So many people searching for differences and similarities between this small battery cell, forgetting that each model comes in a totally different physical size. The quality of each one depends on the manufacturer and production date, not on the size of the battery. I’m going to write on this topic, and try to give you answers for each model. Keep reading and find out what’s the difference between CR2016, CR2025, and CR2032 coin batteries.
Appearance and characteristics are two things these batteries are different. Find out when and where you can replace each battery model. They do have different purposes and you have to know where to replace each other.
I’m going to start with the CR2016 review, leading with a CR2025 model, and finally with the biggest one CR2032 review.
CR2016 coin battery
The CR2016 isn’t widespread like the other two models, but still, I’m going to write this CR2016 review, mostly because they all are almost the same physically.
This is a standard CR2016 Lithium coin battery, mostly used to power small electrical devices and gadgets like hand watches, calculators, hearing aids, heart pacemakers, and others.
CR2016 battery size is 20×1.6mm, it weighs 1.6 grams and it has a 90mAh nominal capacity.
Just like the other two models, this battery delivers 3V power output. This battery size is the smallest comparing it to CR2025 and CR2032.
Based on battery size its nominal capacity is determined by its internal volume.
CR2025 coin battery
The CR2025 coin battery is common in use, much more than CR2016. This battery also powers up small electric devices like hand watches, calculators, memory back-up, laser pens, car keys, etc…
CR2025 battery size is 20×2.5mm, it weighs around 2.6 grams and 160mAh nominal capacity.
This coin battery delivers 3V power.
All these batteries can last for years, depending on the usage they can operate from 1 year up to 5 years. Self-discharge is only 1-2% per year which is great and this percentage means that not used battery won’t discharge in the store shell for a long time period.
To this point, you have learned that CR2016 has a lower nominal capacity than CR2025 and that CR2025 is a bit thicker, while they both have the same 20mm diameter.
CR2032 coin battery
The last one, CR2032 is the biggest cell battery from this comparison. This model is widely used in a variety of appliances.
If you ever opened the computer case and you saw the small coin battery on the motherboard, 99% chances are that the battery actually was the CR2032.
The size for CR2032 is 20×3.2mm and this battery weighs around 3.1 grams.
Since it is the largest, compared to CR2016 and CR2025, the CR2032 has the largest nominal capacity also. This battery has 220mAh nominal capacity.
The voltage power output is the same, 3V for all models from this review. Because of all good technical specifications, the CR2032 has been used in computers for decades. This battery supplies CMOS and settings on the motherboard when the computer isn’t plugged in.
OK, now you have read all the differences between CR2016, CR2025, and CR2032. To make it clear enough, I’m going to write a sheet with the specifications of each battery.
What are the differences?
| Battery model | Size (mm) | Weight (g) | Nominal Capacity (mAh) | Voltage (V) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR2016 | 20×1.6 | 1.6g | 90mAh | 3V |
| CR2025 | 20×2.5 | 2.6g | 160mAh | 3V |
| CR2032 | 20×3.2 | 3.1g | 220mAh | 3V |
These numbers depending on the brand. Still, numbers are close enough no matter what coin battery brand you’re looking for.
They all are non-rechargeable disposal batteries. All three models I have explained are Lithium coin batteries, and they are a little more expensive than Alkaline batteries. However, they last longer, weigh less and have a wider operating temperature range.