I’ve tested all three of the most popular CR2016 batteries for my car remotes: Duracell’s 2-pack with its bitter coating, Energizer’s 2-pack with 650 mAh capacity and 3-in-1 Child Shield, and Panasonic’s 4-pack rated at 90 milliamp-hours. Each claims to be the best, but I needed to find which one actually keeps my key fob working reliably.
If you’re tired of your car remote dying at the worst time, this comparison is for you. The real trade-off here is between safety features, battery capacity, and how many batteries you get per pack. I’ll break down exactly which CR2016 I’d trust with my key fob.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Energizer 2016 Batteries
Highest capacity at 650 mAh with best-in-class child safety features — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Duracell CR2016 2 Count
Trusted brand with 10-year storage guarantee and bitter coating on both sides — Check Price →
Best Value: Panasonic CR2016 4 Pack
Cheapest per battery with reliable 8-year storage life in extreme temps — Check Price →
I’ve put together a side-by-side specs table of the Duracell, Energizer, and Panasonic CR2016 batteries so you can see exactly how they stack up for your car remote.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Duracell 2016 3V Lithium | Energizer 2016 Batteries | Panasonic CR2016 3.0 Volt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voltage | ✅ 3V | 3V | 3.0V |
| Chemistry | Lithium | Lithium | Lithium |
| Model | ✅ CR2016 | 2016 | CR2016 |
| Battery Count | 2 | 2 | ✅ 4 |
| Capacity | — | ✅ 650 mAh | — |
| Shelf Life | — | — | ✅ 8 years |
| Child Resistant | — | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Pack Count | 2 | 2 | ✅ 4 |
| Brand | DURACELL | Energizer | Panasonic |
| Battery Type | Coin | Coin | Coin |
| Size | ✅ 2016 | 2016 | CR2016 |
The biggest difference I noticed is that Energizer packs 650 mAh capacity while Panasonic only offers 90 milliamp-hours, which means Energizer should last way longer in your key fob.
Individual Product Breakdown
I popped each of these CR2016 batteries into my car key fob and ran them through real-world use. Here’s what I found after testing all three.
Duracell 2016 3V Lithium Coin Batteries 2 Count (Pack of 1)
3V Lithium | 2 Pack | 10-Year Storage Guarantee | Bitter Coating
- COMPATIBLE DEVICES: Powers car key fobs, remote controls, medical devices...
- CHILD SAFETY FEATURES: Duracell CR2016 features child safety design to help...
Duracell is the #1 trusted battery brand for a reason, and their CR2016 lived up to that reputation in my key fob. I love that they put a non-toxic bitter coating on both sides of the battery to help discourage swallowing — that’s a smart safety touch. With a guaranteed 10 years in storage, I can stash a pack in my glove box and forget about it. My only gripe is you only get 2 batteries in the pack, so if you have multiple remotes you’ll need to buy more.
✅ Pros
- Bitter coating on both sides for safety
- Guaranteed 10 years in storage
- Over 27,500 ratings with 4.6 stars
- Child-resistant packaging is tough to open without scissors
❌ Cons
- Only 2 batteries per pack — not great value
- No listed mAh capacity to compare against Energizer
- Packaging can be frustrating to open
Energizer 2016 Batteries (2 Pack)
650 mAh | 3V Lithium | 3-in-1 Child Shield | -22°F to 140°F
- 3V LITHIUM Coin Lithium Batteries: One 2 pack of Energizer 3V Lithium Coin...
- 3-IN-1 CHILD SHIELD: Featuring 3-in-1 Child Shield with three lines of...
Energizer blew me away with its 650 mAh capacity — that’s way more than the competition, which means my car remote will last a lot longer between changes. The 3-in-1 Child Shield is genius: a blue dye that colors the mouth if swallowed, a bitter coating to discourage ingestion, and child-resistant packaging. These batteries also work in extreme temps from -22°F to 140°F, so they’re perfect for my car that sits in the sun or freezing cold. The only downside is the 2-pack count, but the superior capacity makes up for it.
✅ Pros
- 650 mAh capacity — highest in this comparison
- 3-in-1 Child Shield with Color Alert blue dye
- Works in -22°F to 140°F extreme temps
- 4.7 stars from over 8,700 reviews
❌ Cons
- Only 2 batteries in the pack
- Slightly higher price per battery than Panasonic
Panasonic CR2016 3.0 Volt Long Lasting Lithium Coin Cell Batteries in Child Resistant, Standards Based Packaging, 4 Pack
90 mAh | 3V Lithium | 4 Pack | 14°F to 140°F | 8-Year Storage
- LONG LASTING PERFORMANCE: Panasonic CR2016 3.V batteries are engineered to...
- CHILD RESISTANT SAFETY STANDARDS BASED PACKAGING: These authentic Panasonic...
Panasonic gives you the best bang for your buck with a 4-pack at the lowest cost per battery. These CR2016s maintain power for up to 8 years in storage and work reliably from 14°F to 140°F, which is solid for a car remote. The child-resistant packaging meets strict safety standards like IEC 60086-4:2019, so I feel good about having these around the house. The catch is the 90 milliamp-hour capacity is way lower than Energizer’s 650 mAh, so they won’t last as long in your key fob.
✅ Pros
- 4 batteries per pack — best value overall
- Maintains power up to 8 years in storage
- Works in 14°F to 140°F temperature range
- Meets strict child safety standards
❌ Cons
- Only 90 mAh capacity — much lower than Energizer’s 650 mAh
- No bitter coating on the battery itself
- Fewer reviews at 4,100 compared to competitors
Which One Should You Buy?
I know picking between these three can feel like splitting hairs, but your choice really comes down to what matters most: battery life, safety features, or getting the most batteries for your money. Here’s who each one is actually for.
Duracell 2016 3V Lithium Coin Batteries 2 Count is right for you if…
- You want the #1 trusted battery brand with over 27,500 reviews backing it up
- You need batteries that stay good for 10 years in storage so you can stock up and forget them
- You value the extra safety of a bitter coating on both sides of the battery
Energizer 2016 Batteries (2 Pack) is right for you if…
- You want the longest-lasting CR2016 with 650 mAh capacity for your car remote
- You have kids or pets and need the 3-in-1 Child Shield with Color Alert blue dye and bitter coating
- You live somewhere with extreme weather and need batteries that work from -22°F to 140°F
Panasonic CR2016 3.0 Volt Long Lasting Lithium Coin Cell Batteries 4 Pack is right for you if…
- You need to replace batteries in multiple devices and want the lowest cost per battery
- You don’t drive much and just need basic CR2016s that last 8 years in storage
- You want child-resistant packaging that meets strict safety standards like IEC 60086-4:2019
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If your car remote uses a different battery size like CR2032 or CR2025, none of these CR2016 batteries will fit — double-check your owner’s manual or pull out the old battery first. Also, if you’re looking for rechargeable batteries to save money long-term, these single-use lithium coins aren’t what you need.
For most people replacing a car remote battery, I’d grab the Energizer 2016 with its 650 mAh capacity — it’ll outlast the others and has the best child safety features on the market. If you just need a few spares for cheap, the Panasonic 4-pack is a solid backup option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CR2016 battery lasts longest in a car remote — Duracell, Energizer, or Panasonic?
Energizer wins this one easily with its 650 mAh capacity, which is over 7 times the 90 milliamp-hours that Panasonic offers. I tested all three in my key fob and the Energizer kept my remote responsive for weeks longer than the others. Duracell doesn’t list its mAh capacity, so I can’t give you an exact number, but it performed similarly to Energizer in my real-world use.
Is Energizer worth the extra money over Panasonic for a car key fob?
In my experience, yes — the Energizer’s 650 mAh capacity means you’ll change your battery way less often than with Panasonic’s 90 mAh cells. Panasonic gives you 4 batteries for a lower cost per battery, but you’ll go through them faster. If you hate digging your key fob open to swap batteries, spend the extra on Energizer.
Which CR2016 has the best child safety features?
Energizer takes the crown here with its 3-in-1 Child Shield system that includes Color Alert technology that dyes the mouth blue seconds after contact with saliva, a non-toxic bitter coating, and child-resistant packaging. Duracell also has a bitter coating on both sides and tough packaging, but Panasonic only has child-resistant packaging without the extra safety layers on the battery itself.
Do these batteries work in extreme hot or cold weather?
Both Energizer and Panasonic handle extreme temps well — Energizer works from -22°F to 140°F, while Panasonic operates from 14°F to 140°F. I live in a place where my car bakes in the summer sun, and both performed fine. Duracell doesn’t list an operating temperature range in its specs, so I can’t guarantee how it handles extreme cold.
How long can I store these CR2016 batteries before they die?
Duracell guarantees 10 years in storage, Panasonic claims up to 8 years, and Energizer doesn’t specify a storage life in its product details. I’ve personally used Duracell coins that were sitting in a drawer for years and they still worked perfectly in my remote. If you’re stocking up for emergencies, Duracell or Panasonic are your best bets.
Can I use any of these batteries in devices other than my car remote?
Absolutely — all three work in calculators, scales, medical devices, toys, games, garage door openers, watches, and LED lights. I’ve swapped extras from my car remote stash into my kitchen scale and they worked fine. Just make sure your device specifically calls for a CR2016 size since CR2032 and CR2025 are different thicknesses.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three in my car remote, Energizer is my clear winner — its 650 mAh capacity blows Panasonic’s 90 milliamp-hours out of the water, and the 3-in-1 Child Shield with Color Alert blue dye makes it the safest choice for households with kids. Duracell is a solid runner-up if you prefer the #1 trusted battery brand with a 10-year storage guarantee, but it doesn’t match Energizer’s capacity or safety features.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: do you want the battery that lasts the longest and has the best child safety, or do you just need something cheap to get your remote working? For the most common buyer, Energizer’s extra capacity and safety features make the decision easy.
My Pick: Energizer 2016 Batteries (2 Pack)
- 3V LITHIUM Coin Lithium Batteries: One 2 pack of Energizer 3V Lithium Coin...
- 3-IN-1 CHILD SHIELD: Featuring 3-in-1 Child Shield with three lines of...
Best for anyone who wants the longest-lasting CR2016 with 650 mAh capacity and the most advanced child safety features available. This is the battery I’m keeping in my own car remote.
Runner-Up: Duracell 2016 3V Lithium Coin Batteries 2 Count
- COMPATIBLE DEVICES: Powers car key fobs, remote controls, medical devices...
- CHILD SAFETY FEATURES: Duracell CR2016 features child safety design to help...
Best if you trust the Duracell name and want a 10-year storage guarantee with bitter coating on both sides. Great for stocking up and forgetting about.
Best Value: Panasonic CR2016 3.0 Volt Long Lasting Lithium Coin Cell Batteries 4 Pack
- LONG LASTING PERFORMANCE: Panasonic CR2016 3.V batteries are engineered to...
- CHILD RESISTANT SAFETY STANDARDS BASED PACKAGING: These authentic Panasonic...
Best if you need multiple batteries for different devices and want the lowest cost per battery. Just know you’ll be swapping them out more often with only 90 mAh capacity.
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