16340 & RCR123A Batteries

The 16340 battery (or RCR123A) is a cylindrical li-ion cell classified by its 34mm x 16mm dimensions, and is the rechargeable version of a CR123A battery. They usually have a 3.6V or 3.7V voltage, button-top terminal, and most use a LiCoO2 (lithium carbon-oxide) chemistry. While some come with built-in USB charging ports, all 16340 batteries are rechargeable in li-ion smart chargers. 16340 cells are often used in flashlights or other small compact electronics. Learn more about 16340 batteries here.

Are 16340, CR123A, and RCR123A batteries the same?

No. While all three of these batteries share the same dimensions, they have distinctly different voltages due to their chemistries.

CR123A batteries use lithium chemistry (often LiMNO2), have a 3V nominal voltage, and are not rechargeable.

RCR123A batteries use lithium-ion chemistry but have a 3.0/3.2V nominal voltage, and are rechargeable. However, there are not many 'true' RCR123As, and the name is often just used to reference 16340s.

16340 batteries use lithium-ion chemistry (often LiCoO2), have a 3.6/3.7V nominal voltage, and are rechargeable. Due to their higher voltage, they are not always a suitable replacement for CR123As. Check your device's user manual for battery compatibility.

Do 16340 batteries expire?

Yes, all batteries eventually expire. 16340 batteries have a range of shelf lives between 3 and 10 years, and offer between 300 and 500 charge cycles. Your charging habits, device operating temperature, and storage conditions can prolong or shorten a battery's lifespan. We list the rated shelf life on all our product listings when available so you can make an informed choice when buying spares or bulk cells. For more information, check out our battery expiration guide!

Do you offer bulk-pricing on 16340 batteries?

Yes! A large selection of our batteries can be bought in bulk, letting you take advantage of huge discounts! You can filter our selection of batteries by bulk-eligibility, fill out a wholesale request form, or directly contact a member of our sales team now via phone or email!