Some devices are designed to operate using either two CR123A batteries or one 18650 battery, regardless of the 3-4 mm difference between 2x CR123A and 1x 18650 battery.Īlso, CR123A batteries are available as both non-rechargeable lithium batteries providing 3.0 V and as rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (also often labeled as 17340, 17345, or 16340 batteries) providing 3.6 - 3.7 V. However, one must note that there is a 17345 battery (note missing 'CR'), which is a rechargeable lithium 17 x 34.5 mm battery.ĬR123A batteries are roughly half the length of lithium 3.6 volts 18650 battery (17.0 x 34.5 mm vs. CR123A BatteryĬR17345 is just another label for non-rechargeable lithium CR123A 3.0V battery. If you own a CR123 battery, be sure to check other important details, like actual chemistry, type, voltage, and similar. CR123 is the label commonly used for CR123A batteries just 'somebody, somewhere forgot' to add the required 'A' letter. Well, the answer is simple - there is no difference.

People often ask what the actual difference between CR123 and CR123A batteries is. This 1:1000-1200 ratio is the reason why RCR123A batteries are used in devices that are used often, leading to significant battery savings. On the other hand, a good RCR123A battery, when charged with a proper charger and used as intended by the manufacturer, such RCR123A battery can withstand 1000-1200 charging/discharging cycles. charging/discharging cycles: CR123A batteries can be discharged only once, after which they must be disposed of properly and replaced with the new CR123A batteries.Such small electronic circuits decrease the battery capacity but significantly increase the safety of the RCR123A batteries. However, a good RCR123A battery should also feature a built-in safety system that protects the battery from short circuits, surge currents, over-voltage, overheating, etc. safety: none of these batteries should be disassembled, exposed to high temperature or fire, short circuit, or similar.The shelf life of CR123A batteries can be up to or even more than 10 years, while the best RCR123A batteries lose 10-30% of the initial charge after one year of storage. On the other hand, CR123A batteries are manufactured and transported fully charged and ready to be used immediately. storage and shelf life: for safety reasons, RCR123A batteries are manufactured and transported only half-charged and must be fully charged before the first use.Personally, I doubt that such batteries (not just RCR123A) are as reliable as batteries from reputable brands. The following comparison chart lists some of the most popular CR123A batteries and their most important features and specifications.ġ000 mAh), but before buying such batteries, be sure to read the reviews of other buyers first. Non-rechargeable CR123A batteries also tolerate high drain currents, which is very important for high-power devices and for devices that require plenty of power for relatively short periods of time. The shelf life of the best CR123A brands is usually in the 7-10 years range, making these batteries excellent choices for standby devices like EDC flashlights, security devices, digital cameras, military applications, and similar. Non-rechargeable CR123A batteries have a nominal voltage of 3.0 volts and a capacity of around 1500 mAh. Voltage, capacity, and max drain current depend on the CR123A model and chemistry. These batteries are commonly labeled as 'CR123A batteries' (non-rechargeable type) or as 'RCR123A batteries' (rechargeable type), but they also appear with other labels, like CR17345, K123A, RCR16340, VL123A, DL123A, 5018LC, SF123A, EL123AP, 17345, 17340, 16340, etc. That and the fact that many manufacturers come with their 'own' labels lead to slight confusion when picking the right CR123A battery.ĬR123A Batteries - Features and SpecificationsĬR123A batteries are cylindrical batteries featuring a battery size of 17 mm in diameter and 34.5 mm in height (0.67 x 1.36 inches). Non-Rechargeable Lithium CR123A BatteriesĬR123A batteries are very popular cylindrical lithium batteries commonly used in various devices like photo cameras, flashlights, security devices, military equipment, etc.ĬR123A batteries come in two major versions: rechargeable and non-rechargeable CR123A batteries, both featuring different voltages, drain currents, capacities, etc.

Cr123a battery weight