Rechargeable battery for a machine tool containing at least one energy storage cell and also one switching apparatus. The rechargeable battery contains a bypass circuit which can be operated in a first and second mode, wherein the bypass circuit is in an inoperative state in the first mode, so that an electric current with a first current value passes from the at least one energy storage cell to the machine tool via the switching apparatus, and wherein the bypass circuit is in an operating state in the second mode, so that an electric current with a second current value passes from the at least one energy storage cell to the machine tool via the bypass apparatus, and wherein the first current value is greater than the second current value. The bypass circuit contains a comparator for comparing a current value which is required by the machine tool with a stored current threshold value, so that, via switching element, the bypass circuit is switched to the first mode when the current value which is required by the machine tool exceeds the threshold value and the bypass circuit is switched to the second mode when the current value which is required by the machine tool falls below the threshold value.