Variable speed pool pumps are great for your home pools. To choose the best one, we’ll give you the choice of five of the best variable speed pool pumps.
Why buy a variable speed pool pump for above ground pool instead of other regular types of pool pumps?
Well, these types of pool pumps are more energy efficient than the regular ones even though they do tend to cost a bit more. However, you’d really be able to enjoy these products if you are after long term savings.
If that reason is enough for you to want to buy a small variable speed pool pump of your own, then we have a great guide that can show you the best variable speed pool pump. We also have variable speed pool pump reviews of 5 more products.
Contents
Our Top Pick for the Best Variable Speed Pool Pump
To get you excited, we’re going to first showcase in our opinion, the best variable speed pool pump 2020.
When we pick out our favorite product, the one consistent thing that we’re always looking for is value for money. We want to make sure that the pump we buy is not too pricey but has all the features that’s great for your pool.
Here is our top pick below:
Hayward TriStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump
So what exactly makes this variable speed pool pump amazing?
Well, it has great power and a money saving feature. First of all, it comes with a 2.7 HP motor, making it one of the most powerful on this list.
At the same time, it can actually save you 90% of your annual electricity bill. So you can imagine how much savings you’ll make in the long run while at the same time having enough power to sustain your pool maintenance. That’s why we picked this product as our favorite.
Best Features:
- Can save you 90% of your annual energy bill
- Has a power of 2.7 HP
- Dual voltage capacity
- TEFC motor
- Easy to use interface
Quick Comparison Table
| Preview | Product | Dimensions | Notable Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hayward Ecostar 2.7 HP Variable-Speed Pool Pump | 26.12 x 11.53 x 13.61 inches | 230 volts, permanent magnet feature | |
 | Hayward TriStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump | 28.1 x 11.6 x 14.3 inches | 2.7 HP, quiet running motor | |
 | Pentair IntelliFlo VS Pool Pump | 23.3 x 10.8 x 12.4 inches | 8 speed settings, digital control keypad | |
 | FibroPool Swimming Pool Pump In Ground | 24.5 x 14.9 x 11.5 inches | 6 ft weatherproof chord, 1.5 HP | |
 | Hayward PoolVac XL Pool Vacuum | 27 x 16 x 12 inches | 230 volts, digital timer | |
 | Poolmaster Deluxe Air Relief Pool Vacuum Head | 7.5 x 6 x 5 inches | LCD monitor, 8 speed settings, remote control |
Variable Speed Pool Pump Latest Buying Guide
We started our guide with our favorite product and an overview of the rest of them. Now, you may not be able to choose among the 6 choices we’ve presented. After all, they’re all really good and have great features.
To make things easier, all you need to do is have a criteria that you can use in order to make your choice much easier. With our criteria, you can easily pick out your own favorite variable speed pool pump for inground pool based on your very own needs. That way, you’ll figure out the best way to run a variable speed pool pump for your own pool’s needs.
Here are our criteria below:
Horse Power
The first thing you’ll want to consider is horsepower. Horsepower will showcase the overall strength of the variable speed pool pump.
If it is your first time using a variable speed pool pump, you may think that the higher the HP, the better. Well, this isn’t always the case. For us, we prefer to buy a pump that has the most suitable HP.
For instance, you need to make sure first that you need a high HP pump. If your pool isn’t that big, you won’t need something like a 3 HP. Maybe a 2 HP or a 1.5 HP will be enough for smaller sized pools.
Another thing to consider is whether your pipes can take the high HP or not. If they can’t, you’d best stick with the lower HP types.
Voltage
Aside from HP, you also need to consider the voltage. Voltage is important because it will determine whether the electrical current is consistent with the electric source.
Just so you know, pumps can either be 115 volts or 230 volts. All you need to do is check the voltage of your terminal using a multi-meter in order to know the voltage of your pump. From there, you will know which kind of pump to buy.
Flow Rate
Flow rate refers to the quantity of liquids that flow through the pump. In a way, it measures capacity.
If you have a high powered pump, a high flow rate is also preferred. This is the best for the bigger sized pools that require such power.
Pipe Size
The pipe size must also be considered because the pipe size will determine how much water can travel through the pump. You see, if you have a pump with a high flow rate and horsepower, then you need to make sure your pumps have a big pipe size (circumference) otherwise the water may make the pipes burst.
For instance, strong horsepower pumps cannot take those 1.5 inch diameter pipes. For this type of strength, you’ll probably need something with a bigger diameter such as a 3 inch pipe.
Mount Type
The last thing to consider is the mount type. There are two types to choose from– the side mount and top mount. The one that you choose will simply depend on where you want to position your pump.
If you want easier installation or access, then the side mounts are better. If you want a pump that has more stability, then a top mount is the best choice.
Best Variable Speed Pool Pump Reviews 2021
1. Hayward Ecostar 2.7 HP Variable-Speed Pool Pump
Hayward is a pretty famous brand when it comes to variable speed pool pumps. That’s why we included two of them in our guide.
The first one is the Hayward Ecostar pool pump. This is probably one of the strongest variable speed pool pumps you’ll find in the market with a horsepower of 2.7. The power is perfect for big pools that need to be cleaned fast.
Of course, this kind of power will require a lot of strain on the part of the pump which is why it comes with a totally enclosed fan cooled motor to ensure it doesn’t overheat. It also comes with a service mode for fast pool cleaning.
Pros
- TEFC motor to prevent overheating
- Comes with a service mode for quicker cleaning time
- Digital control interface
- Comes with 8 custom speeds for various cleaning options
- Has a timer function to control how long the cleaning should be
Cons
- Although it is durable and robust, repairs and parts are expensive
2. Hayward TriStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump
This is another Hayward variable speed pool pump that we’d like to showcase. The Hayward Tristar VS pool pump is best known for its energy efficiency.
With a power of 2.7 HP, this pump can give you a strong cleaning performance while at the same time provide you with 90% savings per year. So if you want something that is strong and won’t give you a headache with the electricity bill, this is the best one to have.
Other cool features to note of is a dual voltage capacity, TEFC motor, and a high speed quiet operation.
Pros
- Comes with a horsepower of 2.7 for strong performance
- Has a great energy saving feature, allowing you to save 90% of your annual electricity bill
- Quiet motor operations
- Dual voltage capability
- TEFC motor to prevent any overheating
- Digital interface that’s easy to use
Cons
- While it is generally a quiet speed pool pump, placing it at its max speed makes it a little bit noisier than it usually is
3. Pentair IntelliFlo VS Pool Pump
Via: Amazon.com
There are two things that we really love about this pool pump. First is its design and second is its control keypad.
First of all, the design of this pool pump does not resemble the usual industrial type of design that most pumps have. This one is actually on the trendier side having a nice and cool color that’s easy on the eyes.
Aside from its design, it also has a very easy-to-use control keypad that is rotated for convenient use. It is also a keypad that allows you to easily program and monitor the operations of your pump.
Pros
- Has a very nice design and color combination
- Comes with 8 programmable speeds
- Has an easy-to-use built in timer
- Pentair automation system is very convenient for use
- Comes with a TEFC motor design
- Quiet operations for the motor
- Top mounted design
Cons
- Power is not strong enough for bigger pools
- Customer care is not that easy to contact
4. FibroPool Swimming Pool Pump In Ground
When it comes to durability and shelf life, we’d say this is probably your best bet. First of all, it has a very robust design with an exterior that can really protect the pump from weather.
At the same time, it has a weatherproof cord that won’t decay or depreciate even during stormy days.
Other than durability, it comes with an exclusive twist lock that makes it convenient for you to remove the strainer. You won’t need tools or any effort to do this like you would with other pumps.
Pros
- Comes with a 6 foot weatherproof cord
- Has a twist lock lid to make it easy for you remove the strainer cover
- Only uses ⅓ electricity than most other brands
- Has a carrying handle, so you can bring it around
- 240 volts of electricity current
Cons
- Only 1.5 HP which makes it great for small pools but not ideal for the bigger sized pools
5. XtremepowerUS ECO High Flo Variable Speed Pool Pump
Probably the best thing about this pump is that it is corrosion proof. Unlike other pumps that tend to corrode pretty easily, this one is made out of polymeric material, which is totally corrosion proof. You can expect this pump to have a really long shelf life because of this feature. Other features include various start functions with different power levels. There is the ECO level with 1500 RPM, CLEAN level with 2400 RPM and BOOST level with 3250 RPM. This allows you more choices to have.
Pros
- 1.5 HP of power which is great for smaller pools
- Self priming pump feature
- 3 levels of control with a max power of 3250 RPM
- Built in airflow ventilation
- Prevents overheating with the thermal overload protection
- LCD screen display
- Can be used for both above and inground pools
Cons
- Weak suction power
6. Jandy JEP-R ePump Digital Variable Speed Pool Pump Remote
Via: Amazon.com
Last on the list is not really a pump but it’s a great pump accessory. This is a really cool digital variable pump remote that makes it easy for you to control your pump from a distance and has a futuristic type of look.
First of all, it comes with an LCD display that comes with LED indicators. That way, you will be able to monitor and change the configuration settings with ease.
Best of all, it can be installed even 200 feet away from the pump and can still work.
Pros
- Allows for pump priming feature
- Freeze protection feature
- LCD display along with LED indicators for easy use
- 2 timers and 8 speeds to choose from
- Cool and futuristic design
Cons
- Does not come with a warranty
Our Top Pick!
Hayward TriStar VS Variable-Speed Pool Pump
Well, it has great power and a money saving feature. First of all, it comes with a 2.7 HP motor, making it one of the most powerful on this list.
At the same time, it can actually save you 90% of your annual electricity bill. So you can imagine how much savings you’ll make in the long run while at the same time having enough power to sustain your pool maintenance. That’s why we picked this product as our favorite.
Best Features:
- Can save you 90% of your annual energy bill
- Has a power of 2.7 HP
- Dual voltage capacity
- TEFC motor
- Easy to use interface
Conclusion
The goal of this guide is to lead you to the product that can give you the most value for money. We have presented you with our top choice product for the best variable speed pool pump which we believe to give the most value for money.
But in the event that our top product is not what you’re looking for in terms of feature preferences, we’ve got 5 others you can choose from. With the help of the buying guide, you’ll be able to choose the best one based on your tastes.
Recommended Reading:
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