Skil 12V/20V Power Scrubber, 20V Kit

Why I reached for a dedicated scrubber

I’ve used drill-mounted brushes, corded polishers, and more elbow grease than I care to admit. None of those options are ideal around water, overhead, or on vertical siding. The Skil power scrubber promised the right mix of waterproofing, reach, and control, so I put it to work on a grime-heavy shower, a mossy section of composite decking, and mildew on vinyl siding.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, the kit includes the scrubber, a medium bristle triangular brush and a medium “long” brush, a 20V 2.0Ah battery, and a 60W charger. The quick-release brush interface is genuinely quick: align the spline, press, and click. No fiddly collets or threaded adapters. The pivoting head has firm detents and the lock-on rocker switch is immediately handy for long passes.

Build quality feels solid where it matters—rigid shaft, tight pivot, sealed front end—without being heavy. The head assembly is rated IPX7, which is overkill in a good way for bath and bucket work. The battery compartment is water-resistant rather than submersible, and the design steers splash away from the pack.

Ergonomics and control

The telescoping pole and adjustable auxiliary handle are the unsung heroes of this tool. Extended, I could reach shower ceilings and the high siding above a window header without a ladder. Retracted, it’s manageable in a tub. The auxiliary handle adjusts quickly so you can switch between pushing down (floors) and pulling back (walls).

Control is where this scrubber distinguishes itself from one-rotor solutions. The counter-rotating action noticeably tames torque reaction and “walking,” especially with the triangular head. On smooth tile, it stays planted rather than skittering away. On decking, it doesn’t pull into board gaps. If you’ve ever had a single-rotation head yank itself sideways, this feels calmer and more predictable.

At 300 rpm on low, the tool is gentle enough for soap scum, fiberglass, and painted surfaces. High at 500 rpm is a meaningful step up, cutting through algae and light oxidation without feeling like it’s burning the surface. A fully variable trigger would allow finer control, but the two-speed switch covers most bases, and the lock-on lets you focus on applying even pressure.

Brush heads and cleaning performance

• Triangular medium brush: This became my go-to for corners, grout lines, and the lip around drain assemblies. The shape lets you ride into 90-degree transitions without leaving a strip of untouched grime. Medium bristles have enough stiffness to agitate mildew but won’t mar glazed tile in my experience.

• Long medium brush: On siding and decking planks, the longer bristle face keeps more contact area. It’s also good on shower floors with pebble or textured patterns. I used it to follow board grain, letting the counter-rotation keep it straight across grooves.

Swapping heads takes seconds, so I changed shapes rather than forcing one brush into every job. After each session I rinsed bristles thoroughly; debris releases easily, and there’s no wobble or chatter on the spline mount.

On a heavily used shower, low speed with a mild bathroom cleaner cleared soap scum and mildew in one pass; I only needed high speed on a stubborn grout joint by the shampoo niche. On the composite deck, high speed with a biodegradable cleaner brought back the tread texture without gouging soft areas. Vinyl siding cleaned up fastest with low speed and a light cleaner to avoid pushing water behind the laps; the pivoting head let me keep brush face contact while standing square to the work.

Waterproofing and real-world water use

The IPX7 head is not just a spec sheet item. I repeatedly dunked the head and brush in a bucket to rinse out slurry and ran it while wet. The pivot joint and gearbox stayed smooth, and I noticed no water migration back toward the battery compartment. The battery housing sheds spray effectively; I still avoided hosing the pack directly—common sense around any cordless tool—but the design inspires confidence.

Power, batteries, and runtime

Skil’s dual-voltage compatibility is a smart touch. The scrubber accepts both 12V and 20V packs, but with the 20V 2.0Ah included battery the tool feels properly powered. Torque doesn’t sag under moderate downforce, and the counter-rotation keeps turning even when you lean on it a bit.

Runtime depends heavily on speed and pressure. The included 2.0Ah battery comfortably handled a bathroom deep clean at mostly low speed. Bigger jobs—deck bays or long runs of siding—benefit from a higher-capacity pack. If you’re in Skil’s 20V system already, a 4.0Ah or 6.0Ah battery reduces the likelihood of a mid-task swap. The 60W charger tops the 2.0Ah quickly enough to resume work after a short break.

What it’s like to live with

• Noise and vibration: Quieter than a drill with a brush and less buzzy. The counter-rotating action reduces felt vibration at the handle.
• Weight and fatigue: The head is about 4.2 lb. With a 20V pack, the balance is forward but not unwieldy. After extended overhead use your shoulders will feel it, but the auxiliary handle and lock-on switch help you maintain a neutral wrist and steady pressure.
• Storage and cleanup: Brushes rinse clean and dry without matting. The long brush benefits from a quick comb with gloved fingers to eject hair and fibers.

Accessory ecosystem and limitations

Brush swaps are easy, but the ecosystem is still maturing. The included medium brushes cover a lot of ground; however, I wanted a softer option for delicate surfaces and a heavier-duty profile for oxidized metal and rough concrete. Availability of specialized shapes varies, and not every “wish list” head exists yet. If you need a very specific profile—inline or ultra-stiff—check before you buy.

The two-speed switch is simple and reliable, but a variable trigger would provide more nuance on slippery surfaces. Also note that while the head is submersible, the battery compartment is not; treat it as water-resistant, not waterproof.

How it compares to alternatives

Compared with drill-mounted brushes, this tool wins on control, reach, and safety around water. Compared with corded polishers or consumer-grade scrubbers, it feels purpose-built: the pivoting, submersible head and telescoping pole are tailored to real-world cleaning, not repurposed from sanding or buffing tools. You pay a bit more than a basic scrubber, and you’re buying into a brush interface that’s not as ubiquitous as threaded drill brushes, but the payoff is control and durability.

Who will appreciate it

• Homeowners tackling showers, tubs, and tile who want faster results with less strain.
• RV and boat owners who need a submersible head and long reach without dragging cords.
• Anyone with composite decking, stone pavers, or vinyl siding that needs periodic scrubbing.

If your tasks are tiny spot cleans or you already own a stable of drill brushes and don’t mind the torque fight, this may be more tool than you need.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil power scrubber. It combines practical design choices—IPX7 head, telescoping pole, lock-on control, and counter-rotating action—that translate directly into safer, faster cleaning with less fatigue. The included 20V battery is adequate for typical household jobs, and the option to step up to larger packs makes it viable for bigger areas. The main caveats are the limited variety of specialized brush heads and the simple two-speed control. If those aren’t deal breakers for your use, this is a well-executed, purpose-built scrubber that earns a place in a cleaning kit.