Bell + Howell Scrubtastic Power Scrubber Review: Does It Actually Work?

I kept seeing these handheld power scrubbers and wondering if they actually work or if a drill brush is still better. So when I spotted the Bell and Howell Scrubtastic on clearance at Lowe’s for about 13 dollars, down from around 30, I grabbed it and put it to the test on the grimiest grout in my house. Here is the honest review.

Quick answer: For the price, yes, it works. The Scrubtastic is not as powerful as a drill brush and it only has one speed, but it genuinely lifted years of grime out of my tile and grout. The proof was on the filthy rag afterward. A solid budget scrubber, with honest limits.

What is the Scrubtastic power scrubber?

The Bell and Howell Scrubtastic is a cordless handheld power scrubber. Mine came with two brush heads, a flat all-purpose brush and a narrow grout brush, which is the one I was most excited to test on my bathroom and kitchen tile.

My honest first impression

I will be real with you: when I first turned it on, I was not blown away by the power. It runs at a single speed with no way to adjust it, and if you are used to the torque of a brush head on a drill, this feels gentler and a little slower. I went in skeptical that it could really get down into deep grout lines. But I did not want to judge it before actually using it, so I put it to work.

How I tested it

• I applied Scrub Daddy Power Paste, a natural cleanser, into the grout lines using the grout brush head
• I let it sit for a minute, then ran the scrubber over the grout
• I wiped with a damp paper towel and could already see dirt lifting off
• Then I switched to the flat brush, added warm water with a little Lysol multi-surface cleaner, and scrubbed the whole floor and tile

The results

I was genuinely impressed after that first section, so I finished the whole floor. The before and after on the scrubbed areas was clear. When I wiped everything down with a clean dry white rag at the end, the rag came up filthy. That is all dirt, debris, and grime the Scrubtastic pulled out of the tile and grout, and honestly the dirty rag says it all.

The honest pros and cons

What I liked:

• It really did lift grime out of grout and tile
• Cordless and easy to handle in tight spots and along trim
• The grout brush head gets into the crevices
• Great value, especially at a clearance price

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What to know:

• One speed only, no adjustment
• Less torque and power than a drill brush attachment
• You will still want a good cleanser doing some of the work

Shop what I used

• The scrubber: Bell + Howell Scrubtastic Power Scrubber Max
• The paste I used in the grout: Scrub Daddy Power Paste
• The floor cleaner: Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner

Frequently asked questions

Does the Scrubtastic power scrubber actually work?

Yes. In my test it clearly lifted grime out of tile and grout, shown by how filthy the finishing rag came up. It is not as powerful as a drill brush, but for the price it did the job.

Is the Bell and Howell Scrubtastic worth it?

For a budget handheld scrubber, yes, especially on sale. Just go in knowing it is one speed and gentler than a drill attachment.

Is it better than a drill brush?

A drill brush has more torque and power. The Scrubtastic is more convenient and cordless, and it still cleaned my grout well. It is a trade of raw power for ease of use.

What cleaner works best with it?

I used Scrub Daddy Power Paste in the grout and a warm water and Lysol mix on the floor, and that combination worked well.

Deep cleaning the whole house? See how I deep cleaned my couch too.