Contents
What Is a CR2025 Battery?
A CR2025 battery is a generic designation for a non-rechargeable (primary) lithium coin battery with a cutoff voltage of 3 Volts.
The CR2025 coin battery model has a battery storage life of 10 years.
These popular CR2025 batteries have a very low self-discharge, making them the most preferred alternative for traditional batteries.
What Is a CR2032 Battery?
The lithium coin CR2032 battery is the most common type of battery used in various devices.
It is a 240 mAh non-rechargeable battery with a cutoff voltage of 3 Volts.
The coin battery model’s chemical composition includes quality materials such as lithium, manganese, graphite, and cobalt.
With the lithium coin CR2032 battery, you get a battery storage life of 10 years.
CR2025 vs CR2032: The Uses
![BIOS battery chips close-up](https://www.wellpcb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1-8.jpg)
BIOS battery chips close-up
Application of CR2025 vs CR2032
The wide range of real-life applications of these batteries include:
- Wristwatches
- Pocket calculators
- Hearing aids
- Fitness appliances
- Temp sensor
- Laser pens
- Medical devices
![Medical devices](https://www.wellpcb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2-8.jpg)
Medical devices
- Real-time clock module boards
- Garage door openers
- LED light
CR2025 vs CR2032: The Similarities
- They both have a cutoff voltage of 3 Volts.
- The batteries have identical diameter sizes—both are 20 mm in diameter.
- Both types of lithium-ion batteries have a similar operating range of temperatures— -30 degrees to 60 degrees Celsius.
- Both the 3V batteries have a similar chemical substance-Lithium.
- These batteries also power the same variety of devices.
- Their shelf-life is also identical when stored under the same conditions.
- They have the same long-term discharge characteristics of approx. 1% self-discharging rate
![Battery CR2025 vs CR2032--CR2025](https://www.wellpcb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3-6.jpg)
CR2025
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
CR2025 vs CR2032: The Differences
Let’s take a look at the difference between CR2025 vs. CR2032.
Differences in Dimensions/Battery Size
CR2032 has a thicker (3.2 mm) battery size than CR2025 (2.5 mm).
Most devices will accommodate both the batteries, but the CR2032 will sit more snugly in the battery compartment.
Battery CR2025 vs CR2032– Differences in Capacity
The CR2032 button battery has a better storage reserve capacity (235 mAh) than the CR2025 (170 mAh).
Your CR2025 will last you a shorter duration than the CR2032. Under heavy load, it will last for about 2-3 months.
The CR2032 has a battery life of 3-4 months. However, for normal load usage, both batteries have a storage time of 10 years.
A higher mAh capacity adds to the shelf-life and battery life as well.
Note that not every lithium coin cell battery will drain the same in different electronic devices.
This factor will depend on the active device, dynamic loads, material quality applied to the lithium cells in the battery.
While a Lithium battery has a high initial discharge rate, its overall discharge rate is very low. That’s the reason why these batteries last longer than alkaline batteries.
![Battery CR2025 vs CR2032--Button cell battery](https://www.wellpcb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4-4.jpg)
Button cell battery
Battery CR2025 vs CR2032– Can I Use a CR2025 Battery Instead of a CR2032?
Both the CR2025 and CR2032 batteries are interchangeable.
However, some battery compartments meant for a thinner battery type, such as the CR2025 battery models, might be too small for the CR2032.
The opposite is true, where the CR3032 battery holder might be too big for the CR2025.
It will give you an error message on your electrical applications.
Here’s how to fit a CR2025 battery in a CR2032 compartment.
Take a piece of aluminum foil (you can also use another conductor), then push it into the space above the battery.
Make sure you place the folded piece on the battery’s positive (+) side.
If you find yourself with a compact-sized compartment, you can do nothing.
Make note that a CR2025 will last for a shorter duration than the coin battery CR2032.
Another factor to consider is the device you will be using.
The CR2025 is recommended for powering a simple device like a toy or a remote.
In comparison, the CR2032 coin cell battery might be the preferred choice for active devices such as medical devices, hearing aids, pacemakers, and digital watches.
These devices need a long shelf life, quality material, additional charge, and larger capacity.
Checking the appliance manual for the electrical devices will also tell you what typical capacity you need and the lithium battery to use.
Battery CR2025 vs CR2032–Alternate Options
![Battery CR2025 vs CR2032--lithium button cell batteries](https://www.wellpcb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5-2.jpg)
Lithium batteries provide long-lasting, reliable power in comparison to alkaline batteries.
However, product prices for lithium batteries are higher than product prices for alkaline batteries.
Button cell batteries are also more reliable due to their long-term discharge characteristics of 1%.
Of course, you can’t use a 3V battery to replace conventional batteries like a 12V battery or a 40 kW battery replacement.
Summary
In conclusion, both battery options have similarities and differences. Both provide long-lasting, reliable power and are alternatives to traditional batteries.
The only difference between CR2025 vs. CR2032 you need to account for when choosing one of these two batteries include:
- Capacity
- Thickness
- Usage
Trying to wire LEDs and CR2032 batteries to make it work? Here’s a video guide to help you.