Different Types of Floor Scrubbers & How They Work

August 28 2025

Quick Summary:

There are 3 main types of floor scrubbers and brush configurations – each designed for different surfaces, facility sizes, and cleaning requirements. Whether you need a scrubber for your warehouse, grocery store, or school, investing in the right machine with the proper cleaning pads is essential for improving your efficiency, cost savings, and safety. 

Need a quick answer to what the right type of floor scrubber is right for you? ScrubberShop makes finding the right machine easy.

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Why The Type of Floor Scrubber Matters

Commercial floor scrubbers aren’t one-size-fits-all. Aside from poor cleaning performance, choosing the wrong machine for your facility can lead to higher operating costs, unnecessary maintenance, and overall frustration for your staff. 

The right scrubber depends on your square footage, debris levels, surface type, layout, and frequency of cleaning. Let’s jump into the common types of floor scrubbers and how they’re best used. 

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The 3 Most Common Types of Floor Scrubbers

There are 3 main kinds of floor scrubber machines:

1. Walk-Behind Scrubbers
2. Ride-On Scrubbers
3. Auto-Scrubbers (Robotic)

1. Walk-Behind Floor Scrubbers

Walk-behind floor scrubbers are one of the most popular machines in small-to-medium sized facilities. They’re guided by an operator from behind the machine, so they’re great for spot cleaning and navigating tight spaces with narrow aisles. 

Basic Specs:

• Cleaning Width: 17–28 inches
• Tank Size: 10–30 gallons
• Price Range (New): $3,000–$10,000

Best Applications:

• Schools
• Retail Stores
• Small Warehouses
• Hospitality/Food Service

Pros & Cons:

Pros:	Cons:
Easy to use	Slower than ride-on models
Great maneuverability	Less comfortable for operators

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2. Ride-On Floor Scrubbers

Unlike walk-behind models, ride-on floor scrubbers are controlled by an operator from a seated position on the machine. They are best for medium-to-large facilities who need to clean large areas quickly. 

Basic Specs:

• Cleaning Width: 28–50+ inches
• Tank Size: 30–80 gallons
• Price Range (New): $10,000–$40,000+

Best Applications:

• Warehouses
• Airports
• Distribution centers
• Hotels

Pros & Cons:

Pros:	Cons:
Fastest cleaning speed	Larger turning radius
Reduces operator fatigue

Compare the features, benefits, and limitations of walk-behind vs. ride-on scrubbers in depth. →

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3. Robotic Floor Scrubbers (Auto-Scrubbers)

Robotic floor scrubbers are a newer type of floor scrubber that use sophisticated sensors and pre-programmed navigation systems to clean autonomously. These machines work best in areas with open floor layouts, and are usually chosen to replace overnight or multi-shift cleaning.

Basic Specs:

• Cleaning Width: 20–32 inches
• Autonomy: Up to 6 hours
• Typical Price: $25,000–$60,000+

Best Applications:

• Warehousing & Logistics
• Retail/Grocery Stores
• Healthcare Facilities
• Manufacturing Facilities

Pros & Cons:

Pros:	Cons:
Labor savings	Higher upfront costs
Consistent coverage

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Types of Floor Scrubber Brush Configurations

In addition to the types of floor scrubbers machines, there are some common brush mechanisms that are important to note. The best brush depends on the floor surface, level or debris, and type of cleaning required.

1. Cylindrical Scrubbers

Cylindrical brushes are long brush heads that rotate under the machine like rollers. They work great on uneven or textured floors because they can collect small debris that regular pads can’t.  clean uneven surfaces and sweep debris.

Common Surfaces:

• Grooved concrete
• Textured epoxy
• Tile
• Brick
• Painted concrete
• Shop floors

Best Applications:

• Warehouses
• Manufacturing
• Food/Beverage Plants

Pros & Cons:

Pros:	Cons:
Sweeps & scrubs in one pass	May miss fine dustlines without HEPA filtration
Use less water and solution

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2. Orbital (Oscillating) Scrubbers

Oscillating scrubbers use a flat, rectangular pad that vibrates in high-speed orbits instead of spinning brushes.They lightly scrub in a uniform, edge-to-edge formation, making them great for cleaning corners and walls. They’re most popular for their versatility; with the right pads, they can strip, scrub, and polish floors with a chemical-free finish. 

Common Surfaces:

• Vinyl composition tile (VCT)
• Terrazzo
• Polished concrete 
• Sealed hardwood

Best Applications:

• Retail
• Healthcare Facilities
• Hospitality

Pros & Cons:

Pros:	Cons:
Even pressure across the pad	Not ideal for uneven floors
Eco-friendly (uses less water & chemicals)

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3. Disc Scrubbers

Disc scrubbers use one or more round pads or brushes that rotate like a floor buffer. They are the most common and versatile scrubber head design because they offer the best coverage per pass and can handle daily scrubbing, polishing, and even stripping. 

Common Surfaces:

• Sealed concrete
• Epoxy coatings
• Vinyl
• Laminate
• Linoleum

Best Applications:

• Retail
• Warehouses
• Schools
• Commercial Offices

Pros & Cons:

Pros:	Cons:
Versatility on smooth surfaces	Potential clogging from debris
Superior shine & cleaning

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Matching Floor Scrubber Type to Facility Needs

Need a quick reference guide? This table shares our top recommendations for different floor scrubber types based on the type of facility you're operating in.

Facility Type	Recommended Scrubber Type
Small retail store	Walk-behind (disk)
100,000 sq ft warehouse	Ride-on (disk or cylindrical)
School or gymnasium	Walk-behind (orbital or disk)
Food processing plant	Cylindrical scrubber
Healthcare building	Orbital with HEPA filtration
Big-box retailer	Ride-on or robotic scrubber

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Get Matched With the Right Scrubber Type

ScrubberShop helps you find the best type of commercial floor scrubber for your application. Get started by filling out a form telling us about your needs and we'll send you quotes on different floor scrubbers in your area!

Try the Free Floor Scrubber Quote Tool

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FAQs: Floor Scrubber Types