Have you started to notice that the key fob for allowing you to unlock your car isn’t working correctly? Or are the digital weighing scales you use in your kitchen indicating that they don’t have enough power?
Well then, now is the time to think about replacing the battery inside these devices. Once you have been able to open up the compartment where the battery gets housed, you’ll notice something odd. These devices often use what is known as coin or button batteries.
But as you’ll soon discover, there are several types of coin batteries available, so which one should you use?
Below we take a look at the DL2032 vs CR2032 vs BR2032 coin batteries. All of these non-rechargeable batteries are suitable for use in such devices as mentioned above.
CR2032 vs. DL2032: Same type, different manufacturers
DL2032 and CR2032 batteries are the same; the only difference between them is who they are made by. You can replace a CR2032 battery with a DL2032 battery if you wish.
These two batteries both measure 20mm in diameter and 3.2mm in thickness. They are also both 3-volt batteries and get made from Lithium Manganese Dioxide (Li-MnO2). They also come with an operating temperature of -20 degrees centigrade to +60 degrees centigrade.
 DL2032 |  CR2032 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating |  |  |
| Price |  | |
| Maker | Duracell | Most manufacturers |
| Capacity | 240 mAh | 220 mAh |
| Voltage | 3V | 3V |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +70°C | -20°C to +70°C |
| Max discharge rate | ~3mA | ~3mA |
| Devices | Key fob, flashlights, remotes, watches | Key fob, flashlights, remotes, watches |
| Price | 3 times more expensive | Cheap |
| Score | 8.5 | 9 |
What Is The Difference Between A CR2032 and DL2032 Battery?
1. Battery Maker
The main difference between these two batteries is the maker. Any battery that begins with CR is a generic IEC prefix used for any Li-MnO2 coin battery. This is something that most manufacturers tend to use now. But a battery that begins with DL is made explicitly by Duracell.
2. Battery Capacity
The DL2032 battery has a much higher capacity in comparison to the CR2032. A CR2032 battery has 220 mAh capacity, whereas a DL2032 has 240 mAh capacity. This helps ensure that the Duracell battery will last for much longer before it needs to be replaced.
Can I Use A DL2032 Battery Instead Of A CR2032 Battery?
If you want, you can replace an old CR2032 with a DL2032 battery as they have the exact specifications and performance. Again the only difference is that Duracell makes the DL.
Here are some DL2032 batteries:
Duracell DL2032
Why Does A CR2032 Battery Work And A DL2032 Battery Doesn’t?
There are a few reasons why you may find that replacing a CR2032 with a DL2032 doesn’t provide the power needed.
Battery located incorrectly: The first of these is because you haven’t installed the battery in the device correctly. The silver side (positive) needs to be facing down in the socket.
Problems with the contact point: The second could be as a result of the terminals inside the device being dirty. This could lead to a poor connection between them and the battery. So it is a good idea to give them a quick clean before you replace the battery.
It may be a result of the terminals not making contact with the new battery. To remedy this, check the spring steel that helps to keep the battery sitting snugly in place.
Bad battery: it could be a result of purchasing a batch of bad batteries. To check if the batteries are producing 3 volts, you will need to use a voltmeter.
CR2032 vs. BR2032: Same size, different purposes
CR2032 and BR2032 batteries have the exact physical measurements. Each of them measures 20mm in diameter and 3.2 mm in thickness. However, the BR2032 battery is slightly more robust compared to a CR2032 battery.
But as you will see below, there are a few differences between these two particular types of coin batteries. It is often recommended that you don’t replace a CR2032 battery with a BR2032 one.
 CR2032 |  BR3032 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | |  |
| Price | | |
| Voltage | 3V | 2.8V - 3V |
| Capacity | 220 mAh | 180- 190 mAh |
| Positive Electrode | Lithium manganese dioxide | Lithium carbon monofluoride |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +70°C | -30°C to +85°C |
| Max discharge rate | ~3mA | ~ 0.03 mA |
| Devices | Key fob, flashlights, remotes, watches | Real-time clock, memory backup |
| Price | Cheap | 3 times more expensive |
| Score | 9 | 8.5 |
What Is The Difference Between CR2032 Battery & BR2032 Battery?
1. Voltage & Capacity Range
A CR2032 battery is 3 volts, whereas a BR2032 only has 2.8V- 3V. The CR2032 battery has a much more extensive capacity range compared to the BR2032.
A CR2032 battery’s capacity is 220mAh, whereas a BR2032 battery’s capacity is 180-190mAh.
Buy CR2032 batteries here:
Duracell CR2032 3V -1 Count
Energizer CR2032 Battery
2. Chemistry Of Positive Electrode
CR2032 batteries are made using lithium manganese dioxide, whilst BR2032 batteries are made from lithium carbon monofluoride.
Batteries made from Li-MnO2 have a higher energy density that allows them to function well in low-temperature environments. However, batteries made from lithium carbon monofluoride have a longer shelf life.
3. Operating Temperature
A CR battery is slightly less robust compared to BR batteries when exposed to high temperatures. It can lead to them experiencing a rapid increase in their self-discharge.
- BR2032 batteries operate at temperatures of between -30°C (-22°F) to +85°C (185°F).
- As for CR2032 batteries, these operate efficiently at temperatures of between -20°C (-4°F) and +70°C (158°F).
Buy BR3032 here:
Panasonic Battery BR3032
4. Discharge Current
- CR2032: Maximum discharge ~3mA.
- BR2032: Low ~ 0.03 mA
You’ll find that the BR2032 battery can maintain a constant voltage for quite some time before it then starts to degrade faster once it starts to fail. As for the CR2032 battery, the voltage degradation is much more gradual over time.
Are BR2032 And CR2032 Batteries Interchangeable?
Although you can replace a BR2032 battery with a CR2032 battery, it isn’t recommended that you do so.
It is best to only use CR2032 batteries in devices that periodically need a relatively large current to power them: key-chain flashlights, remote devices, watches with alarms and LED lights, and similar.
At the same time, you should only use a BR2032 battery in devices that require constant voltage over long periods: real-time clock, and memory backup applications (CMOS).
FAQs
What does CR stand for in batteries?
It is just a label that battery manufacturers use to indicate that their lithium batteries also are made from chromium. So any battery that includes chromium in it can use the prefix CR.
Can I replace a BR2032 with a CR2032 battery in an iMac?
It is best not to replace the BR2032 battery in any Apple Mac computer with a CR2032. The main reason is that these computers generate a large amount of heat, and BR2032 batteries work better in such environments than CR2032 ones.
What battery can replace a DL2032 battery?
It is okay to replace a DL2032 battery with a CR2032 battery as these have the same voltage, same performance, and 3 times cheaper price. But you may find that a CR2032 battery doesn’t last as long as a DL2032 battery does.
