LR44 vs 357: What’s The Difference Between Them?

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You have the option to buy two button cell batteries. LR44 and 357. Which one should I choose?

You can only make that decision by dissecting the differences between them.

Both the technical and the physical differences.

In this guide,we are going to compare LR44 vs 357.

At the end of it all,you will decide which one is perfect for you.

Overview of LR44

LR44 is an alkaline battery with a voltage of 1.5V, commonly known as A76. It is cylindrical in shape with a diameter of 11.6mm and a height of 5.4mm and weighs 3 grams on average.

A brief history, of LR44, the battery was created in 1967 by the Eveready battery company, now owned by Duracell.

The battery is normally used for powering low drain devices like calculators, toys, laser pointers and watches. 

Overview of 357

357 is an alkaline battery with a voltage of 1.5V, commonly known as A76. It is cylindrical in shape with a diameter of 11.6mm and a height of 5.4mm and weighs 3 grams on average.

The battery is usually used in high drain devices such as digital cameras and toys that require a lot of power.

It was developed by the Duracell company in 1989 and has become one of the most popular batteries on the market today.

Features of LR44

Now let’s look at the key features of LR44 battery.

-It is an alkaline battery: This means that its chemical composition contains alkaline electrolyte.

-High energy density: This means that LR44 packs more energy than other battery types like lithium-ion batteries.

-Low self-discharge rate: This helps maintain its charge for a long time even when not in use.

-Excellent leakage resistance: Leakage resistance is the ability of a battery to contain its electrolyte without allowing it to leak out.

-Quality construction. The battery is designed to last longer and perform better than other batteries in the same class.

Features of 357

The key features of 357 battery include:

-Chemical composition: The chemical composition of this battery is Silver Oxide(Ag2O). This chemical is known for its ability to deliver more power than alkaline batteries like LR44.

-High energy density: This means that 357 packs more energy than other battery types like lithium-ion batteries.

-Low self-discharge rate: This helps maintain its charge for a long time even when not in use.

-Excellent leakage resistance: Leakage resistance is the ability of a battery to contain its electrolyte without allowing it to leak out.

-Exceptional longevity: The silver oxide chemistry used in this battery ensures that it has exceptional longevity compared to other batteries.

Disadvantages of LR44

Here are the main demerits of LR44.

-Not rechargeable: This battery can’t be recharged once it runs out of power.

-Lower capacity: Despite having a high energy density, the LR44 has a lower capacity than other batteries in its class.

-Low Voltage: It has a voltage of 1.5V which is comparatively lower than that of 357 which is 1.55V

-Costly: The LR44 isn’t as inexpensive as some other batteries like zinc carbon and silver oxide batteries.

Disadvantages of 357

Here are the main demerits associated with the357 battery.

-Not rechargeable: This battery cannot be recharged once it runs out of power.

-Capacity Loss over Time: This battery has a tendency to lose its capacity over time.

-Heat Sensitivity: It is more sensitive to heat than alkaline batteries like LR44.

-Costly: The 357 isn’t as inexpensive as some other batteries like zinc carbon and silver oxide batteries.

LR44 vs 357: What’s The Difference Between Them?

Now let’s analyze the key areas that separate LR44 and 357 batteries.

Chemical composition

From the features the two have different chemical composition. LR44 is an alkaline battery while 357 is Silver Oxide(Ag2O). So, what does this mean? Alkaline batteries are known to have a higher current output while Silver Oxide batteries can deliver more power and last longer.

Voltage

The LR44 is rated at 1.5 volts, while 357 has voltage of 1.55 volts which is comparatively higher than that of the LR44 battery. This gives an edge to the 357 over LR44 in terms of delivering more energy for high-power consuming devices like digital cameras and toys.

Size and Weight

The LR44 is smaller than the 357 battery, making it more suitable for devices with limited space. The size advantage also makes LR44 lighter than 357 which gives it an edge in terms of portability.

Cost

The LR44 battery tends to be more expensive compared to the 357 battery due to its higher energy density and lower self-discharge rate. However, the 357 is still more expensive than some other battery types like zinc carbon and silver oxide batteries.

Of course, the cost will also depend on where you are buying. Some manufacturers are cheaper than others.

Nominal capacity

The nominal capacity of a battery refers to the amount of energy that can be stored in it, and the 357 has more capacity than the LR44 battery.

The capacity of 357 is 150mAH while that of LR44 is 120mAH

This means that for devices with high power needs like digital cameras and toys, the 357 would be a better choice as it can store more energy and power them for longer periods.

Leakage resistance

Both batteries have excellent leakage resistance. However, the LR44 battery has better leakage resistance than the 357 due to its alkaline chemistry. This means that it can contain its electrolyte better.

Operating temperatures

There is also a slight difference in the operating temperature of the two batteries. The LR44 can operate in temperatures between -20 and 54 degrees Celsius while the 357 is better suited for operating between 0 and 50 degrees Celsius.

Safety

To be frank, both the batteries are safe to use as long as they are handled properly. But the LR44 may be a safer option due to its alkaline chemistry.

However, safety will always depend on the handling and storage of the battery. Also, how you use the battery will have a significant impact in determining its safety.

Performance and reliability

The performance and reliability of both batteries are good, however the 357 battery has an edge due to its higher energy storage capacity. It can power high-power consuming devices like digital cameras and toys for longer periods than the LR44.

Applications

Basically, the two share their application areas as they have similar sizes and voltage. But the 357 is better suited for powering high-power consuming devices like digital cameras and toys because of its higher energy storage capacity.

The LR44 battery, on the other hand, can be used to power low-power electronic devices like calculators and watches.

FAQs about LR44 and 357 batteries

Now that you know the key differences between these two batteries, let’s look at some of the questions that most people tend to ask when purchasing.

How can I physically differentiate LR44 vs 357 batteries?

As we have seen, the two tend to share various physical attributes. They are both button cells, cylindrical in shape and have a diameter of 11.6mm. However, the LR44 is slightly shorter than the 357 battery – 28.5mm vs 30.0mm respectively.

Are LR44 and 357 batteries interchangeable?

Yes, they are interchangeable for certain applications as long as their voltage specifications match and they can fit into the device.

However, you should not expect the same performance over time especially when you change from 357 to LR44.

From the specifications that we outlined,it is clear that 357 has a superior performance not only due to voltage but nominal capacity

Are LR44 and 357 batteries rechargeable?

No, neither of them is rechargeable. They both use single-use primary cells that cannot be recharged.

Which one should I use for my digital camera or toy?

Given the higher capacity of the 357 battery compared to the LR44, the 357 would be a better option for high-power-consuming devices like digital cameras and toys.

What other labels of alkaline batteries should I know?

The most common Alkaline batteries other than LR44 include LR1154, AG13, A76, LR621, LR626, and LR1130.

What other labels of silver oxide batteries should know?

The most popular labels in the market include

SR44, SR44W, SR44SW, SR43W, SR54, SR716SW and more.

How do I keep these button batteries safe?

When it comes to storing these types of button cells, it is important that they are stored in a cool, dry place. Also, avoid exposing them to direct sunlight as this could damage the battery chemistry and cause leakage.

Finally, make sure you keep them away from children or other people who may mishandle them. With proper storage and handling, these button batteries can last longer.

Choose a reliable LR44 and 357 button batteries suppliers in China

When it comes to buying button batteries in China, ensure that choose from reliable sources. This is the surest way of getting quality and original batteries.

And this is where ICRFQ comes in.

We are a renowned button cell battery supplier in China, offering a wide range of LR44 and 357 batteries with excellent performance. Our batteries are sourced directly from the manufacturers so you can be sure of getting quality products at competitive prices.

We also have stringent quality control measures to ensure that our products meet international standards and provide maximum value for money.

So, if you are in the market for high-quality LR44 and 357 button cell batteries, ICRFQ is your go-to partner. Contact us today for the best deals!

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