Best submersible pumps for flooded cellars, garages and gardens UK (2026)

Kärcher gives a 750W motor, up to 22,000 litres an hour, 30mm solids handling and an adjustable level sensor that stops the pump 15 seconds after the water drops below it. It also lists a 35mm residual water height in manual mode, the lowest stated figure of the dirty-water pumps on this page. It is the most capable here and the dearest, which suits repeat flood risk more than a one-off clear-up.

Best for The highest-capacity pick here for a large flooded cellar or building pit, with strong UK support.

• Kärcher states a 35mm residual water height in manual mode.
• Integrated prefilter helps protect against blockage in silty water.
• Kärcher's UK product page carries a five-year guarantee badge for this model.

• At 6.7kg without accessories, per Kärcher, it is the heaviest pump on this page.
• The level sensor stops at a set height, so the 35mm figure applies only in manual running.

Who shouldn't buy it: You want a cheap emergency pump for a small cellar; the 330W Einhell costs far less and covers a small job.

A 550W pump with two filter-basket settings: dirty water with solids up to 20mm, or flat suction that Kärcher says reaches 1mm residual water. It is rated to 16,000 litres an hour with a 9m head and a 10m cable. The flat-suction mode is its main advantage over the SP 11.000 Dirt and most of the dirty-water pumps here.

Best for Clearing a flooded cellar or room and leaving it close to dry without a second tool.

• Kärcher states a 1mm residual water level in flat-suction mode.
• Two settings in one body, so one pump covers silty water and the final clear-up.
• Kärcher lists a 9m maximum head and a 10m power cable.

• Kärcher gives a 20mm solids limit, below the 35mm stated for the Einhell 7035 LL and Gardena 2-in-1 pumps.
• At 5kg it is heavier than the SP 11.000 Dirt, per Kärcher.

Who shouldn't buy it: Your water carries large debris or gravel; the 35mm Einhell or Gardena pumps tolerate bigger solids.

A 550W pump, per stockist listings, that Gardena rates at up to 20,000 litres an hour with solids up to 35mm, leaving about 1mm of water behind. The listing is the version with a UK plug. Its rated flow is second only to the Kärcher SP 22.000 on this page and it handles bigger solids than the Kärcher SP 11.000 and SP 16.000, though Gardena's own page gives fewer technical figures than Kärcher's.

Best for Large volumes of water with larger solids, with a wipe-dry setting for the last of it.

• Gardena states up to 35mm solids and a 1mm residual water level.
• Rated at 20,000 l/h by Gardena, second only to the Kärcher SP 22.000 on this page.
• Listing is for the UK-plug version, so no adaptor is needed.

• Gardena's UK page states few figures beyond flow, solids and residue; power, head and cable come from stockist listings.

Who shouldn't buy it: You want a fully documented spec sheet from the maker; the Kärcher pumps publish more figures.

A 900W pump that Einhell puts at up to 18,000 litres an hour with a 9m maximum head and 35mm solids handling. It has a variable float switch with a continuous-run option and a stainless steel housing. Against the 330W Einhell it moves far more water, at the cost of weight and a larger footprint.

Best for Households that want a stainless-steel-bodied pump with real capacity for a flooded cellar.

• Handles solids up to 35mm, per Einhell's datasheet.
• Variable float switch lets you choose continuous running or fixed on and off levels.
• 9m maximum head leaves room for a long or steep hose run.

• At 5.95kg on Einhell's datasheet it is about twice the weight of the 330W Einhell.
• Einhell gives a 90mm residual water level, the highest stated here, so a puddle pump or wet vacuum is needed to finish.

Who shouldn't buy it: You only need to clear a thin layer of water or want a light pump; a puddle pump suits that better.

A 400W dirty-water pump that Kärcher rates at up to 11,000 litres an hour, with solids up to 20mm and a 10m cable. The float switch can be fixed in place so it keeps pumping at a shallower level. On rated output it sits between the 330W Einhell and the 900W Einhell on this page, and at 4.4kg it is lighter than that 900W model.

Best for A mid-size cellar or garage where a well-known brand with UK support matters.

• Kärcher lists a 10m power cable, so the socket can stay well away from the water.
• The float switch can be fixed to pump at a lower level, per Kärcher.
• Kärcher lists a guarantee of up to 6 years and Screwfix notes registration is required; check the terms for your purchase.

• Kärcher gives a 25mm residual water level, so a film of water stays behind.
• The 20mm solids limit is lower than the 35mm of the larger Einhell and Gardena pumps.

Who shouldn't buy it: You need to clear a large basement quickly or leave almost no water behind; the Kärcher SP 16.000 Dual or Gardena 20000 suit that better.

A 700W pump that Einhell says works down to 1mm residual water in clear-water mode, starts from 10mm of water, and passes solids up to 35mm. Toolstation lists 16,000 l/h and 8m head with a 10m cord. Against the 900W Einhell on this page it leaves far less water behind; against the Gardena it moves a little less.

Best for A cellar or garage clear-out where you want to finish with almost no water left.

• Einhell states flat suction to 1mm, adjusted by turning the housing base.
• Solids up to 35mm in dirty-water mode, per Einhell.
• Ships with a universal 25/32mm hose adapter and a 90 degree elbow.

• Einhell's own page gives flow and head less clearly than the stockist listing does.
• The Amazon listing text describes a different product type, so check you receive item 4181570.

Who shouldn't buy it: You want the highest flow or the most lift; the Gardena 20000 is rated for more water and a 9m head.

The smallest of the dirty-water Einhells here, with a 330W motor and an adjustable float switch. Einhell gives it a 25mm solids limit and a 6m maximum head, which is plenty for a ground-floor room or cellar with a short hose run. It is slower than the 900W model, so it suits a small volume of water rather than a large basement.

Best for A modest cellar or garage clear-out where the water carries some silt and a small pump is enough.

• Adjustable float switch starts and stops the pump with the water level, so it needs less watching.
• Einhell supplies a universal hose adapter and a 90 degree elbow, covering common hose sizes.
• Einhell's datasheet lists a 10m power cord, giving reach to a socket well away from the water.

• Einhell's 25mm solids limit is lower than the 30 to 35mm of the larger pumps.
• Einhell does not state how low it drains, so expect a mop or wet vacuum to finish the job.

Who shouldn't buy it: You face a large basement or a long hose run; the 900W Einhell or the Kärcher moves more water. Skip it too if you want a pump that works down to a thin film.

Hyundai lists 550W, up to 10,500 litres an hour, a 7m lift and a float switch, with a lay-flat hose and jubilee clips in the box. That bundle makes it easy to use straight away. Be aware that Hyundai's own bullet points say 35mm solids while its spec table and the B&Q listing show much smaller figures, so treat it as a clean to lightly silty water pump and not a heavy-mud one.

Best for A mid-priced all-rounder that arrives with a hose and clips already included.

• Hose and clips are included in the box, according to Hyundai's own store.
• Lighter than the 750W and 900W pumps, at 4.5kg net per Hyundai.
• Hyundai quotes a three-year guarantee.

• Hyundai's bullets say 35mm solids but its spec table and B&Q show 1.8mm, so it is unclear how it copes with silt.
• The float switch stops it around 5cm, leaving water behind.

Who shouldn't buy it: Your floodwater is likely to carry heavy silt or debris; choose a pump with a clearly stated solids limit such as the Kärcher or the larger Einhell.

A 750W UK pump from a British tool brand that Draper rates at 216 litres a minute and 8.5m head, with a ceramic shaft and thermal overload protection. Its stated maximum particle size is only 5mm, so it is for cleaner water, unlike the 20 to 35mm dirty-water pumps on this page.

Best for Draining cleaner water, such as a cellar after the silt has settled, a pond or a water butt.

• Draper states thermal overload protection and a float switch that turns the pump off as the level drops.
• Draper lists a 10m cable and a stepped 25 to 32mm hose adapter.

• Maximum particle size is 5mm per Draper, which rules out silty or gritty flood water.
• Draper does not state how low it pumps.

Who shouldn't buy it: Your flood water carries mud, grit or leaves; pick a dirty-water pump such as the Kärcher or Gardena instead.

A 400W pump quoting 7,500 litres an hour, 35mm solids, a 5m delivery height and an 8m hose with clips in the pack. It is the lowest-powered here after the Einhell 330W, but the included hose helps it work straight away. It fits a small flood risk rather than a big one.

Best for A low-cost starter pump for occasional cellar or pond jobs, supplied with hose.

• Hose and jubilee clips are included.
• Listing gives 35mm solids handling and a float switch.
• Roughly 5kg with a 10m cable.

• Delivery height of 5m is the lowest of the dirty-water pumps here.
• VonHaus does not state a minimum drain level, so expect to finish with a mop or wet vacuum.

Who shouldn't buy it: You need serious volume; the Kärcher or the 900W Einhell move two to three times as much water, per their makers' figures.