Gripsters from brands from China

When it comes to vacuum lifters, often called gripsters in the trades, China is by far the most important country of origin: 472 of the 519 listings in the database come from Chinese brands or are unbranded units of Chinese manufacture. Prices range from €12 to €472, load capacity from 27 to 500 kg. No other origin offers as much choice or as much load capacity per euro.

Brands and models

The data lists 55 Chinese brands. Most models come from SEESII (15), BIHUI (9), Procci (9), VEVOR (8), Raizi (7) and SHALL (6), followed by Sundpey, XIIW, JUYLTOOL and many small suppliers with one to three listings. Three quarters of the vacuum grippers of Chinese origin, however, are sold with no brand name at all. What that means for price and features is shown in the comparison Branded vs. unbranded.

Prices and load capacity

The median price is €66, the average €84. At the bottom end is a twin pack of hand-pump vacuum lifters with 220 kg load capacity for €12, while the strongest model is a YEARTOP 3-in-1 gripster with vibration function and 500 kg for €249. Median load capacity is 200 kg. For every €100 of purchase price you get a median of 337 kg of load capacity, more than with any other origin. The strongest offers relative to price are listed in Most load capacity per euro.

Features

Of all models, 94% are electric, a total of 442 units. Of these, 42% have a removable battery, 31% a built-in battery, and 14% charge via USB-C. The median battery capacity is 3,000 mAh. Two thirds of all models show the vacuum on a digital display, 9% via LEDs. An automatic re-pump is fitted to 27% of the electric units, and a vibration function for bedding in tiles to 4% of all models.

Rubber dominates the seals at 85%, with foam at 13%. Oval suction plates (51%) are more common than round ones (38%), and 11% are narrow. Likewise, 11% are sold as a twin pack or set. With budget units in particular, it pays to check the vacuum indicator before every lift and to place the suction pad only on clean, smooth surfaces.

Where the units are made

471 of the 472 listings state China as the country of manufacture, so brand origin and country of manufacture almost always coincide here. Chinese factories also build for brands from other countries: the vacuum grippers of the Israeli brand GRABO, for example, are made in China across the board, as are some models from US brands. How Chinese brands hold up against suppliers from other countries is shown in the comparisons China vs. USA and China vs. Germany.