Origin comparison
Vacuum lifters from USA vs. Germany
Brands from USA (10 models) vs. brands from Germany (5 models): prices, capacity and features.
The data at a glance
| USA | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of models | 10 | 5 |
| Price (median) | €122 | €90 |
| Price range | €31 to €258 | €59 to €179 |
| Capacity (median) | 120 kg | 300 kg |
| Highest load capacity | 150 kg | 300 kg |
| Capacity per €100 (median) | 148 kg | 273 kg |
| Share with USB-C | 33% | 0% |
| Share with removable battery | 33% | 0% |
| Share with digital display | 30% | 40% |
| Share with automatic re-pump | 50% | 40% |
| Share with rubber seal | 90% | 100% |
Price distribution
Range, middle half and median per lifter
Price and capacity
USAGermany
Ten gripsters from US brands face five models from the German brands Schwerkraft and Werkmax. The German units are cheaper by median and carry far more, while the US side offers greater variety in drive and charging technology.
Prices
US brands cost a median of €122, German brands €90. The averages are €133 versus €100. The range runs from €31 to €258 among US brands and from €59 to €179 among German ones. The cheapest unit on either side is a US model: the electric vacuum gripper from Master Depot for €31.
Load capacity and features
On load capacity, the German brands are clearly ahead: 300 kg by median versus 120 kg, and the maximum is 300 versus 150 kg. Per €100 of purchase price, the figures are 273 kg for Germany and 148 kg for the USA.
All German models are electric, compared with 60% among US brands, where the rest work with a hand pump. The US side shows more variety in charging technology: a third of its electric units charge via USB-C, another third have a removable battery and 17% a built-in battery. German listings state neither USB-C nor a removable battery, and 40% have a built-in battery. An automatic re-pump is found on 50% of US and 40% of German electric units. For the display, German brands use LEDs on 60% and digital displays on 40% of models, US brands digital displays on 30%. Round suction pads account for 80% versus 40%.
Manufacturing
Four of the ten US listings name the USA as the country of manufacture, and three name China. The German listings contain no information on the country of manufacture.
Verdict
If you want plenty of load capacity for your money, you are better served by the German brands. US brands, in return, offer hand-pump models, USB-C and removable batteries, and in part manufacturing in the USA. Whether a gripster with or without a battery suits you better is covered in Electric vs. manual. More on both sides: USA and Germany.
Models from brands from USA
Models from brands from Germany
Werkmax
Werkmax Plattini Digital battery vacuum lifter with re-suction, 120 kg
120 kgRoundBuilt-in battery
€59