When it comes to camping, the most fun can come after the sun goes down. But it’s hard to have a great time camping if you can’t see what you’re doing or the people around you! Unfortunately, traditional camping lanterns can run out of power at the worst of moments — and if you’re far from the store, you’re out of luck. Luckily, campers can now opt for a rechargeable lantern for their next trip, improving on many aspects of an old-fashioned lamp.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best.
What is a rechargeable lantern?
A rechargeable lantern is any type of lantern-style light source that’s powered by a battery that you can recharge repeatedly when it runs out of juice.
This is in contrast to some lanterns that use disposable batteries or others that do not run on propane, butane, or other consumable fuels.
Rechargeable lanterns offer lower costs for owners who no longer need to purchase expensive batteries or fuel. They can usually be charged via USB or a 12V car charger, making them just as easy to charge on the go as they are at home.
Things to look out for when choosing a rechargeable lantern
There are tons of rechargeable lanterns out there. So what makes one better than another? Here are some of the most important factors buyers should consider.
number of lumens
A lumen is a measure of the brightness of any light source. They allow apples-to-apples comparisons regardless of the type of bulb or light source. The more lumens, the brighter the light.
Some lanterns also have different settings with different lumen values for different uses, from lighting a large campsite to providing a soft glow in a tent before bed.
Use the time between charges
It’s important to buy a lantern with enough battery life for your needs. Those just buying for an occasional night at a developed campground won’t need more than a couple hours of capacity.
However, backpackers and others who do not have reliable power for long periods of time should carefully consider how long the lantern will remain lit before it loses power.
Special features
A battery lantern can stand out from its competitors in terms of special features. For example, some are waterproof, making them perfect for canoe trips or kayaking to campsites.
Others are collapsible for easy stuffing in almost any bag or pocket, and many are hanging or even magnetic for easy use in different rooms.
Certain models even offer high-tech features like solar charging or the ability to act as a power bank for other devices.
How many lumens is good for a lantern?
How you plan to use your rechargeable lantern will determine the number of lumens you need. If you only need a little light to find things in the tent or to do other small tasks, you can get by with just a few hundred lumens.
However, if you want to illuminate large parts of your campsite or provide enough light for detailed tasks, you should look for lanterns with an output of almost 1,000 lumens or more.
Fortunately, many modern lanterns have multiple settings for different uses. This can help save electricity when most of the light is not required.
The best rechargeable lanterns you can get online
With so many rechargeable camping lanterns, it can be tiring to compare them all. Luckily, we’ve done the job and found five of the best in different categories.
Our Pick: Collapsible Portable LED Camping Lantern
Evaluation: 4.5/5
Lumens: 300
Watt Equivalent: 3 to 4 watts (LED), 20 watts (incandescent)
There’s a lot to love about this four pack of quality rechargeable camping lanterns that sell for around the same price as many individual lanterns!
Lightweight, durable and waterproof, these LED lanterns fold up for easy portability or convert into a flashlight for focused light.
The 1600 mAh battery is rechargeable via built-in solar panel and USB and provides 25 hours of light. While individually they may not have as many lumens as others, the four lanterns can work together to light up large spaces in highly customizable ways.
Top Rated: Energizer Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern
Evaluation: 4.6/5
Lumens: Until 1150
Watt Equivalent: 12 to 13 watts (LED), 75 watts (incandescent)
This rechargeable lantern is a fan favorite, and it’s easy to see why. It has four light modes including cool, warm and strobe light. It can deliver up to 1,150 lumens, enough to light up even a large campsite, and lower light modes to extend battery life.
This energizer lantern lasts four to 10 hours and withstands almost anything with a shatterproof lens and water-resistant construction. In addition, it also acts as a power bank to charge other devices.
Budget-friendly: Consciot rechargeable camping lantern
Evaluation: 4.5/5
Lumens: 350 to 1000
Watt Equivalent: 4 to 11 watts (LED), 23 to 68 watts (incandescent)
For less than $20, it’s hard to find another lantern with this combination of quality and price. It offers many of the same features as higher-priced options, like a waterproof design, multiple light settings, and the ability to hang itself and charge other devices.
It is also equipped with a translucent reflector cap that helps provide 360 degree light.
LED Camping Lantern Rechargeable Consciot Camping Lights 1000LM 4 Light Modes 4400mAh Power Bank IPX4 Waterproof Tent Lights Dimmable Flashlight for Emergencies Power Outages USB Cable Included
- 🌟 【Optimum 360 degree light coverage】 – Equivalent to a 75 W light bulb, the LED lantern emits 1000 lumens and covers …
- ✨【4 lighting modes and dimmable options】 – Cold white (750 lm), warm white (350 lm), combined white (1000 lm), strobe …
Best compact option: mini lantern with magnetic base
Evaluation: 4.6/5
Lumens: 310
Watt Equivalent: 3 to 4 watts (LED), 21 watts (incandescent)
If space is your top priority, this rechargeable lantern is your best choice. It’s less than 3 inches tall, wide, and across, making it easy to slip into almost any pocket.
Plus, it weighs less than half a pound, so even ultralight backpackers can take it with them without overloading themselves. It also offers five different lighting models for different uses around the campsite.
The best for your emergency kit: CapeTronix emergency lantern
Evaluation: 4.5/5
Lumens: 400 to 1500
Watt Equivalent: 4 to 17 watts (LED), 27 to 94 watts (incandescent)
Whether it’s bad weather, a power outage, or other emergencies, it’s important to be prepared before the lights go out.
This CapeTronix rechargeable lantern is perfect for stashing in your emergency kit. It delivers up to 1,500 lumens, enough to comfortably illuminate even the largest room, tent or campsite.
Plus, the 4400mAh battery provides up to 16 hours of light, more than enough to get you out into the daylight.
You can also use this extensive battery capacity to charge other devices via the lantern’s battery bank function. It even has an SOS function to remotely alert others that you need help.
Are rechargeable lanterns worth it?
A rechargeable lantern is a worthwhile purchase for almost every camper. In general, it’s comparable in price to many traditional lanterns, even without considering the cost of disposable batteries or fuel.
In comparison, the cost of maintaining your rechargeable lantern is next to zero, making it an even better value over time. Plus, you’ll save yourself valuable time and frustration by avoiding those annoying last-minute trips to charge for fuel or batteries.
Don’t be in the dark about the best rechargeable lanterns
Gone are the days of old-school camping lanterns. It’s the era of the rechargeable lantern!
With their excellent luminosity, affordable price, and long-term value, they’re an easy way to upgrade any camping gear.
If you keep these five models in mind, you’ll never be left in the dark again.