Why the new Festool tabless technology makes old batteries obsolete
Is this new technology a real step forward or is it mostly clever marketing? The short answer is that the tabless cell offers a significant physical improvement that drastically reduces internal resistance and heat generation. You don’t need to replace your well-functioning Li-HighPower batteries immediately. However, when buying new, the Festool TBX battery is the only logical choice. This is because Festool is completely replacing the old generation in its product range.
You are standing on the jobsite with a heavy task ahead of you. In the middle of the work, your machine stops because the battery has overheated. Or you have to wait at the charger because the battery must cool down first before the charging process can start. These kinds of frustrations are recognizable to every professional. Festool promises to solve these problems with the new Festool tabless technology, applied in the BP 18 TBX 4 and BP 18 TBX 8 batteries.
Are you looking for a reliable power supply for your Festool machines? Discover the complete range of Festool batteries and chargers.
The physics behind Festool tabless technology: the water pipe analogy
To understand why this technology works, we need to look inside a traditional battery cell. In a standard lithium-ion battery, electricity flows from the cell to the terminals via narrow metal tabs (the so-called ‘tabs’). You can compare this to a wide water pipe that suddenly has a major bottleneck. As soon as you demand a lot of power, a blockage occurs at this bottleneck. This bottleneck causes electrical resistance, which directly leads to heat generation.
In the new tabless cells, this bottleneck has been completely removed. The electrode is directly connected to the current collector along its entire length. It is like removing the bottleneck from the water pipe and making the pipe the same width everywhere. The current now flows unhindered across the entire surface. This significantly reduces the internal resistance in the cell, keeping the battery much cooler during heavy use.
In short: Due to the absence of ‘tabs’, electricity flows unhindered through the cell. This reduces internal resistance and prevents the battery from overheating quickly.
What does this mean in practice on the jobsite?
Previously, during heavy sawing work with a plunge-cut saw such as the TSC 55 or a circular saw such as the HKC 55, you regularly ran into the thermal limits of your battery. The machine demands a lot of power, the battery gets hot, and the built-in protection intervenes to prevent damage. You then have to wait for the battery to cool down before you can recharge it. With the new BP 18 TBX 4 and BP 18 TBX 8 batteries, this forced break is practically a thing of the past. Because less heat is generated, you can click the battery onto the charger immediately after work without needing a cooling phase.
In addition, although the capacity in ampere-hours has remained the same as its predecessors, the lower internal resistance ensures that the battery delivers its energy more efficiently. This allows you to get more work out of a single battery charge. Festool provides the following practical figures for performance under load:
- Up to 68% more screw connections per battery charge (tested with 10x300 mm screws).
- Up to 43% longer runtime during sanding work.
- Up to 31% more meters cut per battery charge (measured in 22 mm OSB boards).
- Up to 49% faster charging times in combination with the AIRSTREAM SCA 16 rapid charger, making the TBX 8 ready for use again in about 25 minutes.
In short: In practice, this means you can continue working without forced cooling breaks and click the battery back onto the charger immediately after the job.
Festool TBX 4 versus Festool TBX 8: which battery do you choose for which job?
Festool is introducing two variants with this new technology: the Festool TBX 4 (4.0 Ah) and the Festool TBX 8 (8.0 Ah). Both batteries use the same tabless cells, but they are designed for different applications.
| Feature | Festool TBX 4 (BP 18 TBX 4 C-ASI) | Festool TBX 8 (BP 18 TBX 8 ASI) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4.0 Ah | 8.0 Ah |
| Weight | 600 grams | 1000 grams |
| Primary focus | Ergonomics and low weight | Maximum runtime and heavy load |
| Suitable for | Drill drivers, assembly work, light sanders | Circular saws, angle grinders, heavy rotary hammers |
When do you choose the Festool TBX 4?
The Festool TBX 4 weighs only 600 grams. This makes it ideally suited for prolonged overhead work, such as installing drywall or ceilings. You benefit from the power of a full-fledged battery, without your wrists quickly becoming strained.
When do you choose the Festool TBX 8?
The Festool TBX 8 is designed for machines with very high energy demands. Think of plunge-cut saws, mitre saws, or angle grinders that run continuously under heavy load. With this battery, you minimize the number of charging stops during intensive sawing jobs.
Festool Li-HighPower vs TBX: do you need to switch immediately?
If you already have a set of well-functioning Li-HighPower batteries, there is no need to panic. For lighter tasks such as drilling or occasional sawing, the old batteries still perform just fine. The need to switch depends heavily on your daily activities. If you work a lot with power-hungry machines such as the TSC 55, the HKC 55, or an angle grinder, switching to the new TBX generation will immediately save you time and increase comfort.
The big advantage is that Festool is introducing the new technology without charging a premium compared to the old generation. Furthermore, the batteries retain exactly the same weight (the BP 18 TBX 4 weighs 600 grams) and the same dimensions. Since the previous generation of 4.0 Ah and 8.0 Ah batteries is completely disappearing from the product range, the choice when buying new is very simple. You simply get more performance for the same money.
In short: You do not need to replace your current Li-HighPower batteries immediately. However, when buying new, you will automatically choose the TBX batteries, as Festool is completely replacing the old line at no extra cost.
[!TIP] Are you unsure which battery best fits your machines? Compare the different Festool battery packs and choose the right capacity for your work.
A major plus point for existing users is the wide compatibility of Festool batteries. The new TBX batteries use the familiar 18V connection and fit almost all existing Festool 18V machines and chargers. The well-known smart functions have also been retained. The batteries are equipped with Bluetooth, allowing you to automatically switch on connected dust extractors as soon as you start the machine. In addition, you can read detailed data about the charging status and temperature via the Festool Work app.
Important: There are a number of exceptions to compatibility. Due to their design, the new TBX batteries do not fit the compact ergonomic sanders ETSC 125, RTSC 400, and DTSC 400. For these specific sanders, you must continue to use the special ergonomic BP 18 Li 3.0 Ergo battery. In addition, due to the limited space in the battery compartment, the larger TBX 8 battery does not fit the compact cordless dust extractor CTC SYS (the compact TBX 4 does fit here).
In short: The new batteries fit all your existing 18V tools and chargers, with the exception of the compact ergonomic sanders (ETSC, RTSC, DTSC) and the larger TBX 8 battery, which does not fit the compact cordless dust extractor CTC SYS due to the limited space in the battery compartment (the compact TBX 4 does fit here).
Conclusion
The introduction of Festool tabless technology is not a marketing gimmick, but a fundamental improvement in battery technology. By removing the physical bottleneck in the cell, the machines perform noticeably more consistently under heavy loads, and heat generation is minimal. The fact that Festool is implementing this technology directly as a replacement for the old line without a price increase makes it a very customer-friendly step. For the heavy user, this is an upgrade that immediately pays off on the jobsite in less downtime and a longer battery lifespan.
Tip: To benefit optimally from the fast charging times of the TBX batteries, we recommend using the AIRSTREAM SCA 16 rapid charger. This charger uses active cooling, meaning the charging cycle starts immediately and the battery is ready for use again in minimal time.
Frequently asked questions about Festool tabless batteries
What is the difference between Festool TBX and Li-HighPower batteries?
The main difference lies in the internal structure of the cells. While traditional Li-HighPower batteries use narrow metal tabs to conduct the current, the cells of the TBX batteries are connected along their entire length. This reduces internal resistance, decreases heat generation, and provides more power and a longer runtime with the same capacity.
Are Festool TBX batteries compatible with older 18V machines?
Yes, the batteries use the standard Festool 18V connection and fit almost all of your existing 18V tools. The exceptions are the compact sanders ETSC 125, RTSC 400, and DTSC 400 (which require a specific ergonomic battery) and the larger TBX 8 battery, which does not fit the compact cordless dust extractor CTC SYS due to the limited space in the battery compartment (the compact TBX 4 does fit here).
Do I need a new charger for Festool tabless batteries?
No, the batteries work perfectly fine with your existing Festool chargers, such as the TCL 6 or the SCA 8. However, to benefit from the maximum charging speed (up to 49% faster charging), using the AIRSTREAM SCA 16 rapid charger is recommended.
How much faster does a Festool TBX battery charge?
In combination with the SCA 16 rapid charger, a TBX battery charges up to 49% faster than the previous generation. This makes the powerful BP 18 TBX 8 ready for use again in about 25 minutes (charged up to 80%).
Does the Festool TBX battery also have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Bluetooth functionality has been fully retained. This automatically starts a connected Festool dust extractor as soon as you switch on your cordless tool. You can also pair the battery with the Festool Work app for status information.
Are Festool TBX batteries more expensive than the old generation?
No, Festool has chosen to launch the new TBX 4 and TBX 8 batteries at the same price as the previous generation 4.0 Ah and 8.0 Ah batteries, which they completely replace.
