Match My Battery

Silver oxide vs alkaline button cells

Two button cells can occupy the same case while delivering different voltage behavior and useful life.

Reviewed
2026-08-25
Sources
2
Reading time
4 minutes

Start with chemistry, not the case

The normalized catalog keeps SR silver-oxide profiles separate from LR alkaline profiles even when their diameter and height match. That distinction is the first answer to a search for “silver oxide vs alkaline.”

Read W and SW as part of the decision

Within the silver-oxide rows, W and SW identify different drain markings. A same-size pair can therefore be conditional even before an alkaline alternative is considered.

Use the device requirement as the tie-breaker

If the manual specifies silver oxide, stay with that chemistry unless it explicitly permits another system. Matching the case is useful for screening candidates; it is not evidence of electrical or application compatibility.

Decision guide

ProfilesFirst normalized profileSecond normalized profilecompareBatteries decision
395 vs 399395
1.55 V · Silver oxide · 9.5 × 2.7 mm		399
1.55 V · Silver oxide · 9.5 × 2.7 mm		Same size · different drain

Use the suffix requested by the device or an explicit multi-drain cross-reference.

  • Physical size, chemistry and nominal voltage match.
  • Drain marking differs: low versus high.
395 vs LR927395
1.55 V · Silver oxide · 9.5 × 2.7 mm		LR927
1.5 V · Alkaline manganese dioxide · 9.5 × 2.7 mm		Same fit · different chemistry

Use only when the device maker explicitly approves both chemistry systems.

  • The physical envelope matches.
  • Nominal voltage is close.
  • Chemistry and discharge behavior differ.
LR754 vs 393LR754
1.5 V · Alkaline manganese dioxide · 7.9 × 5.4 mm		393
1.55 V · Silver oxide · 7.9 × 5.4 mm		Same fit · different chemistry

Use only when the device maker explicitly approves both chemistry systems.

  • The physical envelope matches.
  • Nominal voltage is close.
  • Chemistry and discharge behavior differ.

Limits and safety checks

This guide narrows a battery decision but does not override the device manufacturer’s current manual, charging instructions or safety guidance.

Continue with: See a 395 profile decision See a 390 profile decision Review W and SW suffixes

Sources

  1. Duracell — Battery chemistry technical bulletins

    Alkaline, lithium-manganese-dioxide, zinc-air and silver-oxide chemistry behavior.

  2. Energizer — Battery Replacement Guide

    Cross-reference codes and manufacturer guidance to replace the same size and type together.