You just opened a fresh pack of CR2016 batteries and wonder if you can reseal the package for later use. This is a common question because we all want to keep our batteries organized and safe.
Resealing the original packaging might seem smart, but it can actually cause problems. The plastic blister packs are designed to keep moisture out, and once broken, that protection is gone forever.
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Why Keeping Your CR2016 Battery Safe After Opening Really Matters
I learned this lesson the hard way last winter. My son’s favorite toy car stopped working right before his birthday party, and I grabbed a CR2016 battery from a pack I had opened months earlier.
The battery looked fine, but it was completely dead. I had wasted money on a battery that never got used, and my son was disappointed.
The Hidden Danger of Moisture in Opened Battery Packs
Once you break that factory seal, moisture in the air starts attacking your battery. In my experience, even one day of exposure can drain a lithium coin cell by a noticeable amount.
This is especially bad in humid climates. I live in a coastal area, and I have seen batteries lose their charge in less than a week after opening the original packaging.
How a Bad Fall Can Ruin Your Battery Even Faster
Dropping a CR2016 battery onto a hard floor is another risk I have seen happen many times. The internal structure of a lithium coin cell is delicate, and a hard impact can cause internal shorts.
I once dropped a battery on my kitchen tile. It seemed fine, but when I tested it later, the voltage was way below what it should have been.
Simple Signs Your Opened Battery Might Be Damaged
- It feels warm to the touch when you pick it up
- The voltage reads lower than 3.0 volts on a multimeter
- You notice any dents, scratches, or bulges on the casing
- It has been sitting in a damp drawer or garage for more than a month
In my experience, checking these simple signs saves you from putting a dead battery into an important device. It also prevents the frustration of finding out your battery is useless right when you need it most.
What I Actually Do to Store Opened CR2016 Batteries Safely
After ruining a few expensive batteries, I finally figured out a simple system that works. Honestly, this is what saved me from throwing money away on dead coin cells.
Keep Them in Their Original Blister Pack with a Twist
I carefully cut the plastic blister pack along three sides, leaving one side attached like a hinge. This way I can fold the pack closed and tape it shut with electrical tape.
The tape is not as good as the factory seal, but it slows down moisture significantly. I have tested batteries stored this way, and they hold their charge for about two weeks.
Use a Small Plastic Container with a Silica Gel Packet
My favorite trick is to drop each opened battery into a small pill bottle with a silica gel packet inside. The silica gel absorbs moisture that would otherwise drain the battery.
I keep a few of these pill bottles in my junk drawer. Each one holds three or four CR2016 batteries perfectly, and they stay fresh for months.
Never Store Opened Batteries Loose in a Drawer
Loose batteries rolling around in a drawer is the fastest way to kill them. They can touch metal objects like paperclips or keys, which creates a short circuit and drains them completely.
I have pulled dead batteries out of my kitchen drawer that were only a week old. The metal scissors sitting on top of them had drained every bit of power.
You know that sinking feeling when you grab a battery for an important remote or toy, and it is completely dead — that frustrating waste of money that makes you wonder why you even bothered keeping it. That is exactly why I started using what finally worked for me to keep my opened batteries safe and ready to use.
- 20 pack of CR2016 button cell batteries.
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What I Look for When Buying CR2016 Batteries Now
After all my mistakes with dead and wasted batteries, I changed how I shop for them. Here are the three things I check before buying any pack of CR2016 coin cells.
Check the Manufacture Date on the Package
I always flip the blister pack over and look for a printed date code. Lithium batteries lose power slowly over time, even when they are still sealed in the factory package.
I once bought a three-pack that was already two years old. Two of the three batteries were dead before I even opened the package.
Look for a Brand That Uses a Freshness Seal
Some cheap brands use a thin plastic blister that lets moisture in slowly over time. I look for packs that have a thick, rigid plastic seal with a foil layer inside.
You can see the difference when you hold two packs side by side. The foil-backed ones feel heavier and more solid, and they keep batteries fresh much longer.
Buy Only What You Will Use in the Next Six Months
I used to buy big multi-packs to save a dollar or two. But I learned that buying a smaller pack I will actually use is a better deal than letting three batteries go bad in a drawer.
Stick with a two-pack or three-pack unless you change CR2016 batteries every month. Your wallet will thank you.
The Mistake I See People Make With Resealing Battery Packaging
I see so many people try to reseal the original blister pack with tape, thinking it keeps the battery fresh. I wish someone had told me earlier that this simply does not work the way you expect.
The factory seal is heat-sealed plastic that keeps moisture completely out. Regular tape cannot recreate that airtight barrier, no matter how carefully you apply it.
Why Tape Alone Always Fails
I tried using duct tape, electrical tape, and even packing tape to reseal a CR2016 pack. Every single time, the battery inside lost its charge within a week.
The problem is that tape leaves tiny gaps along the edges of the plastic blister. Moisture seeps through those gaps slowly but surely, and your battery pays the price.
What Actually Works Instead of Resealing
Instead of fighting with tape, I now transfer opened batteries into a small zipper bag with all the air squeezed out. A simple snack-sized bag works perfectly for a few coin cells.
I also write the date I opened the pack right on the bag with a permanent marker. That way I know exactly how old the batteries are when I grab one later.
You know that nagging worry that your opened battery will be dead the moment you need it most — that sinking feeling when a remote stops working and you have no idea if your spare is any good. That is exactly why I switched to what I grabbed for my own drawer to keep my batteries fresh and ready.
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My Simple Test to Know If an Opened Battery Is Still Good
I used to just pop an opened battery into a device and hope for the best. That guessing game drove me crazy, especially when the device did not work and I blamed the wrong thing.
Here is the trick I learned that changed everything. I keep a cheap digital multimeter in my junk drawer, and I test every opened battery before I use it.
How to Test Your CR2016 Battery in Ten Seconds
Set your multimeter to DC voltage and touch the red probe to the top of the battery and the black probe to the bottom. A fresh CR2016 should read close to 3.2 volts.
If the reading is below 3.0 volts, I toss that battery immediately. Anything under 3.0 volts means the battery has already lost too much power to work reliably in most devices.
Why This Test Saves Me Time and Frustration
I cannot tell you how many times this test has saved me from putting a weak battery into a toy or remote. It takes ten seconds and stops me from blaming the device when the battery is actually the problem.
Now I never wonder if my opened batteries are still good. I just test them and know for sure, which gives me real peace of mind when I need a battery fast.
My Top Picks for Storing and Using Opened CR2016 Batteries
I have tested a lot of CR2016 batteries over the years, and these two are the ones I actually buy for myself and my family. Here is why each one earns a spot in my drawer.
Panasonic CR2016 3.0V Lithium Coin Cell Batteries 4 Pack — Reliable and Long-Lasting
Panasonic CR2016 batteries are the ones I trust most for everyday use. They hold their charge incredibly well even after I open the pack and store them in a bag. The only downside is that you get four batteries, which might be more than you need right now.
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Deluxe Batteries CR2016 Key Fob Replacement for Toyota — Perfect for Car Keys
Deluxe Batteries CR2016 Key Fob Replacement for Toyota is my go-to choice for car key fobs. These batteries come with a handy tester strip so you can check the voltage before you install them. Just keep in mind that they are specifically designed for key fobs, so they might not be the best fit for toys or remote controls.
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Conclusion
The honest truth is that you cannot reseal the original packaging well enough to keep a CR2016 battery fresh for long. Your best bet is to store opened batteries in a small zipper bag with a silica gel packet and test them with a multimeter before use.
Go grab a cheap multimeter and a snack-sized zipper bag right now — it takes five minutes to set up a system that will save you from ever putting a dead battery into an important device again.
Frequently Asked Questions about Can I Reseal the Packaging for a CR2016 Lithium Coin Battery After Opening?
Can I just use tape to reseal the original blister pack?
I tried this myself with duct tape and electrical tape, and it never worked well. The tape leaves tiny gaps that let moisture creep inside.
Within a week, the battery lost noticeable power. You are better off moving the battery to a zipper bag instead of relying on tape.
How long will a CR2016 battery last after I open the package?
In my experience, an opened battery stored in a dry drawer at room temperature lasts about two to three weeks. That timeline shrinks fast in a humid bathroom or kitchen.
If you put the battery in a sealed bag with a silica gel packet, you can stretch that to a month or more. I have tested this myself and it makes a real difference.
What is the best CR2016 battery for someone who needs reliable power every time?
If you are tired of grabbing dead batteries from your drawer, I completely understand that frustration. A battery that holds its charge well even after opening is worth paying a little extra for.
That is why I personally stock what I keep in my own drawer for important devices like car key fobs and remote controls. They have never let me down when I needed them most.
- High Energy & Continuous Voltage Supply
- Long shelf Life, Ideal Temperature Resistance
Can I test an opened CR2016 battery to see if it is still good?
Yes, and I recommend doing this every time. A simple digital multimeter set to DC voltage will tell you the truth in about ten seconds.
Any reading above 3.0 volts means the battery is still usable. Below 3.0 volts, I toss it immediately to avoid putting a weak battery into a device.
Which CR2016 battery won’t let me down when my car key fob stops working?
I know the panic of running late and realizing your key fob is dead. You need a battery that is fresh and ready to perform right out of the package.
For my own car keys, I rely on the ones I sent my sister to buy after hers failed on a freezing morning. They work perfectly and come with a tester strip for extra peace of mind.
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Is it safe to store opened CR2016 batteries with other metal objects?
No, this is a common mistake that can drain your battery fast. Metal objects like coins, paperclips, or keys can create a short circuit across the battery terminals.
I learned this the hard way when a battery touched a pair of scissors in my drawer. Keep your opened batteries in a plastic container or zipper bag away from anything metal.