Oil pumps are critical in allowing oil or fuel to be safely transported from one location to another. This is common with replacing oil or refueling on construction sites, auto shops, and other locations requiring direct transfers. Nowadays, oil pumps come in different modalities, including manually operated pumps, siphon, crank-operated, engine-powered, and electric pumps. Each of them has its own advantages as it relates to ease of use and applicability. Keep reading to learn more about the best oil pumps, including our top recommendations for oil pumps, features, and answers to your most frequently asked questions.
Best Overall
Koehler Enterprises RA990 Oil Pump
Best Value
Slippery Pete Fluid Pump
Honorable Mention
DasMarine Oil Extractor
Best Oil Pumps Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Koehler Enterprises RA990 Oil Pump
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Best Value
Slippery Pete Fluid Pump
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Honorable Mention
DasMarine Oil Extractor
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Best For Industrial Use
Lumax LX-1318 Oil Pump
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Best Premium
Fill-Rite FR1210H Oil Pump
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How We Selected Oil Pumps
For this review, we researched and evaluated more than 50 oil pumps, factoring in several criteria, including the type (manual, electric, and engine-powered) and flow rate. The type of oil pump generally boils down to application and desired flow rate as manual oil pumps offer a lower flow rate than electric and engine-powered options. Lastly, there are also specialized oil pumps that connect to large drums and quart-sized containers to take it directly from the source.
Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.
Buying Guide/What to Look For
Here are some of the more important criteria to consider when buying oil pumps.
Type
There are two major kinds of oil pumps: manual and electric. Manual pumps use a T-shaped hand pump that rotates to transfer fuel. Electric oil pumps use electricity to operate an internal pump so you don’t have to.
Flow Rate
Oil pumps range from low speeds to high-speed flow rates. Typically, this translates to 50 liters per minute for low-speed oil pumps, up to 70 liters per minute for medium-speed oil pumps, and up to 90 liters per minute for high-speed oil pumps. Larger vehicles such as buses and trucks usually require medium to high-speed versions, as opposed to low speed for most small vehicles.
Power Source
Different oil pumps run with different power sources. It starts with the basic manual pump (no power source) to fuel transfer pumps with low-voltage 110V or 230V AC options. These types of fuel transfer pumps require a direct connection to your vehicle’s battery and typically carry higher flow rates than manual oil pumps.
FAQs
Q: Why should I use an oil pump?
Oil pumps are an integral tool to draw fuel from your vehicle’s tank, containing the correct siphon components to avoid spills. Some oil pumps are also equipped with LED screens depicting fuel pump amounts in gallons.
Q: How do I choose a transfer pump?
The number one criteria in choosing a transfer pump is to base it on a flow rate specific to your application. Are you looking to transfer pumps out of large 40-gallon drums? Are you simply looking to transfer fuel from a quart bottle to your vehicle? A 40 to 45-liter-per minute oil pump is more than enough for smaller vehicles, whereas larger vehicles can go for flow rates anywhere from 50 to 70 liters per minute
Q: How do I transfer fuel from one tank to another?
Transferring fuel from one tank to another can be achieved with an oil pump. Also known as a fuel transfer pump, it uses a container and nozzle to dispense fuel from a container to a vehicle and vice versa. They come in all shapes and sizes from small hand pumps to heavy-duty electric-powered versions.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing the best oil pumps, our choice is the Koehler Enterprises RA990 Oil Pump. It is a very well-rounded option with an easy and intuitive T-shaped hand pump. It also has a double identity as an air pump to pump inflatables.