Festool CT 22E

1. Rockler.com

This review by a major retailer compares the Festool CT 22E with the latest Fein Turbo II, the 9-20-25, concluding that both brands are extremely quiet and provide superior dust collection. Now that Fein wet dry vacs offer adjustable suction, the Festool CT 22E has lost some of its edge.

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

2. Wood MagazineDetails/Subscribe

This review compares the Festool CT 22E with three other tool-triggered workshop vacs. Senior design editor Kevin Boyle says he's sold on it despite its high price, praising it for its suction plus its ability to make full use of a 20-amp circuit. The only drawback he finds is that it can be a problem to attach it to power tools not made by Festool.

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

3. Taunton 2009 Tool GuideDetails/Subscribe

This review of five tool-triggered wet dry vacs, including the larger Festool CT 33E, presents essentially the same information as the review in the June 2007 issue of Fine Homebuilding summarized below. Readers agree with the editors, giving the Festool top ranking.

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

4. Fine HomebuildingDetails/Subscribe

Carpenter Rob Wotzak and his crew give top ranking to the similar, larger Festool CT 33E. The review compares the Festool wet dry vac with four other tool-triggered workshop vacs. This review measures noise levels, and each vacuum also gets ratings for power, convenience and overall design.

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

5. NHWoodworker.com

This review covers the earlier Festool CT 22E wet dry vac rather than the newer model with HEPA filtration. Still, Bill Esposito's review is well illustrated, and many specifications are included here that aren't mentioned in other reviews. Esposito praises the Festool 22E as "a finely engineered tool," saying the lack of drain is its only drawback. (The newer model has a drain.)

Review: Festool CT 22E Mobile Dust Extractor, Bill Esposito, Feb. 10, 2006

6. The Woodshop

Woodworker Jack Loganbill tests the Festool CT 22E shop vac. At its lowest speed, he finds the Festool quieter than the Fein Mini Turbo wet dry vac. The review praises the Festool for its internal filter cleaner and variable speed, significant advantages over the Fein wet dry vac.

Review: Festool CT 22 Dust Extractor, Jack Loganbill

7. About.com

This hands-on review of the Festool CT 22E wet dry vac praises it not only for quiet operation and easy maneuverability, but also for how well the dust bag system works. The dust bag captures the dust extremely well, Chris Baylor says, and it's very easy to change bags. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: Review of the Festool CT 22E Mobile Dust Extractor, Chris Baylor

8. CJohnHerbert.com

This review covers the Festool CT 22E in the context of the whole Festool system, showing how it integrates with the circular saw, guide rails and other accessories. C John Herbert says he's delighted with the way the Festool Dust Extractor keeps jobsites clean, no matter what kind of cutting is needed.

Review: Festool System, C. John Herbert, Updated April 14, 2005

9. OnlineTool Reviews.com

The author, a woodworker, praises the variable-suction control on the Festool CT 22E workshop vac, noting that lower suction is especially useful for vacuuming the workshop. Although this reviewer considers the Festool CT 22E a good value, he finds it louder than the Fein wet dry vacs.

Review: Festool CT22E Dust Extractor, Dean Bielanowski

10. Benchmark

Woodworker Phil Bumbalough compares both the Festool CT 22E and the smaller CT Mini with wet dry vacs by Craftsman, Shop-Vac and Fein. He finds the Festool much more pleasant to use than the consumer-brand wet dry vacs, and he says it's even quieter than the Fein.

Review: Festool CT22E Vacuum Review, Phil Bumbalough

11. Woodworker's JournalDetails/Subscribe

Tool expert Rob Johnstone reports on his December 2006 visits to European tool manufacturers, including Festool. In his blog, Johnstone notes that to test durability, Festool "employs an entire staff of people whose only job is to break Festool tools by misusing them."

Review: European Power Tools, Rob Johnstone, April 2007