Top 7 things to consider when buying the best pool pump

30 Jun.,2025

 

Top 7 things to consider when buying the best pool pump

Your pool pump is likely the single most important piece of equipment you'll buy for your pool. Why? Because it will determine the rate of water circulation in your pool and water circulation is crucial for a healthy pool and ensuring pool equipment longevity. There are a variety of factors to consider when buying the best pool pump for your pool. 

Read more

1. Pool Size

An important consideration is the size of your pool in litres, that is how many litres of water is in your swimming pool. This is because you'll need to calculate your pool's flow rate per hour labelled as lpm (litres per minute) in order to check whether the pool pump is compatible with your pool size. 

Calculate your pool in litres, to find the best size pump for your pool. 

2. Power

A common misconception in the pool world, is the higher the horsepower, the better. You'll want to choose a pump that is powerful enough to clean your pool and circulate the water in your pool. But it's important to first check the maximum flow rate of your filter. If you exceed this maximum flow rate with a pump too powerful, you'll run into irreversible and expensive problems with your pool equipment. The flow rate should display like below: 


Source: AstralPool.com

3. Speed

Pool pumps that can run at different speeds ( look for dual, multi or variable speed pumps) consume much less electricity than their one-speed pump counterparts, making them less expensive and more energy-efficient. 

Dual, multi and variable-speed pumps can be sped up when more power is needed but can also run at a slower speed for filtering. 

Here are the most popular combinations for pool pumps and pool filters: 


Source: poolexpress.com.au/-sp-175.html

4. Noise

Another thing to consider is the output noise of your pump. Purchase a pool pump that is quiet to run so you can run it during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper without being a hindrance to neighbours. Either look into customer reviews or read the description and specs of the pool pump on the website to find a less noisy option. 

5. Energy Rating

New energy performance standards and mandatory labelling regulations will apply to pool pumps in .Though at present, the energy rating of many modern pool pumps and brands that participate in the Voluntary Energy Rating Labelling Program on the Energy Rating website can be found here. 

6. Convenience

You might not know about pool pump timers, or you might think that all pool pumps come with a timer, but not all pool pumps are accompanied by this component. Pool controllers, or pool pump timers, are crucial devices if you want to keep your pool clean at lower electricity costs and save yourself the hassle of manually switching your system on and off every day. Some pumps might actually turn off when it overheat as a safety precaution, but without a timer, your pump will continue to run until this point and heftily chip into your electricity bill.  

7. Affordability

After you do your research, you'll find that some pool pumps are much more affordable than others, and you might lean into the upfront savings of a more affordable pump. Buying the incorrect size pump or a pump with less durability will cost you significantly more in the long run. 

LAILEY & COATES are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

Dual, multi and variable speed pumps are generally more expensive but more durable, water-efficient and energy-efficient, offering greater long-term savings in your pool maintenance. 

Swimming Pool Heat Pump Comparison Guide

When deciding on the best way to ensure a comfortable swimming temperature, it's important to consider the varying costs of heating a pool. Heaters and heat pumps provide a higher BTU output than their less costly solar-powered alternatives. However, when comparing heat pumps vs. gas or electric heaters, heat pumps come out on top when it comes to saving you money on operating costs. Once you've decided that a heat pump is the right option for your swimming pool, it's time to figure out which model you should get. This guide is here to help you through the process! Below you'll find comparison details on six of our most popular heat pumps, built by some of the most trusted names in the industry.

What Size Heat Pump Do I Need?

This is probably the most important factor you'll need to determine before buying a new heat pump. If you purchase one that's inadequate for your pool size, you may find yourself running it at full capacity all the time, and for a mediocre pool heating result. On the other hand, "bigger is better," but that also comes at a price. The higher the BTU output, generally the higher the upfront cost. To keep your heat pump purchase within budget, it'll take a bit of math to figure out what you need. We go into greater detail in our other article, An In-Depth Look at Pool Heat Pumps.

To keep it simple, most pools can follow these heat pump BTU guidelines based on water volume:

  • 10,000 gallons or less: 60,000 BTU or higher
  • 15,000 gallons or less: 90,000 BTU or higher
  • 20,000 gallons or less: 120,000 BTU or higher
  • 25,000 gallons or more: 140,000 BTU
  • Heat pumps top out at 140,000 BTU, so pools larger than 30,000 gallons may take a little longer to heat up

Things to Consider When Comparing Heat Pumps

Before you commit to buying and installing a brand-new heat pump for your swimming pool, there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind. Besides the BTU heat output and the size of your pool, there are a few other points of comparison between different pool heat pump models.

Coefficient of Performance

The Coefficient of Performance, abbreviated as COP, is a measure of efficiency. It looks at the relationship or ratio between energy requirements and total heating or cooling output into the pool. The higher the number, the higher the efficiency of the heat pump. The lower the number, the more energy you'll use to control the temperature in the pool — which translates to higher operational costs per BTU.

Amperage and Voltage

Most heat pumps require a dedicated breaker for either 50 or 60 amps. However, some smaller models, such as the Raypak Crosswind, can use a lower amperage breaker. Almost all heat pumps require 240 volts. Make sure your pool's breaker box is equipped to accommodate the additional energy demands of a heat pump. We highly recommend consulting a qualified electrician when dealing with electrical components.

Flow Rate

Make sure the minimum and maximum flow rates align with your other pool equipment. If your pump isn't moving water faster than the minimum flow, the heat pump won't even turn on. On the other hand, if the flow rate is too high, you may risk damaging the heat pump. If you have a pump that exceeds the maximum flow rate, some plumbing modifications can help reduce the rate of flow passing through the heat pump. Pool owners with a variable speed pump will need to take the time to program their pump accordingly for optimized performance, as lower speeds may not provide ample heating time for the pool.

Heat Exchanger

The materials that make up the heat exchanger inside your heat pump are a major component in its longevity. Most modern pool heat pumps feature a titanium heat exchanger, which offers superior resistance to corrosion. In fact, some manufacturers offer a warranty on their titanium heat exchangers that exceeds the warranty for the unit itself. Cupronickel used to be a common choice, but has lost popularity with the emergence of longer-lasting, high-efficiency titanium heat exchangers that resist corrosion from water chemistry.

Warranty

How long is your unit covered under warranty? What does the warranty cover, and are there varying periods of liability? Take a minute to read the fine print, so you know what is — and is not — covered. If warranty coverage is a big part of your decision, go with a heat pump that offers the longest and most complete coverage.

Dimensions

How big is the footprint of your chosen heat pump? Will it fit on your equipment pad, or will you need to rearrange some things? If you're replacing an existing heater or heat pump, will the new heat pump take up more or less room by comparison?

Heat Only vs. Heat/Cool

Most heat pumps are "heat only." However, some also allow you to cool your pool. This can come in handy in really warm climates, where summer temperatures can make your pool water feel more like a hot tub than a refreshing swimming pool. If you find yourself craving cooler water in the summertime, and you don't want to invest in a secondary pool chiller, a heat/cool heat pump may be just the ticket.

Pool Heat Pumps Comparison

Now that we've got all that out of the way, it's time to look at some heat pumps! The six units featured below are among our most popular. However, there are quite a few more to choose from. Check out our heat pumps category to see what's currently in stock and ready to ship.