EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump Review: The Quiet Workhorse for Winter Pool Care

There’s a specific kind of dread that sets in for pool owners after a multi-day downpour in the off-season. You look out the window and see it: the pool cover, once taut and protective, now sagging ominously under the weight of hundreds of gallons of murky rainwater. It’s a small lake forming where your pristine pool should be sleeping. My first few years as a pool owner, this meant a back-breaking ritual of buckets, siphons, and sore muscles, trying to manually bail the water before its sheer weight could damage the cover, the liner, or even the pool walls. Ignoring it isn’t an option; that accumulated water can become a breeding ground for algae, attract pests, and put immense stress on your expensive equipment. I knew there had to be a better, more efficient way to tackle this recurring problem, which led me to search for a dedicated, easy-to-use pump that wouldn’t require a complex installation or a hefty investment. The goal was simple: find a reliable workhorse to reclaim my time and protect my pool. This is the exact problem the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump promises to solve.

What to Consider Before Buying a Pool Cover Pump

A pool cover pump is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for protecting your investment and saving you from hours of manual labor. Its primary function is to prevent the dangerous accumulation of water (from rain or snowmelt) on top of your pool cover. This protects the cover from stretching, tearing, or collapsing under the weight. By keeping the cover relatively dry, it also simplifies the pool opening process in the spring, preventing a swamp of debris and contaminated water from spilling into your clean pool. This simple tool is a cornerstone of proper off-season pool maintenance, ensuring the longevity of your cover and the integrity of your pool structure.

The ideal customer for this type of product is any owner of an above-ground or in-ground pool that uses a solid cover during the off-season. It’s for the homeowner who values convenience and wants to automate or at least drastically simplify a tedious chore. If you’ve ever spent an afternoon with a bucket or a flimsy siphon hose, you are the target audience. However, this might not be suitable for those who need a primary circulation pump for filtering their pool water; this is a draining utility pump, not a filtration system. Likewise, someone with a massive commercial pool might require a pump with a significantly higher flow rate and industrial-grade durability. For them, a heavy-duty submersible pump or a professional draining service might be a better fit.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Flow Rate (GPH): GPH stands for Gallons Per Hour, and it’s the single most important performance metric. A higher GPH means faster water removal. For a small to medium-sized residential pool cover, a pump in the 350-1000 GPH range, like the EDOU model, is typically sufficient. For very large pools or areas with extremely heavy rainfall, you might consider something in the 1200-2000 GPH range, but be aware that this often comes with a higher price tag.
• Power Cord and Hose Length: This is a crucial logistical consideration. The power cord must be long enough to safely reach a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet without needing an extension cord, which is often not recommended for submersible pumps. The EDOU’s 25-foot cord is generous and suitable for most backyard layouts. Similarly, the drainage hose needs to be long enough to carry the water far away from the pool area to a suitable drainage spot, like a lawn or a storm drain.
• Automatic vs. Manual Operation: Pumps come in two main flavors. Manual pumps, like this one, must be plugged in to start and unplugged to stop. Automatic pumps have a sensor that detects water and turns the pump on and off as needed. While automatic is more convenient, it’s also more complex and expensive. Manual pumps offer simplicity and reliability, putting you in full control of the operation.
• Debris Handling & Stability: A pool cover is a magnet for leaves, twigs, and other debris. A good pump needs a built-in screen or a wide base to prevent its intake from getting clogged, which would stop it from working and could potentially burn out the motor. Furthermore, a lightweight pump can be prone to tipping over on an uneven cover surface, so a stable design is essential for it to remain upright and effective.

Understanding these factors will help you choose the right tool for the job, ensuring your pool is protected all winter long without creating new headaches.

While the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models for various water-moving needs, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump

Upon opening the box, the first thing we noticed about the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump was its compact and surprisingly lightweight design. Weighing just over four pounds, it’s incredibly easy to handle and position, a stark contrast to some of the heavier, bulkier utility pumps on the market. The unit feels solid, constructed from a durable plastic in a striking black and orange finish. It’s an all-in-one kit, which we greatly appreciated. Inside, you get the pump itself, a 16-foot drainage hose, and three different hose adapters (1/4″, 1/2″, and 3/4″), ensuring compatibility with a standard garden hose if you need a longer reach. The inclusion of the 16ft hose means you can get to work within minutes of unboxing, a major plus for those who need an immediate solution after a storm. The 25-foot power cord is thick and well-insulated, inspiring confidence for its intended underwater use. There’s no assembly required; you simply attach your chosen hose to the corresponding adapter, screw it onto the pump outlet, place the pump, and plug it in. This plug-and-play simplicity is a huge selling point for users who aren’t mechanically inclined.

A Deep Dive into the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump’s Real-World Performance

A product’s spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand its worth, you have to put it to the test in the exact scenarios it was designed for. We used the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump over several weeks, subjecting it to everything from a light drizzle to the aftermath of a torrential downpour on a 24-foot round pool cover. Our findings paint a picture of a reliable, albeit manual, tool that excels in specific areas.

Draining Speed and Flow Rate Reality

The headline feature is the “850 GPH Flow Rate.” In our testing, and echoed by user feedback, this number represents an ideal, best-case scenario. One user noted a discrepancy, pointing out that the manual stated a max flow of 500 GPH. While we couldn’t verify that specific manual, our real-world experience suggests the effective flow rate is likely closer to that 500-600 GPH range, especially when using a standard garden hose which adds resistance. Is this a problem? Not necessarily, it’s a matter of setting expectations. This isn’t a sump pump designed to empty a flooded basement in minutes. It’s a marathon runner, not a sprinter.

After a heavy overnight storm that left about two inches of water pooled in the center of our cover, we deployed the pump. As one user happily reported, we didn’t even realize it was working at first due to its whisper-quiet operation. Only the steady stream of water flowing from the hose confirmed it was on the job. For this moderate amount of water, the pump cleared the cover completely in just under an hour. This aligns with another user’s experience of clearing their cover in about 45 minutes. For a massive job, like the user who tackled 2.5 feet of water on a 30-foot pool, it did take several days of continuous operation. This isn’t a flaw in the pump, but rather the reality of moving thousands of gallons of water through a small outlet. For typical post-rain cleanup, the performance of the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump is more than adequate and represents a monumental improvement over manual bailing.

Design, Stability, and Debris Management

The physical design of the EDOU pump is a study in trade-offs. Its lightweight nature is a fantastic benefit when carrying it to and from the pool, but it presents a challenge once on the cover. As several users pointed out, the unit is so light that it has a tendency to tip over, especially on the soft, uneven surface of a water-laden cover. When it tips, the intake lifts from the water, and the pump runs dry, stopping the draining process. We experienced this firsthand and found ourselves having to reposition it a few times. However, we also confirmed the clever solution offered by one user: placing a leaf net or a similar weighted object on top of the pump provides just enough pressure to keep it flat and stable. It’s a simple, effective fix.

Where the design truly shines is in its debris handling. The pump sits within a wide, stable base that acts as a pre-filter. The intake is in the center, and the surrounding cage has slats that are small enough to block leaves, twigs, and other large debris from being sucked in and clogging the impeller. One user specifically praised this feature, noting how “the brace surrounding it” prevents leaves from getting hung up. We tested this by intentionally placing the pump near a pile of wet leaves on the cover. The pump continued to draw in water without issue, while the leaves were effectively screened out. This is a critical feature, as a clogged pump is a useless pump. The base is also designed to operate in water as shallow as 1/2 inch, allowing it to remove nearly all the standing water from the cover, as one user’s impressive photo demonstrated.

Operation, Safety, and Long-Term Durability

Using the EDOU pump is as simple as it gets. There is no on/off switch; operation is controlled entirely by plugging it in and unplugging it. This lack of an automatic shut-off is its most significant limitation. You cannot “set it and forget it.” You must monitor the pump and unplug it once the water is gone to prevent it from running dry. While the pump does have a built-in thermal overload sensor to prevent damage from dry burning—a feature that likely saved the unit for the user whose pump stopped but worked again after cooling down—it’s not a good practice to let it run dry repeatedly.

The 25-foot power cord is an outstanding feature, providing ample length to reach a safe outlet without issue. In terms of durability, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. One user, in a particularly glowing review, mentioned having their pump for two years, letting it run dry “dozens of times,” and even having it freeze solid, only to have it start working again once it thawed. This speaks volumes about the resilience of the motor and its housing. While one user reported a damaged plug upon arrival, highlighting the importance of inspecting the product, the consensus points to a remarkably tough little machine for its price. For anyone seeking a straightforward, robust draining tool, the pump’s simple mechanics and durable build, which you can see in full detail online, are a winning combination.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user sentiment for the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump is largely positive, focusing on its value and simplicity. Many new pool owners echo the sentiment of one reviewer who said, “This was super easy for me to use after just learning that this type of product even exists!” The quiet operation is a frequent point of praise, with several people remarking they had to check the hose to be sure it was even working. The all-in-one package is another huge plus, as one user stated, “This pump works great plus with the hose included it’s ready to work.”

However, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms, which provide a balanced picture. The most common complaint, which our testing confirmed, is the pump’s tendency to tip over due to its light weight. “Won’t stay in place and constantly tips over requiring constant attention,” one frustrated user wrote. Another recurring theme is the lack of an automatic shut-off feature, requiring manual supervision. The debate over the true GPH rating also appears, with one user claiming “False advertisement” based on the manual. While most users feel the speed is acceptable for the price, it’s clear that for massive draining jobs, patience is required.

How the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump Compares to the Alternatives

The EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump occupies a specific niche focused on value and manual utility. To understand its place in the market, it’s helpful to compare it to other available options that serve different, and sometimes overlapping, purposes.

1. XtremepowerUS 1.5HP 2-Speed Pool Pump

It’s crucial to understand that this is an entirely different class of pump. The XtremepowerUS is a main circulation pump for an above-ground pool’s filtration system. With a 1.5 horsepower motor, it moves thousands of gallons of water per hour to cycle the entire pool’s volume through a filter. It is not submersible and is not designed for draining a pool cover. Someone would choose this pump if they are building a new pool or replacing the primary pump that runs their filter and keeps their water clean. It is a permanent installation, whereas the EDOU pump is a portable, temporary-use utility tool.

2. Wayne WAPC250 Pool Cover Pump

The Wayne WAPC250 is the most direct competitor to the EDOU pump. It is also specifically designed to remove water from pool covers. The key difference and major selling point for the Wayne model is its iSwitch Technology, which provides fully automatic operation. It senses the presence of water and turns itself on and off accordingly, a feature the EDOU pump lacks. It also includes features to prevent it from running in icy conditions. This is the ideal choice for a pool owner who wants a true “set it and forget it” solution and is willing to pay a premium for that convenience and automation.

3. Pentair SuperFlo VS 1.5 HP Pool Pump

Similar to the XtremepowerUS pump, the Pentair SuperFlo is a main system pump, but it’s a high-end model designed for in-ground pools. Its standout feature is its variable speed (VS) technology, which allows it to run at lower speeds for daily filtration, saving a tremendous amount of electricity compared to single-speed pumps. This is a professional-grade, energy-efficient investment for the discerning pool owner focused on long-term operational savings. It represents the top tier of pool circulation technology and is in a completely different category of price and function than the simple, effective EDOU draining pump.

Our Final Verdict on the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump

After extensive hands-on testing and analysis of user feedback, our conclusion is clear: the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump is an exceptional value proposition for the right user. It is a simple, no-frills workhorse that does exactly what it promises: it removes unwanted water from your pool cover quietly and effectively. Its greatest strengths lie in its user-friendly, plug-and-play design, its remarkably quiet motor, and the convenience of its all-inclusive kit. It saves you from back-breaking manual labor at a very accessible price point.

It is not, however, without its compromises. The lack of an automatic shut-off means it requires your attention, and its lightweight build may require a little creative weighing-down to keep it stable. It won’t break any speed records on massive pools, but for routine maintenance after rainfall, it is more than capable. We recommend the EDOU 850 GPH Pool Pump to any pool owner who needs a reliable, easy-to-use, and affordable tool for cover draining and doesn’t mind the manual nature of its operation. If you’re tired of bailing water by hand and want a straightforward solution that gets the job done without fuss, this pump is one of the best investments you can make for your pool maintenance toolkit. You can check the latest price and secure one for your home today.