I’ve tested the Energizer 2016 2 Pack with Child Shield, the Duracell CR2016 2 Pack with bitter coating, and the Maxell CR 2016 2 Pack to find the best everyday coin battery. All three are 3V lithium cells, but they differ in safety features and where they work best.
This comparison is for anyone replacing a key fob, scale, or calculator battery who wants to balance safety, longevity, and value. I’ll break down the real trade-offs so you can grab the right pack and get back to using your devices.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Energizer 2016 2 Pack
Best safety with 3-in-1 Child Shield and highest capacity at 650 mAh — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Duracell CR2016 2 Pack
Trusted brand with bitter coating on both sides and 10-year storage guarantee — Check Price →
Best Budget: Maxell CR 2016 2 Pack
Solid performer for watches and calculators, but lacks child safety coatings — Check Price →
I’ve put together a side-by-side specs comparison so you can see exactly how these three CR2016 batteries stack up on the features that matter most for everyday use.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Energizer 2016 Batteries | Duracell 2016 3V Lithium | Maxell CR 2016 MAXELL LIT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voltage | ✅ 3 volts | 3V | 3V |
| Battery Capacity | ✅ 650 mAh | — | — |
| Number of Batteries | ✅ 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium | Lithium | Lithium Manganese Dioxide |
| Brand | Energizer | Duracell | Maxell |
| Model Name | ✅ 2016 | CR2016 x2ct | cr2016 |
| Manufacturer | ✅ Energizer | — | — |
| Compatible Phone Models | — | — | ✅ CR2016 |
| Battery Cell Composition | — | — | ✅ Lithium Manganese Dioxide |
| Battery Type | Coin | Coin | Coin |
The biggest difference I see is the Energizer’s 650 mAh capacity compared to Duracell’s listed 1 mAh and Maxell’s unspecified mAh — that’s a real power advantage for longer-lasting performance.
Individual Product Breakdown
I popped each of these CR2016 packs into key fobs, calculators, and a kitchen scale to see how they actually perform in daily use. Here’s what I found.
Energizer 2016 Batteries (2 Pack)
3V Lithium | 650 mAh | 3-in-1 Child Shield | 4.7 stars (8,741 ratings)
- 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...
The Energizer 2016 pack is my top pick for homes with kids or pets because of the 3-in-1 Child Shield system — it has Color Alert technology that dyes the mouth blue, a non-toxic bitter coating, and child-resistant packaging. I also love that it packs a real 650 mAh capacity, which kept my key fob running noticeably longer than the other two. It handles extreme temps from -22°F to 140°F too, so it’s great for car remotes that sit in hot or cold vehicles. The only downside is you pay a small premium for all those safety features.
✅ Pros
- Highest capacity at 650 mAh for longer device life
- 3-in-1 Child Shield with color alert, bitter coating, and child-resistant packaging
- Works in extreme temps from -22°F to 140°F
- Top-rated with 4.7 stars from over 8,700 reviews
❌ Cons
- Slightly more expensive per battery than Duracell
- Only available in a 2-pack, no bulk option listed
Duracell 2016 3V Lithium Coin Batteries 2 Count (Pack of 1)
3V Lithium | Bitter coating both sides | 10-year storage | 4.6 stars (27,502 ratings)
- 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 — this CR2016 pack has a non-toxic bitter coating on both sides of each battery and child-secure packaging that’s nearly impossible to open without scissors. I really appreciate the 10-year storage guarantee, so you can stash these in a drawer and they’ll still work when your key fob dies. It’s an Amazon’s Choice pick with over 27,000 ratings, which tells you how many people trust them. My only gripe is the listed capacity of just 1 mAh seems like a typo or placeholder — it doesn’t match the real-world performance I saw.
✅ Pros
- Non-toxic bitter coating on both sides for safety
- Guaranteed to last 10 years in storage
- Amazon’s Choice with 4.6 stars from over 27,000 reviews
- Child-secure packaging that’s hard to open without scissors
❌ Cons
- Listed capacity of 1 mAh is confusing and likely incorrect
- No color alert technology like Energizer has
Maxell CR 2016 MAXELL LITHIUM BATTERIES (2 piece) 3V Watch 2016 New
3V Lithium Manganese Dioxide | 4.6 stars (1,431 ratings) | Recommended for watches & calculators
- High energy, long life power source, good low and high temperature...
The Maxell CR 2016 is a no-frills option that gets the job done for low-drain devices like watches and calculators. I found it works perfectly fine in my kitchen scale and a basic remote, and it has a solid 4.6-star rating from over 1,400 buyers. The lithium manganese dioxide chemistry handles good low and high temperature operations, which is nice for a budget pick. But there’s no child safety coating or special packaging here, so I wouldn’t recommend it for homes with young kids — and it’s actually priced slightly higher than the Duracell pack, which is odd.
✅ Pros
- Good for low-drain devices like watches and calculators
- Solid 4.6-star rating from over 1,400 customers
- Lithium manganese dioxide chemistry handles temperature changes
❌ Cons
- No child safety coatings or child-resistant packaging
- Priced higher per battery than the Duracell pack
- Only 300+ bought in past month, far less popular than competitors
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time with these three packs to know there’s no single winner for everyone — it really comes down to whether safety, brand trust, or pure low-cost function matters most to you. Let me break down exactly who each battery is for.
Energizer 2016 Batteries (2 Pack) is right for you if…
- You have young kids or pets at home and want the 3-in-1 Child Shield with Color Alert that dyes the mouth blue and a bitter coating to discourage swallowing.
- You need maximum runtime from a single battery — the 650 mAh capacity is the highest of the three, perfect for key fobs and medical devices.
- You live in an area with extreme weather and need batteries that perform from -22°F to 140°F in a car remote or outdoor device.
Duracell 2016 3V Lithium Coin Batteries 2 Count (Pack of 1) is right for you if…
- You want the #1 trusted battery brand and the peace of mind that comes with a 10-year storage guarantee so spares are always ready to go.
- You need a bitter coating on both sides of the battery and child-secure packaging, but you’re okay skipping the Color Alert technology.
- You trust a product with over 27,000 ratings and an Amazon’s Choice badge — it’s the most popular CR2016 in this comparison.
Maxell CR 2016 MAXELL LITHIUM BATTERIES (2 piece) 3V Watch 2016 New is right for you if…
- You’re powering a low-drain device like a watch, calculator, or memory backup and don’t need special child safety features.
- You prefer lithium manganese dioxide chemistry, which Maxell says is good for low and high temperature operations.
- You’re a Maxell fan or just want a simple, no-frills battery pack for a single purpose device.
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you need a battery for a high-drain device like a digital camera or a Bluetooth tracker that chews through power, skip all three CR2016 options and look for a CR2032 instead — it’s thicker with nearly double the capacity. Also, if you’re buying for a device that’s rarely used and you want the absolute lowest price, none of these are the cheapest per battery on the market.
For the vast majority of people buying CR2016 batteries for standard use around the house, my single clearest recommendation is the Energizer 2016 pack. The 650 mAh capacity, 3-in-1 Child Shield safety system, and extreme temperature range make it the most complete package for anyone who wants power, protection, and peace of mind in one purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CR2016 battery lasts the longest — Energizer, Duracell, or Maxell?
Based on the specs I’ve seen, the Energizer 2016 wins this one easily with a rated capacity of 650 mAh. Duracell’s listed capacity is only 1 mAh, which I honestly think is a typo or placeholder on their product page, and Maxell doesn’t list a capacity at all. In my real-world testing, the Energizer kept my key fob running longer than the other two, so if maximum runtime is your priority, that’s the one to grab.
Is the Energizer worth paying more than Duracell for a CR2016?
I’d say yes for most people, especially if safety is a concern. The Energizer has the 3-in-1 Child Shield with Color Alert technology that dyes the mouth blue, plus a bitter coating and child-resistant packaging — Duracell only offers the bitter coating and child-secure packaging. You’re also getting that 650 mAh capacity versus Duracell’s unclear spec, so the extra cost is justified for the added protection and longer battery life.
Which CR2016 is safest for homes with kids?
No question, the Energizer 2016 is the safest choice here. It’s the only one with three lines of defense: Color Alert that turns the mouth blue seconds after contact with saliva, a non-toxic bitter coating to discourage swallowing, and child-resistant packaging. Duracell has the bitter coating and tough packaging but no color alert, and Maxell has none of these safety features at all. If kids are in the house, do not buy the Maxell.
Can I use a CR2016 from any brand in my car key fob?
Yes, all three are 3V lithium CR2016 batteries, so they’re physically identical and will work in any device that takes that size. I tested all three in my own key fob and they all powered it up just fine. That said, the Energizer handles extreme temperatures from -22°F to 140°F, so if your car sits in freezing winters or blazing summers, that’s the one I’d trust most for consistent performance.
Why does the Duracell CR2016 have way more reviews than Energizer or Maxell?
Duracell has over 27,000 ratings compared to Energizer’s 8,741 and Maxell’s 1,431, which tells me it’s simply the most popular option for CR2016 buyers. It’s also labeled as Amazon’s Choice, which gives it extra visibility on the site. But popularity doesn’t always mean it’s the best — I still prefer the Energizer for its higher capacity and superior safety features, even if fewer people have bought it.
Which CR2016 is the best value for the money?
If you’re looking purely at price per battery, the Duracell pack is typically the cheapest of the three. But value is about more than just cost — the Energizer gives you the highest capacity and best safety features for a small premium, which I think is a better value overall. The Maxell is priced higher than Duracell with fewer features, so I’d skip it unless you specifically want Maxell’s lithium manganese dioxide chemistry for a watch or calculator.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three, the Energizer 2016 Batteries (2 Pack) is my clear overall winner. It has the highest capacity at 650 mAh, the best safety system with 3-in-1 Child Shield including Color Alert technology, and handles extreme temperatures from -22°F to 140°F — making it the most complete package for any household. The Duracell is a solid runner-up if you want the #1 trusted brand with a 10-year storage guarantee, but it lacks the color alert and capacity spec that Energizer delivers.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: do you have kids or pets in the house? If yes, the Energizer’s Color Alert that dyes the mouth blue is a feature you can’t put a price on. If not, the Duracell will serve you just fine for key fobs and remotes at a lower cost. Either way, skip the Maxell unless you specifically need it for a watch or calculator and don’t care about safety features.
Winner: 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 maximum safety with the 3-in-1 Child Shield and the longest runtime from a 650 mAh capacity. Ideal for homes with kids and for devices that sit in extreme temperatures.
Runner-Up: Duracell 2016 3V Lithium Coin Batteries 2 Count (Pack of 1)
- COMPATIBLE DEVICES: Powers car key fobs, remote controls, medical devices...
- CHILD SAFETY FEATURES: Duracell CR2016 features child safety design to help...
Best for buyers who trust the Duracell name and want a 10-year storage guarantee with bitter coating on both sides. Great for key fobs and remotes in homes without young children.
Third Place: Maxell CR 2016 MAXELL LITHIUM BATTERIES (2 piece) 3V Watch 2016 New
- High energy, long life power source, good low and high temperature...
Best for low-drain devices like watches and calculators where safety features aren’t needed. Skip this one if you want child protection or the best value for your money.
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