Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Best Condensate Pumps (October 2026): 10 picks from Little Giant and Diversitech, from low-clearance furnace closets to quiet ductless mini split bedrooms.

A condensate pump looks like a simple box, and that is why people buy the wrong one. Pick a unit with too little lift and the water never reaches the drain. Pick a tank too tall for the closet and it will not fit. Choose a standard float pump for a bedroom mini split and you get a motor that cycles loudly at night. Get the safety wiring wrong and an overflow floods the floor instead of shutting the system off. The Best Condensate Pumps depend on three things: how high the water must travel, how much space the pump has, and what the equipment can tolerate in noise and temperature.
The short answer: the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V suits most furnace and air conditioner installs that need a 20-foot shutoff and a bundled overflow switch. The Diversitech ULTRACP-22 suits anyone who needs a 22-foot lift in a compact housing. The Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump suits buyers who want a two-year warranty and a removable reservoir. The rest of the list covers a 230-volt variant, a low-profile tank, a quiet ductless mini split pump, a high-capacity one-gallon unit and several other options.
TL;DR: top picks at a glance
- Best overall: the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V, with an 80 GPH rating, a 20-foot shutoff and a bundled overflow detection switch with 20 feet of tubing.
- Best for tall lifts: Diversitech ULTRACP-22, a compact housing that lifts condensate up to 22 feet.
- Best for maintenance: Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump, with a removable 1/2-gallon reservoir and a two-year warranty.
- Best for mini splits: GuardFlow Mini Split Pump, rated under 16 dB with a 65-foot lift and a capacitive sensor instead of a float.
| # | Product | Best for | Flow rate | Max lift | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V | Furnace and AC | 80 GPH | 20 ft | 115 V |
| 2 | Diversitech ULTRACP-22 | Tall vertical lifts | 1.8 GPM | 22 ft | 120 V |
| 3 | Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump | Easy maintenance | 70 GPH | 16 ft | 115 V |
| 4 | Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 230V | 230-volt equipment | 80 GPH | 17 ft | 230 V |
| 5 | Little Giant VCMA-20UL 554421 | Basic replacement | Not listed | Not listed | 115 V |
| 6 | Little Giant VCCA-20ULS Low Profile | Tight clearances | 80 GPH | 20 ft | 115 V |
| 7 | GuardFlow Mini Split Pump | Quiet mini splits | Up to 10.6 GPH | 65 ft | 100-240 V |
| 8 | Liberty Pumps LCU Series | Wall-mounted installs | Not listed | 20 ft | 115 V |
| 9 | Diversitech CP-22LP | Low-vibration lifts | 1.6 GPM | 22 ft | 120 V |
| 10 | Little Giant VCL-24ULS | High-volume drainage | 270 GPH | 24 ft | 115 V |

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: A homeowner or technician replacing the condensate pump on a gas furnace or central air system who wants the overflow switch and tubing in one box.
Check current price on Amazon →
The Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V earns the top spot because it bundles everything a standard install needs. Most pumps in this category ship with a tank and a motor. This one adds the overflow detection switch and 20 feet of vinyl tubing, so a typical furnace job needs no extra parts. The vertical-type switch also reduces the footprint compared with side-float designs.
Its 80 GPH at 1 foot of lift is modest next to the Little Giant VCL-24ULS at 270 GPH, but a single residential evaporator coil or condensing furnace rarely produces more than a few gallons an hour. Installation is described as straightforward, and the pump is also used as an exact replacement for older units.
It is the wrong choice if you need more than 20 feet of head, since the Diversitech ULTRACP-22 reaches 22 feet. It is also wrong for 230-volt equipment, where the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 230V is the matching model. Condensate that regularly runs hotter than 140°F should go to a Diversitech pump instead.

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: An installer who needs a compact 120-volt pump for an attic air handler or basement furnace with a long vertical discharge.
Check current price on Amazon →
The Diversitech ULTRACP-22 is a smaller-housing version of the CP-22 platform. It keeps the four inlet holes, metal mounting tabs and removable check valve, and measures 11.75 by 6 by 7.75 inches. That makes it easy to place in a utility closet where a full-size pump would crowd the air handler.
Its 1.8 GPM flow is the fastest figure in the standard-tank group apart from the high-capacity Little Giant VCL-24ULS, and its 22-foot lift tops the Little Giant 20-foot pumps. It also tolerates hotter condensate than any Little Giant on this list.
Choose something else if you want a bundled overflow switch and tubing. The Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V includes both, and the Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump adds a safety switch with a 19.7-foot hose.

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: A homeowner with a furnace, dehumidifier or ice maker who wants a bundled hose, a safety switch and a longer warranty. It also comes in a Dark Gray variant.
Check current price on Amazon →
The Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump stands out for maintenance. The pump starts at a 1.63-inch water level and stops at 0.9 inches, and the reservoir lifts out for cleaning. Cleaning the reservoir, float and filter every six months keeps the float from sticking.
It also covers more appliance types than most models listed, including ice makers and condensing boilers. Against the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V, it gives up 4 feet of lift and some cord length, but it offers a longer two-year warranty compared with the one-year coverage on the Little Giant.
It is the wrong choice for installs that need more than 16 feet of head. The Diversitech ULTRACP-22 reaches 22 feet and the Little Giant VCL-24ULS reaches 24.

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: A technician or owner whose condenser, air handler or dehumidifier circuit runs on 230 volts.
Check current price on Amazon →
This model shares its design with the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V, so the 3/8-inch barbed discharge, three inlet holes and vertical switch carry over. The change is the motor, which draws 0.5 amps at 230 volts.
It is the right pick only when the power supply demands it. For ordinary household outlets, the 115-volt version provides 3 more feet of shutoff head and a plug that fits standard receptacles. Buyers who want universal voltage should consider the GuardFlow Mini Split Pump, which accepts 100 to 240 volts, though it is built for mini split drainage.

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: A buyer swapping out a familiar VCMA-20UL pump on an existing installation who does not need extras.
Check current price on Amazon →
The Little Giant VCMA-20UL 554421 is the plain version of the family. It has the same 1/30 HP motor class and 1/2-gallon tank as the top pick, but without the documented switch and tubing kit. That makes it a replacement part more than a complete solution.
For a new install, the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V is the better buy because it documents a 20-foot shutoff and includes the switch. Choose this model only when you already have the tubing and safety wiring in place.

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: An installer working under a low-clearance furnace or in a utility space where tank height is the limit.
Check current price on Amazon →
The Little Giant VCCA-20ULS Low Profile solves a specific problem: height. At 5.23 inches tall it is much lower than the 7.7-inch Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V, while keeping the same motor and 20-foot shutoff. If the space allows a taller tank, the VCMA is a better value because it bundles tubing.
For a quieter, lower-clearance solution under a wall-mounted indoor unit, look at the GuardFlow Mini Split Pump, which measures only 4.17 inches high.

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: An owner of a Daikin, Senville or Della ductless mini split who wants silent drainage from a wall or undermount position. It carries a three-year manufacturer warranty.
Check current price on Amazon →
The GuardFlow Mini Split Pump is the only unit here designed around noise. Under 16 dB(A) it is far quieter than a float pump cycling on and off, and the 65-foot lift lets it push water through ceilings or long drain lines. Its universal voltage range also covers both 120-volt and 230-volt supplies, which no Little Giant model matches.
It is the wrong choice for a furnace or a larger central system. For those, the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V or the Little Giant VCL-24ULS offer far higher flow.

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: A homeowner who wants a wall-mounted pump for a residential AC or dehumidifier and values the threaded discharge option.
Check current price on Amazon →
The Liberty Pumps LCU Series is the only non-Little Giant, non-Diversitech brand in the standard-tank group. It is built from a similar ABS tank with a removable check valve, but with a threaded discharge option not shown on the others.
It ranks below the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V because the documentation is thinner and the durability feedback is inconsistent. If you want a safety switch and tubing bundled, the Little Giant is the safer pick.

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: A technician installing a pump in a living space where motor vibration would be noticeable, and who can supply the tubing and safety wiring separately.
Check current price on Amazon →
The Diversitech CP-22LP targets noise through its mounts, rather than through a sensor like the GuardFlow Mini Split Pump. It has 1.6 GPM of flow, slightly below the Diversitech ULTRACP-22 at 1.8 GPM, in a larger housing.
If space matters, the ULTRACP-22 is the better choice. If you need a bundled safety switch, go to the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V instead.

Pros:
Cons:
Best for: A basement or commercial setup that drains several units, or one that must push water 20 feet or more across a room.
Check current price on Amazon →
The Little Giant VCL-24ULS is the heavy hitter. It moves water roughly three times faster than the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V, which is why it sits last: most homes do not need that capacity, and it is bulkier and hotter-limited.
It is the wrong choice for a standard closet install or any case with condensate above 120°F. The Diversitech ULTRACP-22 handles hotter water in a smaller body.
The core trade-off is capacity against space and noise. Higher flow and bigger tanks cost room and often volume, while compact or quiet designs give up throughput. Matching the pump to the equipment, rather than buying the biggest unit, keeps the install tidy and reliable.
Before choosing, check these project details:
Lift is the vertical distance the pump must push water. The Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V and the Little Giant VCCA-20ULS Low Profile list a 20-foot shutoff, the Diversitech ULTRACP-22 reaches 22 feet, and the Little Giant VCL-24ULS reaches 24. The GuardFlow Mini Split Pump goes to 65 feet, but at a much lower flow.
Flow matters less than most buyers expect. Most household systems produce modest condensate, so 70 to 80 GPH is adequate. The 270 GPH of the VCL-24ULS suits multi-unit or heavy-duty drains. Think of it the way you would think of a solar powered water pumps comparison: head and flow trade against each other, so check both numbers at your actual lift.
Standard tanks hold about 1/2 gallon, as on the Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump and the Little Giant VCMA-20UL 554421. The Little Giant VCL-24ULS holds 1 gallon. A larger tank gives the pump longer run cycles and a bigger buffer.
Low clearance flips that logic. The Little Giant VCCA-20ULS Low Profile is 5.23 inches high and the GuardFlow Mini Split Pump is 4.17 inches. If the pump will sit near a dehumidifier or a minifogger humidifier in a small utility space, check the height before you check the flow.
An overflow switch can cut power to the equipment before water spills. The Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V includes one, as do the Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump and the GuardFlow Mini Split Pump, which adds a 3A safety overflow switch and an internal fuse. Both Little Giant units require basic wiring knowledge, and an alarm is sold separately.
Pumps that do not list a switch, such as the Diversitech CP-22LP, can still be wired with a separate float. Plan for that extra part. Skipping overflow protection is the most common way a small failure becomes a flooded floor.
Most pumps here use 115 or 120 volts. The Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 230V needs a 230-volt supply and a plug that does not fit standard outlets. The GuardFlow Mini Split Pump accepts 100 to 240 volts, which simplifies mixed installations.
Noise is best handled by design. The GuardFlow runs under 16 dB(A), and the Diversitech CP-22LP uses vibration-dampening mounts. Water temperature ratings run from 120°F on the VCL-24ULS to 160°F on the Diversitech pumps. For a space that also uses a misting system or other moisture sources, make sure drainage capacity covers the whole load.
Size by lift and flow. A residential furnace or air conditioner usually works with an 80 GPH pump such as the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V or a 70 GPH pump such as the Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump. For multiple units or a large drain, the Little Giant VCL-24ULS at 270 GPH has more headroom.
It depends on the model. The Little Giant VCCA-20ULS Low Profile and Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V shut off at 20 feet, and the Diversitech ULTRACP-22 and Diversitech CP-22LP reach 22 feet. The GuardFlow Mini Split Pump is rated at 65 feet but with lower flow.
The GuardFlow Mini Split Pump is rated under 16 dB(A) and uses a soft-start motor and a capacitive sensor. Among standard pumps, the Diversitech CP-22LP uses vibration-dampening feet and motor mounts. Noise feedback on float pumps such as the Liberty Pumps LCU Series is mixed.
Yes, it is strongly advisable. A safety switch can shut down the AC or furnace before the tank overflows. The Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V, Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump and GuardFlow Mini Split Pump include one.
Yes, but pick one designed for ductless systems. The GuardFlow Mini Split Pump fits directly under wall-mounted indoor units and handles 6,000 BTU/h and larger systems. Standard float pumps such as the Diversitech ULTRACP-22 can work but are louder.
Plan on cleaning about every six months. The Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump has a removable reservoir and recommends cleaning the reservoir, float and filter twice a year. Removable check valves on the Diversitech CP-22LP and Little Giant VCCA-20ULS Low Profile also make servicing quick.
Best Condensate Pumps for most home furnace and air conditioner installs start with Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V: it delivers 80 GPH at 1 foot, a 20-foot shutoff and a bundled overflow switch with 20 feet of tubing. Its main weakness is the 140°F water limit and the wiring knowledge needed for the switch.
For alternatives, the Diversitech ULTRACP-22 is the pick when you need 22 feet of lift in a compact body. The Aquastrong 70 GPH Condensate Pump suits owners who want a removable reservoir and a two-year warranty. The Little Giant VCCA-20ULS Low Profile fits where tank height is the limit, and the Diversitech CP-22LP adds vibration dampening for quiet spaces.
The specialist picks cover narrower needs. The Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 230V is for 230-volt equipment, the GuardFlow Mini Split Pump is for silent ductless drainage, and the Little Giant VCL-24ULS is for heavy or multi-unit loads. The Little Giant VCMA-20UL 554421 and Liberty Pumps LCU Series suit basic replacement and wall-mounted installs. If you are still undecided, measure your lift and clearance, then choose the Little Giant VCMA-20ULST 115V unless one of those numbers rules it out.