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Zoeller 57-0001 M57 Basement High Capacity Sump Pump Review and M53, M267 Comparisons

If you’re interested in keeping your basement dry, you’ll want to make sure you buy a reliable sump pump. Although it’s tempting to pick up the cheapest sump pump you find at the nearest box store, we recommend being a bit more choosy, because replacing one after a quick failure is frustrating, expensive, and frankly a waste of valuable time. When it comes to lifetime sump pups, we always recommend the Zoeller M267; it pumps more water than nearly any other sump pump you can buy and it’ll work for 10-20 years, but it’ll also cost you around $300. If you have a smaller budget, for under $200, two solid choices include the Wayne CDU980E and the Zoeller M53; between these two, we prefer the Zoeller due to its more solid construction and greater long term reliability. However, if you can spend a bit more, the Zoeller 57-0001 M57 Basement High Capacity Sump Pump is an even better choice. It’s basically the M53 with full cast iron construction, including with a cast iron impeller instead of the plastic impeller on the M53. If you’re looking for the most durable sump pump for $150, this is the one you want. Read on for more details why.

Key Features of the Zoeller M57 Sump Pump (60 Second Summary)

The Zoeller M57 sump pump is a submersible sump pump featuring a 3/10 (roughly 1/3) horsepower motor, a 2,580 gallon per hour maximum water flow rate, and a 1 year warranty from date of purchase or 18 month warranty from the date of manufacture. It’s 7.8 inches tall, 10.5 inches wide, and 10.5 inches deep. The maximum pumping height is 19.25 feet and the switch-on/switch-off heights are 3 inches and 7-1/4 inches respectively; the pump switch is vertical. It’ll use between 4.8 and 9.7 amps while running on 115 volts. No battery backup is included. We weighed it at 21 pounds and the power cord is 9 feet long. While the max discharge flow rate is 2,580 gph at 0 feet, this drops at 10 feet to 2,040 gph, at 15 feet to 1,140 gph, and is inoperative by 20 feet. It has a working temperature range of 40-130 degrees Fahrenheit. The M57 is self-priming and is housed fully in cast iron. The impeller is also cast iron. The discharge size is 1-1/2″ NPT. It’s designed to be used with sump pits at least 15 inches in diameter.

How Does the Zoeller M57 Compare to the Zoeller M53, Wayne CDU980E, and Zoeller M267 Sump Pumps?

The main differences between the M57 and the M53 are in construction of external and internal components, which lead to differences in durability and expected lifespans of each sump pump. We’d expect the M57 to last between 8 and 16 years due to the upgraded impeller; it’s plastic on the M53 and cast iron on the M57. Similarly, while the base on the M53 is thermoplastic, which is a fancy word for hardened plastic, the switch case, motor, and pump housing of the M57 are cast iron, adding to its longevity.

In comparison, the Wayne CDU980E has a much faster max flow rate (4,600 gph vs 2,580 in the M57/M53). However, because the M57 is built to tougher standards, it’s less likely to break down over time and it’s also less likely to become stuck or clogged due to contaminants and debris in your sump basin. The impeller is rated for shredding up to 1/2″ (12mm) spherical solids. What this means is that while we’d expect 8-16 years of life for the M57 and 7-15 from the M53, we’d only expect 4-8 from the CDU980E; if you don’t like replacing your sump pumps often, you’ll want to make note of this.

However, if your goal is to maximize your sump pump lifespan and efficiency (whether for financial reasons, environmental reasons, or simply because you really hate calling out plumbers or spending time in your sump pit), you’ll want the M267. The M57, M53, and CDU980E don’t come close to it. The M267 can pump far more water (its top flow rate is a mind-boggling 7,680 gallons per hour), it can handle up to 2″ solids, and you can get up to 20 years (or more) of useful life. If you want the most durable sump pump on the market, you want the M267.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Zoeller M57 Sump Pump

We had no problems installing the M57, and we’d expect this to be the case for the average homeowner. You simply connect a 1-1/2″ male threaded fitting to your sump discharge pipe. Afterward, you insert the pump in your sump pit, make sure it’s level and that your float doesn’t touch anything in the pit, and plug the pump in. Don’t forget to install a check valve (we suggest a silent one like the Brady check valve) and drill a 3/16
relief hole as noted in the instruction sheet.

Once we’d installed it, we were pleasantly surprised at how quiet the M57 was. In retrospect, it shouldn’t have surprised us, since the M57 is basically the M53 with slightly upgraded components, and the M53 was already one of the quietest budget sump pumps we’d reviewed. However, it’s worth repeating that it’s basically inaudible from more than a few feet away, and it stays that way for years; we’d estimate somewhere between 8 and 16 years of life for most owners.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Zoeller M57 Working Sooner

Once your Zoeller M57 is in place, to keep it working for many years, it’s a good idea to check the action of the float switch every now and then, especially if you have a relatively dry sump basin. You’ll want to do this to ensure the switch doesn’t dry out and get stuck over time; if this occurs, it won’t activate your sump pump when water starts rising, which won’t lead to good things.

Even though we expect the M57 to be reliable, we always recommend buying a DC backup sump pump (or a water-powered backup) to support it (or really, any AC sump pump). If you can spare several hundred dollars, there isn’t a better DC-based backup pump than the Wayne WSM3300. However, on a much smaller budget, the Wayne ESP25 is a good alternative; the most important thing is to have some kind of backup pump in place to keep your basement from flooding when you lose power.

While it’s tempting to simply buy the standard Zoeller check valve, we’d highly recommend putting a few dollars more into a silent check valve. This will get rid of the “thunk!” sound that accompanies normal hammer check valves, and will make your M57 effectively silent. We recommend the Brady check valve as a cheap and reliable option.

Finally, a cheap separate water alarm is good insurance and common sense in our books. It doesn’t have to be top of the line; the Basement Watchdog will do. You just want to make sure you set it up in your sump pit above your float switch (preferably your backup DC sump pump float switch). Your water alarm will then go off if something goes wrong with your M57 (i.e., a power outage), or if your backup sump pump can’t keep up with the water or doesn’t activate for whatever reason. If you then hear the water alarm sensor, you’ll know your sump pumps (and basement) need you.

Zoeller M57 Sump Pump Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

In conclusion, for $150, the Zoeller M57 is a better sump pump than pretty much any other budget sump pump out there. Unless you need the higher flow rates of the Wayne CDU980E, the M57 will be a better choice due to its greater longevity and ability to handle contaminated or debris-filled water. However, if you want a much faster and more durable pump, we recommend the Zoeller M267 if you have any kind of choice.

You can buy the Zoeller M57 here on Amazon. You can buy the Zoeller M267 here. You can buy the Wayne CDU980E here. You can buy the Wayne ESP25 here or buy the Wayne WSM3300 here. You can buy a water alarm here. You can buy a silent check valve here.

If you find our work at PumpThatSump helpful, you can put our relentless reviewing of every pump and fixture on the market to the test by shopping via our links above for whatever you need to make your house a home. Despite being self-employed, we promise not to spend it all on health insurance.

Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate Submersible Sump Pump Review: Most Reliable Budget Pump?

Choosing a reliable or quiet sump pump typically isn’t something most people consider until they’re knee deep in groundwater from a flooded basement. However, if you have the chance to replace your box store sump pump with something better, we recommend making the most of it. Our favorite buy-it-for-life sump pump is the Zoeller M267; it moves water more quickly than almost any other pump on the market and it’ll do so for a good 10-20 years, but it also costs a cool $300. If you’re on a much smaller budget, below $200 we often recommend the Wayne CDU980E; however, we’re just as likely these days to recommend the Zoeller M53 Mighty-mate. It costs as little as the CDU980E but it works more like its big brother the M267. We recently reviewed it in the context of the best budget drain pump, the Zoeller 105-0001, which uses the M53. If you’ve got less than $150 to spend on a new sump pump, this is one of your two best choices. Read on to find out why.

Key Features of the Zoeller M53 Sump Pump (60 Second Summary)

The Zoeller M53 sump pump is a submersible sump pump with a 1/3 horsepower motor, a 2,580 gallon per hour maximum water flow rate, and a 3 year warranty that begins with the date of manufacture. It’s 7.8 inches tall, 10.5 inches wide, and 10.5 inches deep with a maximum pumping height (known as the max head) of 19.25 feet and a switch-on/switch-off height of 3 inches and 7-1/4 inches respectively. The aforementioned pump switch is vertical. It draws between 4.8 and 9.7 amps and runs on 115 volts. It doesn’t come with a battery backup, it weighs 21 pounds on our scale, and has a 9-foot long power cord.  Although the discharge flow rate can reach 2,580 gallons per hour at 0 feet, it drops to 2,040 gallons per hour at 10 feet, 1,140 gallons per hour at 15 feet, and is inoperative at 20 feet. The working temperature spans 40-130 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s self-priming and housed in cast iron and bronze, and the discharge size is 1-1/2″ NPT. It’s designed to be used with sump pits (sump basins) at least 15 inches in diameter.

How Does the Zoeller M53 Compare to the Wayne CDU980E and Zoeller M267 Sump Pumps?

Compared to the Wayne CDU980E, the M53 pumps far less water (a max flow rate of 2,580 GPH vs 4,600 GPH). However, unlike the CDU980E, the M53 is built with more solid construction and stronger impellers, giving it the capacity to handle (crunch through) up to 1/2″ (12mm) spherical solids.

What this means is that, while slower, the M53 is far less likely to get stuck or clogged with debris or contaminants in your sump pit; this can make a huge difference in the lifespan of your sump pump, particularly if your groundwater or sump pit is dirty or full of impurities. Unsurprisingly, we’d expect the M53 to last between 7 and 15 years while we’d expect the CDU980E to last between 4 and 8 years; this is significant if you’re hoping to avoid replacing your sump pump for a good amount of time.

However, if you’re really looking for a long lifespan and to only deal with sump pump replacement once or twice over the course of your home ownership, you’ll want to look long and hard at the M267. Compared to the M267, the M53 is a beginner’s sump pump. The M267 pumps much, much faster (a max flow rate of a staggering 7,680 gallons her hour), is capable of handling up to 2″ solids, and is likely to provide up to a 20 year lifespan. There’s no comparison; if you want the best AC sump pump on the market, it’s neither the CDU980E nor the M53.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Zoeller M53 Sump Pump

Installing the M53 was straightforward, and we’d have felt so even if we didn’t do this day in and day out. All you need to do is to connect a 1-1/2″ threaded fitting (male) to your discharge pipe (the one that leads water out of your sump pit). You’ll then place the pump in the pit, make sure it’s level and that the float isn’t touching anything, and plug the whole mess in. You’ll also want to install a check valve (we recommend a silent one like the Brady check valve) and you’ll also need to drill a relief hole 3/16″ in diameter. All of this is diagrammed in the instruction sheet.

Once installed, we found the M53 quiet. It wasn’t dead silent, but it was more than close enough; it was hard to hear it from more than a few feet away. And the long-term feedback we’ve gotten from most fellow contractors and homeowners has been overwhelmingly positive. We stand by our estimate of a 7-15 year lifespan with this pump, keeping in mind that there will always be outliers in both directions.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Zoeller M53 Working Sooner

To keep your Zoeller M53 working for years, you’ll want to check its float switch action from time to time, especially if your sump pit doesn’t see much water very often. The reason behind this is that the switch can stick over time if it dries out and become less likely to move independently; this won’t be a good thing if it gets stuck while water levels start rising.

Despite the reliability of the M53, we always preach the wisdom of buying a DC backup pump (or a water-powered backup pump) to support it, or any sump pump based on AC. If you have a large budget, the Wayne WSM3300 is the best DC-based backup pump on the market; it’ll literally call you if it needs to self-activate during a power outage on top of its ability to run frequent self-tests. On a smaller budget, we recommend the Wayne ESP25; what’s most important is that you’ve got some kind of backup system in place to help keep your basement dry during power outages.

We also think it’s a good idea to not simply buy the regular Zoeller check valve for the M53 but to spend a bit more on a silent check valve. Even though the M53 is already a quiet sump pump, you’re still going to hear the “thunk!” that comes with traditional hammer check valves, and you can get rid of that completely with a silent check valve. We recommend the Brady check valve as a cheap, highly effective, and silent option.

Finally, don’t skip out on a separate water alarm. You don’t need the most fancy one on the market; something like the Basement Watchdog will do. The important thing is to install it in your sump pit a bit above your float switch (or backup float switch if you get a backup DC sump pump, which we recommend). As a result, your water alarm will be triggered if your M53 doesn’t start, stops working, or can’t keep up with water flow (and if the same occurs with your backup pump). If you hear your water alarm sensor, you’ll know it’s time to high-tail it to the basement.

Zoeller M53 Sump Pump Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

In conclusion, if you’ve only got $150 to spend on a sump pump, chances are that it’ll come down to either the Wayne CDU980E or the Zoeller M53. Both are solid choices, but if you don’t need the higher flow rates of the CDU980E, we’d recommend the M53 for its greater longevity and facility with debris-filled water. Overall, however, we’d recommend spending just a bit more for a much faster and much, much longer-lasting sump pump in the Zoeller M267 if at all possible.

You can buy the Zoeller M53 here on Amazon. You can buy the Zoeller M267 here. You can buy the Wayne CDU980E here. You can buy the Wayne ESP25 here. You can buy a water alarm here. You can buy a silent check valve here.

If you find our work at PumpThatSump helpful, you can put our relentless reviewing of every pump and fixture on the market to the test by shopping via our links above for whatever you need to make your house a home. Despite being self-employed, we promise not to spend it all on health insurance.