Whether you need some extra light in your tent, or a cosy lamp for evening gatherings, a trusty camping lantern is a game changer for outdoor enthusiasts. With the help of a camping lantern, you can keep that card game going into the night, reach that final chapter, and simply find your way around a campsite after dark.
Now with so many models to consider, including traditional gas lanterns, and more contemporary, portable devices, it can be tricky knowing what to go for. To help you out, we've put a number of camping lanterns to the test.
You can also jump to our quick guide on how to choose a camping lantern.
Best camping lanterns at a glance
- Best for longer camping trips - Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Lantern - check availability at Cotswold Outdoor
- Best versatile mini light - Biolite AlpenGlow Mini - check availability at Amazon
- Best for backpacking - Black Diamond Moji+ LED Lantern - check availability at Ordnance Survey
Getting ready for a summer of camping? Don't forget to check out our team's selection of the best tents.
Best camping lanterns reviewed for 2024
Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Lantern
Best for longer camping trips
- Lumens: 210
- Weight: 226.8g
- Burn time: One side lit: 500+ hours (low), 7 hours (high); both sides lit: 400+ hours (low), 4 hours (high)
- RRP: £44.99
The Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Lantern features foldable legs, a sturdy carabiner loop and a metal hanger, making it a versatile gadget to suit a range of camping and hiking activities. You can attach it to your pack or light up a family tent with this camping gadget, plus the neatly integrated USB cable means it’s simple to recharge when you have a power source.
We were particularly taken with the long battery life on review, making it a useful device for longer trips, and it’s durable too. The device flashes however when charging which can be annoying for those sensitive to flashing lights.
Yes it’s expensive, but you’ll never need to buy batteries and it doubles up as a phone charger so we’d say it’s worth the cost.
Pros: Highly portable, long burn time, versatile mounting, USB charging facility.
Cons: No flashing light/SOS mode.
Our verdict: A bright, good value, eco-friendly lantern with a long burn-time, perfect for week-long camping trips.
Biolite AlpenGlow Mini
Best versatile mini light
- Lumens: 150 (highest setting) to 5 (lowest)
- Weight: 89g (3.5oz)
- Burn time: 40h (highest setting) to 5h (lowest)
- RRP: £39.99
This dinky, and rather cute, camping lantern fits in the palm of your hand, and thanks to an integrated bungee, can be hung from a branch or tent pole for your convenience. Powerful too, on test we found the lantern was bright enough to function as a decent reading light in the dead of night.
The Biolite AlpenGlow Mini is easy to use and recharge (it takes a standard USB-C cable), and even on full whack, you’ll get roughly five hours of life. On the low-beam setting you can get up to 40 hours.
This isn’t the most affordable mini light you can find, but with serious points for versatility, design, quality and portability, it’s won a place in our daypacks.
Pros: Great design; small enough to take anywhere; lightweight, powerful light with good battery life; handy bungee to hang off poles, branches, etc.
Cons: Not fully waterproof – it has an IPX4 rating. There’s no charge-out option for charging devices.
Our verdict: Its big sisters, the BioLite AlpenGlow 250 and 500, may prove better value if size isn’t a key factor for you, but for its pure convenience, the Mini is a winner for us.
Nebo Galileo Air 1000
Best collapsible camping light
- Lumens: Range from 40 – 1,000 lumens
- Weight: 285g
- Burn time: Depending on setting, up to 10 hours
- RRP: £39.99
The Nebo Galileo Air 1000 is a clever camping gadget. It's incredibly bright (so much so we'd recommend turning the light away from you whilst switching it on), lightweight and collapsible. It also doubles as a power bank, making it particularly hiker-friendly.
There are six light settings, so whether you're searching for a lost item in the grass in the pitch black, or relaxing with a book, you'll find a suitable brightness.
Pros: Water resistant, collapsible, portable, very bright and has a power bank
Cons: It’s not the prettiest of designs — a hardy rather than romantic option!
Our verdict: a great choice for wild camping – this sturdy, water-resistant lamp is pragmatically designed to pack down, shine bright and recharge your devices
Read our full review of the Nebo Galileo Air 1000.
Black Diamond Moji+ LED Lantern
Best for backpacking, solo camping
- Lumens: 200 max
- Weight: 76g or 107g with batteries
- Burn time: 5.5 hours (maximum power), 9.5 hours (medium power)
- RRP: £30
Another portable, lightweight camping lantern to consider, the Moji+ LED Lantern from Black Diamond is perfect for soft, discrete illumination around the campfire.
There are four mini magnets on the bottom for faff-free attachment — they’re not the strongest, but useful in a campervan nonetheless. We were impressed with the light’s brightness — when hung up in a three-person tent (thanks to the two hook attachments) and on its maximum 200 lumens setting, we found it illuminated every corner well.
On the lowest setting, you can enjoy a whopping 120 hours of battery life, and you’re looking at five and a half hours when it’s at maximum brightness.
Pros: Highly portable, long burn time
Cons: Batteries required
Our verdict: A stylish, super lightweight and extra-bright lantern, perfect for backpackers.
Quechua BL230 camping light
Best no-fuss camping light
SQUIRREL_TEXT_13111597
- Lumens: 234 (max power)
- Weight: 155g
- Burn time: 4h (highest setting) to 48h (torch mode)
- RRP: £34.99
For a no-frills, well-thought-out and functional camping light, we’d highly recommend the Quechua BL230 model. The compact device features a maximum output of 230 lumens, so you’ve got decent brightness for such a neat design, and there’s the option of a red mode too which works well as a night light.
We found attaching the adjustable strap was a little fiddly but once it’s on, you can hang the light from branches, tent poles and hooks to suit your camping setup.
On test, recharging took around three hours, and on full-beam, the battery boasts a four-hour lifespan. The portability and lightweight nature is another plus — you’ll always manage to squeeze it in your pack.
Pros: Very bright for its size; versatile; easy-to-use; handy strap to hang off nearby hooks, branches and so on.
Cons: Not fully waterproof – it has an IPX4 rating. There’s no charge-out option for charging devices.
Our verdict: There’s nothing fancy about this compact lamp, but every penny you spend goes on functionality – it does exactly what you’d want it to with no fuss and very little to complain about.
SQUIRREL_13111597
NEBO Big Poppy lantern & torch with power bank
Best budget, all-purpose lantern
- Lumens: 300 (full power) to 10 (flickering flame effect)
- Weight: 136g
- Burn time: 4h (highest setting) to 48h (torch mode)
- RRP: £34.99
If you’re in the market for a seriously bright camping light, at a reasonable price, the Nebo Big Poppy packs a decent punch. The versatile device quickly transforms from a torch to a lantern, and it handily doubles up as a power bank.
As a reasonably large light, the Big Poppy is more suited to short camping trips, festivals and garden use rather than backpacking adventures, and given its brightness, it’ll go down a treat with big groups.
Pros: Very bright for larger groups; transforms from torch to lantern quickly and easily; doubles as a power bank to charge devices; neat design.
Cons: Not the most solid build; realistic flame setting isn’t the best; can be fiddly to transform from lantern to torch; harsh light.
Our verdict: We love the adaptability of this inexpensive camping light, and having a power bank makes it earn its place in the camping kit box.
Coleman BatteryGuard 600L Lantern
Best for family camping trips and home use
- Lumens: 600 / 75
- Weight: 905 grams with batteries
- Burn time: 30 hours on high setting / 200 hours on low
- RRP: £29.99
Straight away, we were drawn to the Coleman BatteryGuard's classic style, with its bright beam inside a glass case, and a handle for carrying. Its size and weight means you'll not want to take this camping lantern backpacking, but if you're settled at a campsite for a holiday, or relaxing in your garden, the light can stand comfortably wherever it is set down.
With a dial at the top, and two light settings — a soft 75 lumen glow that stretches to six metres and a strong 360º beam that lights to a distance of 12 metres — this camping lantern is super simple to use.
Pros: Easy to use, charming old-school look, its 360º beam has a comfortable all-round glow
Cons: Heavy due to hefty batteries, not compact or easily portable in backpacks
Our verdict: This isn’t an all-bells-and-whistles offering – instead, it’s a classic, sturdy, battery-powered lantern. Its old-fashioned aesthetic has a certain charm.
How we tested
When testing our camping lanterns in the great outdoors, our team took the following questions into consideration:
- Brightness - How effective is light output? Does the light beam cover a decent distance?
- Battery life - How long does the camping light run before it needs recharging? Are there solar power features? Can you charge the camping light whilst still camping?
- Technical features - Can the light be used in a tent due to additional hanging features? Is it multifunctional/waterproof? Are there a range of light settings?
- Packability - Is the camping lantern light enough for backpacking? Is it easy to pack into a backpack?
- Value for money - Are there enough technical features to justify a hefty price tag? Do the materials feel durable?
Also consider...
Not quite found what you're looking for? In addition to our tested camping lanterns above, check out our list of other buying options below.
Nebo Galileo 1000 Lantern
- Rechargeable via cable
- Five functions: high 360° (1,000 lumens), medium 120° (300 lumens), low 360° (100 lumens), red high (15 lumens), red low (2 lumens)
- Maximum 1,000 lumens
- In-built power bank
- 230g
For a gadget with so many clever functions, this camping lamp has an impressively low weight, coming in at just 230g.
You can switch between five different functions (listed above), including high- and low-intensity red light for visibility at night.
There’s even an in-built power bank for charging your other devices on the go, and a carabiner-style handle for slinging it onto your backpack. According to the makers, the whole lantern is resistant to water and dust, so it should cope well with everyday activities.
Fire Maple Camping Gas Lanterns
- Gas powered
- Adjustable flame
- 89g / 140g (without gas canister)
If you’re after an old-school camping lantern, here’s a great option for you. Fire Maple makes beautiful gas-powered lanterns and cooking stoves designed for the great outdoors. We love the aesthetics of these glass lamps, which you can pair with the brand’s smart leather cover to slip over gas canisters.
The makers have included a valve, so you can adjust the gas flow to change the intensity of the flame. The pack also includes cleaning needles for unblocking the jet.
Primus Mimer Lantern
- Gas powered
- Adjustable flame
- Maximum 330 lumens
- 345g
Primus stoves are well-known among campers, so it’s no surprise we’ve included one of the brand’s gas lanterns in our list.
The design combines stainless steel with frosted glass for durability and diffused light. According to the makers, it runs silently, so there’s no background noise as you relax in the evening.
Campingaz 206 lantern
- Gas powered
- Adjustable flame
- 470g
With its characteristic bright blue colours, Campingaz is a familiar brand for most campers. Using one of the brand’s pierceable C206 cartridges, you should get up to five hours of light from this lantern, and you can adjust the intensity of the flame.
The base comes with holes for tent pegs – ideal if you want to secure it to uneven ground.
Other features include the steel globe guard and the frosted glass, which helps give a soft, diffused light. You’ll also get a durable metal carry handle for moving around your camping spot.
It needs handling with some care, though, so as not to damage the fabric mantle.
How to choose a camping lantern
Here are some of the main things to think about:
- Strength of light – measured in 'lumens'
- Lighting modes – dimmable, flashing, red for night time and so on
- Waterproof rating – ideal if there’s a chance of rain
- Useful features like hanging hooks, integrated power banks and detachable torches etc.
- Size and weight – is it convenient to carry around if you’re walking to your destination?
- Fuel type...
Electric, gas powered or wind up?
Camping lanterns use a variety of different power sources:
- Battery-powered (with disposable batteries)
- Rechargeable from cable
- Rechargeable with wind-up arm
- Solar-powered
- Gas-powered from fuel canister
The best option for you depends on how you want to use your camping lantern. While wind-up designs are fairly rare, you can find plenty of battery-powered lanterns in all shapes and sizes.
Gas lanterns are the traditional choice, offering a reliable source of intense light but electric designs can offer a safer alternative. They’re quieter, heat-free, less bulky and don’t emit any dangerous fumes – important if you need a tent light.
On the other hand, batteries can be expensive to replace. If the lantern is rechargeable, will you have access to mains electricity in order to do so?
How many lumens?
Camping lanterns’ lumen ratings vary hugely, so it’s worth considering how you’ll use your lamp.
- Some battery and solar-powered lanterns have a rating of under 100 lumens, which is enough for close-up tasks or ambient lighting.
- Gas-powered lanterns generally provide around 300-500 lumens, so they work well for various tasks.
- There are plenty of rechargeable and battery-powered lanterns with maximum lumen ratings of up to 1,000. They’re a fantastic choice if you want to light up a large area.
Durability
Look out for designs with sturdy construction and high waterproof ratings. Gas-powered lanterns with metal cages are also a durable option.
Battery life
This is one of the most important aspects of any camping lantern. While some battery-operated and solar-powered tent lanterns can only offer several hours of light, many can keep going for days at a time on a single charge.
For more camping essentials, browse our reviews of the best head torches.
