Gripsters from brands from Italy

Italian brands are represented in the database by four gripsters from Montolit and Battipav. The field is small but stands out in one respect: three of the four listings name Italy as the country of manufacture. No other origin has such a high share of manufacturing in the brand's home country.

Brands and models

Montolit accounts for three of the four models. The hand-pump vacuum lifter with a 20 cm suction pad and vacuum gauge costs €81, and the Geco tile gripster with 220 mm and 125 kg load capacity costs €195. The most expensive model is the GECONE, an oval cordless tile vacuum gripper with removable battery for €278. Battipav is represented by the Solleva electric vacuum lifter (Art. 11901) for €52, the cheapest unit of Italian origin.

Prices and load capacity

Prices range from €52 to €278, with a median of €138 and an average of €152. That makes Italian brands the second most expensive origin after Israel. Only the Montolit Geco states a load capacity, at 125 kg. That works out to 64 kg per €100 of purchase price, the lowest figure of all countries of origin. For comparison: brands from China reach a median of 337 kg per €100.

Features

Half of the models are electric, while the other half work without a battery. Of the two electric units, one has a removable battery and the other a built-in battery. None of the listings states USB-C, a digital display, an automatic re-pump or a vibration function. On the hand-pump model, a vacuum gauge displays the vacuum, so you can see before lifting whether the suction pad is holding securely.

All four models have a rubber seal, three have a round suction pad and one an oval one. If you are looking for a manual gripster, Italian brands therefore offer a wider choice than Chinese ones, where only 6% of models work without a battery. The pros and cons of both drive types are explained in Electric vs. manual, and suitable models are shown in Round vacuum lifters.

Where the units are made

Three of the four listings state Italy as the country of manufacture, and the fourth gives no information. None names China. Italy is therefore the only origin in the database where the majority of units are made in the brand's home country. How this plays out in comparison is shown in China vs. Italy, Germany vs. Italy and Italy vs. Spain.