CR2450 vs CR2032: What's The Difference

Button batteries are commonly used in portable devices. Their small size is one of the top reasons for their relevance in such applications. We cannot ignore the power, efficiency, and reliability of using the best button batteries on the market.

CR2450 and CR2032 are rated among the most common button batteries. In this article, we will break down the differences between these two.

What are button batteries?

First things first, let’s define what button batteries are. These are small cylindrical batteries with a positive and negative pole on each end. They are used in a variety of devices such as remote controls, watches, LED lights, and calculators, among others.

What is a CR2450 battery?

The CR2450 is a lithium manganese dioxide battery. It is smaller in size compared to the other button batteries of its kind. The dimensions are approximately 24mm x 50mm x 5 mm. It has an approximate voltage rating of 3 Volts and provides one milliamp per hour at room temperature.

The CR2450 battery was designed to be used in calculators, watches, hearing aids, and other devices that require small amounts of power.

What is a CR2032 battery?

CR2032 is another lithium manganese dioxide battery but with different dimensions compared to the CR2450. The main difference between the two is that the CR2032 has more power than its counterpart and can deliver up to 2 milliamps per hour at room temperature.

CR2450 vs CR2032: What’s The Difference

Now let’s break down the differences between CR2450 and CR2032.

Battery capacity

The capacity of a button battery refers to the amount of charge that the battery can store.

There is a major difference in the battery capacities of these two button batteries. CR2450 has a rated battery capacity of 486 mAH, while CR 2032 has a battery capacity of 240 mAH.

This simply means that CR 2450 can be used for a longer time than CR 2032. For instance, a CR2450 with a two mA load will run for ten days, while a CR2032 with the same load will run for five days.

Voltage

By voltage, we are simply referring to the potential of a battery. The higher the potential in the battery, the more powerful it is.

Under this, there is a negligible difference in the voltage of CR2450 vs. CR2032 button batteries. Both are rated 3V.

The voltage rating in these batteries is not a major difference between the two, but it is important to note nevertheless.

Shelf life

The shelf life of a battery is simply the length of time that a battery can be stored in storage before it becomes unusable. The shelf life of the CR2032 battery is seven years, while the shelf life of the CR2450 battery is eight years.

If you are planning to buy batteries and do not plan to use them immediately, then it would be wise to buy CR 2450 as they will last longer when stored for long periods.

Temperature range

The temperature range refers to the range within which these button batteries can operate effectively. The temperature range for CR2032 is -30°C ~ +60°C while for CR2450 it is -20°C ~ +50°C. This simply means that CR 2032 can operate effectively at lower temperatures than CR 2450.

So if you are planning to use these batteries in an environment where the temperature is likely to drop below 0°C, then it would be wise to buy CR2032 as they will be more effective at such temperatures.

Storage and shelf life

Shelf life is a technical term that refers to the length of time a battery can be stored in storage before it becomes unusable. The shelf life of the CR2032 button battery is eight years, while for CR2450, it is seven years. This simply means that CR 2450 will last longer when stored for long periods.

If you plan to buy batteries and do not plan to use them immediately, it would be wise to buy CR 2450 as they will last longer when stored for long periods.

Diameter

Assuming that we position the battery on a flat surface, we can define the diameter of a button battery as the distance from one end to the other. This can also be defined as the wideness of the battery. So, which one is wider between the two?

CR2450 has a diameter of 24mm, while CR2032 measures 20mm. This means that CR2032 is narrower than CR2450.

CR 2032 would be better suited if you want a small diameter battery.

Height

The height of the battery can be defined as the distance measured from one end to the other end when it is standing on its side. We can also refer to this as the thickness of the battery. So, which one is thicker between Cr2450 vs. Cr2032?

The height of Cr2450 is 5mm, while that of 2032 is 3.2mm. This simply means that Cr2450 is thicker than the Cr2032 button battery.

Weight

We can also refer to the weight of the battery as the heaviness of the battery. The weight of a button cell is measured in grams. So, which one is heavier, CR2450 vs. CR2032?

CR2450 weighs 1.07g, while that of CR2032 is .83g. This simply means that CR2450 is heavier than its counterpart, the CR2032 button cell.

Rechargeability

Like most button batteries, the CR2450 and CR 2032 are not rechargeable. So, what should I do when the battery runs out? You will dispose of it safely since there is no way to recycle or pump up the battery with new power.

Battery life

Battery life of a button battery refers to the amount of time the battery can work before it runs out. The life of a battery is directly proportional to its capacity. The more power you put into the battery, the longer it will last.

CR2450 tends to have longer battery life than CR2032. You are likely to replace a CR2032 twice before you consider replacing a CR 2450.

CR2450 vs CR2032 chemical composition

Both CR2450 and CR2032 contain lithium in their composition. However, the chemistry of lithium is different in both batteries.

The CR2450 has a higher percentage of lithium than that of its counterpart.

This means that it takes more power to charge a CR2032 than it does for a CR2450. This slight percentage of the difference in chemical composition is the reason behind the variation in capacity and voltage of the two-button batteries.

Are CR2450 and CR2032 interchangeable?

As we have seen, CR2450 and CR2032 have the same chemical composition and even voltage. You can easily assume that they are perfectly interchangeable, right?

Well, there are some minor differences between the two. One of them is the capacity of the battery. The CR2450 is a little higher than the CR2032. This means that it will supply current for a longer period of time. Therefore, it is a better choice to use in devices like digital cameras that require a steady power supply.

Another key factor regarding the interchangeability of the two batteries is dimension. As we have seen, there are some differences in the thickness and wideness of the two batteries. The CR2450 is a little thicker than the CR2032. This means that it requires more space for installation in the device.

The main issue here is the battery holder. Most of them are not designed to accommodate different dimensions. You may consider customizing the holder to fit the size of different batteries.

CR2450 Equivalent

What other button batteries can I use in place of the CR2450?

Other button batteries can replace the CR2450 with similar characteristics and equivalent performance such as:

CR2032 – the same shape and color. It can be used as an alternative to the CR2450 in digital cameras and watches, but it is less reliable compared to the CR2450.

LR44 – the same size and shape, but it is not as reliable as the CR2450.

SR44 – This also has the same size and shape. It is not as reliable as the CR2450, but it is cheaper.

UM-3 – This battery has the same size and shape, and it is known for being more reliable than the CR2450 and LR44. However, it is somehow more expensive than the CR2450.

UM-2 – This battery has the same size and shape, but it was discontinued in 2012

CR2032 equivalent

Some of the button batteries that you can use in place of CR2032 include :

-LR-44 – This battery has the same size and shape, but it is not as reliable as the CR2032. It can be used in devices with low power requirements (like watches).

-SR926 – This battery is smaller than the CR2032 and uses a similar cell chemistry (silver oxide). However, it cannot be used in devices with high power requirements, such as: digital cameras and watches.

– This battery has the same size and shape, and it is known for being more reliable than the CR2032 and LR44. However, it is a little costlier than the CR2032.

Which one should I buy between CR2450 vs. CR2032?

We have seen the intricate features and differences between CR2450 and CR2032. When buying the batteries, you will be guided by the differences that we have highlighted to make the final choice.

For instance, one of the factors that you should consider is your device’s power requirements. The CR2032 is a low-cost battery, and it should be used in devices that have low power requirements. On the other hand, the CR2450 has higher power requirements, and therefore, you should use it in devices with high power requirements.

Another key factor to consider is the dimension/size of your device. The CR2032 is a small battery, and it can fit into small devices such as watches, calculators, etc. However, the CR2450 has a larger size, and it can fit into more devices such as digital cameras or flashlights. Therefore, if you want to use your device with an external flashlight or a camera that has a lens that captures more light, then you should get the CR2450 batteries.

The other factor that you should consider is the price of your device. The price of CR2032 batteries are usually lower than those of CR2450 batteries. This makes it perfect if you do not have enough budget to spend on expensive batteries. On the other hand, the CR2450 is a higher-cost battery, and it is ideal for those who have all the money they need to spend.

The last factor that you should consider is the battery lifespan. The CR2032 batteries have a lifespan of about 2000 cycles, while that of CR2450 is about 4000 cycles. This means that if you use the CR2032 batteries for 4 years, they will last for 4 cycles, on the other hand, if you use the CR2450 batteries for 4 years, they will last for ten cycles.

Where to buy CR2450 and CR2032 batteries

When it comes to buying button batteries, where you buy will always matter. It will determine whether you will get the best quality button batteries for your device.

First, ensure that you buy from an experienced manufacturer or supplier. Find out the number of years that they have been in the business of manufacturing CR2450 and CR 2032 batteries. This will give you hints of the quality of their product.

Secondly, ensure that you buy from a reputable and trusted supplier. You don’t want to get fake batteries. Check out the reviews of the manufacturer. They will give you a hint of what to expect.

Finally, ensure that the battery you buy is what your device needs. This is to avoid getting an incompatible battery and ruining your device. So be sure to check your devices’ requirements and compare them with what the supplier has in stock.

Use a sourcing agent

Do you want to spare yourself the headache of looking for manufacturers and suppliers? Just use the services of sourcing agents in China. They will do all the work and deliver quality batteries.

ICRFQ is ranked among the reputable sourcing agents for the CR2450, CR2032, and other button batteries in China. We have been doing this for ages and can help you get the best batteries for your application.