You finally pinpointed that weekend that works for everyone. That one weekend for you and your buddies to live it up like wild men in the wilderness. But, without the best camping lantern, you’re not only putting yourself at risk – you’re making the trip that much more difficult.
After years of experience and plenty of research, we’ve compiled this camping lantern review.
Check out the best camping lantern reviews and comparisons. That way, you can move on to more important things like packing for the trip.
The Quick Answer
The best camping lantern for you will depend on your needs. Will you need it to be lightweight for backpacking? Is it for your emergency kit? There are many considerations to consider.
There is one camping lantern that stands out on multiple fronts. The Etekcity 4 Pack Portable Outdoor LED Camping Lantern is a versatile choice for different situations.
Coming Up
Camping Lantern Reviews
Now that you have a general overview of the camp lanterns, it’s time to take a closer look. These are the ones that stand out in each category.
1. Best Camping Lantern Overall – Etekcity 4 Pack Portable Outdoor LED Camping Lantern
Pros
- Adjustable brightness
- 360-degree illumination
- Compact and lightweight
- Long run-time
- Handle for hands-free positioning
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Power for lighting is inconsistent with some units
As mentioned before, the Etekcity 4 Pack Portable Outdoor LED Camping Lantern is the best choice for general use. It has the adjustable brightness power of 30 individual LED bulbs behind it. The bulbs are lower-powered so they last longer.
The lanterns are also collapsible and lightweight so, you can fold them up when you don’t need them or need to pack them. And, you adjust the light brightness by adjusting the height of the lantern.
It does take 3 AA batteries for each lantern, but you get the first set free; it’s included in the box. These 3 batteries will buy you a whopping 12 hours of continuous light. The lantern emits light at 360 degrees so, there is no need to keep pointing and repositioning the light. It illuminates where you need it.
It’s also made from military-grade plastic. If you are rough with your camping toys, this is good news for you. This lantern is built to last. Additionally, it has a foldaway handle for hands-free operation. You can set it on a flat surface, carry it in your hands, or hang it over your campsite.
Unfortunately, these great little lanterns are not water resistant. Not even a little bit. So, you can’t use them if you are going to be out in rainy weather. In addition, some units have inconsistent power for their lights. Sometimes, the light brightness will dim after an hour of use, even if the batteries are brand new. It doesn’t happen with every unit, but you should be aware it may happen.
Who It’s Best For
The Etekcity 4 Pack Portable Outdoor LED Camping Lantern is great for general use. It’s even better for occasional household use. Since it is not water resistant, it may not be the best choice for during rainy seasons. However, lazy summer camping days should be fine.
Final Thought
This 4 pack comes ready to use with batteries included. And, if you are worried about receiving a defective unit, don’t. Etekcity offers a 90-day money back guarantee and a 2-year warranty on their lanterns.
2. Best Rechargeable Camping Lantern – Goal Zero Lighthouse
Pros
- Rechargeable camp lantern
- Bright warm light
- Legs to keep it off the ground
Cons
- Short run-time
This is the best rechargeable camping lantern for a few reasons. First, it’s incredibly bright at 600 lumens but we like the brightness because it’s different than some other camping lanterns. It’s a warm glow rather than a bright static light that blinds you.
A lot of other lanterns are mass produced overseas, this one is made right here in the USA. It’s made in Utah by a smaller company and they offer a one year manufacturer warranty on it as well.
It offers a dual-sided beam of light which means you’ll get equal amount of illumination on both sides but you can also choose to use one side of the lantern and not the other to preserve run time.
Speaking of runtime, that’s the major downside here. It’ll run for about 48 hours total but that’s only if you are running half of the camping light at the lowest setting. If you’re trying to get enough light to work outside at night, it’ll run out after just 1.5 hours.
Who It’s Best For
This light is best for people who may not need as much run-time and might have a smaller more portable light to go along with it. You can pull this guy out when you’re trying to do something nearby but you need a lot of bright light. Activities like outdoor cooking or chopping wood are good examples.
Final Thought
Rechargeable camping lanterns offer you the versatility to use different methods to charge them and many have battery power as well. If the power grid ever goes down or you’re facing a situation where you can’t find batteries, this one will run for a decent amount of time if you manage your power wisely.
3. Best Battery Powered Lanterns- LE LED Camping Lantern
Pros
- Very bright
- Water-resistant
- Can recharge via USB or car charger or use batteries
- Contains 2 detachable flashlights
- Up to 600 lumens when flashlights attached
- Has hooks to suspend lantern
- 360-degree light source with flashlights attached
Cons
- USB-A charger cable not commonly used
- Flashlight attachments flimsy, can detach easily
- Only 180-degree light source on lantern without flashlights
- Compass does not work sometimes
If you like the idea of 2-in-1 products, this rechargeable camping lantern is sure to pique your interest. Ever forget to pack your flashlights when you grabbed your lantern? Now, you’re covered should that ever happen.
The LE camping lantern has 2 detachable flashlights. You can either keep the flashlights in for extra light or take them off for other lighting options. It also has a 360° beam angle, so you can have light where you need it.
There are two charging methods to choose from for this lantern. You can use 3 D batteries to power up your lantern. Or, you can charge up the built-in 1800mAh rechargeable battery via USB cable or car charger. If you are recharging, however, it takes approximately 5 hours to do it fully.
The lantern can illuminate up to 600 lumens of overall brightness. It depends on whether you detached the flashlights or not. It is also water resistant with a IPX4 rating to protect from accidental splashes.
This lantern also has a compass for those times when you need to find your way. And, it also has anti-skid covered rubber hooks to suspend the lanterns when needed. But, this lantern is not perfect. The USB charging cable is a USB-A male to USB-A. It would be more convenient if it was a mini USB charging cable.
The mini is more common and would eliminate the need to carry another cable around. Also, the flashlights attached to the lantern in a non-locking method. So, if you are not careful they can be knocked out of their nest. And, if you take the flashlights out you don’t have the full 360° range of light for the lantern.
Finally, the compass is a nice add-on, but it doesn’t work half the time. It’s not a deal breaker, though, as you probably have your own compass if you really need one.
Who It’s Best For
This is the best camping lantern for anyone looking for a versatile, light use lantern. The charging options make it appealing for use in different scenarios. Detachable flashlights come in handy, too.
The lantern may be best for home/backyard use and emergency situations. The rechargeable option makes it more optimal to have a car or outlet handy. But, you can still use the battery option if you do want to take it camping.
Final Thought
Even though this lantern is rechargeable, remember to stock up batteries. The flashlights take AAA batteries. And, the lantern base takes D batteries. For a more environmentally-friendly option, the batteries should also be rechargeable.
4. Brightest Camping Lantern – AYL Starlight 330 1000 Lumens
Pros
- Very bright
- Water-resistant
- Can recharge via USB or car charger or use batteries
- Contains 2 detachable flashlights
- Up to 600 lumens when flashlights attached
- Has hooks to suspend lantern
- 360-degree light source with flashlights attached
Cons
- USB-A charger cable not commonly used
- Flashlight attachments flimsy, can detach easily
- Only 180-degree light source on lantern without flashlights
- Compass does not work sometimes
If you want the best brightest camping lantern on the market, AYL’s Starlight 330 is the way to go. It boasts a bright 300 lumens of illumination, and, nothing to detract from it like detachable flashlights.
The lantern can provide 360° of lighting, or you can remove the convex reflector cap if you want focused light. It also has 3 lighting modes. Cycling through a switch on the lantern can make the light low, high, or flashing strobe.
The hook on the bottom of the lantern allows you to suspend the lantern upside down. The lantern also has a handle on the top, which makes setting up easy if you want to hang it up somewhere or carry it in your hand.
In addition, the Starlight 330 is water resistant. It has a triple seal protection against moisture. While you shouldn’t go swimming with the lantern, the rubber and plastic molding will keep out most water. It’s powered by D batteries. Three to be exact. So, while this isn’t a rechargeable model that is popular nowadays, it is reliable, and the batteries last up to 6 days of continuous use.
The lantern is also very compact and lightweight. But, some find the green flashing light on the lantern annoying. The light flashes so you can find the lantern in the dark but, there is no way to shut it off.
Additionally, the battery compartment can be difficult to get off. If you like to take the batteries out when not using the lantern, this may be annoying for you too.
Who It’s Best For
This is the best camping lantern is best for anyone who experiences regular power outages. The blinking light makes it easy to find in the dark. And, hanging it in a dedicated spot won’t have you stumbling in the dark anymore.
The lantern can also be for camping, but its small size won’t light up a larger tent by itself. For that reason, you would need a couple or limit the use for smaller tents.
Final Thought
One of the biggest annoyances about this lamp is the blinking light. But, if you put it somewhere you won’t see it all the time like the garage it alleviates that problem. The lanterns also come with a money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty, so you can buy it risk-free.
5. Best Solar Camping Lights – XTorch LED Portable Solar Flashlight
Pros
- Tiny, portable, compact
- Two lighting modes
- Solar powered
Cons
- May be too small for some
Sometimes the best camping lantern isn’t a lantern at all. The XTorch solar powered camping light is the only rechargeable USB and solar light of its kind. The flashlight will run for up to 48 hours on a full charge. If you’re charging it via solar power it’ll take 22 hours in full sun. The good news is it only takes 1.5 hours to charge with a USB.
Portability is another big factor to consider. A lot of these top camping lanterns are pretty bulky and even though you can hang them from tree branches and such, they’re not always the easiest to travel with. This is much more portable and can hook onto a backpack or belt loop.
Another great thing is that you’re doing business with a company that really cares because they donate as much as 25% of their profits to help fund donations with international partners. They’re committed to providing necessary supplies and essentials to people all over the world.
Who’s It Best For
This is the best solar powered camping lantern for those who are looking for something portable and compact. While it might not provide enough light for many of you, we think it works well in conjunction with some of the larger more bulky lanterns available in this review.
Final Thought
When it comes to solar camping lights, one thing they lack is reliability and performance. That’s not the case with this one. This is the best lantern choice for everyone seeking something lightweight and easy to transport. When you’re forced to walk away from your camp into the dark, you’ll be happy you made this purchase.
Buying Guide: What to Look for In Your Camping Lantern
Didn’t see what you were looking for? That means you are still on the hunt to find the best camping lantern. But, do you know what points are important. Here is a quick overview of important features.
Lumens
You’ve seen lumens mentioned throughout this article. Lumens is the measurement of light the device outputs. As you may have guessed, the higher the number the brighter the light. It would be great if looking at the lumen number were that simple.
Unfortunately, not all companies measure the lantern lumens the same. Some companies measure the light from the bulb on the inside. But, sometimes they measure the lantern light from the outside.
The brighter the light, the more energy it uses. Many companies offered lanterns with multiple light settings. At the lowest range, lanterns will be around 40 lumens. But, they can go as high as 700 lumens.
Lantern Types and Power Source
If you are reading this, you’re looking for a camp lantern. But, there are different types of lanterns. The two main types are: gas and electric.
Gas lanterns consume liquid fuel or propane. The fuel is like the ones used in cooking camp stoves. Though not as popular, it is still popular with backpackers because of the shared fuel source.
The electric lantern, on the other hand, is most popular because of its LED bulb. Typically, they use alkaline batteries. But, some models have rechargeable battery packs, solar panels, and even hand cranks.
Run Time
Run time is important because you don’t want to run out of light when you need it the most. So, you need to know how long your charge is going to last, or you will be sitting in the dark until the sun comes up.
Just remember that run times, or burn times, are only estimations. Plan on the lower side of the run times, and make sure to have extra batteries on hand.
Other Considerations: Lightweight or Water-Resistant
Many lanterns are “lightweight,” but that term is subjective so remember to check the weight yourself. What the manufacturer considers “lightweight” may be a heavy boulder in your backpack.
Another consideration is water resistance. It will be hard to find a lantern that is fully submersible. But, many models are water and splash resistant. It’s measured by the International Protection Marking. Generally, the lower the rating the lower the resistance.
Camping Lanterns FAQ
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about finding the best camping lantern. They were probably lurking in the back of your head, too. Let’s clear up the mystery.
How Many Lumens Do I Need?
Lumens are the measurement of light from a lantern. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light. If you want to light up your tent, under 100 lumens will be enough. It will provide light without blinding you.
If you need to light up your entire tent area, on the other hand, you will need around double that amount. And, if you need to cover the entire area of your campsite you will need over 300 lumens.
How Much Run Time Do I Need?
This strongly depends on what you intend to use the camping lantern for and how much access you have to extra batteries or power outlets.
If, for example, you intend to take your camping lantern out for a 5-day hiking trip you want as much run time as you can find. You also want a lantern that has the most efficient use of batteries. Rechargeable lanterns are not a good idea in the wilderness.
Gas Versus Electric Lanterns: Which One Is Best?
The most popular, and lightest, lanterns nowadays are Coleman lantern LEDs and ones from other brands. Are these the best camping lanterns for you? Unless you plan on being out in wide, open areas or your camping stove will use the same propane source, you may want to investigate electric lanterns.
LED lanterns are relatively inexpensive and portable. They are also usable inside enclosed spaces like tents or indoors. Gas lanterns are a fire hazard in those conditions.
The Final Word
As you can see, finding the best camping lantern really depends on what you plan on using the lantern for. The specifics change from person to person but, hopefully this article helps you narrow down your possibilities.
Finally, the best value you can get from a lantern is keeping you out of the dark. The lantern specs strongly depend on you and your preferences. Size, weight, brightness, and other special features are all great perks, but you really need something that’s run time is dependable.
And, just remember if you are opting for a rechargeable lantern, you could be “up a creek without a paddle” in the middle of the woods.
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