Always have a backup plan. That goes for anything in life, including your sump pump. Of course, you have a primary sump pump, but what if it fails due to a power outage or some other cause? A battery backup sump pump can save the day in those instances.
After decades in the pump industry, I’ve made my selections for the best battery backup sump pumps on the market, and I’m sharing them so you can have a Plan B. Remember to click on the pumps to view the product page, which is filled with more features, specs, reviews, and other great resources. Also, check out my selection criteria for picking the best battery backup sump pumps.
| Best Battery Backup Sump Pump | Best Combination Sump Pump | Best Smart Backup Sump Pump |
|---|---|---|
| | | |
For a battery backup sump pump, this one packs a punch. When your primary pump fails, the Pro-Series PHCC-2400 kicks on and can evacuate approximately 40 gallons of water per minute at a 10-foot lift. Its 13-amp battery charger can charge standard and maintenance-free batteries and quickly recharges the battery when power is restored.
One of the great features of this system is its ability to run on 120-volt AC power when power is on. It automatically switches to 12-volt DC battery power when AC power fails, and it includes an exclusive monitoring system with a weekly self-test. This system can also alert you remotely with the separate purchase of the PHCC Pro Series Connect WiFi Module.
With a three-year warranty, it's easy to see why we recommend this product. Just don't forget the batteries. This system can operate with one or two 100-amp-hour or greater batteries, usually a Group 27 or Group 31 deep-cycle marine AGM or wet cell battery. It also comes with dual float switches for added redundancy. Overall, the PHCC-244 makes a great backup plan for flood protection.
| Spec | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Built-In Redundancies | Dual float switches mounted within a protective cage; Can accommodate 1 or 2 batteries (Sold Separately) | |
| Monitoring Capability | Computer monitors power conditions and battery level; Sounds alarm & flashes during failure or required maintenance | |
| Battery System | Runs on both AC and DC power; 13-amp battery charger quickly charges standard & maintenance-free batteries | |
| Overall Value | Offers the best flooding protection possible for the average homeowner at a fair price. |
Get the best of both worlds with the Pro Series PS-C33 combination sump pump, which includes both a primary and backup pump. When the power goes out, the backup pump (which is the Pro Series PHCC-2400 recommended above) will kick in for uninterrupted protection. At 1/3-horsepower, the primary pump offers a very capable 3,000 GPH, while the battery backup pump will handle 2,400 GPH at a 10-foot head.
The Pro Series' exclusive monitoring system tracks battery functions and detects irregularities, sounding alarms as needed. This system also includes its own pump controller with a caged dual float switch for redundancy and added protection.
The PS-C33 is designed to operate with one or two Pro Series model B12-100 batteries and will run the 12-volt pump for up to 7 hours continuously with a single battery or 24-36 hours non-continuously. You can increase those run times with a second battery if you choose. Overall, I highly recommend this combination unit for its contractor-grade performance at a reasonable price tag and 3-year warranty.
| Specs | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Built-In Redundancies | Dual float switches mounted within a protective case; Can accommodate 1 or 2 Batteries (Sold Separately) | |
| Monitoring Capability | Detects irregularities, sounds an alarm, & pinpoints problems; Alarm can be silenced | |
| Battery System | Runs on both AC and DC power; Maintains and recharges battery automatically | |
| Overall Value | Exemplary two-pump system for less than if you bought a primary and backup pump separately |
If you’re looking for a smarter solution to basement flooding, the Zoeller ProPack98 is it. It’s a combination primary and backup sump pump with “brains” in the sense that it connects to the internet, allowing you to control everything from a mobile device. Its Z Control® Technology lets you test, run, reset, and take other remote actions, and you’ll get alerts emailed or texted to you.
The 1/2-horsepower motor on the primary pump can handle 4,320 GPH at 5 feet of head lift, while the backup pump will handle 2,580 GPH over the same distance. A cast iron design and non-clogging impeller strengthen the primary pump for years in the pit. The 12-volt backup pump has an aluminum seal pocket and cooling plate for extended operation and will charge automatically once power is restored. Its 7-amp battery charging system includes battery burnout and overcharge protection.
With the Zoeller ProPack98, you’ll be able to leave your home without worrying about whether the sump pump is working or not. Monitor everything from your device and take remote actions when necessary. It’s the future of sump pumps, and I’m thrilled to recommend it!
| Specs | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Built-In Redundancies | Dual float switches (operational and high water) | |
| Monitoring Capability | WiFi-enabled for remote monitoring; Built-In alerts for high-water, pump cycled, faults & issues; Alarm can be silenced | |
| Battery System | 12-volts; Runs on DC power; 7-amp automatic battery charging system with burnout & overcharge protection; Can accommodate 1 or 2 Batteries (Sold Separately) | |
| Overall Value | Premium pricing worth it for those who embrace smart technology |
When recommending battery backup sump pumps, we take four features into account.
A good backup plan considers everything that can go wrong and works for as long as possible. That's how we look at battery backup sump pumps. Are there dual float switches in case one fails? Can more than one battery be connected to the pump to extend runtime? Built-in redundancies like these ensure you can count on your backup pump when disaster strikes.
Battery backup sump pumps monitor the performance of the primary pump and activate when needed to save your basement from flooding. As such, the best pumps have superior monitoring capabilities. Once the backup pump activates, it still needs to monitor its own performance and alert you to any errors, malfunctions, or a dead battery. Our recommended pumps are all “on top of it” and can be trusted to back up your home.
The heart of a backup sump pump is its battery. Although batteries are sold separately, and it's up to you what kind you get, it's important to evaluate how the pump and battery work together. For example, some pumps work not only on DC (battery) power, but they can also run on AC or utility power. Battery life is also worth considering. Pumps with high flow rates tend to correlate with less battery life because they work harder. How effectively the battery charges is another factor when evaluating power.
We prioritize performance over price, so you won’t necessarily find the cheapest battery backup sump pumps on our list. That's why, instead of evaluating a pump on price alone, we look at what you're getting for the price to arrive at an overall value rating.
A backup sump pump will monitor the primary sump pump and detect when it has failed. Primary sump pumps can fail due to many reasons, but a power outage is the most common. In either case, the backup pump will kick on using DC battery power.
Some backup pumps can also run on AC power from your utility. This comes in handy if your primary sump pump fails for a reason other than a power outage, such as too much water flow. In this case, the backup pump will pick up where the primary left off, or they may work together, depending on your setup.
Backup sump pumps have their limits depending on the battery size and amount of water they're dealing with. During continuous operation, a backup pump may only last for 5-7 hours. If they're operating non-continuously, you could get a couple of days out of them. You can learn more in our battery backup sump pump buyer's guide.
Jim has nurtured a professional obsession with pumps for nearly 30 years. After spending well over a decade selling pumps for an HVAC wholesaler, Jim joined the Power Equipment Direct team as a product expert and hasn’t looked back.
Over the past 13 years, Jim has helped thousands of PED customers find, size, and purchase the perfect sump pump, water pump, or pressure washer for their needs. In doing so, he has accumulated vast knowledge about the different kinds of pumps and their manufacturers. He has also participated in many video productions highlighting pump installations, performance, and applications.
A native Chicagoan, when he’s not pumping out expert advice, Jim enjoys just about every cold-weather activity, especially skiing. Despite being visibly agitated by warmth and sunshine, Jim stays busy during summer by fishing and taking photos. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his family and grandkids as much as he can.