Hayward Super Pump VS vs Pentair SuperFlo VST

If you’re replacing a pump on a typical Texas residential pool, there’s a good chance you’ll end up choosing between these two. The Hayward Super Pump is one of the most common pumps on residential equipment pads, and Pentair built the SuperFlo VST to drop into that same spot. Both are mid-size, TEFC-motor, dual-voltage variable-speed pumps priced well below the brands’ flagship models.

Here’s how they compare on paper, and the warranty detail that usually decides it.

Side by side

	Hayward Super Pump VS	Pentair SuperFlo VST
Online model number	W3SP2603VSP (Open Line)	EC-342001
Store/dealer version	Non-W3 Expert Line version	Brick-and-mortar purchase through Pentair’s standard program
Horsepower rating	1.65 THP	1.5 HP nominal, 2.2 THP (service factor 1.46)
Voltage	230/115 V	115/208–230 V, 50/60 Hz, no rewiring
WEF (published)	8.6 / 11.7 (Hayward lists two figures)	9.0 at 230 V; 7.3 at 115 V
Max RPM	Check manual	3,450
Motor	TEFC	TEFC
Ports	2-inch NPT threaded (per Hayward)	1.5-inch
Basket	110 cu in, see-through lid, swing-away knobs	See-through lid
Controls	On-board programmable control	Keypad, 3 programmable speeds + override, 24-hour real-time clock
Automation	Standalone or with automation	RS-485 connectivity
Online warranty	1 yr parts only, no labor	1 yr parts only, no labor (e-commerce warranty)
Store warranty	3 yr parts + 1 yr labor (per Hayward Q&A)	Pentair standard: min. 1 yr parts + labor with pro install; possible 3-yr bundle
Typical price	About $1,600–$1,850 · check current price	About $1,100–$1,650 · check current price

Hayward specs from Hayward’s product page. SuperFlo VST specs from Pentair retailer spec sheets, since we couldn’t find a current Pentair-hosted spec page for the EC SKU; verify against the manual that ships with the pump. Prices are ranges we saw when we checked.

Horsepower: why “1.65” vs “1.5” isn’t what it looks like

Pump horsepower labeling changed with the federal DOE rule that took effect in July 2021. Jandy’s DOE briefing describes it as standardizing horsepower on total horsepower (THP), which accounts for the motor’s service factor. Pentair lists the SuperFlo VST as a 1.5 HP motor with a 1.46 service factor and 2.2 THP. Hayward lists the Super Pump VS at 1.65 THP.

So on the THP basis the DOE uses, the SuperFlo VST actually carries the higher rating. In practice, both pumps are aimed at the same job: replacing a roughly 1 to 1.5 HP single-speed on a typical residential pool. Neither is the pump for a big spa-and-waterfall build. For that, look at the TriStar VS or IntelliFlo3 in our VS pump roundup.

Efficiency: reading WEF honestly

WEF (weighted energy factor) measures thousands of gallons pumped per kilowatt-hour, weighted toward low-speed operation. Higher is better.

Hayward lists the Super Pump VS at WEF 8.6 / 11.7. Pentair’s retail spec sheets list the SuperFlo VST at 9.0 on 230 V and 7.3 on 115 V. Two cautions:

1. Hayward doesn’t label which figure goes with which condition on the product page we read. Its TriStar VS listings (via retailers) assign the higher number to 115 V, which is counterintuitive, so we’re not going to assume. Check the label or manual.
2. WEF comparisons are most meaningful between pumps in the same size class. The DOE’s minimum WEF depends on hydraulic horsepower.

Either way, both pumps are sold as DOE-compliant. The efficiency difference between them is small compared with the difference between either one and an old single-speed. What saves money is how you program it: long run times at low RPM, with higher speeds only for cleaning, skimming or features.

Installation differences that matter

Ports. Hayward says the Super Pump VS has 2-inch NPT threaded ports. The SuperFlo VST has 1.5-inch ports. If you’re replacing an old Super Pump with the SuperFlo VST (which Pentair markets as a drop-in), the footprint should line up, but you may need different adapters or unions. Measure before you order.

Voltage. Both are dual voltage. Pentair says the SuperFlo VST adapts between 115 V and 230 V without special wiring or switching. If your pad only has 115 V, that’s convenient, but expect lower efficiency at 115 V per the published WEF.

Automation. The SuperFlo VST includes RS-485 for automation systems. If you have Pentair automation, it’s the natural fit. On a Hayward OmniLogic or ProLogic pad, the Super Pump VS is the natural fit. Mixed-brand setups often work through relays, but confirm compatibility with your automation’s documentation.

Warranty: usually the deciding factor

Bought online, the two pumps are close to a wash. The Hayward W3SP2603VSP is Open Line: one year, parts only, no labor. The Pentair EC-342001 falls under Pentair’s e-commerce warranty: one year, parts only, from the purchase date, no labor, and it requires registration plus the receipt.

Bought from a store or dealer, things change. Hayward’s own Q&A says the non-W3 Super Pump VS sold through authorized retail stores carries three years parts and one year labor, and Hayward Rewards dealers can extend coverage further. Pentair’s standard brick-and-mortar coverage is a minimum of one year parts and labor when professionally installed, with longer terms on many products and a possible three-year parts-and-labor bundle when you buy several qualifying products on one invoice.

If a pro is installing your pump, ask them what SKU they’re quoting and what coverage comes with it, in writing. The full breakdown is in our online warranty guide.

Pros and cons

Texas notes

• Freeze protection: whichever you choose, read the manual’s freeze-protection section. Pentair’s general warranty terms exclude damage from water freezing inside the product, and a pump sitting idle through a hard freeze with no power is at risk regardless of brand.
• Run time: long, low-speed runs suit Texas’s long swim season. Use higher speeds only when you need them for vacuuming, skimming heavy leaf drop, or running a cleaner.
• Electricity: Texas residential power averaged about 16 cents per kWh year-to-date through July 2026 (EIA), close to the 16-cent assumption Pentair uses in its own savings claims.

Which one should you buy?

• You’re installing it yourself and want the lowest price: the Pentair SuperFlo VST. Same online warranty as the Hayward, usually for less money.
• You’re replacing a Super Pump on a Hayward pad with Hayward automation: the Hayward Super Pump VS.
• A pro is installing it: buy whichever brand your installer stocks in the dealer version, and get the parts-and-labor terms in writing. That labor coverage is worth more than the online price difference if anything goes wrong in year one.