A jet pump transports the water in your garden with particularly little wear and tear and is almost completely maintenance-free from A to B. You can find out exactly how the jet pump works, what to look out for when buying it and which models are recommended in our guide.
With a jet pump there is no longer a problem with water pressure
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Einhell garden pump GC-GP 1250 N (1200 W, max. 5 bar, 5000 L/h flow rate, self-priming and powerful jet pump, INOX stainless steel pump housing)
87.29 EUR To the product| flow rate | 5,000 liters per hour |
|---|---|
| discharge pressure | 5 bars |
| suction lift | 8m |
| self-priming? | Yes |
| engine power | 1,200W |
The Einhell jet pump is one of the best-sellers and top-rated garden pumps on Amazon. Reviewers praise the excellent price-performance ratio. The pump should be very well made and do its job absolutely. Only the delivery pressure does not seem to correspond to the manufacturer's specification in practice, but gives a maximum of 4.5 bar.
our recommendation
T.I.P. 30094 Garden pump stainless steel Clean Jet 1000 Plus with 4m suction fitting, up to 3,300 l/h flow rate
75.99 EUR To the product| flow rate | 3,300 liters per hour |
|---|---|
| discharge pressure | 4.6 bars |
| suction lift | 9 m |
| self-priming? | Yes |
| engine power | 800W |
With the noble jet pump from T.I.P., which is self-priming like the Einhell model, the motor output, the delivery rate and the delivery pressure are slightly lower than the winner in our comparison test. In return, the device scores with a suction height that is one meter higher. The Amazon reviewers describe the pump as "good and cheap".
our recommendation
TROTEC garden pump with filter TGP 1005 E water pump lawn sprinkler 1,000 watts output 3,300 l/h delivery rate
EUR 79.95 To the product| flow rate | 3,300 liters per hour |
|---|---|
| discharge pressure | 4.2 bars |
| suction lift | 7 m |
| self-priming? | no |
| engine power | 1,000W |
The garden pump from TROTEC has similar features to the model from T.I.P. - the flow rate is identical, the other values are usually slightly lower. Only the motor power is 100 watts stronger. According to customer opinions, the water pressure is okay, and the volume also seems to be comparatively low. That speaks clearly for the purchase of this version.
Purchase Criteria
flow rate
The flow rate indicates in liters per hour (l/h) how high the maximum pump capacity is - i.e. how much water the pump can transport per hour. With most jet pumps, the flow rate is between 2,500 and 6,000 liters. A high value is generally an advantage - and particularly important if you have to or want to pump very large amounts of water (e.g. when pumping water out of a pool).
delivery head/delivery pressure
The head is equivalent to the head - except that the height is in meters and the pressure is in bar. It is about the maximum distance that the water can travel from the jet pump to the exit from the hose. If the water has to travel many meters on its way to the consumer (garden sprinkler), a high delivery pressure is essential. Jet pumps can pump the water up to 60 meters high/wide (delivery pressure of six bar).
suction lift
Jet pumps often see themselves as self-priming pumps. For both self-priming and non-self-priming versions, the suction height refers to the depth or distance from which the pump can suck in the water via the connected hose from the respective "container" (water butt, cistern, garden fountain, etc.). For most pumps, the suction height is seven to nine meters. That should normally be sufficient.
engine power
The fact is: the delivery height and quantity depend not insignificantly on the engine power. In order to ensure a good delivery rate even with a higher delivery head, a high engine output is absolutely necessary. You should therefore not ignore this criterion in your individual comparison. The majority of jet pumps have a rated output of between 400 and 1,300 watts.
water temperature
Before you buy it, or at the latest before using the pump for the first time, take a look at the maximum water temperature that the jet pump can still handle. It is often around 35 degrees Celsius.
material
Jet pumps are primarily made of plastic and metal, sometimes with steel components. Read through customer reviews and honest test reports to get an impression of the processing quality, robustness and stability before you buy. Incidentally, a sign of high quality is a stainless steel shaft.
Other characteristics
self-priming: If the jet pump is self-priming, it can vent itself. It does NOT mean that you don't need to pre-fill the pump room with water.
pressure switch: A jet pump with a pressure switch can be set individually and then operated automatically. It then switches itself on and off automatically.
Motor protection switch: A thermal motor protection switch protects the jet pump from overheating.
check valve: A non-return valve ensures that there is a constant water level in the hose - it prevents water from running back.
Protection against dry running: Dry-running protection ensures that the jet pump cannot run dry.
protection class: Since the jet pump is to be used outdoors, it must also have a corresponding protection class (IP X4 is fine).
volume: Ideally, the volume is kept within limits during operation so as not to annoy the neighbors.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is a jet pump?
A jet pump is a garden pump that works hydraulically with turbines and is therefore also called a turbine pump. Another commonly used term is jet pump ('jet' means something like 'beam'). In principle, jet pumps are suitable for transporting water - for example from the rain barrel to the garden sprinkler.
How does a jet pump work?
An electric motor drives a small impeller. The latter is connected to the pump room via a nozzle system. A negative pressure is created in the narrowed suction line, which ensures that the pump sucks in the pumped medium via a lateral socket. A hose is connected to this nozzle, which goes out from the “water tank” (rain barrel, etc.). The water then exits under pressure from the upper pressure port and flows through the hose connected there to the consumer (garden sprinkler, etc.).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a jet pump?
A jet pump has few moving parts, so wear is low - and the device has a long service life. In addition, you hardly have to wait for a jet pump - it can often vent itself. There are three disadvantages: The jet pump is relatively large and noisy. In addition, the pump chamber must be filled with water before each use so that the pump can even initiate its work.
What is the difference between the jet pump and the centrifugal pump?
Jet and centrifugal pumps are constructed differently and also follow different physical laws. In contrast to the jet pump, which is based on the mode of action of the so-called exchange of momentum, the centrifugal pump works on the principle of centrifugal or - technically speaking - centrifugal force. Jet pumps are more often self-priming than centrifugal pumps.
Which brands offer good jet pumps?
Well-known and popular brands that produce high-quality jet pumps include T.I.P. and Einhell. As part of a domestic waterworks, the pumps are also available from numerous other well-known companies, such as Gardena, Hecht and Güde. At Amazon you have a large selection and benefit from the convenient ordering and return procedure. Alternatively, you will find what you are looking for in large garden centers and hardware stores.
our recommendation
GARDENA Automatic Pressure Pump 3500/4E: Robust domestic water pump, fully automatic, with LED flashing light frequency, flow rate 3500 l/h, thermal protection switch, dry-running protection (1757-20)
158.00 EUR To the productHow much does a jet pump cost?
Depending on the manufacturer, quality and functional features, jet pumps cost between 60 and 200 euros in most cases. Occasionally you will also come across models for only 50 or more than 200 euros. Basically, when making a comparison, you should make sure that you are actually dealing with a "jet" version of the pump in question.
equipment
suction hose
To use a jet pump, you also need a suction hose. This should be of the highest quality possible and have a diameter that matches the pump - it is often ½, ¾ or 1 inch. The inner diameter is decisive here. If necessary, there are also adapters that make the hose and pump compatible.
our recommendation
Agora-Tec suction hose with 1 inch (25.4 mm) inner diameter, solid design for domestic waterworks, jet pumps, centrifugal pumps and garden pumps (15 meters)
47.95 EUR To the productpre-filter
A pre-filter is a practical accessory for the jet pump. It is inserted between the side connector of the pump and the suction hose and thus acts as a link. The purpose of a pre-filter is to catch coarser dirt from the rainwater before it gets into the pump room and causes blockages there.
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