Lithium CR1620 Battery - Replacements and Equivalents
CR1620 battery is a lithium non-rechargeable button/coin cell battery, often used in car keys and other keyless entry systems, digital watches, remote controllers, credit-card size devices, micro-LED flashlights, toys, as CMOS/motherboard batteries, calculators, medical devices (glucometers and heart rate monitors, for example), and similar.
CR1620 battery is manufactured by practically all of the most popular and reputable battery brands, and finding the new one should not be a problem.
However, not all manufacturers use the same label for their CR1620 batteries, leading to some confusion among the users.
Updated: September 30, 2022.
CR1620 Battery Features and Specifications
CR1620 battery is a button/coin cell featuring physical dimensions of (DxH) 16.0 x 2.0 mm (~0.62992 x 0.78740 inches), a nominal voltage of 3.0 volts, cutoff voltage of 2.0 volts, and a nominal capacity of 65-80 mAh, although nominal capacity depends very much on the battery age, discharge rate, actual cutoff voltage of the powered device and similar.
The standard discharge rate of the CR1620 battery is usually ~0.1 mA, with a maximum discharge rate of ~1.0 mA - these values differ between manufacturers, but not much. However, any increase in the discharge rate leads to a decrease in the actual capacity of the battery.
CR1620 battery is a non-rechargeable manganese-dioxide lithium battery, with most models featuring a self-discharge rate at room temperature of only 1-2% per year and with premium models having a discharge rate of 1% or less, making them suitable as a memory battery in various devices. However, if the temperature of the battery is increased, so is the self-discharge rate increased.
The common label of button/coin cell 16.0 x 2.0 mm battery is CR1620 (IEC standard) and 5009L (ANSI standard), but other labels are used as well, including ECR1620, DL1620, VCR1620, etc.
But, just in case, most manufacturers almost always use the CR1620 label as well.
The following comparison chart lists some of the most popular CR1620 batteries, with their most important features and specifications:
| Battery | Nominal Capacity | Operating Temperature | Self-Discharge Rate | Standard Discharge Current | Maximum Continuous Current | Maximum Pulse Current | Datasheet |
| Energizer CR1620 | 81 mAh (47 kΩ, 21°C, down to 2V) | -30 +60°C | ~1% | 0.06 mA | - | 6.5 mA (400 Ω, 2 sec) | Energizer CR1620 |
| Maxell CR1620 | 80 mAh | -20°C +85°C | - | 0.1 mA | - | ~6 mA (300 Ω, 5 sec) | Maxell CR1620 |
| Panasonic CR1620 | 75 mAh (30 kΩ, 20°C, down to 2V) | -30°C +85°C | - | 0.1 mA | - | - | Panasonic CR1620 |
| Renata CR1620 | 68 mAh (30 kΩ, 23°C, down to 2V) | -40°C +85°C | <1% | 0.1 mA | 1.0 mA | - | Renata CR1620 |
| Varta CR1620 | 70 mAh (20 kΩ, 20°C, down to 2V) | -20°C +70°C | <1% | - | - | - | Varta CR1620 |
When looking for a new CR1620 battery, always check the expiration date (best before), and it should be well ahead of the current date (at least 7-8 years).
VL1620 vs BR1620 vs LiR1620 vs ML1620 vs CR1620 Battery
VL1620, BR1620, LiR1620, and ML1620 batteries are rare and are not commonly used in everyday situations.
VL1620 battery is a 3.0V rechargeable battery based on vanadium lithium chemistry with a typical capacity of ~15 mAh. Due to its nominal voltage, the VL1620 battery is directly compatible with the CR1620 battery. However, it is not commonly used - it must be recharged with a dedicated vanadium lithium battery charger, or it may easily get damaged.
BR1620 battery is a non-rechargeable carbon-monofluoride lithium battery, it features somewhat lower capacity and lower drain current than the CR1620 battery, but it has a very low discharge rate and wider temperature range. The nominal voltage of the BR1620 battery is 2.8-3.0 volts, and the cutoff voltage is 2.0-2.25 volts, depending on the exact chemistry.
LiR1620 battery is a rechargeable lithium battery, featuring lower capacity than the CR1620 battery, but can be recharged many times. Also, its nominal voltage is 3.6-3.7 volts, and not all devices designed for the CR1620 battery support the use of the LiR1620 battery. The self-discharge rate of the LiR1620 battery is up to 5% per month.
ML1620 battery is a rechargeable lithium manganese-dioxide battery with a nominal voltage of 3.0 volts and can be used instead of a CR1620 battery. However, it is rarely used due to the lower capacity, stronger self-discharge rate, etc.
For short, if You are looking for a button/coin 16.0 x 2.0 mm battery, go for a CR1620 battery.
CR1616 vs. CR1620 Battery
CR1616 and CR1620 are both non-rechargeable manganese-dioxide lithium batteries that have the same diameter of 16.0 mm, but they differ in height and thus the capacity and other features like drain currents and similar:
- CR1616 battery: 16.0 x 1.6 mm, 50-55 mAh,
- CR1620 battery: 16.0 x 2.0 mm, 65-80 mAh.
While most battery compartments that can accept CR1620 batteries can also accept CR1616 batteries, it is not recommended to replace a CR1620 battery with a CR1616 battery due to the lower capacity and somewhat lower maximum drain/pulse currents that can cause the device to malfunction.
CR1632 vs. CR1620 Battery
CR1632 3.0V lithium non-rechargeable battery features the same diameter as the CR1620 battery, but it is 1.2 mm thicker and thus features a much larger capacity:
- CR1632 battery: 16.0 x 3.2 mm, 130-140 mAh,
- CR1620 battery: 16.0 x 2.0 mm, 65-80 mAh.
If the CR1620 battery can fit the battery compartment intended for the CR1620 battery, great - it will boost the capacity by ~1.75-2x.
However, due to the ~50% larger battery thickness, many battery compartments intended for CR1620 battery simply can't accept CR1632 battery without physical damage - so don't do it.
CR1620 Safety Issues
Like all similar small and shiny objects (other button/coin cell batteries included), CR1620 batteries can be swallowed by kids and pets - that is why these batteries come in so-called 'pets-safe' and 'kids-safe' packages.
Although CR1620 batteries don't contain mercury, cadmium, lead, or any other toxic heavy metals and similar pollutants, they are very dangerous when swallowed - if swallowed, they can cause chemical burns and physical damage to internal organs.
If CR1620 batteries (or any similar battery) get swallowed, immediately contact the nearest emergency center (or doctor), explain what happened, and act according to their instructions.
CR1620 Battery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some of the most common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about CR1620 and other button/coin batteries:
What battery replaces CR1620?
The standard CR1620 battery should be replaced with another CR1620 battery. Some manufacturers label their CR1620 batteries differently, but they are still the same non-rechargeable lithium 3.0V 16.0 x 2.0 mm batteries.
ML1620 and VL1620 batteries can be used instead of CR1620 batteries, but they have lower capacity, stronger self-discharge rate, etc.
Is a CR1620 battery the same as CR2016?
No, these batteries are not the same. They are based on the same battery chemistry, but they differ in size:
- CR1620: 16.0 x 2.0 mm,
- CR2016: 20.0 x 1.6 mm.
Hence, they are not equivalent batteries.
Can I use CR1616 instead of CR1620?
Probably yes, but note that the CR1616 battery features a smaller capacity and weaker pulse current, and it is questionable how well it will fit the CR1620 battery compartment.
Can I use a CR1620 instead of a CR1616?
Probably yes, if the CR1620 battery can fit the battery compartment intended for the CR1616 battery due to the height difference.
Where to buy the CR1620 battery?
CR1620 battery is a quite common battery that can be found at local hardware stores, office supplies stores, and online shops.
Long Story Short: If You are looking for a non-rechargeable 3.0 volts 16.0 x 2.0 mm battery, go for a CR1620 battery from reputable brands.
Such batteries have a long shelf life, low self-discharge rate, and are very reliable batteries.
Some of the most popular models include (Amazon links, the links open in the new windows):
Of course, when replacing old batteries, dispose of them properly.