Summer camping trips are for long, languorous sunsets to be enjoyed from a folding chair with a tepid beverage. But without any light pollution or a helping hand from the Milky Way, nights in the wilderness can turn dark very quickly, even more so if you’re the hardy type who enjoys camping outwith the summer months, that’s when it’s time to get out the rechargeable camping lantern.
With tent poles, camping chairs or perilous terrain to avoid, scrambling around in the dark can easily end up in injury – cutting your trip short or worse.
For a small price, a rechargeable camping light will provide the temporary illumination needed to safely traverse your campsite, get some delicious outdoor food prepared or carry out any other task once the sun has set. They’re compact yet versatile camping gadgets – imperative for any trip into the unknown.
Best rechargeable camping lanterns at a glance
Best rechargeable camping lanterns:
The best rechargeable camping lantern
Pros
- Bright and long-lasting
- Great build quality
Cons
- The carrying bag is a little small
Editor's choice
Pros
- Multi-function
- Can be used as a power bank
Cons
- Can be tricky to close
Best for entertainment
Pros
- Music and lights
- Storage bag included
Cons
- No flashlight function
Best rechageable lantern for light colour variety
Pros
- Variety of colour modes
- Large central on/off button for easy operation
Cons
- Uses a micro-USB connection for charging
Best for long lasting illumination
Pros
- Great design
- Wide range of uses
Cons
- Not the best-looking lamp
Best for saving storage space
This lamp is rechargeable via USB for a 10-hour run time at low brightness when fully charged, but the battery can be topped up via the solar panel bank on the top of the unit – great for emergency situations in the wild.
Pros
- Nice feature set
- Easy USB recharging
Cons
- Only 10 hours runtime, even on low mode
Best rechargeable battery system
Alternatively, this lantern can run at 50 Lumens for up to 100 hours – perfect for a long trip away. When the lantern is no longer in use, the battery can be ejected from the housing through the top and inserted into another Onesource product.
Pros
- Three excellent lighting modes
- 100 hours of 50 lumens is really handy
Cons
- Requires both hands to change settings
FAQ's
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How many lumens do I need for a camping lantern?
The general rule of thumb is that about 50 lumens provide enough personal light for one person, but to illuminate a larger area, you might not want to go much lower than 250 lumens - anything around 500 lumens will provide enough light for a small group.
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How long does a rechargeable lantern last?
As with most things, the answer varies depending on the model and the type of usage. A rechargeable lantern will stay illuminated for a much longer period if operated at its lowest power output. Generally anything between a few hours and up to 200 hours, depending on the model.
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What light is best for camping?
It really depends on your requirements. Do you just need a simple reading light, one which will illuminate a large space, one which will offer different colours or simply a gentle night light? There is a huge variety of lights available for just about any requirement.
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How bright should a camping lantern be?
Illumination is measured in lumens, and the ideal level of light output for one person is about 50 lumens.
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Is red light better for camping?
Red light scatters less than white light, so it causes less interference with your surroundings. This makes it ideal if you need to use a light during the night without disturbing or waking others. It's also quite easy on the eyes.
Things to consider
Battery life – It goes without saying, you don’t want to be caught out by battery. Most rechargeable lanterns have long-lasting battery lives to suffice time away from a power supply, but some have longer-lasting batteries than others. We recommend factoring in the length and nature of your trip when selecting. Err on the side of caution when it comes to the battery (and that includes your main vehicle leisure battery too) – you won’t regret it.
Size and weight – Camping lights come in all different shapes and sizes, from stylish lanterns to multi-purpose collapsed suns for illuminating a whole valley. Since your lamp will be mixed in with the rest of your camping gear, it’s important to consider its portability as a gadget so as not to add too much weight to your pack. If you’re embarking on a trip involving a lot of activity, a light and compact lamp would make a better choice for its portability. If only planning to remain on a single site, why not go for something a bit bigger and brighter?
Utility – Consider what your lamp will be used for. Some camping lanterns are mostly decorative features, sporting a classic style to brighten up a campsite, while others are multipurpose for serious trekking. Both will have their strengths and weaknesses, but it’s important to factor in the intended utility of your lamp when making a selection.
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Seth Walton is an Autos Product Writer for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and motorsport. He also contributes to What’s The Best with interests in audio equipment and technology.
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