Almost all vacuum lifters, often called gripsters in the trade, are electric today: 93% of the 519 models in the database have a battery-powered pump. How long a unit lasts and how conveniently it charges depends on battery type, capacity and charging port. This guide sorts out the options and shows how to care for lithium batteries properly, including in winter.
Removable or built-in battery
Among electric gripsters, 40% have a removable battery and 31% a built-in battery. The two variants do not differ in price, but they do in features.
| Feature | Removable battery | Built-in battery |
|---|---|---|
| Models | 194 | 151 |
| Median price | €69 | €69 |
| Median load capacity | 220 kg | 200 kg |
| Median battery capacity | 2,400 mAh | 4,000 mAh |
| USB-C charging | 3% | 40% |
| Digital display | 60% | 85% |
The removable battery comes into its own on long working days. When it runs flat, you insert a charged battery and keep working without a break. 69 models come with two batteries included, at a median of €50 per unit, and 97% of them use a removable battery. Another advantage: when the battery fades after a few years, you replace only the battery, not the whole unit. Charging is usually done with a separate charger.
The built-in battery makes the unit more compact and the housing more closed. The median capacity is higher at 4,000 mAh, and 40% of these models charge via USB-C. When the battery is empty, however, you have to take a charging break. And when the battery ages, the whole unit is often finished.
The comparisons Removable battery vs. USB-C and One battery vs. two batteries show the differences in detail.
Charging methods compared
| Charging method | Typical for | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C | Built-in batteries | Charge with a phone adapter, a power bank or in the vehicle | Battery not replaceable, charging break needed |
| Micro-USB or USB cable | Basic and older units | Inexpensive, cables widely available | Fragile connector, slower charging, dedicated cable needed |
| External charger | Removable batteries | Second battery charges while you work | Charger has to come to the job site |
| Power tool battery | Units for 18 V systems | Batteries and chargers from existing tools can be used | Often sold without battery, heavier unit |
USB-C is offered by 14% of electric models. Vacuum grippers with USB-C have a median price of €70, and 90% of them have a built-in battery. The advantage is flexibility: a smartphone or laptop power adapter, a power bank or a USB adapter in the vehicle will do. The cheapest model with USB-C costs €17 per unit in a twin pack.
Micro-USB and simple USB cables are found on basic units. The connector is mechanically more fragile than USB-C and more prone to dirt and damage on job sites.
External chargers come with most removable batteries, for example with 21 V battery packs. They charge the battery outside the unit, so a second battery is always ready to go.
Power tool batteries are used by some gripsters and tile vibrators that accept 18 V batteries from the systems of major power tool manufacturers. In the database, this mainly concerns units for Makita batteries, and occasionally other 18 V systems. Among them is a model rated at 500 kg, the highest figure in the database. If you already own these batteries, you save on additional batteries and chargers. Before buying, check whether the battery and charger are included.
mAh and runtime
The figure in milliamp-hours (mAh) describes the amount of charge a battery holds. The median capacity of all electric vacuum lifters is 3,000 mAh; data sheets range from small cells with 1,200 mAh to batteries with 4,500 mAh. The ranking Largest batteries offers an overview.
Only compare mAh at the same voltage, though. Energy content in watt-hours, that is, voltage times amp-hours, is more meaningful. A 3.7 V cell with 1,200 mAh stores about 4.4 Wh, an 18 V battery with 2,000 mAh about 36 Wh, a good eight times as much.
Runtime also depends on how often the pump runs. It only works when suction is applied and when re-pumping. According to the manufacturers, units with 4,000 to 4,500 mAh reach up to 10 to 12 hours, and one unit with a 21 V battery states about 4 hours. These figures apply to airtight, smooth surfaces. In everyday use, these factors shorten runtime:
- Rough surfaces, on which the pump has to re-pump more often.
- Many lifts per hour, for example when laying smaller formats.
- Vibration function, whose motor draws considerably more power than the pump.
- Worn seals, which make an automatic re-pump kick in constantly.
- Cold, which noticeably reduces usable capacity.
Caring for lithium batteries
Gripsters run on lithium-ion batteries. A few rules help them keep their capacity over many charge cycles.
- Avoid deep discharge: Charge the battery as soon as the display reports a low level. A fully drained battery ages faster and, in extreme cases, can no longer be charged.
- Charge correctly: Use the charger supplied or a suitable USB-C power adapter. Charge on a non-flammable surface.
- Store half-charged: For breaks of several weeks, a charge level of about 40 to 60% is ideal. Check the level every three months and top up if needed.
- Avoid heat: Do not leave it in direct sun, on a radiator or in the vehicle in summer.
- Keep contacts clean: With removable batteries, remove dust and adhesive residue from the contacts.
- Retire damaged batteries: A swollen, unusually hot or smelly battery must no longer be used and should be disposed of at a collection point.
Working in the cold
Below 0 °C, the available power of lithium batteries drops significantly. The pump works more slowly, and the display reports a low charge level sooner. Do not charge batteries in freezing conditions; wait until they have warmed up to room temperature, ideally between 10 and 30 °C. Charging below freezing permanently damages the cells.
In winter, keep batteries in the heated cab or indoors and insert them shortly before work. This is where the removable battery has a clear advantage: a warm spare battery is ready while the cold one warms up again.
Cold also affects the seal. Rubber hardens and seals less well, and condensation forms on cold panels. So check the vacuum display more often in freezing conditions. More on this in the guide Caring for and replacing seals.
Which option suits whom?
- Occasional use: A built-in battery with USB-C is convenient and charges with the power adapters you already have.
- Daily use: A vacuum gripper with a removable battery and a second battery avoids charging breaks.
- Existing battery platform: A unit for power tool batteries uses batteries and chargers that are already on site.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a cordless gripster last on one charge?
That depends on the battery, the surface and the number of lifts. According to the manufacturers, units with 4,000 to 4,500 mAh reach up to 10 to 12 hours, because the pump only runs when applying suction and re-pumping. On rough surfaces, with frequent re-pumping and in the cold, runtime is shorter.
Can I charge a gripster with USB-C from a power bank?
Yes, vacuum grippers with a USB-C port can be charged from a power bank, a smartphone power adapter or a USB adapter in the vehicle. That is an advantage on job sites without a power outlet. In the database, 14% of electric models charge via USB-C, most of them with a built-in battery.
Can I leave the vacuum lifter in the vehicle in winter?
In the short term, cold does not harm the battery, but it delivers less power. Never charge a cold battery straight away; wait until it has warmed up to room temperature. For the working day, it is better to keep batteries in the warm cab or indoors and insert them only shortly before use.