02.Results
The following models scored the best results in our test.
| What to buy |
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| Brand |
Price |
| Gardena 4000/5 Jet |
$383 |
| Grundfos MQ3-45 |
$908 |
| Onga Dominator 4" 75/35 P3200100 (submersible) |
$654 |
| Bianco Pumpz BIA-INOX 80PC |
$463 |
| Dab Pumps DAB-JINOX62MPCX |
$701 |
| Davey HP45-05T |
$720 |
| Grundfos JP Basic 2 PC |
$519 | |
About the rest
The other pumps had lower flowrates, but were mostly still OK at 10–14L/min. You’d probably be reasonably happy with most of them. The one exception is the Rivaflo, which only achieved a very slow 6L/min.
We also tested the Aldi Garden Pump Gardenline AGFWP-800, which is now no longer available. Its flowrate was 14L/min, and it scored 75%. Priced at only $99, it was good value if you bought one.
Results table
Full results for all models are shown in the table below.
ns - Not stated.
(A) - Discontinued.
Score The score is based on the measured flowrate.
Number of buckets filled in one minute How many standard 9L buckets the pump could fill in that time.
How we tested
The inlet side of each pump was connected to a 500L water tank, and the outlet side to a standard 30m, 12mm diameter garden hose with a spray head. The water flowrate and pressure achieved by a pump can vary depending on the size and elevation of the water tank, among other factors. The results in this test therefore only apply to our particular setup, but it’s likely many installations will mimic it, with tank and pump on the same level and one hose directly connected.
Our tester pumped water into a second tank mounted on a set of scales. The amount of water pumped was measured over three two-minute runs and averaged.
Each pump was rated for noise. Due to high background noise in our test area, the noise wasn’t recorded in decibels. Instead our tester gave each pump a comparative description.
He also measured how far the pumps could squirt water from the hose, but found there wasn’t a big difference between them. He checked the top and bottom-ranked pumps, plus one in between. The equal-top-ranking Grundfos MQ3-45 squirted water 10.9m, while the bottom-ranking Rivaflo managed 9m, and the middle-ranking Davey SJ35-04PC managed 10.7m.