Choosing the right button battery can be a daunting task, especially when faced with options like the LR44 and CR2032. This comprehensive guide provides assistance when making these crucial choices for your devices.
What are Button Batteries?
Also known as a coin cell battery, button batteries are small round batteries; made for compact electronic devices. The name derives from the very fact that they exist in shapes that look like a button or a coin. The batteries typically consist of two metal plates separated by an electrolyte, a flat circular unit in its entirety encased in a cylindrical housing.
Common Applications
Due to their simplistic design and relatively small size, these batteries can fit into many small products across a wide range of applications. Some common applications include:
- Watches and clocks
- Car key fobs
- Calculators
- Hearing aids
- Small medical devices
- Fitness trackers
- Digital thermometers
- LED lights and miniature flashlights
Key Differences Between Battery Types
Although button batteries may appear similar, there can be significant variance in terms of composition and performance characteristics between them:
Chemistry: These batteries can be produced from different curled-button chemistries, lithium, silver oxide or alkaline.
Voltage: Each type was different in voltage, generally working from 1.5V to 3V.
Capacity: Different species of batteries have different quantities of energy they can store; expressed in milliamp-hours (mAh).
Size and dimensions: Button batteries can be recognized by a standard code which denotes that they may vary in size; eg, LR44, CR2032.
Lifespan: The lifespan too may vary depending on the chemistry and capacity, whereby battery needs are met if manufacture agrees with the chemistry and the capacity.
Rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable: Most of the time, these button cells are not rechargeable; however there are a few lines of exceptions to it.
LR44 Battery: Features and Uses
Size and Shape Specifications
The LR44 is a tiny button-type battery that is about 11.6mm wide and 5.4mm high. Its small size makes it more appropriate for any small electronic equipment.
Voltage and Capacity
LR44 batteries typically deliver 1.5V at 150mAh of capacity. Thus, they possess battery voltage-and-capacity features that lend themselves to extraordinarily prolonged power discharge from low-drain devices.
Typical Devices Using LR44
LR44 batteries can be found in many small electronic devices, including:
- Calculators
- Watches
- Car key fobs
- Small toys
- Laser pointers
- Medical devices like thermometers and glucose meters
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Widely available and relatively inexpensive
Suitable for a variety of small devices
Long shelf life when stored properly
Cons:
Lower capacity compared to some other button cell batteries
May need more frequent replacement in high-drain devices
CR2032 Battery: Characteristics and Applications
Physical Dimensions
The CR2032 lithium coin-cell battery measures 20mm in diameter and 3.2mm thick, offering much more power and longevity compared to its smaller LR44 counterpart.
Power Output and Lifespan
The CR2032 offers a nominal voltage of 3 V with an average capacity of 225 mAh. Their higher voltage and capacity result in longer functional lives of two to five years depending upon usage, providing consistent power delivery for devices requiring long-term performance. They provide a steady power output, making them ideal for devices that require consistent performance over extended periods.
Popular Devices Requiring CR2032
CR2032 batteries can be found in various electronic devices, including:
- Car key fobs
- Fitness trackers and heart rate monitors
- Digital scales
- Calculators
- Motherboards for BIOS backup
- LED lights and small electronics
Advantages and Disadvantages
CR2032 batteries have several advantages over LR44 batteries. For one, they’re built to last longer, often providing a steadier power supply than the LR44 over time. They’re also generally capable of holding more power and are much more widely available than the LR44.
Choosing the Right Battery for Your Device
Checking Device Specifications
Your first step in selecting the battery is to read the manual or specifications of your device, from which you will determine the appropriate battery type, size, and voltage required by the device. Many devices explicitly state whether they need an LR44 or CR2032 battery. If you can’t find this information in the manual, check the battery compartment for any markings or existing battery labels.
Considering Power Requirements
Next, estimate the needs for power for your device. CR2032 are typical capacity batteries. Primed to provide energy continually over long durations, particularly for equipment such as a watch, car key fob, and in certain medical applications (inhalers, etc.), they are capable of meeting the device’s power needs, while LR44 batteries are very efficient in appliances that require short intervals of energy such as laser pointers or in small LED lights.
Evaluating Battery Availability
Check for availability of that battery type in your locality. While battery types such as LR44 and CR2032 are both readily available, there are possibly regions where CR2032 batteries may be easier to locate. If frequent battery replacements are required, then sealing the selection of that battery type will save important time and trouble in the future.
Assessing Long-term Costs
Consider the cost of each type of battery over the product’s life. The higher output of the CR2032 battery usually gives it a much longer lifespan and necessitates fewer replacements over time. This long span is, however, usually at greater upfront cost. The LR44 will stand generally cheaper on a per-unit basis, but you might have to replace more often depending on how often you use your device. You can do the math to find the total potential cost over the lifetime of your device to make a wise decision.
