Battery vs. Electric Floor Scrubbers: Which Is Best For Your Space?

Quick Summary:

This guide breaks down the pros and cons and best-use cases of battery vs. electric floor scrubbers so you can select the best scrubber for your space.

Find the Most Efficient Floor Scrubber for Your Facility

Battery vs. Electric Floor Scrubbers: At a Glance

Choosing between a battery-powered and corded electric floor scrubber depends on a range of factors like your facility layout, cleaning schedule, and productivity goals. Compared to manual mops, both options provide a better, higher-quality clean. But the right power source can impact your run time, improving your cleaning efficiency and positively impacting your ROI. 

Take a look at some of the key difference between battery vs. electric floor scrubbers to get an idea of which might deliver the most benefits for your business:

Quick Comparison Chart

Battery-Powered Floor Scrubbers: Pros, Cons, and Best-Use Cases

Battery-powered floor scrubbers are highly mobile. They don’t require the access to an electrical outlet, nor are they limited by the length of a cord. This offers great flexibility in larger facilities with open layouts where outlets might not be accessible. 

In applications that require speed and efficiency, battery-powered scrubbers can enhance productivity. Unlike electric models, battery floor scrubbers can clean thousands of square feet without needing to relocate power cords. Fewer interruptions means less downtime and potential time-savings during cleaning sessions. 

There are some potential downsides, however, to consider. Over time, batteries start to lose some of their power, which can lead to decreases in performance or runtime. Most lead-acid batteries need to be replaced every 3 - 4 years, and lithium batteries every 5 - 10. Replacing these batteries is an added cost that will impact your TCO. 

Pros:

• Cordless: no dragging cords or outlet hunting
• Higher floor coverage per hour: less downtime means greater efficiency
• Better mobility: translates to faster job completion
• Cleaner appearance: no exposed power source
  

Cons:

• Requires charging downtime: some batteries need 6 - 8 hours or charging to last a full cleaning cycle
• Higher upfront purchase cost: to cover the cost of the battery
• Battery replacement costs: most need to be replaced after 3 - 4 years
• Slightly heavier: the battery adds some extra weight

Most Common Industries:

With their very few mobility restrictions, battery-powered scrubbing machines dominate medium-to-large facilities (10,000+ sq ft) that need to clean more square feet, faster. They most common in high-volume cleaning applications like:

• Warehousing
• Airports
• Hospitals  & Large Healthcare Facilities
• Industrial Facilities
• Big Box Retail Stores
• Colleges/Universities
• Convention Centers & Stadiums

Electric Floor Scrubbers: Pros, Cons, and Best-Use Cases

The greatest benefit of electric floor scrubbers is their ability to operate without a charge. As long as it’s plugged into a power source, electric corded machines can operate continuously without the ticking clock running out of battery. If you work somewhere that requires intensive, lengthy cleaning, a corded scrubbing machine can deliver the continuous power you need. 

Since they don’t have batteries, you don’t have to worry about the risk of power degradation over time. Corded machines maintain their cleaning efficiency throughout their entire lifespan.

The greatest drawback? Their mobility. Even though most cords reach up to 50 ft, corded electric machines require operators to plug and unplug to reach certain areas within the floor plan. Not only can this impact your cleaning flow, but it poses a safety concern in high-traffic areas where multiple people might be walking. 

Pros:

• Unlimited runtime: plug in and clean all day
• Lower upfront purchase cost: up to 20 - 40% less than battery models
• Lighter and easier to maintain: no risk of battery degradation or expensive battery replacements 
• No battery charging delays: just requires access to an outlet
  

Cons:

• Limited reach: based on the length of the cord (typically 50 ft cord)
• Trip risks: from the dragging or tangled cords
• Harder to maneuver around obstacles: higher chance of the cord getting tangled around areas with lots of furniture.

Most Common Industries:

Corded models work best in smaller spaces, up to 5,000 sq ft, with narrow hallways/aisles or high foot traffic, or high maneuverability is needed. They shine in applications requiring light, daily cleaning such as:

• Retail Stores 
• Small Healthcare Clinics
• Small Offices/Commercial Rooms
• Schools/Daycare Facilities
• Hotels
• Gas Stations

Battery vs. Electric Scrubbers Cost Comparison

In general, corded electric floor scrubbers cost less than battery-powered machines upfront and in yearly maintenance requirements. However, they’re often smaller, which means they cover smaller cleaning paths. 

Some buyers argue that despite the higher costs, battery scrubbers offset the costs with their time and labor savings – especially in facilities with larger square footage. 

This cost comparison chart breaks all of the direct and indirect costs associated with owning a battery vs. electric scrubber so you know what to expect:

Which Is More Efficient?

Now that you’ve compared some of the pros, cons, and costs, it’s up to you to make your decision. For total cleaning productivity, battery models typically win, especially in facilities with open layouts, multiple rooms, or time-based cleaning targets. 

If you’re only cleaning small breakrooms, bathrooms, or entryways, electric scrubbers are more affordable and can deliver the cleaning efficiency you need.  

Scrubbershop Can Match You With the Right Power Option

By submitting a simple quote, ScrubberShop allows you to compare pricing on battery vs. electric models from the top floor scrubber brands. And you can do it for free. Submit your request and receive quotes from dealers within minutes. 

Battery vs. Electric Floor Scrubbers FAQs