Between leaf blower and coffee machine: what's behind Einhell's rechargeable battery system
3/4/2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Anna Sandner
From the pruning shears to the hoover to the coffee machine - what connects the three machines is an inconspicuous black and red block. The Power X-Change battery from Einhell. What makes it so technically impressive and what other devices Einhell has in store.
Nymphenburg Palace in Munich. An elegant backdrop in the Palm House. Slightly disturbed by around twenty pieces of DIY, outdoor and garden equipment. But that's exactly what we've gathered for: Einhell is presenting its latest products at the press event, with its Power X-Change (PXC) battery taking centre stage. I'll find out why in a moment.
The vision of the universal drive
To get things started, Daniel Ritt, Head of Brand Management & Communications, leads us through a PowerPoint presentation; an image film flickers across the screen. The vision that Einhell formulates here: Cordless freedom. One and the same PXC battery for all devices. And there are already several hundred of them for DIY enthusiasts and professionals («Professional» segment), for home and garden. The presentation features prestigious partnerships with FC Bayern Munich and the Mercedes Formula 1 team. The latter cools its hot racing engines in the pit lane with Einhell leaf blowers, says Ritt with a grin. A nice anecdote to show: The technology holds up even in extreme cases and Einhell has the right machine for everything.
However, the brand, which is traditionally known primarily from the domestic DIY market, now also wants to tap into the outdoor and lifestyle market. If everything runs on the same battery, why not use it to power an outdoor coffee machine and jukebox as well?
Patch! The safety promise in a bucket of water
The next demonstration will show that the battery can do more than just fit into all Einhell devices. It's all about the topic of safety
Chief Tool Instructor Elke Beekmann explains that the batteries have cylindrical lithium-ion cells, a thick rubber coating protects them from falling and emphasises several times that the «Sealed»-PXC batteries are absolutely dust and waterproof. To prove this, the expert drops the battery into a bucket of water. Splash! To the horrified looks of those present, she calmly fishes it out again, places it in the cordless screwdriver and it gets going. So the battery is still intact. A crowd-pleasing demonstration that is also convincing thanks to the honest enthusiasm of the expert.
But is this just a well-orchestrated marketing promise or are the Einhell batteries really special? I did some research: The fact that the battery inside consists of cylindrical lithium-ion cells is standard in the industry for modern power tools. The real innovation lies in the waterproof housing. The new «Sealed» batteries have official IP57 certification, which was awarded by TÜV Rheinland in 2024. It confirms protection against damaging amounts of dust and temporary submersion. The basic system has also been ranked first in independent tests. In its 11/2020 issue, Stiftung Warentest named the PXC battery (in the 2.0 Ah version) the test winner, with longevity and safety coming out on top.
The PXC battery was also awarded the top spot in independent tests.
Declaring war on incompatibility
After the theory comes the real centrepiece of the event. The assembled press quickly down their aperitifs and then it's finally time to get down to business.
Everyone present is handed one of the advertised PXC batteries and set to work on the saws, pumps and hoovers set up in front of the door. A clever PR trick, because it translates the company's promise directly into practice: Here, your battery, you now have power over all these machines. In view of the countless different batteries and chargers piling up in many a cellar, the idea is tempting. The central promise of the «Power X-Change» family starts right there: one battery for everything. Battery in, device runs. Battery out, next device. Then all over again. So I use my battery to try out pruning shears, cordless screwdrivers and the like.
From hoovers to coffee machines
The test material on this day is deliberately wide-ranging. From the outdoor coffee machine to the water pump, everything is represented. The upright hoover obviously exerts a particular fascination. The journalists present show such keen interest that they quickly join the cleaning staff at the Palm Café and vacuum the wooden floor with great dedication. The dual-movement joint on the motorised floor nozzle, in particular, is a source of excitement, as it allows the staff to manoeuvre around the café tables with extreme agility.
Even beyond floor care, the range is amazing. I try out a saw, start up a polishing machine and inspect the outdoor coffee machine. Everything makes a solid, well thought-out first impression. The appliances feel good in the hand and run smoothly. I'm already thinking about which of the machines I want to put to the acid test in my garden soon. However, my personal highlight and my saviour on this day is small and inconspicuous: a USB (C) port for the PXC battery. The adapter can simply be plugged into the battery and I can charge my mobile phone battery via the USB or USB-C port. As it's running low anyway, this is very convenient for me.
French presses
EUR65,94
Einhell Cordless coffee maker " TE-CF 18 Li-Solo " Incl. stainless steel cup
0.24 l
The clever strategy of convenient dependency
The fact that Einhell is expanding its portfolio alongside classic tools to include extensions suitable for everyday use such as the USB adapter, fans or cool boxes is part of a targeted market expansion. The system is also opening up at the top: ambitious DIY enthusiasts can use the same battery for the more powerful «Professional» appliances without having to set up an additional, expensive charging infrastructure. To round off the self-sufficient ecosystem, Einhell has even introduced a solar panel with charging station, which I will be subjecting to a detailed practical test in the coming weeks.
There is a stringent economic logic behind this expansion in width and upwards: anyone who gets used to the cross-system convenience in everyday life and on the campsite will gradually replace existing old devices from other manufacturers with Einhell products. The company is therefore not selling individual tools, but a complete infrastructure. A classic, lucrative lock-in effect, coupled with a pricing policy that, according to the company, is 20 per cent lower than the competition. If batteries and devices actually deliver what the Marketing promises in everyday use, both sides can ultimately benefit from this unity.
The true endurance test follows
The conclusion of this initial familiarisation is positive: The battery ecosystem is coherent, the devices are ergonomic in the hand and perform their tasks smoothly. However, this practical test under palm trees remains a staged snapshot. In order to be able to draw real, valid conclusions, uncontrolled conditions are required. This is exactly where I will be taking the devices in the coming weeks: Far away from any PR backdrop, my long-term test in Hamburg's slushy weather and in the sandy dirt of my garden at home will show what the technology can really withstand.
Which device should I push to its limits in this practical test? Let me know in the comments.
Anna Sandner
Senior Editor
Anna.Sandner@galaxus.deScience editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always the outdoors - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
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