{Top 6} Quietest Pool Pumps (2024)
Are you searching for the perfect pool pump that combines superior performance with whisper-quiet operation? Your search is over now!
In this post, we present the top 6 quietest pool pumps for 2024. Dive into our selection and discover the ideal quiet pool pump for your needs.
1: Pentair SuperFlo VS
- Digital control keypad for easy operation.
- Impressive 80% energy efficiency, saving on operational costs.
- Quiet operation, even at higher RPMs.
- Easy installation without the need for expensive rewiring.
Well, if you are looking for the quietest pool pump without sacrificing the quality, then this pump can be an excellent choice for you. To be honest, Pentair is one of my favorite brand as I have been using its pump for more than 4 years and I am outstanding performance and quiet operation of their pump. And this Pentair Superflo VS is the same pump I have been using since 4 years.
This SuperFlo VS pump costs only $0.16 per kWh to operate, making it nearly 25% less expensive than other variable speed pumps.
Additionally, the pump’s description claims it can save up to 80% on electricity bills compared to a single-speed pump. This impressive cost savings is one of the main benefits of this pump.
In addition to its cost savings, the Pentair SuperFlo VS pool pump also operates quietly. When running at 1,000 RPM, the pump produces a noise level of just 49 dB, I tested it by putting the noise tester very close to the motor, there are literally gap of 5 inches between the tester and the motor.
At 2,000 RPM, the noise level increases to 66 dB, while at 3,000 RPM it reaches 78 db. At its maximum speed of 3,450 RPM, the noise level rises to 85 db.
2: Hayward W3SP2303VSP MaxFlo VS
- Very quiet operation at medium and low RPM
- Significant energy cost savings (up to 80%).
- Easy installation with pre-assembled parts.
- Digital display for convenient monitoring.
- Becomes noisy at maximum RPM.
- Relatively high price.
It is designed to save up to 80% energy cost compared to single-speed pumps. And according to EPA ENERGY STAR, it is the most efficient variable-speed pump.
We tested the noise level of this Hayward W3SP2303VSP MaxFlo VS pool pump and found that it is quieter than other pumps in the market. At 600 RPM, the default minimum RPM, its noise level was just 49 dB. At 1,000 RPM, the noise level increased to 58.5 dB.
At 2,000 RPM, it reached 74.4 dB, while at 3,000 RPM, the noise level increased to 84 dB. At maximum RPM of 3,450, the noise level was 88.2 dB, which is noisy. However, when we put the noise tester 3 feet away, the tester indicated a noise level of 74 dB even at maximum RPM.
One of the great things about the MaxFlo VS pump is that it can be installed in any application. It can be used in stand-alone mode, with Hayward automation (including OmniLogic), or with competitive control systems (via relay control).
The MaxFlo VS pool pump features a permanent magnet, totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) motor that offers incredible energy efficiency and reliability. Furthermore, it has a maximum flow rate of 160 gallons per minute (GPM) which is enough even for large pools.
Related: How to make a pool pump quieter?
3: Hayward W3SP1580X15
- Budget-friendly option with a good performance
- Easy to install
- Powerful suction.
- More energy-efficient than other single-speed pumps
- Slightly noisy
- Small debris basket
- It lacks a drain plug
The pump arrived earlier than expected, which was a pleasant surprise. Installing the pump was relatively straightforward. I transferred both connector fittings from my old pump without any issues. I connected the hoses from my pool, plugged it in, and it started running.
The good thing is you don’t need to prime the pump if it’s below the pool’s water level. It fills with water on its own. And cleaning the basket is easy as fuc*; you don’t have to unplug the pump or disconnect the vacuum, just flip the switch.
One drawback is that the pump doesn’t have its own on/off switch, so you might need to set up a switched outlet or a timer. Also, the pump doesn’t come with a large debris basket, so you may need to clean it more often.
Another downside of this pump is the lack of a drain plug. However, there is a filter basket drain plug that serves a similar purpose.
4: Pentair 011018 IntelliFlo
- Ultra energy efficient
- 8 programmable speed settings
- Energy Star Certified
- LCD screen for monitoring and control
- Poor manufacturer support
- Becomes loud at higher RPM
We used it for 2 months and compared it with last month’s electricity bill, last month we got $450 electricity bill but with this pump, we received a bill of only $150, which is about 67% less than before, a massive difference.
Let me clarify that during the second month of testing, we also installed a window AC unit. Without the AC unit, the energy savings could have potentially been even higher than 67%, possibly reaching up to 80% or more.
Along with excellent efficiency, its noise level is also low, as it was just 45.3 dB when running it on low speeds. Even at 1,000 RPM, its noise level is still considered quiet at 53 dB, as anything below 60 dB is considered quiet.
However, it becomes noisy when running it at 2,000 RPM as the noise level reaches to 73.4 dB, and finally at 3,000 RPM its noise level crosses 90 dB, it is not good at all, and when testing we had placed the tester very close to the motor. The worst thing that shouldn’t happen is its poor customer support.
5: Hayward W3SP2605X7
- Lightweight and highly durable
- Suction power is good enough
- High overall rating
- Higher price
- Requires hardwiring (no plug included)
I’ve been using this Hayward pool pump since September 2021, and I must say, it’s been a fantastic experience. First things first, this pump is excellent. It’s not noisy at all, and there’s no annoying vibration either.
The pump’s motor is a 115V/230V dual voltage motor. However, the label on the motor itself stated it was factory-wired for 230V operation. That’s incorrect. The one I received was actually wired for 115V. So be sure to check that when you get yours.
The inlet and outlet ports on the pump are 2 inches, and they come with two 2-inch to 1-1/2-inch threaded reducer bushings. The manual suggests using two layers of Teflon tape to get a good seal when attaching these bushings. I found that just using two layers of tape wasn’t quite enough. One thing that caught me off guard was that it doesn’t come with a plug, and I prefer to plug my pumps in rather than hardwiring them.
Also, where the motor mounts to the pump frame felt quite loose when I first checked it out. I thought it might be by design, but after comparing it to my old pump and doing some research, I realized it wasn’t put together correctly. I had to disassemble the housing to tighten the four bolts that secure the pump to the housing. This was a bit of a hassle and time-consuming.
Another unexpected surprise was the pump having 2-inch inlet and outlet ports instead of the more common 1-1/2 inch that most people with pools use. They do provide adapters to step down to 1-1/2 inches, but it made the connection to my filter tank slightly off, and it took a lot of Teflon tape to prevent leaks.
6: XtremepowerUS 1.5 HP In-Ground Pool Pump
- Budget-friendly (price less than $250).
- Variable speed for up to 70% energy cost savings
- Extremely lightweight and quiet
- Comes with an extra-large debris basket
- The motor gets hot during use
- Louder noise on high speed
- Slightly less powerful suction than some other pumps
It’s not as noisy as the Hayward pump I had before, and it seems to do the job just fine. But I did notice that it has less suction power than my old 1.75 HP Pentair WhisperFlo pump. The installation was a bit tricky because the instructions were not very helpful.
And it comes with an extra large debris basket, allowing you to clean the pump basket every 2 weeks instead of once a week. In terms of noise level, it is not as quiet as other expensive pumps on the list. It produces a noise level of 57.7 dB on low and goes up to 88.3 dB on high.
After testing out the XtremepowerUS 1.5 HP In-Ground Pool Pump, I have to say I’m extremely satisfied with its performance. The low speed is impressively quiet – I couldn’t even hear it unless I was right next to it. Even on high speed, it’s not much louder than my previous 2 hp Pentair SuperFlo.
The pump does get quite hot, and it takes a minute or two to prime itself when I start it. But overall, it’s working fine.
My final thought
I’m pretty sure choosing a right and quiet pool pump can be overwhelming. And for this reason I am going to tell which pool pump is best according to your budget.
Firstly if you are on a high budget and are ready to spend more than $1000 then the Pentair SuperFlo VS is an excellent option for you.
And if you are on medium budget, I mean, if your budget is above $500 but less than $1000 then I would recommend Hayward W3SP2605X7 Pool Pump to you.
Finally, if your budget is under $500, the Hayward W3SP1580 is a great choice because it’s so cheap and it’s quiet, it’s quiet enough that its sound won’t bother you.
Now It’s your turn!
While writing this post a questions came to my mind and that is, which pool pump are you currently using? and, Which pump from this list you like the most?
Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Commented, OK!
Thank you for taking the time to write such a comprehensive and helpful article. I learned so much!
Bro this article was super helpful. But I am a bit confused which one to choose between Pentair SuperFlo VS and Hayward W3SP2303VSP MaxFlo VS, which one would you suggest. It’d mean a lot!
Hey, Luke! So glad you found the article helpful. Between the Pentair SuperFlo VS and the Hayward W3SP2303VSP MaxFlo VS, I’d lean towards the Pentair SuperFlo VS. It’s been my go-to for over four years, and the performance and quiet operation are stellar. It’s been a reliable choice for me. Hope this helps with your decision! Cheers!
Hey Tom!
Wow, what a detailed and insightful article on the quietest pool pumps for 2024. Kudos to Tom J. Hardy for breaking down the pros and cons of each pump and giving us the lowdown on their performance, energy efficiency, durability, and installation ease.
I appreciate the personal touch, especially your recommendation based on budget brackets – super helpful for readers looking to make a savvy choice without breaking the bank.
I bought that Pentair SuperFlo VS for its top-notch features and it is working fine, noise level is quiet low and I am enjoying a lot.
Thanks for the help.