However, the submersible pump has a slightly lower head height, pumping water up to 23 feet above the source level compared to the pole pump's 24 foot head height.

“This type of pump is made to handle smaller abrasives like sand, smaller stones and clay up to about 1/2 in.,” says Stan Rockovich, submersible distribution manager, Xylem Dewatering Solutions.

They might be similar in some aspects, but there are plenty of differences between the tools. For starters, Ryobi's telescoping pole pump can transfer up to 15 gallons of water per minute, while ...