Overnight camping trips demand a high-quality camping lantern to brighten the area you’ll be staying in. You want a lantern that provides enough illumination that you won’t be tripping over things when moving around. You want a lantern that’s powerful enough so you can cook and read in the dark and can also withstand possible damage from drops or accidental hits.
With so many lantern manufacturers to choose from, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what lantern is best. How can you know what lantern you need?
14 Factors to Consider in a Camping Lantern
- Alkaline or Rechargeable Batteries? Do you want batteries you need to change out continually, or do you want rechargeable batteries instead?
- Camping Trip – Will you be backpacking, car camping or family camping?
- Casing – How strong of a case are you looking for?
- Dimmer or Set Lighting – Do you need a light that provides ambient lighting? Do you want a lantern that can be used for many reasons?
- Insect Repellant – Will the lantern attract bugs or repel them?
- Lighting Area – Do you need a small amount of space to be lightened up, or do you want a 360-degree light area?
- Manual Crank – Do you want a lantern you have to crank to generate the power?
- Lumens – How much brightness do you need?
- MAH Battery Capacity – How long do you want the battery to last you?
- Portable or Static – Do you desire a lantern that can be ported from one place to another or remain in place?
- Power Bank – Will your power bank be sufficient enough to handle charging other electronics such as mobile phones, tablets, etc.?
- Purpose – What purpose will the lantern be used for – inside or outside the tent, or both?
- Solar-Powered – Will you be able to charge the internal batteries?
- Weight Size – Will you be doing a lot of walking or will you arrive at a campsite and stay there mainly?
Best Choice for Different Types of Camping Lanterns
What Types of Lanterns can be Used for Camping?
- Battery Operated Camping Lanterns
- Candle Camping Lanterns
- Fuel-burning Camping Lanterns
- Rechargeable Camping Lanterns
- Solar-powered Camping Lanterns
What are the most common kinds of lanterns that you can choose from? They are battery-powered, rechargeable, manual crank, solar-powered, and fuel-dependent lanterns. Some of the more popular models currently on the market include:
Battery-Powered Lanterns (Lepro)
Lepro offers a battery-operated lantern that is lightweight and portable, whether you’re just camping or going hiking. It comes with a metal handle on top and a hook for the bottom so that it can be hung however you need it. With an IPX4 water-resistance rating, it can be used any time it rains or snow. It uses 3 D alkaline batteries and can last up to 12 hours with 1,000-lumen settings.
This Lepro product gives users four lighting modes – flashing, full brightness, warm white and white – to meet any lighting requirement you could have. It can be used in emergencies or when you’re just camping or hiking.
Candle Lanterns (GSI)
Candle lanterns are known to produce a plethora of heat since they use candles, which is why you must be particularly careful when using them. They are also known to produce a soft, romantic, relaxing light. However, they are considered an outdated source of light power.
GSI Outdoors Blue Candle stands at 8 inches tall and uses a candle that you light to give you illumination. GSI has a two-inch hanging loop so that you can place it up on a pole or branch. GSI designed its candle lantern with enamelware to combine practicality and aesthetics into one product. Due to its robust design, it can easily withstand drops and falls.
Gas Camping Lanterns (Balight)
The Balight Mini Gas Lantern is comprised of corrosion-resistant stainless steel material with an aluminum alloy and heat-resistant glass that ensures its durability and won’t shatter. Balight designed it with a unique high-energy piezoelectric ignition system, ensuring it will light every time you need it to. There is also a hanging chain on the lamp so that you can make it as long or short as you need.
The lantern can reach a 60lux brightness, which is plenty of light when needed.
LE came up with another LED camping lantern, but this time it’s a rechargeable lantern that can also be used as a detachable flashlight. It’s ideal for any situation, such as hiking, fishing, emergencies, hurricanes, etc. It also comes with a car charger and USB cable.
The LED Rechargeable Camping Lantern is built with a 1,800mAh lithium battery that is chargeable through a USB port. However, if you have no access to charging abilities, it needs 3 D batteries to work.
Most people want a lantern that works and has several functions. LE answered the call. This rechargeable lantern includes a built-in compass, detachable flashlights, metal handles, etc. Each flashlight has 200 lumens of light, with a lumen output of 20. The only difference between this product and others is that too much water can keep the product from working correctly or have it quit working altogether.
Solar-Powered Lantern (Tansoren)
Tansoren designed a versatile rechargeable camping lantern that offers three kinds of power supply methods:
- Solar power
- USB cable
- Batteries (2 AA)
Thanks to the several ways you can charge the device, it’s often regarded as one of the best camping lanterns on the market. If you’re in a remote location where sunlight is an issue, you can use the small built-in power bank to help charge the lantern, phone or other devices. This is certainly ideal for when you don’t have any electrical outlets nearby.
Tansoren designed the solar lantern to be collapsible, ensuring it can fit easily into backpacks. Pull the handle up, and the light comes on. Adjust the level of brightness with a simple push. It really is that simple to use. If used on low power, the lantern can last eight hours.
Another significant aspect of this lantern? It’s made of military-grade material and is water-resistant.
