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Quick answer from a licensed plumber: For draining water heaters, tanks and boilers on jobs, the DeWalt DCE050: DeWalt rates it at 10 GPM, it runs on 20V MAX packs and it shuts itself off if it runs dry. For big volumes on house power, the WAYNE PC4 lists 1,600 gallons per hour. For a once-a-year job, the small WAYNE PC2. Keep any of them within 10 to 15 feet above the water, and let hot water cool first.
Our pick for most plumbers: the DeWalt DCE050 20V MAX transfer pump kit. Check the DeWalt DCE050P1 kit on Amazon
A transfer pump moves water from one place to another through hoses: out of a water heater with no floor drain, out of a tank or a boiler, or up and out of a basement. This page compares four that were sold by Amazon.com on October 4, 2026, using the makers’ own manuals. If the water is standing on a floor or in a window well, you want a pump that sits in the water instead; see our submersible utility pump picks.
Transfer Pumps Compared
| Pump | Power | Flow (maker) | Suction limit (maker) | Water temp (maker) | Run time limit (maker) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCE050 | 20V MAX battery | 10 GPM rated; 4.5 GPM at 45 ft head | No more than 15 ft above the water (25 ft max lift in the spec table) | 32 to 140 °F | No more than 1 hour continuous |
| WAYNE PC4 | 115 V, 1/2 HP | 1,600 GPH max; 660 GPH at 80 ft head | No more than 15 ft above or away from the water | 40 to 120 °F | Not for long continuous runs |
| Superior Pump 90050 | 120 V, 1/2 HP, 8.4 A | 1,500 GPH at 0 ft; 180 GPH at 110 ft head | 15 ft maximum suction lift; foot valve over 10 ft (manual) | 120 °F in the manual; 140 °F on the product page | None listed in the manual or on the product page |
| WAYNE PC2 | 120 V | 400 GPH at 0 ft; 250 GPH at 25 ft head | No more than 10 ft above the water; 15 ft hose max | 40 to 120 °F | No more than 2 hours continuous |
Figures from the DeWalt DCE050 manual, the WAYNE PC4 and PC2 manuals and the Superior Pump 90050 product page and manual. Each linked pump was sold by Amazon.com and in stock on October 4, 2026.
Transfer Pump or Utility Pump?
A transfer pump sits dry, beside the water, and pulls water up a suction hose. DeWalt and WAYNE both say not to submerge theirs. That makes it the right tool when the water is inside something: a water heater, a tank, a boiler, a cistern. A submersible utility pump sits in the water and pushes it out, so it can clear a flooded floor almost dry, but it needs enough water to sit in. If water keeps coming back to the same spot, neither is the fix; that is a sump pump job.
Suction is the limit, not horsepower
All of these pumps pull water up the inlet hose by suction, and suction runs out fast. DeWalt says to keep the DCE050 no more than 15 feet above the water. WAYNE says 15 feet for the PC4 and 10 feet for the PC2. Pushing water up the discharge hose is a different number, and a much bigger one: DeWalt lists 4.5 GPM at 45 feet of head and WAYNE lists 660 gallons per hour at 80 feet for the PC4. So set the pump low, close to the water, and let it push.
Use a hose that will not collapse
DeWalt says to use a heavy-duty inlet hose so it does not collapse, and a short, wide one for the best flow. WAYNE says ordinary garden hose collapses under suction and should not be used on the PC4’s inlet. Both say a small leak at the inlet connection cuts suction and can stop the pump from priming. A regular garden hose is fine on the discharge side.
Draining a Water Heater With a Transfer Pump
Plumber’s note: a water heater in a basement, an interior closet or a garage with no floor drain is the classic transfer pump job. A hose on the drain valve only empties the tank if the hose end sits lower than the tank. A pump on the hose pushes the water up and out a door or into a sink.
- Let it cool. DeWalt lists water up to 140 °F for the DCE050. WAYNE lists 120 °F for the PC4 and PC2. Turn the heater off first and give the water time to cool.
- Expect thermal stops with hot water. DeWalt says the DCE050 is more likely to shut down on heat when it moves hot water, and to let it cool before you restart.
- Secure both hose ends. DeWalt says to secure both ends before you start, and WAYNE says an unsecured discharge line may whip.
- Watch the end of the job. When the tank runs empty the pump starts pulling air. DeWalt says not to let the DCE050 run dry; if it does, it shuts itself off within 60 seconds. Unplug the WAYNE pumps before they run dry.
The full drain-and-flush steps from A. O. Smith, Rheem and Bradford White are in our guide to flushing a water heater. Descaling a tankless heater is a different job with a small circulating pump; see our water heater flush kit picks.
DeWalt DCE050 20V MAX Transfer Pump
20V MAX battery · 10 GPM rated (fully charged DCB205) · 4.5 GPM at 45 ft of head · 25 ft maximum lift · water 32 to 140 °F · 3/4 in. garden hose thread · auto shut-off within 60 seconds if it runs dry · water or up to 60/40 water and propylene glycol · kit (DCE050P1): DCB205 5Ah battery and charger · 1-year limited warranty, 3 years when registered, per DeWalt’s product page (the manual prints a three-year limited warranty)
This is the pump to put on the truck if you drain water heaters, tanks and boilers for a living. DeWalt’s manual names that job outright: it says the DCE050 is designed for transferring water from water heaters, tanks and similar. It rates the pump at 10 gallons per minute, 4.5 GPM at 45 feet of head, and about 300 gallons per charge on the 5Ah battery that comes in the DCE050P1 kit. It is also the only pump on this page rated for a water and propylene glycol mix, up to 60/40, which matters on hydronic heating work.
Two limits are worth reading before you buy. DeWalt lists a 25-foot maximum lift on its spec table, but its operating steps say to keep the pump no more than 15 feet above the water source, so plan on 15. It also says not to run the pump continuously for more than an hour, and that thermal shutdown is more likely with hot water. A dry pump shuts itself off within 60 seconds. The manual says the pump is not weatherproof and is not meant for outdoor use.
- Rated 10 GPM, with 4.5 GPM at 45 feet of head, per DeWalt
- Shuts off within 60 seconds if it runs dry
- Rated for water and propylene glycol up to 60/40
- No cord: runs on any DeWalt 20V MAX pack
- Keep it within 15 feet above the water, per the operating steps
- No more than one hour of continuous running, per DeWalt
- Not for outdoor or wet locations, per the manual
Verdict: The transfer pump to buy if you already run DeWalt 20V tools and drain heaters, tanks or boilers on jobs.
WAYNE PC4 1/2 HP Cast Iron Transfer Pump
1/2 HP · 115 V, needs a 15 A circuit · 1,600 GPH maximum; 1,500 GPH at 20 ft and 660 GPH at 80 ft of discharge head · boosts to 50 psi, per WAYNE · cast iron motor housing and volute · 3/4 in. brass hose fittings · liquid 40 to 120 °F · 8 ft cord · 12 lb · 1-year limited warranty
When the job is moving a lot of water on household power, this is the pump. WAYNE’s manual lists 1,600 gallons per hour at the top of its chart, 1,240 at 40 feet of discharge head and 660 at 80 feet. That is well past the DeWalt’s 10 GPM rating, which works out to 600 gallons per hour (our arithmetic). WAYNE describes it as a transfer pump for jobs like emptying water heaters and livestock tanks, with a cast iron motor housing and pump body and brass hose fittings.
It takes more setup than the DeWalt. WAYNE says you must fill the pump with water before you run it, and that running it dry damages the shaft seal. It only self-primes with a foot valve on the suction hose, or when the water feeds it by gravity. The pump should sit no more than 15 feet above or away from the water. Ordinary garden hose collapses under suction, so WAYNE says not to use it on the inlet. There is no switch: you unplug it to stop, and WAYNE says a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is required.
- 1,600 GPH maximum, 660 GPH at 80 feet, per WAYNE
- Cast iron motor housing and pump body
- Brass 3/4 in. hose fittings
- Boosts to 50 psi, per the spec sheet
- Must be filled with water before each start; dry running damages the seal
- Needs a foot valve to self-prime
- No on/off switch; liquid limit is 120 °F
Verdict: The corded pick for big volumes: a full tank, a cistern or a long hose run uphill.
WAYNE PC2 Portable Transfer Pump
120 V · 400 GPH at 0 ft, 350 GPH at 10 ft, 250 GPH at 25 ft of discharge head · inlet hose no longer than 15 ft · pump no more than 10 ft above the water · 30 ft maximum discharge height · liquid 40 to 120 °F · 3/4 in. hose fittings · includes 6 ft suction hose, suction attachment and a spare parts kit
The PC2 is the small, light pump for a homeowner who drains a water heater once a year or empties a clogged sink or a waterbed, jobs WAYNE’s manual lists. WAYNE’s manual lists 400 gallons per hour with no lift and 250 at 25 feet of discharge head, so it is slow next to the PC4. It comes with a 6-foot suction hose, a suction attachment and a kit of spare parts: impeller, gasket, shaft seal, a hose washer and two motor brushes.
WAYNE sets tighter limits on this one. The inlet hose should be no longer than 15 feet, the pump no more than 10 feet above the water, and the discharge no higher than 30 feet. The manual says to add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the inlet and outlet to prime it, never to run it dry, and never to run it for more than 2 hours at a time. It also says a GFCI is required. WAYNE’s own product page lists 410 GPH and a lift over 35 feet, and the Amazon listing 340 GPH; neither matches the manual, so we use the manual’s numbers, including its 10-foot suction limit.
- Spare impeller, seal, gasket and brushes in the box, per WAYNE
- Suction hose and suction attachment included
- Light and portable
- Standard 3/4 in. hose fittings
- 400 GPH at most, per the manual
- No more than 10 feet above the water
- Primes with vegetable oil; never run dry
Verdict: Buy it if you drain a heater or a tub a couple of times a year and want the smallest pump that does the job.
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Also Worth a Look: Superior Pump 90050
The Superior Pump 90050 is the other 1/2 HP cast iron transfer pump on this page. Superior’s product page lists 1,500 gallons per hour at 0 feet of head and 180 at 110 feet, a 52 psi maximum discharge pressure and liquid up to 140 °F. Superior’s manual for the 90050 lists a 120 °F maximum liquid temperature, the same as WAYNE lists for the PC4, so plan on 120 °F. Unlike the PC4 it has a built-in on/off switch and a 10-foot cord. Superior lists draining water heaters and filling radiant heating systems among its uses, and says it is not recommended as a sprinkler pump. Its manual sets a 15-foot maximum suction lift and says to install a foot valve when the lift is over 10 feet. It says the pump is intended for clear water only, and that the pump housing must be filled with water before operating, because running it dry damages the shaft seal and voids the warranty.
What About Milwaukee’s M18 Transfer Pump?
I carry an M18 transfer pump on my jobs. We do not link it, because the only Amazon listing we found was from a third-party seller with no stock when we checked. If you are already on the M18 battery platform, buy it from a dealer you trust and read Milwaukee’s own specs. If you are not, the DeWalt above does the same job on 20V MAX packs.
Before You Buy
- Know the job. Water inside a heater, tank or boiler: transfer pump. Water standing on a floor: submersible utility pump.
- Check the water temperature limit. 140 °F for the DeWalt, 120 °F for the WAYNE pumps. Superior’s product page says 140 °F and its manual says 120 °F, so use 120 °F.
- Plan the lift. Keep the pump within 10 to 15 feet of the water, per the makers.
- Glycol? Of these makers’ documents, only DeWalt’s rates a pump for a water and propylene glycol mix, up to 60/40.
- Power. Cordless for jobs without an outlet nearby; corded for long runs and big volumes. WAYNE says a GFCI is required for both the PC2 and the PC4.
Safety and Limits
DeWalt and WAYNE say to pump only clear water (DeWalt adds water and glycol), never gasoline or other flammable liquids, and that their pumps are not for drinking water. DeWalt says the DCE050 is not weatherproof, and WAYNE says its motors must not be exposed to water. DeWalt says to store the DCE050 empty, indoors and above freezing, because water left inside can freeze and damage it. WAYNE says to inspect the PC4’s motor brushes after 100 hours of use.
FAQ
What is a water transfer pump?
A pump that sits dry, outside the water, with a suction hose in and a discharge hose out. A submersible utility pump sits in the water instead. DeWalt says not to submerge the DCE050, and WAYNE says not to submerge its motors or expose them to water.
Can a transfer pump drain a water heater?
Yes. DeWalt’s manual names water heaters as the intended use of the DCE050, and WAYNE lists emptying water heaters for the PC4. Check the water temperature limit first: DeWalt lists up to 140 °F and WAYNE 120 °F, so let the tank cool before you pump it.
How high can a transfer pump lift water?
Suction is the limit. DeWalt says to keep the DCE050 no more than 15 feet above the water, WAYNE says 15 feet for the PC4 and 10 feet for the PC2. Pushing water up is easier: DeWalt lists 4.5 GPM at 45 feet of head and WAYNE lists 660 GPH at 80 feet for the PC4.
Can I run a transfer pump dry?
No. DeWalt says not to let the DCE050 run dry because the pump could be damaged, and that a dry pump shuts itself off within 60 seconds. WAYNE says running the PC4 dry damages the shaft seal, and that running the PC2 dry voids the warranty.
Can I use a water transfer pump for gasoline or oil?
No. DeWalt and WAYNE both say not to pump gasoline or other flammable liquids. DeWalt allows clear water or a water and propylene glycol mix up to 60/40; WAYNE says clear water only.
Why Trust Plumbing Picks
Plumbing Picks is written by a licensed Georgia journeyman plumber. Every spec here comes from the maker documents linked below, or from the Amazon listings we link; nothing comes from hands-on testing. On October 4, 2026, every linked listing was in stock and sold by Amazon.com. If you buy through a link we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nobody pays to be included here. More on who writes this and how we pick.
Sources
- DeWalt: DCE050 20V MAX transfer pump instruction manual (NA750662), DCE050P1 kit product page
- WAYNE: PC4 operating instructions and parts manual (620003W-001 E), PC4 spec sheet
- WAYNE: PC2 self-priming transfer pump operating manual (620001-001 C)
- Superior Pump: 90050 1/2 HP transfer pump (specifications and performance), 90050 and 90060 installation and operation manual
- Amazon listings for the DeWalt DCE050P1 kit and DCE050B, the WAYNE PC4 and PC2, and the Superior Pump 90050 (linked above)
Bottom Line
Buy the DeWalt DCE050 if you drain heaters, tanks or boilers on jobs and run DeWalt 20V tools. Buy the WAYNE PC4 for big volumes on house power, and the WAYNE PC2 for a light, occasional job. Whichever you buy, set it low and close to the water, use a hose that will not collapse on the inlet, and stay inside the maker’s temperature limit.