WMFG 1.0E Electric Pump Review

Aaron and Kevin (WMFG) sat down to chat about the WMFG 1.0E Electric Kite/Wing/SUP Pump. Here, they chat about features, the benefits of electric pumps, and its travel-friendly design.

The Shift to Electric Pumps

Waterman Manufacturing (WMFG) has been in the pump game for a few years now, and from the jump, it was clear that electric pumps were going to be the future. With battery technology improving across every industry, the team at WMFG spent three years finding the right partner and developing a pump that hits all the marks. The goal was to create something with the best volume, battery life, overall durability, display quality, and cooling system.

Cooling System and Battery Capacity

One of the standout features of the WMFG 1.0E is its dual-fan cooling system. The pump was purposely made white instead of the traditional WMFG black specifically to help with cooling, and the design allows it to handle multiple kites back-to-back without overheating.

When it comes to battery life, the numbers are impressive. In testing, the pump inflated twenty-five 3-strut 12m kites (specifically 12m RS kites) on a single charge — and still had one bar of battery left. Competitors are hitting around 10 to 15 kites per charge, so getting 25 inflations out of one charge is nuts.

Inflation Speed and Dual-Stage System

The WMFG 1.0E is averaging about 30% to 50% faster inflation times compared to competing models, thanks to a two-stage system:

• Stage 1: A fan system that provides the initial volume (you'll hear that vacuum sound).
• Stage 2: A piston-driven air compressor that kicks in for the high pressure.

One really cool feature is that you can dive into the settings and manually adjust how these stages operate. With a massive inflatable like an elevated tent, the pump might sense pressure from a fold or bend and switch to the compressor too early. You can manually keep it on the fan setting to maximize volume inflation for as long as possible before letting the compressor take over.

Travel-Friendly Design

If you're traveling, you need to know whether your pump can come on a plane. The battery in the WMFG 1.0E is 97 watt-hours, which falls right under the 100-watt-hour restriction for air travel. It's the same as traveling with a cell phone or a laptop — packing the most power possible into a travel-approved unit.

Included Accessories and Features

WMFG didn't hold back on the extras. The pump comes with a really nice water-resistant dry bag with a roll-top clip, giving you plenty of room to store the pump along with your phone, wallet, or keys.

It also includes a charging block, which is a big deal when even expensive phones don't come with one anymore. The pump supports fast charging, so it juices up quicker than the competition. If you forget to charge it, you can plug it into your car's USB port on a 20-to-40-minute drive to the beach and arrive with enough power to pump up some kites or wings.

The pump also offers reverse charging via a USB-C port. If you're in a pinch and need some juice for your phone, you can use the pump's massive battery to top it up without worrying about draining the pump itself.

Hose and Adapter System

WMFG is known for their accessory kits, and this pump comes fully loaded. The high-pressure SUP fitting is fixed, but the rest of the system is highly customizable. The hose features a swivel at both ends, which is a huge help when your kite is moving around and you want to avoid twisting the hose.

The standard bayonet fitting locks on with a quarter turn and features an O-ring seal. That airtight seal sets it apart from regular pumps, ensuring maximum efficiency without wasted air. The other adapters, including the Boston valve adapter, also feature O-ring seals and simply screw onto the base fitting.

The hose itself sits right in the middle of the spectrum: not flimsy, but not overly cumbersome either. It has a smaller diameter and uses ribs for flexibility rather than relying solely on flexible material. The result is a great blend of durability and flexibility, meaning you won't have to take the hose off every time to prevent wear and tear, especially in cold weather riding. The kit also includes replacement O-ring seals for the pump and accessories.

Final Thoughts

Even if you're an old-school pumper who used to talk smack about electric pumps, the WMFG 1.0E might just convert you. It's high-speed, low-drag, and at $229, it's a reasonably priced pump that brings a ton of high-end features to the beach.

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