Swim Buddy Swimming Pool Pumps
Swim Buddy swimming pool pumps are compact, single-phase circulation pumps for home swimming pools. They draw water from the pool, push it through your filter and any heater, and return it clean, running on a standard 230v household supply. There are three sizes, so you can match the pump to the size of your pool and the resistance of your filtration system rather than paying to run a bigger motor than you need.
Every model shares the same build. The pump body and diffuser are polypropylene, the impeller is Noryl (an engineering plastic widely used in pool pumps), the shaft is stainless steel and a carbon mechanical seal keeps water out of the motor. A strainer basket under an inspection lid catches leaves and debris before they reach the impeller, and it lifts out for emptying. The pumps handle water up to 50°C, have a maximum suction lift of 1.5 metres and use 1½” / 50 mm inlet and outlet connections.
Choosing the right Swim Buddy model
The number in the model name is a close guide to the pump’s maximum flow in cubic metres per hour. The Swim Buddy 11 moves up to 180 litres per minute (about 11 m³/h), the Swim Buddy 15 up to 250 litres per minute (15 m³/h) and the Swim Buddy 19 up to 315 litres per minute (about 19 m³/h). Maximum head rises with size too, from 7 metres to 15 metres.
A pool pump never delivers its maximum flow in practice. Your filter, heater, pipework, valves and fittings all resist the flow, and that resistance is measured as head. The more head your system has, the less water the pump moves, and at its maximum head it moves none at all. As a rough guide, the Swim Buddy 11 suits small pools with short pipe runs, the Swim Buddy 15 is the middle option, and the Swim Buddy 19 is the one to choose for a larger pool, a longer pipe run or extra equipment such as a heater in the circuit.
If you need more flow than the Swim Buddy 19 offers, or you have a three-phase supply, look at the Pentair Swimmey pool pumps, which we compare further down this page.
| Model | Voltage | Inlet / Outlet | Max Flow (l/min) | Max Head (m) | Current (A) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swim Buddy 11 | 230v | 1½” / 50 mm | 180 | 7 | 1.6 | 6 |
| Swim Buddy 15 | 230v | 1½” / 50 mm | 250 | 11 | 3.2 | 7 |
| Swim Buddy 19 | 230v | 1½” / 50 mm | 315 | 15 | 4.6 | 9 |
Flow and head are maximum figures. Click through to any model for its full specifications and performance curve.
Showing all 3 results
180 l/min · 7 m · 230v
Compact 230v single-phase swimming pool pump for small home pools. Up to 180 l/min and 7 m maximum head, ...Read More£138.13 +VAT
250 l/min · 11 m · 230v
Mid-size 230v single-phase swimming pool pump for home pools. Up to 250 l/min and 11 m maximum head from ...Read More£148.48 +VAT
315 l/min · 15 m · 230v
The largest Swim Buddy 230v single-phase pool pump. Up to 315 l/min and 15 m maximum head from a ...Read More£155.38 +VAT
Where to Use Swim Buddy Pool Pumps
Swim Buddy pumps are built for the filtration circuit of a private pool: an outdoor or indoor domestic pool where the pump sits in a plant room, pump house or enclosure beside the pool and runs on a 230v supply. They also suit replacing a failed single-phase pump on a home pool. Our swimming pool pump selection guide explains how to work out the turnover your pool needs, and our guide on reading a pump curve shows what a pump will deliver against your system.
Position matters. Install the pump at or below the water level where you can. If it must sit above the water, keep the suction lift within 1.5 metres and the suction pipe short and direct. Our suction lift guide explains why. These pumps are for clean, treated pool water: they are not drainage, flood or dirty water pumps.
Swim Buddy or Pentair Swimmey?
We also stock the Pentair Swimmey range. Swim Buddy covers three sizes, all 230v single-phase, with a maximum suction lift of 1.5 metres. The Swimmey range has six sizes, each made in a single-phase (M) and a three-phase (T) version, with IPX5-rated motors, a clear strainer lid and a recommended suction height of up to 3 metres when used with a foot valve.
Choose a Swim Buddy for a home pool on single-phase power where the Swim Buddy 19 or a smaller model gives you enough flow at your system’s head, and the pump sits at, below or within 1.5 metres of the water level. Choose a Swimmey if you need more flow than the Swim Buddy 19, have a three-phase supply, or need to mount the pump higher above the water than 1.5 metres.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the numbers 11, 15 and 19 mean?
They are a close guide to each pump’s maximum flow in cubic metres per hour. The Swim Buddy 11 moves up to 180 l/min (about 11 m³/h), the Swim Buddy 15 up to 250 l/min (15 m³/h) and the Swim Buddy 19 up to 315 l/min (about 19 m³/h). Real flow depends on the resistance of your filter and pipework.
Is there a three-phase Swim Buddy?
No. All three Swim Buddy models are 230v single-phase only. For a 400v three-phase supply, the Pentair Swimmey T models are the alternative.
Can the pump sit above the water level?
Yes, within limits. The maximum suction lift is 1.5 metres, so the pump must be no more than 1.5 metres above the water surface. Below water level is easiest, because the pump then fills with water on its own.
What size are the connections?
All three models have 1½” / 50 mm inlet and outlet connections, so you can change size without altering the pipework at the pump.
Can the pump run without water?
No. Fill the pump body with water before starting it and never let it run dry, because the carbon mechanical seal relies on water to cool and lubricate it. Empty the strainer basket regularly, as a blocked basket starves the pump of water.
What about winter?
If your pool is closed over the winter, drain the pump and pipework so that trapped water cannot freeze and crack the pump body. Our guide to preparing pumps for winter covers the steps.
If you are unsure which Swim Buddy suits your pool, or whether a Swimmey would be the better fit, call the AES Rewinds team on 01252 515169 or email sales@aesrewinds.com. You can also browse all our swimming pool pumps.
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