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The Best Camping Lantern

Last updated on June 2, 2022

We looked at the top 14 Camping Lanterns and dug through the reviews from 120 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Camping Lanterns.

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Whether you’re sleeping in a tent in the middle of the woods or launching a nighttime kayaking adventure, a good camping lantern can be your most treasured tool. Camping lanterns are made specifically for the unique needs of outdoor adventurers, with many even having a hook to make them easy to hang on tent poles and other surfaces.

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But there are several things to consider when you’re in the market for a camping lantern. The first is just how bright you want your lamp to be. Most of today’s lanterns use LED, which are both energy efficient and powerful, with the ability to illuminate a wide space. However, you may want the ability to lower that brightness or switch over to a red light to navigate through your campsite without waking everyone else. Some camping lanterns even come with SOS lights in case you ever find yourself in an emergency situation.

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As handy as a bright light can be, though, it won’t help much if it drains your batteries quickly. The energy efficiency of LED lights helps quite a bit, but some lanterns also have a setting that allows you to switch to a lower-powered light, preserving the bright light for only when you really need it. This can conserve battery power, with some lamps lasting for 12 hours or more.

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Durability is another important issue. Although it’s important that your lantern last for many years, it’s also good if it can survive drops. Chances are, your lantern will suffer at least an accident or two on your adventures, so finding a rugged lantern is important. Whether you plan to take it on water-bound adventures or not, a waterproof lantern can be invaluable. You never know when you’ll be stuck in a rainstorm or you’ll accidentally drop it in a puddle. Some lanterns are not only waterproof, but they also float to make it easy to recover if you drop it in a body of water.

Our Picks For The Top Camping Lanterns

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Runner Up

AYL Waterproof Lightweight Camping Lantern

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AYL

Waterproof Lightweight Camping Lantern

Whether you're planning a trip or just preparing for an emergency, this camping lantern is a must. It can run for up to six days before needing a new set of batteries. The unit offers three different lighting modes and is designed to be both water-resistant and shockproof.

Overall Take

Economical OptionThe affordable price tag on this camping lantern helps keep your trip budget-friendly.

 Top Pick

Coleman USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern

Coleman

USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern

You'll find two sets of lights on this high-quality camping lantern. The four large panels are actually removable, which means you can grab a light and take it with you if you need to find a restroom in the dark. There are also four beam lights that remain built-in to the lantern, so you can continue to enjoy light inside your tent or over a picnic...

Overall Take

Powers Mobile DevicesIn addition to lighting up your campsite, this camping lantern can also charge your smartphones and tablets.

Pros
" Tops the list of combining durability,power and versability."
Cons
"Some people said it was hard to move around with a big camping lantern like this inside a small tent"
 We Also Like

Vont Battery Powered LED Camping Lantern, 2-Pack

Vont

Battery Powered LED Camping Lantern, 2-Pack

The body on this camping lantern collapses, making it easy to slip into a bag. You'll need three AA batteries to run this lantern, but you'll get up to 30 hours of illumination before the batteries drain. This lantern is both waterproof and durable, with the manufacturer even calling it "indestructible."

Overall Take

Packs Up NicelyThe collapsible frame of this camping lantern makes it more portable than other models.

Pros
" It has a collapsible design which makes it easy to store away and then will fold out with a handle which makes it very easy to carry. It’s also very light as well so you won’t have any problems taking..."
Cons
"Some people don’t like that the batteries aren’t included."
 Strong Contender

Eveready Magnetnetic Base Camping Lantern, 4-Pack

Eveready

Magnetnetic Base Camping Lantern, 4-Pack

If you're in charge of packing for the next camping trip with friends, this camping lantern set should be first on your list. It includes a total of four lanterns, each of which are collapsible to save space. The 360-degree LED lights have four lighting modes and the lantern itself comes with a hook for hanging.

Overall Take

Handy SetIn adding to lighting up your tent, this camping lantern is great for fishing trips, outdoor parties and emergency preparedness kits.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
21

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the camping lanterns available to purchase.
14

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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120

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Globo Turf, 9 Top Best, Noble Rate, Rainy Adventures.

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User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 14 Camping Lanterns and also dug through the reviews from 120 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Camping Lanterns.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Eveready Magnetnetic Base Camping Lantern, 4-Pack

User Summarized Score

9.6
3,775 user reviews

Our Take

If you're in charge of packing for the next camping trip with friends, this camping lantern set should be first on your list. It includes a total of four lanterns, each of which are collapsible to save space. The 360-degree LED lights have four lighting modes and the lantern itself comes with a hook for hanging.

What to Look For

  • LEDs can provide plenty of energy efficiency without sacrificing brightness. The LED light on the Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern is especially brilliant, covering a wide space. With other lanterns, you get 360-degree light distribution to help cover your campsite.
  • Some models come with a red light, which provides just enough light for you to see without blinding those around you.
  • If you ever find yourself stranded and need help, the SOS light on certain hand models will prove very useful.
  • Even with energy-efficient LEDs, camping lanterns can drain your batteries, possibly leaving you stranded if you don’t have a way to charge them. The rechargeable batteries on the Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern give you up to 12 hours of light. Running certain lanterns on a low white light mode can extend the life of your batteries to up to 295 hours. Keep in mind that the high setting will drain your batteries quickly.
  • The Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern runs on rechargeable batteries, which can save you money over time. Other models use D or AAA batteries, so make sure you have extra on hand in case they run out in the middle of your camping trip.
  • Chances are, you’re taking your lantern on outdoor adventures. That means eventually, it will suffer a mishap or two. The Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern is made from military-grade materials that keep it intact no matter what you put it through. Other compact lanterns have been extensively tested and made to survive falls of up to two meters.
  • Water-resistance is also important. The Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern is waterproof, but other waterproof models also float in water.

Camping Lantern Rankings

1. AYL Waterproof Lightweight Camping Lantern

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 1

2. Coleman USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 22

3. Vont Battery Powered LED Camping Lantern, 2-Pack

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 18

4. Eveready Magnetnetic Base Camping Lantern, 4-Pack

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 1

5. Wsky Portable Water Resistant Camping Lantern

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

6. Etekcity Military-Grade LED Camping Lantern, 4-Pack

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

7. Lighting EVER Dimmable Hanging Camping Lantern

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 10

8. AYL Starlight 360° Lighting Camping Lantern

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 21

9. EZORKAS Unbreakable Weatherproof Camping Lantern, 2-Pack

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

10. Etekcity Portable Ultra Bright Camping Lantern, 4-Pack

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 10

11. Streamlight Siege Night Vision LED Camping Lantern

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 24

12. Odoland 2-In-1 Cooling Fan & Camping Lantern

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 6

13. Vont Battery-Powered Waterproof Camping Lantern, 4-Pack

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 17

14. HeroBeam V2.0 Wide Angled Camping Lantern

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 11

More to Explore

Coleman is credited with bringing camping lanterns to the world. In the early 1900s, W.C. Coleman hung the company’s first gas lamps from poles near a football field in Wichita, Kansas. This effectively provided light for that night’s game at Fairmount College. That game is believed to be the first nighttime football game held west of the Mississippi. The lamp, developed in 1905 by W.C. Coleman, used a small pressurized base tank to provide safe, bright illumination at campsites. Since then, Coleman has been a leader in the camping lantern field, although today’s lanterns use batteries for power and LEDs for energy-efficient illumination.

More to explore