Ditch the Flashlight – How to Find the Best Camping Lanterns of 2024!

When sleeping out in the wild, the first thing you’ll notice is how freaking dark it gets! It’s safe to say that nature doesn’t go out of its way to provide a camping light for us, mere mortals. Even with a full moon, it’s quite easy to trip over a hidden branch or, dare I say, get lost in the woods.

If you’re staying at a bustling campsite, it’s not too big of a concern, unless there’s a power outage, but if you’re like many campers who prefer a more remote experience, you’re going to need a bigger boat, I mean light!

Now there are a few basic options to choose from to see what you’re doing and where you’re going. The highly inexperienced might ask “Can’t I just use my cell phone to get around?”. In short, yes, but that strategy will only work for a quick task or two. Believe me, using your phone as a primary light source gets old very fast, particularly out camping.

What else? Flashlight? More suited for search and rescue operations if you ask me, which hopefully you aren’t experiencing on your next outing. They also demand the use of a hand at all times which feels limiting after a while. Headlamp? These can work and come in as my second favorite, but not ideal for general use, or lighting up a wide or common area.

The best, and probably oldest method to brighten up your campsite are good old-fashioned camping lanterns. They are so handy, pardon the pun, and fit right in the middle of convenience and subtlety. They’re great for most general needs and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, capacities, brightness levels, and more. I would hazard a guess most experienced nature lovers use them above all else.

Why are they so good? What makes a good one? Well, I’m glad you asked! In this breakdown of camping lanterns, I’ll go over the pros, and cons, what to consider when purchasing, and even my top picks for those who know what they need. By the end of this article, you should have a crystal clear idea of what to get and where to get it.

Enough fooling around. Let’s get into it!

Pros of Camping Lanterns

Let’s start with some of the major advantages of investing in a good-quality camping lantern, and I do mean good quality. I’m of the humble opinion you get what you pay for so if you do choose to grab one up, I highly recommend avoiding the cheap Walmart knock-offs or a 4-pack on Amazon for $15.

Listed below are but a few of the top reasons, but there are many more. They make for a great prop during a spooky ghost story or even a late-night shadow puppet session with your kids. There are hundreds of benefits, but I’ll just go over the top 5.

1. Brightness and Coverage

The numero uno reason I think camping lanterns rise above the rest is the overall coverage of light. Flashlights or headlamps are all about a direct beam and unless you’re in a scary movie, aren’t great for seeing the big picture. Camping lanterns however offer a 360-degree glow that’s perfect for lighting up your entire campsite.

They’re also usually adjustable from a subtle dim, to a blinding blaze with every setting in between. Need a nightlight? No problem. Set it at low and easily find your way to the outhouse at 2 am. Afraid of the dark? No worries, turn it up to 11 and they’ll be able to see you from space! Not really, but you get the picture.

2. Hands-Free Use

This is huge if you want to keep your sanity, especially after a long or tough day exploring the backcountry. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to cook using a flashlight that’s propped on a tree, constantly falling or twisting out of use every 5 seconds because of the wind. Don’t get me started on setting up a tent without one! Even with a headlamp, it’s a pain in the butt!

With a lantern, all those little inconveniences are skipped. Pick a spot, hang one up, and enjoy the normally simple daytime tasks in peace. Can you imagine playing cards or reading a book without one? Unless you’re trying to keep a fire going all night, a lantern is your best bet.

3. Versatility

Besides providing the basic function of sight, many modern camping lanterns come loaded with extra features, some you’d expect and some that might surprise you. For instance, many are rechargeable but some models come extra-equipped with solar panels, USB ports, or power banks built right in! Strange to say, but you can use some to charge other smaller devices.

On the flip side, some camping lanterns can be powered by cranking an arm or shaking back and forth, using kinetic energy to light the way!

If you want to get fancy, or hate bugs, look for designs that double as ultrasonic pest repellers or zappers! How cool! Into aromatherapy? Look for a lantern that also functions as a diffuser. Love your music? Grab a lantern/blue tooth speaker combo. There’s pretty much something for everyone.

I’d almost go as far as to say if you can think it, you can find it but don’t hold me to that!

4. Durability

Since they’re designed for the outdoors, any camping lantern worth its salt is built to withstand the normal wear and tear you’ll find in the wild. They’re big, strong, and resilient. You can bang them around, drop them, or hang one out in the rain and have full confidence they’ll turn on each and every time.

Specialized types go even further like hyper dust and UV resistance for arid landscapes or internally sealed electronics for overly humid environments. Some can even be submerged in water for extended periods without losing function. Heck, some even come with a metal cage built around the entire thing. Talk about tough!

5. Safety

A lot of outdoorsmen and women like to use campfires as their main source of light at night, but accidents do happen and let’s be honest, open flames can be quite dangerous. Some campgrounds don’t allow fires at all, but if you’re at one that does, you have to worry about putting it out before calling it a night or small children playing around the edge. I myself jumped into a smoldering campfire when I was little and severely burned my feet. Something I’ll never forget.

The safer alternative to hazardous candles or dangerous open flames is, of course, a great camping lantern. There’s 0 chance an LED or battery-powered lantern will cause any type of harm to you and yours, especially with young ones frolicking about. I don’t know about you, but that’s peace of mind worth every penny.

Cons of Camping Lanterns

Have I sold you yet? I hope so! Now don’t get me wrong, there are a few things to keep in mind before you buy. Not all camping lanterns are created equally though so depending on what you’re doing or your needs, there are a few that should be avoided.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you might NOT want to buy a camping lantern.

6. Size and Weight

Since they’re bigger, they’re obviously bulkier and heavier compared to flashlights or headlamps. Even the collapsable camping lanterns (yes, they make these!) take up more room in your backpack or trunk than you might want. If you’re a minimalist, less is more.

Backpackers in particular usually avoid camping lanterns because size and weight reign supreme. When you’re carrying everything on your back day after day, mile after mile, every extra ounce is felt.

Also, fans of car camping who appreciate the aesthetics of it all might choose string lights for their camp instead of one or two single solid sources. This goes double for big families or groups. Lanterns take up space, there’s no way around it.

7. Complexity and Setup

With technology comes complexity. Now I’m not saying modern camping lanterns are akin to a Rubik’s cube, but some could feel a little convoluted. Do you need 3 different types of light at 9 different brightness levels, a remote control, and a telescopic base stand?

In addition to any added step past ON/OFF, some lanterns also require assembly. If you’re not a “techie”, setting up a tent might be as far as you want to go, especially if you’re whole mission in the first place is to do the least amount of things possible.

8. Cost

Camping gear is expensive, and the good stuff is really expensive. This is no different for high-quality camping lanterns. A rugged and dependable one will easily run you $100. If you want one with some of the cool added features I previously mentioned like a blue-tooth speaker, be prepared to pay $200-$300 or more!

Even if you find a great one for less than $50, you might want a few of them for your family or group. If money is a concern, this added convenience could be something you’d rather avoid.

9. Maintenance

There are many types of camping lanterns but they have one thing in common. They all require some form of regular maintenance. Even the small and simple mini lanterns need to be cleaned or have parts replaced.

If you choose gas or liquid fuel lanterns you’ll need to worry about seals, o-rings, burners, and pumps. Rechargeable camping lanterns need battery replacements or connection repairs. Granted, this is a fairly minimal effort but if you skip or forget to keep your lantern in working order, you’ll be in for a rough time once your light goes out in the middle of nowhere.

Things to Consider When Purchasing Camping Lanterns

Now that we’ve gone over the advantages and disadvantages, let’s move on to what you should look for if you choose to buy one and the major reasons why. There’s an endless combination of options so don’t waste money grabbing the wrong type or one with useless features before doing your due diligence.

10. Brightness (Lumens)

When you’re searching for a camping lantern, the first thing you should look at, spec-wise, is the maximum lumens each potential lantern provides. This ranges widely and if you have no idea the difference between 100 lumens and a 1000, you’re going to end up disappointed in one way or another.

Here’s a quick breakdown

Low Lumens (30-100 Lumens)

Ideal for inside tent lighting, at this level the radiance is soft and ambient. Lanterns at this level are great for reading or setting the mood before bedtime. Think nightlight! If you want to create a cozy atmosphere, this is what you need.

Medium Lumens (100-300 Lumens)

This is the sweet spot for most of your general campsite lighting needs. Not too harsh, yet sufficient enough to cook with or socialize around the campsite. An ideal balance between adequacy and efficiency.

High Lumens (300-1000+ Lumens)

If you’re nyctophobic (scared of the dark), opt for a camping lantern that pushes the brightness up a notch. You’ll effortlessly produce a 360° light bubble of about 50 ft. These can also double as emergency signaling devices since the beams can be seen from quite a distance, especially in pitch-black conditions.

11. Power Source

The next option to consider is the lantern’s power. There are many niche types but I’ll just go over the main 7 and why each should be considered.

Battery-Powered Lanterns

As the name implies, these little guys use disposable or rechargeable batteries that are easily replaceable and found worldwide. The lanterns themselves are usually lightweight and compact. The downside to these is the extended cost and the need to carry replacement battery packs. If you’ve never had a camping lantern before, start with this type for sure!

Solar-Powered Lanterns

These are great if you’re thru-hiking over long distances and can’t, or prefer not to, stop for supplies often. Solar lanterns are eco-friendly and last forever but they don’t do well in overcast weather and you’ll need to hang or strap them to your backpack or tent throughout the day to soak up all of the sun’s energy. Only pick these if you have the time to charge them up.

Gas-Powered Lanterns

Not as common as they used to be, these lanterns still make for a viable option. Obviously they use gas, usually canisters of propane or butane, but less obvious is why one would pick them. The short answer is they are extremely bright and work well in colder climates. Sadly, they are heavier and you run the risk of leaks or fire hazards if you accidentally spill or break them. Not great for novice campers.

Liquid Fuel Lanterns

Like their vaporous cousins, liquid fuel lanterns rely on burning elements like kerosene, white gas, or unleaded gasoline to light the way. These things provide a nice and steady light over long burn times and are very efficient. Again, you’ll have safety concerns but if you have no other option, these will do.

Candle Lanterns

If you feel like being transported to the 1700s try your luck with a lantern that uses traditional wax candles. They’re straightforward, provide a warm and soft glow, and are lightweight and compact. The main drawback however is they have really weak light output. Also if the environment is wet or windy, good luck!

Hand-Crank Lanterns

Most likely seen in a disaster movie, these lanterns generate power through manual cranking. The best thing about them is their reliability. As long as you can crank, you’ll have power. As you can guess, this is limited. Their runtimes are short and they don’t provide much light. Consider them as backups.

USB Rechargeable Lanterns

Last but not least are lanterns that have built-in rechargeable batteries via USB ports. These are awesome if you don’t mind bringing along a secondary charging system like a power bank, or if you have access to your car’s battery and can easily juice them up at the push of a button. However, if you want to avoid complicated set-ups or prefer to camp with the least amount of things, maybe skip these.

12. Dimensions

Most options aren’t going to be much bigger than a basketball but like most things in life, there are exceptions to the rule. If you’re backpacking, opt for a lightweight, compact lantern, or even one that collapses down in on itself.

Car campers don’t need to worry too much about weight but still have limited space in their trunk or SUV. A combo lantern/flashlight could be the way to go for them. RV’s have the most room but also provide their own sources of light. If this is you, maybe a tiny “emergency use only” version is all you’ll need.

13. Additional Features

Before making your final purchase, take notice of all the little bonuses each style comes with. Sometimes it’s the little things that help you with your final decision. Is practicality your primary concern or do you want something a bit fancy?

For instance, some desire a smartphone-controlled lantern that can be programmed and scheduled through an app, while others simply want something that comes with a hook. There are even ones with built-in fans! Crazy.

Think about which extras will be useful, which you want just because, and which you positively need. Word of advice – don’t let the shiny ball syndrome get ya!

14. Run Time

Always check how long the lantern can operate on a full charge, full canister/fuel load, or with fresh batteries and compare. Longer run times mean fewer battery changes, recharges, or canister/fuel swaps, but suffer from a dimmer glow, fewer added features or overall quality.

Ask yourself how long you’ll be away, how you’ll refresh the power needs, and how often you’ll need the lantern to run for. It’ll be easier to decide once you know the answer to these questions.

15. Price

It’s a good idea to set a budget before you start looking for the perfect lantern but I wouldn’t be too strict with that number. Sometimes you’ll find one that offers everything you want or need but sits right outside of your pre-established range. Purchasing this one could prove better in the long run since it’s better to buy an expensive thing once than a cheap thing many times.

If you rarely go camping, stick around the $30 range but if camping is a main hobby of yours, consider indulging a little!

Top Camping Lantern Options

Here are a few unique camping lanterns, each designed for different purposes. All come with high reviews, great features, and made of high-quality materials. Enjoy!

16. Black Diamond Apollo Lantern

Who’s this for?

This lantern is perfect for campers who need a middle-of-the-road, yet high-quality lantern with decent lighting, multiple set-up configurations, and charging options. You have the choice between regular AA batteries or take advantage of internal rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. It also acts as a power bank, charging other devices through its USB port and included cable.

The collapsible double-hook loop up top and folding legs underneath allow you to hang or stand it anywhere in the campsite. It also has a great “burn” time of 24 hours at high and 150 hours at low. With 250 lumens and an adjustable dimming feature, it’s not the brightest lantern you’ll find, but it’s extremely well-made and worth every penny!

17. BioLite Alpenglow

Who’s this for?

This is the lantern for those who love to set the mood or have a good variety of lighting options to choose from. Its 10 different modes range from the classic bright white to mellow mood, single color, multi-color, “candle-light” (flickering effect), and even party (colorful strobes).

Even though it comes standard with 360° of illumination, there’s an option to turn half of the lantern off in case you’re splitting a tent with another and like to take some light off of them. It’s rechargeable and provides 5 hours at the high setting or 200 hours at the low. Great for families with kids or couples who want a little more to end the evening with.

18. Coleman Quad Pro 800 LED Lantern

Who’s this for?

This lantern is ideal for large families or groups who love to do their own thing or need lots of lighting sources for work, play, or anything in between. Also great for emergency lighting when the power goes out. The four removable panels, plus the lantern itself, separate into 5 different lighting sources, each lasting for hours on end. If you only want to buy 1 device but need to light up many rooms in an old dusty cabin, look no further.

What’s even better is each panel has a “flashlight” feature turning the wide glow into a directional beam. The panels come with individual stands and are also magnetic, providing even more placement options. Hours range from 20 hours at high, 120 at medium, and 400 at low! It does take D batteries so the weight can get a little high but overall a great option. It’s the “meat and potatoes” of the camping lantern world.

19. MPOWERD Luci Pro Series 

Who’s this for?

This collapsable and solar-powered lantern is ideal for backpackers or ultralight campers who only need something to meet their bare minimum lighting needs. It’s waterproof, shrinks down to under 2 inches in thickness, and never needs batteries. If you can’t wait to use nature to power it up, plug a cord into the USB-C for even faster charging.

It also comes with a USB-A port for charging your other mobile devices. Perfect for hikers or backpackers venturing off into the backcountry for days or weeks on end and might need to let their loved ones at home they are alright. It’s cheap, lightweight, and gets the job done! Even though it’s small, the 360 lumens will last up to 100 hours on a single charge. Makes a great gift!

Final Thoughts

So, are camping lanterns worth purchasing? Absolutely! As long as you choose the right one for your needs. Spend a little time doing research and I promise you’ll find one that jumps out at you, seemingly yelling “Buy me!”.

Once you take one with you, you’ll be asking yourself why you didn’t do it sooner. They make every camping trip safer and more enjoyable. Consider the factors above, think about what you need, and find the best lantern that fits your specific requirements.

In doing so, you’ll be well-prepared for any outdoor adventure that comes your way.

As always, happy trails and happy camping!