Gripsters from brands from United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is represented in the database by two listings, one each from Dortech and Tile Rite. Both are round tile vacuum lifters with a 210 mm suction pad, but they stand for the two basic designs: one with a hand pump, one with a battery. The median price is €82.

Models

The Dortech hand-pump vacuum gripper with a 210 mm suction pad carries 110 kg according to the manufacturer's rating and costs €49. The Tile Rite cordless vacuum lifter has the same diameter, 130 kg load capacity and a digital display for the vacuum, and it costs €114. For a €65 premium you therefore get electric operation, a display and 20 kg more load capacity.

Prices and load capacity

Prices range from €49 to €114, with a median of €82. Load capacity is 110 and 130 kg, with a median of 120 kg. Per €100 of purchase price, that gives a median of 169 kg: the Dortech reaches 224 kg, the Tile Rite 114 kg. For comparison: brands from China reach a median of 337 kg per €100, US brands 148 kg.

Features

One model is electric, one manual. Both have a rubber seal and a round suction pad, a combination that seals well, above all on smooth tiles and panels. The two listings contain no information on USB-C, removable battery, automatic re-pump or vibration function.

A hand-pump vacuum lifter, often called a gripster in the trades, needs no battery and is ready to use immediately. The vacuum weakens during longer holds and has to be topped up with the pump, and a marking on the pump plunger usually shows when this is needed. A cordless unit with a digital display, by contrast, shows the vacuum as a numerical value. Which design suits your tasks is explained in Electric vs. manual. For an overview, see Manual vacuum grippers and Cordless vacuum lifters.

Whatever the design: keep the suction surface and seal clean, check the indicator before every lift and carry large panels with two people. Details are in Working safely with vacuum grippers.

Where the units are made

Neither listing names a country of manufacture, and neither states China. In the database, British brands belong to the group of European brands, whose 16 models have a median price of €96 and a median load capacity of 140 kg. The comparison of this group with Chinese brands is shown in China vs. Europe.