Best Key Fob Replacement Battery Options

If your car key fob isn’t working very well, chances are the batteries need replacing. I’ve replaced the batteries in my key fob several times: it’s a super easy process, and the batteries themselves are pretty cheap to buy.

I’ve compiled a list of the best key fob battery options, so you can find a good replacement for the battery that came with your car key.

But if you’re buying batteries online for your key fob, how do you know what to look for? What key features do you need, and how can you tell it will be compatible with your car key fob?

The Bottom Line Up Front

I really like the CR2016 Keyless Entry Remote Key Fob Battery. I’ve bought batteries from Car and Truck Remotes before and find their service reliable, with fast delivery. The battery is compatible with several models, and it should last for a long time.

I also like the CR2032 OEM Replacement Battery Pack of 2, which is more expensive, but works well with many smart keys and comes with a special tool for battery replacement, as well as video instructions.

Best Key Fob Battery Options Compared

• CR1220 Keyless Entry Remote Key Fob Battery – a useful, long-lasting battery that fits a lot of different car key fobs
• Energizer CR1632 3V Lithium Battery Pack of 5– good value multi-pack of batteries that are compatible with different brands
• CR2023 – Key Fob Battery for Subaru – a pack of two batteries compatible with several Subaru models
• CR2016 Keyless Entry Remote Key Fob Battery – a good-quality lithium battery that works with several key fobs from different brands
• CR2032 OEM Replacement Battery Pack of 2 – a pack of two long-lasting batteries, with an opening tool and video tutorial included
• Duracell CR2025 3V Lithium Battery Pack of 2 – long-lasting, durable batteries compatible with multiple car key fobs

What to Look for in Key Fob Batteries

Shopping for batteries sounds easy enough, but there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re looking for specific batteries for your car key fob.

Battery Type

Batteries are made from the following materials:

• Lithium – These are good for items that need a longer lifespan, like watches. They can withstand more extreme temperatures, including cold, which is ideal if you live in colder climates (or if you want to store spares in your garage, for example).
• Alkaline – These batteries are cheaper but give less energy and don’t last as long, making them a low-cost but less popular battery type.
• Silver Oxide – Silver oxide batteries have a good output but don’t last as long as lithium batteries and can suddenly drain quite quickly at the end of their life span.

Most batteries made for car key fobs are lithium, which means they should last for many years without needing to be swapped over, and they should work fine even if you live in a cold climate.

Battery Size

Batteries vary in size for car key fobs. Usually, they’ll be marked with a C, followed by a string of numbers. Common sizes include the CR2032, which fits many different key fobs by different brands and works for watches, calculators, fitness trackers, and small wearable devices like glucose monitors.

Of course, you must double-check the battery size required for your specific key fob before ordering your new battery. You can get multipacks of varying sizes, which is a good idea if you have several items that need battery changes.

Number of Batteries

Some key fobs require two batteries, and in this case, it’s a good idea to look for a battery multipack. (This is usually the case for smart keys that require a little more juice than an older aftermarket key fob.)

You can get single batteries or batteries in packs of four or five; you can have some batteries hanging around as spares, which is always a good idea, but they will need to be stored safely.

Pricing

Most batteries are under $10, with single batteries at around $5. This isn’t always the case – I’ve mentioned some more expensive batteries on my list of recommendations – but usually, the battery price point is pretty low, especially if you tend to order your car accessories online.

You may save a little cash by going for a multipack, as they usually work out cheaper per battery than buying singles, and you can have some spares ready for replacement later.

Safety Features

Your lithium coin battery may have some safety features. For example, they might be coated with a bitter flavoring, making it extremely unappealing to eat. If you have a small child in the house, this is a great feature: swallowing a small battery can cause massive damage to a child, and making it taste bitter is a good preventative.

You can also find secure packaging, with each battery wrapped individually. This means if you need to store spares, you shouldn’t have to worry about children being able to get to them easily. I prefer this to the multipacks where all the batteries rattle around together, having children at home myself.

Extra Features and Tools

Some batteries come with extra features. For example, batteries marketed and packaged specifically for a smart key fob may have a small tool to make opening the key fob much easier.

You may also find video tutorials for how to change batteries in your car key fob: usually, you’ll find a QR code or link on the packaging. You probably won’t need to see these instructions as the process is straightforward, but it’s good to have it just in case!

Top 6 Key Fob Battery Options

Here are my top six recommendations for key fob batteries. Of course, which one you pick will depend on the particular model of your car, but these are all good brands, and hopefully, you’ll find one that works for you.

I’ve included various price points and pack sizes, as some car key fobs require more than one battery. All of them should be durable and long-lasting and shouldn’t need replacing too quickly!

CR1220 Keyless Entry Remote Key Fob Battery

The CR1220 Keyless Entry Remote Key Fob Battery is a good choice from Car and Truck Remotes. It’s a lithium battery, meaning it lasts for a long time and can withstand low temperatures pretty well.

The price point is okay, at just under $5 for one remote battery. You can get multi-packs from other outlets, of course, but if you just want a single battery, this is a good one to go for.

The size is just right for most car keys from different manufacturers, but of course, you’ll need to double-check to make sure it’s compatible with your particular car key fob.

The good thing about Car and Truck Remotes is that the customer support team is very helpful and friendly. If anything does go wrong, you’ll be able to contact them easily.

Pros

• It should last for a long time
• Suitable for many different car key fobs
• Can withstand low temperatures
• The customer support team is helpful

Cons

• Not the cheapest on this list
• Only available in a single pack

Energizer CR1632 3V Lithium Battery Pack of 5

The Energizer CR1632 3V Lithium Battery Pack of 5 is a good choice if you want to have backup batteries at home. It includes five batteries and fits multiple different key fobs from different brands, including many Honda models.

If your car key fob requires multiple batteries, this is a good option.

The pricing is pretty good for five batteries at just under $7. They are lithium batteries, so they should last for quite a long time and can withstand low temperatures.

The customer support may not be as good in terms of returns – it’s best to make triple-sure that these are the right batteries before you order, as once you open them, it will be tricky to return them.

Pros

• Good value
• Includes five batteries
• Compatible with many brands and models
• Can withstand low temperatures

Cons

• Customer support may not be as good as some of the others on this list

CR2023 Remote Key Fob Battery for Subaru

The CR2023 Remote Key Fob Battery for Subaru is compatible with the following Subaru Smart Key remotes:

• Subaru Ascent 2019-2021
• Subaru Crosstrek 2018-2020
• Subaru Forester 2019-2021
• Subaru Impreza 2017-2021
• Subaru Legacy 2018-2021
• Subaru Outback CVT 2019-2021
• Subaru STI 2019-2020
• Subaru WRX 2019-2020

It includes two batteries and comes with an opening/pry tool, so you can easily get into your key fob to change the batteries.

I like that these batteries come with an instructional video via a link on the product packaging. This means you really can’t go wrong when swapping the batteries out!

You’ll need both batteries for the key fob. The pricing is steep compared to some of the others on this list (at just under $25), but you can save money by buying more than one pack at once, and I think it could be worth it just for the peace of mind that you’ve ordered the right batteries.

They are lithium batteries, which means they should last a long time and can withstand more extreme temperatures. They shouldn’t run out of juice too quickly!

Pros

• Compatible with several Subaru models
• It comes with a special tool and an instructional video
• The batteries should last for a long time
• Can withstand more extreme temperatures

Cons

• Pricey compared to some of the others on this list

CR2016 Keyless Entry Remote Key Fob Battery

The CR2016 Keyless Entry Remote Key Fob Battery is a good-quality lithium battery. While you only get one in the pack, it should last for a long time and works well even in colder temperatures.

This key battery is compatible with brands like Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Mercury, Ford, and Lincoln, but some of these key fobs require more than one remote battery, which is something to keep in mind. The pricing is decent (but not the cheapest) at just under $5 for one, and they should last for a while, even if you do have to buy two.

It’s worth noting that if you buy a replacement key fob or an aftermarket key fob from Car and Truck Remotes, you will get a battery included for free, so you won’t need to buy one unless you want to have spares at home. They should be replaced every 6-12 months depending on the level of use.

The customer support team at Car and Truck Remotes is great, and if you’re not sure if you’re buying the right battery, they should be able to help.

Pros

• Long-lasting key fob battery replacement
• Works well even in colder temperatures
• Great customer support team

Cons

• Pricing is steeper than some of the others on this list

CR2032 OEM Replacement Battery Pack of 2

The CR2032 OEM Replacement Battery Pack of 2 is a good choice for several brands, including Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler. It works with several Fobik keys (Fob Integrated Keys).

You get a pack of 2, which is great (especially as some car key fobs require two batteries anyway). You’ll also get a tool for prising open your key fob, making that process a little easier. Plus, the packaging includes a link to a video tutorial, so you really can’t go wrong!

The downside to these batteries is that they are on the more expensive end of the pricing scale at just under $25 for two. They should last for a long time, however, and it’s convenient to have instructions included.

These lithium batteries can withstand cold temperatures.

Pros

• Compatible with several models
• Includes a tool to open the key fob and a video tutorial
• Long-lasting
• Can withstand cold temperatures

Cons

• Pricier than some of the others on this list

Duracell CR2025 3V Lithium Battery Pack of 2

The Duracell CR2025 3V Lithium Battery Pack of 2 is a reliable, long-lasting pack of batteries. Made by Duracell, these are designed to have a bitter taste, discouraging little ones from eating them. An unlikely scenario, but if you have kids at home, you’ll appreciate this!

The batteries are compatible with several key fobs, including brands like Chrysler. It has a good price point at around $6 for two batteries, and if your car key fob needs two batteries, this is a great deal.

They are also available in packs of 1 or 4, and they can withstand more extreme temperatures.

The downside is that they’re not made specifically for key fobs, so you’ll need to triple-check that you’ve ordered the right ones, as obtaining a refund once you’ve opened them will be difficult.

Pros

• Long-lasting batteries
• Has a bitter taste to discourage young children from eating them
• Good price point
• Can withstand more extreme temperatures

Cons

• Not made specifically for key fobs, so need to triple check you have the right one for your particular car key fob.

FAQs

My Final Verdict

The CR2016 Keyless Entry Remote Key Fob Battery is great. Car and Truck Remotes are a reliable website to buy from; I’ve bought from them before and find their service very helpful.

The battery is compatible with several different brands and models, and it offers long lasting power. It can withstand cold temperatures, too. It comes in at just under $5, which is reasonable, although you may need to buy more than one.

The CR2032 OEM Replacement Battery Pack of 2 is another great choice. It’s expensive compared to some of the others on this list, but it comes with two batteries, it works with many smart keys, and includes video instructions and a tool to open your smart key for battery replacement. The battery life is great too.