Best Power Scrubbers – Consumer Reports

Most of these tools are similar at their core, at least when it comes to performing their core functions.

“All of the power scrubbers can scrub well enough, but you see some of the bigger differences in design and attachments,” says Bernie Deitrick, the CR engineer who oversees power scrubber tests. “Options like an adjustable angle on the cleaning head, or the ability to pop off the handle to get into tight spots, can make a difference.”

Indeed, I found that to be the case. Each model applies an adequate level of pressure, but none is notably more powerful than any other. 

For that reason, Deitrick prioritizes assessing the accessories. More attachments can significantly increase the number and nature of surfaces you can clean. Our cleaning test reflects the accessory offerings for each model. 

For power, Deitrick turns each tool on high, and with a cleaning head attached (comparable with other models), he presses the spinning tool down onto a counter to see whether it would bog down. Those with the most power continue to spin even under pressure.

Next, we size up battery life by giving each power scrubber a full charge, turning it to high, and letting it run until the battery dies. In this test, even the model with the worst battery life ran for over an hour, though Deitrick says that the tools are likely to drain faster when under pressure from use. 

Last, we consider ease of use, looking for features like adjustable cleaning heads and a selection of speeds. We favor models that weighed the least, both with and without extension handles. 

For my testing, I brought all four home and used them on my bathroom’s porcelain sinks, brass faucets, and a tile shower. In my kitchen, I tried them on my cooktop and oven, along with butcher block counters. 

The verdict? These power scrubbers didn’t turn me into a cleaner, but if I were one, I’d consider them. While a power scrubber can’t deep-clean as effectively as a brush handled by someone with great upper-body strength working at full tilt, it will at least clean comparably to a brush being applied with moderate human effort—even as you exert very little.

With that in mind, a power scrubber could be really helpful for someone who has lots of areas to cover but doesn’t truly need to deep-clean. It might make the chore a little more fun, too.