The Ultimate Guide to CR2025 vs. CR2032

Batteries come in diverse shapes, sizes, voltages, and currents to cater to various needs based on specific applications. Among them, coin cells, often called button cells, stand out as a commonly employed battery type in compact devices like car key fobs, miniature flashlights, calculators, and more. Two frequently encountered coin cell batteries are the CR2032 and CR2025. Despite their similar names and shared applications in devices such as watches and toys, a crucial question arises: Can one be seamlessly substituted for the other, and is it a safe practice? In essence, are CR2032 and CR2025 interchangeable? This article aims to help you understand the differences and similarities between CR2025 vs. CR2032 types of batteries, exploring whether they can be used interchangeably.

What is a CR2025 Battery?

A CR2025 battery is a non-rechargeable (primary) lithium coin or "button" cell, measuring 20mm in diameter and 2.5mm in thickness. With a high voltage of 3V, it boasts a capacity of up to 170mAh, depending on the manufacturer's specifications. Widely used in various applications, the CR2025 is similar to the CR2032 but finds its niche in products with limited mounting space. Despite its slightly lower capacity (mAh), the CR2025 provides a slightly shorter service life than the CR2032 in similar applications.

The CR2025 battery goes by various names, including 280-205, 5003LC, BR2025, DL2025, ECR2025, 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.

What is a CR2032 Battery?

A CR2032 battery represents a non-rechargeable lithium coin cell, commonly called a "button" battery, with dimensions of 20mm in diameter and 3.2mm in thickness. Possessing a voltage of 3 volts, its capacity can reach up to 240mAh, contingent upon the specifications provided by the manufacturer. Presently, the CR2032 battery is the most prevalent lithium coin cell in use. Its applications span a spectrum from car key fobs and motherboards to security panels and weapons sighting systems. Additionally, the CR2032 can be equipped with connection tabs, facilitating its installation in virtually any required orientation. The CR2032 battery's compact dimensions, coupled with its comparatively high capacity, extended service life, and consistent discharge, render it a favored choice across various applications.

The CR2032 battery is recognized by various nomenclatures including 2032, 5004LC, AWI L14, BR2032, BR2332, CR2032, DL2032, EA2032C, ECR2032, L2032, LF1/2V, LM2032, RFA-35, and Seiko SB-T15.

CR2025 vs CR2032: Storage Life

The storage longevity of a battery can hinge on several factors, encompassing the quality of materials, storage environment, duration of storage, humidity levels, physical integrity, and temperature conditions. Ideally, an optimal scenario involves a battery fashioned from high-grade materials, stored in a controlled climate with low humidity, devoid of physical damage. According to Energizer, their lithium coin cell batteries boast a shelf life of up to 10 years when appropriately stored. The actual operational lifespan, however, is contingent on the specific application.

How Long Do CR2025 Batteries Last?

The CR2025 battery employed in a car key fob might endure for approximately 3-4 years before requiring replacement, given the sporadic use of the battery. Conversely, a more dynamic device like an IoT tracking device, facilitating real-time object tracking, is expected to last only a year. This comparatively shorter service life can be ascribed to the smaller capacity inherent in the CR2025 battery.

How Long Do CR2032 Batteries Last?

A CR2032 battery employed in a car key fob can endure for approximately 4-5 years before necessitating replacement, given the sporadic nature of its usage. Conversely, a more dynamically engaged device, exemplified by the new Apple Air Tag that enables continuous object tracking, is projected to have a lifespan of about a year.

CR2025 vs CR2032: The Uses

What Uses a CR2025 Battery?

The CR2025 battery finds application in a diverse array of devices. It uses spanning 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. As mentioned earlier, the CR2025 battery is slightly more adept than the CR2032 for use in devices characterized by constrained space within the battery compartment.

What Uses a CR2032 Battery?

The CR2032 battery finds application in an extensive range of devices and purposes, encompassing 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.

Application of CR2025 vs CR2032

These batteries are utilized in a diverse array of practical applications, such as:

• Wristwatches

• Pocket calculators

• Hearing aids

• Fitness appliances

• Temperature sensors

• Laser pens

• Medical devices

• Real-time clock module boards

• Garage door openers

• LED lights

CR2025 vs CR2032: Technical Specifications

CR2025 Battery Technical Specifications

• Nominal Voltage: 3 Volts

• Approximate Capacity: 170 mAh

• Operating Temperature Range: 0°C – 60°C

• Height: 2.5 mm

• Diameter: 20 mm

• Chemistry: Lithium Coin

CR2032 Battery Technical Specifications

• Nominal Voltage: 3 Volts

• Approximate Capacity: 235 mAh

• Operating Temperature Range: 0°C – 60°C

• Height: 3.2 mm

• Diameter: 20 mm

• Chemistry: Lithium Coin

What are the Similarities Between CR2032 and CR2025 Batteries?

Features

• They share a cutoff voltage of 3 Volts.

• The batteries boast matching diameters, both measuring 20 mm.

• Both variants of lithium-ion batteries exhibit a comparable temperature operating range, spanning from -30 to 60 degrees Celsius.

• The 3V batteries share a common chemical composition—Lithium.

• These batteries energize a similar array of devices.

• Their shelf life remains consistent under identical storage conditions.

• They exhibit equivalent long-term discharge characteristics, with an approximate 1% self-discharge rate.

Benefits

• Effective pulse capability

• Robust discharge characteristics

• Consistent voltage stability throughout the discharge

• Long-term dependability

Moreover, concerning technology, both CR2025 and CR2032 batteries share identical voltage, chemistry, and diameter specifications. These batteries are capable of powering compact devices such as calculators, computer motherboards, fitness appliances, laser pens, POS systems, security devices, sensors, smart carport keyless entry devices, wristwatches, and various medical equipment, including clinical thermometers, glucose monitors, heart pacemakers, and tensiometers. If stored in comparable conditions, CR2025 and CR2032 batteries from the same manufacturer will exhibit the same shelf life.

Leading battery brands, including Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, Philips, Maxell, Murata (formerly Sony), Renata, and others, include CR2025 and CR2032 batteries in their product catalogs, acknowledging their widespread usage globally.

What are the Differences Between CR2032 and CR2025 Batteries?

Let's explore the differences between CR2032 and CR2025.

Dimensions/Battery Size

CR2032 possesses a thicker battery size at 3.2 mm compared to CR2025's 2.5 mm.

CR2032 measures 20 mm in width and 3.2 mm in height, whereas CR2025 has a height of 2.5 mm. Consequently, if you intend to substitute CR2025 for CR2032, a minor adjustment in the battery holder is necessary.

To address the variance of 0.7 mm, consider taking a piece of aluminum foil, folding it, and placing it over the CR2025 to fill the additional space.

Note: CR2032 seamlessly fits into the battery holder designed for CR2025, eliminating the need for any mechanical adjustments in this scenario.

Capacity

The CR2032 exhibits a slightly higher capacity than the CR2025. Specifically, the CR2032 boasts a capacity of 235 mAh, while the CR2025 is rated at a maximum of 170 mAh. Therefore, if your application demands an uncompromised battery lifespan, opting for the CR2032 is advisable. On the other hand, if capacity is not a critical factor, feel free to substitute CR2032 with CR2025 without hesitation.

Note: The increased capacity implies that CR2032 will run longer than CR2025 in the same application.

Weight

The variation in thickness results in a slight difference in their weights. CR2032 weights 3 g, while CR2025 weighs 2.6 g. If your project or application does not hinge on weight constraints, substituting CR2025 with CR2032 is feasible. Conversely, replacing CR2032 with CR2025 would render the device lighter, which can be advantageous, mainly if reduced weight is desirable.

Durability

A greater capacity in a battery is indicated by a higher mAh rating, and a higher mAh corresponds to an extended battery life. To illustrate, a battery with a capacity rating of 100 mAh could sustain a current of 100 milliamperes for one hour.

Therefore, a higher mAh rating implies that the same battery will endure for a more extended period. With that in mind, the CR2032 battery boasts a rating of 240 mAh, whereas the CR2025 is rated at 170 mAh. This signifies that CR2032 batteries will operate more often, making them more durable.

CR2025 vs. CR2032: Pros and Cons

	CR2025	CR2032
Pros	Occupying less space alleviates concerns about potential battery damage during insertion into the device	Increased capacity translates to an extended lifespan
	Best suited for children's toys and calculators	Ideal for watches, heart rate monitors, and hearing aids
Cons	Reduced capacity	Occupies more space
	Briefer duration

Can I Use a CR2025 battery instead of a CR2032?

As long as they fit in the battery compartment, the CR2025 and CR2032 can be used interchangeably with minimal impact. However, the CR2032 would last slightly longer due to its higher capacity (mAh). Here's a helpful tip: With only the CR2025 available in a pinch, you can fold a piece of aluminum foil or another conductor to fill the 0.7mm extra space. Place it on the positive (+) side of the battery and close the compartment to hold it in place. Ensure good contact with the battery and spring to avoid intermittent connections. While not ideal, as the CR2025 may only last for a short time in a device designed for CR2032, it can be helpful in emergencies or during a battery shortage to keep your device running.

Another effective way to understand the similarities and differences between a CR2025 and a CR2032 battery is by examining their names and deciphering the code used by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in naming these batteries. The combination of letters and numbers is not arbitrary but provides information about the battery's physical attributes. The letters denote the battery's chemistry, with "C" indicating a lithium manganese dioxide battery, and "R" signifying a round (cylindrical) form. The first two numbers represent the diameter, while the last two numbers denote the battery's thickness. Consequently, it conveys that the CR2032 has a 20.0mm diameter and is 3.2mm thick, while the CR2025 has a 20.0mm diameter and is 2.5mm thick. This method can be applied to understand most lithium coin cell batteries.

Factors to Consider When Using CR2025 Instead Of CR2032

When substituting a CR2025 with a CR2032, the primary consideration revolves around the battery's size. Nevertheless, various other factors warrant attention during such a replacement.

Voltage

Electronic devices operate optimally at specific voltage levels. Consequently, aligning the battery's voltage with the device's operational requirements is crucial.

In transitioning from a CR2025 to a CR2032, maintaining identical voltage is imperative, and both batteries boast a voltage of 3 volts.

Current

Devices exhibit a designated current draw under typical operational conditions, similar to voltage.

Both the CR2025 and CR2032 batteries deliver a consistent 0.2mA current.

Current Capacity

Lastly, one must account for current capacity, denoting a battery's ability to store total charge (current), drawing an analogy to a glass and its water-holding capacity.

Much like a larger glass accommodating more water, the CR2032, being 0.7mm larger than the CR2025, possesses a greater charge-carrying capacity, resulting in a higher current output.

While a battery's chemical composition can influence current capacity, it remains essential to recognize that, in this scenario, both the CR2025 and CR2032 share the same chemical makeup. Consequently, their capacity diverges based on size.

Specifically, the CR2032 exhibits a capacity of 220mAh, surpassing the CR2025's capacity of 165mAh.

Battery CR2025 vs CR2032–Alternate Options

Lithium batteries offer enduring and dependable power, outperforming alkaline batteries in longevity. Nevertheless, the cost of lithium batteries exceeds that of alkaline batteries.

Button cell batteries further enhance reliability through their enduring 1% discharge rate.

Naturally, it's essential to recognize the limitations — a 3V battery cannot substitute traditional batteries, such as 12V or 40 kW variants.

Can you Connect CR2032 and CR2025 in Series?

Specific projects require multiple cells in series to achieve elevated voltage levels. When all batteries are uniform in capacity (Ah rating) and C-rating, seamless operation ensues. However, one of the batteries may deplete over time, requiring replacement, such as the CR2032.

There are three viable approaches:

1. Substituting all batteries with either new CR2032 or CR2025 cells.

2. Swapping the depleted CR2032 with a fresh CR2032.

3. Exchanging the drained CR2032 with a new CR2025.

Opting to replace all cells poses no complications. As elaborated earlier, utilizing the CR2032 set ensures prolonged durability compared to the CR2025 set.

Under no circumstances should a singular cell be replaced. For instance, introducing a new CR2032 or CR2025 may render the entire battery pack seemingly inert, possibly not immediately but shortly.

Why? The capacity of the new cell significantly exceeds that of the partially depleted cells connected in series. This creates a substantial voltage differential between the new and old cells. Consequently, the new CR2032 can supply current to the device while the other cells cannot, impeding current flow in the series connection.

Likewise, replacing all cells except the one with the remaining charge may result in the entire battery pack appearing nonfunctional.

This underscores the importance of avoiding using disparate-capacity batteries when configuring a series connection.

Conclusion

In summary, the two battery options share commonalities and distinctions. They both offer enduring and dependable power, an alternative to traditional batteries. When choosing between CR2025 and CR2032, considerations should be made regarding their capacity, thickness, and intended use.

As anticipated, the lifespan of coin batteries varies among brands, adhering to the adage, "You get what you pay for." Notably, the primary disparity in brand comparison lies in the milliampere-hour (mAh) rating. Although the CR2032 may seem a rational selection due to its capacity, the choice of battery should be guided by your specific needs, frequency of use, and budget constraints. Additionally, the available storage space in your device's battery compartment is crucial; regardless of size, it must fit for optimal functionality.

For applications like children's toys and pocket calculators, the CR2025 may be more suitable. Conversely, the CR2032 is useful in wristwatches, heart monitor scans, and hearing aids. Therefore, your decision hinges on the respective capacities of these batteries.

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