Festool CT 36 EI AC HEPA Dust Extractor Review
Mini Review
I’ve run this for a year as the main vac in my shop, hooked up to my tools for woodworking and drywall sanding. The auto-start is the feature I’d miss most: plug a corded tool into the unit and the vac kicks on and off with it. It captures dust at the tool, so cleanup drops significantly, and the HEPA filter is tested to OSHA’s silica standard and meets EPA lead-safe (RRP) requirements. At about $1,100 it makes sense if you sand every week, not a few times a year.
Disclosure
The Tool Space may receive compensation through eligible purchases from our links. We are independently owned and purchase all the materials we review. We test every product and rate them based off performance/value. Thanks for valuing our content and reviews.
- Overall Rating
- In The Box
- CT 36 EI AC HEPA extractor
- HEPA main filter
- SELFCLEAN filter bag and plastic liner
- 36 mm antistatic suction hose
- Price
- Product Website
- Shop For It
Available at Festool Authorized Dealers and online retailers
Overview
The CT 36 EI AC HEPA is Festool’s 36-liter mobile dust extractor with a certified HEPA main filter, AutoClean filter cleaning and built-in Bluetooth. AutoClean pulses the main filter at intervals you set (15, 30, 60 or 120 seconds) to keep suction up during long sanding runs. Bluetooth lets it start and stop automatically with compatible Festool cordless tools or the optional remote; corded tools plug into the outlet on the unit. Festool rates it at 138 CFM and 96 inches of water lift, with five suction settings.
What We Like
- Auto-start for any corded tool plugged into the unit. The vac runs only when the tool does, with no reaching for a switch.
- Captures dust at the source with Festool sanders and track saws. Cleanup time drops significantly.
- Keeps up with the Planex 2 drywall sander, so it handles fine drywall dust, not just wood dust.
- Certified HEPA filter (99.97% at 0.3 microns), tested to OSHA’s silica standard and compliant with EPA lead-safe (RRP) work.
- AutoClean keeps suction steady through long sanding sessions without stopping to knock the filter.
What We Don't Like
- About $1,100. A shop vac with a HEPA filter costs a fraction of that, though it won’t have AutoClean or tool-triggered start.
- 33.5 lb before the hose. Plan on rolling it, not carrying it up stairs.
First Impressions
I’ve had the CT 36 for about a year. The first thing I checked was the HEPA certification label: it’s tested to OSHA 1926.1153 (the silica rule) and certified to capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns with no bypass leakage, which is what EPA’s lead-safe rule requires. That matters for drywall dust, which is the fine stuff that clogs a regular shop vac filter. Once it was set up in the shop, the auto-start won me over fast. Plug the tool into the outlet on the vac, pull the trigger, and the vac comes on. Let go, and it shuts off.
What's In The Box
- CT 36 EI AC HEPA extractor
- HEPA main filter
- SELFCLEAN filter bag (34 L)
- Plastic liner
- 36 mm antistatic suction hose
Specifications
- Model: CT 36 EI AC HEPA (Festool 577874)
- Max airflow: 138 CFM (3,900 L/min)
- Max vacuum: 96 in. static water lift
- Power: 350–1,200 W, 120 VAC
- Container / filter bag: 9.5 gal (36 L) / 9.0 gal (34 L)
- Filter: HEPA, 99.97% at 0.3 microns; 979 sq in filter area
- Filter cleaning: AutoClean, adjustable 15/30/60/120 s
- Tool start: Bluetooth (cordless tools or remote) and tool outlet
- Cord length: 25 ft
- Weight: 33.5 lb (15.2 kg)
- Dimensions: 25 x 14.4 x 23.4 in
Full Review
I’ve used the CT 36 for a year as the dust extractor in my shop. It’s hooked up to my tools for woodworking, mostly sanding, and I also run it with my Festool Planex 2 (LHS 2 225) drywall sander. The two are a natural pair; Festool even sells them as a kit. Paired with a Festool sander (see our ETS EC 125/3 review), it pulls dust at the tool instead of leaving it on the bench and floor, and that’s where the cleanup time savings come from.
The auto-start is what I like most. Any corded tool plugged into the outlet on the vac turns it on when you pull the trigger and off when you stop. It sounds minor, but over a day of sanding it means the vac is never running for nothing and you’re never sanding without it.
Drywall is where the HEPA filter earns its price. Drywall dust is fine enough to clog a regular shop vac filter fast and get through a cheap one. This unit is tested to OSHA’s silica standard and meets EPA’s lead-safe requirement for no bypass leakage. AutoClean pulses the filter on a timer, so suction holds through a long sanding run.
Who should buy it: anyone sanding every week, whether that’s woodworking in a shop or drywall and finish work in occupied homes, especially if you do RRP or silica-regulated work. Who shouldn’t: someone sanding a project a few times a year. A HEPA shop vac will do that for far less money. Recommended for Handyman and Contractor.
Related reviews: Festool ETS EC 125 Sander · Festool ETS vs DeWalt DWE6423K · Craftsman Cordless Shop Vac
Gear for this tool: Festool CT 36 SELFCLEAN filter bags (5-pack)
Warranty Information
Covered by Festool’s US warranty and service program. Check festoolusa.com for current terms before buying.
Tool Space Recommendation
Our recommendation by skill level.
