Working with awkward, large-format or heavy pavers? Then you’d benefit from a quality lifting device for work-safe handling and precision installation. Explore all the options for vacuum suction cups. Includes an easy-reference table for comparing lifting capacities, battery life and prices.
What are vacuum suction cups?
Vacuum suction cups are utilised by landscaping and paving contractors for effortless handling of heavy, large-format or awkward paving slabs and building materials.
The pump within a vacuum suction cup works by creating a pressure difference between the suction pump itself and the outside atmosphere.
It is this pressure difference that allows the suction cup to stick securely to almost any surface. Indeed, the suction is so strong that heavy objects – even up to 170 kg in weight – can be easily lifted and manoeuvred into place.
What are the benefits of vacuum suction cups?
Although sometimes referred to as ‘vacuum lifters’, these incredible devices are not simply for lifting materials. In fact, they are also immensely useful for installing paving slabs with precision.
Here’s a quick rundown of the main benefits of adding one of these popular devices to your paving toolkit.
Vacuum suction cups are ideal for:
- Lifting heavy and awkward objects with ease, in particular large-format pavers
- Placing pavers with precision – without grazing fingers between joints
- Easily removing laid pavers without damaging them
- Clean handling of pavers after painting one side with slurry primer adhesive
- Supporting efficient and safe manual handling, helping to avoid injuries and accidents
Simply put, once you use a vacuum device for lifting materials, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one.
What types of materials can vacuum cups lift?
Due to the suction required between the material and the device, most lifting devices are suitable for smooth-surfaced, non-porous materials. Examples are porcelain, ceramic or granite pavers, glass, sheet metal or hard household surfaces.
But there are some vacuum suction cups can lift lightly textured stone and concrete pavers.
And there is one high-end vacuum suction device that can even lift rough, porous materials – and even with damp surfaces.
Other important things to consider before buying...
Aside from the type of material you’re lifting, there are other important factors to consider when choosing a vacuum suction cup.
You’ll need to check that the materials you’re lifting are larger than the size of the suction cup itself.
Crucially, you’ll also need to check the device’s lifting capacity is up for the job.
The table below reviews all the lifting capacities, and other important considerations, to help you on your way to making the right choice for your projects.
Pump action vs electric lifting devices
Another key consideration when choosing a vacuum suction cup is whether you want a pump-action lifter or electric battery-operated lifter.
Obviously electric lifters make the job of lifting and handling so much easier by simply flipping a button to turn the vacuum suction on.
Pump action lifters are just as described. Most need a few manual pumps of the button to activate the vacuum suction.
Understandably, pump-action suction cups are often much cheaper than their electric counterparts.
Vacuum suction cups comparison table
Compare quality vacuum suction cup devices, lifting up to 170 kg in weight.
While most are battery-operated, more affordable options use a pump-action button.
When comparing electric vacuum cups, you can expect to pay more for models with better quality batteries. We’ve outlined the usage times and charging times so you can get a full overview of the differences.
Check the deals on dual packs
Before making your choice, be sure to take into account that some models offer great deals on dual packs.
These deals come in handy if you have two paving pros wanting to use a device at the same time, for those wanting to lift two small pavers at once, and even for one person to lift large sheets of glass or boards that would normally require two people.
For electric devices, buying two devices means you have a back-up option when the device runs out of juice. Then, work can seamlessly continue while that device recharges.
| Usage time | Charging time | Lift capacity | Minimum surface (diameter, unless otherwise specified) | Price | |
Rough, porous and wet surfaces – as well as non-porous | 1.5 hours of continuous use | 2 hours | 170 kg | 175 mm x 290 mm (approx.) | £232.00 ex. VAT (£278.40) |
Smooth, non-porous surfaces | 1 hour | 2 hours | 68 kg | 205 mm | |
Smooth, non-porous materials | 48 hours (16 hours non-stop) | 8 hours | 100 kg | 203 mm | Dual-pack deal available |
Non-porous materials, textured surfaces | N/A – pump action | N/A – pump action | 130 kg | 175 mm | £109.00 ex VAT (£131.99) |
Non-porous materials: smooth & lightly textured | A full day (two batteries provided) | Not specified | 130 kg | 210 mm | Dual-pack deal available |
Rough and smooth, non-porous & large format | N/A – pump action | N/A – pump action | 110 kg | 200 mm | £79.99 ex. VAT (£95.99) |
Smooth, non-porous surfaces | N/A – pump action | N/A – pump action | 110 kg | 200 mm | Dual-pack deal available |
Read the full review of each of these vacuum suction cups below for more details. Above prices were correct at the time of publishing this article (3 September 2024).
Best overall suction cup – for all types of jobs
The ultimate contractors’ choice
If you’re a contractor looking for the best-in-class vacuum cup, then look no further than the Grabo Plus Portable Electric Vacuum Lifter.
The Grabo is the only lifting device on the market for handling materials with rough, porous surfaces.
In fact, the vacuum suction is so strong with the Grabo Plus that it can even lift materials with damp surfaces.
Plus, this remarkable device offers the highest lifting capacity of 170 kg. The Grabo tops its nearest competitor by a whopping 40 kg.
Among the items the Grabo can lift are textured granite, concrete, external slabs, patterned steel, tiles and wood. It even lifts handle-patterned glass, check-plate steel, plasterboard and other surfaces no other device on the market can lift.
Basically, as long as the material is large enough for the suction, the Grabo Plus is up for the job!
Note: the Grabo’s extraordinary power can cause problems when using it with glass and thin materials. For those more delicate jobs, see the best suction cup for glass and thin materials below.
When it comes to the battery, the Grabo only takes an impressive 2 hours to recharge.
One small downside is that the device only lasts for 1.5 hours when used continuously. But for most users that is plenty enough lifting time over the course of a day.
Next we review the best suction cup for battery life below for those who want extended usage time.
Best electric suction cup for battery life
For smooth, non-porous pavers only
More affordable alternatives to the Grabo Plus are unable to handle rough, porous services but they can still be a valuable lifting device for non-porous materials.
The Bull-e-Grip Battery Powered Vacuum Suction Cup costs less than half of what the Grabo costs. And, as long as you’re lifting smooth, non-porous materials, the Bull-e-Grip makes a great buy with an incredible non-stop usage time of 16 hours.
Although the Bull-e-Grip requires a charge of 8 hours (recharging overnight is ideal), this electric suction cup can in fact last for 48 hours on occasional use.
The Bull-e-Grip lifts up to 100 kg in weight (70 kg less than the Grabo Plus) and is ideal for non-porous materials, including – porcelain, ceramic, granite & marble tiles and paving slabs, glass, sheet metal, plasterboard, and many hard household surfaces.
Another great bonus for those wanting to save money: a twin-pack Bull-e-Grip is also available for a reduced price. View Bull-e-Grip prices
This device comes complete with a carry case.
Read the full review of the Bull-e-Grip lifter.
'Best buy' electric suction cup
For large, non-porous pavers – smooth and lightly textured
For those wanting an electric suction cup that can be used with smooth as well as lightly textured porcelain and stone pavers, then the Tile Rite 210mm Battery Vacuum Suction Cup is for you.
Another battery-operated portable device, the Tile Rite 210mm lifts paving slabs weighing up to 130 kg, both vertically and horizontally. The handy digital gauge and manual display shows the maximum weight the device can lift in that moment.
Cheaper than the Bull-e-Grip and with 30 kg of extra lifting capacity, this hand-held device comes with two batteries for a day of uninterrupted use.
It also comes complete with a carry case and charger.
Best for glass and thin materials
While the Grabo Plus has the power to virtually grab any materials, tests have shown that thin glass – under 6mm in thickness – can break with the extra pressure this device exerts.
So the manufacturers of the Grabo introduced a solution: the Ottovac Electric Vacuum Suction Cup for non-porous materials.
While this suction cup only lifts up to 68 kg in weight, it is best suited for use with more delicate items such as glass, window panes, glass partitions and car windscreens.
The lifter also comes in handy for lifting and placing plastic, metal, painted wood, marble, tiles and paving slabs. Materials must be a minimum of 200 mm.
Best pump-action vacuum cups
If you don’t mind activating the vacuum suction yourself, manual – or pump-action – vacuum cups are more affordable choices that still offer outstanding lifting capacity.
There are two contenders for this category that both offer similar lift capabilities.
For non-porous smooth or textured surfaces
From the trusted Raimondi brand, the RV175 Vacuum Suction Cup is specially designed for handling tiles and pavers, even offering a strong grip on textured surfaces of a minimum of 17.5 cm.
Complete with a pressure gauge that allows you to constantly monitor the suction, this suction cup can be used with any non-porous materials such as marble, ceramics, granite and glass, and even textured tiles, weighing in at up to 130 kg.
You’ll be impressed with how Raimondi has taken extra care to ensure the longevity of this device.
The vacuum gauge is protected and can easily be replaced if it gets damaged. Plus the high-performance vacuum valve is resistant to corrosion.
Complete with a handy carry case with spare parts, the dust cover and rubber cover can both be easily replaced.
For non-porous rough or smooth surfaces
Slightly cheaper than the Raimondi, the Tile Rite Pump Action 200mm Vacuum Suction Cup is another affordable alternative to a battery-operated suction cup.
With a 110 kg lift capacity and a 200mm minimum surface size, this pump-action device is used to handle all non-porous materials including porcelain, ceramic, stone, glass, metal and laminated wood.
Unlike the Raimondi reviewed above, this Tile Rite equivalent is suitable for rough and smooth tiles, together with sawn and riven slabs.
The Tile Rite Pump Action 200mm features a better lift capacity than the Bull-e-Grip but in a manual lifter.
When compared with the overall most affordable suction cup (below), this device contains a deeper seal that allows for better suction that can lift rough tiles as well as smooth ones.
It also features a soft handled grip and comes with a carry case.
Most affordable pump-action suction cup
For those looking for the most affordable vacuum suction cup on the market, it has to be the Tile Rite Best Buy 200mm Vacuum Suction Cup.
Lifting up to 110 kg pavers, this pump-action suction cup is for those wanting the cheapest professional vacuum lifter for handling non-porous large-format porcelain and stone tiles.
This vacuum lifter also comes with a carry case.
Best stand-up lifters
For commercial contractors on large-scale projects
Commercial vacuum suction lifters, for large-scale landscaping and building projects, are generally hand-operated for lifting and laying large-format granite, natural stone and concrete slabs. They are essential for safe manual handling.
Lift capacity | Size of lift plate | Price | |
Probst VPH-150 | 150kg | 440mm x 250mm | Free delivery |
Probst VH-1/25 | 25kg (50kg with 2-person handle) | 280mm | Extra for 2-person handle |
Get in touch to find out more
If you’d like to discuss the options for both pump-action and electric vacuum suction cups, and all other lifting devices that are ideal for paving and building projects, drop us a line.
Call on 0330 122 1025 to see which model is ideal in functionality and price for your current and ongoing projects, send us a message or add your question to the comments below.
