Between the CR2032 and Li-SOCl₂, 10 of the 16 characteristics in the full table below differ; 5 are the same and one can’t be compared because our sources give no figure or rating for one or both.
3 V · ≈ 250 Wh/kg · Single use
Tiny, with almost no self-discharge: the standard cell for clocks and beacons that draw microamps.
Watch out: Only 3 mA continuous (Renata), so Wi-Fi isn’t practical on a coin cell; short Bluetooth LE bursts can work with a capacitor in parallel (TI).
3.6 V · ≈ 560 Wh/kg · Single use
The most energy in an AA-size cell and under 1 % loss a year, from −60 to 85 °C: made for sensors that run for years.
Watch out: 3.6 V, not 1.5 V: it destroys devices made for AA batteries. Only 50 mA continuous, and after long storage the first pulses can sag (passivation): add a capacitor for radio bursts.
| Feature | CR2032 coin cell | Li-SOCl₂ |
|---|---|---|
| Differences (10) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Nominal voltage | 3 V | 3.6 V |
| Voltage range | 3 V nominal; 235 mAh at 0.4 mA (Renata) | 3.67 V open circuit; capacity rated down to 2.0 V (Saft) |
| Formats | Coin cell, 20 × 3.2 mm | AA size (14500) and other sizes, often with solder tags |
| Example (source of the figures) | Renata CR2032 | Saft LS14500 |
| Energy | ||
| Energy per kilogram | ≈ 250 Wh/kg | ≈ 560 Wh/kg |
| Energy per litre | ≈ 700 Wh/L | ≈ 1,100 Wh/L |
| Life and storage | ||
| Self-discharge and storage | Under 1 % a year at 23 °C (Renata) | Under 1 % a year at 20 °C (Saft) |
| Current | ||
| Maximum continuous discharge | 3 mA (Renata); Energizer’s pulse test draws about 6.8 mA for 2 s | 50 mA, 250 mA in pulses (Saft LS14500) |
| Temperature | ||
| Discharge temperature | from −30 to 70 °C | from −60 to 85 °C |
| Uses | ||
| Typical uses | Real-time clocks, BLE beacons, remotes, small sensors that sleep most of the time | Sensors that run for years: meters, LoRaWAN nodes, alarms, trackers |
| Same on both (5) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Type | Single use (primary) | |
| Life and storage | ||
| Cycle life | Single use | |
| Temperature | ||
| Charging temperature | Not rechargeable | |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Charging | Not rechargeable | |
| Air transport | Lithium-metal dangerous goods (UN3090/3091): loose cells by cargo aircraft only; passengers may carry cells with up to 2 g of lithium | |
| Can’t be compared (1) | ||
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Fire risk | Not rated here; keep coin cells away from children | Not rated here |
In our table, no characteristic is in favour of the CR2032 over Li-SOCl₂.
Open the battery comparison →Tick what your project needs and see which of the 15 chemistries fits.
With Li-SOCl₂: more energy per kilogram, more energy per litre, more continuous current, and use in the cold. In our table, no characteristic is in favour of the CR2032.
Both are single use. Storage for the CR2032: under 1 % a year at 23 °C (Renata). For Li-SOCl₂: under 1 % a year at 20 °C (Saft).
Only if the device accepts it: the voltage of the CR2032 is 3 V, against 3.6 V for Li-SOCl₂, and the maximum continuous current differs (3 mA against 50 mA).
Li-SOCl₂ vs alkaline LiFePO4 vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) LiFePO4 vs lead-acid AGM Li-ion (NMC/NCA) vs LiPo (pouch) LTO (lithium titanate) vs LiFePO4
Figures from one or two named cells or batteries per chemistry, from the makers’ datasheets; checked in November 2026.