Key Features
Big Capacity, Small FootprintThe 36-liter container gives you nearly 9.5 gallons of collection space without turning the extractor into a bulky shop unit. That means fewer bag changes and easier movement around the workshop or jobsite. Smarter Auto StartBuilt-in Bluetooth and tool-triggered operation let the dust extractor start with compatible Festool cordless tools, an optional remote, or corded tools through the extractor. Less walking back and forth means smoother sanding, cutting, and cleanup. Jobsite-Ready SuctionA compact high-performance turbine delivers up to 138 CFM and five suction levels, so you can tune airflow to the tool and task. The anti-static smooth hose also helps keep the setup from snagging while you work.
Overview
The Festool 577872 CLEANTEC CT 36 EI HEPA Dust Extractor is a professional dust extractor built for workshop dust collection and jobsite cleanup. This is a dust extractor designed for dry and wet extraction, tool-triggered dust collection, and cleaner work around corded and compatible cordless tools. Model Number 577872. If you need one extractor that can handle daily sanding, cutting, drilling, and general cleanup without constantly stopping to empty it, this is the one Festool built to sit right in the middle of your system.
The big selling point here is capacity without the usual penalty in size. Festool gives you a 36-liter container, or nearly 9.5 gallons, while keeping the machine compact enough to move through a shop or around a remodel. That matters when you are collecting dust all day from sanders, track saws, routers, or cleanup work and do not want a small extractor filling up every couple of hours. With up to 138 CFM of airflow and a maximum vacuum rating of 96 inches of static water lift, it has the pull needed for serious dust collection, not just light bench cleanup.
Festool also got the controls right. The touch-style push-button interface is simple to use, and you get five suction levels instead of one fixed setting. That means you can back suction down when a sander wants controlled airflow, or turn it up when you are collecting heavier debris. Tool-triggered operation for corded tools keeps the extractor and tool working together automatically, which is a real time-saver when you are bouncing from cut to cut or moving through repetitive sanding work.
Where this model separates itself from a basic shop vacuum is system integration. The built-in Bluetooth interface lets the extractor start automatically with compatible Festool Bluetooth battery packs or an optional remote control. You can also connect it to the Festool app for support and warning notifications. On the job, that means less walking over to the extractor and less breaking your rhythm. If you already run Festool cordless tools or want cleaner remote startup control, this is a meaningful upgrade over a standard corded extractor.
The physical design is clearly aimed at daily use. The smooth anti-static suction hose is built to reduce snagging, which matters more than it sounds when you are moving around a bench, assembly table, or finished interior. Festool includes integrated hose storage and cord wrap so the setup stays organized instead of turning into a pile of hose and cable at the end of the day. Large wheels make it easier to roll, while the integrated brake keeps it planted once you have it where you want it.
It is also built to function as a hub, not just a vacuum. T-LOC compatibility lets you dock Systainers on top, and Festool also calls out compatibility with the Pre-separator and Workcenter. That gives you one rolling station for extraction, storage, and workflow organization. In a shop, that keeps sanding and cutting accessories together. On a remodel or install job, it cuts down on trips back to the van and helps keep the work area tighter and cleaner.
The included HEPA main filter is a big part of why this extractor matters to pros working indoors, in occupied homes, or anywhere dust control is not optional. Festool rates it for both dry and wet extraction, which adds flexibility when cleanup conditions change during the day. The anti-static setup also helps reduce nuisance static buildup during operation, which makes the overall system feel more refined than a generic jobsite vacuum.
Who should buy it? This extractor makes the most sense for woodworkers, remodelers, finish carpenters, installers, and serious DIY users who already care about cleaner cuts, better sanding results, and less post-job cleanup. If you want the cheapest vacuum possible, this is not that tool. If you want a dust extractor that works like part of a complete Festool workflow and earns its keep every day, the CT 36 EI HEPA is the kind of machine you buy once and use for years.
See the System in Action
This extractor is built to be more than a cleanup tool. It is designed to act as the center of a working dust collection setup, with storage, hose management, and system expandability that make day-to-day work easier.
- T-LOC lets you attach Systainers, a Pre-separator, or the Workcenter
- Integrated hose holder and cord wrap keep the setup cleaner between tasks
Reach for the Controls, Not a Manual
The control panel is straightforward and gives you real adjustment instead of one all-or-nothing suction setting. That helps when you switch from fine sanding to heavier cleanup and want the extractor to match the task.
- Push-button controls keep operation simple
- Five suction levels let you tune performance to the tool and material
Smooth Hose, Less Snagging
Festool’s smooth anti-static hose design is one of those details that pays off all day. It helps the hose slide around edges and tools more easily, which means less fighting the setup while you work.
- Includes a D 27/32 x 3.5 m anti-static suction hose
- Large wheels and an integrated brake improve mobility and stability
What’s in the Box
- (1) HEPA-HF-CT26/36/48 PTFE Main Filter
- (1) D 27/32 x 3.5 m-AS/CTR Suction Hose
Key Specifications
| Power Consumption | 350 – 1,200 W |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 120 VAC |
| Max. Volume Flow | 138 CFM |
| Max. Vacuum | 96 in static water lift (24,000 Pa) |
| Container Capacity | 9.5 gal (36 L) |
| Filter Bag Capacity | 9.0 gal (34 L) |
| Cable Length | 25 ft |
| Weight | 31.75 lbs |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 25 in x 14.4 in x 23.4 in |
| Filter Surface Area | 979 in² |
Compatibility
Bluetooth Tool Start Built-in Bluetooth supports automatic startup with compatible Festool cordless tools using Bluetooth battery packs or an optional remote control. T-LOC System Designed to dock Festool Systainers directly on the extractor for transport and workflow organization. System Add-Ons Works with the Festool Pre-separator and Workcenter to build out a more complete dust extraction and storage station.
Built For
WoodworkingFinish CarpentryRemodelingGeneral ContractingWorkshop Dust CollectionJobsite CleanupDry ExtractionWet Extraction
Pro Tip
If you are moving around a room with a compatible Festool cordless setup, use the built-in Bluetooth start instead of walking back to the extractor each time. It sounds minor, but over a full day of sanding or trim work it saves a surprising amount of time and keeps you in your workflow.
Tool Nut’s Take
Tool Nut’s Take
Why the Festool 577872 CLEANTEC CT 36 EI HEPA Dust Extractor earns its spot
This is the extractor for guys who are tired of treating dust collection like an afterthought and want one machine that actually keeps up with the rest of the setup.
- Who it’s for: Pros and serious DIY users doing sanding, cutting, install work, and shop cleanup who want strong suction, larger capacity, and cleaner workflow.
- Why it stands out: The mix of 36-liter capacity, HEPA filtration, Bluetooth startup, five suction levels, and T-LOC system integration makes it feel like a real part of the tool lineup, not just a vacuum parked in the corner.
- Worth knowing: This is a premium extractor, and that price only makes sense if you will actually use the Bluetooth features, system docking, and dust collection benefits on a regular basis.
Common Questions
- Is this dust extractor rated for wet and dry use? Yes. Festool lists the CT 36 EI HEPA as ideal for both dry and wet extraction.
- Does it support automatic startup with tools? Yes. It supports tool-triggered operation for corded power tools and also has built-in Bluetooth for compatible Festool cordless tools or an optional remote control.
- How much collection capacity does it have? The container holds 9.5 gallons (36 liters), and the filter bag capacity is 9.0 gallons (34 liters).
- Can it be used as part of a larger Festool system? Yes. It supports T-LOC attachment for Systainers and can be paired with the Festool Pre-separator or Workcenter.
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