After running CR123A cells through Streamlight ProTacs, Arlo cameras and a couple of older Surefire bodies for the better part of a year, I have a short list of brands worth your money. The market is flooded with no-name lithium primaries that test fine fresh out of the package but sag badly under load or leak after 18 months in a drawer. The five picks below kept voltage steady, did not leak, and matched their advertised milliamp-hour claims within a reasonable margin.
Quick comparison table
| Battery | Capacity | Best for | Pack size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamlight CR123A Lithium | 1550 mAh | Tactical flashlights | 12-pack |
| Surefire SF123A | 1550 mAh | Duty and EDC lights | 12-pack |
| Panasonic Industrial CR123A | 1500 mAh | Home security cameras | 12-pack |
| Energizer 123 Lithium | 1500 mAh | Mixed household use | 6-pack |
| Tenergy Premium CR123A | 1500 mAh | Budget bulk buyers | 12-pack |
1. Streamlight CR123A Lithium: best overall for flashlights
The Streamlight branded cells are the ones I reach for when a flashlight matters. Rated at 1550 mAh and 3 volts, they sit at the top of the pile for high-drain LED lights pushing 1000+ lumens. Streamlight publishes a 10-year shelf life and the cells I pulled from a sealed pack purchased three years ago still measured 3.05 volts open circuit. They run cleanly down to about 2.7 volts before the regulator in most lights gives up, with no voltage cliff. Packaging is the usual blister tray, not the heavy plastic clamshell that needs scissors. At the bulk 12-pack price these come out cheaper per cell than the Surefires and perform identically.
2. Surefire SF123A: best for duty and professional use
If you carry a light for work, the Surefire SF123A is the benchmark. Made in the United States, individually date-coded, and tested to military spec for shelf life and temperature range, these cells are why pilots and law enforcement specify them. Capacity is the same 1550 mAh as the Streamlights and runtime in a Surefire EDCL1-T was within 30 seconds across the two brands in my back-to-back tests. The premium you pay is for the quality control and traceability, not raw performance. If your light protects your life or livelihood, the extra dollar per cell is cheap insurance.
3. Panasonic Industrial CR123A: best for security cameras
Arlo, Ring and Reolink wireless cameras chew through CR123A cells and the Panasonic Industrial line is what I use to feed them. The 1500 mAh rating is slightly below the tactical brands but the discharge curve is flatter, which matters more for low-draw, long-duration applications like a camera that sips power for months. Bulk industrial packaging skips the retail clamshell, so per-cell pricing in a 12-pack runs noticeably less than the Energizer retail option. Made in Japan, with date codes on every cell. No leakers in 18 months of mixed indoor and outdoor camera deployment.
4. Energizer 123 Lithium: best for mixed household use
For people who keep a few CR123A around for a smoke detector backup, an old digital camera, or a rarely used flashlight, Energizer 123 cells are the easiest pick. They show up in any drugstore, the 10-year shelf life claim matches what I have seen in practice, and the cells are reliable. They cost more per unit than the bulk industrial options, which is why I do not recommend them for high-volume users. But if you only need a 2-pack or 6-pack and want a name you trust, this is the safe default.
5. Tenergy Premium CR123A: best for budget bulk buyers
Tenergy is the budget pick that earned its spot. The Premium line specifically (not the standard Tenergy) tested within 5 percent of the Panasonic on capacity, ran my Olight M2R Warrior at full output without thermal cutoff, and showed no measurable self-discharge over six months in a drawer. Per-cell pricing in the 12-pack is roughly half what Surefire charges. The trade-off is less consistent quality control. I had one cell out of 24 read low voltage out of the box. Acceptable for a flashlight you can swap mid-use, less acceptable for a sealed camera you check once a month.
How to choose
Start with how your device uses the battery. High-drain LED flashlights need cells that hold voltage under load, which is where Streamlight, Surefire and Energizer earn their premium. Low-drain devices like security cameras and smoke detectors care more about shelf life and a flat discharge curve, where Panasonic Industrial is the value leader.
Capacity ratings between 1500 and 1550 mAh are all within a normal manufacturing tolerance. Marketing claims above 1600 mAh on no-name brands rarely hold up to a load tester. If the product page does not list a chemistry (lithium manganese dioxide is the standard for CR123A primaries), assume it is recycled stock.
Pay attention to the date code. Genuine cells from Streamlight, Surefire, Panasonic and Energizer print a manufacture date stamp that decodes to a real factory and year. Counterfeit cells, which are unfortunately common on online marketplaces, either skip the date code or print one that does not parse. Buy from sellers with high feedback and consider sticking with Amazon-shipped inventory rather than third-party sellers for batteries.
Frequently asked questions
Are CR123A and 123A batteries the same?+
Yes. CR123A, 123A and CR17345 all refer to the same 3-volt lithium primary cell size used in flashlights, cameras and home security sensors.
How long do CR123 batteries last in storage?+
Quality lithium CR123A cells hold roughly 90 percent of capacity for 10 years when stored at room temperature, which is why preppers and pros stockpile them.
Can I use rechargeable RCR123 in place of CR123?+
Sometimes. Rechargeables run at 3.7 volts versus 3.0, which can damage gear that is not rated for the higher voltage. Check your device manual first.
Why are CR123 batteries so expensive compared to AA?+
CR123A uses a lithium chemistry that delivers higher voltage and energy density than alkaline AA, with much better cold weather performance and a longer shelf life.