Festool is launching new dust extractor vacuums early this year, featuring built-in Bluetooth control connectivity and “intuitive touch operation” with a new user interface.
Users will be able to connect to the extractor via smartphone app, for tips and explanation of warning messages.
The new generation of Festool dust vacuums will include CT 26, CT 36, and CT 48 sizes.
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The AutoClean models feature smartphone app-adjustable settings, for cleaning intervals of 15, 30, 60, or 120 seconds.
Optional wheel covers will also be available.
These will come standard with a flooring installation-specific model, CT 26 FLR, which also comes with shoe covers and a non-abrasive PUR power cable.
From product images, it looks like the major changes are in the user interface, with Festool building in Bluetooth connectivity and replacing all of the dials with membrane-style pushbuttons.
The vacs’ Bluetooth activation works with Festool’s remote control, which must be purchased separately, or their compatible 18V battery packs with built-in Bluetooth.
All of the models I looked at seem to have an AC outlet for automatic activation when used with corded power tools such as sanders.
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There will also be new modules, such as one that allows you to plug in cordless power tool battery chargers that remain powered without activating the vacuum.
USA pricing and availability have not yet been announced. The new dust extractor vacs will be launching in Europe in February 2025.
Here’s a roundup of the new mobile dust extractor models:
Festool L-Class Vacuums
- CTL 26
- CTL 26 Floor
- CTL 26 AC
- CTL 26 AC Renofix
- CTL 36
- CTL 36 AC
- CTL 36 AC Renofix
Festool M-Class Vacuums
- CTM 26
- CTM 26 Floor
- CTM 26 AC
- CTM 36
- CTM 36 AC
- CTM 36 AC Renofix
- CTM 48
- CTM 48 AC
Festool H-Class Vacuums
- CTH 26
Discussion
That said, I don’t see any real improvements here.
Bluetooth as a standard inclusion seems modern, but I bet users are going to have to pay extra for it.
Looking online at European pricing, the new CTL 26 is priced more than 25% higher than the older model.
Turning the vacuum from off to on now requires 2 button presses instead of 1 knob click, and switching from the lowest suction mode to highest power looks to require 4 button presses instead of 1 turn of the dial.
I like the physical dial controls of my vacuum, and see the “touch interface” as a downgrade.
The extractor is also cleverly connected to Festool app. If the extractor reports warnings, it provides support via your smartphone. Clever networking is clever work.
Is it necessary for the dust vacuum to communicate with my phone? What’s “clever” about this?
Are the new dust extractor vacuums really an improvement?
I’ve grown disillusioned about Festool, and see these vacs as a way for them to charge more for increased profits. Hopefully I’m wrong about that.
We don’t know which models are coming to the USA, when that will be, or how much they’ll cost.
If you’re in the market for a Festool CT vacuum, your options are to buy one of the older models now, or wait an undetermined amount of time to get one of the new ones.
John
Hard pass, I don’t need small tools connecting to my effing phone. Still running 5 Fein vacs ranging from 12-20 years old, they just keep working and all have compatible filters and only 2 different sized bags.
fred
I too am good to go with my old Feins – but see lots of Festool vacs on local jobsites. With Festool sanders that’s about all of their line I see in commercial use in my neck of the woods. For me – my most used Festool item is a Domino XL machine – hooked up to my Fein vac.
BTW – Acme says they are running a Fein 15% off sale
https://www.acmetools.com/all/?pmid=25a078_fein_15off
Jronman
People say the new “touch” control panel is more durable than the dial design. I can’t say one way or another. Another mark against it is the performance specs are unchanged. The same 137 cfm rating for North America in theory as the European numbers are unchanged. An increase to 150 cfm at the very least to be able to run a 6 inch grinder would have been a welcome addition and maybe have made the higher price tag less terrible. I think the play here is to wait for the new model to release then buy an old models for a discount. Thats what I did with some of my other Festool tools.
Saulac
Optional wheel covers will also be available, in TWO different sizes. I am not sure if the covers are supposed to be used outside or inside. But either way, if the outside is dirty/muddy, changing the covers will not be a pleasant job. This is where cheap/disposable vacuums come in.
Stuart
From what I’ve seen they’re only available in 6pc 4-wheel sets.
What kind of muddy environments are you using a dust extractor vacuum in? The caster booties are likely for protecting finished floors from gouges or scratches.
MFC
I am constantly taping and re-taping my vacuum, dolly and ladder feet with painter’s tape. Booties could be nice, but if metal shavings or other things got stuck in them, then I’d have to pick them out instead of just removing a layer of tape…
Saulac
Nothing more than what shown in first pict. You are correct. I failed to realize that it is actual 2 bigs and 4 smalls. Also the socks are for the most delicate surface make more sense.
Josh
This probably only matters to automotive paint/body shop users, but it appears that Festool also removed the “module slot” from the new models with this change. While the Bluetooth function is built-in for the new models, users will no longer have the option to add a pneumatic module to automatically turn the vac on/off when using it with air sanders.
I agree that the change to a membrane-style control panel with what appear to be polydome switches is a major downgrade in durability, usability, and perceived quality.
Hans
It wil still be possible. The new pneumatic module is external, like the one shown with the charger. It’s plug and play now, can be swapped between extractors, but it’s not as neatly integrated.
These two external modules don’t seem to exclusively fit the new CT’s, they just plug into the outlet. So they should also be usable on the old CT’s and extractors from other makes.
An old CT with a built-in Bluetooth module and the new external modules will give you exactly the same functionality. With tactile controls and, I think, more durable, less electronics.
William
With all these apps and phone connected tools, how do manufactures envision professional companies using these. I don’t want all my guys to download an app to use the vacuum. I have app burnout now. I hate creating an account just to view a document that could have been an email PDF.
Have they fixed the durability of the hose garage in the new models that look like this. That was always the thing that broke!
Stuart
The hose garage appears unchanged.
Chris
If Festool sees that first image as their typical customer, I can see how they think this is an upgrade. Free hand mitering some tongue and grove decking (siding?) with your cordless skill saw connected to your corded dust collection, outside on your bespoke 100lb saw horses, while wearing your track jacket. That dude loves his bluetooth connected dust extractor.
Maybe this is a common German construction site, but to my American eyes it looks poorly staged or AI’d.
Wayne R.
Yeah, that jumped out at me, too. You’d think a fancy dust collector would be shown in a refined, clean setting rather than an active outdoor construction site. While that might just be a problem with the ad shoot, it tells me that, overall, their marketing is somewhat unfocused.
Stuart
They have a lot of images showing the vac used indoors and outside. I liked this one because the vac was in the foreground, rather than out of focus in the background. In most of their other product images, it wasn’t clear that the vac was the new model.
Bonnie
The massive sawhorse was also the first thing I noticed. Who is building (immaculate) sawhorses out of what looks like 4×8 beams?
Goodie
The touch interface looks very similar to the CT MIDI extractor controls. I got one about four years ago and love it. It’s been geeat and I don’t miss the knobs. The “bars” are actually pretty useful, as there’s guidance from festool to run their sanders at 2 bars to reduce swirl markings.
Minor gripe with the review. It’s very clear Stuart hasn’t used a CT MIDI. Turning the vacuum still only requires one button press most of the time. The “power” button is pressed when you first plug the vaccuum on. After that point, you’re only pressing “MAN” – for manual activation – at the vacuum end of the hose or using the Bluetooth remote at the sucky end.
I have the Bluetooth remote control switch. It’s really just a power in button that straps to the end of the hose. It’s fantastic. Game changer to turn on the vac from the working end of the hose.
That said, I do get the hate on membrane switches. I am not in the Milwaukee 12v line because the first 12v tool I wanted was an installation driver. Theirs has the stupid membrane switch to change rotational direction. Ended up going with Bosch Flexiclick. I find Milwaukee’s choice to use Membrane switches to be a much more grievous offense on a drill than these buttons on a vaccuum. I use the drill direction switches all the time. I am rarely touching the vac, as the Bluetooth switch or AC power draw are turning on the vac.
As far as the app, it doesn’took like there are settings that require apps to use, but rather the app is used to look up diagnostic codes to troubleshoot problems. I am okay with that, as I am usually grabbing the phone to look up solutions (from the manual typically) when a tool needs troubleshooting.
Finally, industry specific solutions are what Festool excels at. I think the flooring models will do pretty well. Many of the accessories are head scratchers for regular users, but they are time savers for pros that need them. I suspect the booties will be used pretty regularly by pros who’ve been using workarounds for a while.
I am not a Festool apologist, and I buy most of their stuff used. They are quite expensive, and there’s a bit of the Apple marketing thing going on which I despise, “buy our stuff, it’s really clever and better than everyone else’s. You’ll look smart and like a real professional.” Can’t stand that type of marketing. In practice, though, I’ve found most of Festool’s products to be time savers and well built.
Stuart
I use my vacs for cleanup, not just on-tool use. So yes, that would still require pressing 2 separate buttons on the new vac vs 1 turn of the knob with current-gen CT’s.
It’s likely not a huge inconvenience, but from EU pricing, the new interface and built-in Bluetooth connectivity adds around 25% to the price of comparable dust vacs, and you still have to spend extra for the Bluetooth remote.
I own a couple of Festool tools. Some have been worth it at the time, but I feel a lot of their newer gear is poorly designed and more profit-driven than focused on the needs of their users.
I asked about the dust efficiency of the new cordless miter saw, and they basically said dust collection wasn’t a priority. Since when is dust collection not a priority for Festool tool design?
This all seems like a way for Festool to bump up the price further than they could with their annual price increases. We’ll see when USA pricing is announced.
Goodie
Understood. Just stating that the only time the power needs to be turned on is when the vac is first plugged in. You then use the the MAN or bluetooth remote to “turn on” the motor every time thereafter. It’s two presses the first time you turn it on after plug-in. After that, it’s once.
For regular cleanup tasks, I would probably get a Fein vacuum (high end, still several $100s cheaper than the Festool) even a Ridgid Shop Vac (bang for buck solution). They Fein works every bit as well as the Festool, is cheaper, and has simpler controls. I only use my Dust Extractor for cleanup in areas where I’m already using tools for dust extraction.
Festool vacs are excellent, but the company is really leaning into the “specialized solutions” and “problem solver” space. I think this is a smart solution, but may be a path to decreased market share.
If you don’t want to play in that space, there are great options that cost less and work very well.
Stuart
I like Fein vacs. But it doesn’t make sense to have one vac for collecting dust while a tool is in use and a separate one for cleaning around the tool and work to pickup any sawdust or chips that were missed.
From EU pricing, the new user interface adds $151 to the the price of the CTL 26 vac. (I’m looking at the 574951 and 577898.)
For the older vac, the Bluetooth module set with remote costs $89 via US dealers, and the remote $49.
So you’re getting $40 in added value – you still need to buy the remote – and spending $151 extra for it.
For this vac, I’d rather have dials and knobs than flat buttons. At the same price, I’d likely deal with it. But from EU pricing, these vacs are not going to be comparatively priced to existing models, they’re going to be considerably more expensive.
Jronman
If you have the bluetooth remote on the current CT you can leave it in auto full time. No changing dials needed unless you need to adjust suction power or autoclean. I don’t know how the button controls work. Can the bluetooth remote bypass the need to press the power button?
Goodie
Quick walk through of how the CT Midi works – controls look almost identical to these new models.
1. Plug the extractor/vaccum into an outlet.
2. Turn on Power button. No need to ever press it again, unless you want the vaccum to not function in automode or when it gets a bluetooth signal.
3. Vacuum is in auto mode, if you plug in a tool to the vacuum’s 110v power outlet and turn the tool on, the vaccum will start up automatically and shut down about 5 seconds after the tool stops pulling power. No need to press any buttons on the extractor.
4. If you want to turn on the vac without a tool pulling power, simply press the “MAN” button for manual. Vaccuum will start. Press “MAN” again turn the vac off.
5. If you have a bluetooth remote button (CT-F I is $49), the extractor will turn on as soon as you press the button. It will also turn off when you press the button again. This is best place at the sucky end of the hose, but can be put anywhere the user likes. On initial setup, bluetooth pairing operation by Festool is quite painless and takes about 10 seconds to accomplish.
6. If you have bluetooth enabled 18v Festool batteries and have paired them to the vac, they’ll turn on the vaccuum as soon as there’s a power draw. These work with all of their 18v tools.
Having the two buttons has been a complete non-issue for me in real world use.
Goodie
significant spelling errors above, apologies.
Julian Tracy
I can’t stand a cheap vacuum, so I’ve had many different quality vacs thru the years, fein, nilfisk, metabo and many different festool CT’s.
My festool of choice the last few years was the midi, and recently I just picked up the new cordless midi. I wasn’t looking to get into yet another battery system, and certainly wouldn’t have spent the $1100 or so it cost new, but found a like new used one from a guy for $525 with batteries and charger.
I’ll say it has been a game changer. At full power, the run time isn’t great, maybe 20 min tops, but at power no.2, it has decent suction and lasts for half or most of the day of intermittent use.
The ability to not have to plug in as well as having the Bluetooth remote on the hose is a huge time saver. I have no need for apps or custom settings via apps, but I’d say the cordless midi is a winner.
If the regular brands could manage a vacuum that wasn’t huge, heavy and widespread, they’d have a buyer in me. I picked up a Milwaukee cordless 18volt rolling shop vac and it had great suction, noise level was decent, but it had a huge footprint and was very heavy. I swear even the removable dolly was probably 15lbs.
Stuart
The lack of an AWS-compatible hose-end remote is one of the biggest regrets I have about my Makita XGT dust extractor.
I was looking at the Festool CTC, but the Makita’s size, cost, and performance specs were much better. I also saw too many complaints about Festool’s runtime. $525 with batteries and a charger? That’s half price – I’d have bought it too.
I’m optimistic about the upcoming Milwaukee M18 Fuel dust extractor, but it’s definitely not going to be a “casually carry around” type of vac.
Julian Tracy
Why lower cost brand can’t manage to copy the sleeker style of euro vacs, I don’t understand. I also own a Hilti vac and the original Porter Cable drywall vacuum, both clones made in Italy with various features implemented, but same exact style and footprint. Those, the original Fein turbo II and all the festool vacs don’t feel the need to have crappy casters cantilevered out as though tipping over vacuums is some sort of endemic in shops or job sites.
Stuart
Aside from cost, I think it’s tied to the round drum-style form factor.
MT_Noob
Hopefully the fix their plastic formula for the parts on the top. I’ve got a very old vacuum with very brittle plastic on top, and if you mistakenly try to move it while the feet are locked by pulling from the top of the case there is a good chance it will break off a very sharp piece in your hand. I’ve had minor cuts twice. You’d think I would have learned the first time.
72Anthony
I have CT-26 and replaced the hose garage and added the remote push button.
I think I’d prefer to stay with the knob for controlling suction.
The dolly covers are a genius move for pro’s doing install or service calls.
I’m not looking to upgrade, but I would prefer the following:
-More flow and suction for general shop cleaning and miter saw use.
-remote controll of tool suction or manual, remote adjustments. If you plug in a domino or miter saw, it goes to max suction. If you plug in a sander it adjusts to some reduced amount. But still has the ability to adjust suction from the remote.
JP Miterer
The PTO module for chargers and whatnot is something I could use on occasion. But rather than an extra bulky box to keep track of, I’d prefer it be built-in to the vacuum and on/off-ed from the phone app like the right/left handed selector for the cordless drills.
The other thing I’m hoping the phone app does is track hours on the filters.
I’ve got several Festool vacuums and the only dig I would make about the membrane controls is that they can’t be used with gloves on. Other than that they’ve been completely reliable. Stuart’s “two button presses” complaint isn’t really a thing. After the initial power up, I’m either using the manual or the game-changingly brilliant Bluetooth button.