The short answer
A high-water alarm sounds when water rises above the pump's normal on level, which means the pump or switch has failed. Wi-Fi monitors send the alert to your phone, and some watch the pump's power draw or water level to catch problems before the pit overflows.
What each type detects
| Type | Detects | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Float alarm | High water | Superior 92060 |
| Smart water-level monitor | Level, failure, power, leaks | Moen S2000ESUSA |
| Power-sensing plug | Dry runs, overloads, cycling | PumpFuse PF03 |
| Backup add-on | Backup system status | Basement Watchdog BW-WIFI |
Our picks by need
- Simple and cheap: Superior 92060, an 87 dB horn on a 9 V battery.
- Phone alerts and leak sensing: Moen S2000ESUSA.
- No pit installation: PumpFuse PF03, which learns the pump's normal power draw.
Products mentioned
Questions readers ask
Do I need a sump pump alarm?
It's the cheapest way to learn a pump has failed before the basement floods.
Do Wi-Fi alarms work in a power outage?
Only with battery backup for both the monitor and your router.