Unsurprisingly, they’re not quite as long lasting as rival button cells; even by the nine hour mark our test cells were down to an average 2.

Like all good things, though, they regularly need replacing, and it makes sense to get the longest-lasting, most reliable CR2032 batteries you can find. This simulates one of the more energy-intensive applications for CR2032 batteries, but should provide a good indication of long-term performance in other devices. Second, the child-safe blister pack that Energizer uses is one of the easiest to get into, without being so easy that your average toddler has a chance of breaking through. You can have 10 batteries for less than most manufacturers will sell you four, or 30 for around a tenner.In many applications, a CR2032 battery should last you months or even years of use and you don’t want one that unexpectedly runs out of juice too soon.

While the Panasonics had a higher voltage at the end of the full 12 hours, the Varta cells did a better job of maintaining their nominal 3V voltage over the first nine hour stretch. CR2032 batteries are nearly always sold in blister packs, but some make it easier to get to the cells than others, while others have coatings to make them less palatable to any small children who might be tempted to swallow them. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN: Swallowing can lead to chemical burns, perforation of soft tissue, and death. They don’t quite have the consistent output of the Varta cells and fall just behind the Panasonics, while the shelf life is eight years rather than ten.

We’ve tested a selection from all the major manufacturers, along with some smaller brands, to help you make the right choice. The shelf life is lower than with other cells and we found the individual ‘blisters’ in the packaging a pain to open. If it does, the batteries can react with fluids in the foodpipe to cause serious damage to the chest and windpipe. Lithium battery which provides long lasting power for high performance and operates over a wide temperature range.

Please check directly with the distributors about their product line-up, purchase unit and business conditions.

Because they’re roughly the size of a 10p piece, deliver a constant 3V output and last for ages, especially in devices that aren’t active for long periods of time. However, if you can’t get your hands on the Panasonic CR2032s, the Energizers are a great second choice. If you’re worried about your batteries getting into the wrong hands – or mouths – then these are as child-safe (and pet-safe) as they come. even after the full 12, putting them ahead of every other battery, including those from Duracell and Varta.

As a result, you’ll probably want to change these sooner than you would if you had bought the Panasonic or Energizer button cells.Sure, they don’t get as much attention as your classic AA or AAA batteries, but the humble CR2032 has become a crucial part of our technology fabric. The child-resistant blister pack is impossible to open without a penknife or a pair of scissors, but easy once suitably equipped, while the button cells themselves are coated with Bitrex – a non-toxic, bitter substance with an unforgettably obnoxious taste.