Cut Down on the Elbow Grease and Let Skil’s Power Scrubber Put in the Work
Power scrubbers have been making their way onto a number of battery platforms in recent years. They make home cleaning much easier, eliminating the need to break a sweat scrubbing your indoor and outdoor surfaces. Skil is joining the ring with its newest cleaning solution, and this scrubber does a few things differently. I’m sharing my experience with the Skil 12V/20V Power Scrubber so you can decide if it’s right for your home.
Skil 12V/20V Power Scrubber Performance
- Model: Skil PB5100D-13
- Power source: Skil 12V or 20V battery
- Max speed: 500 RPM
- 2 speed modes
Thus far, Skil’s battery-powered cleaning lineup has consisted of vacuums and blowers, so the PB5100D-13 is the brand’s first scrubber. One thing that sets it apart from similar tools from other brands is that it can be powered by either a Skil 12V or 20V battery. Whether you’re on the PWRCore 12 or PWRCore 20 system, the batteries you have work with this scrubber.
This tool features 2 power modes, spinning the bristles up to 300 RPM on low and 500 RPM on high. A thumb switch atop the handle lets you toggle between modes to suit your cleaning application.
Kit and Battery Options
I do find it interesting that there’s no bare tool or 12V kitted version available at the time of writing—just a 20V kit. If you’re on Skil’s 12V platform, your batteries will work with this power scrubber, but you’ll also get a 20V battery.
You know what they say, though, when opportunity knocks… The good thing is that it opens the opportunity for you to grow your Skil collection, since PWRCore 20 batteries are compatible with the whole PWRCore 20 system. There are also several 12V/20V tools like this scrubber that accept both voltages.
It’s important to note that the power scrubber is not compatible with Skil’s 40V batteries. If you have Skil 40V equipment and want to add this scrubber to your roster, you’ll need to power it with the included 20V battery or purchase an additional 12V battery.
Skil 12V/20V Power Scrubber Design
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 39 x 4.9 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 4.2 lbs
- IPX7 rating
- Telescoping length
- Pivoting head
- Interchangeable quick-release brushes
- Water-resistant battery case
This power scrubber features a telescoping handle that extends from 39 inches to 54 inches in length. Without the battery installed, it weighs around 4.2 pounds, which is very manageable for maneuvering between cleaning areas.
The battery is encased in a water-resistant compartment, protecting your battery against splashes.
Brush Head
This Skil power scrubber comes with three brushes: two medium-bristle brushes for moderate-duty cleaning surfaces like tile and decking, and a hard-bristle brush for heavy-duty scrubbing tasks, such as concrete and brick. A quick-release coupler enables you to easily switch between brushes for effective cleaning.
If you’d like, Skil also offers replacements for the brushes that come in this kit, however at the time of writing, they’re not available for purchase yet.
The scrubber head is IPX7 rated, letting you submerge it in a water bucket. You can also adjust the angle of the brush head from 90° to 0° to clean at any angle.
Skil 12V/20V Power Scrubber Price
This scrubber retails for $79.98, and at the time of writing, it’s only available at Sam’s Club. This is a kit configuration that includes three interchangeable brushes, a PWRCore 20 2.0Ah battery, and a 30W charger. Skil backs your purchase with a 5-year warranty.
Should You Buy It?
Power scrubbers are great alternatives to manual scrubbing, making it much easier to clean both indoor and outdoor surfaces. If you’re fed up with breaking a sweat whenever your home needs a shine, Skil makes a compelling option with this power scrubber. From brickwork and concrete to tile and decking, if you’re currently scrubbing by hand, this will save you some effort.
Don’t miss the importance of the head design, though. Both the triangular and wide heads are able to reach into corners better than similar scubbers with round heads. When you’re cleaning your shower or boat, it’s able to get into those nooks and crannies more effectively.
The fact that you can use either a 12V or 20V battery is icing on the cake, giving you plenty of power versatility. Whether you’re just breaking into Skil’s battery systems or you’re already on the brand’s 12V or 20V system, this scrubber is worth adding to your collection.
