Festool has launched a new air purifier, model SYS-AIR M, which they say will capture a lot of the damaging fine particle dust that vacuums and dust extractors tend to miss.
As expected, the new Festool air purifier is packed into a Systainer form factor, making it connectable with their dust extractor vacuums and tool boxes.
Festool says the air cleaner delivers greater than 99.9% filtration in dust class M.
According to a reference chart on Festool’s website, Dust Class M refers to hazardous dust with limit values) > 0.1 mg/m3, and is generated from wood dust and also repair compound, filler and clear coats, plaster, cement, concrete, tile cement and paints such as latex and oil-based paints or quartziferous materials such as sand and pebbles.
An H-class air filter will also be available, model SYS-AIR H. It looks to be identical except with a different main filter for greater than 99.995% Dust Class H/HEPA filtration.
The air cleaner weighs 9.90 kg (~22 lbs), and can be hand-carried to jobsites and work areas.
It can also be stacked on top of Festool’s dust extractor vacuums.
Or, attach it to a workshop ceiling with the optional bracket (DH-SYS-AIR), which will be sold separately.
The air purifier has a 2-stage filter, with a pre-filter designed to capture most of the dust and a large inner filter with triple-V configuration.
Festool says that the prefilter can be replaced quickly, and that the main filter was designed for long service life.
A warning light will tell you when the filter needs to be changed. Festool adds that there is a flow sensor to monitor the minimum air speed.
Multiple filters can be daisy-chained together.
Festool says that you can connect up to 6 air purifiers in series. That’s for their European model; their recommendations might change for a USA model.
They show off multiple air purifiers connected together in a workshop space, in areas wherever dust is being generated.
Alternatively, Festool says you can connect a dust extractor or power tools to the purifier’s electrical outlet.
The top compartment opens up, providing a convenient storage place for the power cord.
Additionally, it can be ducted to a sealed-off work area, with an optional air supply hose, model LS-SYS-AIR.
The optional air duct and host kit can be used for other tasks as well.
If you look carefully, this sander is attached to a dust extractor hose, with the air purifier hose helping to pick up fine particles close to where the work is being performed.
The air purifier is being used with the dust extractor, and not as a replacement.
The show additional examples of the air cleaner being used with the ducting kit for close-to-tool capture.
Clean air is dispersed in 3 directions, which Festool says means less swirling up of dust and fewer disruptive air currents.
The user control panel has an on/off button, performance selection switch, power outlet, and status indicator light.
There are 2 speeds, a lower power setting for “eco mode,” and a high power mode for maximum air circulation.
Key Specs
- Air circulation rates
- 680 m³/hour (~400 CFM) – M class model
- 440 m³/hour (~259 CFM) – H class model
- 2 speed/performance settings
- Optional 200mm (8″) ducted air supply hose
- 7.5m (~24.6′) power cord
The Systainer form factor means the air filter can be connected to Festool’s other tool boxes and mobility accessories, such as their 4-wheel dolly. It also has a top handle.
Questions and Answers
Here are some questions asked and answered on Festool’s social media announcement:
If hanging from the ceiling, is there a remote or do you plug in each time you want to use it?
As with all projects, we always develop our products together with our end customers. In surveys and practical tests, a remote control did not play a major role for our customers, which is why we decided not to develop one.
You can switch the SYS-AIR on and off by plugging the plug in and out. Or you can install a switched socket.
Can this be used as a room air cleaner?
With the M filter, the air purifier can also help to filter pollen from the air, as this has a size of 10-90 micrometers. However, our SYS-AIR is not approved and recommended as a medical product. It is therefore designed for professional use on the construction site/workshop and not for use in the home.
Can this be used as a replacement for a [dust extractor] vacuum?
No, the air purifier is not a replacement for a dust extractor, but rather a supplement. Around 90% of the dust is absorbed by the dust extractor, but not the very fine airborne dust. And it is precisely the fine airborne dust that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause damage. This is where the air purifier comes in, filtering the airborne dust out of the air.
USA Pricing and Availability
USA details are not yet available; the new air purifier has only been announced for European markets.
The purifier is launching in Europe in October 2024. EU pricing details have not yet been announced.
Discussion
Portable air cleaners tend to be a pain to use. Maybe this one will be different.
Its specs are unimpressive, to be frank, but ANY added filtration is better than nothing.
It’s also worth keeping in mind the relatively compact form factor. There are better performing air cleaners and filters in the market, but are they this portable and adaptable?
Replacement pre-filters ship in a 5-pack. Festool doesn’t mention expected life of the main filter, which is understandable as usage environments could vary wildly, but users won’t have to replace it as often.
My biggest peeve with air filters and cleaners is how hard it can be to find replacement filters.
I have a Shop Fox fine air filter that I can no longer find filters for. Finding filters for my smaller Jet air cleaner was always a challenge.
Jet seems to have cancelled the Axiom Stratus air cleaner and launched their own self-branded one. It’s unclear whether they two share a common filter size. Powermatic’s air cleaner looks enormous.
The ITW BuildClean was discontinued a few years ago, and it’s unclear how long replacement filters will still be available.
Festool consumables tend to be easily available at various online suppliers.
The lack of a remote control option is annoying, but as they mention one can always improvise with a 3rd party accessory.
There’s no mention of the noise level.
For me, the Festool’s appeal will come down to its price, and that’s IF it will be launched in the USA.
I’m interested, but also skeptical. Will this really work better or be more convenient than other portable air filters and cleaners?
