At a glance, the 25 is designed for cleaning not dust extraction from tools. It's got a generic hose versus that anti-static hose on the 26. The filter looks less robust. It doesn't look to have the auto-on feature for powered tools. The modular systainer system on the 26 is also really convenient. I have their cyclone separator locked onto the top of mine which is a huge improvement for a woodworking extractor versus one meant for cleaning. Answer from Lore-Warden on reddit.com
Highland Woodworking
highlandwoodworking.com › festool-vacuum-comparison.aspx
Festool Vacuum Comparison | Festool Extractor Models
Festool Vacuum Comparison - Festool CT Dust Extractor model differences. See the Festool Dust Extractor Options chart for complete specifications.
Festool
festoolusa.com › festool united states › tools › dust extractors
Dust extractors
Festool trainer Dino Frey shows how to achieve perfect surfaces in just a few steps. All it takes is five things: a good stirrer, suitable filler material, the corresponding stirrer basket, the PLANEX LHS 225 long-reach sander and the matching mobile dust extractor.
Fein vs Festool Vacuum - FineWoodworking
Crazy as this sounds, the Hercules 12-gallon dust extractor from Harbor Freight works wonderfully and is only $350. Though I could afford the Festool, I'm not captured by the Festool ecosystem and was looking for something dedicated to my tablesaw. More on finewoodworking.com
Festool Dust Extractor
Hey everyone! I’m hoping someone could please shed some light on this one for me. I’m considering something like a Festool M Class dust extractor together with a Dust Deputy. I understand the difference between low volume high pressure (which this is) vs high volume and low pressure. More on forum.onefinitycnc.com
Makita or Festool Dust Extractor Experience
Everyone I know with a Festool vac swears by it, not at it. I know none with Makita. I have a Dustless HEPA shop vac (Black/yellow) that was $600 and uses bags. I hate it and its injured my hands from moving from floor to floor. The hose, too long to manage when storing/carrying, is same as a pool hose and unscrews itself from coupling/fitting at device end, uses 2.5" plastic extensions and tools, needs adaptor, suction is poor when bag is half filled, wheels are too small and catch on cord, wheels protrude like Craftsman shop vac and will mark/mar woodwork/baseboards, uses cheap plastic clips to secure motor and secure top to container. I noticed on their website that its been revised but still has protruding wheel legs that will break if the unit falls off truck bed-which happened, or down steps since the wheels don't lock. And its loud. Do not recommend. As for Makita, I read reviews that the filter cleaning mechanism isn't all that, and the hose ends have tools insert inside, rather than hose coupling inside, thus stress on hose ends and breaks. Personally, I am ordering the CT26 or CT36 Festool next month (just got a nice gift card so it won't be ding to my wallet). One thing about Festool...you can get a separator ($400) that connects and use for sawdust collection. Since you didn't mention what you are using it for, ...I can't suggest either. Oh and thank you for the link to that toolboxbuzz reviews site! They are better than project farm. And yeah, dated. But Hilti changed design and now its as much as Festool. ( I tried a friend's Festool out with BT remote turn on... wish I could try the Makita out and hear the difference.) More on reddit.com
What's the $300+ difference? Festool CT25 vs CT26 dust extractors
Take a moment to check out the New weekly MegaThread. This is for quick answers to common questions such as: "What type of wood is this?"; "How much should I charge for this?"; "How do I fix this" and others, To find it sort the woodworking news feed by "hot" and it will be the stickied post. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. More on reddit.com
Videos
12:40
Festool CT 26 EI Dust Extractor (2025) – Overview, Setup & ...
06:14
Choosing the Right Dust Extractor with @bentswoodworking - YouTube
01:15
Festool CT MIDI I Dust Extractor Review | HEPA Compact Shop Vacuum ...
29:25
$1250 FESTOOL Dust Extractor VS $280 Rigid Shop Vacuum WITH Cyclone ...
09:23
Festool Sander & CT MIDI Dust Extractor | An Unsponsored Review ...
06:37
Festool Dust Extractors - So what's the difference? - YouTube
Reddit
reddit.com › r/woodworking › what's the $300+ difference? festool ct25 vs ct26 dust extractors
r/woodworking on Reddit: What's the $300+ difference? Festool CT25 vs CT26 dust extractors
September 10, 2023 -
Greetings r/woodworking,
The CT25 and CT26 seem to be very similar in features, power and size. From what I gather the CT25 was just recently released, so there are very few reviews around. the only difference i can tell are that it's slightly smaller, slightly less air flow (~5%)
I've used the CT26 in the past and I really like that the hose stores in the top compartment and that you can stack/lock Systainers to the top, but is that really worth $300?!
Am I missing something obvious?
Top answer 1 of 4
8
At a glance, the 25 is designed for cleaning not dust extraction from tools. It's got a generic hose versus that anti-static hose on the 26. The filter looks less robust. It doesn't look to have the auto-on feature for powered tools. The modular systainer system on the 26 is also really convenient. I have their cyclone separator locked onto the top of mine which is a huge improvement for a woodworking extractor versus one meant for cleaning.
2 of 4
4
I have the CT26 and I love it so much. I use it for my track saw and sanders. I don't know how it compares to the CT25, but it's one of the best purchases I've made for my shop. Even using the track saw to cut MDF -- there is no dust.
Seriousgrit
seriousgrit.com › blogs › sandpaper-post › which-festool-dust-extractor-to-buy
Which Festool Dust Extractor to Buy? - All Models Compared from $399 - – SERIOUS GRIT
August 16, 2023 - But then you get on Festool's website and get slapped in the face with a mountain of confusing verbiage and numbers. We've been there. We've waded through it. And now we're here to help you do the same. First off we'll show you every model in a table, then we'll get into the specific features to look for, and (if you want to jump ahead) our final recommendation is at the end. You'll notice a lot of letters and numbers in the names of these dust extractors.
Sawmill Creek
sawmillcreek.org › forums › woodworking topics › general woodworking and power tools
Festool dust extractors and using non festool tools | Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community
January 15, 2023 - One good thing about the Festool Dust Extractor compared to a vacuum is that it can filter the exhuast air, at 96" of static lift at 137 cfm, for from $800. to $1,055.for an extractor. Now, with a vacuum, I get 121" of static lift at 125 cfm for $450. with a Ultra Clean sc 200 central vac, ...
Festool
festool.com › campaigns › microsites › dustfree
Dust-free work with a system – dust classes L, M and H
However, if you are using power tools from other brands, you can use a different connection and connect it to the appropriate Festool Hose. What do you need for asbestos? If asbestos is present during extraction work, you should only use dust class H vacuum cleaners - such as the CTH 26 - for clean, safe working. As this type of dust is considered highly hazardous, certain requirements apply to the Dust-extractor: - Integrated measurement of air velocity (20 m/s) - Dust-free disposal - Filtering: 0.005 % max.
Beaver Industrial Supply
beavertools.com › home › brands › festool › dust extractors
Festool Dust Extractors | BIS
Compare the different models here, or browse our full selection of Festool Dust Extractors below!
731 Woodworks
731woodworks.com › 731-blog › 3m-dust-extractor-review
3M Xtract vs Festool Dust Extractor Review — 731 Woodworks
June 6, 2024 - My Festool doesn’t have an auto-clean feature on it. The difference is the fleece bag. Festool HEPA filter is cleaner because I use fleece bags with it. 3M sells their own fleece bags, and they’re similarly priced to the Festool ones.
Address P.O. Box 731 Monticello, AR United States
Festool
festoolusa.com › campaigns › application-advisor › product-advisor-for-dust-extraction
Product advisor for dust extraction | Industrial vacuum cleaners in comparison
These indicate the extractor's suitability for any given dust and the specified maximum allowable concentrations. Festool offers wet and dry extractors for these dust classes. The use of dust class M or H extractors is stipulated for industrial applications. You can find further ...
FineWoodworking
finewoodworking.com › home › forum › fein vs festool vacuum
Fein vs Festool Vacuum - FineWoodworking
June 26, 2025 - I have two Festool dust extractors, a 24 and a 36 and both have Festool's cyclone attachment. FWIW, I use the 24 almost exclusively with the 3M Xtract sander which I love. The 36 has the auto filter cleaning feature which is great when you're using it with a plastic filter bag for drywall sanding.
Festool Owners Group
festoolownersgroup.com › festool discussions › ask festool
CT15 and CT25 dust collector differences? | Festool Owners Group
January 30, 2025 - It's likely touted as a cleanup ... available, so it's not useful for drywall work like a CT 26/36/48 AC would be d) it's got a bigger canister than the CT 15 It's still a perfectly fine dust extractor for corded work, and with some clever adjustments can be made to be remote ...
US Tool & Fastener
ustoolandfastener.com › home › festool › festool dust extraction
Festool Dust Extractors
Festool Dust Extractors, HEPA Certified for minimal dust and cleanup
Festool
festoolusa.com › knowledge › hepa-dust-extractors
Festool HEPA Dust Extraction
Festool has exhaustively tested its CT Dust Extractors to the strictest standards (IES RP-CC-002, IES-RP-CC-0034.1) to ensure that our units not only filter particles to 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency, but also that the seal between the filter and the vacuum does not allow for bypass leakage.
Wood Talk Online
woodtalkonline.com › topic › 14650-festool-dust-extractor-comparisons
Festool dust extractor comparisons - The Shop - Wood Talk Online
August 8, 2014 - Are you guys getting tired of me posting questions about festool? I am interested, perhaps, in a dust extractor from festool. I went online to their website, and poked around the comparison and specs section of the extractors. They all have the same rating for suction (137 CFM) and static lift (9...
ITS
its.co.uk › brands › shop by brand › festool › festool power tools › festool vacuums & dust extractors
Festool Vacuums & Dust Extractors - Great Deals on Vacuums!
Festool power tools need to fulfil three criteria for them to be ‘typically Festool’: Robust, Powerful and Efficient. It is this mantra that has made Festool equipment trusted by tradespeople around the world. At ITS, we have found that having a dust extractor is just as important as having a power tool when cutting.