Festool has a new mobile dust extractor, CT 25, that looks to be configured as a wet/dry shop vacuum.
The Festool CT 25 is designed for cleaning work, and costs quite a bit less than their other mobile dust extractor vacuums.
Festool’s CT 26 , for example, sells for $799, whereas the new CT 25 will sell for $485.
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Festool says that the new CT 25 is ideal for “cleaning offices, workshops, garages, motor vehicles and job sites.”
It has a flat-top design, which Festool says can be “used as a seat or a shelf for working materials.” At the middle is a carry handle.
Inside the top lid, there’s storage space for the included crevice and upholstery nozzles.
The user controls are simple, with “an intuitive touch control panel in place of rotary knobs.”
There are 5 suction power settings, and an on/off button.
Bungee straps provide for on-board storage of the vacuum hose.
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Festool describes the vacuum as being “surprisingly compact,” with a robust chassis, low weight, and construction with portability in mind.
It has a container volume size of 6.6 gallons (25 liters), and weighs 26.5 lbs.
The filter bag capacity is 5.94 gallons (22.5 liters).
The vacuum ships with 2 nozzles, a 3.5 meter (11.5 feet) vacuum hose, and filter bag.
The accessories shown in some of the other product images are optional add-ons.
Vacuum Performance Specs
- 130 CFM max volume flow
- 96″ static water lift
A telescoping handle attachment (available separately for $115) allows for easier mobility.
Additional filters are also available, such as one for wet pickup ($26 at the time of this posting). It (model 577533) comes standard with a HEPA filter.
Replacement bags (SELFCLEAN Filter Bag SC-FIS-CT 25/5) are available for $45 for a 5-pack.
Price: $485
ETA: September 2023
You’ll probably also want to factor in the cost of a floor nozzle and extension wand set. Festool has a kit for $115 – buy it at Amazon.
Discussion
The CT 25 looks to be similar to the CT 15 that came out a few years ago. I’m not familiar with that model, and so I’ve been looking at the CT 25 with fresh eyes.
It lacks some of the features I like about my CT 26, but that makes sense as it’s tailored more towards cleanup tasks than on-tool dust collection.
While considerably less expensive than the CT 26, the CT 25 delivers close to the same airflow specs – 130 vs 138 CFM, and the same 96″ of static water lift.
The cable length is shorter (16.4′ vs 25′), and the hose is different (ribbed vs sheathed).
The CT 25 lacks some of the frills of the CT 26, such as an auxiliary device connection (for Bluetooth activation or other modules), and locking brake, but it costs substantially less.
I use my CT 26 primarily for dust collection, and on occasion for workshop cleaning tasks. I wonder if the CT 25 would serve well primarily for cleaning tasks and occasionally for on-tool dust collection.
It looks like the CT 25 is designed around a lower price point. There are some compromises, but also the benefit of having a smaller footprint.
MoogleMan3
It’s basically a ct15 with a bigger tank.
The 15/25 are the basic “budget” line of festool vacs; they lack the bt, foot brake, filter cleaning lever of the midi, which is their closest vac in features.
I’ve been very happy with my midi; I don’t think I could give up the bt feature.
TomD
I’m very “wait and see” on touch controllers on devices that are abused and by definition covered in dust and grime.
Stuart
I think by “touch control” these are just membrane switches. I prefer physical switches and knobs myself, but what they’re using here looks to have been in the field for a while with the CT 15.
Nate
I have the CT MIDI. They are membrane switches. I think they are pretty robust and work well. There are advantages to both. Switches and knobs can be potentially broken by impact or abuse. Membranes are a bit less “tactile”.
TomD
Membranes make a lot more sense (though how they’re “touch” and a button isn’t I don’t quite get) but the membrane switches on the M12 cabinet tool make me sad.
BigTimeTommy
Festool knows their audience. Festool users aren’t out working in heavy industry they’re in a clean shop making furniture or doing finish work in a mcmansion. Allows them to cut corners with cheap membrane switches, ABS instead of glasses nylon etc.
kent_skinner
I used the touch controls on a new Festool vac a week or two ago on a client site. They suck, as do must touch controls on tools.
I would *much* rather have the physical rotary knob on my CT26 (36?).
Jason
Does it say anything about power cord storage?
Stuart
No. I don’t see any mention of a cord wrap or similar, and they don’t show anything in the product images either.
Maybe it can be stored under the hose bundle.
TomD
https://youtu.be/2yi5Uyb6TpQ?t=205 seems to show it in the bin where the attachments go, but maybe I found the wrong one as this video is from May.
Jim Felt
Both my now ancient HEPA Fein and even older US made barrel Dewalt finally or at this rate ever fail I guess I’d be interested but not just yet.
Plus I like how a mere handle adds $115 makes me kinda smile. If through slightly gritted teeth.
kent_skinner
“an intuitive touch control panel in place of rotary knobs.”
That’s marketing-speak for “we made it cheaper”. But it’s a sub-$500 Festool vacuum, so they had to cut corners somewhere.
Joseph
This is a great unit! We’ve been using it in our shop for one of our stations for almost a year. Replaced a CT22 that was 20 years old. I also have another similar vintage CT22, a 15yo Midi, and a newer CT26, all being used professionally. Didn’t love the CT-Sys though.
Any 200$ shop vac can (loudly) pick up big piles of debris as fast or faster than this unit. But that kind of Vac also spews most of the fine dust right back out in the air to settle back down in the space again, and – worse- in our lungs….
For a vac w HEPA, tool activation, and adjustable speed, you’re looking at $450 minimum no matter the brand.
I’m really glad that Festool has a vac without bells and whistles
Their spare parts + repair program also means I can keep this one for another decade
Jason
I have the CT15 and it’s great for what it is. I bought it to live underneath my Kapex miter saw full-time and it’s perfect for that. Has roughly the same CFM as my older CT22. My only gripe about the CT15 is that the bags fill up quickly. The CT25 would’ve been a better choice, but it wasn’t available when I needed it.
Jason White
I should also mention that I paired my CT15 with a length of old green 36mm hose that I had lying around the shop. Three feet seems to be the sweet spot for the Kapex.