Well Pump Types Explained: Submersible, Jet, and Hand Pumps

The type of pump you need depends primarily on your well depth. Choosing the wrong pump means poor performance, wasted energy, and a shorter lifespan. Here's a straightforward guide to every well pump type, when to use each, and what they cost.

Quick Comparison

Submersible Pumps ($400–$2,000)

The most common pump for residential wells. A submersible pump sits inside the well casing, fully submerged in water near the bottom of the well. Water is pushed up through the pipe to your pressure tank.

Advantages:

• Most efficient — pushes water up rather than pulling it
• Quiet operation — underground, out of sight and sound
• Self-priming — no issues with losing prime
• Works at any depth
• Long lifespan (8–15 years)

Disadvantages:

• Expensive to repair — must be pulled from the well ($500–$1,500 just for the pull)
• Difficult to diagnose problems without pulling it
• Higher upfront cost than jet pumps

Signs of failure: Sputtering water, reduced pressure, sand in water, high electric bills, pump running constantly.

Shallow Well Jet Pumps ($300–$800)

Designed for wells 25 feet deep or less. Jet pumps sit above ground (usually in a basement or pump house) and use suction to pull water up through a single pipe.

Advantages:

• Easy to access for maintenance and repair
• Lower cost than submersible pumps
• Simple installation

Disadvantages:

• Limited to shallow wells (physics limits suction to ~25 feet)
• Noisier than submersible pumps
• Can lose prime, requiring manual repriming
• Shorter lifespan (4–8 years)

Signs of failure: Frequent loss of prime, motor overheating, clicking on and off rapidly, weak pressure.

Deep Well Jet Pumps ($400–$1,200)

For wells 25 to 110 feet deep. Uses a dual-pipe system — one pipe pushes water down to a jet assembly at the bottom of the well, creating suction that pulls water up through the second pipe.

Advantages:

• Above-ground installation — easy to service
• Works for medium-depth wells

Disadvantages:

• Less efficient than submersible pumps at the same depth
• More complex plumbing (dual pipe system)
• Can lose prime
• Limited to ~110 feet

Signs of failure: Same as shallow jet — loss of prime, motor issues, pressure problems.

Hand Pumps ($150–$600)

Manual pumps requiring no electricity. Primarily used as backup systems or for off-grid properties. Modern hand pumps (Simple Pump, Bison Pump) can be installed alongside your electric submersible pump in the same well casing.

Advantages:

• Works during power outages — no electricity needed
• Extremely long lifespan (20+ years)
• Can share the well casing with an electric pump
• Zero operating cost

Disadvantages:

• Manual labor required
• Low flow rate (1–5 GPM depending on depth)
• Not practical as a primary pump for modern households
• Deeper wells require significantly more effort

Constant Pressure Systems ($2,000–$4,000)

A constant pressure system uses a variable frequency drive (VFD) to adjust pump motor speed based on water demand. Instead of cycling between a low and high pressure setting (like traditional systems), it maintains a steady, consistent pressure.

Advantages:

• Consistent water pressure — no fluctuation when multiple fixtures run
• Smaller pressure tank needed
• Reduced stress on plumbing
• Energy efficient — pump only works as hard as needed

Disadvantages:

• Highest upfront cost
• VFD controller adds a failure point
• Requires a compatible submersible pump
• More complex to troubleshoot

Signs of failure: Pressure fluctuations, VFD error codes, motor humming without pumping, electrical issues.

How to Choose the Right Pump

When in doubt, a submersible pump is almost always the best choice for wells over 25 feet. They're more efficient, quieter, and last longer than jet pumps.

Frequently Asked Questions