate and cannot work externally, and we’d recommend a minimum depth of 2 feet for the least noise production. The pumps also come with a very generous 25 ft power cable, which provides extra flexible installation in more remote water gardens or large koi ponds.
Although one of the best submersible pumps out there, and highly recommended for ponds between 1000-6000 gallons, they lose out to the efficiency of external models above this range (similar to most submersibles). If you have a smaller pond or a lightly stocked koi pond, however, you can’t get much better than the AquaForce range in terms of efficiency, running costs, and power. Our submersible pump of choice for koi ponds, large water gardens, or multiple water feature displays!
How much will this koi pump cost me to run?
Assuming a charge of $0.10 per kWh (national average), the cost to run the 1000 entry model monthly would be $3.96 per month, and the cost to run the 5200 top-end model would be $25.92 per month. This would be running the pump 24 hours a day, 30 days a month.
- Type: Submersible Koi Pump
- Maximum Flow Rate: 1070 GPH – 5284 GPH
- Maximum Head Height: 10 ft (1000 Model) and 25 ft (5200 Model)
- Power Consumption: 55w (1000 Model) to 360w (5200 Model)
- Power Cord Length: 25 ft (7.6m)
- Outlet/Input Size: 3/4″, 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 2″ ID Tubing
- Warranty: 3 Years
2) TetraPond Submersible Pump Review
A reliable and energy-efficient fully submersible pond pump from TetraPond, featuring a great anti-clog mesh design for easier maintenance. This pond pump comes in two models, with both 3690 GPH and 4235 GPH max flow rate outputs. The pump is suitable for ponds of 3000 gallons to 4000 gallons, and would be an extremely good choice for pond owners who have problems with debris buildup (pond near trees, bushes, etc.).
This model promotes an impeller design that resists blockage, being able to pass 1/4 debris without becoming clogged. The pump should be more than sufficient to support a pond of up to 4000 gallons if using the stronger model, as well as a pond filtration system.
If you’re considering adding a water feature, such as a fountain or waterfall, you would need to take into account the max head height for the models. If used to power both a filter and a water feature, the maximum head height will be greatly reduced. The maximum lift height is not amazing for this particular model, and we’d recommend the TotalPond pump over this as a dedicated fountain/waterfall pump. It can still function very well, but you may lose some water height depending on your feature size.
In terms of maintenance, the pump was extremely easy to install and required very little cleaning. The pump was able to run efficiently for weeks without needing a good clean, but we recommend more regular cleaning if you have a lot of problems with debris. The anti-clog design will keep things running for longer than regular pumps, but the cleaner the pump, the more efficient it runs!
The pump comes with a generous 3-year warranty in case of problems, and is quite cheap to run monthly running at only 199w at full power. Overall, a reliable submersible pond pump with a strong flow rate and good energy efficiency. The pump would be a good choice for ponds that have trouble with free-swimming debris in particular, as the anti-clog system means much less maintenance.
Monthly pump running costs?
Assuming a charge of $0.10 per kWh, the cost to run the pump per month would be $14.33 per month. This would be running the pump 24 hours a day, 30 days a month.
- Type: Submersible Pump
- Maximum Flow Rate: 3690 GPH and 4235 GPH (2 Models)
- Maximum Head Height: 11.4 ft (3690 model) and 13.1 ft (4235 model)
- Power Consumption: 199W
- Power Cord Length: 15 ft (4.5 m)
- Outlet Size: Fits 1- 1/2 inch or 1-1/4 inch internal diameter (ID) tubing
- Dimensions: 12 inch height x 6 inch length x 4 inch width
- Warranty: 3 Years
3)
Laguna Max-Flo Submersible Pump Review
An extremely energy-efficient submersible pond pump series with great flow rates and lift heights! Lagunas Max-Flo series is one of the most energy-efficient submersible pond pumps we’ve reviewed, and would be perfect for pond owners looking to save money each month without skimping on power.
The 2000 model (pictured) is a great pond pump for ponds up to 4000 gallons, but the series also offer a range of different models for the smallest and largest of ponds. Each model in the series is just as energy-efficient as the last, but they all still provide great flow rates and water lift heights, too.
These pumps have been designed for both water features and dedicated filter systems, and would be a great choice for either. The 2000 model has a fairly good maximum lift height of 6ft, and a max flow rate of 4000 GPH. This would be fine for most water features, but we would recommend one of the stronger models for larger features due to the much better lift height.
The main selling point of these pumps is their fantastic energy efficiency and low running costs. Their efficiency is thanks to the low wattage and next-generation Smart Pump Technology (SPT), which is electronically integrated into the pumps. This technology provides constant performance and energy management, so the pump will only use what needs to be used to pump water efficiently. It tracks power consumption, hydraulics, and impeller direction to ensure the best efficiency possible.
In terms of installation, the pump is easy to install and set up, and requires very little maintenance and cleaning. It has a generous 16 ft power cable length, and accepts a wide range of hosing sizes for convenience. The pump can circulate water containing smaller debris without problems, and does not become clogged easily due to its great mesh cage design. The cage is able to stop most larger debris from entering the pump, but we found it felt a little fragile compared to other submersible pumps. This didn’t pose any immediate problem, but a more heavy-duty cage would provide more long-term insurance against wear and tear.
Overall, a great submersible pump choice for pond owners looking to save money each month! The Laguna Max-Flo series has decent flow rates and lift heights, and would be a perfect addition for a filter or water feature.
Monthly pump running costs?
Assuming a charge of $0.10 per kWh, the cost to run the 2000 model pump per month would be $5.76 per month. This would be running the pump 24 hours a day, 30 days a month.
- Type: Submersible Pump
- Maximum Flow Rate: 600, 960, 2000, 2900, 4280 GPH (5 models)
- Maximum Head Height: 6 ft (2000 model)
- Power Consumption: 80W (2000 model)
- Power Cord Length: 16 ft (5 m)
- Outlet Size: Fits 1- 1/2 inch or 1-1/4 inch internal diameter (ID) tubing
- Dimensions: 10.5 inch height x 11.4 inch length x 8.8 inch width
- Warranty: 3 Years
4) 
TotalPond Waterfall Pump Review
This submersible pond pump series comes in 3 different models, designed for small, medium, and large waterfall features. The smallest is rated at 1200 GPH, and is perfect for waterfalls with a 5 ft max height, whereas the largest is rated at 5100 GPH and is ideal for larger features, reaching up to 18 ft in height.
The pond pumps come with an output on the top, which makes plumbing a water fountain much easier, while maximizing water lift height. This series of pumps includes a strong mesh grid to prevent debris buildup, but we found the pump can easily become clogged if there is heavy debris present in your water. The pump has an easy maintenance design, however, which allows you to remove each part without the need for tools for easy cleaning.
The pumps are 100% oil-free and safe for both fish and pond plants, so would be ideal for heavily planted or fish-stocked ponds.
If purchasing to use for a filter as well as a water feature, the maximum pumping height would be reduced so you may need to purchase a stronger model depending on the desired lift height. If you are wanting a large water feature with as much water height as possible, we recommend using the pump as a dedicated feature pump and running another pump for your filter system.
The pump is also quite energy-efficient, running at a fairly low wattage, and is very quiet in operation. Overall, a simple and effective pond pump which would work best to power a dedicated water feature, such as a waterfall or fountain.
Monthly pump running costs?
Assuming a kWh charge of $0.10, it would cost you $7.63 to run this waterfall pump constantly each month. This would be running the pump 24 hours a day, 30 days a month.
- Type: Submersible Fountain Pump
- Maximum Flow Rate: 1200 GPH, 2000 GPH, 5100 GPH
- Maximum Head Height: 5 ft (1200 model), 10 ft (2000 model), and 18ft (5100 model)
- Power Consumption: 106w (2000 model)
- Power Cord Length: 16 ft (5 m)
- Outlet/Input Size: Fits 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch ID tubing.
- Dimensions: 7.6 inch height x 6 inch length x 5.7 inch width
- Warranty: 2 Years
UK - Best Submersible Pumps1)
All Pond Solutions AquaECO Review
Another low-wattage energy-efficient pond pump comes in the form of All Pond Solutions AquaECo submersible pump. All Pond Solutions is a growing and well-known pond industry brand, providing a huge range of different types of pumps and features. They have a large range of pond pumps, but our favorite model is the AquaECO series.
The AquaECO series are reliable, powerful, and also extremely cost-efficient, being designed for maximum monthly savings. The wattage ratings of this series of pumps are actually some of the best we’ve seen for a submersible model, so would be ideal for owners looking to save money long term.
This particular series features two operating modes, allowing some flexibility in terms of circuit design. It can be placed directly into the pond, pumping water through its mesh grid as a regular submersible pump, or the second inlet can be attached directly to another water source, such as a pond skimmer. The inlets and outlets can also be adjusted to any angle, which is very convenient, especially if used as a water feature pump.
If you want to use the pump for a water feature, the series have solid lift heights and are strong enough to power both a filter and feature in most cases. A downside is there is no built-in pressure valve to adjust the flow rate, as the pumps may be too powerful for smaller ponds.
The pumps mesh cage system is designed to operate 24/7 in dirty water, and features an anti-clog design for minimal maintenance. It also includes a convenient handle for easy placement inside your pond, which is a nice bonus.
As mentioned before, this pump series is extremely energy efficient in comparison with its powerful flow rate. This would be an ideal pump choice for pond owners looking to make major savings. The range of flow rates available means there is a model to fit all pond sizes, and the choice of two different operational modes means more flexibility in terms of design. Easily one of the best pond pumps on the UK market.
Monthly pump running costs?
Assuming a cost per kWh of £0.10, we have a final monthly cost of £0.72 for the 3000 model and £10.08 for the 16000 model. This would be running the pump 24 hours a day, 30 days a month.
- Type: Submersible Pump
- Maximum Flow Rate: 3000, 4500, 6000, 8000, 10000, 12000, 14000, 16000 LPH.
- Maximum Head Height: 2 m (3000 model) – 7 m (16000 model)
- Power Consumption: 10w (3000 model) – 140w (16000 model)
- Power Cord Length: 10 m
- Outlet/Input Size: Fits ¾’ (19 mm), 1′ (25 mm), 1¼’ (32 mm); and 1½’ (35 mm)ID tubing.
- Warranty: 2 Years
2) 
Pondtec PondMax Submersible Review
The PondMax fully submersible pond pump by Pondtec is an affordable pump for pond owners who want a reliable unit with fairly low monthly costs.
The PondMax pump series is extremely flexible, and has models that would suit both the smallest and largest of ponds. The smallest pump operates at 1500 liters per hour (LPH), and would be ideal for small fishless ponds or small goldfish ponds. On the other end of the scale, Pondmax also has models in the 10K LPH+ range, which would be more than sufficient to power the largest of ponds, or to supplement stocked fish ponds.
Unlike the All Pond Solutions Pumps, we found the Pondtec series more suitable for smaller ponds, having a good range of lower-powered pump options for ponds between 1000-3000 litres. The pumps have a decent head height, too, so would be perfect for a small pond owner who may also want a fountain or waterfall alongside their filter system.
The pumps feature a mesh grid guard system that protects against buildup and free-swimming debris of up to 4mm, but can still become clogged if not regularly cleaned. Since this is a submersible pond pump, overheating is not much of a concern, but as an added benefit, the pump integrates its own internal thermal protection system for peace of mind. Pondtec also provides a lengthy 3-year warranty in case of problems, which is a testament to the pump’s reliability.
The PondMax submersible pump series is an ideal pond pump choice for both new pond owners or experienced owners, with models perfect for both large and small ponds. We would recommend this series for smaller ponds in particular, as the options are very flexible in terms of flow rate. The stronger pumps, while still solid choices, are not quite as energy-efficient as the All Pond Solutions models, so we would only recommend this series to small pond owners looking for a sub <3000 LPH pump.
Monthly pump running costs?
Assuming a kWh cost of £0.10, the 1500 pump would cost £1.8 per month to run, and the largest 17000 model costing £12.96 per month to run. This would be running the pump 24 hours a day, 30 days a month.
- Type: Submersible Pump
- Maximum Flow Rate: 1500, 2500, 5000, 8000, 11000, 14000, 17000 LPH.
- Maximum Head Height: 1.9m (1500 model) – 3m (17000 model)
- Power Consumption: 25w (1500 model) – 180w (17000 model)
- Power Cord Length: 10 m
- Outlet/Input Size: Fits ¾’ (19 mm), 1′ (25 mm), 1¼’ (32 mm); and 1½’ (35 mm)ID tubing.
- Warranty: 3 Years
3) 
Blagdon Minipond Pump Review
Blagdon’s Minipond pumps are an energy efficiency series designed for water features, which include a range of useful attachments. These pumps would be ideal for pond owners looking for a dedicated water feature pump that is low-cost and low-maintenance.
The pumps are rated from 700 LPH to 2000 LPH, and run at a very energy efficient 10-48w, depending on the model. This low wattage will provide you great monthly savings in comparison with a more powerful pump designed for filter systems.
The pumps provide decent water lift heights, and can support a fountain up to 2 metres maximum. The pumps need to be submerged in water, and can function to a maximum of 2 metres of water depth.
Included with the pump is everything you need to get started setting up a water fountain. The kit includes 3 fountain head attachments for a Daisy, Daisy Super, and Waterbell fountain display. You also get a flow control valve to adjust your fountain height, and extension fittings and adapters. Since these are small pumps and can clog easily, Blagdon has also included an optional pre-filter foam to prevent fountain blockage. This is a nice addition to help maintain strong fountain height and daisy jet blockage.
With that said, these pumps can still have some issues with clogging and debris buildup. If you have a debris-heavy pond, it may not be suitable due to the amount of cleaning that would be required. These pumps function best in small ponds with low debris or in ponds that have a good skimmer system in place.
The hose adapter accepts 3/4 inch hosing, and is easy to set up and install. The pumps come with a 10m power cable as standard, and a lengthy 3-year warranty in case of problems. Overall, an energy-efficient pond pump that would be perfect for small pond features with a nice range of fountain attachments.
Monthly pump running costs?
Assuming a kWh cost of £0.10, the 700 pump would cost £0.72 per month to run and the largest 2000 model would cost £3.46 per month to run. This would be running the pump 24 hours a day, 30 days a month.
