As ironic as it sounds, the key fob we know today actually came from a keyless idea introduced in 1995, when Siemens launched a “smart key” system that allowed remote entry and ignition of vehicles. Even more remarkably, the key fob can practically be found in everyone’s pocket today, having evolved from being used solely for vehicles to broader applications, including remote gate access and smart locks.
Naturally, from a wholesale perspective, such widespread use represents tremendous sales opportunities for sellers of key fob batteries, since every fob requires a power source to function.
Read on to explore the global key fob battery market and discover the most common types, as well as our selection of tips to help you choose the best options for your buyers in 2025.
Table of Contents
Overview of the key fob battery market
Tips for stocking the right key fob batteries
Stocking based on popular battery sizes
Stocking based on targeted vehicle models
Stocking based on multi-packaging flexibility
Stocking based on rare or edge-case battery types
Common types of key fob batteries
CR2032
CR2025
CR2450
Other types for legacy and general use
Powering effortless control
Overview of the key fob battery market
Since key fob batteries, especially those used in vehicle key fobs and gate remotes, are mostly lightweight and compact to match the size of the fobs themselves, button cell batteries, often also known as coin cell batteries, are the most commonly used type. In fact, almost all automotive remote key fobs today use them due to their compact size and 3V output, which is sufficient to reliably power the low-energy demands of key fob circuits.
Also known as coin-cell batteries, the global button cell battery market was valued at USD 4.69 billion in 2023 and is projected to exceed USD 7.1 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% between 2024 and 2030.
Lithium button cell batteries (CR), one of the lightest types of button cells, reportedly hold the largest market share at approximately 45%. This aligns with the trend of electronic device miniaturization, which drives steady demand for small, high-capacity batteries. They also offer material advantages, as lithium delivers both stable voltage and a long shelf life, which can often reach up to 10 years. This makes these batteries especially appealing to sellers.
Tips for stocking the right key fob batteries
Stocking based on popular battery sizes
This approach can be especially valuable for sellers catering to general consumers, rather than focusing solely on automotive buyers. For these sellers, instead of aligning with specific vehicle models, they can concentrate on the most commonly used sizes/thicknesses that fit a wide range of key fobs, thereby capitalizing on broad demand. While this may require some research, the good news is that the next section will discuss the most commonly used key fob batteries in detail.
In essence, there are two models that are often interchangeable: CR2032 and CR2025. They can often replace each other as long as the device’s spring-loaded battery holder can handle the slight thickness difference. In the meantime, it’s worth noting that since CR2032 is slightly thicker (3.2mm) than CR2025 (2.5mm) in terms of its thickness, devices that utilize CR2032 can usually accommodate CR2025, but not vice versa, as devices designed for 2025 normally lack enough space to fit CR2032.
To sellers, this suggests that the CR2025 offers more flexibility and is therefore worth considering for larger stock levels from a stocking perspective. However, it’s important to note the differences in capacity between the CR2025 and CR2032 batteries. While both share the same voltage of 3V, the CR2025 typically has a lower capacity compared to the CR2032. A higher capacity also means that the CR2032 usually provides longer battery life compared to the CR2025. Therefore, while the CR2025’s thinner profile allows it to fit into more compact devices, the CR2032’s greater capacity offers extended service life, which is a key for stocking decisions.
Stocking based on targeted vehicle models
Not all key fob batteries are equal, and a lot of the time, their differences determine the key fob types of vehicle models that they can support. That’s why it’s particularly important for key fob battery sellers who are also selling other car accessories to align their key fob battery stock with the vehicle models they already target for other accessories.
Key fob battery selection based on vehicle models (including different year variants) can be especially strategic when sellers cater to specific battery needs, creating a niche that is less competitive. However, this stock selection method also requires regular updates to reflect new and emerging car models, ensuring accurate product listings.
Stocking based on multi-packaging flexibility
As expected, there are various packaging formats for key fob batteries like CR2025 and CR2032, and as seen in the image above, sellers can take advantage of the packaging variety to offer not only individual packs but also twin-packs and multi-packs as value options. These bundled packages can be sold at discounted prices with better offers compared to single-pack types in order to attract buyers to purchase more.
Among all these bundled offers, twin-pack formats can be highly appealing and practical since some key fobs require two batteries to function properly. While some models might still be operational on a single battery, their performance can suffer or even be negatively impacted due to a power drop.
Examples include the Mercedes smart key fobs (e.g., S-Class, E-Class, C-Class push-to-start), which take two CR2025 cells, and the Volvo V40 smart key, which takes two CR2016 batteries. Stocking twin-packs labeled clearly for these models can surely boost both customer convenience and average order value.
Stocking based on rare or edge-case battery types
“Edge-case” key fob batteries here refer to usage situations or requirements that fall outside the norm, in other words, the use cases at the edges of what’s typical. Borrowed from engineering and tech, this term in the key fob battery context describes types of batteries that aren’t commonly used. These may be tied to specific or older vehicle variants, making them harder to find and potentially able to command higher margins due to their limited availability.
So these are certainly not the everyday battery models like those covered in the next section. Instead, think CR1220 for certain year-specific Acura and Volvo key fobs, or the unique VL2020, which requires soldering and is used in some older BMW fobs. These are the kinds of batteries customers only seek out when absolutely necessary and are not typically found at standard retail outlets.
In short, stocking edge-case batteries isn’t about high volume. It’s a smart, value-added strategy suited for sellers in niche markets. This includes specialty electronics retailers, locksmiths, auto parts dealers, mobile key services, or online stores focused on long-tail inventory. Most importantly, by keeping a small tray of these seemingly “oddball” batteries, sellers can position and associate their brands as a go-to solution for last-minute needs and in turn, charge premium prices or become a trusted resource that secures a lasting place in the buyer’s mind that encourages future repeat business.
Common types of key fob batteries
CR2032
In view of its compact size, consistent voltage at 3V, and higher capacity at around 210 to 240 mAh per cell compared to other similar sizes or equally slim button cell types such as CR2025 and CR2016, CR2032 no doubt holds the title as the “most commonly found” key fob battery nowadays.
From Acura and Honda to Nissan and Toyota, the CR2032 is the designated coin cell battery for the key fobs of most of the world’s famous car maker brands now. Its well-regarded high capacity that allows a long lifespan, such as 3 to 5 years of usage, is among the top reasons that make it the favorite of most automotive brands nowadays. In fact, with such high market demand, even CR2032 battery holders can be smart add-on items for sellers to offer as complementary accessories.
CR2025
With the popularity of CR2032, it’s only natural that its identical alternative – the CR2025 – enjoys equally widespread adoption. Nevertheless, while both of them share the same voltage of 3V, the CR2025 typically has a lower capacity, ranging from 150 to 170 mAh.
This difference is reflected in its slightly slimming build, which makes it suitable for key fobs that emphasize super slim or minimalist designs.
This slim profile, which is about 0.7 mm thinner than a CR2032, not only makes it ideal for smart-key fobs fully packed with proximity sensors, anti-theft transponders, and NFC chips in very thin housings but is also especially suitable for some luxury marques with smart keys that often use dual-cells to meet higher capacity demands without increasing fob footprint. Similar to CR2032, the extensive usage of CR2025 also opens up more opportunities for the seller to offer other accessories, such as the CR2025 battery retainers.
CR2450
Contrary to the slim profiles of its peers like CR2032 and CR2025, CR2450 is significantly thicker—nearly double the thickness of the CR2025 at 5.0mm, and noticeably thicker than the CR2032, which measures 3.2mm. Fortunately, its much thicker size is accompanied by similarly increased power capacity too, only at a much higher capacity (more than double what CR2032 offers) at 620mAh.
Such a powerful output makes CR2450 destined to be the designated option for key fobs of larger vehicle types, such as trucks and SUVs that support hands-free unlock from farther distances, as well as high-end models like the BMW 7 Series. These batteries also support more advanced features like comfort access, boot-open, and onboard modems in those luxury model keys, which are all features that demand sustained power and justify the larger size.
Other types for legacy and general use
Aside from the above “big 3” types of key fob batteries currently in the market, the other two battery types that can also be commonly found among different car key fobs are: CR1616 and CR2016. Nevertheless, in view of their lower capacity at around 60 mAh to 100 mAh each, both of them are rarely found in key fobs for new car models nowadays. In fact, virtually all car key models that used CR1616 and CR2016 are those that launched before the year 2015, primarily from 2005 to 2014.
From a stocking point of view, however, the fact that both of these batteries feature super-slim profiles at only 1.6mm thickness makes them also widely used in many other applications. These include devices such as watches, calculators, garage remote key fobs, and glucometers; hence, many versatile retailers or general-purpose battery sellers may stock them not only for legacy car key fobs but also for broader retail needs.
Powering effortless control
Lithium button cell batteries are the most commonly found key fob batteries nowadays, taking up about half of the global coin cell batteries market at a steady CAGR growth rate up to 2030. Depending on their respective business focus and target customers, sellers can make their key fob battery inventory stocking decisions based on popular battery sizes, targeted vehicle models, multi-packaging flexibility, and rare or edge-case demands.
CR2032, CR2025, and CR2450 are the three most widely used key fob batteries to power effortless control among car brands in the market now. Apart from these 3 types, CR1616 and CR2016 are also worth stocking, and sellers may consider them for other multi-use applications.
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