When looking for a budget sump pump, it’s tempting to buy the first discount pump you find at your local Home-Depot, ACE, or Menards-type box store. And sure; they’ll last for a few months or maybe even a year or two. But if you’re like us, you aren’t a fan of wasting time, throwing away money, or spending hours every few weekends cleaning out your basement whenever a cheap sump pump fails to do its job. We’d recommend spending more money the first time and doing the job right; there are sump pumps out there that will last for years and years while providing top notch water removal every step of the way.

When considering such pumps, our buy-it-for-life recommendation is always the Zoeller M267. It’s one of the fastest sump pumps on the market and it’s also one of the longest lasting money can buy (think 10-20 years of service). However, it’s also around $300. If your budget is capped at $200, we’d recommend looking at pumps like the Zoeller M57, Wayne CDU1000, and Wayne CDU980E first. Among these three, we prefer the Zoeller because despite being slower, it’s built better and will last longer. This is where the Zoeller M63 Premium Series Might-Mate Submersible Sump Pump comes in. It’s an upgraded version of the M53 that still clocks in at the $200 mark while offering a much stronger warranty and beefier internal parts. If you want the best sump pump for $200, this might just be it. Read on to find out why.

Key Features of the Zoeller M63 Sump Pump (60 Second Summary)

The Zoeller M63 sump pump is an automatic submersible sump pump rated for dewatering (sump systems), groundwater transfer, and effluent (sewage) work. It features a 3/10 (approximately 1/3) HP motor, can pump water at up to 2,580 gallons per hour, and includes a 5 year manufacturer warranty. It is 10-1/16 inches tall, 10-3/32 inches wide, and 7 inches deep. Its maximum pumping height is 19.25 feet with switch-on and switch-off heights of 3 inches and 7-1/4 inches respectively; it includes a vertical float switch. It uses 9.7 amps on 115 volts and it doesn’t include a battery backup. On our scale it weighed 27.9 pounds and it comes with a 10 foot power cord. While the max pump rate is 2,580 gallons per hour at 0 feet, at 10 feet it drops to 2,040 gph, to 1,140 gph at 15 feet, and ceases operation by 20 feet. The working temperature range spans 40-130 degrees Fahrenheit. The M63 self-primes and is fully constructed from cast iron, including the impeller. Amazon incorrectly reports the discharge size as 1-1/2″ FPT; it’s actually 1-1/2″ NPT, and it needs sump pits at least 15 inches in diameter.

How Does the Zoeller M63 Compare to the Zoeller M57, Wayne CDU1000, and Zoeller M267 Sump Pumps?

The main differences between the M63 and the M57 have to do with warranty coverage. Due to better internal and external construction (including the high quality float switch system), the M63 comes with a 5 year warranty, which is leagues better than the 1 year warranty of the M57. We’d expect the M63 to last between 10 and 17 years due to the tighter internal tolerances. We’re also happy to see the power cord is lengthened in the M63 compared to that in the M57.

In comparison, while the Wayne CDU1000 offers a stronger motor (1HP vs .3HP in the M63), a much faster top flow rate (5,400 gallons per hours vs 2,580 in the M63), and an equivalently strong 5 year warranty, the M63 is built more solidly both externally and internally. Due to its construction standards, the M63 is more likely to continue to run over time (even in environments with hard or calcified water) and it’s more likely to keep working through contaminants, debris, and other detritus in your sump pit. The cast iron impeller is capable of shredding up to 1/2 inch (12mm) spherical solids. We’d expect 5-9 years of life from the CDU1000, but we’d expect 10-17 from the M63. If you aren’t a fan of replacing sump pumps (and besides plumbers, we’ve yet to find someone who is), you’ll want to invest in peace of mind.

That said, if peace of mind is your ultimate goal, and you’d prefer to keep your sump pump working and out of the way for as long as possible, you’ll want to skip the M63, the M57, and the CDU1000 and go straight to the Zoeller M267. It’s far faster than any of these pumps, including the CDU1000 (its maximum flow rate is a class-leading 7,680 gallons per hour) while being capable of handling up to 2 inch solids (the CDU1000 isn’t rated for handling solids while the other Zoellers are only rated for up to 1/2 inch solids), and you can expect up to 20 years of useful life. This is the pump to get if you want a lifetime sump pump: the M267.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Zoeller M63 Sump Pump

Installing the M63 was straightforward, and even with limited plumbing experience it’s unlikely to take more than an hour with necessary tubing and connectors on hand. Connect a 1-1/2 inch male threaded fitting to the sump discharge hose or pipe; place your sump pump in the sump basin and level it. Ensure the float isn’t touching anything and is free to move up and down, and plug everything in. Add a check valve (we like the Brady check valve) and a relief hole as noted in the instruction sheet. That’s pretty much it.

The noise and vibration levels are next to nonexistent; it’s noticeably quieter than the M57, which we attribute to the higher end and better balanced components. You won’t be able to hear it from more than a couple of feet away, and if feedback from other plumbers and homeowners is any indication, you’ll be able to enjoy such functionality for a good 10-16 years if you’re lucky.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Zoeller M63 Working Sooner

Our three biggest recommendations for using the M63 involve checking the float switch action from time to time (particularly if you’re lucky enough to have a sump basin that doesn’t fill up on a daily basis like those in the northern Illinois wetland), to buy and install a DC backup sump pump (or a water based backup sump pump), and to add a water alarm for extra insurance.

Checking the float switch action helps make sure it doesn’t get stuck over time due to disuse, and this ensures that the next time your sump basin starts to fill, the float switch will be loose enough to activate when necessary. The DC backup sump pump is an essential piece of insurance for any AC based sump pump, as a battery powered sump pump will take over in the event of a loss of power when your AC sump pump turns off.

If you’ve got the money, the top DC backup sump pump is the Wayne WSM3300. However, if you’re working with a much smaller budget, the Wayne ESP25 is a good alternative. And for a cheap but effective water alarm (which you’ll want to install just above the backup float switch, which should be installed just above your AC float switch), we like the Basement Watchdog. Remember that both the backup sump pump and the water sensor are much cheaper than any amount of time and money spent cleaning a flooded basement.

Zoeller M63 Sump Pump Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

In conclusion, at the $200 mark, we can’t find a better sump pump on the market. The Wayne CDU1000 is a faster pumps and worth considering if you absolutely need higher flow rates, but at under $200, the M63 in our books is the best sump pump for the money. It’s going to last longer and it’s going to do a much better job at handling dirty, contaminated, or debris-filled water. We’re also highly impressed with the 5 year warranty. That said, it’s not the best AC sump pump out there; we’d put the Zoeller M267 far ahead of any other AC sump pump on the market under $400 in terms of speed and long term reliability.

You can buy the Zoeller M63 here on Amazon. You can buy the Zoeller M267 here. You can buy the Wayne CDU1000 here. You can buy the Wayne ESP25 here or buy the Wayne WSM3300 here. You can buy a water alarm here. You can buy a silent check valve here.

If you find our work at PumpThatSump helpful, you can put our relentless reviewing of every pump and fixture on the market to the test by shopping via our links above for whatever you need to make your house a home. Despite being self-employed, we promise not to spend it all on health insurance.

If you’re interested in keeping your basement dry, you’ll want to make sure you buy a reliable sump pump. Although it’s tempting to pick up the cheapest sump pump you find at the nearest box store, we recommend being a bit more choosy, because replacing one after a quick failure is frustrating, expensive, and frankly a waste of valuable time. When it comes to lifetime sump pups, we always recommend the Zoeller M267; it pumps more water than nearly any other sump pump you can buy and it’ll work for 10-20 years, but it’ll also cost you around $300. If you have a smaller budget, for under $200, two solid choices include the Wayne CDU980E and the Zoeller M53; between these two, we prefer the Zoeller due to its more solid construction and greater long term reliability. However, if you can spend a bit more, the Zoeller 57-0001 M57 Basement High Capacity Sump Pump is an even better choice. It’s basically the M53 with full cast iron construction, including with a cast iron impeller instead of the plastic impeller on the M53. If you’re looking for the most durable sump pump for $150, this is the one you want. Read on for more details why.

Key Features of the Zoeller M57 Sump Pump (60 Second Summary)

The Zoeller M57 sump pump is a submersible sump pump featuring a 3/10 (roughly 1/3) horsepower motor, a 2,580 gallon per hour maximum water flow rate, and a 1 year warranty from date of purchase or 18 month warranty from the date of manufacture. It’s 7.8 inches tall, 10.5 inches wide, and 10.5 inches deep. The maximum pumping height is 19.25 feet and the switch-on/switch-off heights are 3 inches and 7-1/4 inches respectively; the pump switch is vertical. It’ll use between 4.8 and 9.7 amps while running on 115 volts. No battery backup is included. We weighed it at 21 pounds and the power cord is 9 feet long. While the max discharge flow rate is 2,580 gph at 0 feet, this drops at 10 feet to 2,040 gph, at 15 feet to 1,140 gph, and is inoperative by 20 feet. It has a working temperature range of 40-130 degrees Fahrenheit. The M57 is self-priming and is housed fully in cast iron. The impeller is also cast iron. The discharge size is 1-1/2″ NPT. It’s designed to be used with sump pits at least 15 inches in diameter.

How Does the Zoeller M57 Compare to the Zoeller M53, Wayne CDU980E, and Zoeller M267 Sump Pumps?

The main differences between the M57 and the M53 are in construction of external and internal components, which lead to differences in durability and expected lifespans of each sump pump. We’d expect the M57 to last between 8 and 16 years due to the upgraded impeller; it’s plastic on the M53 and cast iron on the M57. Similarly, while the base on the M53 is thermoplastic, which is a fancy word for hardened plastic, the switch case, motor, and pump housing of the M57 are cast iron, adding to its longevity.

In comparison, the Wayne CDU980E has a much faster max flow rate (4,600 gph vs 2,580 in the M57/M53). However, because the M57 is built to tougher standards, it’s less likely to break down over time and it’s also less likely to become stuck or clogged due to contaminants and debris in your sump basin. The impeller is rated for shredding up to 1/2″ (12mm) spherical solids. What this means is that while we’d expect 8-16 years of life for the M57 and 7-15 from the M53, we’d only expect 4-8 from the CDU980E; if you don’t like replacing your sump pumps often, you’ll want to make note of this.

However, if your goal is to maximize your sump pump lifespan and efficiency (whether for financial reasons, environmental reasons, or simply because you really hate calling out plumbers or spending time in your sump pit), you’ll want the M267. The M57, M53, and CDU980E don’t come close to it. The M267 can pump far more water (its top flow rate is a mind-boggling 7,680 gallons per hour), it can handle up to 2″ solids, and you can get up to 20 years (or more) of useful life. If you want the most durable sump pump on the market, you want the M267.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Zoeller M57 Sump Pump

We had no problems installing the M57, and we’d expect this to be the case for the average homeowner. You simply connect a 1-1/2″ male threaded fitting to your sump discharge pipe. Afterward, you insert the pump in your sump pit, make sure it’s level and that your float doesn’t touch anything in the pit, and plug the pump in. Don’t forget to install a check valve (we suggest a silent one like the Brady check valve) and drill a 3/16
relief hole as noted in the instruction sheet.

Once we’d installed it, we were pleasantly surprised at how quiet the M57 was. In retrospect, it shouldn’t have surprised us, since the M57 is basically the M53 with slightly upgraded components, and the M53 was already one of the quietest budget sump pumps we’d reviewed. However, it’s worth repeating that it’s basically inaudible from more than a few feet away, and it stays that way for years; we’d estimate somewhere between 8 and 16 years of life for most owners.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Zoeller M57 Working Sooner

Once your Zoeller M57 is in place, to keep it working for many years, it’s a good idea to check the action of the float switch every now and then, especially if you have a relatively dry sump basin. You’ll want to do this to ensure the switch doesn’t dry out and get stuck over time; if this occurs, it won’t activate your sump pump when water starts rising, which won’t lead to good things.

Even though we expect the M57 to be reliable, we always recommend buying a DC backup sump pump (or a water-powered backup) to support it (or really, any AC sump pump). If you can spare several hundred dollars, there isn’t a better DC-based backup pump than the Wayne WSM3300. However, on a much smaller budget, the Wayne ESP25 is a good alternative; the most important thing is to have some kind of backup pump in place to keep your basement from flooding when you lose power.

While it’s tempting to simply buy the standard Zoeller check valve, we’d highly recommend putting a few dollars more into a silent check valve. This will get rid of the “thunk!” sound that accompanies normal hammer check valves, and will make your M57 effectively silent. We recommend the Brady check valve as a cheap and reliable option.

Finally, a cheap separate water alarm is good insurance and common sense in our books. It doesn’t have to be top of the line; the Basement Watchdog will do. You just want to make sure you set it up in your sump pit above your float switch (preferably your backup DC sump pump float switch). Your water alarm will then go off if something goes wrong with your M57 (i.e., a power outage), or if your backup sump pump can’t keep up with the water or doesn’t activate for whatever reason. If you then hear the water alarm sensor, you’ll know your sump pumps (and basement) need you.

Zoeller M57 Sump Pump Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

In conclusion, for $150, the Zoeller M57 is a better sump pump than pretty much any other budget sump pump out there. Unless you need the higher flow rates of the Wayne CDU980E, the M57 will be a better choice due to its greater longevity and ability to handle contaminated or debris-filled water. However, if you want a much faster and more durable pump, we recommend the Zoeller M267 if you have any kind of choice.

You can buy the Zoeller M57 here on Amazon. You can buy the Zoeller M267 here. You can buy the Wayne CDU980E here. You can buy the Wayne ESP25 here or buy the Wayne WSM3300 here. You can buy a water alarm here. You can buy a silent check valve here.

If you find our work at PumpThatSump helpful, you can put our relentless reviewing of every pump and fixture on the market to the test by shopping via our links above for whatever you need to make your house a home. Despite being self-employed, we promise not to spend it all on health insurance.