8 Best Automatic Bilge Pumps
Carla Arbuckle
If you’re a boat owner, then I’m sure keeping your boat intact and safe is very important for you. Automatic bilge pumps are required to detect leaks and warn you if bilge fluids exceed certain levels. The goal of these bilge pumps is to remove bilge water that builds up. Once they do, your automatic bilge pump will turn on. It only turns off once the bilge falls below the risk levels.
Investing in a quality automatic bilge pump will end up saving you thousands of dollars in emergency insurance money. So take your time when selecting the bilge pump that works for you. You’ll want to ensure that your automatically bilge pump is working correctly and frequently so that nothing goes wrong. These are a requirement for any boat over 20 feet long. You won’t want to have an on boat leakage occur; that’ll be a disaster, especially if people are riding inside the boat while it happens. Whether you have a coastal or offshore vessel, you’ll need something quality and safe that doesn’t cause any dangerous sparks.
We’ve scoured the market to find only the most quality and value-based automatic bilge pumps for you to choose from.
8 Best Automatic Bilge Pumps
1. SEAFLO Submersible Automatic Bilge Pump with Float Switch (750GPH, 12V)
2. attwood 4505-7 Sahara S500 Automatic Bilge Pump, 12-Volt, 1.5-Amp Draw, ¾-Inch Interior Diameter Hose, 29-Inch 16-Gauge Wire
3. IUMÉ Boat Bilge Water Pump, Generic Automatic Submersible 12v 1100gph DC All-in-one Marine Bilge Auto Yacht with Float Switch Current 3.8A White & Blue
4. SEAFLO Automatic 1100GPH Submersible Bilge Water PUMP 4 Year Warranty Boat 1100 Auto
5. MAXZONE Automatic Submersible Boat Bilge Water Pump 12v 1100gph Auto with Float Switch (Blue - Automatic)
6. Johnson Pumps 01674-001 1600 GPH Heavy Duty Automatic Bilge Pump with Ultima Switch, 12V
7. SeaSense 800 GPH AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP
8. SeaChoice 19301 Submersible 2000 GPH Bilge Pump
SEAFLO Submersible Automatic Bilge Pump with Float Switch (750GPH, 12V)
The SEAFLO submersible automatic bilge pump is a fantastic pump with a flow rate of 750 GPH, 12V (voltage), and 3.0A (current) and 3.0M (head). The wire lead is 1 meter long with an outlet diameter of 19mm or 3.4 inches and a width of approximately 81mm. This product has a built-in float switch, so you don’t need a separate attachment to switch on the pump. The power turns on once the pump is activated by the inner float switch, which detects the water levels. This product has a four-year warranty.
Pros
- Extremely powerful, will push through a large amount of water
- Compact size to fit small pages
- The detector is accurate and works automatically
- Easy installation
Cons
- The float will occasionally get hung up
Our Take
When it comes to safety, 30 bucks is a minimal price to pay. And this automatic bilge pump by SEAFLO does it all. It got a built-in switch, so you don’t have to buy a separate one. We’ve got quite a large boat, so this is very useful. The voltage and flow rate pushes fast. So if in case you’re in danger of a massive overflow, this bilge pump can remove water quickly. Overall, we like the design and sizing. It’s not too extensive and can fit inside a small compartment of your boat. We love the stainless steel shaft material as it is rustproof and corrosion resistance. It has a quick-release filter, so you’ll have an easy time for maintenance even if you’re a beginner. The sealing is tight and operates silently. There’s also a lovely anti-airlock protection.
Lastly, we know that this can be confusing if you’re not an expert. So it comes with a comprehensive easy to read user manual. It’s not one of those boring, complicated ones. It has pictures and graphs to show you the installation process and wiring diagram.
attwood 4505-7 Sahara S500 Automatic Bilge Pump, 12-Volt, 1.5-Amp Draw, ¾-Inch Interior Diameter Hose, 29-Inch 16-Gauge Wire
This attwood automatic bilge pump is an excellent pump made to remove water with ease to prevent dangerous leakage on any boat. The bulge is made for pumping in any size boat. The pump is compact and fits into tight space. The package includes a pump, wire seals, strainer, and mercury-free switch all in one unit. With this pump, you’re able to mount horizontally. The perform is 500 GPH inflow, 12-volt, and 1.5 amp. The gauge caulked, and tinned copper wire is 29 inches and uses an interior hose with a diameter of ¾ inches. The overall product dimensions are 7.4 x 7.8 x 8.1 inches and 12.8 ounces with a shipping weight of 13 ounces.
Pros
- Easy installation - 3 wires only
- Super quiet
- Great power to eliminate water
Cons
- Durability can be questionable
Our Take
This is an excellent pump that’ll eliminate your water in any sized boat. Rest assured, if you have a 20 feet boat and over with sleeping accommodations, this pump will meet those recommendations. We like that it can fit in tight spaces so you can find a small compartment to have these in. This pump works well because it’s water-resistant. Pumps fail due to not maintaining the pump and having the water seep into some of the wiring and circuitry. For this pump, we like that it’ll pump the water out full volume until the water drops down to the shut-off level.
One aspect we wish was the power was greater like a 750 GPH like some of the other top bilge pumps in the market.
IUMÉ Boat Bilge Water Pump, Generic Automatic Submersible 12v 1100gph DC All-in-one Marine Bilge Auto Yacht with Float Switch Current 3.8A White & Blue
The IUME Boat Bilge water pump is a powerful pump made to remove water in your boat quickly. At an open flow rate, this powers at 1100 GPH, Volts at 12 V, Current (A) at 3.8 A, Head (M) at 3.0M. The product size is 4.01” x 3.10” x 5.55”. The wire lead is 1 meter, and the outlet diameter is 29mm and width 81mm. The bottom base is blue and has a built-in float switch. Along with this pump, equipped is an integrated electronic controlled reed sensor system for automatic operation to power on when the water level rises. The total weight is approximately 1.2 pounds.
Pros
- Extremely powerful in eliminating water
- Cost-effective
- Easy to wire and install
Cons
- Durability could be improved
Our Take
What stood out of the IUME Boat Automatic Bilge Pump is its outstanding power at 1100 GPH open flow rate. There are some pumps with only a 250 flow rate, so this one’s definitely above the standard when it comes to effectiveness. It’s made of the stainless steel shaft to protect against water and corrosion damage. The maintenance is quite easy, with the quick release restrainer, pop it open.
We do commend the manufacturers and engineers for adding a bunch of safety features for this product to ensure that its safe to use. The product has water and moisture tight seals along with anti-airlock protection. It’s also got a water-cooled system so that the motors won’t overheat under any circumstances. Overall, we think it’s an excellent investment on your part, especially if you have a bigger boat due to its incredible power.
SEAFLO Automatic 1100GPH Submersible Bilge Water PUMP 4 Year Warranty Boat 1100 Auto
The SEAFLOW automatic submersible bilge water pump is a high-quality pump made to last with a new and patent-pending design. The power is incredible, having a flow rate of 1100 GPH, 12V in voltage, Current at 3.0 A, and Head 3.0M. The wire lead is 1 meter long with an outlet diameter of 1.⅛ inch and width of 83mm. The SEAFLOW automatic pump has a built-in magnetic float switch that lasts for longevity, so no extra switches are necessary.
Pros
- Excellent power
- Very quiet to use
- Unbeatable price
Cons
- Could be more durable
- Wires could be thicker
Our Take
If safety is a priority for your boat, then having these bilge pumps is a gamechanger. You can count on this pump to work because it has an excellent built-in electronic sensor to detect your water levels. One of the biggest concerns of any boat owners is leaving their boat unattended, having leakage damage when they come back, and having to figure out their boat insurance damages. We like that the motor is quite powerful and has rustproof and corrosion-proof.
We were able to test this Seaflow pump for underground valve housing, and it tends to get flooded frequently. We mounted this pump to a brick to keep it submerged, and the bilge pump worked fine. As the water rose, it turned on, eliminated the water, and turned off once waters were down to a low level. The float is a ring with a built-in magnet that rides up and down the vertical shaft that triggers the sealed switch. This doesn’t get clogged up even with dirty water. Overall we trust that this automatic pump will keep your boat safe when it comes to water overflows.
MAXZONE Automatic Submersible Boat Bilge Water Pump 12v 1100gph Auto with Float Switch (Blue - Automatic)
The Maxzone automatic submersible boat bilge pump is a power pump made to eliminate water in any sized boat. The base is blue, and the top is white. The open flow rate is at 1100 GPH with a voltage of 12 and current at 3.8A along with a head (m) of 3.0M. The wire is 1 meter long and has a diameter of .95 inch and 81 millimeters. It has a built-in float system, so you don't need any additional switch for this automatic pump.
Furthermore, it has a smart electronic controlled reed sensor system for fully automatic usage. The product dimensions are 100mm x 140mm x 78mm. The item's weight is 1.21 pounds.
Pros
- Very strong flow rate and eliminates water fast
- Compact size
- Very durable
Cons
- The automatic switch may encounter errors
Our Take
When it comes to eliminating water quickly, this is one of the best in terms of sheer power. The electronic controlled reed sensor system can detect water levels and turn on when its in danger levels. We love how silent it is; hence, it's not going to make loud, disruptive noises. Also, even if you're a beginner and worried about the complexity of installing such refined equipment, don't worry, it's quite easy. The package comes with a user manual with installation instructions and wiring diagrams so you can follow along step by step.
At first, I was skeptical about reading that it can pump 5 meters ahead, but it turns out it can. The pump was able to eliminate even 9 feet ahead with ease. This pump works great even for a garden to remove water or many other scenarios as well.
Johnson Pumps 01674-001 1600 GPH Heavy Duty Automatic Bilge Pump with Ultima Switch, 12V
The Johnson Pump automatic bilge pump is a piece of heavy-duty equipment that quickly removes the water inside your boat. The body is made of a sturdy and durable thermoplastic and has a switch. The 12 pole motor is liquid-cooled and has double ball bearings. There’s also a lip seal on the motor. The flow rate power is 1600 GPH straight capacity. The connections have a length of 1-⅛ inch and 1-¼ inch. The product dimensions are 5.5 x 6.5 x 7.2 inches and weigh 1.84 pounds.
Pros
- Extremely powerful
- Removes water quickly
- Protective against rust and corrosion damage
Cons
- Pump sometimes doesn’t turn off once water is emptied
Our Take
This Johnson pump is an excellent and durable pump that every boat owner needs. It’s heavy-duty, so it’ll be protected against the storm, commercial, and recreational duty. The motor is liquid-cooled, so it’ll cool down the engine pretty well, and avoid experiencing any overheating issues.
Some pumps that we’ve seen out there have very low power. We’re shocked to see such a pump with an excellent 1600 flow rate. That’s quadruple the power of even suitable pumps. In our experience, the flow power tends to eliminate water even in far distances as well.
SeaSense 800 GPH AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP
The SeaSense automatic bilge pump is a premium pump made to remove water with ease. The flow rate of this pump is 800 GPH. It’s got a built-in float switch, so you don’t need any external switches or additional equipment required. The pump is impact resistant ABS housing as well as being ignition protected. For the body, it has a stainless steel shaft along with mounting hardware.
Pros
- Power is great
- 3-year warranty
- Affordable pricing -- best value
Cons
- Durability could be better
Our Take
We’ve tested this auto pump for our boat during the heavy rain season, and it worked excellently. Especially if you’re in stormy conditions, you need something to get rid of the overflow of liquid in the tank. The power seems to work well. I also like that it is capable of running on auto and manual modes. In case something goes wrong, having a manual mode is very useful. For example, if you’re riding on and you notice it isn’t working, you can always override the operations by turning on manual mode to eliminate water. It’s still nice to know that you can leave your boat out, and it won’t sink in a storm. The material of the shaft is stainless steel that prevents rust and corrosion as well, which is excellent.
SeaChoice 19301 Submersible 2000 GPH Bilge Pump
The SeaChoice 19301 submersible bilge pump is an incredible option for eliminating water. It’s got an excellent rugged white ABS plastic construction and 304 stainless steel fasteners. The pump isn’t made for commercial use and meets all NMMA certifications. The flow rate for this pump is 2000 GPH. The product dimensions are 8 x 7 x 6 inches and weigh 3.25 pounds.
Pros
- Extremely powerful
- Submersible and durable
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Isn’t made for commercial use
Our Take
This is an excellent pump that is great for boats, but we've found it to work in other scenarios, such as the basement. The basement is notorious for having leakage, and adding this auto pump can remove corrosion damage causing you thousands to fix pipes or insurance money. It also is excellent for leaky cellars as well. We've even tested this on a 1300 gallon pool. Compared to other pumps in the market, this is by far the strongest with the 2000 GPH flow rate. Typically most pumps are a mere 500 GPH or less.
We believe it's quite durable; it has a stainless steel fastening for security. The voltage is 12 and 10 amp. The outlet diameter is 1-⅛ inches. The box included has an instruction manual, so it's effortless to set up. With its power and durability, we recommend having this because it'll be an excellent insurance policy for you in any situation with an overflow of water.
