Both the CR2025 and the CR2032 are lithium batteries, commonly referred to as button cell batteries.
Each has a lifespan of about 3 years, though the CR2032 provides more power in the event of a strong power draw.
Each is designed to be used in applications that cannot be recharged, such as in toys, wristwatches, or garage door openers.
What the Label Means
Each character in the labels on these buttons has a specific meaning.
- C: Lithium chemistry
- R: Round or coin battery
- 20: 20 millimeters in diameter
In these cases, the CR2025 and CR2032 are exactly the same.
The last 2 numbers refer to the thickness which is the main difference between these batteries.
The CR2025 measures 2.5 millimeters thick and the CR2032 is 3.2 millimeters thick.
If you open your garage door opener and find a CR2025 in the battery compartment, you may be able to install a CR2032 if the compartment will allow the space.
Battery Life
If your wristwatch battery lasts for 3 years but your garage door opener battery needs replaced once a year, you can probably blame the weather.
Like all batteries, both the CR2025 and the CR2032 will suffer a shortened life if exposed to extreme heat or extreme cold.
However, because the CR2032 does have a bit more power to offer, you may find that you’re using up the power available from a CR2025 if you really need a CR2032.
Providing more power than is necessary when you replace a battery will not extend the life of the battery.
As of November 2022, you will pay a bit more for the CR2032, so it is a good idea not to provide more power than is absolutely necessary.
Load Life
If the item you’re powering will be under heavy load and you can fit a CR2032 into the battery compartment, it may be a better choice.
For example, a toy that sees a lot of action will stay powered longer with a CR2032. Do take care when loading these batteries; in tight tolerances, you may end up damaging the battery compartment cover.
If the cover is cracked or broken, the connection to the battery may be lost and the toy will be unusable.
Moisture Concerns
While it’s unlikely that your garage door opener or your wristwatch will get wet, it is possible that a child’s toy could end up dropped in the bathtub or left in the rain.
If you open the battery compartment and the dead battery is a CR2025, it may be smartest to replace it with a battery of the same thickness.
Battery compartments in high-tech toys are often quite snug; trying to force a slightly thicker battery into the gap could cause a breach that will allow contaminants to get into the compartment.
Storage Options
Outside the item they’re powering, both the CR2025 and the CR2032 have a very long shelf life in storage. There are manufacturers that boast a 10-year storage life if kept away from extreme temperatures or high humidity.
The biggest problem you may have, should you buy more than what you need, could be finding the batteries when you need to replace them!
Security Considerations
It’s fairly obvious when your garage door opener battery is failing. However, if you have a tool that contains a great deal of data that is challenging to back up, it’s a good idea to invest in the CR2032 coin battery.
You will have more time between failures and less chance of data loss over the long term.
Should you need the item you’re powering to run multiple actions or power a light, the CR2032 may be your only option for long-term, continuous function.
If you’ve purchased a new watch through which you plan to draw any data, discuss your options with the jeweler or the technician when making your purchase.
You’re much better off having too much power than risking or losing any information.
Both the CR2025 and the CR2032 can serve to power your needs. The load the tool will be under, the conditions it will need to function under, and the battery compartment tolerances will all need to be considered in your decision.