Both pumps are automatic, both drain to 1/8 inch, and both ship free. The decision between them comes down to three things: how big your cover is, how much rain your area typically receives, and how quickly you need the cover cleared before a storm loads it past the point of comfort. This guide gives you the side-by-side comparison, the clearance times on your specific cover size, and a decision matrix to make the call.
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The Two Pumps in This Guide: Best for small pools and tight budgets: B+D 350 GPH Automatic Cover Pump ($59.99) Best for large covers, speed, and 3-yr warranty: B+D 1500 GPH Automatic Cover Pump ($89.99) Browse full lineup: All Pool Cover Pumps at PoolPartsToGo |
The Full Spec-by-Spec Comparison
Here is every relevant specification for both pumps, including the clearance time rows that translate the GPH difference into actual minutes on your specific cover:
|
Spec |
B+D 350 GPH Automatic |
B+D 1500 GPH Automatic |
|
Price |
$59.99 |
$89.99 (was $210) |
|
GPH |
350 gallons per hour |
1,500 gallons per hour |
|
Motor |
1/4 HP |
Not published |
|
Switch type |
Automatic 2-stage float |
Automatic dual float |
|
Activates at |
2 inches of water |
4.25 inches of water |
|
Drains to |
1/8 inch |
1/8 inch |
|
Power cord |
25 ft |
25 ft |
|
Discharge hose |
Standard hose adapter (no hose) |
30 ft hose included |
|
Warranty |
1-year limited |
3-year limited |
|
Pre-filter |
Yes (sponge pad) |
Yes (patented sponge pad) |
|
Oil-free |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Pool type |
Above ground (recommended) |
Above ground and inground |
|
Clearance: 16x32 cover, 1 inch rain (~319 gal) |
~55 minutes |
~13 minutes |
|
Clearance: 16x32 cover, 3 inches rain (~957 gal) |
~164 minutes (2 hr 44 min) |
~38 minutes |
|
Clearance: 20x40 cover, 3 inches rain (~1,497 gal) |
Over 4 hours |
~60 minutes |
|
Best for |
Small AG covers, light rainfall, tight budget, snowmelt all-winter on small pools |
Large covers, spring opening, heavy storms, winterizing, any situation where speed matters |
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The Three Rows That Matter Most Clearance time on a 20x40 cover, 3 inches of rain: The 350 GPH takes over 4 hours. The 1500 GPH takes 60 minutes. That difference is the core of the decision for large cover owners. Warranty: 3 years on the 1500 GPH vs 1 year on the 350 GPH. The $30 price difference buys two additional years of warranty coverage on a pump operating outdoors through freeze-thaw cycles all winter. Hose included: The 1500 GPH includes a 30-foot discharge hose. The 350 GPH includes only an adapter; a garden hose must be purchased separately. Factor this into the actual price comparison if you do not already own a sufficient length hose. |
Clearance Times by Cover Size
The most useful way to frame the GPH difference is in actual clearance time on real pool cover sizes. The calculation uses the standard conversion of 0.623 gallons per square foot per inch of rainfall. The table below shows clearance at a 2-inch and 3-inch rainfall event, which represents the range most residential pools encounter during a typical northeastern spring season:
|
Cover Size |
Approx Gallons (1" rain) |
350 GPH Time |
1500 GPH Time |
Time Saved |
|
14x28 ft (392 sqft) |
~488 gal (2") |
~84 min |
~20 min |
~64 min |
|
16x32 ft (512 sqft) |
~638 gal (2") |
~109 min |
~26 min |
~83 min |
|
18x36 ft (648 sqft) |
~808 gal (2") |
~138 min |
~32 min |
~106 min |
|
20x40 ft (800 sqft) |
~998 gal (2") |
~171 min |
~40 min |
~131 min |
|
18x36 ft (648 sqft) |
~1,212 gal (3") |
~207 min |
~48 min |
~159 min |
|
20x40 ft (800 sqft) |
~1,497 gal (3") |
~256 min |
~60 min |
~196 min |
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What These Numbers Mean in Practice For a standard 20x40-foot inground pool cover after 3 inches of rain: the 350 GPH pump takes over 4 hours to clear the cover. During a 4-hour clearance window, the cover is accumulating additional rain if the storm is still ongoing, the pump is running for an extended period continuously, and there is a non-trivial risk of cover stress from sustained weight. The 1500 GPH pump clears the same cover in 60 minutes, well within the window of most rain events. For small above-ground covers (14x28 to 15 ft round), the 350 GPH's slower clearance is rarely problematic because the total volume is manageable. The $30 savings is more meaningful at this pool size. |
Calculate Clearance Time for Your Specific Cover
The tables above use common cover sizes. To find the exact clearance time for your own cover at your local typical maximum rainfall, use this worksheet:
|
Input |
How to Find It |
Your Number |
|
Cover length (ft) |
Measure the pool cover length, not pool length. Cover typically extends 2 ft beyond pool on each side. |
_____________ ft |
|
Cover width (ft) |
Measure cover width at widest point. |
_____________ ft |
|
Cover area (sq ft) |
Length x width. For round pools: radius x radius x 3.14. |
_____________ sq ft |
|
Typical max rainfall event (inches) |
Check local weather records or use 2 to 3 inches as a conservative estimate for most US locations. |
_____________ inches |
|
Water volume to pump (gallons) |
Cover area x rainfall inches x 0.623 gallons per square foot per inch. |
_____________ gallons |
|
350 GPH clearance time (minutes) |
Divide your gallons by 350, then multiply by 60. |
_____________ minutes |
|
1500 GPH clearance time (minutes) |
Divide your gallons by 1500, then multiply by 60. |
_____________ minutes |
|
Time difference |
Subtract 1500 GPH time from 350 GPH time. This is how much faster the 1500 GPH clears your specific cover. |
_____________ minutes saved |
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Worked Example: 18 ft Round Above-Ground Pool Cover size: 22 ft diameter (2 ft overhang per side). Area: 11 x 11 x 3.14 = approximately 380 sq ft. Maximum rainfall: 2.5 inches (local estimate for heavy spring storms). Volume: 380 x 2.5 x 0.623 = approximately 592 gallons. 350 GPH clearance: (592 / 350) x 60 = approximately 101 minutes (1 hour 41 minutes). 1500 GPH clearance: (592 / 1500) x 60 = approximately 24 minutes. Time saved: 77 minutes. For this pool size, the 350 GPH is manageable but the 1500 GPH is noticeably faster. The $30 upgrade comes down to whether 77 minutes of faster clearance is worth $30 for your specific situation. |
Decision Guide: Which Pump for Which Situation
Run your specific situation through this table. Most readers will identify their case in the first three rows:
|
Your Situation |
Choose |
Why |
|
Small above-ground pool (12 to 15 ft round), light to moderate rainfall |
350 GPH ($59.99) |
Correctly sized for small covers. Handles 1 to 2 inches of rain without the cover accumulating weight faster than the pump can clear it. Lowest cost. |
|
Above-ground pool, 15 to 18 ft round, typical northeastern US rainfall |
350 or 800 GPH |
350 GPH works for light conditions but takes over 2.5 hours for a 3-inch storm. 800 GPH (not in this article's brief but available at PPTG) clears the same in 72 minutes. If spring storms are common in your area, step up to 800 or 1500. |
|
Pool cover 18x36 or larger |
1500 GPH ($89.99) |
Large cover accumulates too much volume for a 350 GPH pump during heavy rain. The 350 would fall behind a heavy storm; the 1500 keeps up. |
|
Northeast or Southeast US, frequent spring storms |
1500 GPH ($89.99) |
High-rainfall areas need the margin of speed. During a 3-inch storm on a 20x40 cover, the 350 GPH takes over 4 hours; the 1500 GPH takes 60 minutes. |
|
Spring opening: want cover cleared quickly |
1500 GPH ($89.99) |
Opening day scenario: the 1500 GPH clears a heavy winter's worth of water in 1 to 2 hours. The 350 GPH on the same cover could take 5 or more hours. |
|
Winterizing: need to lower pool water level |
1500 GPH ($89.99) |
Pool draining/lowering is a timed task with about 90 minutes needed at 800+ GPH. The 350 GPH would take 3 to 4 times longer for the same result. |
|
Budget is the primary decision factor |
350 GPH ($59.99) |
At $59.99, the 350 GPH is the most affordable automatic submersible pump at PPTG. For pool owners in low-rainfall areas with small covers, the budget pick is the technically correct pick. |
|
Want the best total value including warranty |
1500 GPH ($89.99) |
3-year warranty vs 1-year on the 350 GPH. At $30 more, the 1500 GPH's 3-year coverage, included 30 ft hose, and 4x the pumping capacity make it the stronger value on every dimension except upfront price. |
|
Already own a 350 GPH, considering upgrade |
1500 GPH ($89.99) |
If you have experienced slow clearance, cover stress from weight accumulation, or missed rain events while away, the 1500 GPH upgrade is $30 and solves every one of those problems. |
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The $30 Question: How to Decide at the Margin At $59.99 vs $89.99, the decision is $30. For most pool owners, the way to frame this decision is:
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Both Pumps at PoolPartsToGo
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B+D 350 GPH Auto (Best for Small Covers, Lowest Price) $59.99 BLACK+DECKER 350 GPH Automatic Pool Cover Pump 1/4 HP automatic submersible cover pump. 2-stage automatic float switch activates at 2 inches of water, drains to 1/8 inch. Designed for above-ground pools and small inground covers. 25 ft power cord. Standard hose adapter included. Oil-free design. Pre-filter sponge prevents clogging. 1-year limited warranty. Ships free. |
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B+D 1500 GPH Auto (Best for Large Covers, 3-Year Warranty, Hose Included) $89.99 (was $210) BLACK+DECKER 1500 GPH Automatic Submersible Pool Cover Pump Dual automatic float switch activates at 4.25 inches of water, drains to 1/8 inch. 1,500 GPH clears a 20x40 cover after 3 inches of rain in approximately 60 minutes vs over 4 hours at 350 GPH. 25 ft power cord plus 30 ft discharge hose included. Patented pre-filter sponge. Oil-free. The only cover pump at PPTG with a 3-year limited warranty. Ships free. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 350 GPH pump powerful enough for a standard inground pool?
For a standard inground pool with a 20x40 foot cover in a typical northeastern US climate that sees 2 to 3-inch spring storms, the 350 GPH pump will technically clear the cover but takes 2 to 4 hours for a major rain event. If you have the patience and the cover has adequate structural tolerance for slower draining, the 350 GPH works. For most 20x40 covers and similar sizes, the 1500 GPH is the recommended choice because it keeps the cover clear during ongoing rain events rather than lagging behind a storm's rate of accumulation.
Why does the 1500 GPH model activate at 4.25 inches instead of 2 inches like the 350 GPH?
The higher activation threshold on the 1500 GPH prevents unnecessary cycling on small accumulations. A pump delivering 1,500 gallons per hour turning on for a light drizzle or condensation event would be running for only a few seconds before the water is cleared and it cycles off again, creating unnecessary motor and float switch wear. The 4.25-inch threshold ensures it activates when there is a meaningful volume of water worth running a higher-capacity motor for. The 350 GPH model's lower 2-inch threshold is appropriate for its smaller motor.
Do I need a separate hose for the 350 GPH model?
Yes. The 350 GPH includes a standard hose adapter but not a discharge hose. A standard garden hose connects directly to the adapter. If you need to discharge 30 or more feet from the pump location, a standard 50-foot garden hose (widely available for under $20) is all that is needed. The 1500 GPH model includes a 30-foot discharge hose in the box, so no additional purchase is needed for that model.
Can either pump be left running unattended all winter?
Yes. Both are automatic pumps designed for exactly this use case. Plug in the pump, place it on the pool cover, route the discharge hose to a drainage area, and leave it connected for the closed season. The automatic float switch handles every rain and snowmelt event without manual intervention. At the end of the pool season, remove and store the pump before hard freeze periods to prevent damage from freezing solid in standing water.
How do I calculate which GPH I need for my specific cover?
Measure your cover area in square feet (length times width, or for round covers: radius times radius times 3.14). Multiply cover area by your typical maximum rainfall in inches by 0.623 gallons per square foot per inch. That gives you the gallons to pump. Divide by the pump's GPH and multiply by 60 to get minutes. If the 350 GPH clearance time for your cover is under 90 minutes for a typical storm, the 350 GPH is adequate. If it is over 90 minutes, the 1500 GPH is the better choice. The self-calculation worksheet in Section 3 of this article walks through the full calculation.
What is the return policy on these cover pumps?
Both pumps are returnable within 90 days of delivery per PoolPartsToGo's standard returns policy for pool equipment. Most new, unopened items qualify for a full refund less shipping. Contact PPTG at cs@poolpartstogo.com to initiate a return. Returned items must be in new, unopened condition.
Your Cover. Your Rainfall. Your Answer.
Run your cover size through the clearance time table or worksheet above. If the 350 GPH clears your specific cover in under 90 minutes during your worst-case storm, it is the right pick at the lowest price. If the clearance time is longer, or if your cover is 18x36 or larger, the 1500 GPH is the right pick on every dimension including the 3-year warranty and included hose.
