Battery Bios: CR2025 vs CR2032: The Important Difference Between the CR2025 Battery and the CR2032 Battery

CR2025 vs CR2032:The Important Difference Between the CR2025 Battery and the CR2032 Battery

 

   One of the most common questions that we receive from our Microbattery customers is how to determine the correct battery to use for a particular device when presented with battery options that have similar characteristics. After reading this article, we aim to give our customers useful information about the similarities and differences of a CR2025 and a CR2032 battery in order to help them use these oft-confused battery types appropriately.

   

   *MicroBattery Pro-Tip (Understanding Lithium Coin Batteries): Lithium coin cell batteries are usually designated with a CR followed by a set of numbers. The C in CR lets you know the battery uses a lithium chemistry. The R lets you know that the battery is round in shape. The first two numbers let you know the diameter of the battery and the last two numbers tell you the height. So by following this, you can easily see that a CR2032 battery is a (C) lithium chemistry battery with a (R) round shape that has a diameter of (20) 20 millimeters and a height of (32) 3.2 millimeters. This applies to the majority of coin and button cell batteries but note there are some exceptions, like the CR2 or CR123A batteries which are considered lithium cylindrical batteries.   

 

Click Here To Shop Online For CR2032 Batteries

Click Here To Shop Online For CR2025 Batteries

Click Here To Shop Online For All Lithium Coin Cell Batteries

 

What is a CR2032 battery?

 

     A CR2032 battery is a non-rechargeable (primary) lithium coin or “button” cell battery that is 20mm diameter x 3.2mm thickness. The CR2032 battery has a voltage of 3 volts and a capacity of up to 240mAh, depending on manufacturer specifications. The CR2032 is the most common lithium coin cell battery currently used. Commercial uses of the CR2032 battery range from car key fobs and motherboards to security system pannels and weapons sighting systems. The CR2032 can also be fitted with connection tabs that allow the battery to be fitted in almost any position needed. The compact size but relatively high capacity, service life, and consistant discharge make the CR2032 battery an ideal choice for a wide variety of applications. 

    The CR2032 battery is also known as 2032, 5004LC, AWI L14, BR2032, BR2332, CR2032, DL2032, EA2032C, ECR2032, L2032, LF1/2V, LM2032, RFA-35, and Seiko SB-T15.

 

How Long Do a CR2032 Batteries Last?

 

Battery storage life can depend on a variety of factors including material quality, storage conditions, storage time, humidity, physical damage, or temperature. Ideally you would want a battery made of high quality materials, stored in a climate controlled and dry area, with no physical damage. Energizer claims that their lithium coin cell batteries have up to 10 years of shelf life when properly stored. As far as service life this will depend greatly on the application. A CR2032 battery in a car key fob may last up to 4-5 years before needing replacement as the use of the battery is very intermittent. A more active device such as the new Apple Air Tag which allows constant tracking of objects will only last about a year.  

 

What Uses a CR2032 Battery?

 

The CR2032 battery is used in a wide variety of devices and applications including computer motherboards, car key fobs, watches, calculators, PDAs, electronic organizers, garage door openers, toys, games, door chimes, pet collars, LED lights, sporting goods, pedometers, calorie counters, stopwatches and medical devices.

 

Technical Specifications Of The CR2032 Battery

 

CR2032 Battery Nominal Voltage:	3 Volts
Capacity   ≈	235 mAh
Operating Temperature:	0°C – 60°C
Height:	3.2 mm
Width (Diameter):	20 mm
Chemistry:	Lithium Coin

 

Toshiba CR2032 Battery Technical Data Sheet 

Duracell CR2032 Battery Technical Data Sheet 

Click Here For An In-Depth Look At The CR2032 Battery

Click Here To Shop Online For CR2032 Batteries

 

What is a CR2025 battery?

 

     A CR2025 battery is non-rechargeable (primary) lithium coin or “button” cell that is 20mm diameter x 2.5mm thickness. The CR2025 battery has a high voltage of 3V, a capacity of up to 170mAh, depending on manufacturer specifications. The CR2025 battery is an extremely common lithium coin cell battery and is used in similar amounts and in similar applications as the CR2032.  The CR2025 is slightly better suited for use in products that have less available mounting space than those that would use a CR2032. On the other hand, the lower capacity (mAh) of the CR2025 will give a slighlty shorter service life than a CR2032 when used in similar applications.

     The CR2025 battery is also known as 280-205, 5003LC, BR2025, DL2025, ECR2025, and SB-T14, AWI L12, Citizen 280-205, Duracell DL2025, ElectroChem 3B980, Energizer ECR2025, Eveready CR2025, Fuji CR2025, I.E.C. CR2025, Kodak KCR2025, Maxell CR2025, NEDA 5003LC, Panasonic CR2025, RadioShack CS0155, RadioShack CS1005, RadioShack UBATL0006TAZZ, Rayovac KECR2025, Saft LM2025, Sanyo CR2025, Seiko SBT14, Sony CR2025, Toshiba CR2025, Varta CR2025, and 2025.

 

How Long Do a CR2025 Batteries Last?

 

Battery storage life can depend on a variety of factors including material quality, storage conditions, storage time, humidity, physical damage, or temperature. Ideally you would want a battery made of high quality materials, stored in a climate controlled and dry area, with no physical damage. Energizer claims that their lithium coin cell batteries have up to 10 years of shelf life when properly stored. As far as service life this will depend greatly on the application. A CR2025 battery in a car key fob may last up to 3-4 years before needing replacement as the use of the battery is very intermittent. A more active device such as an IoT tracking device, which allows real-time, tracking of objects will only last about a year. This slightly shorter service life can be attributed to smaller capacity of the CR2025 battery. 

 

What Uses a CR2025 Battery?

 

Similar to the CR2032 battery the CR2025 battery is used in a wide variety of devices and applications including computer motherboards, car key fobs, watches, calculators, PDAs, electronic organizers, garage door openers, toys, games, door chimes, pet collars, LED lights, sporting goods, pedometers, calorie counters, stopwatches and medical devices. Like we previously mentioned, the CR2025 battery is slightly better suited than the CR2032 to be used in devices which have limited mounting space in the battery compartment. 

 

Technical Specifications Of The CR2025 Battery

 

CR2032 Battery Nominal Voltage:	3 Volts
Capacity   ≈	170 mAh
Operating Temperature:	0°C – 60°C
Height:	2.5 mm
Width (Diameter):	20 mm
Chemistry:	Lithium Coin

 

Toshiba CR2025 Battery Technical Data Sheet 

Duracell CR2025 Battery Technical Data Sheet 

Click Here For An In-Depth Look At The CR2025 Battery

Click Here To Shop Online For CR2025 Batteries

 

What are the similarities between CR2032 and CR2025 batteries?

 

     The CR2025 and CR2032 are both 3-volt lithium coin or button cells that measure 20mm in diameter. In terms of technology, both CR2025 and CR2032 batteries have the same voltage, chemistry, and diameter. Both batteries can power small devices like calculators, computer motherboards, fitness appliances, laser pens, POS systems, security devices, sensors, smart carport keyless entry devices, wrist watches, and various medical devices such as clinical thermometers, glucose monitors, heart pacemakers, and tensiometers. Both the CR2025 and CR2032 batteries from the same manufacturer will have the same shelf-life if stored in similar conditions. 

      Most major battery brands like Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, Philips, Maxell, Murata (formerly Sony), Renata, and others carry both the CR2025 and CR2032 batteries in their product catalogs as they are two of the most widely used batteries worldwide.

 

What’s the difference between CR2032 and CR2025 batteries?

 

      The obvious difference between the two battery types would be thickness. The CR2032 is 3.2mm thick while the CR2025 is 2.5mm thick. Because the CR2032 is 0.7mm thicker than the CR2025, it has a higher capacity (mAh) to deliver current to the load. A standard CR2032 can nominally deliver 225mAh while the average CR2025 can nominally only deliver 160mAh. Due to the smaller capacity, the thinner battery may not last as long and may need to be replaced sooner.

 

Can I use a CR2025 battery instead of a CR2032?

     For as long as either fits in the battery compartment, the CR2025 and CR2032 may be used interchangeably with minimal effect although the CR2032 would probably last slightly longer simply because it has a higher capacity (mAh). Here’s a tip: If you find yourself in a pinch with only the CR2025 available, you can fold up a piece of aluminum foil or another conductor to fill up the 0.7mm extra space. Place it on top of the positive (+) side of the battery and close the compartment to hold it in place. Ensure good contact with the battery and spring otherwise you risk the battery being intermittent. Although this is not ideal, as the CR2025 may not last as long in a device designed to use CR2032, it can be useful in an emergency or battery shortage situation to keep your device running. 

     Another good way of explaining the similarity and difference of a CR2025 and CR2032 battery is by looking at their names and understanding the code that the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) used in naming these batteries. The combination of letters and numbers used to name these batteries is not arbitrary. It tells you a lot about the battery’s physical attributes. The two letters tell you the chemistry of the battery. C means it’s a lithium manganese dioxide battery. R indicates round (cylindrical) form. The first two numbers relate to the diameter while the last two numbers relate to the depth of the battery. Along these lines, it essentially says that CR2032 has a 20.0mm diameter and is 3.2mm thick while the CR2025 has a 20.0mm diameter and is 2.5mm thick. Most lithium coin cell batteries can be understood using this method. 

 

In a nutshell:

 

SIMILARITIES	DIFFERENCES
DIAMETER VOLTAGE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION DISCHARGE CURRENT USAGE MANUFACTURERS	THICKNESS CAPACITY

 

Buying CR2032 or CR2025 Lithium Coin Cell Batteries Online:  

     It is extremely important to purchase lithium coin cell batteries only from reputable sellers. Unfortunately, because these battery models are so popular, they are commonly counterfeited overseas in China. The importation of counterfeit watch and coin cell batteries is a big problem here in the United States. Many distributors and dealers are knowingly and unknowingly selling counterfeit watch and coin cell batteries. These counterfeit packages are commonly found on eBay and Amazon. Over the course of the past 12 months our company has regularly purchased samples of lithium coin cell batteries on both eBay, Amazon and other online marketplaces and we have encountered an alarmingly high percentage of counterfeit product. A counterfeit package, may or may not contain a battery from the actual original manufacturer. Since these batteries are packaged by an unauthorized party, there is no guarantee of the quality of this product. Original manufacturers will NOT guarantee a counterfeit product. Even if the battery is actually the brand it is claiming, it could be old or recycled stock. If you cannot trust the package; the date code on the package may be inaccurate. Old stock or counterfeit batteries may have lower mAh capacities and die prematurely. They may also be more prone to leakage, which can damage your device. The manufacturer will not warranty any damages to a product if the battery proves to be counterfeit. By purchasing original packaging, it is guaranteed you are purchasing a product from the actual original manufacturer.

     Microbattery.com has been selling hearing aid and watch batteries for over 25 years. We have grown to one of the largest online sellers of hearing aid, watch, and specialty batteries in the United States. We purchase our stock directly from battery manufacturers and all of our products are shipped out from our 28,000 Sq. Ft. climate controlled facility located in sunny Miami, Florida. By only carrying products from verified manufacturers and through proper storage, Microbattery.com ensures that our customers recieve the highest quality products all at some of the lowest prices on the market. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article: If you are interested in purchasing products from Microbattery.com use coupon code: Microfive : To save 5% on your entire online order!

 

Click Here To Shop Online For CR2032 Batteries

Click Here To Shop Online For CR2025 Batteries

Click Here To Shop Online For All Lithium Coin Cell Batteries

 

About Us:

Microbattery.com is the leading provider when it comes to Hearing Aid Batteries, Watch Batteries, Lithium Coin Cells, Lithium Batteries, Alkaline Batteries, and Rechargeable Batteries across North & South America. We have the capability to meet the needs of all sizes of consumers, dealers, distributors and importers. For over 25 years, we have been striving to ensure high customer satisfaction and providing the best quality product possible. Ever since our online store was launched 15 years ago, we have been constantly improving & optimizing our site to provide the most enjoyable and convenient shopping experience for our valued customers.

Our online store has one of the largest selections of various batteries and battery products for all types of electronic applications on the web. Our website is very easy to navigate to help ensure customers can find exactly what they need. All of our products are conveniently organized by category. They can be easily filtered by the category drop down located at the top of every page on our website. Alternatively customers can use the Battery Finder™ located on our homepage, to quickly and simply identify the exact batteries they need. If you require any assistance in determining what products are right for you please do not hesitate to give us a call at (305)-371-9200.

At Microbattery.com, you will find one of the largest selections of batteries on the web. We have millions of cells of common batteries like CR2025, CR2032, LR44, LR41, AA, and AAA in stock at all times. We also carry a wide variety of less common batteries such as CR2477, CR2016, Rechargeable Batteries, Radio Batteries, Telephone Batteries, and Pet Batteries. Regardless of your battery needs, we have got you covered. If you require a battery that we currently do not carry, please feel free to give us a call at (305)-371-9200 to place a special order (some restrictions apply).

Our customer base currently includes tens of thousands of satisfied consumers, various private companies, (local, state, federal, international) government agencies, military, institutions, wholesalers, and chain stores. Without hassle, we will ship your products worldwide, already having done so for over eighty-five countries.

 

For additional battery information and other technical data please visit the Microbattery.com: Battery University Knowledge & Resource Center

 

Click Here To Shop Online For CR2032 Batteries

Click Here To Shop Online For CR2025 Batteries

Click Here To Shop Online For All Lithium Coin Cell Batteries