I think you’ll agree with me when I say,
Finding a good, durable, and bright lantern for camping and outdoor activities is quite hard. Because there are too many options available and it just seems confusing.
So for this article, I’ll review 8 of the BEST camping lantern for camping. And I’ll cover all the good and bad aspects in detail so that you can finally decide which one to buy.
1. Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern
Vont is a very durable and versatile LED camping lantern. It is one of the original LED lantern designs that some of the other camping lanterns is based on. It is made from high-quality aircraft grade materials.
That is not only very lightweight but also very tough. It consists of a handle that makes it very convenient to carry or hang the lantern during the outdoor trips.
The construction quality of the lantern is very solid and can survive a 10-foot drop. It is pretty much waterproof, so you can use it in rain or underwater temporarily up to 1m.
The lantern has a smaller footprint and features a unique collapsible design. This makes it even more compact and small as your phone which is very convenient for traveling.
It can easily fit inside your backpack or emergency kit for situations like hurricanes or a zombie apocalypse. Moreover, it features 30 LEDs which can produce a bright light up to 100 lumens.
The lantern spills the light very nicely. And overall covers a full 360 degrees for better visibility. And the best part is, it does not run very hot compared to other flashlights.
However, it does not have any knob or switch to control the brightness of the light. You can only reduce or increase the light as you collapse or expand it.
Moreover, the light can run for 30 hours on 3 AA batteries that are included in the package. You can also use rechargeable batteries in it. But the batteries that come with the light are not rechargeable.
2. Energizer LED Camping Lantern
Energizer is a great compact and feature-rich LED camping lantern. It is probably one of the high selling camping lanterns in the market. The body of the flashlight is made up of high-quality hard plastic.
That is very durable and rugged for outdoor use. It features a nice handle that makes it easy to carry and prevents it from dropping. The lantern is very compact and has a sleek design.
Which really reflects the craftsmanship of the company. Its compact size also makes it very suitable for EDC purposes as well as for light camping. The interface of the flashlight is very straightforward.
You got only one button to choose between 3 different brightness levels and on/off functionality. This makes it very convenient and easy to use for new people. It offers great performance with all its brightness levels.
In the high setting, it can output as much as 500 lumens which is enough to light up an entire room without any problem. But this takes up a lot of battery and also produces a bit of heat.
However, on low output, it can provide you with 650 hours of run time if you use the right batteries. It also has a night light mode that is very used when you do not need a ton of light to do your night activities.
The light produced by the lantern spills very nicely all over the place. Moreover, it uses 3 AA batteries or 3 D batteries as its power source.
The regular AA batteries are inexpensive and take less space but will not deliver a very great run time. On the other hand, D batteries are bigger and bulkier as compared to AA batteries.
But it can give you longer run time which can be a lifesaver in many situations. Additionally, the lantern is also IPX4 rated and can be used in any bad weather.
3. Streamlight Alkaline Hand Lantern
The Streamlight Siege is a compact but very powerful LED camp lantern. It is one of the feature-rich lanterns which is offered at a very affordable price.
The siege feels very heavy duty and durable for outdoor use. It is constructed from a polymer housing that makes the lantern very lightweight and rugged.
The base is also rubberized along with other various parts. Which makes it grippy and helps to absorb shocks. Talking of shocks, it has a two-meter drop rating to prevent any damage from accidental drops.
The lantern has a compact and sleek design which is very suitable for outdoor as well as indoor uses. There is a handle and two on top as well as on the bottom which makes it very convenient to carry and hang the lantern.
The top covering is also removable to provide much stronger light. It features multiple LEDs for extreme brightness which can last for a long time.
There are 5 different modes including night and SOS for various situations. At maximum setting, it can produce 340 lumens that can light up a whole tent and objects around it.
But this mode will produce more heat and last only 30hrs. On the low setting, it provides a reasonable 33 lumens and offers an impressive run time of 295 hrs hours.
However, if you want the longest run time then use SOS mode which can give you 430 hrs of run time. Apart from this, the flashlight is powered by a pack of 3 “D” batteries.
However, the batteries are not included with the lantern so you have to buy them separately. Moreover, the interface of the light is pretty simple. It got one button at the front that does everything for you.
By pressing it a few times in different ways, you can trigger various light modes. The power button also has an inbuilt battery indicator for convenience.
Additionally, the lantern is rated for IPX7 which makes it pretty much waterproof. It can submerge underwater for 1m. And along with that, it can also float which makes it great for rafting or kayaking trips.
4. Coleman 1000 Lumens LED Lantern
Coleman lantern is a bright LED camp lantern that includes some extra features. It’s a high-quality lantern that can be used in many scenarios such as camping, hiking, or during emergency situations.
The lantern itself is made up of hard plastic materials and has a really nice finish on the exterior. It has a class lantern design with glass at the front which makes it look very attractive.
It also features a very comfortable handle that makes it easy to carry as well as hang on a tree. Moreover, the lantern is compact and small which makes it very suitable for traveling.
You can simply pack it inside the backpack and venture into a new adventure. It features super bright LEDs that can produce a lot of bright light in all directions.
You can also get as many as 1000 lumens by utilizing its maximum output. Using the high output mode you can get up to 14 hours of runtime and you can extend it, by using low or SOS mode.
The lantern has 4 different modes that include high, medium, low, and SOS. All these modes can be controlled via a rotating dial on the top making it extremely easy to use.
The light that is produced is not harsh to the eyes. And a nice spill which is very useful while searching for things or the right way in the dark.
All this is powered by 4 “D” batteries that are very affordable and easy to find in the market. However, the batteries are not included with the lantern and you have to buy them separately.
Moreover, it features Coleman’s own battery guard system. That stops the drain when you are not using the lantern.
It helps to extend the run time of the batteries by as much as 25% so you’ll have power when you need it most. Additionally, the lantern is rated for IPX4 which makes it highly water-resistant.
5. Etekcity LED Camping
Etekcity is a versatile LED camping lantern. It is one of the original LED lantern designs that some of the other camping lanterns is based on. It is constructed with military-grade ABS material.
That is not only very lightweight but also promises long-lasting durability. It consists of a handle that makes it very convenient to carry or hang the lantern during the outdoor trips.
The top lid of the lantern contains a small compartment for storing some small things like keys or spare batteries. The construction quality of the lantern is very solid. And can survive any accidental drops or collisions.
The lantern is also very much splash resistance, so you can use it in rain or near a water body. The lantern has an extremely lightweight build and features a unique collapsible design.
This makes it even more compact and allows you to take the lantern on the go with ease. It can easily fit inside your backpack or emergency kit for situations like hurricanes or earthquakes.
Moreover, it features 30 LEDs which can produce a bright light up to 60 lumens. The lantern spills the light very nicely. And overall covers a full 360 degrees for better visibility.
However, it does not have any switch or modes to control the brightness of the light. You can only reduce or increase the light as you collapse or expand it.
This not only a bit inconvenient but also takes up a bit of your run time if you do not want a lot of light. Moreover, the light can run for 30 hours on 3 AA batteries that are included in the package.
You can also use rechargeable batteries in it. But the batteries that come with the light are not rechargeable.
6. UST 60-DAY Duro LED Portable Lantern
The UST 60-DAY Duro is tough and durable camping LED lantern that can withstand any beating. While it is the most expensive portable LED camp lantern. It also provides the best high-performance experience.
The lantern is made up of military-grade ABS plastic housing that has very nice finishing. The exterior of the lantern is rubberized. That helps to provide excellent grip while holding it.
Additionally, the top of the light is also removable to use it as an area light. It is fairly lightweight which makes it very suitable for the EDC tasks.
The construction of the lantern is compact with a built-in recessed hook for easy carry. It is also used to hang it on a tree or hook which makes it very convenient.
Moreover, it uses extremely bright LEDs which can offer a very impressive output. The LEDs can emit about 1200 lumens at the highest setting.
The light has the capacity to illuminate distant objects with great visibility. And the reflector spills the light smoothly and provides 360 degrees of vision.
However, the high output will generate more heat and drain the battery very fast. The lantern has a total of four lighting modes that you can change according to your needs.
Out of which low light mode can have a maximum runtime of 60 days. On the other hand, you can expect 41 hours in the high mode which is decent for outdoor use.
Talking about the batteries, the lantern uses 6 “D” batteries. But none of these batteries are included with the light so you have to buy it yourself.
Moreover, the interface is very simple and you have only one button to cycle through the modes. This makes it very convenient and clutter-free even for new people.
Lastly, it does have good weather resistance all over the opening. But not any specific rating for waterproofing. So you can use it in rain but not underwater as far as we can tell.
7. Coleman Company Signature CPX 6
Coleman Signature CPX 6 Duo is a powerful LED camp lantern. That can be used in many scenarios such as camping, hiking, or during emergency situations.
It’s a high-quality lantern and made up of hard plastic materials. That has a really nice finish on the exterior. It has a very modern lantern design with glass at the front which makes it look very unique.
It also features a small yet very comfortable handle that makes it easy to carry and to hang somewhere. Moreover, the lantern is compact and a form factor that makes it very suitable for outdoor use.
You can simply pack it inside the backpack during your outdoor trip without any issue. It features the omnidirectional LEDs that can produce a lot of bright light.
You can also get as many as 1000 lumens by utilizing its maximum output. Using the high output mode you can get up to 5 hours of runtime and you can extend it, by using low or SOS mode.
The lantern has 4 different modes that include high, medium, low, and SOS. All these modes can be controlled via a button on the lantern making it extremely easy to use.
The light that is produced is somewhat harsh on the eyes. But spills nicely which is very useful while searching for things in the dark.
The lantern is powered by either 4 “D” batteries that are very affordable and easy to find in the market. Or CPX 6 rechargeable batteries that are very convenient to use.
However, none of these batteries are included with the lantern and you have to buy them separately. Additionally, the lantern is rated for IPX4 which makes it highly water-resistant.
8. Rayovac Sportsman LED Camping Lantern
Rayovac Sportsman is a great compact u tube fluorescent camping lantern. The body of the flashlight is made up of high-quality hard plastic. That is very durable and rugged for outdoor use.
It features a rubber handle that makes it easy to carry and prevents it from dropping. The lantern is very compact and has a sleek design which really makes it very suitable for EDC purposes as well as for light camping.
The interface of the flashlight is very straightforward, you got only one button to choose between modes and on/off functionality. This makes it very convenient and easy to use for new people.
It offers great performance with all its brightness levels. It can output as much as 300 lumens which is enough to light up an entire room without any problem.
But this produces a bit of heat which sometimes becomes irritating. However, it can provide you with over 30 hours of runtime if you use the right batteries.
It also has a night light mode that is very used when you do not need a ton of light to do your night activities. The light produced by the lantern spills very nicely all over the place.
Moreover, it uses 8 “D” batteries as its power source that easy to find and can give you decent power as well as runtime. The lantern also uses F9W-1 replacement bulbs that are easy to replace.
Additionally, the lantern is water-resistant and can be used in any bad weather.
Things to consider before buying a LED Lantern for outages
These are the things that you should consider before buying a LED camp lantern.
Brightness
Brightness is the first factor you have to consider before buying a LED camp lantern. A lantern is only as good as the light it can produce.
It should neither produce a weak beam of light that is hard to see nor a too strong beam that can blind you. Choose correct lumens that will provide the correct intensity of light according to your needs.
Additionally, lumens is the measuring unit for light. High the number of lumens, the brighter that lantern will be.
Material
The next thing you should consider is the material of the lantern. Because material plays a very important role in the durability of the lantern.
You need to pick a lantern that can withstand rough use. And occasional drops during an emergency or outdoor trip. Always look for the parts of the lantern and check if they are made for weak or strong materials.
Battery
There are two types of batteries rechargeable and non-rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries have their own benefits as they are more useful for people who frequently use LED lanterns.
And non-rechargeable batteries are for those who don’t use the LED lantern for a long period. These two batteries have their own benefits. So you need to choose according to your needs.
Additionally, always go for alkaline batteries as they are inexpensive, compact, and easy to store.
Water resistance
This is another factor that makes flashlights more durable and versatile. You need to make sure that the flashlight is water-resistant. So that you can also use it in heavy rain.
Always remember, water resistance is different from waterproof. Most lanterns on the market are rated for IPX 4, which indicates their water resistance level.
But, there are some models of lanterns that are not only waterproof but also float on the water.
Adjustable brightness
One other fundamental feature that a lantern must contain is the presence of adjustable brightness. This will let you turn the brightness up in a forested campsite when the moon isn’t up. And then dim it to a warm and pleasant glow once you are inside your tent.
Budget
Last but certainly not least comes the pricing of the product. The market is full of expensive as well as cheap models.
Depending on your usage, buy a lantern that fits your budget. For me, the budget is not that important when it comes to quality. If I’m getting a good quality thing and I have to pay extra bucks, I would go for it.
