Slurry pumps are essential equipment for transporting solid-liquid mixtures in heavy industries such as mining, metallurgy, electric power and dredging. However, their efficiency is generally lower than that of clear water pumps—with clear water pumps usually reaching 75%~90% and slurry pumps around 60%~75% or even lower. This article elaborates on the key factors leading to the efficiency gap, including differences in transport medium characteristics, structural design features and wear factors, providing a clear understanding of the performance differences between the two types of pumps.