The Best CR123A Batteries In 2023

Last updated: Today

Erin Carpenter

Top 5 Best CR123A Batteries 2023:

  1. Surefire CR123A Lithium Battery
  2. KinGuard RCR123A Rechargeable Batteries
  3. Energizer 123 Lithium Batteries
  4. Panasonic CR123 CR123A
  5. RAVPower Rechargeable Batteries

Nothing premature is ever good.

We know what you’re thinking, guys, but we don’t want to talk about that now (or ever). Today, we’ll focus on prematurely ended battery life. 

We’ve all been there, and we don’t like it! 

Just remember the frustration of one of your devices dying too soon. You just recently put new batteries in it, so why hadn’t they lasted longer!?

Well, that’s what you get for messing around with crappy batteries. 

Luckily, there is a solution, and we’re going to teach you all about it. Join us in our quest to find the best CR123A battery on the market, and never worry about running out of juice again!


5 Best CR123A Batteries In 2023: Detailed Reviews

We’re not sure if you are aware of just how many CR123A battery manufacturers there are? It’s an entire universe folks, and it took us more time than expected to explore it!

After a lot of consideration, and after going through miles of text, we finally managed to put together the list below. In it, you can find carefully constructed reviews of the top five CR123A batteries.

Go on and check them out!

1. Surefire CR123A Lithium Battery – Best Overall

Image Credit: Amazon.com

There seems to be no to little debate about the supremacy of Surefire’s batteries on the current market. These babies are seemingly inexhaustible, and thousands of buyers swear by their name. 

What’s going on!? Let’s check them out!

The batteries are made in the US by Panasonic, and their description states that they’re optimized for Surefire flashlights. In case you own one of these flashlights, then you shouldn’t have any dilemma about which batteries to buy.

But, what about other devices? Do they work in them too?

You bet. Many people use them to power their Arlo security cameras, and they all seem to be more than happy.

The batteries’ energy capacity is 1500mAh, which isn’t just great, but also reliable, and they maintain the same power until the very end of their life.

Surefire has a 10-year shelf life, which is exquisite and allows you to buy them in bulk. And, since these batteries are readily available in most supermarkets, the chances are that you’ll have to buy in bulk.

They are non-rechargeable and are usually sold in a 12-pack. As for the price, it’s not the most expensive, but far from being the cheapest too.

All in all, you can be confident that Surefire will serve you well and for a long time.

Pros

  • Lasts for a long time
  • Works at peak power until the end
  • Not affected by temperature

Cons

  • Not the cheapest
  • Might be hard to find them

2. KinGuard RCR123A Rechargeable Batteries – Best Rechargeable Batteries

Image Credit: Amazon.com

If you’re on the lookout for a top-notch rechargeable battery, then check out KinGuard’s RCR123A model, one of the most popular of its kind. We were curious, so we inspected them closely, and you can read about what we learned.

These batteries have a higher voltage than what’s typically found in CR123A batteries. Namely, they contain 3.7V, whereas most others don’t surpass 3V. It’s important to know this because not every device is compatible with such high voltage.

When it comes to energy capacity, they pack 750mAh, which is significantly less than the previous product on the list. However, it’s still enough to power almost any kind of device.

It seems that most people who are interested in KinGuard’s batteries use them to power their Arlo cameras, so yes, they are compatible with Arlo’s products. 

They are commonly sold in 8-packs, and their price is more than reasonable, and since they’re rechargeable, a single package can last you several years. 

Now, it’s good that there you have at least eight batteries, because they drain relatively quickly, compared to some other models. Also, charging them for too long will shorten their lifespan, so be careful not to do that.

Pros

  • Can be recharged up to 500 times
  • Reasonable price
  • Compatible with Arlo products

Cons

  • May need recharging relatively often
  • Lifespan shortens after many recharges

3. Energizer 123 Lithium Batteries – Best Affordable Batteries

Image Credit: Amazon.com

The appropriately named Energizer 123 does its job well, and that’s why it made its way to our list. These non-rechargeable lithium batteries will keep your devices running for hours on end, and you can read on to learn more about them.

The batteries are sold in a 6-pack, and they come at an excellent price, so you’ll be able to save money using them. Their main advantage is their long shelf life (10 years), which means that they’ll work for a long time even if they’d been sitting unused for years.

A problem that many users complained about is that they received the batteries in a package different from the one that’s advertised. On top of this, the same people reported that the batteries worked relatively shortly, which can only mean one thing – they received used units. 

If this happens to you, ask for a refund or a replacement in the original package.

The people who got the real deal were genuinely satisfied. Many used them in their security cameras and said that they could power them for up to six months!

To sum up, Energizer 123 makes excellent CR123A batteries, and there’s no reason not to try them out.

Pros

  • They last for a long time
  • Excellent price
  • Compatible with all devices

Cons

  • Many users received used batteries

4. Panasonic CR123 CR123A – Best Bang For The Buck

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Have you ever heard of a bad Panasonic product? Yeah, we neither. Their CR123A batteries are no different. They’re reliable, affordable, and definitely worth taking a look at!

Panasonic’s batteries are available in six and twelve-piece packages, so you can choose one depending on your needs. A motivation to buy in bulk is the dynamic pricing that many retailers offer, which will give you a discount if you buy a large amount.

They have 3V of power and an energy capacity of 1500mAh, with a discharge rate of 1A, which is quite low. That means the batteries should last for a long time, but this isn’t always the case. 

We’ve heard complaints of them lasting only a month or two when used in security cameras, but it doesn’t mean that they’ll work so shortly in other devices too. Panasonic’s batteries are sensitive to temperature, and anything below –4°F or above 140°F will interfere with their performance.

The price is another advantage of this product, as it is one of the cheapest on today’s list. Honestly, with such a low cost, nobody should have the right to complain too much about them. You get what you pay for!

Pros

  • Powerful and reliable
  • Very affordable
  • Dynamic pricing (discount for buying in bulk)

Cons

  • Relatively short lifespan
  • Sensitive to temperature 

5. RAVPower Rechargeable Batteries – Best Batteries With A Charger Included

Image Credit: Amazon.com

The final place on today’s list is occupied by no other than RAVPower, and they are a good second choice for those interested in rechargeable models. Let’s place them under the microscope!

Just like KinGuard, RAVPower’s batteries are more powerful than standard CR123A models, and they pack a total of 3.7Volts. Again, we’d like to remind you that this might be too much power for some devices, so use them only with compatible electronics.

According to the manufacturer, they work best with cameras and flashlights, just make sure to check which ones.

The charger is also included in the package, which is nice, and it takes approximately 2.5 hours to charge up the batteries. However, be careful when handling it, as it’s cord is a bit loose so a slight touch might disconnect it and stop the charging.

A positive thing about the charger is that it can be plugged into a wall, as well as a computer via USB, so you have more than one option.

RAVPower shares a common problem with other rechargeables, which is the ever-shortening lifespan. The more you recharge them, the less time they’ll be able to hold the charge, which is a bummer.

Pros

  • Charger included 
  • Short charging time (2.5 hours)
  • Great price

Cons

  • Life span shortens the more you recharge them
  • Charger’s cable connects loosely

What Is A CR123A Battery?

CR123A battery is a potent type of lithium-ion battery that lasts longer than many of its counterparts. Some big brands that make them include Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, and a few others. 

These batteries are famous for their high-voltage (3+V) and their dimensions (34.5 x 17mm), which give them a short and stubby look. CR123A models are widely used in photography equipment as well as flashlights, and sometimes, digital cameras.


What To Know Before Buying CR123A Batteries?

Despite the popular opinion that CR123A batteries are all uniform, there are some differences between brands, and they have a big impact on the batteries’ performance. It is, therefore, vital to know about these differences before giving your money to any retailer.

To educate you on this matter, and help you get the best bang for your buck, we’ve put together a list of factors that you should think about before making the purchase.

Take a look below.

1. Rechargeable Or No

The first thing that needs to be pointed out is that CR123A batteries can be rechargeable and non-rechargeable. Which type you’ll like more is simply a matter of preference, and if you’re not sure what’s your preference, then keep reading.

Non-rechargeable batteries are great because they have a long shelf life, so you can carry them around and rely on them as a trusty backup. They also have what’s called a low discharge rate, which makes them last so long inside the actual device.

The rechargeable type is the more economical alternative, and depending on the brand, it can be charged-up and reused up to 800 times. Yes, we’re talking about a single battery here. 

The trouble is that you have to maintain (recharge) them, which takes time, and they become less reliable as they get older (just like your grandpa).

2. Battery Life (Longevity)

There are a couple of things that we’d like to point out regarding longevity.

  1. First, there is the “best before” date imprinted on the packaging. Make sure to always pay attention to this, and never purchase a battery that has less than five years left in it. The longer a battery sits on the shelf, the less power it retains, so don’t waste money on old ones.
  2. Second, the milliamp rating tells you how much power a battery holds. The rule is very simple here: more power is better. To give you a reference point, high-power models have up to 3500mAh in them, so choose accordingly.

3. Eco-friendly

Buying green is of paramount importance these days, so you should aspire to purchase batteries that won’t harm the environment. 

Eco-friendliness is where rechargeable models hold the high ground because they last much longer than non-rechargeable ones.

In the case of non-rechargeable batteries, it’s vital only to buy recyclable models, because otherwise, they will end up in a landfill and release dangerous chemicals into the earth.

4. Cost

When it comes to CR123A batteries, the cost usually reflects the quality. In other words, if you want good batteries, you’ve got to pay. 

Your best bet is to go with reputable brands, as they maintain high production standards and create reliable batteries.

Like with any other type of product, all the top-quality CR123A battery brands will have a similar price. This means that, if you come across something significantly cheaper that claims to have the same capabilities as the best brands, be wary of it.

5. Availability

Even the most prepared people find themselves in emergencies where they don’t have batteries with them but need them badly. This is why we advise everyone to purchase high-quality models that are also easy to find and available for purchase anywhere. 

Again, availability is a factor over which big brands have a monopoly. Due to their seemingly infinite budgets, big companies make their batteries reach even the most distant corners of the globe. 

Because of this, we suggest you find a battery by a famous manufacturer that you like, and you’ll probably be able to buy it wherever you happen to be.

6. Factory-sealed Packaging

Something that most folks never think about is whether the batteries they buy are in a factory-sealed packaging or not. Purchasing the latter is not a good idea because nobody can guarantee you that the batteries weren’t already used, and then placed back in the package.

We urge everyone to check this, especially when buying in supermarkets, where all kinds of people work and shop, so you can expect incidents like this to happen. 


Conclusion

We’re afraid that we’re running out of power folks, so we have to wrap this article up. Now that you’ve gotten acquainted with the world of CR123A, it’s time we introduce you to our favorite brands.

The absolute winner in our eyes is the Surefire 12-pack, and we’ve got a long list of reasons for our decision. These batteries have a reputation and performance, unlike any others in the market, and their price isn’t bad either. 

Those who’re after rechargeable batteries should seriously consider KinGuard because they have a good track record of reliability and a decent lifespan.

Energizer 123 is a powerhouse that comes at a superb price and has properties that can easily compete with Surefire.

The best advice we can give you is to try out multiple brands and see which one works for you. One thing is for sure – it’s hard to go wrong with any of the models on our list!

About Erin Carpenter

Erin Carpenter has over 15 years experience in the diamond industry working with Artic Canadian Diamonds, Anglo-American Diamonds. She is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as USA Today, Forbes, The New York Times and more.