The CR2 form factor is one of those small-but-mighty power cells you forget about until a gadget dies. Rangefinders on the golf course, older digital cameras, alarm PIR sensors, and a few specialty flashlights all rely on this compact 3V lithium format. The trouble is, CR2 cells are not interchangeable with the more common CR123A, and a mismatched purchase leaves your device dark.
This roundup breaks down eight CR2 and CR123A lithium options that show up on the retailer’s shelves right now, covering both formats so you can grab exactly what your gear needs. You’ll find single-pair packs for occasional swaps, multi-packs for households running several gadgets, and bulk value packs for folks who like a fully stocked drawer.
A Closer Look At The Lineup
Tenergy CR2 3V Lithium Battery PTC Protected 20-Pack
Energizer CR2 Lithium Batteries (2 Pack), 3V Photo Battery
Blinkspower CR2450 Lithium 3V Coin Battery, 6 Pack
Duracell CR123A 3V Lithium Battery, 12 Count
POWEROWL CR2 3V Lithium Battery, 6 Pack High Capacity
POWEROWL CR123A 3V Lithium Battery 6 Count
POWEROWL CR123A 3V Lithium Battery 12 Count
POWEROWL 123A 3V Lithium Battery 16 Count
Twenty cells in one box is the kind of stash that turns a low-battery alert into a non-event. The Tenergy 20-pack targets the genuine CR2 form factor, not the look-alike CR123A, which matters because the two chemistries share a voltage but not a footprint. PTC protection (a built-in thermal cutoff that trips under short-circuit stress) adds a small safety margin that budget cells sometimes skip.
For a household running rangefinders, alarm sensors, and maybe an older digital camera, this is the kind of pack that disappears into a junk drawer and quietly saves the day for years. Compared with the two-cell Energizer up next, you’re paying more upfront but the per-cell cost drops hard.
What Pays Off
- Twenty cells keep multiple CR2 devices covered for the long haul without reordering
- True CR2 dimensions, not a relabeled CR123A, so rangefinders and sensors seat properly
- PTC thermal protection helps guard against short-circuit damage in tight battery compartments
- Cells ship in practical bulk packaging that stores neatly in a drawer or toolbox
Points To Keep In Mind
- Twenty cells is overkill if you only have a single CR2 device, so unused cells may sit for years
- Not compatible with Arlo security cameras, which use a proprietary lithium pack instead
- Mixed old and new cells in the same device can shorten run time, so rotate pairs together
Key Specs
Who Should Grab It
Households running multiple CR2 devices, from rangefinders to alarm sensors, where one bulk pack beats repeated two-cell orders.
Consider Something Else When
Pick up the Energizer CR2 two-pack instead if you only need a single replacement and prefer a familiar name-brand cell.
The Energizer two-pack is the classic photo-battery reference. Where the Tenergy entry leans on volume, this one leans on familiarity, a long shelf-stability spec, and the kind of name recognition that makes it easy to recommend. It’s a small pack, but for many households that’s the whole point: a fresh pair for one rangefinder or one film-era digital camera without committing to a bulk box.
Built for high-drain photo gear, the cells hold their voltage under the kind of burst demands a flash or a digital camera places on them. If you only need a pair and want a brand that has been shipping CR2 cells for decades, this is the safe baseline choice.
The Good Stuff
- Trusted brand with a long track record in the CR2 form factor
- Long shelf life keeps spares ready for years in a drawer
- Small two-cell format suits one-device owners who hate waste
- Stable voltage output under burst loads helps camera flash recycle
Trade Offs
- Per-cell cost is noticeably higher than the 20-pack Tenergy option
- Two cells run out fast in households with more than one CR2 device
Best Suited To
Photographers and golfers who only need one or two replacements and value brand familiarity over bulk pricing.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Choose the POWEROWL CR2 six-pack instead if you want a mid-size reserve that costs less per cell.
Yes, this one is technically a CR2450 coin cell rather than a CR2 cylinder, but it earns its place because so many shoppers searching for 3V lithium batteries actually need a coin format for key fobs, watches, and small smart-home devices. The Blinkspower pack covers that gap with a 700 mAh rating and a child-resistant packaging claim that gives parents a little extra peace of mind.
If your “CR2” search was a typo or a misread of a small compartment, this is the format you likely actually want. Versus the cylindrical cells above, coin cells deliver shorter peak bursts but longer shelf life in low-drain applications.
Positive Points
- High 700 mAh rating for a coin cell, suited to fobs and small remotes
- Six-pack covers multi-key households or several smart-home sensors
- Child-resistant design helps keep curious hands out of the battery drawer
Small Caveats
- Not a CR2 cell, so it will not fit cylindrical rangefinders or flashlights
- Coin format can be confused with CR2032; double-check your device’s printed spec
Right Fit For
Anyone replacing coin cells in car key fobs, watches, flameless candles, and small smart-home remotes.
Skip It When
Reach for the Tenergy CR2 20-pack if your device uses a cylindrical CR2 compartment rather than a coin slot.
The Duracell 12-pack is the CR123A anchor of the list, and CR123A is the format many people actually mean when they think “small 3V lithium.” These cylindrical cells power tactical flashlights, home security cameras, and a lot of professional photo gear. The 10-year storage spec means a fresh pack stays usable long enough to forget you bought it.
Note the format shift here. CR123A cells are slightly longer and fatter than CR2, so they are not interchangeable. If your device calls for CR123A, this is the pack most shoppers gravitate toward because of the brand and the long shelf life claim.
Strengths Worth Knowing
- Ten-year storage spec makes these reliable as emergency shelf stock
- High-drain lithium chemistry handles tactical flashlight bursts well
- Twelve cells suit multi-device households or small office security setups
- Wide operating temperature range supports outdoor and garage use
Honest Caveats
- CR123A is not a CR2 substitute, so check your battery door before ordering
- Brand pricing runs higher than the POWEROWL CR123A packs below
Key Specs
Who Will Love This
Owners of tactical flashlights, home security cameras, and smoke detectors who want a brand name and long shelf life.
Look Elsewhere When
Choose the POWEROWL CR123A 16-count instead if raw cell count matters more than brand name.
The POWEROWL CR2 six-pack lands in the sweet spot for most people. Six cells cover a pair of golf rangefinders, a couple of alarm sensors, and a backup or two, without the overkill of a 20-pack. The 1000 mAh rating also reads higher than several competing CR2 cells, which suggests longer run time per swap in high-drain gear.
Compared with the Energizer two-pack, this gives you triple the cells at a lower per-cell cost. It’s a sensible middle ground for households that need more than one replacement but don’t want to warehouse 20 cells.
Where It Excels
- Six-cell pack hits a comfortable middle size for multi-device owners
- 1000 mAh rating suggests solid run time in rangefinders and sensors
- 10-year shelf life keeps spares reliable in long-term storage
Where It May Fall Short
- Six cells may still be more than owners of a single CR2 device need
- POWEROWL brand recognition trails Energizer and Duracell
Quick Facts
Made For
Multi-device households that want a mid-size CR2 reserve without committing to a 20-pack.
Not Your Match When
Pick the Energizer CR2 two-pack if you only need one or two replacements and value brand familiarity.
Think of the POWEROWL CR123A six-pack as the starter option for the CR123A side of this list. Six cells cover a couple of home security cameras, a smoke detector, and a flashlight with room to spare. Built-in safeguards against leakage are worth flagging, because a leaky cell inside a security camera can cost more than the entire battery bundle ever saved.
It is also a good entry point for shoppers who want to try a lesser-known brand without committing to a 16-cell bulk pack. Versus the Duracell 12-pack up above, this one trades brand cachet for a lower per-cell cost.
What Makes Sense
- Low per-cell cost makes this an affordable first CR123A purchase
- Leakage safeguards protect sensitive gear like security cameras
- Six cells suit smaller households or single-device owners
Practical Considerations
- Six cells run out faster than the 12 or 16-count POWEROWL options
- Not a CR2 substitute, so rangefinder owners should skip this entry
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Small households with one or two CR123A devices that want an affordable, modest starter pack.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Choose the POWEROWL CR123A 12-count if you want a longer reserve without jumping to the 16-pack.
Twelve cells is the volume sweet spot for households running a small fleet of CR123A devices. The POWEROWL 12-count ships as a pack of two six-cell bundles, which is handy because you can stash one bundle in a drawer and keep the other near the gear that uses it. Built-in protection circuitry targets leakage, and the 10-year shelf life spec matches what most premium brands claim.
For owners of smoke detectors and home security cameras who swap cells on a schedule, this is the kind of pack that lasts a year or more without reordering.
Bright Spots
- Two-bundle packaging makes storage and rotation easier
- 10-year shelf life supports long-term backup planning
- Leakage protection helps safeguard expensive camera gear
Worth Bearing In Mind
- Higher upfront cost than the six-count, which may be more than some shoppers need
- Brand recognition still trails the Duracell entry in this format
Built With In Mind
Multi-device households running several CR123A gadgets like cameras, flashlights, and detectors.
Another Choice May Suit
Pick the Duracell CR123A 12-count if brand familiarity outweighs per-cell savings.
Sixteen cells is the largest pack on this list, and it earns that spot by serving shoppers who treat batteries like emergency supplies. Property managers, small offices, and households with multiple CR123A devices can rotate through this pack for a year or more before needing to reorder. The same 10-year shelf-life and leakage protections from the smaller POWEROWL packs carry over here.
It is essentially the bulk version of the 12-count, which makes sense for the “stock the drawer once” mindset. For one-device owners, the size is just too much.
Everyday Wins
- Largest cell count in the lineup covers multi-year household use
- Strong value per cell compared with smaller packs
- Leakage protection extends the safety story into high-density storage
Things To Consider
- Sixteen cells is excess for owners of a single CR123A device
- Bulk packs sit longer in storage, so check manufacture date on arrival
Feature Snapshot
The Right Fit
Stockpilers, small offices, and households with many CR123A devices who want one-and-done replenishment.
Swap It Out When
Choose the POWEROWL CR123A six-count instead if you just want enough cells to cover a couple of gadgets.
What To Weigh Before Picking A CR2 Or CR123A Pack
The single biggest decision is the format itself, not the brand. CR2 and CR123A cells both run at 3V, but the CR2 is shorter and slimmer, while the CR123A is a bit longer and chunkier. A CR123A will not seat properly in a CR2 compartment, and forcing it risks damaging the battery contacts. Look at the existing cell in your device or check the manual before clicking order.
Once the format is set, capacity in mAh becomes the next useful number. A higher mAh rating generally means longer run time between swaps, especially in high-drain gear like rangefinders or tactical flashlights. Lower-capacity cells can still work fine in low-drain devices like alarm sensors, where the cell replacement cycle is measured in years anyway.
Shelf life matters more than most shoppers expect. A 10-year storage spec means you can buy a multi-pack today and trust the spare cells to fire up three holiday seasons from now. Pack count is mostly a value calculation. A two-cell pack makes sense for a single device, while a 12 or 16-cell bundle pays off when several gadgets share the same chemistry. For mixed households running both CR2 and CR123A gear, splitting the budget across one mid-size pack of each is usually more useful than maxing out a single format.
Smart Shopping Moves Across These Picks
Wrong Turns To Avoid
The most common mistake is grabbing a CR123A pack for a CR2 device, since both are 3V lithium cylinders and the listings often sit next to each other on the page. The opposite is just as easy to do. Check the printed label on the old cell or the device’s battery door before adding anything to your cart.
The other trap is chasing the lowest per-cell price on a 20-pack when you only own one CR2 device. A bulk pack only saves money if you actually rotate through the cells. Otherwise the spare capacity sits in a drawer for a decade, and any savings evaporate into clutter.
When Paying More Pays Off
Stepping up to a brand-name pack like Duracell or Energizer usually buys three things: longer shelf life, more consistent voltage under load, and tighter quality control. For high-stakes gear like smoke detectors or security cameras, that consistency matters because a dying battery in a smoke alarm is more than an inconvenience.
Higher-tier packs also tend to include better leakage protection, which can be the deciding factor if your battery compartment sits in expensive gear. For low-stakes devices like a TV remote or a kid’s toy, the budget tier is usually plenty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use A CR123A Battery Instead Of A CR2?
No. CR2 and CR123A cells both deliver 3V, but their physical dimensions differ, so a CR123A will not fit a CR2 compartment properly. Always match the printed cell code on your existing battery before ordering a replacement.
How Long Do CR2 Lithium Batteries Last In Storage?
Most quality CR2 cells carry a shelf-life spec of around 10 years when stored at room temperature and kept in their original packaging. Storage life drops if cells sit in extreme heat, like a glove box in summer.
Are These Batteries Rechargeable?
The packs in this roundup are all non-rechargeable lithium cells. Rechargeable RCR2 or RCR123A formats exist but use different chemistry and require a dedicated charger, so they are not interchangeable.
Can You Mix Old And New CR2 Cells In The Same Device?
Mixing old and new cells in the same device is generally a bad idea because the weaker cell drags down the pair and shortens overall run time. Replace both cells at once for the cleanest performance.
What’s The Difference Between CR2 And CR123A Capacity?
CR2 cells typically run around 800 to 1000 mAh, while CR123A cells usually land higher in capacity because of their larger size. The exact figure depends on the brand, so check the printed rating on the cell or the listing before comparing.
The Takeaway
The right pick here comes down to your actual device format first and your household’s cell rotation second. A CR2 owner with one rangefinder needs a different pack than a household running five CR123A security cameras, and the lineup above covers both ends of that spectrum. Match the printed cell code, decide whether you want a small, mid, or bulk reserve, and the rest tends to fall into place.