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Spotlighting the key differences and major applications of CR2025 and CR2032 batteries

To select the appropriate energy source of compact electronic gadgets, it is vital to be knowledgeable of important battery specification such as size, capacity, and performance. In this article we are going to present the major differences, similarities and main uses of the batteries CR2025 and CR2032.

CR2025 and CR2032 

The CR2025 battery vs CR2032 battery: the main differences

Feature

CR2025

CR2032

Thickness

2.5 mm

3.2 mm

Capacity

150 - 170 mAh

210 - 240 mAh

Weight

About 2.6 grams

About 3 grams

Capacity & Lifespan

2 - 3 months in high-drain applications

3 - 4 months in high-drain applications

Common Uses

Remote controls, key fobs, portable electronic devices

Medical equipment, motherboard, calculators, fitness trackers

 

CR2025 Battery vs CR2032 Battery: Similarities

Battery Type: Both are lithium coin (button) cell batteries.

Voltage: Both provide a nominal voltage of 3 volts.

Diameter: Both have the same diameter of 20 mm.

Chemical Composition: Both use lithium manganese dioxide (Li-MnO2) chemistry.

Polarity: Both have the positive (+) terminal on the flat surface.

Non-Rechargeable: Both are primary batteries and are not rechargeable.

Operating Temperature Range: Both functions well in typical consumer electronics temperature ranges.

Since we have a quick take on highlighting the comparative factors as well as the similarities, now let us explore the comprehensive overview of a CR2025 Battery and a CR2032 Battery.

What is CR2025 Battery?

CR2025 CR2025 is a battery that belongs to the family of coin cells, 3 volts, lithium batteries, and is popular in tiny gadgetry. It is made to fit purposes that include low power consumption and thin profile. The CR2025 is a non-rechargeable battery (primary battery) with an approximate capacity of about 170 mAh. It is slender enough to fit into devices having limited space, like key fobs, watches, and motherboard CMOS batteries.

The name is according to the IEC standard where 'CR' means that it is Lithium Manganese Dioxide chemistry, 2025 is the 20mm diameter and 2.5mm thickness.

Panasonic CR2025 Battery 

Panasonic CR2025 Battery

Characteristic Features of a CR2025 Battery

Features

CR2025 Battery

Diameter and Thickness

20 mm Diameter and 2.5 mm Thickness

Battery Capacity and Voltage

~150–170 mAh and 3V

Weight

~2.6 grams

Typical Lifespan

~33 hours at 5mA

Common Applications

Car key fobs, toys, medical devices, fitness trackers

Manufacturing Applications

Renata CR2025-CU is widely used in medical and automotive applications.

Chemical Composition of a CR2025:

Anode (Negative Electrode): Lithium metal (Li)

Cathode (Positive Electrode): Manganese dioxide (MnO₂)

Electrolyte: Lithium salts such as Lithium Perchlorate (LiClO₄) or Lithium Hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆). 

Electrochemical Reaction inside a CR2025 Battery:

At the Anode (Negative Electrode): 

Chemical Reaction: Li (solid) → Li+ + e

At the Cathode (Positive Electrode): 

Chemical Reaction: Li (solid) → MnO2​ + Li+ + e→ LiMnO2​ (Lithium Manganese Dioxide)

Advantages of the CR2025 Battery

1. It has a thin and small profile measuring 20mm in diameter and a height of 2.5 mm which allows the battery to fit into limited space application devices.

2. The CR2025 battery uses lithium chemistry so that, when stored under the right conditions, the battery can retain its charge even after 10 years of inactivity making the technology reliable by keeping devices operational and ready even in cases of infrequent usages.

3. Constant 3V on the output voltage during a discharge cycle of the CR 2025 battery guarantees that the devices are able to work reliably without the unnecessary loss of performance.

4. Its wide operating temperature range of -20°C to 60°C enables the batteries (CR2025) to operate well in the variety of environments.

5. Designed with leak-resistant construction and Mercury-Free Composition.

Renata CR2025 MFR FH 

Renata CR2025 MFR FH

Disadvantages of the CR2025 Battery

1. The size of the CR2025 battery is about 150 to 170 mAh, less than the size of the CR2032 battery (220 to 240 mAh).

2. The maximum continuous discharge current of CR2025 batteries is usually in the range of 10 mA hence they are limited in high-drain applications.

3. CR2025 battery may result in potential contact issues in devices designed for thicker batteries like the CR2032, leading to intermittent or unreliable operation.

4. The CR2025 is a non-rechargeable lithium coin cell battery which once depleted, it must be replaced.

5. The disposal of the CR2025 batteries in an improper manner may cause pollution of the environment.

Common Applications of the CR2025 Battery

Automotive keyless entry systems often utilize CR2025 batteries.

Most handheld calculators operate on CR2025 batteries.

Bike and car radios and household appliances such as digital cameras and camera flashes and wireless shutter remotes tend to use CR2025 batteries.

CR2025 batteries are used to apply many Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and smart gadgets.

Low self-discharge rating of the CR2025 battery has made them meet the requirement of some gadgets such as temperature sensors and smart locks.

The examples of medical equipment that consume CR2025 include Glucometers, Digital Thermometers, Hearing Aids.

muRata CR2025 battery 

muRata CR2025 battery

Pricing and Availability of the CR2025 Batteries

CR2025 Batteries can be purchased from the website of unikeyic Electronics. CR2025 3V Button Battery (P/N: CR-2025/BN) is available for a price of $0.177.

What is a CR2032 Battery?

The CR2032 is a widely used 3-volt lithium coin cell battery, measuring 20 mm in diameter and 3.2 mm in thickness. It adheres the IEC standard where "CR" indicates Lithium Manganese Dioxide chemistry.

CR2032 Battery 

Characteristic Features of a CR2032 Battery

Features

CR2032 Battery

Diameter and Thickness

20 mm Diameter and 3.2 mm Thickness

Battery Capacity and Voltage

~200–240 mAh and 3V

Weight

~3 grams

Shelf Life

Up to 10 years

Self-Discharge Rate

Approximately 1% per year

Continuous Discharge Current

Up to 0.19A

Pulse Discharge Current

Up to 6.8A

Energy Density

Approximately 198 mWh/g

 

Chemical Composition of a CR2032:

Anode (Negative Electrode): Lithium metal (Li)

Cathode (Positive Electrode): Manganese dioxide (MnO₂)

Electrolyte: Organic solvent with Lithium salts such as Lithium Perchlorate (LiClO₄)

 

Electrochemical Reaction inside a CR2032 Battery:

At the Anode (Negative Electrode):

Chemical Reaction: Li (solid) → Li+ + e

At the Cathode (Positive Electrode): 

Chemical Reaction: Li (solid) → MnO2​ + Li+ + e→ LiMnO2​ (Lithium Manganese Dioxide)

muRata CR2032X battery 

muRata CR2032X battery

Benefits of CR2032 Battery

1. The CR2032 battery offers 20mm diameter, and this battery is connective at a thickness of 3.2 mm, which makes them ideal to use in portable electronic devices.

2. The chemistry used in Lithium Manganese Dioxide ensures that the CR2032 battery retains its longevity in charging depending on how it is well restored up to 10 years.

3. Constant output voltage during the discharge cycle of the CR2032 battery of 3V is mandatory to power devices which have no sudden dips in their power consumption.

4. There is a high energy density in CR2032 Battery and low self-discharge rate.

5. The CR2032 batteries have a leak proof construction which makes them cost effective and readily available.

Drawbacks of the CR2032 Battery

1. CR2032 are primary batteries with non-rechargeable cells which are unsuitable for high-drain applications due to their limited current output.

2. CR2032 are temperature-sensitive batteries which cannot withstand extreme hot and cold conditions.

3. CR2032 batteries put a threat of leakage in case of misplaced storage.

4. CR2032 batteries contain hazardous elements to the environment when disposed it improperly.

5. Variability of performance and reliability are likely to be exposed to a serious decrease because of the unreliability of CR2032 batteries.

muRata CR2032R battery 

muRata CR2032R battery

 

Common Applications of the CR2032 Battery

Most commonly found in both digital and analog Wristwatches as well as Clocks.

Devices such as car key fobs and garage door openers use CR2032 batteries.

Frequently, CR2032 batteries are common in small electronic toys, mini LED gadgets and tracking device (Apple AirTag) of Apple.

The CR2032 has a common application on the GPS tracking system and pet collars, which keeps them active to monitor location around the clock.

In the Computer Motherboards, you will find CR2032 battery to keep the BIOS Settings and the system clocks.

Such products as Fitness Trackers, Healthcare Devices, Smartwatches and other wearable devices rely on the CR2032 cells as the power supply.

Medical instruments like glucometers, digital thermometers and heart rate monitors are powered by CR2032.

The use of CR2032 Battery is in Smart Home Devices such as smart doorbells, wireless sensors, and so on.

Panasonic CR2032 battery 

Panasonic CR2032 battery

Pricing and Availability of the CR2032 Batteries

CR2032 Batteries can be purchased from the website of Unikeyic Electronics for different price ranges based on the manufacturer.

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Sayantan Nandy
Sayantan Nandy
Hello, I'm Sayantan Nandy. I'm an electronics engineer and I have over five years of hands-on experience in power electronics, circuit development, and PCB design. I've experimented with tools such as KiCad, Altium, and EAGLE CAD a lot, and I've done it all from prototyping and R&D to assisting in production support. So, apart from my engineering profession, I've been writing electronics content for nearly a year now. I've been consistently posting more than 300 articles on various websites, from embedded systems, development boards, to sensors and power devices.
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