Guide: CR vs BR Coin Cells

CR and BR coin cells differ first in chemistry. CR cells use manganese dioxide; BR cells use poly-carbonmonofluoride. Both ranges are 3 V nominal in the catalog data, and both are carried on this site as Panasonic catalog data with brand attribution.

Temperature range is the second difference worth asking about. The CR standard range is listed at -30 °C to 85 °C, with a high-temperature tabbed range reaching higher limits for listed models. The BR standard range is listed at -30 °C to 85 °C as well, with a high-temperature tabbed range for listed models. The exact range for a named model lives in its table row, not in this guide's summary.

Applications differ by range on the catalog page. CR standard applications include remote keyless entry, card remote controls, memory backup, security price tags, and smart transmitter tags. BR standard applications include commercial equipment, electricity meters, memory backup, and automotive electronics. Overlap exists, so an application match alone does not settle a model choice.

For a coin-cell choice, name the model, ask for its datasheet, and confirm the variant, the tabbed or untabbed form, and the ordering steps. Do not choose a model from a chemistry summary alone.