Vacuum grippers with a rubber seal

The rubber seal with an all-round sealing lip is the standard: 445 of the 519 vacuum grippers in the database use one. Prices per unit range from €12 to €500, with €64 being typical. Typical load capacity is 240 kg, with a peak of 500 kg; per €100 you typically get 347 kg of load capacity. 92% of the models are electric, and the rest work with a hand pump or lever. Among the battery-powered units, 40% have a removable battery, 31% a built-in battery, 13% charge via USB-C and 29% re-pump automatically. 67% show the vacuum level on a digital display. By shape, 52% are oval and 44% round, and 12% of the listings are twin packs.

What to look for

• Smooth, clean surfaces: Rubber seals reliably on glass, glazed tiles, polished stone and metal. Wipe off dust and adhesive residue first.
• Check the sealing lip: Cracks, nicks or a hardened lip cost you vacuum. Care and replacement are explained in Caring for and replacing seals.
• Store it properly: Keep the vacuum lifter with a protective cap or in its case so the sealing lip does not deform.
• Know the limits: On rough and textured surfaces, the comparison Rubber vs. foam is worth a look, because even a strong gripster with a rubber seal holds less well there.