Festool Vacuum Comparison

Understanding Festool Dust Extractor Options

See the chart below for complete specifications

More than any other power tool manufacturer, Festool designs dust collection as an integral part of their tools. Festool tools and dust extractors are designed to work in concert for the best performance and a clean job site. Except for the CT 36 AutoClean, Festool dust extractors are full-unit HEPA rated so you know they won't be spewing harmful dust back into your workspace. They also include locking wheels, hose storage (a hose garage in Festool's terms), power cord wrap, automatic tool start, anti-static hose, easy-change filter & "self-cleaning" dust bag, variable speed, and wet vac capability. The performance specs on all the vacs except the CT SYS are pretty similar. All of the floor model vacs can handle general shop cleanup.

Festool Vacuum Buyers Guide

We know it can be confusing to choose among the Festool dust extractor options. We've put together this buying guide to help you understand the different models and make your decision easier. If you still have questions after reading this guide, you can always ask one of our Festool experts via phone or email.

Broadly speaking, Festool dust extractors fit into three categories.

Large Festool Dust Extractors

The CT 26 E, CT 36 E & CT 48 E are the mainstays of the Festool Dust Extractor line. They have plenty of suction and airflow to collect dust from any tool. The hose connects securely to the front of the vacuum and can be used to pull it around without crabbing or tipping over. The broad, deep footprint and large rear wheels make the large dust extractors more stable when rolling over rough surfaces, especially with a stack of Systainers on top. Only large dust dust extractors can be used with the Festool Boom Arm Attachment.

The only differences between these three models are the capacity and height. The CT 26 has a 26 liter (6.9 gallon) capacity. The CT 36 has a 36 liter (9.5 gallon) capacity. (See how this works?) The CT 48 has a 48 liter capacity (12.7 gallons).

Large Festool Dust Extractors - AutoClean

Festool's AutoClean Dust Extractors have an integrated cleaning mechanism that periodically shakes the filter to prevent caking and clogging. This helps the dust extractor operate more efficiently when collecting very fine dust. AutoClean Dust extractors also include a plastic bag liner for easier removal of fine dust without spillage. (The bag comes with a zip tie to seal it when you remove it from the dust extractor.) AutoClean Dust Extractors are full unit HEPA certified.

The CT 36 E AC AutoClean is designed specifically for use with the Festool Planex Drywall Sanders. It comes with a special 36mm x 3.5M anti-static hose that locks into the dust port on the Planex Sander. If you want to use the CT 36 E AC AutoClean with most common Festool tools, you will need to purchase a different hose separately. Like the CT 36 E dust extractor, the CT 36 E AC has a 36 liter (9.5 gallon) capacity.

The CT 48 E AC AutoClean is designed for general use with Festool tools. It comes with a 32/36mm x 3.5M tapered hose. If you want to use the CT 48 E AC AutoClean with the Planex Drywall Sanders, you will need to purchase the special 36mm x 3.5mm Planex hose separately. Like the CT 48 E dust extractor, the CT 48 E AC has a 48 liter (12.7 gallon) capacity.

Small Festool Dust Extractors

The CT MIDI I & CT 15 E pack a lot of performance into a small space so they are great for small shops or crowded jobsites. Both are light enough (under 25 lbs) to carry when they can't be rolled. The MIDI is about 2" taller than the CT 15. They have the same performance and capacity. See the specifications below. They are great for collecting dust from Domino joiners, sanders, and jig saws. If you'll regularly be collecting dust from a high output tool (track saw, planer or miter saw), you may want to consider one of the larger vacs. The hose plugs into a port in the top of the extractor. As result, larger and longer hoses are not as convenient with these extractors.

CT MIDI I Has a built-in hose garage, Systainer dock and Bluetooth tool switching. It comes with a premium 3.5M sleeved anti-static hose.

The CT 15 E is designed for jobsite and shop cleanup at an affordable price. It has a basic anti-static hose (not sleeved)) and you store the hose on top using an elastic strap because there is no hose garage. It includes a crevice tool and an upholstery tool, which are stored inside the top compartment with the cord. The top of the CT 15 is flat and can be used for work support, but you cannot attach a Systainer as you can on other Festool vacs. It includes an outlet and automatic tool switching, but not Bluetooth switch capability.

CTC SYS Dust Extractor

Ultra Portable Festool Dust Extractor

The CTC SYS I CORDLESS Dust Extractor is unlike any other shop vacuum out there. It's HEPA rated and small enough to fit inside a Systainer case. The hose stores in an open top hose garage Systainer that mounts on top. Clearly it's not as powerful as the larger Festool dust extractors, but it's the most portable of the bunch and without a cord to tie you down.

That's all great, but which one should I get?

We think the CT 26 E gives the best value for woodworkers. You get all of the features of the large dust extractors at the best price.

If you'll be using tools that generate a lot of dust, you might consider the CT 36 E or CT 48 E. If you value portability and compactness, consider the CT MIDI I. For unparalleled portability, choose the CTC SYS I.

If you want the most affordable vac and are willing to do without some of the premium features, the CT 15 E is the best choice.

Large Dust Extractor Specifications
Model	CT 26 E	CT 36 E	CT 48 E	CT 36 E AC	CT 48 E AC
Suction Hose	Anti-static 27/32mm x 3.5M 1-1/16" x 11.5'			A-S Planex 36mm x 3.5M 1-7/16" x 11.5'	Anti-static 32/36mm x 3.5M 1-7/16" x 11.5'
Filters	One HEPA Cartridge
Disposable Filter Bag	One Self-Cleaning Bag			One Self-Cleaning Bag + one plastic liner
Bluetooth Switching	Optional Upgrade
Container Capacity	26 liters 6.9 gal	36 liters 9.5 gal	48 liters 12.7 gal	36 liters 9.5 gal	48 liters 12.7 gal
Filter Bag Capacity	24 liters 6.3 gal	34 liters 8.9 gal	46 liters 12.2 gal	34 liters 8.9 gal	46 liters 12.2 gal
Depth	630mm 24.8"	630mm 24.8"	715mm 28.1"	630mm 24.8"	715mm 28.1"
Width	365mm 14.4"	365mm 14.4"	392mm 15.4"	365mm 14.4"	392mm 15.4"
Height	540mm 21.25"	596mm 23.4"	1005mm 39.5"	596mm 23.4"	1005mm 39.5"
Weight	13 kg 28.7 lbs	14.4 kg 31.8 lbs	16.3 kg 35.9 lbs	15.2 kg 33.5 lbs	16.9 kg 37.3 lbs
Power Use	350-1200 watts 2.9-10 amps 120 V AC
Cord Length	7.5M 24.6ft
Max. Suction	3,900 liters/min 137 CFM
Maximum Vacuum	24,000 Pa 96" static water lift
Noise Level Low	62 dBA
Noise Level High	72 dBA
Metric specifications are binding. Imperial measurements are approximate.

Small Dust Extractor Specifications
Model	CTC SYS I	CTC MIDI I	CT MIDI I	CT 15 E
Suction Hose	Anti-static 27mm x 3.0M 1-1/16" x 9.85'	Anti-static 27/32mm x 3.5M 1-1/16" x 11.5'		Basic A-S 27/32mm x 3.5M 1-1/16" x 11.5'
Filters	One HEPA Cartridge
Disposable Filter Bag	One Self-Cleaning Bag
Bluetooth Switching	Standard			No
Container Capacity	4.5 liters 1.2 gal	15 liters 3.96 gal
Filter Bag Capacity	3.5 liters 0.9 gal	12.5 liters 3.3 gal
Depth	396mm 15.6"	550mm 21.7"	470mm 18.5"	457mm 18"
Width	296mm 11.6"	320mm 13.6"
Height	270mm 10.6"	495mm 19.5"		435mm 17.1"
Weight	8.8 kg 19.4 lbs	13.2 kg 29.1 lbs	11.3 kg 24.9 lbs	10.8 kg 23.8 lbs
Power Use	Two 36V 4.0Ah Batteries (14-25 minute runtime)	Two 36V 5.0Ah Batteries (16-30 minute runtime)	350-1200 watts 2.9-10 amps 120 V AC
Cord Length	Cordless		7.5M 24.6ft
Max. Suction	2,400 liters/min 85 CFM	3,100 liters/min 109 CFM	3,700 liters/min 130 CFM
Maximum Vacuum	18,000 Pa 72" static water lift	19,000 Pa 76" static water lift	24,000 Pa 96" static water lift
Noise Level Low	n/a		62 dBA
Noise Level High	67 dBA		72 dBA
Metric specifications are binding. Imperial measurements are approximate.