DeWalt 20-Volt Max Cordless GRABO Lifter

Why I reached for a powered vacuum lifter

After years of juggling manual pump cups for glass, stone, and tile, I wanted something that could both keep a grip without my constant attention and give me clear feedback about what’s happening at the pad. The DeWalt vacuum lifter checked those boxes. It’s a compact, 4.8‑pound, battery-powered lifter with a brushless motor, a digital pressure gauge, and a built-in pressure sensor that automatically maintains suction. In practice, that combination has made certain lifts safer, faster, and less fatiguing for me and my crew.

Build and ergonomics

The unit feels solid without being bulky. At roughly 6.38 in tall, 8.31 in wide, and 13.31 in long, it fits easily on a cart shelf or in a tote. The handle is shaped well for one-handed placement and alignment, and the weight stays close to the workpiece so you’re not fighting leverage. Four metal hooks around the body accept lifting straps—a practical touch for team lifts or when I want a secondary support line.

The foam-rubber seal and the sealing face are surrounded by a guard that does a decent job of keeping the pad from getting nicked when it’s set down. DeWalt includes a seal guard, sunshade, three dust filter replacements, and an extra foam seal in the box. The disposable filters are small but important; any vacuum lifter hates dust, and switching filters is easy with a Phillips screwdriver.

I wish it shipped in a hard case. The pad is the heart of the tool, and while the included guard helps, a fitted case would make transport and storage less nerve-wracking on busy job sites.

Controls, feedback, and safety

Two things change the workflow compared to manual cups:

• A digital pressure readout with LED indicators and an audio alarm.
• An onboard pressure sensor that cycles the pump to maintain vacuum.

The LED display is clear indoors and acceptable outside; in bright sun the included sunshade helps. I like seeing an actual pressure value rather than guessing off a mechanical gauge. The audio alarm is loud enough to cut through job-site noise if the vacuum drops into a critical zone or if the battery is on its last legs.

The double-action release is exactly what I want—intentional and controlled. You can’t “oops” the release with a stray finger, and the pad breaks away smoothly, which matters on finished surfaces.

Performance across materials

On non-porous surfaces, this lifter is excellent. It bites quickly, the pump cycles infrequently, and the readout stays steady.

• Glass and mirror: Rock-solid. Horizontal moves are effortless, and the sensor barely has to work.
• Porcelain tile and polished stone: Very reliable. Even large-format tile moves are more about body mechanics than grip confidence.
• Sealed countertops and metal: Consistent performance with minimal pump cycling.

Semi-porous is where the tool earns its keep but also shows its limits. The pump will cycle more often to chase microleaks, and working load should be de-rated mentally even if you’re under the stated maximums.

• Natural stone with honed or tumbled finishes: Generally workable if clean, but more frequent pump cycles. I’ve had good results on travertine pavers that aren’t excessively open.
• Concrete and masonry: Smooth, sealed, or densified surfaces grip well. Rough or highly porous pavers are hit-or-miss; if you can see open texture, plan for reduced performance.
• Wood and drywall: Smooth plywood and primed drywall are fine; raw, open-grain lumber is less predictable.

The rule of thumb: the more porous or textured the surface, the more the tool becomes a positioning aid rather than a primary lifter. I always do a test pull and watch the gauge for stability before committing to a move.

Real-world capacity and use

The published maximums—up to 265 lb horizontal and up to 132 lb vertical—are generous for a single pad. In the real world, your effective capacity depends heavily on surface quality, cleanliness, and how you rig the load. I treat the single unit as a strong, fast-positioning hand for:

• Large-format tile and stone slabs where precision alignment matters.
• Pulling set pavers or coping stones for rework.
• Lifting glass or metal panels into tracks or frames.
• Handling drywall and sheet goods solo without crushing edges.

For heavier or awkward pieces, I use the strap hooks to add a redundant sling or to team-lift with a second lifter. Center of gravity still matters; if a piece wants to roll, no vacuum is going to change physics.

Battery life and the DeWalt ecosystem

This tool rides the 20V MAX system, but neither battery nor charger is included. If you’re already invested in DeWalt batteries, it’s plug-and-play. I’ve used both compact and 5.0Ah packs. On dense, non-porous work, a 5.0Ah battery has given me several hours of intermittent use with the pump idling most of the time. On leaky, semi-porous surfaces, the pump cycles more frequently and runtime shortens accordingly. The low-battery audio alert is genuinely useful; I keep a spare pack within reach to avoid surprises mid-lift.

Noise-wise, the pump is noticeable but not obnoxious. In a quiet shop you’ll hear it kick on; on site it fades into the background.

Maintenance and durability

Vacuum lifters are only as good as their seals and filtration. The included replacement foam seal and dust filters make it easy to keep the tool in peak condition.

What’s working well:
- Filter changes are quick, and replacements are small enough to keep in a pouch.
- The foam seal seats evenly and has held up well on smooth materials.

What to watch:
- Abrasive surfaces will chew up seals faster. If your day involves rough pavers or saw-cut concrete, expect more frequent seal replacements.
- Keep the pad face and work surfaces clean and dry. Even a dusting of grout powder can undermine performance.

The 3-year limited warranty is reassuring, though vacuum seals are consumables and should be treated as such.

Usability tips from the field

• Clean, dry, and test. Wipe the surface, apply the pad, watch the gauge for 10–15 seconds. If the pressure holds steady and the pump stays mostly idle, you’re good.
• De-rate on porous material. If a surface breathes, assume lower working capacity and use straps for redundancy.
• Mind the edges. Don’t overlap the pad across sharp bevels or seams; you’ll create leak paths.
• Keep batteries warm. Cold packs struggle; stash a spare in an inside pocket in winter.
• Don’t chase microleaks with moisture. Water can trap dust and create a false sense of security; cleanliness is more effective than dampening.

What could be better

• Storage and protection: A fitted hard case would protect the pad and simplify transport.
• Sunlight visibility: The sunshade helps, but the LED display can still wash out at certain angles on bright days.
• Strap hooks: They’re strong and useful, though a slightly wider stand-off would make clipping carabiners faster with gloves.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re quality-of-life tweaks that would refine an already capable tool.

Where it fits in the kit

Compared to manual pump cups, this lifter earns its keep by maintaining vacuum for you and communicating clearly about grip status. That reduces the mental overhead during delicate placements and limits the “pump, pump, pump” routine on long moves. For tile setters, glaziers, countertop shops, and hardscape installers working with reasonably smooth materials, it’s a very practical upgrade. If your work skews toward rough, highly porous stone or textured pavers, you’ll still want traditional mechanical grabs and slings in the arsenal.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt vacuum lifter for tradespeople who regularly handle flat, non-porous, and moderately semi-porous materials and who are already on the 20V MAX battery platform. It’s strong for its size, the automatic pressure maintenance and digital readout add meaningful safety and usability, and the strap hooks make smart rigging easy. Be aware of its limitations on very porous or rough surfaces, budget for extra seals if you work on abrasive materials, and plan your own storage solution since no hard case is included. Used within its envelope, it’s a confidence-inspiring time saver that quickly becomes a go-to on site.