Best Pool Pumps for Inground Pools in 2024

After a long winter, few things beat diving into a refreshing backyard pool on a hot summer day. But that refreshing oasis relies on having a solid pool pump circulating crystal clear water behind the scenes. As an essential piece of equipment, choosing the right inground pool pump impacts everything from efficiency to maintenance costs and even safety.

In this buyer's guide, we'll cover what to look for when shopping for the best inground pool pump. You'll learn key factors like horsepower needs, flow rate, and energy efficiency. We'll also overview the most common pump types and top-rated models on the market today.

What to Consider When Buying a Pool Pump

With so many options out there, buying a new pool pump can get overwhelming fast. To narrow down the choices, keep these key factors in mind:

• Pool size - Match pump flow rate to water volume for adequate filtration.
• Plumbing size - Ensure proper connectivity to existing pipes and filters.
• Energy use - Variable-speed pumps offer big efficiency improvements.
• Noise level - Check decibel ratings if pump location is near living spaces.
• Brand reputation - Stick with proven pump brands for reliability.
• Warranties - Opt for at least a 2-year warranty as a sign of quality.

Horsepower and flow rate are two technical specs that greatly affect performance. We'll dive deeper into what those numbers mean next.

Horsepower

Horsepower (HP) indicates the pump motor's capacity to move water through pipes and filters. Most inground pools do well in the 3/4 to 2 HP range. Key factors determining ideal HP include:

• Pool volume - Larger pools need more power for adequate turnover.
• Plumbing size - Match HP to pipe diameter to prevent strain.
• Pump flow rate - Check gallons per minute/hour capabilities.
• Filtration needs - More filter stages require higher HP.

In basic terms, too little horsepower stresses your system. Motors work overtime and burn out faster. On the flip side, oversized motors waste energy. Finding the right balance prevents issues down the road.

Flow Rate

While HP measures motor input, flow rate indicates pump output. It tells you how many gallons of water a pump moves per minute or hour. Matching flow rate to pool volume ensures adequate turnover to keep water clean and prevent stagnation.

Most pumps list maximum flow rates. But for real-world numbers, checking the pump curve is best. These graphs show flow rate capabilities across a range of discharge pipe sizes and total dynamic head measurements. We'll cover TDH more next.

Understanding Pump Types

Manufacturers make inground pool pumps in three main configurations: single-speed, dual-speed, and variable-speed. Each has pros and cons to consider.

Single-Speed Pumps

As the most affordable option, single-speed pumps run at one flow rate. While energy efficient at peak speeds, their on/off cycling burns extra electricity during lighter usage. Lessadvanced hydraulics also produce more noise and shorter lifespans on average.

However, newer single-speed models compete better thanks to upgraded motors and impeller technology. And simple design equates to easy installation, operation, and repairs.

Dual-Speed Pumps

Dual-speed pumps add adjustable flow rates for improved efficiency. Toggle between a high speed for peak use times and lower speed during lighter demand. Running at half speed slashes energy use significantly compared to full-throttle single-speed models.

With a bit more complexity, dual-speed pumps usually cost slightly more initially. Digital controls and speed changes add minimal learning curves as well. Overall, dual-speed models strike a solid balance for many homeowners.

Variable-Speed Pumps

As the most advanced option, variable-speed pumps offer total control over water flow. Continuously adjust pump speed to closely match demand and slash energy bills by up to 90 percent in optimal conditions.

Digital variable-speed models also run whisper-quiet thanks to state-of-the-art motor and hydraulic designs. Top brands like Pentair let you fully customize flow rates and schedules through app integration too.

The main downsides of variable-speed pumps come down to price. More complex digital motors with programmable logic cost two to three times more than single-speed models. Some homeowners also dislike learning new digital UIs and programming schedules.

Key Features to Compare

When researching pool pumps, drilling into certain features separates the best options from the rest. Beyond horsepower and flow rates, keep these factors in mind:

Energy Efficiency

Given most pool pumps run 10-plus hours daily through summers, electricity costs add up fast. And with rising rates nationwide, efficiency matters more than ever.

Certifications like ENERGY STAR(r) give helpful benchmarks for comparing models. For big savings over time, variable-speed pumps rate as your best efficiency bet. Even affordable dual-speed models beat old single-speed designs though.

Noise Levels

Few things ruin backyard relaxation faster than a loud pool pump humming away. Noise comes primarily from vibrations and grinding inside hydraulic assemblies.

Today's variable-speed and upgraded dual-speed models run much quieter thanks to internal dampeners and better balancing. If noise is a concern, opting for these improved pump technologies really helps reduce disturbances.

Durability & Warranties

As a major equipment investment expected to run 24/7 through summer months, an inground pool pump needs proven durability. Quality internal components must withstand constant water flow, chemical exposure, and mechanical wear.

Opting for established brands known for reliability gives peace of mind. Extended warranties also indicate manufacturer confidence. For example, Pentair and other top names offer up to 5-year warranties on higher-end pool pump models.

Ideal Flow Rate & Turnover

You know flow rate indicates how much water pumps move per hour. But why does that matter so much? Two words - turnover capacity. This spec tells you how long a pump needs to completely filter all pool water.

Most experts recommend a daily turnover between 4-8 hours max. Lower turnover capacity risks stagnation and clarity issues. Checking pump flow rate and comparing to your pool's gallons gives the real turnover number.

Match turnover capacity to your actual usage levels. Pools getting heavy use need faster 4-hour turnovers. Light usage may allow 6-8 hours to save energy costs during pump runtime.

Our Top Inground Pool Pump Picks

If your head's still spinning with all the pool pump jargon, let our top recommendations simplify the process:

Best Overall: Pentair IntelliFlo Variable-Speed

With class-leading efficiency and innovations like built-in diagnostics, Pentair's IntelliFlo pump tops our list. Whisper-quiet hydraulics, up to 8 programmable speeds, and SmartPool app integration check all the boxes.

Most Energy Efficient: Hayward TriStar Variable-Speed

triangle shape and unique impeller design optimize water flow on Hayward's TriStar pump. Real-world tests show over 80 percent savings versus single-speed models making it a standout efficiency upgrade.

Budget Pick: Harris ProForce Single-Speed

For shoppers on tighter budgets, Harris pumps deliver reliable performance. The ProForce model offers up to 1.5 HP for medium-sized pools at very wallet-friendly pricing.

Quietest Operation: Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro

Boasting oversize strainer baskets and internal diffusers, Sta-Rite's Max-E-Pro runs incredibly smooth. If a silent pump matters most, its 59 decibel noise rating really separates this single-speed workhorse.