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Low Speed vs High Speed Burnishers – Which Floor Machine Do You Need?

Low Speed vs High Speed Burnishers – Which Floor Machine Do You Need?

Posted by Monster Janitorial Sales Team on Mar 15, 2026

Commercial floor machines are commonly used to scrub, strip, polish, and restore hard floor surfaces. Two of the most common types of floor equipment are low speed floor machines and high speed burnishers.

While these machines may look similar, they serve very different purposes in a commercial floor maintenance program.

What Is a Low Speed Floor Machine?

A low speed floor machine typically operates between 150 and 300 RPM and is designed for scrubbing, stripping, and general floor maintenance tasks.

Common Uses for Low Speed Floor Machines

  • Floor stripping
  • Deep scrubbing
  • Carpet bonnet cleaning
  • Stone floor restoration

These machines are extremely versatile and are often used with different pads and brushes depending on the cleaning application.

What Is a High Speed Burnisher?

High speed burnishers operate at speeds between 1,000 and 2,500 RPM and are designed to polish and maintain finished floors.

These machines create friction that produces a high-gloss finish on commercial floor coatings.

Common Uses for Burnishers

  • Polishing finished floors
  • Maintaining high gloss floor finishes
  • Large facility floor maintenance

Key Differences Between Low Speed Machines and Burnishers

Feature Low Speed Floor Machine High Speed Burnisher
Speed 150–300 RPM 1000–2500 RPM
Primary Use Scrubbing and stripping Polishing floors
Pad Type Scrubbing and stripping pads Burnishing pads
Floor Finish Removes floor finish Enhances floor shine

When Should You Use a Low Speed Floor Machine?

  • Removing old floor finish
  • Deep cleaning tile or concrete floors
  • Preparing floors before refinishing

When Should You Use a Burnisher?

  • Maintaining polished floors
  • Restoring floor shine
  • Daily or weekly floor maintenance programs

Shop Commercial Floor Machines

Need Help Choosing Equipment?

If you need help choosing the right floor machine or burnisher, contact our team.

Email sales@monsterjanitorial.com

Why Choose Monster Janitorial?

  • Commercial cleaning equipment for schools, healthcare, warehouses, and government facilities
  • Fast order processing - most orders ship within 24 hours
  • 30-Day Returns
  • Helpful support for floor machines and accessories

Tax-Exempt Purchasing

Create an account and email your tax exemption certificate to sales@monsterjanitorial.com.