Back in 2021, I posted about how desperately Festool needed a cordless dust extractor vacuum. Their CT Sys portable vac is a great product, but who wants to deal with power cords for portable dust extraction tasks?
Festool has finally launched their CTC Sys cordless mobile dust extractor!
There look to be some good aspects to the new Festool CTC Sys, but also some negatives.
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I should be rushing out to buy one, given how fond I used to be for the corded model, but I’m not. Speaking as a long-time Festool owner, I find their new cordless dust extractor to be extremely disappointing. Let’s get into why.
The new Festool CTC Sys looks almost identical to the corded model, but with a slightly updated Systainer for the bottom, with DC battery power module and air vents.
Like its corded predecessor, the Festool CTC Sys cordless dust extractor has a recessed top handle, as well as a carrying strap.
Looking at its battery port, there’s room for the included 4Ah batteries, but with barely any clearance.
What if Festool comes out with higher capacity batteries in the future, such as to power larger dust extractor vacs? This doesn’t seem very future-proof.
It looks like the vac requires 2x 18V batteries to operate, and so it doesn’t seem like you can use higher capacity battery packs one at a time.
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Festool says:
It enables virtually dust-free work without the need for a power outlet and excels with maximum suction power thanks to the 36 V turbine with 2 x 18 V battery packs
The “36V turbine” part confirms it – you must use 2 batteries to power the dust extractor.
Festool’s product description also says:
High-performance suction without a power cord with 2 x 18 V (4.0 Ah) battery packs
It’s strange for specific battery sizes to be referenced, but I think I know why.
Shown here is a Festool 18V 4.0Ah battery, similar to the ones that the vacuum is kitted with, and referenced in their product descriptions.
From the product images, the CTC Sys’s battery port looks to fit two 4Ah batteries with little clearance space between them.
With the CTC Sys cordless vac’s battery port sized as it is, there doesn’t look to be any clearance for Festool’s existing 5.2Ah battery packs.
Did you already splurge on 5.2Ah batteries to power a Festool circular saw or other such tool? Too bad, it looks like you’ll need to buy more 4Ah batteries.
Festool USA says:
No interruptions: Work continuously with four battery packs and a TCL 6 DUO rapid charger for most cordless applications
Notice “work continuously with four battery packs,” but you only get two with the kit. So, if you want to avoid downtime, you’ll need two more batteries, and only compact batteries that will properly fit the vacuum.
Festool’s owner’s manual confirms this – the dust extractor will only work with the brand’s 18V 3.1Ah and 4Ah batteries.
Festool 18V 6.2Ah batteries also will not fit the new cordless vacuum.
As with the corded version, you can remove the “hose garage” for easier transport.
Technically don’t need the top systainer at all times, except for neater transport and storage of the hose and accessories.
Unlike the corded model, the CTC Sys has a folding front handle, but only on the vacuum systainer itself. The top has the recessed top handle.
It doesn’t seem to be very convenient to carry both systainers boxes together from the off-center front handle, which is presumably why marketing images show only the vacuum part being carried with the hose in a neat coil around it.
The kit comes with the CYC Vac, wide nozzle, crevice nozzle, shoulder strap, disposable dust bag, hose, dual-port charger, 2x 4Ah batteries, and another systainer to hold the batteries and charger.
Festool CTC Sys Key Features & Specs
- HEPA filter
- 1.2 gallon container capacity, 0.9 gallon with filter bag
- 85 CFM max air volume
- 72″ static water life
- Weighs 19.40 lbs
- 3 levels of suction power
- 27 x 3m suction hose (~1.06″ x 9.8ft)
The CTC Sys can be activated manually, Bluetooth remote (included), or Festool 18V Bluetooth batteries.
Price and Availability
Price: $399 for the vacuum, $684 or $744 for the 2-battery kit
ETA: October 2022 or 2023
Festool USA says the new CTC Sys is “coming 2023,” but retailers are saying the vacuum (tool-only) and kit are both shipping in October 2022.
Discussion
On the surface, it looks like Festool took everything I liked about their corded mobile dust extractor vac and simply added battery power.
The corded version performed nicely, but was almost always a bit awkward to use.
The performance and long hose usually make it worthwhile to grab the corded sys vac, as most other brands’ cordless vacuums or dust extractors haven’t matched this yet.
But, I’ve been using it less and less. Cordless vacs have proven to be more portable and convenient, and my corded dust extractor vac has superior suction and greater collection capacity. If I’m going to wrestle a long cord and hose, I might as well carry or roll a larger dust extractor vac to where I need it.
Maybe I’ve been using it wrong – it seems you’re supposed to wear the vacuum around your neck and shoulder while using a circular saw or other sawdust-creating power tools!
This seems extremely awkward to me – I thought carrying straps were only for transport and not intended for hands-free use.
The AC vacuum has a long hose (and power cord), and so I’ve always placed it near where I need it.
But, the form factor has always been cumbersome. You could leave the “hose garage” elsewhere, but then you’ve got a long hose to tame. It seems easier to detach the hose garage from the cordless version than the corded, which is a plus.
There’s no top handle on the vac’s systainer itself. The cordless version finally adds a folding front handle, but it’s telling that I haven’t seen any Festool product images that show both the vac and usually-attached hose garage carried in this manner.
The cordless vac very strongly resembles the corded version, which I suppose was expected since Festool would obviously adhere to their systainer form factor.
However, the battery situation is extremely disappointing.
Rather than Festool requiring use of a single higher capacity battery, such as the 5.2Ah battery, they require the use of two compact 4.0Ah or 3.1Ah batteries.
I presume this was for a power boost, but it likely also contributes to longer runtime.
At the time of this posting, Festool’s 18V 4Ah battery is $120 each at dealers, and their 5.2Ah battery is $130 each.
If you want to buy a pair of batteries, they have a 2x 4Ah battery kit, with dual-port charger and systainer for $299, and it’s slated for release in 2023.
Still, other brands’ cordless vacuums are more flexible. Milwaukee Tool’s M18 Fuel Packout-compatible vacuum, for example, can be powered by any M18 battery, big or small. It is HEPA-rated, has more than double the collection volume, and weighs considerably less.
Festool’s cordless vac comes with a long hose and a Bluetooth remote – something that ALL cordless vacuums should offer at least as an option.
There’s also no AC option, either for plug-in activation such as with a corded sander, or for powering the CTC Sys with an extension cord.
I rarely use plug-in activation these days, now that I mainly use cordless power tools with a remote-controlled corded dust extractor vac. I have yet to find a good-enough battery-powered dust vac to be able to retire my rolling corded vacs.
I feel that I might be overreacting. We waited so long for Festool to finally launch cordless vacuums, and *this* is what we get?
But on the other hand, the less fine-print when when dealing with cordless power tool and battery selection, the better.
Well, at least it’s not built into older-style systainers like the ones they still bundle with their premium vacuum clamp system. (Yes, I still feel sour about this! Festool shouldn’t be bundling tools with anything other than T-Loc systainers anymore.)
On one hand, they kept the systainer form factor. On the other hand, they kept the systainer form factor, and the battery selection is very constricted.
Let’s say you want to get spare batteries for a Festool cordless sander, circular saw, and this dust vac.
Well, you’ll need a proprietary battery for the hybrid sander, their latest cordless saw comes with 5.2Ah batteries, and you will likely want more of the same, and this vac requires specific pairs of batteries.
Let’s say you buy a spare set of 4Ah batteries. Oops, you forgot to charge the 5.2Ah batteries that came with your saw. So, you swap in the 4Ah batteries. You work on a few other tasks, and now your CTC Sys cordless vac is out of batteries, but your 5.2Ah batteries aren’t finished charging.
This all seems like a huge headache.
I like to be able to pair any batteries with any tool from the same brand, at least in a pinch.
Many brands have recommended tool and brand pairings, but less-than-ideal batteries will usually still physically fit and power the tool, even if at reduced performance. Here, you’re blocked from using higher capacity batteries.
I really liked the idea of a cordless Festool vac, but this isn’t what I had in mind – especially given the price point.
How disappointing.
Are you more optimistic about the CTC Sys? Change my mind.
Kevin
Who makes a cut with a vacuum slung over their shoulder?
Eric
I don’t cut, but I have found myself holding my M18 vac in one hand and orbital sander in the other hand when walking around a large piece. It would be a lot easier if Milwaukee hadn’t put the power switch on the wrong side of the handle. But that’s a whole other topic that doesn’t belong here.
John+E
I was just about to say the same thing. The people who set up these tool photoshoots and the actors in them have no idea how tools get used. You see this everywhere.
Jared
That seems like it’s asking for the vacuum to shift forward as you lean with the cut – either spoiling your accuracy or creating actual danger.
Rog
How did they get this use-case photo past the lawyers?
Robert
Looks to me the blade is spinning by the light pattern on it and that it is plunged in the wood. Maybe that’s why the actor is grimacing, “Oh hell, I’m going to lose my left hand in a second.”
Bonnie
Spinning blades are often added in photoshop afterwards. Nobody wants to deal with that what taking a press shot.
Franco
Yes, but the guys in the photos are German. They could easily put a vac on each shoulder and then run a marathon.
Doresoom
This looks like a case of Festool engineers and product managers not ever using the tools they designed. That looks so incredibly awkward to use as the product images show.
At a minimum the engineer should be required to use the prototype themselves, and then get end user feedback as well.
Not to mention the terrible decision to make it incompatible with higher capacity batteries!
Stuart
I used to think that wasn’t the case, but I really don’t know anymore.
I have been steadily losing faith in the brand.
Festool seems to have lost sight of what matters most – functionality and solutions without compromise.
John+E
There’s definitely a lot of Kool Aid drinking that goes along with Festool ownership, much like Apple. That’s not saying they don’t make some excellent products, but aside from the Domino and a couple of sanders I’m glad I’ve given them a hard pass. There are so many better options out there.
Leo
Can you please name those brands that you think perform better than festool, and in what category? It would be greatly appreciated.
MM
Agreed 100%.
Frank D
How do you even see where to cut?
How is it even safe?
As in, how do you prevent that vacuum box from slipping around and hitting your saw or work piece sideways?
Saulac
Should has been in the backpack formfactor. I don’t expect user take this on and off after each cuts, so the backpack type harness is better because it is more balance and safer. I don’t know why it so hard for tool companies to get it right on the cordless backpack vacuum. The cord backpack vacuums has been optimized for a long time in the commercial cleaning industry. Keep everything like the cord vacuums and just replace the motor and add the batteries. But no, they have to be “innovate”. The Milwaukee M18 backpack vacuum is the worst Milwaukee tool that I have. It is so cumbersome that I don’t bother after a few time. My local market is flooded with this vacuum. It is the Milwaukee tool with the worst resale value. Await, I think I have seen pictures of a Makita backpack vacuum that looks really compact…that could be it.
Stuart
The Milwaukee M18 backpack vacuum is awesome! I stashed the backpack straps somewhere safe and use it as a compact footprint vac for use with tools (although it topples sometimes) and as a light cleanup vac.
Saulac
I am glad that you like it. I too tried to use it w/o the harness and I too found it to be unstable due to the side entry hose. I understand why they make the side entry, but in practice it just make the tool so awkward to handle. I searched Toolguyd for Makita vacuums (thanks by the way), and holly craps, they master the cordless vacuum game. I found two or three option that I would take over this thing or the Milwaukee backpack. You probably should have mentioned a few other vacuum options in this post (or did I missed it).
Stuart
The good thing about Makita is that they have a vacuum for almost anything. The bad thing about Makita is that they have few vacuums for almost everything.
TomD
The backpack vac is amazingly quiet and works surprisingly well for its noise output. Getting the extra long hose for it really helps with the tipping over problem, and I don’t think anyone actually backpacks it.
Carl
Agreed, just from seeing the image at the top I was wondering why the heck this isn’t in a backpack form factor.
Eric
I get maybe 20 minutes of battery life out of my Milwaukee on a 5ah battery. This Festool seems to run nearly twice the cfm as mine. So I would think it’s going to use nearly twice as much power. So figure 20, maybe 25 minutes of runtime on a pair of 4ah batteries. Is the charger really that fast? Even the Milwaukee super charger would take at least 35 minutes to charge similar sized batteries.
Bob
Your lack of understanding regarding amp hours and run time is odd. Grabbing “any battery” will set the enduser up for a disappointing experience. Give the Festool engineers a little credit for creating minimum power requirements so the tool runs as expected.
The long hose allows you to use the vac without wearing it.
It seems like you had some lofty expectations for a tool designed to be portable, powerful and comfortable.
ADMIN NOTE: This commentor is affiliated with Festool USA.
Saulac
I am glad that you like it. I too tried to use it w/o the harness and I too found it to be unstable due to the side entry hose. I understand why they make the side entry, but in practice it just make the tool so awkward to handle. I searched Toolguyd for Makita vacuums (thanks by the way), and holly craps, they master the cordless vacuum game. I found two or three option that I would take over this thing or the Milwaukee backpack. You probably should have mentioned a few other vacuum options in this post (or did I missed it).
TomD
Making a tool that doesn’t work with all your *current* batteries is inexcusable in my opinion. Milwaukee went to the trouble to replace existing tools that wouldn’t fit the 12Ah monster when it dropped (I shipped back a light) – I can’t believe Festool couldn’t design a bit more space in that thing, but perhaps it would weaken the corner enough or something.
Bonnie
I think they might be too wedded to the systainer design/dimensions to consider (better) options that break outside that footprint.
JPM
At times I think the systainer system is to festool what m18 is to Milwaukee. At least Milwaukee is starting to ease out of that with the m36/2×18 tools they’ve been releasing.
Leo
I find systainers of any version to be weak and flimsy. They rank high in organization for me, but not in longevity, unless you’re mega careful. I work mobile, and sometimes with a team, and they’ve broken a few.
Shawn+Y
That first photo looks pretty dangerous. Anyone whose worn a heavy messenger bag will know when you move into certain positions, the bag will abruptly swing in front of you.
A backpack style would be out of the way and secure.
Harrison
Definitely too bad you can’t stick a pair of their forthcoming 8ah batteries in there.
I have a brushless 18v vacuum that runs for about 25-30min on high with a 5ah, and 50-60 on low. I find the run time to be generally satisfactory for its intended use- quick cleanup on high, dust extraction on low- but just barely.
I can’t see spending money on another cordless vac unless it can perform for significantly longer.
Adam
The comparison of a festool dust extractor to a milwaukee shop vac is a big stretch. If you are just cleaning up sawdust thats fine. But no one is showing up to do lead abatement work with a packout shop vac. Both can have hepa filters but there are orders of magnitude in difference on filtration levels.
I think the complaint about being limited to the smaller batteries is legitimate and it has been talked about for months over on other forums. It is worth noting though that over the last couple years festool has largely started bundling their cordless kits with the smaller form factor batteries with the exception of the track saw as mentioned.
For the bigger battery lovers they also announced their midi dust collector coming out in cordless form that will accept the bigger batteries in an only slightly bigger form factor, i think this covers both bases.
I agree the pics of cutting with it on your shoulder are prob tone deaf. But the whole point of this smaller vac is to be more portable. Prob not a way I would use it but not saying I never would.
Collin
This. The HEPA filter in any Milwaukee vacuum is meaningless. No Milwaukee vacuum is actually able to claim even OSHA table 1 compliance, much less EPA lead abatement standards. To achieve those standards you’d need to design the vacuum with sufficient power and in the case of lead abatement, make sure the entire vacuum is sealed. HEPA filter don’t mean much if there’s air leaking past the various seals and spewing lead everywhere except inside the filter pleats.
Festool makes real vacuums that meet dust extraction standards. Milwaukee makes glorified dust busters, for now. Their only actual dust extractor is a carbon copy of the Flex/Nilfisk vacuum.
JamesP
Great to see they’ve added Bluetooth and suction control, but twenty minutes of runtime just isn’t enough for my purposes. I’d also miss having an outlet as so many of my small jobs include using a planer/router combo (neither of which Festool is making in a cordless model, fwiw.)
If this were a hybrid vacuum with a wallwart convertor and automated power outlet, it’d almost be a must-buy for me. I could live with the small bag and short battery life if I only had to rely on it for quick clean ups.
Sorry also to see that they appear to have removed the built in storage for the crevice nozzle and upholstery tool. I rarely use them but it’s nice that when needed, they’re always onboard. Being loose in the top tray they’ll surely get lost.
Brian
When I first saw the picture, I thought you guys were about five months too late on April fools day.
David
I’m a Carpenter with 40 yrs experience.. this is the silliest thing I have ever seen.. period..
Ben
Just remember this vacuum is for quick small tasks, it is your secondary vacuum. Also festool has a range of larger cordless vacuum coming which will take the 8amp batteries. I actually find the larger festool cordless vacuum a bit pointless (id rather them corded) and this smaller sys-vacuum perfect. I have the Milwaukee packout vacuum and although it is great it is frustrating with the power switch on wrong side, no remote and the short hose. BTW the Milwaukee does not suck well with a long hose extension. The specs of the festool are excellent. Run time is poor but for quick on/off vacuum tasks (easier with remote to save battery) it will be great. I wouldn’t be using it for sawing at a cut station (the bag capacity is too low, after 20 rips the bag would be full) I’d be using it to sand something on a ladder or to drill a hole in the wall at a client house with a drill dust attachment or to spot clean up during the day as im working. You still will need a larger Vac. This is your secondary, by your side vacuum and the 4amp batteries and 3.1amp will actually suit what you use it with better.. the sanders, your drills for cabinet work ect. And when your 5.2batteries go flat in your plunge saw you will have some spare 4amp you can chuck in. The festool batteries charge real fast, I can’t see the issues TBH. I can’t wait for this to come out so I can sell my packout vacuum.
Mike+McFalls
While most of my initial thoughts have been stated already, I have the corded version of this vacuum for times where I just need a quick cleanup and/or a handful of cuts and don’t want to lug around a larger vacuum. The corded CT SYS is very capable and stack nicely with my tanos Systainers for transport and storage.
Cash
Have had the new festool cordless vac for 2 days now… first day used it on my track saw to cut 2 door bottom. The next day went to use the vacuum to vacuum up a work area inside of a house batteries were dead. We thought maybe we left the power on so we charge the batteries again. After the batteries were fully charged again, went to cut a single door bottom and make a bevel cut on a 7’ door and it was dead again. Not digging the battery life at all. I feel like these batteries might be the reject power stacks from Dewalt😂😂
Richard
What other brands offer Bluetooth with their cordless vacuums?
Stuart
Dewalt and Makita.