Best overall Wayne CDU980E $229.99
Highest overall score (98/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.
See on Amazon →Independent · sourced · Updated July 2026
Best Sump Pumps (2026)
The best overall sump pump is Wayne CDU980E ($229.99). The best value sump pump is Red Lion RL-SC50T ($287.3). The cheapest is Wayne CDU980E at $229.99. 7 sump pumps compared from $229.99 to $295 across 6 brands — every figure sourced, updated July 2026.
7 sump pumps compared on the specs that matter and US price — ranked cheapest-first. Every spec and price links to its source and the date we captured it.
Our data Across the 6 sump pumps we priced, the most expensive lists for 28% more than the best-specced one — Wayne CDU980E at $230 — so the premium mostly buys the badge, not better hardware. Premium Myth study, as of July 2026.
Which sump pump should you buy?
Three buyer-intent picks from the algorithmic ranking below — no paid placement.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified 2026-07-11; live price may differ.
Key takeaways
- Lowest price: Wayne CDU980E at $229.99 (US street price $229.99 at Farm & Home Supply (farmandhomesupply.com) for the Wayne CDU980E (Manufacturer Number CDU980E), shown verbatim as "$229.99". The WAYNE manufacturer page publishes no price. Amazon only displayed a Germany/EUR price (EUR185.51), so it was not used for a USD figure.).
- Typical price: from $229.99, median $262.87, up to $295 — across 6 priced.
- Tracked: 7 products across 6 brands, current through 2026-07-11.
- Compared on: Horsepower hp, Max flow gph, Max head (ft), Pump type, Switch type, Discharge size (in).
Best by the numbers
Objective winners — each is the leader on one measured spec, with the figure. No subjective ranking.
- Lowest price: Wayne CDU980E ($229.99)
- Highest horsepowerHp: Red Lion RL-SC50T (0.5 horsepowerHp)
- Highest warrantyYears: Wayne CDU980E (5 warrantyYears)
Top 3 by quality
An algorithmic overall ranking from the data on this page — value for money, spec strength, and recency. 100% data-driven, no paid placement.
-
Wayne CDU980E Quality score 98/100 Best value -
Red Lion RL-SC50T Quality score 60/100 Most powerful - Liberty Pumps 237 Quality score 39/100 Most powerful
How we rank: Value 45% · Spec strength 35% · Recency 20%. Scores are computed only within this category from published specs and prices — never influenced by commissions or placement. Method & open data →
What to look for
How to read the comparison — what each key spec means and the range across these sump pumps.
- Horsepower hp — higher is better (this group: 0.3 to 0.5).
Comparison
| Compare | # | Sump Pump | Price | Horsepower hp | Max flow gph | Max head (ft) | Pump type | Switch type | Discharge size (in) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayne CDU980E | $229.99 | — | 5490 | 20 | submersible | vertical-float | — | waynepumps.com | |
| 2 | Flotec FPZS50T | $249.99 | 0.5 | 4200 | 22 | submersible | tethered-float | — | pentair.com | |
| 3 |  Little Giant 6-CIA | $258.74 | — | — | 18 | submersible | diaphragm | 1.5 | littlegiant.com | |
| 4 | Liberty Pumps 237 | $267 | — | — | 21 | submersible | vertical-float | — | libertypumps.com | |
| 5 | Red Lion RL-SC50T | $287.3 | 0.5 | 4300 | 28 | submersible | tethered-float | — | redlionproducts.com | |
| 6 |  Zoeller M53 Mighty-Mate | $295 | 0.3 | — | 19.25 | submersible | vertical-float | — | web.archive.org | |
| 7 |  Wayne CDU790 | — | 0.33 | 4600 | 20 | submersible | vertical-float | — | waynepumps.com |
Specs are as published by the manufacturer (or a reputable spec source where the official page was unavailable); prices are US launch MSRP. Full per-product records and all spec columns are in our open dataset.
Popular comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest sump pump?
Wayne CDU980E is the cheapest at $229.99 (US street price $229.99 at Farm & Home Supply (farmandhomesupply.com) for the Wayne CDU980E (Manufacturer Number CDU980E), shown verbatim as "$229.99". The WAYNE manufacturer page publishes no price. Amazon only displayed a Germany/EUR price (EUR185.51), so it was not used for a USD figure.), as of 2026-07-11.
How much does sump pumps cost?
Across the 6 sump pumps with a published price, the median is $262.87, ranging from $229.99 to $295, as of 2026-07-11.
Which sump pump is best by the numbers?
Lowest price: Wayne CDU980E ($229.99). Highest horsepowerHp: Red Lion RL-SC50T (0.5 horsepowerHp). Highest warrantyYears: Wayne CDU980E (5 warrantyYears).
How many sump pumps are compared here?
7 sump pumps across 6 brands, with US price and key specs, current through 2026-07-11.
What is the best overall sump pump?
Wayne CDU980E ($229.99) — Highest overall score (98/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.
What is the best value sump pump?
Red Lion RL-SC50T ($287.3) — Most specification per dollar of any sump pumps here at $287.3.
What is the most capable sump pump?
Liberty Pumps 237 ($267) — Leads this group on the measured specs — a premium pick at $267.
More hardware comparisons
How we compiled this
Covers residential electric (AC-powered) primary sump pumps sold at a published US price for basement and crawl-space water removal, both submersible and pedestal designs. Excludes battery/DC backup pumps, water-powered backup pumps, utility/transfer pumps, sewage and grinder pumps, and effluent/septic pumps. Price is typical US MSRP or street price in USD. horsepowerHp is rated motor power in horsepower as published (fractional values allowed). maxFlowGph is the manufacturer's rated maximum flow at zero lift in US gallons per hour. maxHeadFt is the maximum total head / shutoff lift in feet. pumpType is an enum: submersible or pedestal. switchType is an enum for the automatic switch: vertical-float, tethered-float, diaphragm, electronic, or dual-float; use manual for pumps sold without a switch. dischargeSizeIn is the discharge port NPT size in inches. solidsHandlingIn is the maximum spherical solids the impeller passes, in inches; 0 if the pump is not rated to pass solids. housingMaterial is the primary motor/volute housing material enum: cast-iron, thermoplastic, stainless-steel, zinc, aluminum, or epoxy-coated-cast-iron. voltageV is the AC supply voltage in volts. cordLengthFt is the power cord length in feet. warrantyYears is the limited warranty length in years. Any spec not published by the manufacturer is null.
Last verified 2026-07-11. We re-check published specs and prices on a recurring cadence and update this page when they change.
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