To rejuvenate the floor and clean it in-depth, making it brighter and extending its life, here are the best floor polishers to buy by type and price range.
A polisher is an irreplaceable appliance for those who love ultra-bright, degreased, and glossy floors where you can see yourself. In addition, the polisher is the ideal tool for cleaning different surfaces, such as wooden floors, marble, tiles, linoleum, and stone.
The polisher consists of a suction and cleaning base, a tube that acts as a filter for the debris that will suck up, and a tank to collect the dust. Depending on the brushes or cloths installed on the base, it is possible to treat different floors and perform different operations, such as polishing the floor, spreading the wax, or removing it.
The advantage of using a polisher is that it guarantees excellent results much faster than manual polishing. Also, the polisher’s job is a heavy type of cleaning that doesn’t have to be done often, but depending on the floor, it needs to be done every 3-4 months or a couple of times a year.
Orbital cloths characterize the latest generation polishers, i.e., polishing machines oscillating in all directions while the cloth rotates, allowing an extensive cleaning.
The polisher’s use is ideal for removing oil, grease, and persistent stains, resulting in a shiny floor as good as new. In some models, some accessories allow you to use the polisher to clean stains from carpets.
Table of Contents
How to choose a Floor Polisher: Types and Characteristics
To choose the best polisher for your floor, it is recommended to check several characteristics, including the structure, type, power, and accessories.
Structure
The polisher’s design affects the ease of use and the appliance’s footprint after use. Being an appliance to be used sporadically, it is important to consider the overall dimensions and ensure they can be conveniently stored in the closet.
A polisher with a fragile cap will be ideal for easily reaching areas under furniture, while a larger cap will be more suitable for cleaning large floors in no time.
A polisher with a large dirtbag guarantees several cleaning sessions before emptying or replacing.
The best polishers are equipped with an extendable and reclining rod, which allows you to grip the appliance more comfortably and reach even the most difficult corners. The telescopic rod is also very convenient because it allows you to adjust the handle’s height to the height of those using the appliance, thus avoiding assuming uncomfortable positions during cleaning.
To ensure maximum comfort during use, it is advisable to check the pad on the handles, which is ideal for longer cleaning.
Hood or Canopy
The best hoods are steel, which is resistant over time but makes the polisher heavier. Carbon is a lighter but more expensive alternative, which is also suitable for accidental impacts.
Many mid-range hoods feature a rubber-coated hood to avoid accidentally damaging the furniture while cleaning. The rubber bumper’s presence protects the furniture from bumps and is recommended in medium-small-sized rooms with many furnishings.
Brushes, clothes, and pads
Under the hood of the polisher, it is possible to find different brushes or cloths: the number and arrangement influence the type of cleaning and the supported functions.
To choose the best floor polisher for your home, it is important to check the type of brushes, clothes, and pads supplied.
For wooden floors, using a microfiber cloth is recommended; for concrete floors, it is good to use a hard cloth to smooth, while for stone floors, it is recommended to use stiff brushes. Some polishers can also clean carpets if soft brushes are present.
Specifically, felt discs are recommended for cleaning parquet and hard floors. In addition, we recommend using soft cotton terry pads to treat the floor with oil or other impregnating agents.
We recommend using soft coarse-grained wool sponge pads or felt discs for cleaning marble floors and other hard and dull surfaces. Acrylic wool pads are recommended to clean terracotta floors or other hard but delicate surfaces.
The clothes can have different sizes for domestic polishers. The measures are about 30 cm, but models are designed for large surfaces equipped with 16 inches of clothes.
Dirtbag
The bag is the element in polishers with a vacuum cleaner function; the dust and dirt are collected in this container.
Polishing machines are mainly divided into those with reusable bags and those with disposable bags.
Many reusable bags are made of cotton and easily washed after use. In addition, professional polishers can have an indicator that warns you when the bag is full, a very convenient feature, especially when cleaning large surfaces or different rooms.
The bags of polishers usually have a capacity between 3 and 4 liters. When polishing machines with disposable bags, it is advisable to check the presence of spare bags and the ease of installing and removing them.
Engine
Two types of motors: single condenser polishers and double condenser polishers, usually longer lasting. The closed motor prevents dust from coming into contact with this part of the appliance, and a thermal protector should not be missing to prevent overheating and thus guarantee a long life for the polisher.
Commercial use products have a powerful engine, over 2CV, ideal for heavy and prolonged work in large public and private areas. The domestic polisher models have an engine with power between 1 and 2CV, with ideal power at home.
Power
The electric power affects the suction capacity and the polisher’s effectiveness; the medium-high range models have 600 and 800 Watts power. Therefore, it is advisable to check the special energy-saving mode to optimize the cleaning work to reduce energy consumption.
Depending on the supported functions, the polisher must provide the necessary power for polishing, sanding, and scrubbing.
Some polishers position the buttons to select the desired power on the rod, but some models are equipped with pedal control, which allows you to change the power according to the dirt you want to clean.
Speed
The best floor polishers have a speed of over 1,500 rotations per minute, which makes them suitable for any floor.
Noisiness
Given the duration of cleaning with the polisher, an essential feature is the noisiness of the appliance, which in the long run, could disturb not only the neighbors or other inhabitants of the house but also those using the polisher.
Companies do not always make this value public, but opting for a polisher with a noise level between 60 and 70 dB is generally advisable. If you want to check the polisher’s noise level, it is advisable to check if it is fitted with a motor with filters; in this case, the filter helps limit the number of decibels emitted.
Some polisher models may have a silent cleaning mode, suitable for a less thorough cleaning, or if you choose to vacuum, capture all the dirt and ensure you have an allergen-free area before using the polisher.
Maneuverability and Weight
The polisher needs to be pushed, just as you would a lawnmower. This means that this appliance’s weight will affect the polisher’s maneuverability, especially if you intend to clean large rooms or need to use it in rooms on different floors of the house.
The heavier the polisher, the better the cleaning results; for this reason, it is important to find a good compromise between the appliance’s weight and maneuverability.
The professional polisher models can weigh over 110 lbs, while the more compact models can reach a minimum of 9 lbs. Therefore, opting for a model weighing between 13 and 17 lbs is generally recommended.
Additional functions
The vacuum cleaner function is present in the medium-high-range models. If you are not interested in this feature, you can opt for an economic model. Still, checking the quality of the economic polishing machines’ materials is advisable to avoid buying a poorly performing or not very resistant model.
The best floor polisher models may have an LED light on the hood’s front, making it easier to clean in darker areas and spot stains, scratches, and dirt on the floor.
Supply
An electric cable usually powers polishing machines; their range of action is limited by cable length. Most polishers on the market have a cable between 23 and 50 feet long, but some professional polishers can go up to 65 feet.
Some polishers feature a more visible color, often yellow, an electrical cord that avoids tripping or accidentally passing the device over the cord.
Cordless polisher models are often hybrid floor-cleaning appliances. These polishers are more manageable and lighter but have limited autonomy, usually 20-30 minutes.
Types of polishers
It is possible to distinguish three distinct models: non-vacuum polishers, usually cheaper devices ideal for polishing surfaces with small dimensions and ideal for those who do not have delicate floors, which do not risk being damaged and do not require specific treatment, such as those of small businesses.
Going up in price, we find vacuum polishers, usually medium-high-end models, that allow not only to polish the floor but also to suck up dust and dirt, in addition to the residues produced by polishing.
Finally, the more expensive models are the super-equipped polishers, particularly versatile devices, thanks to many accessories that allow you to treat almost all floors. These high-end polishers are made of high-quality materials that ensure high performance and excellent wear resistance.
In addition to these types, mostly used in hospitals and schools. These models are designed to work on large surfaces and are usually more powerful than domestic polishers.
Tank
Some floor polisher models have a water tank that can fill with water or detergent. Then, using a special button on the rod, it is possible to spray the liquid on the polisher’s front to clean the area in front of the appliance. Choosing models with a removable tank is advisable, which is easier to clean and fill.
Accessories
It is important to consider the accessories supplied and purchased separately to ensure maximum versatility. Depending on the number and type of pads and cloths, it is possible to treat hard floors, such as stone, linoleum, laminates, and more delicate floors, such as painted or oiled parquet.
In addition to the pads, you can find specific brushes for special polishing, removing the wax, or carrying out thorough cleaning. If your polisher has a disposable bag, you may supply spare bags.
Price
When choosing the floor polisher, the price indicates an understanding of the product type. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to find a good polisher at a price below $100 and find models with a good value for money, and it is necessary to move in the price range starting from $200 upwards.
Before making the purchase, it is advisable to check the technical data sheet and the compatibility with your floor or the possibility of purchasing specific accessories.
Choose a polisher of a well-known brand. You can also be sure that a quality product corresponds to a medium-high price and find accessories and spare parts more quickly, as well as the possibility of using the customer assistance service.
Maintenance
To prolong the polisher’s health, it is important to maintain after each use, washing the brushes with soap and water to avoid dirt accumulation and allowing them to dry thoroughly before storing them with the polisher.
It is also necessary to avoid some actions that could damage the appliance, such as:
- Avoid using the polisher on wet floors.
- Avoid sucking up liquids, flammable liquids, and incandescent bodies, such as cigarette butts that are still lit.
- Avoid pulling the plug when disconnecting the appliance from the socket.
- Avoid putting your face in front of the suction hole when the appliance operates.
It is also always good to monitor the cable’s position to avoid passing the cap over the wire during use.
The Best Floor Polishers
The best floor polishers are produced by Hoover, specializing in mid-range models, and Vorwerk has several high-end models in their catalog. And Karcher, with products, specializes in cleaning all surfaces.
Here is the ranking of the best models of floor polishers selected for technical characteristics and prices.
- MULTI-PURPOSE CLEANING: Commercial grade cleaner and effective on all types of flooring...
- EASY TO MANEUVER: Brush head rotates in a random orbital pattern to glide over the floor...
- DEEP CLEAN CARPETS: Dry cleans carpets so it won't leave a soapy or sticky residue that...
- VERSATILE - 3 IN 1 USES - floor cleaning, scrubbing and polishing with 5 types of...
- POWERFUL ROTATION - Contra-rotating discs spin at 2,200 rpm; 120 Voltage
- ADAPTABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT- Suitable for all hard floors, including laminate, wood, vinyl,...
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports the BISSELL Pet Foundation and its...
- Powerful Spinning Mop Pads. Restore your floor's natural shine with rotating mop pads that...
- Safe On Sealed Hard Floors. Powers through tough, sticky messes on wood, tile, linoleum,...
- 3 IN 1 USES - floor cleaning, scrubbing and polishing
- POWERFUL ROTATION - Contra-rotating discs spin at 2,200 rpm
- ADAPTABLE - Suitable for all hard floors, including laminate, wood, vinyl, marble,...
- SCRUBBING AND SANITIZING*: Tough on stains and gentle on floors. *To sanitize floors, be...
- 3 STEAM MODES: Light, for quick cleanups; Normal, for everyday use; and Deep, for stuck-on...
- HEADLIGHTS: Powerful LED headlights reveal hidden debris around your home.
- Are you tired of trying to clean your home or business with those lightweight floor...
- Designed in the USA by Prolux to solve this! We designed it on purpose for the toughest...
- Unlike other floor cleaners the Prolux Core is designed to scrub and buff in both...
- Brush Speed (Rpm): 2200 Rpm
- Protective Bumper
- Adjustable Handle
- Powerful Dual Motors: Our floor cleaner's dual motors spin at 280 r/min, quickly removing...
- Detachable Long-Lasting Battery: The VMAI cordless electric mop has a detachable 2550mAh...
- Hands-Free & Lightweight: Weighing less than 3 pounds, our electric floor mop is easy to...
- Are you tired of trying to clean your home or business with those lightweight floor...
- Designed in the USA by Prolux to solve this! We designed it on purpose for the toughest...
- Unlike other floor cleaners the Prolux Core is designed to scrub and buff in both...
- Versatile Floor Cleaner: The Koblenz Carpet and Hardwood Floor Cleaner is a...
- Powerful Motor: Equipped with a heavy-duty 4.2-amp, all-metal motor running at 1100 RPM...
- Spacious Tank Capacity: The rug cleaner boasts a 120-oz. tank, allowing for extended...
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