How to Choose Between XLERATOR vs XLERATOReco for Your Facility
Choosing the best commercial hand dryer for your facility involves more than comparing dry times and upfront costs. Today’s facility managers, architects, and building owners are balancing hygiene, sustainability, maintenance requirements, user experience, and long-term operating expenses.
Two of the most popular solutions from Excel Dryer are the XLERATOR® hand dryer and the XLERATOReco® hand dryer. While both deliver fast, touchless performance and industry-leading reliability, each is designed to meet different facility priorities. Understanding the differences can help you select the best commercial hand dryer for your specific environment.
XLERATOR vs. XLERATOReco: Side-by-Side Comparison
When conducting a commercial hand dryer comparison, it’s important to evaluate the features and benefits that matter most to your facility.
| Feature | XLERATOR | XLERATOReco |
| Dry Time | 8 seconds | 10 seconds |
| Heating Element | Yes | No |
| Energy Use Per Day | 3.7 Wh | 1.7 Wh |
| Power Consumption | Up to 1450 W | 500W |
| Sound Control | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Speed Control | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| eHEPA® Filtration Option | Available | Available |
| Sustainability | Provides up to an 88% reduction in carbon footprint | Provides up to a 94% reduction in carbon footprint |
| Cost Savings vs Single-Use Recycled Paper Towels | Up to 95% | Up to 95% |
| Ideal Applications | High-Traffic Facilities | Sustainability-Focused Facilities |
Both models feature touchless activation, adjustable speed and sound controls, and optional electrostatic HEPA® (eHEPA) filtration that removes 99.999% of viruses and 99.97% of bacteria from the airstream.
The XLERATOR remains one of the most recognized high-speed electric hand dryer solutions in the industry, drying hands in as little as 8 seconds. The XLERATOReco builds on that performance while reducing energy consumption through its no-heat design, making it one of the leading eco hand dryers available today.
Which Hand Dryer Is Best for Your Facility?
The answer depends on your facility’s priorities.
Schools and Universities: A hand dryer for schools must withstand heavy daily use while helping reduce maintenance demands. Both dryers eliminate paper towel waste and can help create cleaner restrooms, but the XLERATOReco‘s lower energy consumption may appeal to schools with sustainability initiatives and budget-conscious operations.
Healthcare Facilities: For a hand dryer for healthcare environments, hygiene and touchless operation are critical considerations. Both dryers offer touch-free activation and optional eHEPA filtration technology that helps improve air quality during hand drying.
Corporate Offices: An office restroom hand dryer should provide a balance of performance, aesthetics, and operating efficiency. Facilities looking to minimize energy consumption often select the XLERATOReco, while offices prioritizing the fastest possible user experience may favor the XLERATOR. Although, for those wanting to achieve green building certifications, either dryer contributes to LEED® credits and WELL points.
Airports and Transportation Hubs: In high-volume locations such as airports, hand dryer installations often prioritize throughput and user flow. In these environments, the XLERATOR’s 8-second dry time can help keep traffic moving efficiently during peak periods.
Ultimately, both products can be considered among the best hand dryers for commercial restrooms, but the best commercial hand dryer for your facility depends on whether speed or energy efficiency is your primary objective.
Sustainability Considerations
Sustainability is becoming a major factor when selecting restroom equipment. Organizations pursuing green building initiatives increasingly seek sustainable restroom products that support environmental goals without sacrificing performance.
The XLERATOReco was specifically engineered as a green hand dryer, using just 500 watts with no-heat technology while still drying hands in approximately 10 seconds. Its ultra-low energy consumption makes it one of the most efficient hand drying solutions available today.
Beyond its environmental performance, the XLERATOReco has earned significant industry recognition for sustainability. Most recently, it received a Diamond Product Award from the International Sustainability Awards, recognizing products that deliver measurable environmental benefits through reduced energy use, waste reduction, and lower lifecycle impacts. The product’s sustainability credentials are further supported by independently verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs), providing transparency for architects, specifiers, and facility managers.
Facilities pursuing LEED credits and WELL points may also benefit from Excel Dryer products. Excel hand dryers can contribute toward multiple areas within green building programs and have earned industry-leading environmental certifications.
Additionally, a third-party Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) found that Excel hand dryers can reduce carbon footprint by up to 94% compared with even single-use recycled paper towels, helping organizations support broader sustainability initiatives.
Another often-overlooked sustainability and cost advantage is installation efficiency. Because the XLERATOReco draws just 4.5 amps or less, multiple units can be installed on a single electrical circuit. This can significantly reduce installation costs, lower material requirements, and accelerate ROI, making the XLERATOReco an attractive choice for large facilities, schools, airports, and other multi-restroom applications.
Whether you’re evaluating green building products or seeking more eco-friendly restroom equipment, the XLERATOReco is often the preferred choice for facilities emphasizing environmental performance, lower operating costs, and long-term sustainability.
Cost of Ownership Beyond the Purchase Price
Many facility managers focus on initial purchase price, but long-term economics often tell a different story.
When evaluating hand dryer operating costs, factors such as electricity usage, maintenance requirements, consumable purchases, and labor all contribute to total ownership expenses.
Both XLERATOR and XLERATOReco can provide up to 95% cost savings compared with paper towels. However, the XLERATOReco‘s lower energy consumption can further reduce ongoing operating expenses over time.
Facilities also benefit from reduced restroom maintenance costs because staff spend less time refilling dispensers, removing paper waste, and addressing paper towel-related restroom messes. Research shows that paper products on restroom floors are among the leading contributors to perceptions of dirty restrooms.
For organizations focused on energy-efficient hand dryers and strong ROI hand dryers, the XLERATOReco often delivers compelling long-term value.
As a modern bathroom hand dryer, either model can significantly reduce operational expenses while enhancing the overall restroom experience.
Choosing the Best Commercial Hand Dryer for Long-Term Success
When comparing XLERATOR vs XLERATOReco, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
If your facility prioritizes the fastest drying experience for high-volume users, the XLERATOR may be the best commercial hand dryer for your needs. If sustainability, lower energy consumption, and environmental certifications are top priorities, the XLERATOReco may be the best commercial hand dryer for your facility.
Either way, both solutions provide touchless operation, proven reliability, significant cost savings, and the performance expected from industry-leading electric hand dryer technology. The key is matching the dryer to your facility’s specific goals and user expectations.