Water pumps for the home and garden, from GARDENA and KARCHER. They suit homeowners who want to water a lawn from a rain barrel, draw water from a tank or well, or keep up steady pressure for sprinklers and outdoor taps. The range is small, so the models are easy to compare side by side.
How to choose a water pump
Pump type. Submersible pumps sit in the water and push it out, which suits rain barrels, cisterns and wells. Surface pumps stay outside the water and pull it through a suction hose, which makes them easier to inspect but means the suction line must be airtight. Pressure or booster pumps are the better choice when sprinklers need steady pressure.
Flow and pressure. Flow rate, given in litres per hour, shows how quickly a pump moves water. Maximum pressure in bar, or lift height in metres, shows how far and how high it can send it. Sprinklers and long hose runs need more pressure than filling a watering can, so check what your sprinkler requires before choosing.
Water quality. Some pumps are made for clean water only, such as filtered rainwater, while others tolerate small particles. Sand, leaves and silt wear down the wrong pump quickly, so read the stated limits in the product details before connecting it to a dirty source.
Power and protection. Most garden pumps run on 230 V mains. Automatic switching, a pressure switch, a float switch or dry-run protection mean you do not have to switch the pump on and off by hand, and they protect the motor when the water runs out.
Connections. Compare the thread size and hose diameter of the pump with the hoses you already own. Quick-connect fittings make it faster to swap between pump, hose and sprinkler, but only when the connector systems are compatible.
Brands in our water pump range
- GARDENA: a garden watering specialist known for its click-together hose connectors and sprinkler systems, so its pumps fit easily into an existing watering setup.
- KARCHER: best known for pressure washers and cleaning equipment, and it applies the same pump engineering to its garden water pumps.
Water pump FAQ
Which water pump is best for a rain barrel?
A submersible pump or a barrel pump designed for clean water is the usual choice for a rain barrel. It sits in the barrel and pushes water through a hose to a watering can or sprinkler. Check that the pump is rated for rainwater and that it fits the depth of your barrel.
How do I know what flow rate I need?
Match the flow rate to the most demanding thing you plan to run. A single sprinkler or a hose for watering beds needs less flow than several sprinklers working at once. Add up what your sprinklers use and choose a pump that exceeds that figure, with enough pressure to cover your hose length.
Can a garden water pump handle dirty water?
Only if it is designed for it. Many garden pumps are built for clean water or water with very fine particles, and sand or leaves can damage them. The product details state the water type and particle limits, so check these before using a pump on a pond, ditch or flooded area.
What does dry-run protection do?
Dry-run protection switches the pump off when it has no water to move. Running without water makes the motor overheat and can wear out the seals. It is a useful feature on any pump that draws from a barrel or tank that may empty.
