The lithium CR2032 3V battery is a primary coin cell battery, while the LIR2032 battery is a very similar 3.6V lithium rechargeable coin cell battery. The CR2032 battery is mainly used in many small devices and gadgets as its main features include:
- Small dimensions
- Wide temperature range
- Large capacity
- Low self-discharge rate
- And long shelf-life.
The BR2032 is very similar to the CR2032m, except it uses carbon monofluoride as the positive electrode, instead of manganese dioxide, which is found in the CR2032.
The IEC standard 60086 defines the 2032 battery as a round cell with 19.9 (±0.1 mm) in diameter and 3.1 (±0.1 mm) in height – 2032 actually means 20 mm in diameter and 3.2 mm in height.
Depending on the model and manufacturer, 2032 batteries weigh around between 3.0 g and 3.2 g.
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CR2032 Batteries Specifications and Comparisons
Main CR2032 characteristics
- Typical capacity: around 225 mAh
- Nominal voltage: 3.0V
- Cutoff voltage: 2.0V
- Operating temperature: between -20°C (-4°F) and 70°C (158°F)
- Positive electrode: manganese dioxide
- Shelf Life: 10 years (at least for models from reputable manufacturers!)
Main BR2032 characteristics
- Typical capacity: 190 mAh
- Nominal voltage: 2.8V
- Cutoff voltage: 2.25V
- Operating temperature: between -30°C (-22°F) and 85°C (185°F)
- Positive electrode: carbon fluoride
- Shelf life: longer than in the CR2032
Main LIR2032 characteristics
- Typical capacity: 40 mAh
- Nominal voltage: 3.6V,
- Cutoff voltage: 3.0V,
- Recommended charging temperature: between 0°C (32°C) and 45°C (113°F)
- Recommended discharging temperature: between -20°C (-4°F) and 60°C (140°F)
- Minimum number of charging/discharging cycles: at least 300-500
The CR2032 battery can be replaced with a BR2032 battery without the danger of damaged electronics and in most cases, devices will work properly.
What Else Should You Know about Replacing CR2032 Batteries?
However, the CR2032 and BR2032 SHOULD NOT be replaced with a LIR2032 battery due to voltage differences – 0.6V doesn’t sound like much, but it is enough to damage your electronics. We also advise not to replace single-use batteries with rechargeable ones, for safety reasons.
Before replacing a CR2032 or BR2032 battery with a LIR2032, check the device manual or contact the device manufacturer directly.
The DL2032 battery is a CR2032 battery produced by Duracell, while the ECR2032 battery is a CR2032 battery produced by Energizer etc. Also note that manufacturers use both CR2032 and custom designations.
In high-end and/or robotic vacuum cleaners, if CR2032 batteries are present, they are used as motherboard batteries as they can hold the charge for many years and keep the CMOS memory functioning properly.
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LIR2032 batteries, on the other hand, have very high self-discharge rates when compared with the CR2032 and BR2032 batteries, and there is really no need to use them in vacuums as CMOS support or for similar functions.
If you do require new CR2032 batteries for a vacuum cleaner or some other device, consider buying batteries from reputable sellers and manufacturers. Generic batteries may be cheap but saving a few dollars now may cause numerous headaches later.
Check the most popular manufacturers of 2032 batteries, along with their best models, in the table below
| Product | Manufacturer | Units/Pack | Price |
| Duracell | 2 | Check Latest Price |
 | Energizer | 1 | Check Latest Price |
 | Maxell | 5 | Check Latest Price |
 | Panasonic | 6 | Check Latest Price |
 | Sony | 20 | Check Latest Price |
There are many other manufacturers and packages, but these 5 CR2032 battery packs have average user ratings of at least 4.5 along with tens, even hundreds of positive reviews from real purchasing customers.
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BR2032 or LIR2032 Batteries vs. CR2032
We haven’t mentioned any BR2032 or LIR2032 in our chart. BR2032 batteries’ wider temperature range is not so important for vacuum cleaners (that have inner home temperatures of below 20°C) and LIR2032s have an unacceptable self-discharge rate when compared with CR2032s to be used in vacuum cleaners, laptops, calculators, and similar devices.
A LIR2032’s price vs. a CR2032’s price: A quality CR2032 battery is as expensive as a quality LIR2032 battery – or it costs even more!
However, if you are looking for a good, inexpensive button coin cell battery charger, Rechargeable USB Coin Cell Charger should do the trick.
It’s portable, light, and works with plenty of batteries including LIR2032, LIR2016, LIR2025, and LIR1632. It does not, however, work with the CR2032 3V battery.
Again – LIR2032 batteries have 3.6V, while CR2032 3V. Unless you are absolutely sure that your device can handle this increase in voltage, DON’T use LIR2032 batteries instead of CR2032 batteries
Such (small) increase in voltage may damage or make a device act strangely, to say the least.
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CR2032 vs BR2032 vs LIR2032 Coin Cell Batteries: FAQs
Are all 2032 batteries the same?
All 2032 batteries are 20mm in diameter and 3.2mm thick. However, there are two main models on the market today: the CR2032 batteries and the BR2032 ones. The main difference between these two types resides in their electrode. While similar, the BR2032 uses carbon monofluoride as the positive electrode. The CR2032 uses manganese dioxide for the positive electrode.
What is the best brand of CR2032 batteries?
We recommend the Duracell and the Energizer CR2032 batteries. Both companies are fierce market competitors when it comes to the production of powerful and reliable batteries. However, all of the options we presented above are great, so you can take your pick!
What devices require the use of a CR2032 battery?
Usually, you will find CR2032 batteries in appliances such as car keys, laser pens, fitness appliances, medical appliances (tensiometers, clinical thermometers, etc.), digital watches, memory backup, etc. Some toys also run on this type of battery because of their resilience. Since they don’t need constant replacing, they can be secured behind screws with minimal inconvenience, making them a safe choice for children’s toys.
How can I properly dispose of CR2032 batteries?
The sensible thing to do to correctly dispose of CR2032 and all other batteries is to take them to a specialized center, appliance store, or any other point that collects used batteries. Look online for the used battery disposal and collection advice & regulations in your city or community. If you don’t have any other alternative but to throw them in the trash, make sure you don’t dispose of a large number of CR2032 batteries at once. Avoid placing other metals near the batteries in the trash, and make sure the batteries don’t touch each other while in the trash.
How do you know if a 2032 battery is good?
First and foremost, you’ll need a multimeter to determine whether a 2032 battery is still good or not. Turn the multimeter on and set it to “DC Voltage” mode. The red part of the probe should touch the positive (+) part of the battery, whilst the black probe needs to touch the opposite end, the negative one (-).
As you already know by now from the article, the CR2032 is a 3-volt battery, so the measured voltage should read more than 10% of the rated voltage. More specifically, for the CR2032 that means 2.7 volts or more if the battery is good. If it’s gone bad, then it will read less than that value.
How many years does a lithium battery last?
The typical estimated life of a lithium battery is around 3 to 5 years, but CR2032 batteries can last up to 10 years of use. So, we’ve covered that particular question for this type of battery. For now, let’s focus on standard lithium batteries since how they work is a little more complicated. A typical lithium battery can last anywhere between 300 and 500 charge cycles. One charge cycle is the period between a full charge, complete depletion, and then a full recharge. In that sense, most lithium batteries will only last a maximum of five years. As for batteries that don’t get fully charged and depleted, they also lose their capacity over the same amount of time due to wear and tear.
How do I dispose of a CR2032 battery?
Thankfully, CR2032 batteries don’t contain any toxic metals or reactive acids. By the time your CR2032 battery loses its charge, the highly reactive lithium inside of it has been transformed into a non-reactive metal compound. Used CR2032 batteries don’t generate that much heat on their own, and they pose no risk of releasing chemicals that could make it into your local ecosystem. Still, throwing them in the trash is risky, so just recycle them at the local waste plant.
Bottom Line
Here is everything you need to know about CR2032 batteries, their use, and even advice for proper disposal! We’ve compared this model to BR2032 and LIR2032 so that you can make an informed decision when purchasing batteries. If you have more questions, feel free to pop them in the comments section below and we will get back to you!
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With a degree in engineering, Kathryn Hansen loves to write about how things work. Having her own dilemmas on how to pick the best vacuum cleaner for her large family (with a handful of furry four-legged members as well), Kathryn decided to help others in the same situation. After all, vacuum cleaners are critical to a healthy lifestyle and people have a hard time choosing the best one for their needs.