What's inside
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The Festool CT 26 and Bosch VAC090AH are both 9-gallon-class dust extractors built for power tools, but they serve different priorities. The Festool is a compact, system-focused extractor with a 26-liter container; the Bosch is a 9-gallon HEPA model with automatic filter cleaning and a price that is often easier to justify for a mixed shop. Neither is a substitute for a high-volume dust collector on a table saw or planer.
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Key differences at a glance
| Feature | Festool CT 26 | Bosch VAC090AH |
|---|---|---|
| Container capacity | 26 liters, about 6.9 gallons | 9 gallons |
| Filtration | HEPA filtration when fitted with the appropriate HEPA filter | HEPA filter; listed as a HEPA extractor |
| Filter cleaning | Manual cleaning | Automatic filter cleaning, roughly every 15 seconds |
| Tool activation | Tool-triggered outlet | Tool-triggered outlet |
| Best fit | Festool tool setups and compact mobile work | General jobsite and workshop extraction |
Exact configurations and included accessories can vary by package and market. Check the filter and hose included with the version you are buying, particularly if HEPA filtration is a job requirement.
Dust collection and filtration
The Bosch’s main practical advantage is automatic filter cleaning. It pulses the filter during use, helping maintain airflow as fine dust builds up. That matters when sanding drywall compound, routing MDF, or running a sander for long stretches. The cleaning cycle is audible and briefly interrupts the suction, but it reduces the need to stop and shake out a loaded filter.
The CT 26 relies on manual filter cleaning. With ordinary woodworking dust and sensible bag changes, that is manageable. With very fine dust, expect to check the filter more often and clean it when airflow drops. Neither extractor can compensate for a clogged filter, a full bag, or a hose packed with debris. A noticeable fall in capture at the tool is a cue to inspect those parts, not just turn up the suction.
Both machines are designed for fine-dust extraction, but “HEPA” does not mean every setup captures all dust at the source. A loose tool connection, open machine port, damaged bag, or poor hood can send dust into the room. For hazardous dust, match the extractor, filter, bags, and work practices to the material and applicable safety requirements.
Capacity, portability, and setup
The Bosch holds about two gallons more, which can mean fewer stops when collecting ordinary debris. That advantage shrinks when you use bags for fine dust: bag capacity, not the bare tank volume, often determines how soon you need to change one. A full bag also takes up space inside the canister, so don’t assume either extractor will accept its nominal volume of fine sanding dust.
The CT 26 is the smaller unit and suits a shop where the extractor needs to tuck under a bench or travel with other Festool equipment. Its compatibility with the brand’s hoses and tool connections makes a tidy system, but adapters may be needed with other tools. The Bosch is also portable, though its larger capacity is useful if the extractor stays in one place or moves between jobs.
Before buying either one, check the tool’s dust port diameter and the hose connection. A step-down adapter can work, but a poor fit leaks air and reduces capture. Avoid long, narrow, or sharply kinked hoses where possible; they add resistance and make a modest extractor less effective at the tool.
Using either extractor with workshop tools
Both have an outlet that can start the extractor when a connected tool switches on. This is convenient with a sander, router, or track saw, though the outlet’s rating and the connected tool’s electrical draw must stay within the manufacturer’s limits. For cordless tools, the extractor will not automatically know when the tool runs unless you use a compatible control arrangement.
These are high-vacuum extractors, not central dust collectors. They work well at a small tool port, where suction matters, but they are not the right match for a table saw or planer that needs large volumes of air through a broad hood. For those machines, look at a dedicated woodworking dust collector instead.
Which extractor should you buy?
Choose the Bosch VAC090AH if automatic filter cleaning, a larger tank, and broad jobsite usefulness matter most. It is the easier choice for long sanding sessions and varied tools, especially if you do not already own a Festool setup. The cheaper option is fine when your work is intermittent, you are willing to clean the filter manually, and you do not need the extra capacity or system integration.
Choose the Festool CT 26 if you already use Festool tools and value the matching hose and accessory ecosystem, compact storage, and a well-integrated mobile setup. It is not automatically the better dust-control choice simply because it costs more; the Bosch’s self-cleaning feature can be more useful for sustained fine-dust work.
If the decision comes down to price, compare the full setup rather than the bare extractor: bags, filter, hose, and adapters can change the total substantially. Browse Festool CT 26 listings and Bosch VAC090AH listings with those included items in mind.
Maintenance that preserves suction
Use bags suited to the dust and extractor, and replace them before they are packed tight. Check the hose and tool port when suction drops; a small plug of chips can cause a larger loss than a dirty filter. Keep spare filters and bags on hand if downtime matters. For sanding, place the hose so it does not pull the tool off line, and make sure the pad’s extraction holes align with the abrasive. Good alignment and a clear hose often improve dust capture more than buying a larger extractor.