Best Bilge Pumps for Kayaks
Updated How we research
Gearlab Kayak Bilge Pump 2 (Black)
The Gearlab Kayak Bilge Pump 2, with a T-grip handle, handle clip for deck storage, anodized aluminum shaft and foam padding, listed at 0.35 L per stroke.
Pelican Boats - Paddlers Bilge Floating Hand Pump - PS1374-2 - Kayak/Canoe/Boat Water Hose Evacuation, Black/Grey
Pelican's floating hand bilge pump for kayaks, canoes and small boats. It is 21 inches long, weighs 0.76 lb, and has a foam sleeve for grip and flotation.
Water gets into a kayak from spray, wet exits and sloppy rolls, and once a cockpit is half full the boat turns unstable and slow. A bilge pump is what turns a swamped boat back into a paddleable one, which is why it belongs in any serious rescue kit. Options vary between handheld manual pumps, foot pumps and electric setups, and in flow rate, float collars and whether they fit under a sprayskirt. We weighed pumping rate against effort, how each pump handles being used one-handed in chop, build materials that survive salt, and stowage that keeps it reachable. Recreational paddlers on calm water can carry a simple handheld with a float collar. Sea kayakers practicing assisted rescues want a longer barrel and faster output. Expedition and fishing kayakers should look at foot or electric pumps that free both hands.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.2 out of 10.
- Best overall:Gearlab Kayak Bilge Pump 2 (Black). Highest overall score in this guide at 8.2/10.
- Also great value:Pelican Boats - Paddlers Bilge Floating Hand Pump - PS1374-2 - Kayak/Canoe/Boat Water Hose Evacuation, Black/Grey. Value score of 8/10, overall 7.7/10.
- Solid build:Attwood 11596-2 Manual Bilge Pump for Boats, 24-Inches, Includes 32-Inch Hose, 8 GPM. Build and materials score of 7/10, overall 7.5/10.
- Feature-rich:Better Boat Manual Bilge Pump for Boats with 39 Inch Hose, Portable Handheld Siphon Bailer, 20 GPM. Features score of 8/10, overall 7.3/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Gearlab Kayak Bilge Pump 2 (Black)8.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Pelican Boats - Paddlers Bilge Floating Hand Pump - PS1374-2 - Kayak/Canoe/Boat Water Hose Evacuation, Black/Grey7.7/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Attwood 11596-2 Manual Bilge Pump for Boats, 24-Inches, Includes 32-Inch Hose, 8 GPM7.5/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Hand Bilge Pump Manual Hand Water Pump for Kayaks Canoes and Boats Emergency Hand-Operated Marine Bilge Pump with Reversible Hose7.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Better Boat Manual Bilge Pump for Boats with 39 Inch Hose, Portable Handheld Siphon Bailer, 20 GPM7.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.SeaSense Hand Bilge Pump - Self-Priming, Manual Bilge Pump for Water Removal on Small Boats, Kayaks, Canoes, Bilges or Any Place Water Collects - 18" x 20" Hose7.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Manual Bilge Pump for Boats Kayak Canoe Hand Water Pump - Siphon Bailer with Hose, 20 GPM (Long Version)6.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1The Gearlab Kayak Bilge Pump 2, with a T-grip handle, handle clip for deck storage, anodized aluminum shaft and foam padding, listed at 0.35 L per stroke.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Listed at 0.35 L per stroke, giving a measurable capacity to compare.
- + T-grip handle is described as usable with gloves, and an integrated clip holds it on the deck.
- + Anodized aluminum shaft, stainless screws and full-length foam padding that adds buoyancy.
- - At $48 it is among the higher priced bilge pumps in this guide.
- - The listing does not give overall length, so check storage fit on the product page.
#2Pelican's floating hand bilge pump for kayaks, canoes and small boats. It is 21 inches long, weighs 0.76 lb, and has a foam sleeve for grip and flotation.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Foam sleeve gives a better grip and keeps the pump afloat if it goes overboard
- + Compact 21 x 4 x 2.75 inch body weighing 0.76 lb, sized to carry on deck or in the cockpit
- + Listing describes the body as tough and lightweight, with water, corrosion and shock resistance
- - The listing gives no pumping rate in gallons per minute, so output cannot be compared on paper
- - The feature list does not describe a discharge hose or give its length
#3The Attwood 11596-2 manual bilge pump, 24-Inches with a 32-Inch hose and 8 GPM rating for small boats.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 32-Inch hose lets you direct water away from the boat
- + 8 GPM rating is stated for comparing pump capacity
- + Longer 24-Inches body reaches deeper into bilges
- - Hose adds bulk that is awkward in a small kayak
- - Longer pump is harder to stow in a sit-inside cockpit
#4A hand bilge pump, 17 inches long and extending to 28.3 inches, with a 34.6 inch hose, filtered nozzle and anti-leak rubber gasket for kayaks, canoes and small boats.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Listing gives a 17 inch pump length, 28.3 inch extended length and 34.6 inch hose, so reach is clear.
- + Filtered nozzle is described as keeping seaweed and debris out, and a rubber gasket seals against leaks.
- + Priced near $24 and light enough to store on deck as an emergency tool.
- - Little-known brand, so durability and support are harder to judge than from an established marine brand.
- - The listing does not state per-stroke volume, so water-removal speed cannot be compared.
#5Better Boat's manual bilge pump with a 39 Inch hose, a portable siphon bailer rated at 20 GPM for boats.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + 20 GPM rating moves water faster than the smaller Attwood pumps
- + 39 Inch hose sends water over the side of higher-sided boats
- + Siphon bailer design is simple to operate by hand
- - Long hose is bulky to carry in a narrow kayak
- - Made more for boats than for compact kayak cockpits
#6A SeaSense self-priming hand bilge pump for kayaks, canoes and small boats, listed with a plunger washer, one-way pump and anti-leak, corrosion-resistant plastic construction.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Listing says the pump is self-priming and built for small boats, canoes and kayaks.
- + Corrosion-resistant plastic and anti-leak construction are described for lake, river and ocean use.
- + SeaSense has been in marine products since 1984, per the listing, so the brand is established.
- - At about $34 it costs more than several simple bilge pumps in this guide.
- - The listing gives no length, hose or per-stroke capacity, so compare those on the product page.
#7A generic long version manual bilge pump and siphon bailer with hose, rated at 20 GPM for boats, kayaks and canoes.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 8/10
- + 20 GPM stated flow is high for a hand-operated pump
- + Long version reaches the bottom of deep hulls and canoes
- + Hose included to direct water away from the cockpit
- - Check the seal and plastic quality in listing photos
- - Long body is hard to stash inside small recreational kayaks
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- At $48 it is among the higher priced bilge pumps in this guide. (Gearlab Kayak Bilge Pump 2 (Black))
- The listing gives no pumping rate in gallons per minute, so output cannot be compared on paper (Pelican Boats - Paddlers Bilge Floating Hand...)
- Hose adds bulk that is awkward in a small kayak (Attwood 11596-2 Manual Bilge Pump for Boats,...)
- Little-known brand, so durability and support are harder to judge than from an established marine brand. (Hand Bilge Pump Manual Hand Water Pump for...)
- Long hose is bulky to carry in a narrow kayak (Better Boat Manual Bilge Pump for Boats with...)
- At about $34 it costs more than several simple bilge pumps in this guide. (SeaSense Hand Bilge Pump - Self-Priming,...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among bilge pumps for kayaks?
Gearlab Kayak Bilge Pump 2 (Black) is our top overall pick. The Gearlab Kayak Bilge Pump 2, with a T-grip handle, handle clip for deck storage, anodized aluminum shaft and foam padding, listed at 0.35 L per stroke. It earns our score of 8.2/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Pelican Boats - Paddlers Bilge Floating Hand Pump - PS1374-2 - Kayak/Canoe/Boat Water Hose Evacuation, Black/Grey is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Pelican's floating hand bilge pump for kayaks, canoes and small boats. It is 21 inches long, weighs 0.76 lb, and has a foam sleeve for grip and flotation.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Kayak Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
Popular right now
- Wildlife Watching From a KayakArticle
- Why Your Sit-On-Top Kayak Has Water Inside and What to DoArticle
- Best Sit-On-Top KayaksBuying guide
- Turning and EdgingArticle
- Best Whistles and Signaling Devices for KayakingBuying guide
- Best Kayak Safety GearBuying guide
Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.