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Though it typically sits in the crawl space under a home, out of sight and out of mind, a shallow well pump is one of the most important appliances for a home that relies on well water.
These machines, with ½- to 1-horsepower motors, supply all the water to the house, drawing it up from the well in the ground to the kitchen and bathrooms. Shallow well pumps move 6 to 12 gallons of water per minute or more from wells up to 25 feet in the ground into a pressurized holding tank that stores the water for use in the home.
Our pick for the best overall shallow well pump is the Red Lion Premium Cast Iron Shallow Jet Pump for its heavy-duty and long-lasting build; powerful 1,380 gallon per hour (GPH) motor; glass-filled impeller; and lightweight construction. Use this guide to learn about the crucial features to consider when shopping for the best shallow well pump, and check out some more quality models that suit a variety of situations.
- BEST OVERALL: Red Lion Premium Cast Iron Shallow Jet Pump
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Acquaer ½ HP Shallow/Deep Well Jet Pump
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: FluentPower 1 HP Portable Garden Transfer Pump
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BOOSTER: Pentair Simer ¾ HP Pressure Booster Pump
↓ Jump to Review - BEST THERMOPLASTIC: Everbilt J100A3 ½-HP Shallow Well Jet Pump
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WITH TANK: Everbilt J100A2 ½-HP Shallow Well Jet Pump
↓ Jump to Review - BEST CAST-IRON: Red Lion Cast Iron Shallow Well Jet Pump
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SEDIMENT: Aquastrong 1⅗-HP Shallow Well Pump with Pressure Tank
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Wayne ½-HP Cast Iron Shallow Well Pump
↓ Jump to Review
Photo: istockphoto
How We Chose the Best Shallow Well Pumps
We reviewed and assessed more than 20 different shallow well pumps while researching this article. We used several criteria to evaluate them. Our selections come from reputable pump brands, including Wayne, Red Lion, and Everbilt. Durability is crucial, so we looked at submersible pumps that can endure extended use with either stainless steel or cast-iron construction.
Our selections also include pumps with various sizes of electric motors to suit the water-pressure demands of different households. With that in mind, we included ½-horsepower models, suitable for irrigation purposes and smaller homes, and larger ¾ to 1½ horsepower models for full-size homes. All of the units we chose are easy to operate, thanks to features that automatically turn them off and on based on water pressure.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Red Lion Premium Cast Iron Shallow Jet Pump
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Product Specs
- Motor size: 1 horsepower (½ horsepower and ¾ horsepower also available)
- Dimensions: 17.72 inches long by 9.1 inches wide by 9.1 inches high
- Maximum flow rate: 1,380 GPH (1-horsepower model)
What We Like
- Rugged durable cast-iron pump holds up to long-term use
- Powerful motor is capable of moving up to 1,380 GPH (1-horsepower model)
- A glass-filled impeller produces excellent flow rate
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers report that the pump can be difficult to prime
Rock-solid construction and size options make this Red Lion pump work for different household sizes. It’s available in ½-horsepower/12 gallons per minute (GPM), ¾-horsepower/16 GPM, and 1-horsepower/23 GPM options to suit small and large homes.
The durable 1-HP shallow well pump has thick cast-iron construction and weighs 40-plus pounds. It features a glass-filled thermoplastic impeller for optimal flow rate. This pump can work with both 115-volt and 230-volt power supplies.
Get the Red Lion Premium shallow well pump at Amazon or Walmart.
Runner Up
Acquaer ½ HP Shallow/Deep Well Jet Pump
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Product Specs
- Motor size: ½ horsepower
- Dimensions: 13 inches long by 8.3 inches wide by 7.1 inches high
- Maximum flow rate: 710 GPH
What We Like
- This mode is much more affordable than other ½-horsepower well pumps
- Resists cracks and leaks thanks to its durable cast-iron construction
- Pump functions automatically with pressure switch preset
What We Don’t Like
- Has a lower maximum flow rate than other higher-priced well pumps
This Acquaer model offers construction and power similar to other shallow well pumps at a more affordable price. The ½-horsepower pump can move 12 gallons of water per minute, typically enough to handle even larger households.
Although the housing, which consists of cast-iron and steel parts, isn’t as rugged as models with all-cast-iron construction, it’s durable enough to stand up to daily use for many years. And its comparably high flow rate means it won’t need to run constantly to keep up with the home’s water demands. A preset switch shuts off when the tank reaches 50 pounds per square inch (PSI) and turns it back on when it drops to 30 PSI. This pump works on both 115-volt and 230-volt power.
Get the Acquaer shallow well pump at Amazon.
Best Bang For The Buck
FluentPower 1 HP Portable Garden Transfer Pump
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Product Specs
- Motor size: 1 horsepower
- Dimensions: 13.2 inches long by 8.9 inches wide by 9.8 inches high
- Maximum flow rate: 900 GPH
What We Like
- Made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel; built to last for years
- Features a waterproof on/off switch; priming and drain ports; a cooling, vented design; and two ¾-inch standard garden hose adapters
- Maximum output of 360 GPH, maximum lift head up to 144 feet, and a maximum suction depth of 26 feet
What We Don’t Like
- Some users have reported that this unit can leak when in operation
Anyone interested in a sleek, affordable, and user-friendly shallow well pump will want to take a look at this model from FluentPower. This 1 HP model features corrosion-resistant stainless steel housing; a waterproof on/off switch; a portable handle; priming and drain ports; a cooling, vented design; and two ¾-inch standard garden hose adapters.
It also has a maximum flow rate of 900 GPH and an output flow of 350 GPH, a maximum lift head up to 144 feet, and a maximum suction depth of 26 feet. It has a wear-resistant seal structure and overheating protection. This pump is also compatible with a pressure regulator and works with a booster pump.
Get the FluentPower shallow well pump at Amazon.
Best Booster
Pentair Simer ¾ HP Pressure Booster Pump
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Product Specs
- Motor size: ¾ horsepower
- Dimensions: 18.1 inches long by 10 inches wide by 17.3 inches high
- Maximum flow rate: Not available
What We Like
- Automatically turns on to provide a boost when it senses low water pressure
- Threaded connections and mounting plate make it easy to install
- Corrosion- and rust-resistant, thanks to stainless steel construction
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers report that the pump is too noisy during operation
With its ¾-horsepower motor, this pump is ideal for homes with low water pressure. The booster will raise water pressure by up to 40 PSI and plugs into a standard 115-volt outlet. The pump works by tying into the existing well pump system and automatically turns on when water pressure drops below a certain level.
With its stainless steel construction, it resists rust and corrosion. Threaded connections on the top and side of the pump make it easy to connect to the water supply line entering the house to boost pressure. The pump sits on a mounting plate with four holes, making it possible to mount it to a base for added support.
Get the Pentair shallow well pump at Amazon.
Best Thermoplastic
Everbilt J100A3 ½-HP Shallow Well Jet Pump
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Product Specs
- Motor size: ½ horsepower
- Dimensions: 15.16 inches long by 7.87 inches wide by 8.5 inches high
- Maximum flow rate: 432 GPH
What We Like
- Compact pump size makes it ideal for use in smaller spaces; reaches depths of 25 feet
- Thermoplastic and rustproof housing makes it resistant to corrosion
- Fan helps keep the motor from overheating, extending its life
What We Don’t Like
- Lower flow rate may make it unsuitable for larger homes
With a ½-horsepower motor and the ability to pump up to 7 gallons per minute, this Everbilt pump has a durable thermoplastic pump body, which resists corrosion and rust better than other materials. It functions off a pressure switch that turns on the pump when the pressure tank drops to 30 PSI and turns it off when it reaches 50 PSI.
A fan cools the motor during operation, helping to extend its life. It’s one of the more compact pumps for wells on the market, making maneuvering it into tight areas, such as a crawl space, more manageable. This shallow well pump with pressure tank can work with either 115-volt or 230-volt connections and weighs 15 pounds.
Get the Everbilt shallow well pump at The Home Depot or Amazon.
Best with Tank
Everbilt J100A2 ½ HP Shallow Well Jet Pump
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Product Specs
- Motor size: ½ horsepower
- Dimensions: 20.5 inches long by 19.5 inches wide by 11.25 inches high
- Maximum flow rate: 432 GPH
What We Like
- Comes with its own 6-gallon pressure tank for light-duty use
- Does not require manual priming; turns on and off automatically
- The pump is conveniently attached to the pressurized tank
What We Don’t Like
- Tank isn’t large enough to serve as a well pump for a home
This ½-horsepower pump from Everbilt doesn’t require a pressure tank; instead, it comes with its own. The pump sits on a 6-gallon tank, and while this is too small to handle the needs of a house, it can suit homes with a separate well or water source for irrigation or for vacation cabins that pull water from a lake or small well.
The pump and tank produce 7 gallons of water per minute. The preprimed pump can automatically start when the pressure in the tank falls to 30 PSI and can turn off when it reaches the tank’s maximum 50 PSI pressure level. Made of durable cast iron, the tank is bolted to the steel tank, which provides a solid base for the pump. The shallow well irrigation pump is prewired to work with either 115-volt or 230-volt power.
Get the Everbilt J100A2 shallow well pump at The Home Depot or DK Hardware.
Best Cast Iron
Red Lion Cast Iron Shallow Well Jet Pump
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Product Specs
- Motor size: ½ horsepower
- Dimensions: 8.54 inches long by 13.86 inches wide by 8.4 inches high
- Maximum flow rate: 420 GPH
What We Like
- Can handle heavy usage thanks to durable cast-iron construction
- Produces a flow rate high enough to serve smaller single-bathroom homes
- Features a preset pressure switch that automatically turns the pump on and off
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers complain that the pump is too noisy
With an ample output and durable construction, this model from Red Lion is a great pick for smaller homes with a single bathroom. Its ½-horsepower motor is powerful enough to produce a flow rate of up to 7 gallons per minute. The rugged, durable, cast-iron pump’s housing is durable, ensuring it can hold up to many years of use.
The shut-off switch turns on at 30 PSI and turns off at 50 PSI automatically. This pump comes prewired with either 115-volt or 230-volt connections.
Get the Red Lion cast-iron shallow well pump at Amazon.
Best for Sediment
Aquastrong 1⅗ HP Shallow Well Pump With Pressure Tank
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Product Specs
- Motor size: 1.6 horsepower
- Dimensions: 17.9 inches long by 10.9 inches wide by 19.7 inches high
- Maximum flow rate: 1,320 GPH
What We Like
- Equipped with large 1.6-horsepower motor and 5-gallon pressure tank
- Automatically turns on and off when it senses certain water pressure
- Stainless steel construction resists corrosion and rusting better than cast iron
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers report issues with the pressure tank leaking
Unless the home has a water-filtration system, sediment can wreak havoc on cast-iron pumps by causing corrosion. With its stainless steel construction, this well house pump resists rust better than cast-iron models, making it a great option for those who have a lot of sediment in their water. With its 1⅗-horsepower motor and 5-gallon pressure tank, it produces a max flow of 1,320 GPH.
It also has an auto shutoff that turns the pump on 20 PSI and shuts it off at 40 PSI. The pump will also automatically shut off if it senses a high temperature, protecting the engine from overheating and burning out. The pump has threaded inlets and outlets and comes with hose adapters, making it easy to install.
Get the Aquastrong shallow well pump at Amazon.
Also Consider
Wayne ½ HP Cast Iron Shallow Well Pump
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Product Specs
- Motor size: ½ horsepower (1 and ¾ horsepower also available)
- Dimensions: 22 inches long by 12 inches wide by 11 inches high
- Maximum flow rate: 375 GPH
What We Like
- Automatically switches on and off at preset pressure levels of 30 PSI and 50 PSI
- Rugged, durable, cast-iron pump is sturdy enough for long-term use
- Works with both 115-volt and 230-volt electrical connections
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers report that the pressure switch can be difficult to adjust
This pump from Wayne comes in ½- to 1-horsepower options. Its smallest pump can move 6¼ gallons per minute at 50 PSI, which is typically enough for small households of one or two people. Its larger 1-horsepower model can move 8½ gallons per minute, which should provide enough water flow for larger families. A ¾-horsepower model is also available.
With its heavy cast-iron construction (it weighs about 41 pounds), this pump can hold up to daily use. An automatic pump switches on when water pressure drops to 30 PSI and off when it reaches 50 PSI. This pump for shallow wells can work with both 115-volt and 230-volt power sources.
Get the Wayne shallow well pump at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Shallow Well Pump
As with any type of pump, horsepower and gallons per minute are arguably the most crucial shopping considerations. Other important aspects include the pump’s durability and the depth of the well it can service. Read on for the factors and features to keep in mind during the search for the best shallow well pump.
Well Depth
Depth is the most important factor to consider when choosing a pump for a well. A well accesses an underground aquifer that serves as its water source. For wells that are 25 feet deep or less, a shallow well pump, also referred to as a “jet” pump, is the best choice. Wells that are deeper than 25 feet require a deep well pump. Shallow well water pumps can pump from depths up to 25 feet at a rate of between 6 and 12 GPM.
Housing Material
Shallow well pumps, much like sump pumps, use multiple types of materials for their housing, including plastic, stainless steel, and cast iron. Plastic is the most affordable, but it’s also the least durable. Though a plastic well pump costs less up front, it most likely will require replacement sooner than a stainless steel or cast-iron model.
Stainless steel has natural properties that resist corrosion and rust; however, it isn’t as strong as iron and therefore won’t last as long. Although cast-iron submersible pumps are the most expensive option, their durability may make them worth the larger initial investment since they usually last considerably longer than other materials.
Some exceptions exist, however. Most cast-iron pumps feature powder coatings that protect the metal from corrosion and rust; however, these coatings aren’t impregnable. In wells on properties with a significant amount of sand or sediment, the forged iron may eventually rust and corrode. In these situations, pumps with a thermoplastic pump body, which better resist corrosion, are a wiser option.
Pressure Switch
A pressure switch serves as the on/off button for the pump. The switch detects the amount of pressure in the home’s pressurized water supply tank. It automatically turns on the pump when the pressure falls below a certain low PSI and off when the water pressure reaches a preset high PSI.
The optimal water pressure for most homes is between 40 and 50 PSI, which is enough to provide adequate water pressure for most water receptacles in a home. As such, most manufacturers set pressure switches to turn on when they drop to 30 PSI and off when they reach 50 PSI.
Tank and Plumbing Options
Shallow well pumps work in conjunction with a pressurized tank. The pump moves water into the tank until it reaches 50 PSI. That tank serves as the home’s pressurized water supply, preventing the pump from turning on every time someone opens a faucet. As the tank’s water supply decreases, so does the PSI. When it drops to 30, the pump kicks on to recharge the tank to its max PSI of 50.
Shallow well pumps work with either precharged storage tanks or air-to-water tanks. A precharged storage tank has a bladder inside the gallon tank. As water fills the bladder, the air around it is compressed. When someone opens a faucet, the compressed air squeezes the bladder, sending the water to the faucet.
Air-to-water tanks work similarly, only with no bladder. As the pump forces water into the tank, it compresses the existing air inside it, creating the pressure needed to expel water when someone opens a faucet.
Shallow well pumps work with a variety of well piping, including copper, flexible plastic, or rigid plastic.
Booster Pump Option
In addition to serving as a shallow well pump, some models also can function as a booster pump for homes with deep wells or on city water with low water pressure. These common pumps attach to the home’s plumbing, helping to improve water pressure from a municipal water connection.
They also can boost the output of a deep well pump that may be struggling to move water from 100-plus feet below the ground to the home’s plumbing. Shallow well pumps can supplement other water needs, for instance, supplying water pressure for a home’s irrigation system or swimming pool cleaning system.
Horsepower and Gallons Per Minute
Like submersible pumps, shallow well pumps are rated by the number of gallons they can deliver per minute. Purchasing the right size is crucial, since a shallow well pump is responsible for supplying all the water a home uses. The general rule is that a pump should be able to supply 1 gallon per minute per water fixture for bathtubs, showers, and sinks. For most homes, a pump that can move about 7 gallons of water per minute is adequate.
Horsepower directly relates to the GPM a pump can move. Pumps come in ½-, ¾-, and 1-horsepower models. Most ½-horsepower pumps can move about 7 to 9 gallons of water per hour, making them suitable for most homes.
Overload Protection
Most pumps have an overload relay, which protects the pump by shutting it off before it overheats and damages the motor. For example, without standard or thermal overload protection, should a leak occur in the supply tank that prevents the pump pressure switch from reaching the cutoff of 50 PSI, the pump could continually work to reach that threshold, eventually burning out the motor. When the standard or thermal overload protection feature senses that the motor is overloaded, it shuts off the pump.
Maintenance
Though shallow well pumps are usually reliable tools, some of the most common issues that can prevent them from running smoothly include limited water supply, pulsing water pressure, and unwanted consistent runtimes. When these problems arise, always ensure the power is on, the pressure switch or pump controller is operating correctly, and the air valve is not pulsating.
FAQs
If you’re wondering about the electrical requirements for a shallow well pump or how to use one, read on for answers to commonly asked questions about these units.
There are deep and shallow jet pumps for different water levels. Shallow well jet pumps work for depths of up to 25 feet, while deep pumps can work in spaces of up to 100 feet deep.
The size of the pump required depends on the amount of water and the depth of the well. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the given pump is compatible with the well and system.
While a shallow well pump doesn’t require a pressure gauge that you can see, it does require a pressure switch. The switch turns the pump on and off based on the pressure in the water supply tank paired with the pump.
Most shallow well pumps are wired to work with either a 115-volt or 230-volt power supply. The pumps are typically prewired by the manufacturer, so make sure to choose the right option for your home when purchasing the unit.
No. Shallow well pumps are rated for use only up to depths of 25 feet, which is beyond the depth of deep wells. Deep well pumps also are submersible, while shallow well pumps are not.