Commparing M53 vs M57 is a great idea; however, regardless of which one you choose, you will not go wrong when installing a Zoeller submersible sump pump.
Zoeller is one of the most trusted names in the industry. They are family owned business headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky since 1939. They have earned a stellar reputation for creating high-quality, reliable, and long-lasting sump pumps. Each pump is built and tested in the factory before shipment.
For decades the M53 has been known by plumbers as the most reliable sump pump. It is well known by homeowners as the go-to sump pump for basement flood protection.
Both Zoeller M53 and M57 belong to the Mighty Mate 50 Series; however there are differences between them. Learn what these differences are and if they really matter.
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Zoeller M53 vs M57 Sump Pump Comparison Table of Contents
The Six Differences Between M53 And M57 Sump Pumps
Zoeller M53 and Zoeller M57 are very similar; however their differences are worth noting because additional quality can be had for $30 with the Zoeller M57
The six differences include base material, impeller material, weight, price, package usage and volume sold.
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Base Material
#1 Difference: M53 thermoplastic base vs.M57 cast iron base.
The first difference is the material used for the base. M53 base is made of thermoplastic. The m57 base is made of cast iron. This difference is significant because an additional six pounds is added to the weight. Those six pounds keep the M57 more stable in the basin during heavy continuous pumping.
Impeller Material
#2 Difference: M53 engineered plastic with a metal insert impeller vs. M57 cast iron impeller.
A cast iron Impeller will last longer than an engineered plastic impeller. Even though the impeller is a vortex design and can handle small pebbles, small pebbles over time will eat (nick) the plastic impeller. Though one would think the cast iron impeller would rust over time, several plumbers have indicated the cast iron does not rust even after ten years. Water improves the resistance of the cast iron impeller against rust.
The cast iron base and shaft add the extra weight to the model M57. Additional weight is always a positive factor because a sump pump moves in the basin during heavy pumping. Though the float is protected by a sturdy stainless steel guard, limiting the movement of the pump in the pit is a good thing.
Price
#4 Difference: M57 costs $221.00 vs M57 costs $251.00 at the time of publish.
The M57 is approximately $30 more than M53. The extra $30 is worth the additional cast iron parts and weight. Those on a tight budget will still have a good reliable sump pump with the M53.
#5 Difference: M53 is included in laundry drain kit (105-0001), the combination sump pump (508-0006), and the crawl space kit (108-0001) packages. M57 is not included in any package kit.
The Mighty Mate M53 pump is perfect for usage in the laundry drain kit (105-0001), the combination sump pump (508-0006), and the crawl space kit (108-0001). It is right sized and built to 1) meet the needs of drainage for laundry tubs 2) make installation of an electric and a battery backup pump easier; Model 508-0006 pre-assembles the M53 and 508-005 as one unit by using a Wye connection 3) keep a crawl space dry by including the M53 in a basin kit.
Volume Sold
#6 Difference: Four times as many M53 pumps sold as M57.
The sales volume difference is due to the fact that until the emergence of the internet, consumers did not know about the Mighty Mate Zoeller M57. For years plumbers have been installing the M53 because it is known as a reliable pump; however, with the sharp rise of internet usage, consumers are discovering that Zoeller manufactures more than the Mighty Mate M53. Since consumers place a high priority on buying a good sump pump, they are willing to spend an extra $30. Amazon is a great place to find both the M53 and the M57 at a great competitive price.
We believe the five differences are worth considering when making a choice between buying the M53 or the M57. Having a cast iron base and impeller adds weight to the pump for more stability and avoids nicks and gouges to the impeller which come from small pebbles being whirled through the impeller at high speeds.
Zoeller M53 vs M57 Comparison Also Reveals Seven Similarities
Even though there are six differences between the M53 and M57, their seven similarities are what makes the Zoeller Sump Pump a favorite among plumbers and consumers. Learn what these similarities are.
Horse Power
#1 Similarity: Both M53 and M57 are 1/3 horsepower pumps.
A 1/3 horse power sump pump is the most common size used by home owners with 1,000-1,500 square feet foot print, average water table and moderate rainfall.
A very practical way to determine if a 1/3 horse power sump pump is large enough for your house, is to count how many times the pump cycles per minute during a heavy rainstorm. If it cycles less than 6 times a minute it is the right size for your house if your pit is 18 inches in diameter..
#2 Similarity: M53 and M57 are both constructed with cast iron motor and pump housings.
Cast iron dissipates heat well during heavy pumping compared to stainless steel, aluminum, zinc and thermoplastic.
Since Zoeller builds their own motors, they are made to fit the pumping housing very well eliminating air pockets. Plus Zoeller uses two layers of cast iron: one for the motor housing and the second for the pump housing. The motors are well built and very durable.
Our Zoeller M53 is 18 years old and still functioning well. An epoxy coating over the cast iron effectively prevents rust by acting as a barrier against moisture and other corrosive substances. The epoxy creates a layer that keeps the water from directly contacting the cast iron, thus preventing rust formation. This makes epoxy-coated cast iron durable and long-lasting.
Float Switch
#3 Similarity: The M53 and M57 Zoeller pumps share a vertical, two-pole, snap-action float switch.
The two-pole vertical snap-action float switch operates mechanically; the float moves up and down with the water level in the pit. The switch snaps when the float reaches its preset on height.
Unlike some competitors, Zoeller attaches the float rod to a bottom and top arm extending from the pump housing to keep the float from swinging. The float is made of solid, buoyant polypropylene for puncture resistance, and a stainless steel guard prevents pit hang-up.
Unlike a graphite or magnetic vertical float switch, this 2-pole snap action float switch is not affected by ground water contaminates such as calcium carbonate.
The float switch is tested to 1 million pump cycles. To put this in perspective. If your sump pump ran 6 times a minute for 2 hours during a heavy rain storm 270 days a year, one million pump cycles would occur is 5 years.
We replaced our M53 sump pump float switch after 9 years. Our sump pump runs even when its not raining because the water table is high. When heavy rainstorms occur it runs every 4 to 6 seconds. But slows down after 30 minutes.
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The Motor
#4 Similarity: Both models M53 and M57 use a motor engineered and built by Zoeller.
Zoeller's in-house motor design ensures a snug fit within the pump, preventing performance-hindering air pockets. Plus, their unique dual cast iron construction - with a dedicated layer for both the motor and pump housings - gives a robust and exceptionally durable motor built to withstand demanding conditions
To keep the motor cooler, it is oil-filled, hermetically-sealed. If it gets too hot, it automatically shuts off for safety. We own three Zoeller pumps that run continuously during heavy rainstorms. They have never overheated. The motor works with either 115V or 230V.
Compared to other motors, Zoeller motors are known for some unique features: 1) the motor runs at a low 1550 RPM (revolutions per minute). This lower RPM reduces motor wear and tear. 2) under normal pumping conditions, the motor operates at 80% capacity which lessens the wear and tear, but also provides reserve power in case of heavy pumping conditions 3) the motor shaft is made of strong AISI 1215 cold roll steel rather than engineered plastic.
The motor cord, 9 feet in length, is 3-wire UL listed with a three prong plug. Its maximum operating temperature is 130 degree Fahrenheit or 54 degrees centigrade. The auto reset thermal overload protection shuts the pump off if the temperature rises too high.
Pump Performance
#5 Similarity: M53 and M57 pumping performance is 34 GPM at a 10 foot vertical height or 2,040 GPH.
The one-third horse power motor is capable of pumping 44 gallons per minute at a 5 foot vertical height or 2,680 GPH; 34 gallons per minute at a 10 foot vertical height or 2,040 GPH; and 19 gallons per minute at a 5 foot vertical height or 1140 GPH.
Its discharge port size of one and one-half inches (1.5) allows more pump performance than some competitors who use a one and one-fourth inch (1.25) pump discharge port.
#6 Similarity: Both pumps carry a 3 year warranty.
The warranty is increased to three years. A few years ago the warranty was only one year. Zoeller tests each pump before it leaves the factory. Most competitors only test a sampling. Since each pump has been tested that means it will work after installation unless it was installed improperly.
The most common failure of any sump pump is the float switch. It cannot be emphasized enough the importance of replacing the float switch every 4 to 7 years depending upon the frequency of pumping.
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Model M63 which is an upgrade for the M53 and M57 float switch is tested to 3 million pump cycles and carries a 5 year warranty.
Review Rating
#7 Similarity: Both pumps rate as Best Sellers.
Both the M53 and M57 easily rank as best sellers. Consumers like Zoeller because of its quality and performance. Both pumps rate 4.7 out of 5 stars which is excellent. It is no surprise both pumps rather highly because they are well built, run quiet and allow the consumer to keep the pump for many years because the bno>replacement switch is easy to buy and install.
Zoeller M53 vs M57 reveals M57 has the advantage of a cast-iron base and impeller which adds weight and more stability to the pump during heavy pumping. For $30 additional cost, the Mighty Mate M57 is worth it. Like you, until ten years ago we did not know the M57 existed and could be purchased by consumers directly on the internet at websites such as Amazon.
Which Pump is Right for You?
Choose the Zoeller Mighty Mate M53 If:
- Your pit does not contain a lot of small spherical solids or debris. The M53 vortex impeller is built to handle small solids; however overtime the engineered plastic will nick.
- The pit is narrow and their is little space around it. During heavy continuous pumping the pump can move. The M57 is 5.5 pounds heavier because of the cast iron base and impeller.
- You are on a budget. The M53 is slightly more budget friendly.
Choose the Zoeller Mighty Mate M57 If:
- You are looking for a heavier pump whose impeller is more durable.
Regardless of which Zoeller model you choose, Zoeller pumps are very durable and reliable. They are quality built in the USA. Each pump is tested before shipped. Zoeller makes it easy for those who wish to do the environmentally responsible thing: replacing the float switch after 4 to 7 years rather than throwing the solidly built cast iron pump with a long lasting motor out and buy another pump. Replacing a float switch is a budget friendly option, easy to buy online and easy to install. We replaced ours after 9 years. Customer support is helpful. They provide a lot of useful informatio.
How To Install The Zoeller M53 And M57 Sump Pumps In 8 Easy Steps
If you already have an existing sump pump, replacing it with a Zoeller M53 or M57 is easy. Here are 8 simple steps.
1. Unplug the old sump pump from the wall socket; loosen the bottom end of the check valve; remove the old pump from the pit.
2. Remove debris and small pebbles from the bottom of the pit.
3. Set the new and old pump next to each other; cut the PVC discharge pipe that fits into the new pump port of the discharge pipe is the same length.
4. Sit the pump in the pit so it rests solidly on the pit floor. Make sure the discharge pipe that was screwed into the new pump port is the right length. to reach the bottom of the check valve. Add or cut off the unnecessary portion.
5. Seat the PVC discharge piping into the check valve union. It is always best to install a new check valve.
6. Plug in the M53 to test for operation and potential leaks.
7. Tighten fittings where there may be leaks.
8. You are done. Expect the Zoeller M53 to provide you with many years of service.
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Installing The Zoeller M53 And M57 By Video
Watch Chris from Atlantic Drain installl a Zoeller M53. Watching the installation of the M53 submersible sump pump will give you the extra support and increase your confidence so you can install the new pump yourself. Installing the M53 really is easy.
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