DeWalt 20V MAX GRABO LIFTER Kit

First impressions and setup

The first time I set the Grabo lifter on a sheet of glass and hit the double-action button, the pump spun up, the pressure gauge climbed, and the piece locked in like it was on a clamp. Within seconds I was carrying a panel that I’d normally wrestle with two manual suction cups. That initial “oh, this works” moment pretty much sums up my experience: this is a thoughtfully built, battery-powered vacuum lifter that makes handling non-porous and some semi-porous materials safer, steadier, and less fatiguing.

Out of the kit bag you get the lifter, a 2.0 Ah 20V MAX battery, charger, a replaceable foam-rubber seal, seal guard, sunshade, and three spare dust filters. It’s ready to work in minutes—click in the battery, check that the seal is seated, and you’re off. At 6.6 lb, it’s heavier than a traditional manual cup, but the weight buys you powered suction, a pressure sensor that manages the vacuum automatically, four strap hooks for team lifts, and a digital pressure gauge on a color display.

Build quality and ergonomics

DeWalt stuck to a familiar formula here: robust housing, a comfortable handle, and a brushless motor tucked inside. The handle feels similar to a compact circular saw—enough room for gloved hands and a secure palm swell. The balance is good with the included 2.0 Ah battery; move to a 5.0 Ah pack and the tail gets a bit heavier, but the handle geometry still keeps your wrist neutral when you’re carrying a load.

The double-action control button is a smart safety touch. You need an intentional press to start and stop the pump, which reduces accidental activations. The color screen sits on top, angled for visibility when the lifter is on a horizontal surface. In bright sun, the included snap-on sunshade helps a lot—I could read the gauge on a white granite slab at noon without cupping a hand over it.

Performance on real materials

I tested the Grabo on a mix of job-site standbys:

• Glass and mirror: Exceptional hold. Once the gauge stabilized, the pump idled quietly and only kicked on briefly to maintain pressure. Horizontal carries of medium panels felt planted, and vertical handling for setting shower glass felt controlled. I still kept a guiding hand on the edge as you should, but the lifter didn’t creep.

• Polished porcelain tile (large-format): Reliable grip even on slightly textured glazes. For 24x48s, one lifter centered is workable; two lifters with straps on the hooks are ideal for dead-level placement.

• Polished granite and quartz: Strong, steady suction. The sensor tends to pulse the pump a bit more on microtextured honed finishes, but the hold remained secure.

• Drywall and primed MDF: It works, but treat these as semi-porous. Expect the pump to run more often. For overhead drywall, the vertical rating is the limiter—132 lb max—so use two units or a unit plus straps if you’re pushing sheet sizes.

• Smooth troweled concrete and sealed pavers: Better on sealed surfaces. Raw, open-pore concrete is hit-or-miss and very dependent on surface cleanliness. A quick wipe and a sealant made a noticeable difference.

The advertised capacities—up to 265 lb horizontal and 132 lb vertical—are realistic when you give the lifter a clean, non-porous surface and a good seal. The operative words are “up to.” On semi-porous materials, the lifter does the right thing by automatically topping up vacuum, but your real-world capacity will drop, and you shouldn’t flirt with the upper limits.

Pressure sensor, gauge, and alerts

The pressure sensor is the quiet star here. Unlike manual cups, I didn’t find myself obsessively re-pumping. The Grabo maintains suction, and the digital gauge lets you see what’s happening in real time. I like the audio alerts—they’re not shrill, but they’re obvious. Low battery, fault, or a significant pressure drop all ping you to take action. That feedback loop builds confidence, especially on expensive pieces.

Battery life and platform

With the included 2.0 Ah pack, I got through a window set and several tile moves without needing a swap. Runtime depends on how porous your materials are: glass and metal mean long stretches where the pump barely runs; drywall or raw wood will have the pump cycling more frequently. The big win is platform compatibility—this is on DeWalt’s 20V MAX system. If you already own those batteries, you can pick capacity to suit the day. I ran a 5.0 Ah pack for a countertop install and didn’t think about charging; the only trade-off was the added weight. Charging with the included charger is straightforward, and the battery meter plus the lifter’s low-battery alert make it hard to get surprised.

Accessories, maintenance, and longevity

• Foam-rubber seal: It’s a consumable by design, and it’s replaceable. Treat it gently—use the included seal guard in the bag so the foam doesn’t get nicked or permanently compressed. I wiped it and the work surface before every lift; that small habit pays off in better hold and longer seal life.

• Dust filters: Three spares in the kit are appreciated. Swapping the filter takes seconds and keeps abrasive fines out of the pump.

• Strap hooks: Four metal hooks open up safer team lifts. I used a pair of webbing straps on a long quartz piece, and the hooks kept everything organized while we creeped the slab into its final position.

• Sunshade: Not flashy, but effective. If you work outdoors, keep it clipped in the bag.

Maintenance is simple: keep the seal clean, change filters when dirty, don’t store the tool resting on the seal, and give the gauge a quick glance before every lift.

Limitations and quirks

• Semi-porous reality check: The lifter works on some semi-porous materials, but not all. Rough saw-cut wood, dusty concrete, or very textured stone may never build adequate vacuum. You’ll know quickly—the gauge won’t rise, and the alarms will warn you. Don’t force it.

• Weight vs. cups: At 6.6 lb, it’s heavier than a single manual cup. For small, quick grabs, a manual cup still has a place in the kit. The Grabo shines when control and sustained hold matter.

• Display angle: With the lifter on a vertical surface above shoulder height, the gauge can be harder to see. The sunshade helps with glare; I’d love a slightly higher-contrast mode.

• Kit bag: Functional, but a hard case would better protect the seal and screen in a crowded truck.

Safety and best practices

• Clean both surfaces. A quick wipe dramatically improves sealing and holding power.

• Test before you lift. Watch the gauge stabilize and wait for the pump to idle; give the piece a small shake before taking weight.

• Respect ratings. The vertical limit is lower for a reason. Use the strap hooks for redundancy on heavy or awkward pieces.

• Keep a hand on the work. The lifter is secure, but guiding with the off hand (or having a second person) prevents twist loads and surprises.

• Mind edges and cutouts. Avoid spanning thin or unsupported sections of fragile materials.

Who will benefit most

• Glaziers and remodelers setting shower glass or windows who want a steadier, one-handable lift with real-time feedback.

• Tile setters handling large-format porcelain or stone where precision placement and minimized rework matter.

• Countertop and millwork installers moving polished slabs and panels around tight interiors.

• General contractors and facilities teams who regularly move appliances, metal sheets, doors, or finished panels without marring surfaces.

If your work skews toward rough masonry, raw lumber, or consistently dusty, open-pore surfaces, the Grabo will be more situational. It’s a precision lifter, not a cure-all for every texture.

Final thoughts and recommendation

After multiple installs across glass, tile, stone, and finished sheet goods, the Grabo has earned a spot in my “reach first” kit. The combination of powered suction, an intelligent pressure sensor, clear readouts, and practical accessories makes material handling safer and less tiring. It doesn’t replace simple manual cups for quick, light grabs, and it’s not magic on very porous surfaces. But within its intended use, it’s consistent and confidence-inspiring.

I recommend the Grabo to pros and serious DIYers who regularly handle non-porous and lightly porous materials and already live on the 20V MAX platform. You’ll work faster with fewer resets, have better control during placement, and reduce the risk of mid-carry slips. The replaceable seal, included filters, and 3-year limited warranty suggest a long service life with basic care. If your jobs are mostly rough concrete and raw wood, it’s a nice-to-have; for glass, tile, stone, and finished panels, it’s a genuine upgrade.