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).
The CT 36 AutoClean is a modified version of the CT 36 E designed specifically for use with the
Festool Planex Drywall Sander. It has an integrated cleaning
mechanism that periodically shakes the filter to prevent caking and clogging. The CT 36 AutoClean can be used for standard dust collection jobs, but
it is not HEPA certified and you will need to buy an additional hose to fit your Festool tools.
Small Festool Dust Extractors
The CT 15 E, CT MINI I & CT MIDI I 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 and has 50% more capacity than the MINI. The CT 15 is the same as
the CT MIDI I in performance and capactity, but has different features. See the specifications below.
The CT MINI I & CT MIDI I extractors 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 hose garage. As result,
larger and longer hoses are not as convenient with these extractors.
The CT 15 E is designed for jobsite and shop cleanup at an affordable price. It has a standard hose (instead of anti-static) and you store th 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 oultet and automatic tool
switching, but not Bluetooth switch capability.

CT SYS Dust Extractor
Ultra Portable Festool Dust Extractor
The CT SYS Dust Extractor is unlike any other shop vacuum out there. It's small enough to fit inside a Systainer 2 case and it's HEPA rated.
The hose stores in an open top hose garage the size of a Systainer 1 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.
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, you might consider the
CT MINI I, CT MIDI I or CT SYS.
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.
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Model |
CT SYS |
CT MINI I |
CT MIDI I |
CT 15 E |
CT 26 E |
CT 36 E |
CT 48 E |
CT 36 AC |
Suction Hose
| Anti-static 27mm x 3.0M 1-1/16" x 9.85' |
Anti-static 27mm x 3.5M 1-1/16" x 11.5' |
Standard 27/32mm x 3.5M 1-1/16" x 11.5' |
Anti-static 27mm x 3.5M 1-1/16" x 11.5' |
Anti-static 36mm x 3.5M 1-7/16" x 11.5' |
Filters
| One HEPA Cartridge |
One 1µ Cartridge |
Disposable Filter Bag
| One Self-Cleaning Bag |
Bluetooth Switching
| No |
Std |
Std |
No |
Optional Upgrade |
Optional Upgrade |
Optional Upgrade |
No |
Container Capacity
| 4.5 liters 1.2 gal |
10 liters 2.6 gal |
15 liters 3.96 gal |
15 liters 3.96 gal |
26 liters 6.9 gal |
36 liters 9.5 gal |
48 liters 12.7 gal |
36 liters 9.5 gal |
Filter Bag Capacity
| 3.5 liters 0.9 gal |
7.5 liters 2 gal |
12.5 liters 3.3 gal |
12.5 liters 3.3 gal |
24 liters 6.3 gal |
34 liters 8.9 gal |
46 liters 12.2 gal |
36 liters 9.5 gal |
Depth
| 396mm 15.6" |
470mm 18.5" |
470mm 18.5" |
470mm 18.5" |
630mm 24.8" |
630mm 24.8" |
715mm 28.1" |
630mm 24.8" |
Width
| 296mm 11.6" |
320mm 13.6" |
320mm 13.6" |
320mm 13.6" |
365mm 14.4" |
365mm 14.4" |
392mm 15.4" |
365mm 14.4" |
Height
| 270mm 10.6" |
455mm 17.9" |
495mm 19.5" |
430mm 17" |
540mm 21.25" |
596mm 23.4" |
680mm 26.75" |
596mm 23.4" |
Weight
| 6.9 kg 15.2 lbs |
11 kg 24.3 lbs |
11.3 kg 24.9 lbs |
10.8 kg 23.8 lbs |
13 kg 28.7 lbs |
14.4 kg 31.8 lbs |
16.3 kg 35.9 lbs |
15.2 kg 33.5 lbs |
Power Use
| 1000 watts 8.3 amps 120 V AC |
350-1200 watts 2.9-10 amps 120 V AC |
350-1200 watts 2.9-10 amps 120 V AC |
Cord Length
| 5M 16.4ft |
7.5M 24.6ft |
Max. Suction
| 3,000 liters/min 106 CFM |
3,700 liters/min 130 CFM |
3,900 liters/min 137 CFM |
Maximum Vacuum
| 20,000 Pa 80" 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. |
Videos
Festool CT SYS HEPA Dust Extractor
Festool CT SYS Backpack Vac Hack