By Savannah Sher | Updated May 26, 2022 3:29 PM

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Cleaning the bathroom may be one of the most universally dreaded household chores, but the right tools can make the task more bearable. A power scrubber is a useful addition to your household cleaning arsenal, because it allows you to eliminate tough stains without using too much elbow grease. The best models are not only powerful but also come with attachments to clean bathtubs, sinks, showers, toilets, and floors.

While power scrubbers are usually marketed for cleaning bathrooms, they’re also useful in kitchens as well as other spots throughout the house. Keep reading to learn more about choosing the best power scrubber for all your cleaning tasks.

Keep in mind a number of key considerations when shopping for the best bathroom power scrubber, including the brush attachments, brush hardness, power source, runtime, rotating speed, and waterproofing, among others.

Electric spin scrubbers are either corded or cordless. Cordless power scrubbers allow the user to clean bathrooms or other areas that don’t have a nearby electrical outlet. In the past, corded power scrubbers were more common, but most products on today’s market are cordless and come with a rechargeable battery.

However, cordless scrubbers might need to be recharged before the job is complete. Corded scrubbers typically feature long electrical cords, so they can reach an outlet in another room if necessary. Instead of rechargeable batteries, some smaller scrubbers use standard alkaline batteries.

Power scrubbers also are sold as attachments for power drills, making a power source unnecessary. Users who already own a good corded or cordless drill can take advantage of spinning power with drill brush power scrubber kits.

Most power scrubbers come with brush attachments made of materials of varying stiffness, each of which has its own application.

The best power scrubbers come with a varied selection of attachments and replaceable brush heads. While large brush heads can clean large flat surfaces like floors, windows, and bathtubs, smaller heads are necessary for cleaning grout and detail work.

A long battery life ensures the power scrubber won’t quit halfway through the cleaning process. Look for a model that runs for at least an hour on a single charge. Some models are built with especially powerful batteries that hold a charge for as long as 3 hours before needing a recharge.

Power scrubbers’ rotating speed is measured in rotations per minute (RPM). As a general rule, look for a scrubber that runs at a minimum of 300 RPM to ensure it’s powerful enough to handle most household tasks. However, note that rotating speed isn’t the only measurement of a scrubber’s effectiveness; also consider the motor’s power and the shape and material of the brushes.

Since a power scrubber is often used in damp environments, water resistance is a key consideration. Most power scrubbers aren’t completely waterproof, which means they can’t be submerged in water for long periods. They are, however, likely to be splash proof, so they can come into contact with water.

Some products may be rated with an IP (ingress protection) rating. A rating of IPX7 means that the device can be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. A rating of IPX4, IPX5, IPX6, or lower is a product that’s both splash proof and water resistant.

Along with the specs detailed above, some power scrubbers come with useful additional features.

Now that you are armed with this information, it’s time to start shopping. The following list includes a variety of choices for a top-notch power scrubber to suit most needs and budgets.

Repurposing one of the power tools already in most homes is an ingenious alternative to buying a power scrubber. With the right set of attachments, a standard drill also can work as a bathroom scrubber. This Drill Brush Power Scrubber kit comes with three attachments: a rounded brush with nylon bristles, a 4-inch flat nylon brush, and a 2-inch brush with medium-length nylon bristles.

The set comes in several varieties, each intended for a specific purpose. The yellow package is recommended for bathrooms, because the nylon brushes are compatible with all bathroom surfaces. Get the Drill Brush cleaning accessories at Amazon or Walmart.

This set from Holikme allows a standard power drill to serve as an efficient bathroom scrubber. The set contains eight attachments, including three scrubber brushes, scouring pads of varying stiffness, and a 4-inch backer. The brushes have nylon bristles, a material that’s versatile enough to work on any kind of bathroom surface. Because they work with an existing drill, the RPM varies depending on the model of the drill.

The kit is available in several varieties, each of which has attachments with different textures. Get the Holikme cleaning accessories at Amazon or Walmart.

The adjustable handle on the Homitt Electric Spin Scrubber extends from 22 to 44 inches, so users can shorten it for cleaning sinks and counters or extend it for washing floors and tubs without having to kneel or bend over. Three brush heads are included: an extra-wide flat brush, a round bristle head, and a corner scrubber. Its maximum spinning power is 350 RPM.

After charging for 3.5 hours, the scrubber can run for 60 minutes or longer. Depending on the brush, it weighs only 2.2 pounds, making it comfortable to use. Get the Homitt power scrubber at Walmart.

A handheld power scrubber, like this BLACK+DECKER Power Scrubber Brush, works in many areas of the home. This model is waterproof and fully submersible, so it’s a great choice for removing tough stains from dishes without requiring much elbow grease. A scraper edge on the handle is ideal for removing particularly stuck-on messes.

With just one speed, it’s easy to use. It features an ergonomic design with a slip-free molded handle. The scrubber runs on AA batteries. Instead of brushes, this model comes with two scrubbing pads, which may need to be replaced more frequently than nylon-bristled brushes. Get the BLACK+DECKER power scrubber at Amazon or Walmart.

A drill bit power scrubber attachment set helps save money and allow users to take advantage of a tool they may already own. This 20-piece kit from Holikme features everything needed to set up a DIY power scrubber on an existing drill.

The kit includes six brushes (one round, three flat, and two corner brushes), as well as scouring pads and scrubber sponges. The red and gray scouring pads have a softer texture, while the green pads are for scrubbing the toughest stains. Since the kit is so comprehensive, it allows users to clean practically any surface in their homes, from bathroom tiles to pots and pans. Get the Holikme drill brush attachments at Amazon or Walmart.

With a maximum working time of 3 hours in no-load conditions, the battery in the Tilswall Electric Spin Scrubber allows users to clean multiple rooms on a single 1-hour charge. Use it for 15 minutes on a 5-minute charge for quick cleanup of spills.

The tool comes with four brush heads: a round brush, an extra-wide flat brush, a small flat brush, and a pointed corner brush. All the brushes have long bristles that resist shedding and won’t scratch surfaces. The handle extends from 26 inches to 41 inches to clean hard-to-reach places. Get the Tilswall power scrubber on Amazon.

A full-size model isn’t necessary for grout and detail work, and the Rubbermaid Reveal power scrubber is about the size of an electric toothbrush. Use it to clean grout or the crevices around faucets. It comes with one multipurpose brush head, but a cone-shaped brush head and a larger round brush are available as additional attachments. Safe to use on any surface, this detail scrubber can be used outside or in the bathroom.

Control the scrubber via one of the two power settings on its ergonomic handle. Powered by four included AA batteries, the oscillating head scrubs 60 times per second. Get the Rubbermaid power scrubber on Amazon.

Make every surface of the bathroom sparkle with the RevoClean drill attachment set. It includes four brush heads of varying textures that clean grout lines, corners, tiles, tubs, showers, countertops, and more. The round, flat, and dual-sided scrubber brushes tackle heavy scrubbing, while the sponge brush is best for gentle cleaning.

The brush bristles are medium firm, so they are versatile enough to use all around the house. One downside of this model is that since it attaches to a drill, it doesn’t have an extender, so it’s not ideal for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. For most areas, however, simply grab the drill and attach the brush of your choice. Get the RevoClean power scrubber kit on Amazon.

After reviewing this guide, you now know more about shopping for an electric scrubber for your home. We recommend the Drill Brush power scrubber attachment as our top alternative to a traditional scrubber because it’s both affordable and effective. Those on a budget may appreciate the Holikme drill brush attachment set, which offers great performance at a lower price point. For a full power scrubber unit, consider upgrading to the Homitt power scrubber.

Years of experience covering home care and cleaning products as well as extensive product research went into creating this guide. We explored more than 25 options for electric spin scrubbers and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations.

We opted to include several options for drill attachment kits, since they’re more affordable than stand-alone power scrubbers and take advantage of a tool already in most households. When evaluating stand-alone scrubbers, we largely opted for cordless models even though they need to be recharged periodically, because they’re easier to use. We prioritized kits that included multiple brush-head options to suit the widest variety of cleaning tasks.

If you still have questions about power scrubbers and using one, answers to some frequently asked questions and their answers follow.

The instructions for each power scrubber vary depending on the model, but generally, cordless models must only be charged before using them as a standard bathroom or cleaner.

Brushes must be replaced based on their material and how often they’re used. Since they’re made of synthetic materials, most attachment brushes should last for several years, though some may need to be replaced after a couple of months.

The brush attachments on a power scrubber require frequent cleaning. Some can go in the dishwasher, while others must be washed by hand. First soak the device in distilled vinegar along with a drop of dish soap.

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