The Best Camping Lanterns of 2023

BioLite didn’t miss when they brewed up the AlpenGlow 500 lantern ($80), a light that’s as versatile in the backcountry as it is for car camping. There’s little we could come up with that we would have done differently on this little lantern, which easily landed it the title of best overall.

Need a quick burst of white light? One tap. Feeling a little more natural? Tap again. A third tap brings the color, and a fourth ignites color-changing ChromaReal LEDs. BioLite also incorporated a number of secondary modes to each, giving you the ability to limit the light to only one side of the lantern or imitate a candle flicker.

There’s even a third press option triggered by a quick shake of the lantern. But while we do applaud BioLite for finding a unique way of integrating an accelerometer, in practice we found this to be a little hit-and-miss. Eventually, the lantern will catch on — it may just take an extra shake to get there.

On top of its impressive lighting capabilities (500 lumens is dang bright), the AlpenGlow 500 incorporates a number of features we’ve come to expect in a lantern, such as an integrated 6400 mAh power bank to charge your electronics. For those looking for all the same functions in a smaller package, there’s the AlpenGlow 250.

With ChromaReal LED tech baked in, this lantern puts out impressively natural-looking light, which we greatly appreciated. Anyone searching for an all-around powerhouse of a lantern would likely find it in the AlpenGlow.

Recently updated in 2022, the Moji Lantern ($25) gained a number of upgrades that only further cements itself as our budget winner. Now with double the lumen output (a respectable 200), and the ability to be powered by AAA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack, this lantern does a lot in an even smaller package than before.

Weighing in at just 6 ounces and measuring 3 inches around, there’s no reason not to bring it along just in case, especially at the price. The ability to run off of different types of batteries gives it an edge in emergencies, and the dimming switch allows you to make quick adjustments.

With a 200-lumen max, it’s not the brightest light on the list, but the Moji gets the job done. It not only stands up to rain, but it also can be splashed from multiple angles and will keep on ticking with an IPX4 water-resistant rating.

Per the manufacturer, it lasts up to 70 hours on low. But don’t expect to get that much out of a single battery supply, as you’ll surely want to use a higher setting in camp. If you’re looking for some more flexibility in your lantern battery, consider the Moji R + Lantern ($45), an iteration that adds an integrated 1500 mAh battery and external micro-USB charge port. And if you really need some juice, the Moji Charging Station Lantern ($80) boasts both an internal battery pack and the ability to run off AA batteries as a backup.

This little lantern is our top pick for hanging in the tent. Its lowest 4-lumen setting makes a good nightlight, too. Whether backpacking, car camping, or looking for an ultra-packable emergency light, the Moji is a durable and useful bargain.

It’s not often we take the kid gloves entirely off when dealing with camp lanterns, but the burly construction of the Fenix CL30R ($110) made it clear that it required no such special treatment. This is one tough and versatile lantern.

Built with a confidence-inspiring design, this lantern pumps out an impressive 650 lumens on turbo mode and is able to dial it back to 10 lumens when you want to enjoy the full 300-hour long burn time. It also makes use of an intelligent memory circuit, meaning the lantern will return to the previous setting last used. Smart.

When the time came to test this lantern, we were impressed by just how versatile it was when it came to power supply, and this was one of our favorite features about it. Using rechargeable (and replaceable) 18650 Li-ion batteries, this lantern becomes cross-compatible with our other 18650 powered electronics, and it can run on one, two, or all three cells. There’s even an option to replace the included cells with more powerful 3,500 mAh versions for even more juice.

Need to power up your other electronics? At the rear of the lantern is a charging and mini-USB discharging port — all covered by a rubber gasket. At a total capacity of 7,800 mAh (with the ability to expand to 10,500), this lantern can certainly charge most modern phones to full from dead flat. The battery compartment is sealed with a replaceable O-ring, which aids in making the light IPX7 water-resistant, and is one of the highest ratings of any lantern we’ve tested. That means you could submerge this lantern 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes!

Rounding out this versatile lantern from Fenix is both a bail handle for hanging, as well as a tripod socket for really spreading those lumens. For a tough and long-lasting lantern that’ll handle it all, you’d be hard-pressed to go wrong with the Fenix CL30R.

Looking for a packable solar light that won’t break the bank? Then it’s time you met the Goal Zero Crush Light. At just 20 bucks, it’s a great value. The 60-lumen max output isn’t wildly bright, but it offers a pleasant, useful glow around your camp.

It weighs 3.2 ounces and collapses neatly to take up very little space in your pack. And you can recharge via USB or simply set it outside and let the sun work its magic. It’s good to note that a smaller panel like the one on this lantern will take some time — an estimated 20 hours — to fully top off the light.

One of our favorite unexpected features? The candle flicker mode! Many lanterns these days are incorporating some type of ambiance setting, but only a few really hit the mark. We’re happy to report that the Crush made us believe during our testing.

It has a claimed max run time (on the lowest setting) of 35 hours, but the longest we’ve gotten is 28 hours. It’s never been a problem camping, though, as we just set it out each day to top off the charge. The Crush Light is a solid solar light and a great choice for backpacking.

This little candle-powered lantern ($30) is a must-have for your emergency kit, bugout bag, or go-to camp kit. It’s extremely easy to use — just slide the glass down and light the candle for instant light. The included reflector clip directs the light where you need it most.

A single candle burns for nearly 9 hours, and the spring-loaded system keeps the flame at a consistent height. It does get hot, so use caution when extinguishing or moving. It packs down to 4.25 inches long and weighs just 6.4 ounces.

The neoprene case keeps everything protected during transport and makes it a convenient addition to your camp kit. We’ve used one exclusively at camp when desiring a classic, soft firelight. And it’s always in our chuck kit just in case.

Need a little longer burning light? UCO also sells natural beeswax candles that burn for an extended 12 hours. And for those buggy summer nights, there are even citronella candles that’ll keep the skeeters at bay.

It’s also a top pick for emergency preparedness. Whether you live in a hurricane zone or have frequent blizzard-induced power outages, it’s a good idea to have a backup light available. The UCO Candle Lantern is an affordable, easy-to-use, reliable option for both camping and emergencies.

The MPOWERD Luci String Lights ($55) have quickly become one of our favorite camping lights. Ten individual light pods are spread across 18 feet of braided nylon cord, allowing you to light up a large area. It’s all the camp ambiance you need in a neat package.

We particularly like the way these lights store in themselves. Simply wrap the string lights into the solar base and twist closed. Pro tip from our testing: Be sure to avoid too many overlapping bulbs or it will become too bulky to close.

Because of its small form factor, the integrated solar panel does struggle a bit to charge the lantern from flat dead. It charges fully in about 8 hours via USB or 16 hours via solar, so we recommend charging it up prior to camping and then using solar to keep it topped off throughout.

We’ve used these string lights nearly every day for many months, and they’re still going strong. The color is a pleasing, natural warm light, and we’ve been impressed with how bright it gets on the highest setting. The Luci String Lights are a favorite option for adding a bit of camp ambiance or brightening up the backyard.

The Snow Peak GigaPower ($80) is a little lantern that runs on isobutane (just like your favorite backpacking stove) and doesn’t take up much room. It weighs in at just 4.6 ounces and measures about 3.75 inches around and is the perfect addition to your camp table come dinner time.

We found the light output particularly pleasant during our testing, yet plenty bright to complete all our camp chores. It has a max output of ~400 lumens and will run for about 5 hours in warm conditions. Similar to stoves, the run time decreases in colder weather. The benefit of running on stove fuel, however, is that you can use your depleted canisters that are too low to bring along for cooking. Genius!

The body of this lantern is machined aluminum, coupled with brass fittings that ensure a smooth attachment to a gas canister. The glass globe is held in place by a stainless steel cage, and houses the lantern mantle that will be needed to illuminate this lantern. This takes a little finesse the first time, but once it’s in place the lifespan should be many nights before it needs replacement.

An added bonus? Since it’s burning fuel, this little lantern will give off a bit of hand-warming heat, perfect for when the chill sets in. Just remember to let it cool down before stowing — something we were (painfully) reminded of during our initial use.

It began raining while we were using this lantern, but it never went out or had any issues. Being made of glass, it is susceptible to breaking if dropped. But the included hard carrying case will keep it safe when packed. For a portable warm glow, the Snow Peak GigaPower Lantern is our top choice.

Do you need a pint-sized lantern that packs a big punch? The Ledlenser ML6 ($90) is just the thing you need. We’ve been testing this packable light for over a year, and it has continually impressed.

At 7.8 inches tall, it easily fits in the palm of your hand. And it can pump out a powerful 750 lumens. That level of light is great for precise tasks, but generally, we use it at a much lower light level. This means your battery will last much longer.

The ML6 charges quickly via USB. It takes about 5 hours to recharge, and we get a solid weekend of camping on a single charge.

We also really like the varied options for hanging this lantern. You can choose from a metal hook on the bottom base plate, or use the malleable rubber loop on top.

That rubber top loop can come undone, which is nice for easily hanging it on a branch or rope. But since it can become removed completely, beware of misplacing it.

Lastly, the ML6 earns top marks for durability. One of our tester’s toddlers is very fond of this light and has repeatedly dropped it. Despite this rough handling, it still shines brightly and functions perfectly.

At 90 bucks, it’s not the cheapest option around. But, if you’re looking for a bright, portable, long-lasting lantern, this is a winner.

With a style that would fit right in while tending a lighthouse in a squall, the Barebones Forest Lantern ($80) certainly looks the part when we think of camping lanterns of old. The tech inside certainly tells a different story — sporting 5-watt CREE LEDs and a max 220 lumens sure to illuminate any darkened camp.

The steel cage that encases the interior lighting cover is a classic touch, and the build quality extends to the rest of the lantern, which is made up of three different materials: steel, plastic, and rubber.

This lantern isn’t the brightest at 220 lumens, but that’s something we actually came to appreciate — it fits in with the older look of the light. The weight is a bit hefty, which again comes with the classic look territory, but it doesn’t make it any nicer to lug around.

Perfect for setting the scene, the Forest Lantern even comes in five different vintage colors.

Leave it to solar-power guru Goal Zero to come up with a lantern that incorporates a number of smart charge and recharge features that turn the Lighthouse 600 lantern ($70) into a light source you can trust to stay on when you need it.

With three methods of charging the lantern (solar panel, USB, or spinning the crank atop the unit) we never felt we’d see the flicker of this lantern running out of juice. It makes an excellent basecamp lantern, perched above a table or hung from the inside of a tent.

While the integrated charging USB cord is a handy touch, we do see this as a potential future failure point should the cable become snagged or kinked. A simple USB port with a cover would have been our preference.

Unlike some of the other lanterns on our list, the Lighthouse 600 doesn’t use an integrated solar panel to recharge from the sun. This means you’ll either need to already own a Goal Zero solar panel or purchase one like the Nomad 10. For those who use a panel regularly, the Lighthouse will be an obvious companion.

Ready for whatever, the Lighthouse 600 would make a great lantern for anyone who wants an all-in-one system for light and charging ability.

With positive reviews from a number of our testers, it’s clear that this battery-powered lantern ($30) is a fan favorite. It runs on three D batteries and has a max output of 1,000 lumens. Plus, it has four lighting settings, and you can remove the cap to make it smaller or shine a more directed beam of light.

We’ve splashed water on it without any issues, but we don’t recommend letting it sit out in the rain or become submerged completely. At a little over 7 inches tall and about 3.5 inches wide, it won’t take up much room in the car or tent.

The nice thing about a battery-powered lantern is that you don’t need to worry about charging it up. The downside is it burns through batteries if used often. This LE LED lantern ran anywhere from 10 to 14 hours during our testing before needing a fresh set of batteries.

If you plan to use it infrequently or use rechargeable D batteries, it’s a great option. But if you plan to use it every weekend, a rechargeable or solar lantern is probably a better pick.

A micro-size wonder, the Lighthouse Micro Flash Lantern ($25) combines the functionality of a flashlight and a lantern into a super compact unit. This quickly became our “toss it and go” lantern of choice for quick outings where sundown was a possibility.

Not the brightest lantern of the lot, this light is best thought of as a close-quarters beam. We appreciated the dimmability of both the flashlight and lantern components, though the push button to activate it is on the smaller side.

Compared to our best budget pick, the Black Diamond Moji lantern, the Lighthouse Micro won’t beat it in overall lumen output, but the functionality of a focused beam does give it the edge when searching for runaway tent stakes and the like.

If you’re looking for a micro-size lantern with additional charge-out capabilities, GoalZero also makes the Lighthouse Micro Charge ($30) with an added USB port. Both of these lanterns would make perfect just-in-case additions to a glovebox or daypack.

No lantern review would be complete without this classic Coleman Deluxe Propane Lantern ($45). If you’ve never used a gas lantern, it’s important to make note of a few things. First, in lieu of light bulbs, it uses mantles that fill with fuel and burn brightly. The glass can become extremely hot, and caution should be used when handling it.

That said, it’s a solid lantern that will last for years. And it clocks in at just $45. The dual-mantle design pumps out 1,000 lumens on high. It will run for nearly 7.5 hours on high before needing a new fuel canister. The green propane cylinders run $38 for a pack of four. While this isn’t outrageously expensive, it does add up and should be a consideration when lantern shopping.

We found it easy to thread the light onto the propane cylinder and appreciated the footed base that prevents tipping. It’s worth noting that you will need a match to light this lantern.

If you don’t mind paying a bit more for a version that comes with a carrying case and an autostart piezo igniter, check out the Coleman Deluxe PerfectFlow with Carrying Case ($65).

The Solight SolarPuff Lantern ($30) unfolds with the grace of an origami swan, going from a compact flat to a 4-inch lighted cube — all without the need of inflating it. Made of PET sailcloth, this light pops open and provides either a bright, warm, or multi-colored light.

We first saw the SolarPuff lantern riding on the outside of the pack of a PCT thru-hiker, who found the collapsible lantern to be a perfect luxury item. The integrated solar panel charges the lantern while you hike and puts out a purported 12 hours of light on its low setting (with the sun shining).

Newly updated, Solight added a Dusk to Dawn light sensor, which can turn on the lantern by itself as the stars come out and turn back off as the sun comes up — a feature we very much enjoyed.

You likely won’t want to make the SolarPuff your only light source, as even at max output it only manages 90 lumens. But as a go-anywhere lantern with a small footprint, the SolarPuff Lantern is an easy choice.