Blue Wave Pool Cover Non-Electric Siphon Pump

If you hate scooping soggy water off your winter pool cover but don’t want to mess with extension cords, frozen outlets, or the cost of an electric pump, the Blue Wave non-electric siphon pump (sold as the “Drain for Winter Pool Cover”) is a tiny, clever gadget that gets the job done with zero electricity required. Below we break down what it is, how it works, where it shines (and where it doesn’t), plus tips for getting the best results.

Quick overview

The Blue Wave non-electric siphon pump is a manual cover drain kit that uses a hand-squeeze primer to start a siphon. It comes with a porous drain base and about a 13-foot hose; once the siphon is established it will move cover water to a lower discharge point and the unit is designed to stop automatically when the cover is drained. It’s made for above-ground pool winter covers and other simple cover-draining jobs.

What’s in the box:

• Porous, disc-style drain base that sits on the cover.

• Hand squeeze priming pump to start the siphon.

• ~13 ft (4 m) of clear hose for discharge.

How it works — simple physics, simple steps

1. Place the porous drain base in the lowest spot on the cover where water pools.

2. Run the hose to a discharge point that is lower than the water level on the cover (gravity does the rest — water will not flow uphill!).

3. Use the squeeze primer to create the initial flow — once water starts moving the siphon keeps pulling until the cover is effectively drained.

Because it relies on gravity and a manual primer, there’s no electricity or batteries involved — that’s the whole point.

Performance — what to expect:

• Speed: This is a low-tech, low-flow solution. It won’t match electric submersible pumps for speed, but it will steadily remove pooled water so it’s great for routine cover maintenance. (If you need high flow, check out some of our recommended electric cover pumps, such as the Little Giant APCP 1700 or the FOTING 1HP Submersible Sump Pump)

• Reliability: Fewer moving parts = less to fail. The main failure points are hose kinks, blocked porous drain holes, or forgetting to run the hose downhill. Keep the inlet clear of leaves and debris for best results.

Pros & cons:

Pros

• No electricity or batteries — safe in freezing/ wet conditions and cheap to operate.

• Extremely simple to use and store; compact and inexpensive compared with powered pumps.

• Stops automatically when cover is drained — less babysitting.

Cons

• Slower than electric pumps; not ideal if you need to clear many inches of water quickly. For fast removal, consider corded cover pumps like the Little Giant APCP 1700 or the FOTING 1HP Submersible Sump Pump .

• Requires a downhill discharge point and careful hose routing; won’t work if you can’t get the hose below the cover water level.

• Small plastic parts — treat it gently and store it inside when not in use to prolong life.

Best use cases:

• Above-ground pools with routine rain/snow melt accumulation.

• Situations where electrical access is limited or unsafe (wet, freezing conditions).

• Homeowners who prefer an inexpensive, low-maintenance solution and don’t mind a slower drain.

If you cover a large in-ground pool or frequently get heavy storms, you might pair a few of these with periodic use of a more powerful electric pump.

Setup & maintenance tips:

• Position carefully: Place the porous drain in the lowest point of the pooled water so it collects maximum flow.

• Slope the hose downhill: The discharge end must be lower than the water on the cover — otherwise no siphon. Lay the hose free of kinks and sharp bends.

• Keep it clean: Periodically lift the drain base and clear leaves or debris from under it so the porous holes don’t clog.

• Store dry and inside: Prevent brittle hoses and faded plastic by storing the unit indoors during the off-season.

Bottom line

The Blue Wave non-electric siphon pump is exactly what it says on the tin: a cheap, effective, and safe way to remove pooled water from winter covers when you don’t want (or can’t use) electricity. It’s best for above-ground pools and homeowners who value simplicity over speed. If you need fast removal on a large cover, plan to step up to an electric cover pump — but if you want an affordable, low-maintenance tool that just works, this little siphon pump is a solid pick!

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