The Festool CT 26 and CT 36 are the two most common Festool dust extractors for professional and serious home shop use. Both use the same 27mm Plug-it hose system and HEPA M-class filtration. The difference is capacity and airflow.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | CT 26 | CT 36 | CT 36 AC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6.9 gallons (26 liters) | 9.5 gallons (36 liters) | 9.5 gallons (36 liters) |
| Max airflow | 116 CFM | 130 CFM | 130 CFM |
| Hose size | 27mm Plug-it | 27mm Plug-it | 27mm Plug-it |
| Filtration | HEPA M-class | HEPA M-class | HEPA M-class |
| Auto-start | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Self-cleaning filter | No | No | Yes |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs | 24.2 lbs | 25.4 lbs |
| Price (approx) | $650 | $800 | $1,000 |
The CT 26: Who It Is Best For
The CT 26 is the right choice for shops that do a variety of work but do not need the highest capacity. At 6.9 gallons, the CT 26 handles a full sanding session, a track saw cut through multiple sheets, and router work before the bag needs changing.
The CT 26 is also the better choice if portability matters. At 19.8 lbs, it is meaningfully lighter than the CT 36. For trim carpenters who move the extractor between rooms or floors, this weight difference matters.
The CT 36: Who It Is Best For
The CT 36 makes sense when you do long sessions on a single task. Heavy sanding (multiple passes on large surfaces), extended routing, or a full day of track saw work fills the CT 26 faster than the CT 36.
At 130 CFM, the CT 36 also has slightly more airflow than the CT 26. For the Festool TS 75 larger track saw or when using a longer hose, the extra airflow maintains chip transport at full speed.
The CT 36 AC: Worth the Upgrade?
The CT 36 AC adds a self-cleaning filter. After each tool stop, the extractor pulses the filter to shake loose collected dust back into the bag. The filter stays at lower resistance throughout a session.
For finish sanding sessions of 2 hours or more, the AC version maintains more consistent suction. For shorter sessions, the standard CT 36 is fine. If you do daily production sanding or dusty routing, the AC version is worth the extra cost.
Can I Use These with Non-Festool Tools?
Yes. Both the CT 26 and CT 36 use a 27mm Plug-it hose. You can connect any brand tool with the right adapter:
- 32mm tool (Milwaukee/DeWalt): 32mm to 27mm adapter
- 36mm tool (Makita): 36mm to 27mm adapter
- 35mm tool (Bosch): 35mm to 27mm adapter
Running non-Festool tools through a Festool CT extractor is a popular setup. You get HEPA filtration quality on all tools while keeping one central extraction unit.