When I first stepped into the floor cleaning equipment industry, I thought a battery was just a battery. If it powered the scrubber or sweeper, then job done, right? It didn’t take long for me to realize how wrong I was.

The truth is, batteries are the heartbeat of every floor cleaning machine. They determine how long you can run, how often you’ll be sidelined for maintenance, and how much you’ll spend in the long run. Over the years, I’ve learned that the biggest source of confusion for many buyers is why different floor cleaning machine manufacturers choose such different batteries for what look like similar machines.

Today, I want to break this down for you—why it happens, what it means for your operation, and how you can make the smartest choice for your business.

I. Why Batteries Matter in Floor Cleaning Equipment

If you’ve ever had a scrubber stop halfway through a shift, you know the frustration. Runtime, cycle life, maintenance demands, and safety—all of these are tied directly to the battery.

For facility managers, purchasing officers, and maintenance teams, this isn’t a minor detail. It’s a make-or-break decision. A poorly matched battery can shorten machine lifespan, raise your labor costs, and force unplanned downtime. A well-chosen one makes your industrial floor cleaning solutions more reliable, predictable, and cost-effective.

II. Overview of Lead-Acid Battery Types

Lead-acid remains the dominant battery technology in scrubbers and sweepers. But there are three main flavors, and each has its own quirks.

1. Flooded (Wet) Batteries

• The most traditional and cost-effective.
• Requires regular watering and cleaning.
• Offers long runtimes and decent cycle life.
• Heavier and less forgiving if neglected.

2. AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) Batteries

• Sealed and spill-proof.
• No watering required, which saves labor.
• Shorter cycle life compared to flooded.
• Higher upfront cost.

3. Gel Batteries

• Electrolyte suspended in a gel.
• Excellent vibration resistance and safety.
• Maintenance-free but more expensive.
• Slower charging, moderate cycle life.

At first glance, it may feel like a simple choice: cheapest, easiest, or safest. But here’s where it gets complicated—manufacturers don’t all agree on which is best.

III. Manufacturer Variability: Why Batteries Differ Across Brands

You might compare two 28-inch scrubbers from two different professional floor cleaning machine manufacturers and find that one comes standard with flooded batteries, while the other only offers AGM. Why the difference?

From what I’ve seen in the industry, it comes down to four main factors:

1. Cost Strategy
   • Some factories compete on price. A flooded battery keeps the sticker price attractive, even though it may demand more maintenance later.
2. Target Customer Profile
   • A commercial floor cleaning equipment supplier selling to schools or hospitals knows their clients don’t have staff for weekly watering. That’s why they lean toward sealed AGM or gel.
3. Machine Design
   • Certain scrubbers are engineered for lighter, sealed batteries. Others have space and ventilation designed for flooded packs. The choice is built into the design.
4. Brand Positioning
   • Premium brands emphasize “maintenance-free convenience,” so AGM or gel fits their story. Value brands emphasize affordability, so flooded is their go-to.

I’ll give you an example. A client of mine bought two sweepers: one from a European brand, one from an Asian floor cleaning machine factory. The European model came with AGM, marketed as a “plug-and-play, no-maintenance system.” The Asian model shipped with flooded—cheaper, longer runtime, but required weekly watering. Both choices were logical, just aimed at different customers.

IV. Detailed Comparison Table

Here’s how the three main lead-acid options stack up:

Battery Type	Runtime	Cycle Life	Maintenance	Cost	Weight	Best Use Cases
Flooded (Wet)	Long runtime	~750 cycles (18–24 months)	Needs watering & cleaning	Lowest	Heavier	Large facilities with trained staff
AGM	Moderate runtime	~400 cycles	Maintenance-free	Mid-High	Heavy	Schools, hospitals, offices
Gel	Moderate runtime	~500 cycles	Maintenance-free	Highest of lead-acid	Moderate	Sensitive, vibration-prone sites

Whenever I sit down with a purchasing manager, we go through this exact comparison. It makes it clear why manufacturers don’t always pick the same option—each battery type aligns with a specific use case and customer base.

V. Lithium-Ion: The Modern Alternative

I can’t write this article without mentioning lithium-ion. While this piece is about lead-acid, lithium is changing the game for industrial floor cleaning solutions manufacturers.

• 2000+ cycles (3–4x longer than flooded).
• Fast charging—opportunity charge during breaks.
• Zero maintenance—no watering, no corrosion.
• Lightweight, improving machine efficiency.
• Higher upfront cost but lower long-term cost.

Many manufacturers now offer lithium-ion as a premium upgrade. If your operation runs multiple shifts or you need maximum uptime, it’s worth evaluating—even if lead-acid remains standard.

VI. How to Decide: Manufacturer Selection Considerations

Here’s how I guide clients through the decision process:

1. Budget vs. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
   • Cheap flooded batteries may look good now, but labor and downtime can outweigh the savings.
2. Maintenance Capability
   • Do you have staff willing and able to water batteries weekly? If not, don’t buy flooded.
3. Application Environment
   • High-demand industrial sites → flooded or lithium.
   • Sensitive healthcare or education → AGM or gel.
4. Transport & Safety Concerns
   • If spillage is a risk, sealed AGM or gel is a safer bet.

I’ve seen companies regret ignoring these factors. One facility bought low-cost flooded machines, but their staff skipped watering. Within 12 months, the batteries sulfated and had to be replaced—turning a bargain into a loss.

VII. Case Example

Let me share a real scenario. A warehouse client was choosing between two scrubbers:

• Option A: 130Ah flooded batteries included.
• Option B: 115Ah AGM upgrade, at a higher price.

They initially leaned toward flooded to save money. But after discussing maintenance realities (they had no full-time tech), they chose AGM. Two years later, their machines are still running smoothly with minimal intervention.

That’s why understanding why manufacturers differ is so important—you need to pick the option that aligns with your reality, not just the brochure.

VIII. Conclusion & Recommendations

So why do floor cleaning tools manufacturers choose different lead-acid batteries? Because they’re aiming at different customers, with different budgets, maintenance abilities, and expectations.

Here’s my advice to you:

• Flooded: Best if you have staff and want the lowest upfront cost.
• AGM: Best if you want maintenance-free reliability for medium-duty use.
• Gel: Best for niche environments needing safety and vibration resistance.
• Lithium-ion: Best if you want the future—higher investment, lower lifetime cost.

Don’t assume the manufacturer’s choice automatically fits your needs. Ask questions, compare, and think about your total cost of ownership.

IX. Call to Action

If you’re comparing scrubbers and sweepers and wondering which battery setup is truly right for you, let’s talk. At CY Cleaning Equipment, we’re more than just a floor cleaning equipment factory—we’re here to help you make decisions that save you time, money, and frustration.

👉 Reach out for a personalized consultation, or explore our full range of commercial and industrial floor cleaning machines to see the options for yourself.