SoftStartUSA SoftStart Well Pump
The one soft starter actually built for a well or sump pump motor, not an AC unit pressed into pump duty.
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Specs
| Rated for | 120V: 0.5-1.5 HP single-phase / 240V: 1.0-3.5 HP single-phase submersible or deep well pumps |
| Surge/inrush reduction | Up to 40% cut in well-pump inrush current, per SoftStartUSA's published spec |
| Voltage | 115/230VAC single-phase |
| Certifications | ETL |
| Weight | 1.1 lb |
| Typical street price | ~$399 (as of July 2026 — check listing for current price) |
Figures are the manufacturer's published specs. Verify against the current listing before you buy.
Our take
Most soft starters on the market target AC/heat-pump compressors; this one is built and rated specifically for submersible and deep well pump motors — 0.5-1.5 HP on 120V, up to 3.5 HP on 240V. SoftStartUSA publishes a 40% cut in inrush current, enough in many cases to let a well pump start on a generator as small as 3,000W instead of the much larger unit a full-power pump start would otherwise demand. It mounts near the main service panel rather than at the pump itself — 3 wire connections, no need to access or modify the pump — the easier end of this category's install work, though still a job for someone comfortable working at a breaker panel.
Pros
- Purpose-rated for well/sump pump motors, not an AC soft starter adapted to pump duty
- ETL listed, with a published spec sheet and 1-year warranty
- 20-minute, breaker-panel-side install — no need to access or modify the pump itself
Cons
- 40% published inrush reduction is lower than the 65-75% AC-compressor units above claim — check it clears a specific generator's headroom before buying
- 120V version caps at 1.5 HP — a bigger 120V pump needs the 240V version instead
- Newer brand than the established names in the AC soft-start space