RL-SWJ50 Well Pump Review: Self-Priming for Wells Less Than 25 Feet Deep

The RL-SWJ50 in Short

RL-SWJ50 Well Pump pumps 12.6 GPM for you if you need a shallow well pump for wells less than 25 feet deep.

If your well is less than 25 feet deep, a shallow well jet pump is the kind of setup that belongs in the conversation.

RL-SWJ50 fits that scenario with a 1/2 HP pump and a dual-voltage 115/230 Volt motor. It also draws up to 12.6 GPH, uses a heavy-duty cast iron body, and includes a 30/50 pressure switch.

We screened 107 Well Pumps and this is one of 15 chosen for a full review. Full reviews go to the most-rated products that pass screening, at most 2 per brand. This one has 455 buyer ratings, the 8th most of the 107 screened. This review is for you if you are matching a shallow well pump to a shallow well and want the spec limits up front.

The Short Answer on the RL-SWJ50

Best for: you need a shallow well jet pump for a well under 25 feet and a 1-inch discharge.

RL-SWJ50 is the right pick if you want a 1/2 HP shallow well pump with 12.6 GPM output, and it costs around $482.53.

• Pro: The 1/2 HP motor suits lighter household demand and small off-grid systems.
• Pro: 12.6 GPM gives enough flow for easier two-fixture use and normal pressure-tank cycling.
• Pro: The 1-inch female NPT discharge matches common shallow-well plumbing layouts.
• Con: 12.6 GPM is not enough for a larger home using several fixtures at once, so demand-heavy setups will be short on flow.
• Con: It is factory-set for 230 Volts, so a 115-Volt supply needs the voltage selection changed before use.

Don’t buy this if: your well is deeper than 25 feet or your plumbing needs a 3-wire submersible setup with a control box.

Price assessment: Around $482.53 is a fair price for a 1/2 HP shallow well pump with dual-voltage wiring and a 1-inch discharge.

You might also consider how the J5S performs in shallow well applications.

Budget-conscious shoppers should browse our list of the best well pump under $300.

Key Specifications

Maximum flow rate separates RL-SWJ50 most clearly. That figure measures how much water the pump can move in a given time under stated conditions.

New users can find how a well pump works explained in detail.

Before You Buy: Well Pump Checklist

The first thing to check is the well depth and your incoming voltage, because this RL-SWJ50 is a shallow well jet pump rated for wells less than 25 feet deep and set to 230 Volts from the factory.

• ☐ Confirm your well is less than 25 feet deep — the RL-SWJ50 is listed for that depth range, and a deeper well can leave you with a pump that will not prime or deliver water.
• ☐ Check that your supply voltage matches the pump setting — 115/230 Volts is supported, but the factory setting is 230 Volts, so the wrong match can keep the motor from starting or force a rewire before use.
• ☐ Measure your discharge plumbing for a 1-inch Female NPT connection — the 1-inch outlet is fixed, and the wrong discharge size means incompatible plumbing or a return.
• ☐ Confirm the intake side fits a 1-1/4-inch Female NPT threaded connection — that inlet size has to match your setup, or you will need modifications before the pump can be used.
• ☐ Budget for a system that can use up to 12.6 GPM at 30 PSI — if your home needs more flow than that, you will end up with a pump that cannot keep up and may need to buy a larger model instead.
• ☐ Check that your pressure setup works with the included 30/50 pressure switch and 64 PSI maximum pressure — a mismatch can leave you with short cycling or a system that does not run as intended.

If your well is deeper than 25 feet, your plumbing is not set up for 1-inch discharge and 1-1/4-inch intake threads, or you need more than 12.6 GPM, do not buy this pump.

What the Numbers Mean in Use

Why this shallow-well pump suits wells less than 25 feet deep

RL-SWJ50 is a shallow well jet pump for wells less than 25 feet deep, so you should treat it as a fit for shallow household supply, not deeper lift jobs. Its 1/2 HP motor and 12.6 GPM rating give you enough output for lighter household demand, including a small off-grid home with modest daily water use.

That flow is enough only at the easier end of a two-bathroom-and-kitchen load, so you should not expect comfortable margin once several fixtures run together. Think of it like a narrow doorway: one or two people pass through, but a crowd needs more space. The 1-inch discharge and 1-1/4-inch intake also tell you to match the plumbing side of the job before you order.

How the 30/50 pressure switch sets household water pressure

The included 30/50 pressure switch gives the RL-SWJ50 a standard household pressure range for showers and appliances, so the tap pressure is set around a common residential pattern rather than a specialty setup. Its 64 PSI maximum pressure shows the pump is meant to work in a normal domestic band, not chase unusually high outlet pressure.

For a pressure tank, that 12.6 GPM output is useful because it can keep a modest system from short-cycling under everyday demand, but it is not the right answer for a larger home with several fixtures open at once. If you need steady service for two bathrooms and a kitchen, this pump sits at the easier end of that load; if you need more simultaneous demand, the flow figure is the limit that matters.

How the dual-voltage motor matches common residential power

The RL-SWJ50 uses a dual-voltage 115/230 Volt motor, and that gives you a choice between common residential power supplies. It is factory-set for 230 Volts, and you can switch it to 115 Volts, so the motor can match the incoming power source you already have.

That flexibility matters if your site power is fixed, because the pump’s 8.4 amps at 115 Volts and 4.2 amps at 230 Volts are not interchangeable numbers. You need to confirm the available supply before ordering, since the voltage has to match the power source, and a wrong match makes the motor the wrong fit even when the pump size itself is right.

The RL-SWJ50 Job by Job: What Its Figures Cover

The RL-SWJ50 against the jobs buyers ask about, worked out from its listed maximum flow rate and horsepower and a typical need for each job.

Consider exploring the alternatives to a well pump if your setup needs a different approach.

How the RL-SWJ50 Compares to Alternatives

The RL-SWJ50’s clearest edge is fit for shallow wells and a 1-inch discharge. It also lists 1/2 HP and 12.6 GPM, so you get a compact spec set without paying for a larger motor class.

• Compared with the Goulds J10S Shallow Well Jet Pump, the RL-SWJ50 uses less motor power: 1/2 HP versus 1 HP. That matters if your job does not call for the larger motor class.
• Against the Goulds-J7S Shallow Well Jet Pump, the RL-SWJ50 is cheaper by about $11.47. It also keeps the same 1-inch discharge size.
• Red Lion RJS-75SS Jet Pump is the closer flow match, at 12.8 GPM versus 12.6 GPM here. The difference is small, so this one is not the pick if you want the slightly higher flow figure.
• Compared with the Sta-Rite Jet Pump Shallow Well, the RL-SWJ50 has the lower price at around $482.53 versus about $528.67. That gap matters more than the similar shallow-well format.
• Pentair SNE-L Shallow Well Jet Pump carries a 1 hp motor, while this model is listed at 1/2 HP. Pick the Pentair if your job calls for the larger motor rating.

If you want the strongest competitor instead, choose the Red Lion RJS-75SS Jet Pump for the slightly higher 12.8 GPM figure. It is the better fit when flow matters more than price.

If you need a more robust industrial option, see our full RJS-100-PREM review.

Compare these specs against our analysis of the RL12G15-3W2V.

Getting the RL-SWJ50 Working, and What to Check After

Getting this well pump ready for a 115/230 V supply

The RL-SWJ50 needs a matching 115/230-volt power source before it can move water.

1. Confirm the incoming power matches the pump’s selected voltage, since the motor is factory-set for 230 volts and switchable to 115 volts.
2. Set the voltage to 115 volts or 230 volts before any connection, because the motor must match the power source.
3. Connect the 1-inch female NPT discharge to plumbing sized for that outlet.
4. Connect the 1-1/4-inch female NPT intake to the well side connection.
5. Set the 30/50 pressure switch so the system starts and stops at that range.

Warranty and support: what to check for this well pump

Warranty cover varies by seller and country.

• Confirm the voltage setting on arrival, because the RL-SWJ50 ships factory-set for 230 volts and can be switched to 115 volts.
• Confirm the discharge connection size, because the 1-inch female NPT outlet has to match the rest of your plumbing.
• Confirm the intake connection size, because the 1-1/4-inch female NPT inlet affects whether the pump will fit your existing setup.
• Confirm the pressure switch range, because the included 30/50 switch controls how the system cycles.

Check the voltage setting first while the return window is still open.

What Buyers Still Want to Know About This Well Pump

Can the Red Lion RL-SWJ50 run a small cabin water system?

Yes, the RL-SWJ50 can support a small cabin water system with modest daily use. Its 12.6 GPM rating gives you room for lighter demand, and the 1/2 HP motor is the lower-power end of the category’s usable range.

Will the RL-SWJ50 work for two bathrooms and a kitchen at once?

Only at the easier end of that load. The RL-SWJ50 is rated at 12.6 GPM, while that job usually needs 8 to 15 GPM, so the margin is limited.

Does the RL-SWJ50 fit a shallow well?

Yes, the RL-SWJ50 is a shallow well jet pump for wells less than 25 feet deep. That makes the depth limit a key check before you order, since depth is the deciding fit point here.

Is the RL-SWJ50 a 2-wire or 3-wire submersible setup?

No, the RL-SWJ50 is not a submersible pump, so the 2-wire versus 3-wire submersible choice does not apply here. It uses a 115/230 Volt motor and includes a 30/50 pressure switch instead.

What pressure switch comes with the RL-SWJ50?

The RL-SWJ50 includes a 30/50 pressure switch. That matters if you want a preset pressure range instead of choosing switch parts separately.

Should I buy the RL-SWJ50 for a larger home with several fixtures running together?

Not for that job. The RL-SWJ50 moves 12.6 GPM, and that is not enough for the 15 to 25 GPM range that larger-home, multi-fixture use usually calls for.

Is the RL-SWJ50 Right for You?

Who the RL-SWJ50 suits and the jobs it is the wrong choice for, listed below with the reason for each.

Where to Buy This Well Pump

Well pumps are sold by the retailers below – we do not track which of them has the RL-SWJ50 in stock, so check availability and the current price with the retailer before making a trip.

• Home Depot (online and physical stores) — breadth of range and in-store returns
• Lowe’s (online and physical stores) — breadth of range and in-store returns
• Ace Hardware (online and physical stores) — local pickup and specialist staff
• Northern Tool + Equipment (online and physical stores) — breadth of range and specialist staff
• Grainger (online and physical stores) — business or trade accounts
• SupplyHouse.com (online only) — specialist staff and breadth of range
• Amazon (online only) — breadth of range and easy comparison shopping

Final Verdict on the RL-SWJ50

You should choose the RL-SWJ50 if your well is less than 25 feet deep and your plumbing uses a 1-inch discharge. At around $482.53, it gives you a 1/2 HP shallow well jet pump with a 30/50 pressure switch and dual-voltage operation.

The 12.6 GPM rating at 30 PSI is the key number here. That flow is enough for lighter household demand, and the 1/2 HP motor keeps the package in the range many small systems can use without moving up to a larger pump.

Skip it if: your home needs several fixtures running at once, or you need a 3-wire submersible setup with a control box.