Button cell batteries: small but crucial
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You often do not realize how important a button cell battery is until it runs out. A watch that suddenly starts losing time, a car key that no longer responds, or a small electronic device that unexpectedly stops working - in many cases, a simple button cell battery is the cause.
We regularly see that people are unsure which button cell battery they need. That is understandable, as many button cells look almost identical and have similar dimensions. However, there are important differences, not only in size, but also in performance and chemistry.
Why button cells are difficult to distinguish
Besides their physical dimensions, button cell batteries differ in several technical properties, including chemistry, voltage, and capacity. These specifications determine how much energy the battery can deliver and how stable the voltage remains during use.
Three chemistries, three applications
Elfa supplies button cell batteries in three commonly used chemical variants: alkaline, silver oxide, and lithium.
1. Alkaline button cells
Alkaline button cells are commonly used in devices with low power consumption over long periods. They have relatively low self-discharge, allowing them to provide power for extended durations.
2. Silver oxide button cells
Silver oxide button cells are mainly used in watches and other precision devices where a stable voltage is important. Compared to alkaline variants, they offer higher capacity, more stable voltage output, and improved resistance to leakage and corrosion.
Silver oxide and alkaline batteries of the same size are often interchangeable, such as the LR44 (alkaline) and SR44 (silver oxide).
3. Lithium button cells
Lithium button cells form a separate category. The lithium coin cells supplied by Elfa are based on lithium manganese dioxide (Li-MnO₂) chemistry and typically provide 3 V output.
This makes them highly suitable for applications with higher energy consumption, such as car keys, sensors, medical devices, and electronic accessories.
What do the codes on button cell batteries mean?
Alkaline button cells often begin with the letters LR or AG in the model designation. Silver oxide batteries usually begin with SR or use a three-digit code starting with “3”.
Lithium button cells are typically identified by CR or BR, followed by numbers indicating the dimensions of the battery.
For example:
- CR2032 = 20 mm diameter and 3.2 mm thickness
- CR2025 = 20 mm diameter and 2.5 mm thickness
Although these batteries appear similar, a thinner battery may not always make proper contact inside the device.
Elfa helps you choose the right button cell battery
At Elfa, we are happy to help if you are unsure which button cell battery you need. As an official distributor of Arts Energy and supplier of brands such as Renata, Energizer, Cellsius, and Duracell, we can offer a suitable solution for almost every application.
Not sure which type you need? Feel free to contact us for advice.
