A booster pump raises the pressure of water that already reaches your house: from a weak city main, a gravity-fed tank, or a top-floor bathroom far from the supply. It cannot fix a clogged pipe, a failing pressure-reducing valve or a well that cannot keep up, so check those first (see do you need a booster pump?).
| Type | How it works | Best for | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constant-pressure (variable speed) | Speeds up or slows down to hold a set pressure | Whole houses; steady showers when several taps run | $700 to $900 |
| Conventional with pressure switch | Runs at full speed between cut-in and cut-out pressures, often with a small tank | Whole houses on a budget | $150 to $700 |
| Inline point-of-use | Small pump switched on by water flow | One shower, water heater or washing machine | $90 to $120 |
Grundfos SCALA2 3-45 Pressure Booster
The SCALA2 is the benchmark integrated booster: pump, motor, controller and pressure sensor in one quiet stainless unit that varies its speed to hold steady pressure as taps open and close. It draws 0.5 hp at 115 V and weighs 22 lb. At $879 it is the most expensive pick, and worth it where you want shower pressure that does not drop when the dishwasher starts. Its built-in dry-run protection shuts it off if the supply fails.
Aquastrong Smart 45 Constant-Pressure Booster
A variable-speed booster listed at 150 ft of maximum head (about 65 psi at shutoff) from a 0.74 hp, 115 V motor, at $749. It offers the same steady-pressure behavior as the Grundfos for less, in a 17.2 × 7.95 × 13.07 inch body. Choose it if you want constant pressure but the Grundfos price is hard to justify.
Simer 3075SS 3/4 HP Pressure Booster
Simer's 3/4 hp stainless booster at $682.99, listed at 5 gpm with a 3-year warranty. It runs at full speed between its pressure-switch settings rather than varying speed, so pressure rises and falls slightly as it cycles. It is a durable, conventional choice for a small home or a single floor with low pressure.
Simer 4075SS 3/4 HP Pressure Booster
Another Simer 3/4 hp booster with a 3-year manufacturer warranty, at $660.25 and sold through two retailers. Compare it with the 3075SS on the current price and dimensions; both are conventional on-off boosters for whole-house use.
Etespie 70 psi Whole-House Booster
Listed at 148 ft of maximum head from a 0.67 hp motor for $185.99, a fraction of the price of the stainless names. It suits a cabin, a gravity-fed tank system or a light-duty whole-house boost. At this price, expect a shorter service life and louder running than the premium picks.
DC HOUSE DPHC-F42 Brushless Booster Pump
A small brushless booster listed at 6 gpm and 147 ft of head for $114.99. At 10 × 5.1 × 5.69 inches it fits under a sink or beside a water heater. It is better suited to boosting one or two fixtures or a small RV or cabin system than a full house.
KolerFlo H15GR-15 Booster Pump
A brass inline booster with a flow switch, listed at 6.6 gpm and 49.2 ft of head, which adds up to about 21 psi, for $89.99. It switches on when water flows, so it fits in-line before a shower, a tankless water heater that needs a minimum pressure, or a washing machine. It will not lift a whole house.
Side by side
| Model | Type | Maker's max head | Max boost (approx.) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grundfos SCALA2 3-45 | Constant pressure | n/a | n/a | $879.00 |
| Aquastrong Smart 45 | Constant pressure | 150 ft | ≈ 65 psi | $749.00 |
| Simer 3075SS | Conventional | n/a | n/a | $682.99 |
| Simer 4075SS | Conventional | n/a | n/a | $660.25 |
| Etespie 70 psi | Conventional | 148 ft | ≈ 64 psi | $185.99 |
| DC House DPHC-F42 | Compact | 147 ft | ≈ 64 psi | $114.99 |
| KolerFlo H15GR-15 | Inline, flow switch | 49.2 ft | ≈ 21 psi | $89.99 |
How to choose between them
- Measure your pressure with a gauge on an outdoor spigot: under 40 psi is low; 40 to 60 is normal.
- Decide the scope: one fixture needs an inline booster; the whole house needs a whole-house unit on the main line after the meter or tank.
- Choose constant pressure if several people use water at once; conventional if budget matters most.
- Check the supply: a booster cannot create water. On a well, the well pump and tank must supply the flow.
Most whole-house boosters need a dedicated 115 V circuit and bypass valves so the house still gets water if the pump fails. Many water utilities require a backflow preventer upstream of a booster; ask before installing.
Related
On a private well, low pressure is usually a pressure-switch or tank issue; see pressure switch settings and pressure tank sizing.
Questions readers ask
Will a booster pump increase water pressure in my whole house?
How much pressure does a booster pump add?
Is a constant-pressure booster worth the extra cost?
Can I use a booster pump on a well?
Picks are chosen and ordered by our editors from makers' published specifications and listed prices; every pick meets the list's own requirement. How we research · Disclosure