Fein Turbo II 9-20-25 (9-55-13 old model)

1. Rockler.com

This review by a major retailer compares the revamped Fein Turbo II 9-20-25 with the Festool CT 22E, concluding that both brands are extremely quiet and provide superior dust collection. Now that the latest Fein shop vacuums offer adjustable suction, the Festool CT 22E has lost some of its edge -- and the newer 9-gallon Fein Turbo II 9-20-25 is definitely better than the older, discontinued Fein Turbo II 9-55-13.

Review: The Best in Shop Vacs -- Fein vs. Festool, Rockler Blog Team, Feb. 6, 2009

2. Taunton 2009 Tool Guide

Based on tests done at Fine Homebuilding in 2007, this review of five tool-triggered wet dry vacs names the Fein Turbo II 9-55-13, which has been replaced by the improved Turbo II 9-20-25, as the best value. It's a notch behind the top-ranked Festool Cleantec (CT) 33. A 2008 survey of readers supports this ranking.

Review: Tool-Triggered Shop Vacs, Rob Wotzak and Taunton Press Editors, Nov. 2008

3. Fine Homebuilding

The older Fein Turbo II is selected as the best value in this tool-triggered shop vacuum roundup. The review tests the Turbo II and four other wet dry shop vacuums at an actual jobsite. The Fein Turbo II scores high for its low noise level and above average for power, filtration/dust collection, emptying ease and overall design.

Review: Tool-Triggered Shop Vacs, Rob Wotzak, June/July 2007

4. Wood Magazine

This review compares the older version of the larger 15-gallon Fein Turbo III with three other tool-triggered shop vacuums, giving first place to the Festool CT 22E. However, the Fein hose is easier to attach to tools for dust collection. That key observation also applies to the Turbo II.

Review: Wise Buys: Tool-Triggered Vacuums, Editors of Wood magazine, May 2008

5. Journal of Light Construction

Professional remodeling contractor David Grubb tests the Fein Turbo II along with six other tool-activated shop vacuum. He finds the Fein wet dry vac generally well made, but he notices some plastic elements that are brittle enough to break easily. Also, the Fein's filter is hard to clean, he says, and the Turbo II shop vacuum is top-heavy when empty.

Review: Tool Test: Tool-Activated Vacuums, David Grubb, Dec. 2004

6. Tools of the Trade

After putting nine pro-grade shop vacuum through a set of workshop tests, Chris Kulczycki recommends the Fein 9-55-13 Turbo II for small jobs or as a good portable shop vacuum. But it doesn't get top ranking here, because it lacks a drain, blower and tool caddy. The newer model has a drain.

Review: Wet/Dry Vacuums, Chris Kulczycki, April 1, 2004

7. Amazon.com

More than 20 users rate the newest Fein Turbo II, the 9-gallon 9-20-25 model, at Amazon.com, giving it an overall rating of 4.3 stars out of a possible 5. Most owners praise the Fein Turbo II for its quiet performance and compatibility with woodworking tools, though a couple say Fein is skimpy on included accessories. They say you should be prepared to spend at least $100 more to properly accessorize it.

Review: Fein 9-20-25 Turbo-II 9-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum with Auto-Start, Contributors to Amazon.com

8. SawmillCreek.org

In this discussion of shop vacuums at a woodworking forum, readers compare the older Fein Turbo II, which has been improved and is sold under the model number 9-20-25, and Festool CT 22E shop vacuum. The consensus is that the Fein shop vacuum is sturdier and better for general cleanup, but the HEPA filters are an expensive upgrade; the Festool comes with HEPA filters.

Review: Fein vs. Festool, Contributors to SawmillCreek.org, Dec. 2007