They’re a bit too pricey to recommend for devices like a car keyfob, where they’re not in action all the time, but they’re great for wearables and high-drain lights where you want top performance for as long as possible. Testing watches, electronics, and general home gear gives us a consistent need for CR2032 batteries. As we’ve gone about finding and reviewing the best gear on the market, some of the best supporting tech has come to the surface. We’ve tested some of the longest lasting CR2032 batteries, as well as some of the cheaper entries. Who This is For

A: A CR2032 battery, often called a button cell battery, is a 3V cell often used in small electronics. Watches, small remote controls, wireless doorbells, calculators, etc. usually use lithium CR2032 batteries.A: Not really. Every battery uses chemicals and compounds that are harmful to us and the environment. qualities really stand out in CR2032 batteries: reliability and lifetime. As one of our experts succinctly said, “I just want a [expletive] battery that I can forget about for a year.” Wouldn’t that be nice? We also looked at reliability; it doesn’t matter how long a battery’s supposed to last if it burns out before then. How We Tested Duracell’s batteries often come with a small price premium, and you’ll spend as much or more on four of these DL2032 cells as you would on six batteries from the competition. Given that, the actual performance in our tests was slightly disappointing. While the voltage after nine hours was high at 2.96V, it had fallen down to 2.28V by the 12 hour mark – below the Varta, Panasonic and Energizer cells.

Regardless, shelf life is the amount of time it takes for the battery to lose 10% of its initial capacity. Interestingly, hemp batteries are non-toxic and have outperformed lithium batteries in tests. Just sayin’. Q: How do you dispose of CR2032 batteries properly? Lithium is harmful and environmentally costly but very widely used. The world’s growing problem with lithium batteries is well-documented. CR2032 batteries also use an array of other common battery materials like zinc and manganese dioxide.Capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh). Many CR2032 batteries have between 190 and 225 mAh capacities. What does this mean? Essentially, a CR2032 with a 200 mAh capacity can deliver 200 milliamps of current for 1 hour. Or 400 for half an hour. Or 100 for 2 hours. And so on. Get the picture? Temperature Tolerance Levels — CR2032 batteries have a temperature tolerance from anywhere between -22- and 185-degrees Fahrenheit. Not every CR2032 battery will tolerate such extremes, but many can handle a very wide range of temperature. A: Any lithium battery should be recycled at a battery/device drop-off location. To find one near you, go here. Lithium and other toxic battery chemicals leech out of punctured batteries in landfills, making their way into soils and waterways. Q: How long should a CR2032 battery last? Like all good things, though, they regularly need replacing, and it makes sense to get the longest-lasting, most reliable CR2032 batteries you can find. We’ve tested a selection from all the major manufacturers, along with some smaller brands, to help you make the right choice.

First, rechargeable LIR2032s sometimes achieve higher voltage than CR2032s. That means they may not be compatible with every device. LIR2032s use higher voltage because their capacity is not as high as CR2032s. That being said, they won’t last as long. Users should calibrate their expectations accordingly; the trade-off is a re-usable, lower performing item versus a single-use, potentially highly performing item.CR2032 battery dimensions are about 20mm x 3mm. Q: Do CR2032 batteries contain more toxic chemicals than other batteries? Varta’s CR2032 batteries don’t come cheap, but their chemistry seems especially robust. Even after nine hours in our LED booklight, the voltage remained at an average 2.99V, and it was only once we’d kept our test pair running for a further three hours that it dipped to 2.75V. While the Panasonics had a higher voltage at the end of the full 12 hours, the Varta cells did a better job of maintaining their nominal 3V voltage over the first nine hour stretch. Duracell’s CR2032 batteries promise to keep well on the shelf and perform solidly when installed. Though a few quality control issues seem to exist, they’re bound to pop up when you sell this many batteries. Duracell’s CR2032s are among the internet’s most popular. Capacity and Voltage — As a general rule, CR2032 battery voltage is 3V. It can vary by half a volt or so and might read differently depending on the battery’s age and use. Instead of churning through CR2032 batteries (dropping the dead ones off at an approved recycling center), try a rechargeable LIR2032. Be aware, there are a couple critical performance differences between the two.

Shelf Life — Passive discharge limits shelf life in batteries. CR2032 batteries generally discharge at about 1% per year. Under some conditions, the rate may be a little higher. Leak-Proof Lithium-Ion Batteries — It’s very rare that fluids leak from a CR2032 battery, especially if it’s not damaged. The charger indicates battery status with LED lights. Some users are skeptical about the charger. It’s important to note it’s possible to misuse the charger: putting regular CR2032s in it can cause a short circuit. A: This is a moving target. Many last around 2 years, and some manufacturers claim a CR2032 will last up to 10 years in their devices. Say your smoke alarm uses a CR2032, and so does your watch. Third, and most important, these are batteries with staying power. At the nine hour mark they were level with the Duracells, still putting out 2.96V, but by 12 hours they were slightly ahead, at 2.41V. They don’t quite have the consistent output of the Varta cells and fall just behind the Panasonics, while the shelf life is eight years rather than ten. However, if you can’t get your hands on the Panasonic CR2032s, the Energizers are a great second choice.

Read next: The best AA and AAA batteries The best CR2032 batteries you can buy in 2023 1. Varta CR2032: The best CR2032 batteries for consistent power If you go through a lot of CR2032 batteries, perhaps in LED flashlights or electronic projects, then you might want to buy them in bulk. If so, look no further than GP’s cheap and cheerful bundles. You can have 10 batteries for less than most manufacturers will sell you four, or 30 for around a tenner. Unsurprisingly, they’re not quite as long lasting as rival button cells; even by the nine hour mark our test cells were down to an average 2.91V. By 12 hours that had dropped to just 2.07V, with the LED in our reading light visibly dimmer.