Buying a gripster: the 7 criteria that matter

1. Rated load before anything else

The rated load states how much weight a lifter may safely hold. Choose at least double the slab weight, and more headroom still for overhead work.

A unit rated at 200 kg lifts an 80 kg slab comfortably. With no headroom you work at the limit and risk losing the vacuum at the first small movement.

2. Cup size to match the slab

The suction pad must sit fully on the slab. On narrow strips or plinth covers a small cup often beats a large one that overhangs.

Round pads of 200 to 210 mm fit most tiles. For niches and stairs reach for a mini or narrow unit.

3. Display and pads

A vacuum display is the single most important safety feature. It shows at once whether the vacuum stays stable.

Check the pads too: soft rubber grips polished surfaces, harder rubber grips rougher ones. Make sure spare pads are available.

4. Drive, battery and price

Electric lifters hold the vacuum without hand force and clearly win for frequent use. Manual lifters are lighter and need no battery.

Set the price last. A cheap unit without a display can cost more in daily use than a pricier one with reliable pressure control.