DeWalt 1/3 HP Aluminum Submersible Utility Pump with Hose Kit

Why I reached for this pump

After a surprise thunderstorm turned a trench behind my garage into a murky bath, I needed to move water fast without babysitting finicky gear. I grabbed the DeWalt utility pump because it promised solid throughput, a rugged housing, and a hose kit that wouldn’t have me rummaging for fittings. It got me out of a jam that night, and I’ve since used it for everything from emptying a stock tank to clearing a muddy pit for footings. Here’s how it stacks up after real use.

Setup and first impressions

The pump feels purpose-built rather than pretty. The cast aluminum housing strikes a nice balance: lighter than cast iron, sturdier than plastic. At around 15 pounds, it’s substantial enough to stay put but easy to carry by the integrated handle. The 20-foot power cord is long enough for most basements and yards, and the watertight cord entry inspires confidence when fully submerged.

Out of the box, the included 25-foot lay-flat discharge hose and cam-lock fittings are a major win. Cam-locks make setup quick: click on, snap the arms, and you’re plumbed to a 1-1/2-inch outlet. If you don’t have a lay-flat routing in mind, the garden-hose adapter gets you by in a pinch, though at a serious cost to flow (more on that below).

There’s no float switch or automatics here—plug it in to run, unplug to stop. It’s a straight utility pump, not a set-and-forget sump unit.

Performance and flow

With a 1/3 HP PSC motor, the pump is rated at 60 GPM (3600 GPH) at zero head and 50 GPM at 10 feet. In practice, those numbers are credible. Using the included 1-1/2-inch hose and pumping from a shallow pit up to a lawn drain about eight feet above the waterline, it moved water with authority. It emptied a 50-gallon barrel in roughly a minute with minimal lift, and it kept pace nicely in a basement test lifting close to a story.

As with any centrifugal pump, flow drops as head increases. At around 30 feet of vertical lift you’re approaching the limits; at the rated maximum of 35 feet, you’re moving a trickle. If you’re routinely pushing water more than 20–25 feet up, step up in horsepower.

One important caveat: the garden-hose adapter is useful but restrictive. On a 3/4-inch hose, expect a fraction of the flow—often in the 10–20 GPM range depending on hose length and vertical rise. It’s handy for small jobs or long runs where lay-flat isn’t practical, but if you bought this for speed, stick with the 1-1/2-inch line.

Handling dirty water and solids

The vortex-style impeller and bottom screen are designed to handle solids up to 3/8 inch. In real-world mud and grit, that design choice matters. I’ve used it in sandy water, silted footing holes, and leafy window wells without drama. The vortex impeller tolerates debris better than a straight radial impeller.

That said, the intake screen is coarse, which is exactly why it can pass 3/8-inch solids. In thick sludge or fine silts, the pump will happily pull in a lot of particulate. My routine is to set it on a paver or tile to avoid sucking straight off mud and to rinse the intake after really dirty jobs. If you’re working in slurry or heavy sediment, consider wrapping the pump in a mesh bag or milk crate as a DIY prefilter. For ongoing sludge duty, a trash pump is the right tool.

Minimum water level is spec’d to 3/8 inch, and in practice it gets to a thin sheet without cavitating. Expect a little sheen of water left behind, as with most flat-suction utility pumps.

Build quality and motor

The pump’s PSC motor with copper windings is efficient and runs cool when submerged. The motor is thermally protected, a safety net I’m glad to have but don’t plan to rely on. This type of pump uses the pumped water for cooling and lubrication; don’t let it run dry. Because there’s no float, I treat it as a supervised tool—plug in, pump down, unplug—rather than a background appliance.

The housing has shrugged off scrapes and knocks, and the seals and cord entry are tight. The impeller is thermoplastic, which resists corrosion, and the aluminum body doesn’t feel fragile. For corrosive environments (saltwater, strong chemicals), aluminum isn’t ideal; that’s outside this pump’s job description anyway. It’s rated for 33–120°F water—nothing freezing, nothing hot.

Certifications (CSA-US and SSPMA) and the 10-year limited warranty add confidence. DeWalt also notes 100% factory testing. Those are the boring details I like to see on a tool I’m going to rely on in emergencies.

The hose and fittings matter more than you think

The included 25-foot lay-flat hose is more than a nice-to-have. Lay-flat stores small, deploys quickly, and minimizes friction compared to a garden hose. Paired with the cam-locks, it turns a chaotic, wet situation into a two-minute setup. If you need more length, it’s easy to extend with additional 1-1/2-inch lay-flat and the same style fittings; keep an extra gasket in the kit to avoid drips.

Pro tip: roll out the hose fully before you power on. Lay-flat twists can trap air and cost you flow. Also, mind sharp edges—lay-flat is tough but not indestructible.

Noise, vibration, and ergonomics

Submerged, the pump is quiet—just a steady hum. Vibration is minimal thanks to the weight and bottom intake. The carry handle is centered and solid, which makes it easy to place at arm’s length from a safe stance. Don’t lift by the cord; tie a short rope or use the handle if you need to lower into a pit.

Safety and operation notes

• Use a GFCI-protected outlet for any submersible pump.
• Avoid running dry. The thermal protection is a backstop, not a feature.
• Because there’s no float switch, plan to monitor the pump or add an external float or smart plug if you must automate.
• Keep the intake clear of fabric, plastic, or anything that could wrap and restrict flow.
• For the cleanest finish in shallow water, keep a squeegee or wet vac nearby to chase the last puddle.

What I like

• Strong real-world throughput with 1-1/2-inch hose
• Rugged aluminum housing, solid handle, and tight cord entry
• Vortex impeller that tolerates 3/8-inch debris without frequent clogs
• Cam-lock fittings and a usable 25-foot lay-flat hose included
• Long 20-foot power cord and reasonable 5A draw on standard 115V
• 10-year limited warranty and recognized certifications

What could be better

• No float or automatic shutoff; requires supervision or added accessories
• Garden-hose adapter is convenient but severely limits flow
• Coarse intake screen means fine silts and sludge come along for the ride; a finer accessory screen would be welcome
• Aluminum isn’t for corrosive or saltwater environments

Who it’s for

This is a workhorse utility pump for homeowners, trades, and maintenance crews who need to move a lot of water quickly: flooded basements, window wells, foundation holes, yard ponds, hot tubs, pool maintenance, and jobsite dewatering. If your priority is unattended, automatic sump duty, choose a model with a reliable float switch. If you need to chew through gravel and thick slurry, look to a dedicated trash pump.

Final thoughts and recommendation

The DeWalt utility pump is the kind of tool I like to keep ready: compact, straightforward, and fast. It prioritizes high flow through a 1-1/2-inch line, tolerates real-world debris with a vortex impeller, and comes with the hose and fittings you actually need under time pressure. Build quality is solid, the motor is efficient and protected, and the long cord removes headaches. Its limitations—no float, restricted flow on a garden hose, and a coarse intake—are predictable and manageable with a little planning.

I recommend this pump. If you need a reliable, portable solution to move clean or dirty water in a hurry, it delivers on throughput, ease of setup, and durability, and the 10-year limited warranty is a reassuring backstop. Keep it in your kit with the lay-flat hose rolled and ready, and it will earn its spot the first time you’re staring at rising water and a ticking clock.