Black & Decker 1/6 HP Submersible Water Pump (fiberglass reinforced thermoplastic)

A few spring storms and an inflatable pool gave me plenty of excuses to put the Black & Decker submersible pump to work. It’s a compact 1/6 HP utility pump meant for portable, intermittent tasks—think draining a hot tub, clearing a window well, or moving standing water off a patio. After several weeks of use around the house, I’ve come to appreciate its simplicity and thoughtful design, with a few caveats that are worth knowing before you buy.

Setup and Build

Out of the box, the pump is refreshingly straightforward. It’s built from fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic, which keeps weight down to about 5.6 pounds without feeling flimsy. The fold-away handle and onboard cord wrap are small touches that make storage tidy and transport easy. It fits nicely on a shelf and doesn’t feel like a piece of shop equipment you need to babysit.

Connections are flexible: the outlet is 1-1/4 in. FPT, and an included adapter lets you run a standard 3/4 in. garden hose. I prefer using a larger-diameter discharge where possible to keep flow rates closer to spec, but the garden hose option is handy when you’re draining something in the yard and don’t want to drag out lay-flat hose.

There’s no float switch or automatic on/off—this is a manual utility pump. You place it where you want it, plug it in, and it runs. Unplug it to stop. That’s ideal for controlled transfers and one-off jobs, but it’s not what you want for a permanent sump setup that cycles automatically.

Build quality is solid for the class. The removable intake screen snaps off for cleaning, and it’s rated to pass up to 1/8 in. solids. That’s enough to tolerate a bit of grit and leaf bits, though you should still avoid sandy bottoms and sludgy water if you can help it. The motor is thermally protected, which offers a layer of insurance if you accidentally run it dry—though I make a point not to.

Performance in the Real World

On paper, you get up to 2000 GPH with a maximum vertical lift of 22 feet. In practice, as with any pump, flow drops as head height and hose restrictions increase. With a short 1-1/4 in. discharge, the pump moves a lot of water quickly; with a long garden hose, expect a meaningful reduction in flow. That isn’t a flaw—just physics. If you’re draining a pool or hot tub and want speed, step up the hose diameter.

As a quick shakedown, I set the pump in a bucket and in a shallow kiddie pool. It evacuated small volumes in seconds and had no trouble picking up when partially submerged. In my basement, I ran it with a 5/8 in. garden hose up a flight of stairs to the yard. It handled that lift reliably, just at a slower pace than when pushing water across level ground. The 22-foot lift rating is generous for a 1/6 HP unit; while you won’t maintain high flow at that height, the pump does keep water moving without sputtering.

Noise levels are low. Submerged, the motor produces a steady hum that gets lost in the background, especially outdoors. Vibration is minimal. It’s easy to carry on a conversation while it’s running, which I appreciate when working in a basement or garage.

Hose and Fittings: What Works Best

• For speed: Use a 1-1/4 in. discharge hose and keep runs short and straight.
• For convenience: The included garden hose adapter is great, but accept the slowdown. A 3/4 in. hose performs noticeably better than a 5/8 in. hose.
• For clean water: Elevate the pump slightly—resting it on a paver or a plastic trivet—so the intake doesn’t sit directly in silt. It reduces clogging and leaves less “last inch” water to squeegee.

The removable intake screen is worth cleaning after mucky jobs. It pops off easily, and giving it a rinse keeps flow consistent and prolongs the pump’s life.

Portability and Storage

This is where the design shines. The pump is compact, the handle feels secure, and the cord wrap keeps the 10-foot cord from becoming a snarl in the bin. The cord length is enough for most utility scenarios, though if your outlet is far from the work area you’ll need to plan placement accordingly. I like that everything stows as a single, tidy package—no loose fittings rattling around.

Safety and Duty Cycle

Although the motor includes thermal protection, I treat this as a human-attended tool. There’s no auto-shutoff, and like most utility pumps, it relies on the water for cooling. Avoid running it dry and keep the intake screen clear. For basements or crawl spaces where water can creep back in, check on it periodically and unplug when the job’s done.

If you’re moving water that may include dirt or small debris, give the intake a glance every so often. It handles 1/8 in. solids, but fibrous materials (like pine needles or grass) can mat over the screen and restrict flow.

Maintenance

Maintenance is minimal:
- Rinse the intake screen and impeller area after gritty jobs.
- Drain and dry the pump before storage to avoid odors and mineral buildup.
- Inspect the power cord for nicks and keep the plug clean and dry.
- Store it with the cord wrapped and the adapter threaded hand-tight so you’re ready to go next time.

The 1-year limited warranty is standard for this category. Given the straightforward design, I expect longevity if it’s kept clean and used within its limits.

Where It Fits

The Black & Decker submersible pump makes the most sense for:
- Draining above-ground pools, hot tubs, and inflatable spas
- Clearing water from patios, driveways, and low spots after storms
- Emptying rain barrels and small ponds
- De-watering job sites or trenches where power is nearby
- Emergency water removal in basements or crawl spaces (with supervision)

It’s quick to deploy and easy to carry to wherever water collects. The 22-foot lift is a notable strength for a small pump, enabling uphill discharges that lower-HP units can struggle with.

What It’s Not

• Not a permanent sump pump: No float switch, no automatic cycling, and not designed for continuous duty.
• Not a trash pump: It handles small particles, but not heavy sediment or large, stringy debris.
• Not a high-flow workhorse through a garden hose: If you need speed, use larger hose and minimize head height.

Pros and Cons

Pros
- Strong performance for a 1/6 HP unit with a generous 22-foot lift
- Lightweight, compact build with a fold-away handle and cord wrap
- Flexible discharge options with included garden hose adapter
- Removable intake screen; handles 1/8 in. solids
- Quiet operation and easy maintenance

Cons
- Manual operation only; no float/auto shutoff
- Flow drops sharply with small-diameter hoses or long runs
- 10-foot power cord can feel short in some basements
- Not intended for continuous-duty sump applications

The Bottom Line

The Black & Decker submersible pump is a smart, grab-and-go solution for homeowners who need reliable, portable water transfer. It punches above its weight in lift capability, stays quiet, and is thoughtfully designed for storage and transport. If you match your hose size to the task and keep the intake clean, it moves a lot of water for its size and price.

Recommendation: I recommend this pump for anyone who wants a dependable utility pump for intermittent jobs—draining pools and hot tubs, tackling post-storm puddles, or handling minor basement water with supervision. Its portability, simple operation, and solid performance make it an easy tool to keep on hand. If you need an automatic sump pump or plan to pump dirty water with significant solids, look elsewhere; this isn’t built for continuous duty or heavy debris. But as a general-purpose, household utility pump, it’s an excellent value and one I’m glad to have in the toolkit.