Festool has finally introduced a high-performance battery pack, the Energy Set SYS 18V (577328), designed to offer extended runtime for power-hungry tools such as rotary tools, grinders, mitre saws, and cordless jobsite table saws. This new 8Ah battery will also be appreciated by anyone working in shops or on jobsites where handheld power tools are used continuously.

The Energy Set includes two 18V, 8Ah, 144Wh battery packs, two quick SCA 16 chargers, and a Systainer for convenient storage and transport. The Systainer even has additional storage for two extra 8Ah batteries. These batteries are compatible with any Festool product, except for three of their sanders (ETSC 125, RTSC 400, and DTSC 400) and the CTC SYS cordless extractor. The 8Ah battery weighs 962 grams, compared to 716 grams for the 5.2Ah battery and 615 grams for the 4.0Ah battery.

While the 8Ah battery can be charged using any older Festool 18V charger, the new SCA 16 charger offers a significant advantage: it features Festool’s AIRSTREAM function, which cools the battery during recharging, enabling faster charge times and extending the battery’s overall lifespan. The SCA 16 can fully recharge an 8Ah battery in under 30 minutes.

Additionally, the 8Ah battery packs are equipped with Bluetooth functionality, allowing you to pair your Festool cordless tool with a Festool Bluetooth-enabled dust extractor for auto-start capabilities.

I wouldn’t recommend purchasing this set for tools used intermittently throughout the workday, such as a drill/driver, sander, or router, unless you work in an environment where these tools are used continuously. The 4.0Ah and 5.2Ah battery packs are more than sufficient for these tools, providing ample power and runtime at a lighter weight. Bear in mind that the 8Ah battery adds quite a bit more weight to the power tool. However, for energy-intensive tools like the CSC SYS 50 table saw, the 8Ah Energy Set is a real game-changer.

A single 8Ah battery (577324) is also available for $259