Phillips Batteries: Complete Guide to Sizes, Chemistries, Voltages, and Real-World Use

If you’ve ever opened a battery drawer and wondered which cell goes where, this all-in-one guide to Phillips Batteries is for you. Below you’ll find a clear explanation of the sizes, chemistries, and voltages that matter, plus practical tips on choosing the right option for remotes, toys, headlamps, smoke detectors, cameras, medical aids, smart sensors, and more. We’ll also cover storage, shelf life, recycling, and safety, with quick reference tables so you can act with confidence.

At a Glance: What Phillips Batteries Cover

• Common household sizes: AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V.
• Specialty cells: Lithium coin cells (CR series), silver-oxide button cells, zinc-air hearing-aid batteries.
• Rechargeable options: NiMH AA/AAA for frequent-use devices.
• Nominal voltages: 1.5V (alkaline & zinc-carbon), 1.2V (NiMH rechargeable), 3V (lithium coin), ~1.55V (silver-oxide), ~1.45V (zinc-air), and 9V for rectangular battery packs.
• Use cases: Low-drain (clocks, remotes) vs. high-drain (cameras, toys, flashlights) vs. always-on devices (alarms, medical aids).

Why Size, Chemistry, and Voltage Matter

Three things determine whether a battery will perform well in your device: size (physical fit), chemistry (how the cell produces energy), and voltage (electrical potential). Get any one of these wrong, and you may see dim lights, short runtimes, lost settings, or outright failure to power on. Get them right, and you’ll maximize runtime, maintain consistent performance, and protect your electronics from damage.

Quick Reference Table

Use this table as a fast guide before we dive deeper.

Type / Size	Common Chemistry	Nominal Voltage	Typical Capacity (approx.)	Typical Use
AA (LR6 / R6)	Alkaline	1.5V	1,800–2,850 mAh	Remotes, toys, flashlights
AAA (LR03 / R03)	Alkaline	1.5V	800–1,200 mAh	Remotes, wireless mice, LED candles
C (LR14 / R14)	Alkaline	1.5V	3,000–8,000 mAh	Lanterns, toys, radios
D (LR20 / R20)	Alkaline	1.5V	8,000–12,000+ mAh	High-drain lanterns, large flashlights
9V (6LR61 / 6F22)	Alkaline	9V	400–600 mAh	Smoke detectors, meters, guitar pedals
CR2032 (coin)	Lithium (Li-MnO₂)	3V	200–240 mAh	Key fobs, motherboards, scales
CR2025 / CR2016 (coin)	Lithium (Li-MnO₂)	3V	~150 mAh / ~90 mAh	Remote starters, wearables
SR / 3xx series (button)	Silver-oxide	~1.55V	Varies by size	Watches, instruments, medical
PR312 / PR10 / PR13 / PR675	Zinc-air (hearing-aid)	~1.45V	Varies	Hearing aids
AA/AAA (rechargeable)	NiMH	1.2V	AA ~1,900–2,700 mAh; AAA ~700–1,000 mAh	Cameras, flashes, toys, game controllers
AA/AAA (zinc-carbon)	Zinc-carbon	1.5V	Lower than alkaline	Clocks, very low-drain devices

Household Cylindrical Batteries

AA & AAA (1.5V Alkaline)

AA and AAA are the workhorses of the battery world. Phillips AA and AAA alkaline cells provide a nominal 1.5V and are designed for both steady low-drain tasks (TV remotes, wall clocks) and moderate bursts (wireless controllers, LED flashlights). For toys, headlamps, and small electronics that draw higher current, alkaline often provides reliable runtime at a great value. If your device drains batteries quickly or you recharge frequently, step up to NiMH rechargeables for cost savings and less waste.

When choosing between AA and AAA, remember AAA cells are slimmer and carry less stored energy than AA. If you’re replacing batteries in the same device unusually often, check the manual—some models accept AA in place of AAA (with adapters) or vice-versa, but most are designed for one size only.

C & D (1.5V Alkaline)

C and D cells are physically larger and hold much more energy, making them ideal for lanterns, large flashlights, boomboxes, and rugged toys. Phillips C and D alkaline batteries deliver a stable 1.5V and shine in high-drain, continuous-use scenarios. If you own large camping lights or emergency gear, keeping a spare set of D cells on hand is smart preparation.

9V (Rectangular Alkaline)

The rectangular 9V battery (commonly labeled 6LR61 or 6F22) powers smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, multimeters, microphones, and guitar pedals. Phillips 9V alkaline cells provide reliable performance with a nominal 9V output. For alarms, replace 9V cells on a set schedule—waiting for beeps is risky and disruptive. Many musicians also keep spares in their gig bag to avoid on-stage surprises. A phrase often seen in product listings is “Philips 9V alkaline battery for smoke detector,” reflecting this popular application.

Coin & Button Cells (Specialty)

Lithium Coin Cells (3V)

Lithium manganese dioxide coin cells are labeled CR followed by four digits, such as CR2032. The first two digits indicate diameter (20mm), the last two denote thickness (3.2mm). Phillips CR-series cells maintain a steady 3V and excel in low-to-moderate drain devices that need long shelf life: key fobs, scales, kitchen timers, and computer motherboards. A common phrase customers search for is “Philips CR2032 3V lithium coin cell.”

• CR2032: 20×3.2mm, ~220–240 mAh
• CR2025: 20×2.5mm, ~150–170 mAh
• CR2016: 20×1.6mm, ~80–100 mAh

Match the exact code your device specifies; going thinner may lead to intermittent contact, and going thicker won’t fit the tray.

Silver-Oxide Button Cells (~1.55V)

Silver-oxide buttons are known for flat discharge curves (voltage remains steady as the cell discharges), making them perfect for precision devices like watches, instruments, and medical sensors. You’ll typically see codes like SR626SW. Check your manual for the exact replacement; while there are cross-references, the safe move is to match code-for-code.

Zinc-Air Hearing-Aid Batteries (~1.45V)

Hearing-aid batteries are labeled by color and number: 10 (yellow), 312 (brown), 13 (orange), 675 (blue). Zinc-air cells activate when you remove the protective tab, allowing oxygen to enter and start the chemistry. For best results, peel the tab, wait about a minute to fully “breathe,” then insert. A phrase you may come across in manuals is “Philips hearing aid battery size 312 1.45V,” which captures the typical voltage and format.

Rechargeables: NiMH AA/AAA (1.2V)

If you have kids’ toys, camera flashes, or game controllers that chew through batteries, rechargeable NiMH is your best friend. Phillips NiMH AA/AAA deliver a nominal 1.2V and are designed for repeated cycles—hundreds, in many cases. Pair them with a quality charger, and you’ll drastically cut waste while lowering long-term costs. Many customers look for “Philips rechargeable NiMH AA 1.2V” to emphasize the chemistry and voltage.

Don’t worry about the 1.2V rating—many devices designed for AA/AAA work perfectly with NiMH because they draw higher current without needing the slightly higher nominal voltage of alkaline. In high-drain use, NiMH often outlasts alkaline per charge thanks to lower internal resistance and better voltage stability under load.

• AA NiMH capacity: ~1,900–2,700 mAh (typical)
• AAA NiMH capacity: ~700–1,000 mAh (typical)
• Best for: Flashes, cameras, toys, handheld game consoles, pro audio gear
• Charger tips: Prefer smart chargers with delta-V or temperature cutoffs, independent channels, and trickle/maintenance modes.

Zinc-Carbon (1.5V) vs. Alkaline (1.5V)

Zinc-carbon is the classic low-cost option for very light drain (clocks, simple remotes). Alkaline uses a different electrolyte that provides better energy density, longer shelf life, and superior high-drain performance. For most households, alkaline is the default choice; zinc-carbon can make sense if you’re stocking batteries for devices that draw tiny amounts of power and you want to minimize up-front cost.

Choosing the Right Phillips Battery for Your Device

1. Check physical size: The manual or battery compartment will specify AA/AAA/C/D/9V or a coin/button code (CR, SR, PR).
2. Match chemistry and voltage: If the device expects 3V coin cells, don’t substitute a 1.5V button cell, and vice-versa.
3. Consider drain profile: High-drain devices benefit from alkaline or NiMH rechargeables; low-drain can use zinc-carbon.
4. Runtime vs. cost: For heavy users, NiMH rechargeables pay for themselves quickly.
5. Environment & storage: If you’re building an emergency kit, choose cells with long shelf life (alkaline and lithium coin).

Common Device Pairings

• Smoke/CO alarms: 9V alkaline; replace on a schedule. Many listings use language like “Philips 9V alkaline battery for smoke detector.”
• Key fobs & RTC backup: CR2032 (“Philips CR2032 3V lithium coin cell”).
• Cameras/flash: AA/AAA NiMH rechargeables for faster recycle times.
• Hearing aids: Zinc-air PR312/PR10/PR13/PR675 (“Philips hearing aid battery size 312 1.45V”).
• Watches & meters: Silver-oxide SR-series for steady voltage.

Understanding Labels and Cross-References

Battery codes often include multiple designations for the same size. For example, AA can be written as LR6 (alkaline) or R6 (zinc-carbon), and 9V can appear as 6LR61/6F22. Coins follow a consistent pattern (CR2032, CR2025, CR2016). For silver-oxide buttons, codes like SR626SW may have equivalents from other systems; cross-reference carefully and, when in doubt, match the exact code printed in your device’s documentation or on the original cell.

Shelf Life and Storage

• Alkaline: Typically several years of shelf life when stored cool and dry; check package dates.
• Lithium coin: Long shelf life; store in original packaging and keep away from children.
• NiMH rechargeables: “Low self-discharge” variants hold charge longer; recharge every few months if stored.
• Zinc-air: Inactive until the tab is removed; after activation, they discharge continuously—use promptly.

Safety First

Keep coin cells away from children—ingestion is a medical emergency. Insert batteries with the correct polarity. Do not mix old and new cells or mix chemistries in the same device. Never attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries. Avoid shorting terminals (for example, with loose coins or keys in a drawer). If a battery leaks, handle carefully and dispose of it per local regulations.

Recycling and Disposal

Never burn or incinerate batteries. Many communities offer recycling points for rechargeable and specialty cells; follow local rules for alkaline and coin cells. If you run a household with frequent battery use, consider a small collection bin and a routine drop-off to keep everything organized and out of landfills where prohibited.

Troubleshooting Power Problems

• Device won’t power on: Check polarity and contacts; look for corrosion. Confirm the correct size and chemistry are installed.
• Short runtime: Switch to alkaline from zinc-carbon, or consider NiMH rechargeables for high-drain devices.
• Intermittent operation: Verify you’re using the correct coin cell thickness (CR2032 vs. CR2025 vs. CR2016).
• Settings reset: Some devices rely on a coin cell for memory; replace the RTC/backup cell with the specified CR code.
• Leakage concerns: Remove batteries from seasonal devices before long storage; store spares in a dry, cool place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are “Phillips” and “Philips” the same brand?

Consumers sometimes spell the name with two “l”s, but product packaging typically uses the single-“l” brand name. When shopping, match the packaging used for your device’s original batteries or the listing you trust.

What’s the difference between 1.5V alkaline and 1.2V NiMH in AA/AAA?

Alkaline starts at about 1.5V but sags faster under load; NiMH begins near 1.2V but maintains voltage better during high-drain use. Many devices designed for AA/AAA work great with NiMH and run longer per charge in demanding scenarios.

Can I replace CR2032 with CR2025?

They share diameter and voltage (3V), but CR2025 is thinner and has less capacity. Some battery trays will accept either; others require the exact thickness for reliable contact. Follow the device’s specification.

How often should I replace 9V batteries in smoke detectors?

Follow the interval in your alarm’s manual—many recommend replacement at least annually, even if the low-battery chirp hasn’t started. Test alarms monthly.

Which chemistry lasts longest on the shelf?

Lithium coin cells and quality alkaline cells typically offer excellent shelf life. Store them cool and dry, in original packaging, and avoid temperature extremes.

The Bottom Line

Picking the right battery is a simple equation: match the size, choose the chemistry for your device’s drain profile, and respect the required voltage. Phillips Batteries cover the full spectrum—from 1.5V alkaline AAs to 3V CR-series coins, 1.55V silver-oxide buttons, 1.45V zinc-air hearing-aid cells, 9V packs for alarms, and 1.2V NiMH rechargeables when you want maximum value and reuse. With this guide at hand, you’ll install with confidence and get the performance your gear deserves—every time.

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