Advice Hub · Dust Extractors
Festool 15L Compact Dust Extractor Range: Which One Is Right For You?
Five models, one compact 15 L format. The complete guide to choosing the right Festool dust extractor for your trade, your dust, and the way you work.
Whether you are a cabinet maker working in a client's home, a painter sanding between coats, a carpenter on a busy construction site, or a builder dealing with hazardous materials, there is a Festool 15 L compact dust extractor built for the job. This guide walks through all five models so you can make a confident, informed choice.
Quick selection guide
I want an entry-level extractor for general use
→ CT 15
I want the best all-rounder for professional trade work
→ CTM MIDI I (our number one seller)
I work cordless and want a dust extractor to match
I'm on construction sites with concrete or heavy dust loads
→ CTM MIDI I AC (New)
I work with asbestos, lead, mould or other hazardous materials
→ CTH MIDI I AC (New)
I need M-Class filtration with automatic filter self-cleaning
→ CTM MIDI I AC (New)
The five models at a glance
CLEANTEC · Entry level
- Dust classL
- Container15 L
- PowerMains (230V)
- Filter cleaningManual
- BluetoothNo
- Auto startVia tool socket
- Wet pick-upYes (LevelStop)
The accessible starting point for clean trade work
The CT 15 is Festool's entry-level compact extractor: a reliable, no-fuss machine that delivers strong suction in a lightweight, easy-to-carry package. With a fully usable 15 L container, a flat-profile filter that maximises capacity, and a high-performance turbine, it handles general workshop dust, site clean-up and wet spills without complaint. The external filter change lets you swap filters quickly without reaching inside the unit.
Ideal for
DIY enthusiasts · Apprentices · Light trade use · Workshop clean-up · General builders wanting a Festool entry point
Not rated for fine health-hazardous dust (M or H-Class) or for tools generating carcinogenic materials.
CLEANTEC · Professional M-Class
- Dust classM (99.9%)
- Container15 L
- PowerMains (230V)
- Filter cleaningManual
- BluetoothYes, integrated
- Auto startYes (Bluetooth / remote)
- Wet pick-upYes (LevelStop)
Australia's number one Festool dust extractor, for good reason
The CTM MIDI I is Festool's most popular compact extractor and our number one selling dust extractor across Australia. M-Class certified for health-hazardous wood and mineral dusts such as MDF, plywood and hardwood, it is the professional standard for painters, joiners, cabinet makers and carpenters. Integrated Bluetooth means it starts and stops automatically with your Festool cordless tool or via the Festool app. Intuitive touch controls, a smooth-profile suction hose, a flat tool tray on top and built-in hose storage keep your workspace organised and your workflow uninterrupted. The Systainer T-LOC coupling lets you stack it directly onto your Systainer system.
Ideal for
Cabinet makers · Joiners · Furniture makers · Painters and plasterers · Carpenters · Flooring installers · Service and fit-out trades
Not for cordless-only workflows (requires mains power), or for sites generating H-Class hazardous dust such as asbestos.
CLEANTEC · Cordless M-Class
- Dust classM (99.9%)
- Container15 L
- Power2 × 18V (36V)
- Filter cleaningManual
- BluetoothYes, integrated
- Auto startYes (Bluetooth / remote)
- CableNone required
Freedom without compromise: the cordless solution
The CTMC MIDI I brings the same compact, professional M-Class dust extraction as the CTM MIDI I, without the power lead. Running on Festool's 18V battery platform (two batteries), it is the natural partner for tradespeople who have moved to cordless tools and want a dust extractor that keeps pace. No power point, no problem: it suits remote locations, renovation work in occupied homes, outdoor carpentry, and any situation where trailing cables are a hazard or a nuisance. Bluetooth integration means it auto-starts with your cordless tool via the Bluetooth battery pack.
Ideal for
Cordless-first tradespeople · Renovation and fit-out work · Remote or outdoor sites · Cabinet makers on the go · Tradespeople upgrading from corded to cordless
Requires charged 18V batteries (sold separately). Run time varies by application. Not suitable for H-Class hazardous dust.
CLEANTEC · AUTOCLEAN M-Class
- Dust classM (99.9%)
- Container15 L
- PowerMains (230V)
- Filter cleaningAUTOCLEAN (automatic)
- BluetoothYes, integrated
- Auto startYes (Bluetooth / remote)
- App controlYes, interval settings
The M-Class extractor built for heavy-duty site work
The CTM MIDI I AC is the newest addition to the range, bringing AUTOCLEAN automatic filter self-cleaning to the compact 15 L format. Where the standard CTM MIDI I uses quick, easy manual filter cleaning, the AC version does it for you, automatically and continuously throughout the working day. That is a real advantage for applications that generate high volumes of fine dust, such as concrete grinding, cement board cutting, or any construction work where the filter would otherwise clog quickly. AUTOCLEAN intervals can be set via the Festool app (every 15, 30, 60 or 120 seconds), with a full purge triggered automatically when the filter becomes heavily loaded. The result is consistently high suction, longer intervals between bag changes, and a filter that lasts significantly longer.
Ideal for
Builders and concreters · Tilers and renderers · Flooring contractors · Renovation and demolition trades · Any site generating high volumes of fine dust
For carcinogenic or H-Class hazardous dust (asbestos, lead, mould), step up to the CTH MIDI I AC.
CLEANTEC · AUTOCLEAN H-Class
- Dust classH (99.995%)
- Container15 L
- PowerMains (230V)
- Filter cleaningAUTOCLEAN (automatic)
- BluetoothYes, integrated
- Auto startYes (Bluetooth / remote)
- App controlYes, interval settings
The specialist for hazardous and carcinogenic dusts
The CTH MIDI I AC is the most capable and protection-focused extractor in the 15 L range, carrying H-Class certification with an extraordinary 99.995% filter efficiency. It is engineered specifically for the safe collection of carcinogenic and pathogenic dusts, including asbestos fibres, mould spores, lead paint dust, cadmium, nickel, zinc chromate, mineral fibres and wood preservative particulates. In Australia's construction sector, where asbestos-containing materials remain widespread in pre-1990 buildings, this machine is essential safety equipment for any licensed asbestos removalist or builder working with at-risk materials. Like the CTM MIDI I AC, it features AUTOCLEAN automatic filter purging, Bluetooth auto-start, and the full feature set of the MIDI range, all in the same compact, portable 15 L footprint.
Ideal for
Licensed asbestos removalists · Builders on pre-1990 sites · Renovation contractors · Restoration specialists · Any trade required by law to use H-Class extraction for hazardous materials
This is a specialist machine. If you are not working with carcinogenic or H-Class dusts, the CTM MIDI I or CTM MIDI I AC will be the more suitable and cost-effective choice.
Side-by-side comparison
Swipe the table sideways to see all five models →
| Feature | CT 15 | CTM MIDI I ★ Best seller |
CTMC MIDI I Cordless |
CTM MIDI I AC ✦ New |
CTH MIDI I AC ✦ New |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dust classification | L-Class | M-Class | M-Class | M-Class | H-Class |
| Filter efficiency | Standard | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.995% |
| Container volume | 15 L | 15 L | 15 L | 15 L | 15 L |
| Power source | Mains 230V | Mains 230V | 2 × 18V (36V) | Mains 230V | Mains 230V |
| Bluetooth auto-start | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto filter cleaning (AUTOCLEAN) | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| App-controlled intervals | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Touch control panel | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Systainer T-LOC coupling | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wet pick-up | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Suitable for asbestos / hazardous | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Best for | General and DIY use | Professional trades (woodwork, painting) | Cordless workflows | Heavy-duty and construction sites | Hazardous and H-Class dust |
Understanding dust classes: L, M and H
- L-Class (low hazard). General and household dusts such as soil, chips and non-hazardous debris. The CT 15 sits here, suited to workshop clean-up and light trade use.
- M-Class (medium hazard). Captures at least 99.9% of dusts from timber, MDF, plaster and most mineral materials, the everyday dust of professional trades. The CTM MIDI I, CTMC MIDI I and CTM MIDI I AC are all M-Class.
- H-Class (high hazard). Captures 99.995% of carcinogenic and pathogenic dusts including asbestos, lead and mould. The CTH MIDI I AC is the H-Class machine in this range and the correct choice for at-risk materials.
- Match the class to the material. Always confirm the appropriate dust class against your task and your workplace health and safety obligations before you start.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between L-Class, M-Class and H-Class dust extraction?
The class rating reflects how much hazardous dust an extractor safely retains. L-Class handles low-hazard general and household dust; M-Class captures at least 99.9% of medium-hazard dusts such as timber, MDF and mineral dust; and H-Class captures 99.995% of high-hazard carcinogenic and pathogenic dusts such as asbestos, lead and mould. Always match the class to the material you are working with and your workplace health and safety requirements.
Which 15L Festool dust extractor is the best all-rounder for professional trades?
The CTM MIDI I is the best all-rounder and Festool's number one selling dust extractor in Australia. Its M-Class filtration, Bluetooth auto-start, touch controls and Systainer T-LOC coupling make it the professional standard for painters, joiners, cabinet makers and carpenters. If you want the same capability with automatic filter cleaning for heavier dust loads, step up to the CTM MIDI I AC.
What does AUTOCLEAN do, and do I need it?
AUTOCLEAN automatically purges the filter at set intervals throughout the day, so suction stays high even as the filter loads up with fine dust. It is worth having if you regularly cut or grind materials that produce large volumes of fine dust, such as concrete, cement board or plaster, because it means fewer manual filter cleans and a longer filter life. The CTM MIDI I AC (M-Class) and CTH MIDI I AC (H-Class) both include it. For lighter or intermittent dust, the manual-clean CTM MIDI I is perfectly capable.
Can I run an M-Class Festool dust extractor cordless?
Yes. The CTMC MIDI I delivers the same M-Class filtration as the corded CTM MIDI I while running on Festool's 18V battery platform (two batteries, sold separately). It is ideal for remote or outdoor sites, renovation work in occupied homes, and anywhere trailing cables are a hazard. Bluetooth auto-start keeps it in sync with your cordless tools.
Which Festool dust extractor do I need for asbestos and other hazardous dust?
For asbestos, lead paint, mould and other carcinogenic or pathogenic dusts you need an H-Class extractor: the CTH MIDI I AC, certified to capture 99.995% of hazardous dust. Work involving asbestos in Australia must be carried out in line with SafeWork Australia regulations and, in most cases, by a licensed asbestos removalist. Always confirm the correct dust class and control measures for your task before starting.
Do these extractors auto-start with my Festool power tools?
The CTM MIDI I, CTMC MIDI I, CTM MIDI I AC and CTH MIDI I AC all feature integrated Bluetooth, so the extractor starts and stops automatically with a connected Festool cordless tool or via the Festool app and remote. The entry-level CT 15 does not have Bluetooth, but a corded tool can still trigger it automatically through the tool socket on the unit.
Are all five models 15 litres, and can they pick up wet spills?
Yes. Every model in this range has a 15 L container and all five handle wet pick-up, with automatic motor cut-off (LevelStop) to prevent overfilling. The difference between them is the dust class, filter cleaning method and power source, not the capacity. On the H-Class CTH MIDI I AC, only use wet pick-up in an emergency: the filter has a sensor and must stay in place, then be dried thoroughly before further use.
Dust classifications: L-Class (low hazard general dust) · M-Class (medium hazard: timber, mineral, MDF) · H-Class (high hazard: asbestos, carcinogens, pathogens). Always confirm the appropriate dust class against your workplace health and safety requirements. Available through authorised Festool dealers across Australia.