If you’re shopping around for coin cell batteries, you’ve likely come across DL2032 and CR2023 batteries. Although both belong in the same 2032 category, you might be wondering if there are any significant differences between the two.
The short answer is no, there aren’t any major differences between DL2032 and CR2023 batteries. They feature the same chemistry, size, weight, and application. However, there are some minor differences that might make you rethink your final choice.
In this DL2032 vs CR2023 comparison, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about these batteries, including which one you should get. Let’s dive right in!
DL2032 Overview
DL2032 is a type of Lithium battery made by Duracell. It’s specifically designed to improve the battery life in 3V devices, including wristwatches, calculators, electronic organizers, medical devices, and others.
DL2032 batteries have a reliable service of up to 10 years. If used in products that require an intermittent or continuous drain, DL2032 batteries keep a stable flow of power that sometimes exceeds that of CR2032. They also have a slightly higher rate of discharge energy density than CR2032.
Pros
- Service life of up to 10 years
- Battery capacity of up to 240 mAh
- Reliable performance
Cons
- Non-rechargeable and non-reusable
- Deteriorates quickly after replacement
CR2032 Overview
CR2032 is a Category 2032 battery that performs almost as well as DL2032.
Compared to DL2032, which is specifically made by Duracell, CR2032 is a generic battery name used by a number of companies. This includes Energizer, LiCB, Panasonic, and AmazonBasics.
Like DL2032, CR2032 batteries feature high energy density and excellent leakage resistance characteristics. For this reason, CR2032 batteries have an eight-year leak-free shelf life.
CR2032 batteries perform continually in high temperatures, typically ranging from -22°F to 185°F.
Since DL2032 and CR2032 belong in the same 2032 family, they’re almost always interchangeable.
Pros
- Used in multiple applications
- Interchangeable with DL2032
- Available in multiple brands
Cons
- Non-rechargeable and non-reusable
- Some brands only have a 5 to 8-year shelf life
DL2032 vs CR2032: Head-to-Head Comparison
Read on for an in-depth comparison between DL2032 and CR2032 batteries!
Size and Weight
The size and weight of DL2032 and CR2032 batteries are indicated by the battery’s numbers. They’re 20mm in diameter and 3.2mm in thickness, thus the family name 2032.
Duracell DL2032 batteries weigh 2.8 grams, while CR2032 weigh anywhere between 2.5 to 3.0 grams.
Chemistry
DL2032 and CR2032 use the same type of chemistry found on all 2032 coin cell batteries: a manganese dioxide lithium chemistry with a voltage of 3V.
Generally, 2032 coin cell batteries have a capacity of 225 mAh. However, you’ll occasionally find a brand with up to 240 mAh.
Although most DL2032 batteries have a capacity of 225 to 230 mAh, Duracell has a special DL2032 line with a capacity of up 240 mAh, making it last longer than most CR2032 batteries.
Service Life
Thanks to their superior cell chemistry, DL2032 and CR2032 operate optimally at temperatures between -4°F and 158°F, but can still work in -22°F to 185°F.
DL2032 batteries generally have a storage life of 10 years without experiencing any power or voltage loss. CR2032 batteries have a storage life of 8 to 10 years, depending on the manufacturer.
Both batteries are non-reusable and non-rechargeable, so when they die, they need to be replaced.
Interchangeability
“CR” is a generic battery name, not unlike AA and AAA batteries. CR2032 batteries are produced by Panasonic, Energizer, AmazonBasics, and other battery makers. DL2032 batteries, however, are specifically designed by Duracell.
Since DL2032 and CR2032 are made by different manufacturers, you’ll notice a slight difference in battery capacity. The Energizer CR2032, for instance, has a 225 to 235 mAh capacity, while the Duracell DL2032 has a 235 to 240mAh capacity.
With that said, the difference in mAh doesn’t affect its interchangeability, especially since it’s of the same size and compatibility. Therefore, you can replace a CR2032 battery with a DL2032 battery and vice versa without major changes in performance.
Application
2032 batteries, including DL2032 and CR2032, are commonly used in applications that draw minimum current and thus don’t require much power. This includes:
- Watches
- Apple TV remotes
- Medical equipment that requires LED illumination
- Key fobs
- Motherboards
- Digital clock or timer
FAQs
Are DL2032 batteries better than CR2032 batteries?
It depends on the brand.
DL2032 batteries are made by Duracell, a reputable company praised for its reliability and longevity. CR2032 batteries are manufactured by an array of companies.
If you’ve bought the CR2032 batteries from a similarly reputable company like Energizer or Panasonic, it’ll perform just as well as DL2032 batteries. However, cheaper CR2032 batteries made by lesser-known manufacturers don’t last as long or perform as well as Duracell DL2032 batteries.
What’s the difference between DL2032 and BR2032 batteries?
Unlike DL2032 and CR2032 batteries, which have just about the same specs, BR2032 batteries are completely different from DL2032.
DL2032 and BR2032 batteries have the exact physical measurements; i.e., 20mm wide and 3.2mm thick. However, DL2032 batteries have a capacity of 3V and 220mAh, whereas BR2032 has a capacity of 2.8V and 180 to 190mAh.
Furthermore, DL2032 batteries are made from lithium manganese dioxide while BR2032 batteries are made from lithium carbon monofluoride.
For this reason, DL2032 batteries shouldn’t be mustn’t with BR2032 batteries and vice versa.
Are CR2032 and CR2025 batteries the same?
No, CR2032 and CR2025 aren’t the same. The biggest difference between the two is thickness. CR2032 is 32mm thick, while CR2025 batteries are only 25mm thick. As such, CR2032 achieves a higher load capacity than CR2025.
Conclusion
DL2032 and CR2032 batteries belong to the same 2032 family, so there’s little to no difference between them.
Generally, DL2032 batteries have a longer service life than CR2032 batteries because they’re made by Duracell. However, some CR2032 batteries, particularly those made by Energizer and Panasonic, perform just as well and sometimes even exceed DL2032 batteries.
At the end of the day, the performance of either battery depends on its mAh capacity. Naturally, DL2032 batteries with a mAh of 240 last longer than CR2032 batteries with a mAh of 225, and vice versa.