AG3, LR41 and SR41 Battery Equivalent and Replacements

LR41 and AG3 are and alkaline battery whereas SR41 (known as 192, 384 and 392 watch batteries) are the silver oxide version. It is important to buy the correct type of battery when choosing a replacement. The alkaline AG3 and LR41 is mostly used in small electronics where a constant voltage is not important. The silver oxide SR41 and its equivalents maintain a constant voltage of 1.55V. This is important for devices like wristwatches where keeping time is a necessity. Finally there is a zinc air variant which is predominantly used in hearing aids. Zinc air batteries offer a much larger capacity of around 180mAh. The downside to zinc air batteries are the price and the shelf life. After activating (removing the protective tab) of a zinc air battery they typically have a shelf life of less than one month. An LR41 battery is the best choice for general electronics without specific voltage requirements.

AG3 and LR41 Alkaline Batteries

The dimensions for LR41 and AG3 batteries are diameter of 7.9mm (0.311 inches) and a height of 3.6mm (0.142 inches). With a nominal voltage of 1.5v with new batteries being as high as 1.55V. Cut off voltage is usually 1.2 V or 0.9 V.

The capacity of a LR41 battery is 25mAh to 42mAh depending on the brand. Brands like Energizer, Maxell and Sony usually have a slightly higher capacity than mass produced Chinese brands. The alkaline LR41 and AG3 battery is more suitable for small electronics that do not need a constant voltage. Examples would be small LED flashlights, thermometers, toys, remote controls and other non medically sensitive equipment.

In short, alkaline button batteries of this type are the cheapest and most economical. They are mass produced in china and sold under hundreds of different brand names. A great choice for disposable electronics and electronics that are not sensitive to voltage fluctuations.

Alkaline LR41 Battery Specifications

Chemical Composition: Alkaline Manganese Batteries
Name Designation: ANSI-1135SO/1134SO
Nominal Voltage 1.5V
Nominal Capacity 32mAh
Operating Temperature Range -10℃ to 60℃
Diameter (inch) 0.311inch
Diameter (mm) 7.9mm
Height (inch) 0.142inch
Height (mm) 3.6mm
IEC (JIS) LR41
Mass (oz) 0.0201oz
Mass (g) 0.57g

SR41 Silver Oxide Batteries

SR41, SR736, SR736SW, SG3 are the silver oxide equivalent of AG3 and LR41 batteries. The name designated for watch batteries of this type are 192, 384 and 392 batteries. Silver oxide batteries have up to 100% more capacity than their alkaline counterparts. Silver oxide batteries maintain 1.5 V output until there is less than 10% capacity left. Silver oxide SR41 batteries do have a downside. That is the cost to manufacture and hence the end retail price. They are more than double the cost of their alkaline counterparts. So choose carefully when purchasing. If using sensitive electronics and medical devices or watches then silver oxide is definitely the choice. However if using lots of them within a small time period for instance in LED flashlights then the cheaper alkaline is a more suitable choice.

SR41 Battery Specifications

Chemical System: Silver Oxide (Zn/Ag2O)
Designation: ANSI-1135SO/1134SO, IEC-SR41
Nominal Voltage: 1.55 Volts
Typical Capacity: 44 mAh* (to 1.2 volts)
Capacity Test: 22K ohm continuous drain at 21°C
Weight: 0.57 grams (0.023 oz.)
Volume: 0.18 cubic centimeters (0.011 cubic inch)
Impedance (40 Hz): 15 to 40 ohms

Zinc Air 312 Hearing Aid Batteries

Zinc Air equivalent 312 batteries are interchangeable with SR41 and AG3 batteries. But usually the more stable zinc air is required for hearing aid devices. Firstly, zinc air batteries have a much higher capacity. Typical capacity for a zinc air 312 battery is 180mAh. Nominal voltage of a zinc air 312 battery is 1.45 volts with a cutoff voltage of 1.1 volts. Zinc air batteries work after the protective brown tab is removes and oxygen reacts with the battery. Due to the nature of zinc air batteries they are meant to be used immediately after removing the protective tab. The shelf life after the protective tab is removed is usually less than a few weeks. Common names for the zinc air 312 hearing aid battery are 312A, 312AE, A312, AC312, AC312E, DA312N, PR312, PR312H, PR41, V312 and ZA312.

There are rechargeable hearing aid 312 batteries available. These typically have a much smaller capacity and might need to be replaced on a daily basis. But due to the ability to recharge they are a much more economical solution in the long run. Rechargeable zinc air 312 batteries typically have a capacity of less than 50mAh. Something to keep in mind is the voltage variation on Silver zinc rechargeable batteries. Nominal voltage is 1.85V so check your device for compatibility before purchasing. Most devices will explicitly state that it can use both zinc air and rechargeable batteries.

It is recommended to just use zinc air type batteries in hearing aid devices. The alkaline and silver oxide variants can be used but are not preferable and may even damage your device.

As one can see, actual performances vary depending on the discharge current, discharge test, discharge temperature, etc. but also it depends on the battery age.

SR41, LR41, 312 and AG3 Batteries – Which to choose?

Well this is actually an easy answer. If using a device that is not medically sensitive. For instance, LED lights, remote controls and doorbells. Then alkaline AG3 or LR41 batteries are a fine choice. They are cheap, disposable and cheap!

For watches and sensitive medical devices like thermometers then the choice is silver oxide. Silver oxide provides a much more stable voltage right until the end of the battery life (usually 10% or less). This is perfect for watches when keeping the time is important. This is also important for medical devices where getting an accurate reading is very important.

For hearing aids the choice is clear. Zinc air batteries offer a high capacity but come at the cost of a very short shelf life. Hearing aids require a stable voltage and are power hungry so the extra capacity for the short shelf life is a good trade off.

AG3, LR41, SR41, SR736SW and 312, 384, 392 Battery Cross Reference Chart

Sony LR41 Battery Datasheet

Supply and Demand

Alkaline and silver oxide battery prices have fluctuated greatly over the past year due to covid and other manufacturing hiccups. Digital thermometers are the culprit with most requiring a AG3 or LR41 battery equivalent. This is a critical device in helping with the covid-19 pandemic and as such demand for these batteries has skyrocketed. Up until recently there was such a shortage that retailers on amazon and ebay and other marketplaces where jacking the prices up 300 and 400%. Global supply is slowly catching up and the AG3 and LR41 battery is back in stock in most retailers. Production has ramped up with suppliers and demand is decreasing. As such there is no reason to overpay on price for these batteries. We have linked reputable sellers in our menu or do a price comparison on amazon to be sure you are not overpaying.

LR41 and AG3 Battery Prices

The average cost of a single AG3 battery is around $0.45c retail. They are usually sold in packs of 10 and pricing can vary greatly by brand. For instance a maxell LR41 battery pack of 10 will cost $7.90 whereas a china produced brand would be somewhere around the $5 price range. The difference in quality is negligible so choose at your discretion.

392, 384, SR41 and SR736SW Battery Prices

Silver oxide batteries cost more to manufacturer and this is definitely reflected in the retail price. A single SR41 battery costs around $0.90 retail. This will vary greatly by brand for instance a energizer pack of 5 SR736SW silver oxide batteries will cost around $6-7 whereas a generic pack would cost around 4-5 dollars.