The 10 Best Camping Lanterns of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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The 10 Best Camping Lanterns of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

It takes just one night of camping experience to know that a reliable light source is an essential piece of equipment — and we’re not talking about the one on your phone. Camping lanterns cast an even 360-degree glow for optimum hands-free visibility so that you can see to set up your tent, prepare that gourmet campfire meal, or simply take advantage of the peace and quiet with a good book.

The best ones offer multiple brightness settings for different scenarios; enough battery life to last a night or two out in the wilderness; and an outdoor-ready, weatherproof build. Other, more specialized features to consider range from solar panels to colored mood lighting.

To help you find the camping lantern that best suits your needs, Travel + Leisure experts tested 18 popular models both at home and out in the field. Each one was rated for ease of setup, portability, design, brightness, durability, and value with average scores used to determine our favorites. The T+L team will continue to test the lanterns on camping trips over the next six months to determine long-term durability and performance, and we will update this article with our findings.

We were impressed with this lantern’s compact size, durability, and versatile light settings.

We wish it was rechargeable.

Scoring top marks across the board, the UST 30-Day Duro Lantern impressed us from the get go. Setup was as easy as adding four DD batteries, which provide up to 30 days of use on the lantern’s lowest setting and up to 12 hours on the brightest setting. The latter (natural light, 1,000 lumens) is so bright that we were unable to use it indoors. Instead, it’s ideal for illuminating campground pathways or hiking trails with a wide pool of light. Other settings include cool white (400 lumens), warm white (30 lumens), and an amber candle flicker.

We found the warm white setting perfect inside the tent, creating a peaceful ambiance with enough light to read by. We didn’t notice any change to the lantern’s light output after a full night’s use and liked that the hardy, rubberized plastic housing did not become warm to the touch. In fact, it’s impact- and water-resistant: claims that held true when we dumped the lantern into a snowbank and dropped it from a tree. An integrated handle makes it easy to carry around, although it’s too heavy to hang from a tent roof.

Ingeniously, you can get around this by unscrewing the globe and using a built-in, recessed hook to hang the lantern base and LED bulb upside down. Our one slight niggle other than the fact that it’s not rechargeable? You have to toggle through the settings using the same button, which invariably means being briefly blinded by the brightest one. We did like that the button glows in the dark and that you can hold it to initiate SOS mode.

The lantern is super simple to set up, with no need to buy fuel or batteries since it uses solar power.

It’s not suitable for extreme cold, with a minimum operating temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Mpowerd Luci Pro Series Lantern comes in two styles: clear (cool white light with an output of up to 150 lumens) or a moonstone matte finish (warm white light, up to 135 lumens). We tested the first and found it the most portable lantern we’ve ever used. Weighing in at just 6.1 ounces and collapsing to five by 1.5 inches, it’s ideal for backpackers or anyone else who wants to keep weight to a minimum. Despite its lightness, it withstood strong winds and felt sturdy when placed on the ground. Set up is as easy as pulling the two pieces apart and filling it orally with air.

The lantern offers low, medium, high, and flashing modes. We found that the brightest setting provided full illumination in total darkness. On the lowest setting, the lantern lasts up to 50 hours. There’s a battery level indicator and when recharging is required, you can use solar power or plug it into the mains using the provided USB cable. It also doubles as a power source for charging devices on the trail. We found it deceptively durable, with no signs of wear and tear after testing. It can withstand up to 150 pounds of pressure and has an IP67 waterproof rating.

You can choose to illuminate half of the lantern on either low or high power, helping to save battery without sacrificing brightness.

It can be solar powered, but only if you buy the compatible Goal Zero panel separately.

Although it’s not enormous, the Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Camping Lantern is just large and heavy enough that we prefer it for car camping rather than backpacking (it only weighs around one pound, but some items on this list weigh half of that). It offers directional, adjustable LED light and stands on collapsible legs for maximum dispersion. Set up is simple: just flip the legs down and turn the lantern on. A built-in handle makes it easy to transport from car to campsite. It offers up to 600 lumens of warm white light and high/low settings. One of our favorite features is the ability to illuminate just half of the lantern on either full or low power.

On low, this gives you up to 320 hours of light versus the 180 hours offered for 360 degrees on the same setting. The lantern also offers a red flashing setting for emergencies, although we questioned the usefulness of this since it isn’t particularly bright. The lithium battery can be recharged using the USB cable or the brand’s Nomad 10 solar panel (sold separately). You can also use the crank handle to provide 10 minutes of light for every minute of cranking. We found the lantern stable on uneven ground and were impressed with its durable, high-quality materials.

The Details: 600 lumens | 1.1 pounds | 4.5 x 5 x 6.5 inches | Rechargeable battery | Up to 320 hours battery life

A rugged, high-quality build and a wide choice of nature-inspired colors help this lantern stand out from the crowd.

We think it’s a little too heavy for convenient backcountry camping or backpacking.

Inspired by light found in nature, the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 lantern offers regular cool or warm white light for bright illumination. We found that its 500-lumen glow lit the path fully when we used it hiking at night, and we also used it to read with zero eye strain. What makes it special is its colorful mood lighting settings. These include single color, multicolor, candle flicker, and blended modes that replicate sunrise and sunset. We had a lot of fun switching between them with a single shake and ultimately decided that the fireworks mode was our favorite.

The lantern requires zero setup other than charging it using the included micro USB cable. We found it took two hours to charge fully after having just one bar of battery life left. When the battery begins to run low, the lantern only offers two light settings — but these are still sufficient to see by. You can use it to charge small USB devices, too. We love that it fits in one hand and is easily portable. It includes a hanging hook and an anti-slip rubber base. It’s even IPX4 water-resistant and after testing, still looks new.

This lantern can also be used as a flashlight, spotlight, or strobe with multiple settings and impressive brightness.

The maximum battery life isn’t long enough to last for multi-day camping trips on a single charge.

The AlpsWolf Camping Lantern offers amazing value as a four-in-one flashlight, lantern, spotlight, and emergency red-light strobe. A hanging hook and convertible handle provide multiple different carrying methods or it can stand on its own for easy, hands-free use. We love how light it is and how easily it tucks into a backpack pocket. The lantern is IP65 water-resistant and survived when we dropped it onto a sidewalk from hip height during testing. Performance is impressive, with a maximum output of 800 lumens and a range of 1,640 feet.

The highest setting has a very bright, daylight quality and you can switch between a focused or diffuse beam. The battery is rechargeable with a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours. A single charge provides up to 12 hours of continuous use with blue light indicators to show remaining battery life. We found that it fully recharged in around two hours and liked that we could still use it even while it was connected to mains power. You can use it to charge your cell phone, too, which could be a lifesaver in a remote camping or blackout scenario.

We were impressed by this lantern’s sturdiness and the amount of light it gives out in relation to its compact size.

It’s not the lightest option for backpackers or thru-hikers.

If you’re looking for an extra-durable addition to your car camping box, we love the Sofirn BLF LT1 Camping Lantern. Rated IPX7, it can be submerged in 3.3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. It’s heavy for its size, which we saw as a plus because it meant there was no chance of it blowing over in strong winds and that it stood sturdily on uneven ground. Despite its weight, it’s ergonomically shaped for easy portability. We dropped it during testing and were impressed that it survived without a single dent or mark.

The lantern has a maximum output of 800 lumens with two brightness settings: neutral white (full power) and warm white (half power.) We liked that you can switch between the two using a dimmer function for precise adjustments. We used the lantern to illuminate our prep area while cooking and in place of a headlamp when walking at night and appreciated how far we were able to see. It runs off four rechargeable batteries and lasts more than 24 hours in half-power mode. You can even use it as a backup charger for your mobile devices.

This is a simple-to-use lantern with three very different but equally functional brightness settings.

We wish that it was rechargeable, both from a cost and an environmental perspective.

The UST 60-Day Duro Lantern is a great option for those that prioritize brightness with a max power of 1,200 lumens. It runs continuously for 41 hours on this setting. Alternatively there’s a medium setting (200 lumens, up to 192 hours) or a low setting (20 lumens, up to 60 days.) All emit a clean, white light. We found the brightest setting effective for illuminating large outdoor spaces, the medium ideal for inside the tent or placing on our camping table, and the lowest perfect as a nightlight. The latter was not bright enough to read by.

If you want to use it as a downlight, you can remove the globe and hang it using the base’s built-in hook. The lantern uses six DD batteries (not included). Once these are added it’s fairly weighty (the heaviest on this list), although a decent handle makes it comfortable to carry for extended periods of time. It stayed cool and impressed us with its bottom-heavy, stable build. With a durable ABS plastic housing that has been rubberized for impact resistance, this is a sturdy lantern that can withstand a rain shower or two without damage.

The lantern is small enough to fit in a palm or pocket with a magnetic backing and a rainbow of dimmable light settings.

Unlike many of the options on this list, this lantern does not have the capability to charge other devices.

Weighing in at just three ounces and fitting easily in the palm of your hand, the Black Diamond Moji R+ is the ultimate compact choice for campers concerned about saving space. Setup is as easy as charging the lithium ion battery using the included micro USB cable. Ours went from completely dead to fully charged in under two hours. It emits up to 200 lumens of bright white light and is easily sufficient for illuminating your tent or camp table. In fact, we had to use the two-button interface to dim the light slightly in order to read comfortably. A frosted globe ensures an even glow.

You can also use the buttons to set up a continuous cycle through a spectrum of rainbow colors or stop/strobe on a single one. We particularly like the flickering orange campfire mode for creating a tranquil atmosphere. The lantern comes with two collapsible hanging hooks for easy suspension and a magnetic backing for attaching it to the side of your car or metal camping table. We found it super durable and like that its low center of gravity makes it stable on just about any terrain with very little risk of rolling, sliding, or tipping.

The Details: 200 lumens | 3 ounces | 4.3 x 4.3 x 3.5 inches | Rechargeable battery | IPX4 water-resistant

Despite its unbelievably low price, this lantern delivers in terms of weight, portability, and brightness.

We wish the batteries were rechargeable and would have liked the option of a warmer color setting.

It’s hard to beat the Etekcity Camping Lantern in terms of value. For less than half the price of our overall winner you get a pack of four lanterns, each with three AA batteries included. The lantern uses 30 LEDs for a maximum output of 140 lumens. We found that it illuminated a medium-size space fully and was more than adequate to read by, although the bright white color was a little harsh. The product description advertises up to 50 hours of battery life; we left it on continuously for 24 hours, after which the output had dimmed noticeably.

The lantern’s collapsible design is a highlight. Expand it to turn it on, collapse it to turn it off, or control brightness by choosing to partially expand it to 50 or 30 percent. When fully collapsed it is comparable to a smart phone in terms of length and width and fits easily in a backpack pocket. Integrated handles make it convenient to carry or hang from a hook, carabiner, or branch. Despite us dropping it a few times during testing, the sturdy, water-resistant ABS plastic housing survived with zero signs of wear and tear.

Designed for maximum portability, this lantern is tiny but mighty with two brightness settings and a built-in flashlight.

It is not as efficient at illuminating large, outdoor spaces as some of the bigger lanterns on this list.

Measuring just 4.4 by 1.5 inches and tipping the scales at approximately three ounces, the Goal Zero Micro Charge Lantern is perfect for backpacking when lightweight compactness is key. It also fits easily into a purse or glove compartment. It offers multiple brightness settings with the option to illuminate one or both sides of the lantern or use it as a flashlight with light emitting solely from the top. We found it sufficiently bright considering its tiny size. It’s best for reading or finding things in a dark tent rather than lighting a wider outdoor space.

Depending on the brightness setting, the lantern can last for up to 170 hours. There’s a battery level indicator and recharging takes 3.5 hours using a standard USB cable or the Nomad 5 Solar Panel (sold separately.) You can even use it to recharge your phone. We appreciated the inclusion of a handy hook for hanging the lantern from a branch or tent roof, or for attaching it with a carabiner to your bag. It’s durable and well-sealed for IPX6 water-resistance and held up well to international travel during testing.

Travel + Leisure / Jill DeForest Colvig

These lanterns were excluded from our main list for various reasons but could be a worthy alternative for certain scenarios or types of camper.

Mpowerd Solar String Lights: If you’re looking for decorative lights rather than a traditional camping lantern, these ones from Mpowerd are cute, robust, and solar-powered for practical long-term use.

Coleman Dual Fuel Lantern: We loved this traditional gas lantern for its classic look, durable design, and bright light. However, it’s too bulky and heavy for backpacking, and we had to dock points because the glass broke during testing.

Fenix CL30R USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern: We liked almost everything about this lantern, including its sturdy build and versatile brightness settings. Our only niggles were the high price tag and the handle, which was too short to be truly comfortable.

For this article, we tested 18 different camping lanterns, sending them out to T+L team members to test in real-world scenarios over the course of two weeks. First, each one was assembled according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We noted how easy this was, whether we had to purchase any additional items, and how long it took to charge the lantern if necessary. Next, lanterns were tested at home for a period of at least four hours. We evaluated brightness, different settings, how easy it was to read by the lantern’s light, the overall quality of its build, and how easy it was to carry.

Lanterns were fully recharged (if applicable) and then taken on at least one overnight outdoor excursion. We assessed all features again in a camping setting, paying particular attention to mounting features, stability on uneven ground, whether the lantern became hot to the touch with extended use, and battery performance over time. Each one was scored from one to five for ease of setup, portability, design, brightness, durability, and value. We will continue to test these lanterns over the course of six months to check for long-term durability and performance, and we will update this article with our observations.

Although we have included a couple of non-rechargeable camping lanterns on this list, first prize will always go to those that have a rechargeable battery. It just makes sense, both for the environment and for your wallet, especially if you plan on using the lantern regularly. Check out the battery life and compare it with your needs. For example, if you’re a car camper that mostly stays at sites with access to electricity, a lengthy battery life is less of a priority than it is if you favor multi-day backcountry excursions.

If you fall into the latter category, consider a lantern that either has an integrated solar panel or is compatible with an after-market one. Charging time is also worth considering, as is whether or not you can still use the lantern when it’s on charge. Finally, some lanterns can actually double as a backup charger for other devices such as your phone, GPS tracker, or tablet. This is really useful in either a remote camping or a blackout situation.

Often there’s a balance to be found between power and portability, and which is more important will depend on your requirements. If you’re a car camper (someone who drives to their campsite and therefore doesn’t have to carry their gear for any significant distance), then a heavy duty lantern with a rugged build is great. But if you’re a backpacking or ultralight camper (or if you plan on traveling with your lantern and need to meet airline luggage restrictions), portability is key. Look for lightweight, compact camping lanterns that weigh next to nothing and fit easily into a backpack or suitcase pocket. Some lanterns are even collapsable.

Many camping lanterns come with emergency features. If you’re headed off the beaten track into an area with few people around to help in the event that you lose your way or have an accident, one of the most important features is a red strobe or SOS signaling light. If you intend to use your camping lantern as a backup in case of a power outage at home, then the ability to recharge it using a hand crank could be a lifesaver in an extended blackout. As mentioned before, the ability to use your lantern as a charger for your phone is also key for emergency use.

Lumens measure the brightness of a lightsource. The optimum number of lumens for a camping lantern depends on your needs. If you wish to illuminate the entire campsite, you’ll need a maximum output of between 750 and 1,000 lumens, depending on the size of the area. But if you’re just looking to cast enough glow across a table for food prep, family dinners, or a game of cards, 300 lumens is plenty. Inside a tent, any more than 200 lumens will likely be too bright for comfort (50 is perfect for a nightlight vibe.) So, consider maximum output while also bearing in mind the value of being able to dim the glow to a lower brightness, too.

In the past, gas-powered lanterns were the standard. They typically ran on liquid fuel, propane, or butane and were favored for throwing out an intense light that could illuminate an entire campsite. They’re also cost-efficient and long-lasting (ideal for extended trips without access to electricity). These days, however, the majority of lanterns — including all the ones on this list — are electric, using LEDs to deliver plenty of brightness and an impressive battery life. We did test three gas-powered lanterns as part of this test and found that none of them performed nearly as well as the options on our list above.

Major benefits of electric lanterns include portability (no need to haul gas canisters around) and safety (they don’t generate heat or emit fumes that can be dangerous in small, enclosed spaces such as a tent). If you want the reliability of a gas-powered lantern without the risk, choose a rechargeable LED lantern that can run off solar power in an emergency.

An IP rating denotes “ingress protection” and indicates how well a device is sealed against water and dust. Each IP code is strictly defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and must be proven by a series of uniform tests. The first digit after the IP relates to the device’s level of dust protection; the second relates to its level of water protection.

If you’re looking for a camping lantern that can withstand being left out in the rain, consider that Level 1 means the device is protected from dripping water. Level 3 equals protection from spraying water, Level 4 is protection from splashing water, and so on all the way up to Level 6K (protection from powerful water jets with increased pressure, from any direction.) Only Level 7 or above indicates protection from submersion, meaning that the lantern is fully waterproof.

Jessica Macdonald has been writing about outdoor gear for more than 10 years. She has used many different lanterns on multi-week camping expeditions in the U.S., Canada, Peru, and South Africa. Products included in this article were chosen according to the results of real-life tests carried out by T+L’s team of travel experts.

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