These top fuel transfer pumps make refueling much easier

A fuel transfer pump moves fuel from one place to another, such as from an underground tank to a vehicle. These devices are also useful to refuel machinery such as tractors and equipment on construction sites. They work by extracting the fuel from the source and transferring it to wherever it needs to go. This buying guide will help you find the best fuel transfer pumps on the market. Pipe Thread Protector

Fuelworks Electric Diesel Fuel Transfer Pump Kit

Tera Pump Battery Powered Fuel Transfer Pump

Fill-Rite 12V 15 GPM (57 LPM) Fuel Transfer Pump with Discharge Hose

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

A manual fuel transfer pump is a bit old-fashioned, but they do exist. They are more cost-effective, but at the own cost of your body as you have to use a hand pump. You have to physically pump the manual nozzle device in order to siphon out fuel. They include a handle and a long hose that extends into a tank where the fuel is. Another hose is used to transfer the fuel from the tank to another storage container.

An electric fuel transfer pump is powered by electricity. These are the easiest of the pumps to use, as they don’t require extra energy from you. A gas pump at a convenience store is an example of an electric-style transfer pump. However, you can find portable versions of them to use in your garage or around the house.

Fill-Rite is located in Burr Ridge, Ill., and is owned by Tuthill Transfer Systems. The company was founded in 1892 and began by supplying bricks to construction companies. In the 1920s, the company’s owner, James B. Tuthill, designed a steam-powered truck built to transfer oil. This led to the company being one of the leading manufacturers of oil transfer pumps, including the Fill-Rite 12V 15 GPM (57 LPM) Fuel Transfer Pump with Discharge Hose.

Tera Pump has its headquarters in Santa Ana, Calif. The company focuses on developing new innovative pumping products built for oil, water, and fuel. The company manufactures pumps for safe drinking water and industrial-sized drum barrel pumps for oil. Consider its Tera Pump Battery Powered Fuel Transfer Pump if you need a handheld transfer pump.

The type of fuel transfer pump you need is based on what you are doing. If you just need to transfer small amounts of fuel from a tank to the car at home, then a portable one should do the trick. Jobs like fueling shipping trucks, heavy machinery, or construction equipment may require more robust fuel pumps.

You should keep track of what kind of fuel you are transferring as well. Not all fuel transfer pumps are built to transport both gas and diesel. If you are working with different types of fuel, then consider getting a versatile transfer pump that can handle kerosene, gas, diesel, and oil.

This compact, lightweight, and portable fuel pump is equipped to fit on pickup trucks, boats, and construction machinery for extra convenience and mobility. It's intended for diesel fuel engines. It comes with a 13-foot fuel hose and a 12-volt motor. It’s capable of pumping up to 10 gallons of fuel per minute. 

As an extra benefit and great feature, the hose can be cut and adjusted to your desired length. The pump is also quite simple to set up, and it's fast and easy to transfer diesel fuel from a storage tank to a truck or other container. It comes with a max pressure of 14.5 PSI and functions in extreme temperatures.

There are a few not-so-great things about the pump. For one thing, the pump may prematurely fail after a few months of use. The hose is cheaply made, and the nozzle may leak. You may have to modify the pump to make it work more effectively, and it only pumps diesel.

This pump runs on four AA batteries and features a no-spill automatic nozzle and flexible intake hose. Its small design makes it versatile and easy to lug around with you or mount on a vehicle. It includes a 35-inch long discharge hose so you can reach gas cans, vehicles, lawn mowers, and storage tanks.

The pump is able to fit on most North American plastic fuel cans, plus it comes with three different-sized adapters for extra convenience. It comes with a pump rate of three gallons per minute and is lightweight at just under one pound. It also includes a rain-resistant power cover to protect the electronics.

There are some things to be aware of when it comes to this pump before making your final purchase. The pump may begin leaking, or stop working altogether, after a short period of use. Also, it's not made of very high-quality parts, which may contribute to failure. Its pump rate is on the lower end.

This heavy-duty cast iron designed pump is intended for use in rough operating environments. It features a powerful 1/4 horsepower DC motor that runs at 2,600 RPM. Plus, it includes a suction lift of up to 6.5 feet of diesel fuel, and comes with a quick and efficient fuel flow rate of around 15 gallons per minute.

It’s easy to assemble and pumps diesel quickly. You only need to put it on for a few minutes to fill a large vehicle’s tank such as an F-350. It can be mounted onto a truck bed or trailer for added convenience and quick access to fuel. This premium pump also features a discharge pressure of 16 PSI.

The first thing you may notice about this transfer pump is its size. At around 33 pounds, it’s large and robust, so it isn’t designed to be carried. Plus, the pump doesn’t have an auto shutoff, so you have to monitor it. It can also be a little noisy, and you need to buy a filter.

The Koehler Enterprises Multi-Use Siphon Fuel Transfer Pump Kit is a safe and useful tool. It acts as both an air pump and a siphoning tool for transferring fuel, or any other liquid, between containers. It’s designed to be a do-it-yourself tool that can be used in home garages or in professional settings like construction sites.

The kit comes with a siphon pump, two hoses, and a universal attachment to fit most any knob, lever, or switch. The device is also lightweight, compact, and easy to store. Whether you’re bleeding the gas from a John Deere tractor or using it on your personal vehicle, it’s a great tool to get the job done.

However, it may be considered too small to tackle larger fuel drums or tanks. This means it may require several pumps to function.

This handy little fuel transfer pump from Ideaworks is versatile and easy to use. It’s designed to function with a number of liquids and transfer them quickly and efficiently from one container to the next. All it takes to run this pump is a couple of D batteries, and it will smoothly and efficiently get the job done.

It’s considered a compact tool that pumps more than fuel. It’s capable of working with water, oil, and any other non-corrosive liquid as well. It’s rated to pump 5 to 6 quarts of liquid per minute, which is a lot of fuel in a short amount of time. It also includes a 23-inch hose.

There are a few downsides to this device. The hose isn’t the longest or most durable. You may be better off buying a longer and thicker hose if you want it to last. The housing also feels cheap, as it’s made out of plastic.

Ontel’s fuel transfer pump is another device that functions on batteries and comes with a long hose attachment. Both make it much easier, smoother, and cleaner to use if you need to move a lot of fuel.

The pump comes with a lengthy amount of hose (3 feet), runs on batteries so you don’t have to worry about power cables, and has an auto-stop sensor. It even includes turbo siphon technology for faster transfers when you don’t want to waste time waiting.

You will notice that it’s a smaller device, which means you won’t be able to transfer large amounts of fuel quickly. Another thing to be aware of is that the casing is not waterproof, so you should not leave it out in the rain.

One of the largest and most powerful fuel transfer pumps on our list is from GasTapper. This is a robust and large fuel siphon that pumps up to 4 gallons per minute and includes a lengthy anti-kink hose for easier access. All you do is squeeze the bulb to get it to transfer fuel in a jiffy.

It’s a versatile tool that acts as both a pump and a siphon for gas, water, and diesel. It features an 8-foot hose with an anti-kink spring, and comes with a weighted jiggler for extra weight to hold it in liquid. This makes it a lot easier to keep the hose where you want it without you having to hold it in yourself.

You may find that it can encounter blockages in the hose when in use. As for the bulb, it feels on the weak side and may not inflate all that quickly, therefore increasing the amount of time it takes to transfer liquid.

GasTapper’s Gasoline Transfer Pump/Siphon is an easy-to-use device with everything neatly and comfortably packed away in a large case. As an electric transfer pump, it works quickly to transfer liquid from point A to point B. This also means it’s able to transfer more fuel in less time. Plus, you don’t have to use manual labor, and that’s always a bonus.

The transfer pump kit comes with a 12-volt, case-mounted, high-lift pump that generates 7 to 10 pounds per square inch. We’re talking a lot of power here. It also features an LED power indicator light, 8-foot coils, and a 15-inch cord. It’s rated to pump out 32 gallons per hour. It’s designed for more difficult jobs that require more time and effort to get done.

Yet, as it’s an electric fuel transfer pump, the kit is expensive. Another problem you may find is when repacking the case: It can be annoying to load everything inside again, as cords may not always sit the way you originally found them.

A: That depends on the type of pump you are using. Some are operated manually, while others use electric or engine power. Read the instructions carefully, and watch online tutorials to make sure you're operating it correctly.

A: Some fuel transfer pumps are self-priming, while others are not. A pump needs to be primed to increase the pressure that helps move the fuel through the device.

A: If you purchase a good-quality brand, the product should last for a while. Consult the owner's manual to determine when you should replace the pump. It will last longer if you regularly clean it and use it only for its designated purpose.

Our pick for the best fuel transfer pump is the Fuelworks Electric Diesel Fuel Transfer Pump Kit. You can modify the hose length to suit your needs, and it's very easy to use.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Tera Pump Battery Powered Fuel Transfer Pump.

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