When you head out on a camping trip, you probably have thought about bringing flashlights. While flashlights are beneficial and necessary, there is an alternative available. Have you ever thought about bringing a rechargeable camping lantern with you instead of a flashlight?
With the advancement in technology, traditional gadgets have become more useful over time. One of the best examples of this is rechargeable camping lanterns. This guide will give you an overview of key criteria to consider, a list of the five best options, and frequently asked questions.
Rechargeable Camping Lantern Buying Guide
If you’re in the market for camping lanterns, then there are a couple of criteria you should be paying attention to make sure you pick up the absolute best lantern for you.
Key Considerations:
- Area of illumination: Some lanterns can only illuminate a tent, while some can illuminate the entire campground. Depending on your need, some lanterns work better than others.
- Brightness: It should go without saying, but every lantern should be bright. Believe it or not, not every lantern is as bright as you would expect them to be.
- Battery life: How long does the lantern continue to work before it needs new batteries or a charge?
- Transportability: Some lanterns are easier to transport than others. If you go camping in a more remote area, then you need a lantern that can be easily carried and is not too heavy.
I use a variety of strategies to test these lanterns. My favorite strategy is to take them out into the woods in Northern Wisconsin and see how they perform. I also learn from other campers who have used these lanterns to get a good understanding of what has worked and what hasn’t worked.
Without further ado, let’s jump into my favorites.
The Five Best Rechargeable Camping Lanterns
1: Wsky Rechargeable Camping Lantern
6 Modes, 3600mAh Power Bank, Two Way Hook of Hanging, Perfect for Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Recreations, USB Charging Cable Included
This Wsky Best Rechargeable Camping Lantern is multifunctional. It comes with high to low, six different lighting modes. It also features a red SOS light that is specially made for emergencies. The best thing about this lantern is that the lighting modes can be adjusted just with a click of a single button. It is perfect for hiking, searching, and exploring the site. It provides enough light for all kinds of situations. You can also use this camping lantern as a power bank to charge your tablets and mobile phones.
This lantern is very compact and easy to transport. It features a handle and two hook that makes it very convenient to carry. You can either hold it in your hand or hang in the tent or elsewhere. The rubber structure makes it waterproof and provides amazing stability. Another great thing about this camping lantern is that it comes with a no-worry-after-service, which means you can contact the customer support team if you face any problem.
Pros of Wsky Rechargeable Camping Lantern:
- Different lighting modes
- Portable
- Water-resistant
Cons of Wsky Rechargeable Camping Lantern:
- Average durability
2: Internova Rechargeable Camping Lantern
Massive Brightness Adjustable 360 LED Arc Lighting - Emergency - Backpacking - Construction - Hiking - Auto - Home (Cadmium Orange)
If you are looking for a stylish and durable camping lantern, then this Internova Rechargeable Camping Lantern is the best option for you. It comes with a 2000mAh battery along with a power bank. The best thing about this lantern is that it is made of high-quality materials. This lantern is highly durable, and it is specially designed to provide amazing stability and face extreme weather conditions. It features a plastic molded base that handles slippery and uneven surfaces. With the help of its power bank, you can charge any kind of mobile device.
This camping lantern features versatile modes such as cool-running and 360 Degree Arc, which makes it very useful in emergencies. If you are just doing normal night-outs with your friends or family, then you can use the brilliant white mode. If you need more power, then you can switch it to ultimate brightness. It features a rubber handle that is specially designed to comfort your hand while holding it for a long duration.
Pros of Internova Rechargeable Camping Lantern:
- Durable
- Loaded with features
- Lightweight
Cons of Internova Rechargeable Camping Lantern:
- Slightly expensive
3: LE LED Rechargeable Camping Lantern
1000LM, 4 Light Modes, 4400mAh Power Bank, IP44 Waterproof, Perfect Lantern Flashlight for Hurricane Emergency, Hiking, Home and More, USB Cable Included
This LE Rechargeable Camping Lantern is one of the most popular camping lanterns currently available in the market. It features hooks on both top and bottom to hang it as per your needs. The best thing about this camping lantern is that it comes with a 4400mAh battery, and on a single charge, it can last up to 12 hours. This makes it perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities. Four different light modes are given so that you can adjust it according to your preferences. You can also switch to a power flashlight by long-pressing the control button.
The 360-degree beam angle and 1000 lumen provide amazing brightness. This camping lantern comes with a two-year warranty, and you can return it anytime you want and apply for a refund. In short, if you are looking for a powerful camping lantern at a budget-friendly cost, then this lantern will provide all the benefits.
Pros of LE LED Rechargeable Camping Lantern:
- Affordable
- Long battery life
- Easy and convenient to carry
Cons of LE LED Rechargeable Camping Lantern:
- Average design
4: Brionac Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern
Magnetic COB Lantern Flashlight 2 Power Supply Modes Survival Kit for Emergency, Hurricane, Power Outage
This Brionac Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern is best for people whose main priority is the look and design. It has two power supply modes, and the 1200 mAh battery makes it last for 12 hours. It is a multi-purpose camping lantern and comes with different brightness modes. For extreme dark conditions, you can switch it to ultra-bright mode. Along with this, it also features an SOS mode and Strobe red warning light for emergencies. It also works great as a flashlight, which makes it very helpful for searching purposes.
The best thing about this camping rechargeable lantern is that it has three magnets placed in the bottom that helps in keeping it stable in slippery metal surfaces. It features two foldable handles that provide amazing mobility. It is made of high-quality ABS material that provides excellent durability. This camping lantern completely water-proof, and if you face any errors, it is also very easy to reach the customer support team.
Pros of Brionac Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern:
- Unique design
- Powerful
- Magnetic base for stability
Cons of Brionac Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern:
- Heavy
5: Sinvitron LED Camping Lantern Rechargeable
Power Bank 15000mAh, Camping Tent Light W/Up to 500H Light Time & LCD Screen, 4 Light Mode, IP65 Waterproof for Emergency, Hurricane, Power Outage, Hiking
This Sinvitron LED Camping Lantern Rechargeable comes with a 360-degree ultra-bright LED, which is perfect for long hiking tours and camping. You can also dim the light and make it more elegant by holding down the brightness control button. The best thing about this camping lantern is its battery capacity. If you use it in the high mode, then it can last up to 30 hours. It comes with three different lights warm white, natural, and cool. It features a built-in SOS mode. Another characteristic is the 15000mAh power bank that can be used to charge all mobile devices. High-quality material is used in its making. It comes with a rubber coating to make it stable on any kind of surface.
Pros of Sinvitron LED Camping Lantern Rechargeable:
- Long battery life
- Different lighting options
Cons of Sinvitron LED Camping Lantern Rechargeable:
- Slightly expensive
Camping Lantern FAQ’s
How do you charge a rechargeable camping lantern?
The short answer is that it depends on the model.
There are three different types of charging methods that exist for these lanterns.
- Battery
- Wall Plug
- Solar
For battery lanterns, it’s very easy to replace the batteries. Simply buy batteries at your local grocery store or CVS, and you are good to go.
The wall plug one is more difficult because you often need electricity only to charge them. Sometimes you could use a battery pack, similar to what you would use to charge your phone remotely, but it doesn’t always work.
The solar ones are your best option. These tend to be great no matter what, as they charge quickly when the sun is up. The only downside here is they charge a bit slower on a cloudy day, but they do still charge.
How long does the battery last?
The short answer, and most important answer, is long enough for a weekend. Many people just go camping for the weekend, and I’ve yet to find a lantern that doesn’t last that long. If you are out for less then three days, then all of the above options should be a good fit.
However, if you are going for a week or more, then you need a plan on how to recharge your lantern. For me, that means keeping a stock of the right size batteries.
Final Thoughts
There are many aspects of the camping lantern to take into account before making your purchase. Decide which way you would like to recharge your lantern, and the main purpose it will be used to drive your purchasing decision.
If you are using your camping lantern for car camping, check out the Ultimate Car Camping Checklist to ensure a successful adventure.
See you at the campsite!
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