Have you ever been camping and notice how short your day was?

One time I didn’t bring this simple camping gear.

I had to sleep at 8pm!

Don’t be like me and make your camping trip only 12 hours per day.

If you want to make the most of your camping trip, you need to be able to enjoy ALL your time – even after the sun goes down.

Sitting around the campfire is good for some memories, but wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy more?

Well, having the right camp lantern might just be the trick.

Extra light will allow you to explore, prepare meals or just relax with a nice book = Not bored!

Having the right camping gear is essential, just like camping tents, sleeping bags, chairs and a stove , a camping lantern might be what you need to enjoy the wonders of camping at night.

What are Your Options?

Before you can decide which camp lantern is best for you, you need to know what the options are. Lets look at what some of those options are.

Fuel Source

The first thing to consider is the fuel source. There are three basic ways in which camp lanterns are powered and each has its own advantages & disadvantages.

Liquid Fuel

This is the oldest of options, and for many years the only one. These models use butane, LP gas or special liquid fuel combinations as a fuel source. Advantages include brighter light output, long run time and dependability in sub zero temperatures. Disadvantages include increased danger of fire, exhaust fumes, messier than other fuels and increased price tag. Liquid fuel lanterns also rely on mantles, small mesh bags, that attach to gas tubes and burn when lit. These mantles are flimsy and prone to damage and must be replaced frequently.

Battery

The majority of modern camp lanterns have replaced liquid fuel with batteries. Not only does this make for easier transportation and use it has also reduced size and weight. Battery operated lanterns offer a reliable light source without the fear of fire, can be used inside tents or other shelters and offer a save alternative for campsites where children are present.

Of course, there are drawbacks as well. Batteries can be expensive to replace, the output is generally far less than liquid fuel and most do not function well in low temperatures. If batteries are left in lantern for extended periods of no use they are likely to corrode and damage the unit.

Rechargeable

As with many electronic devices there is a growing trend when comes to rechargeable camp lanterns. Although these designs could be classified as battery operated classifying in a separate category allows for a more complete review and comparison.

Some models are operated by solar power and automatically recharge during daylight hours. Others have built in fuel cells that must be plugged into an exterior power source, such as an outlet or generator, to be recharged.

These designs tend to function as the same level as comparable battery models and offer many of the same advantages but do not carry with them the added expense of repeated battery purchases. Charging can take place anywhere a power source is available including your car, a generator or even a solar charger. One model we will review later can even be charged via a hand crank, meaning your will never be without a workable lantern.

Rechargeable devices tend to rely heavily on technology and include more advanced engineering, which means they are also more delicate than other models.

Lumens

Lumens are the measurement of light output; more lumens mean more light. Camp lanterns generally produce between 150-350 lumens, although there are those that produce as low as 30 lumens or as high as 700 lumens. But what does this mean? Do you simply select the brightest you can afford? No, different lumen levels are designed for different purposes.

Here is a example of what you should expect from various lumen levels:

100 lumens or less are well suited for lighting a tent or similar small, enclosed space and can be used to follow a trail to or from camp to your car, restroom etc.

200 lumens is need to light a specific area such as a table for meals, tent area or meal preparation site.

300 lumens or more is what you will need to light your campsite as a whole, the more lumens the larger the area you will illuminate. With larger lanterns you will be able to light up the camp area in the same manner you would by turning on a light in a room at home.

One thing to understand when it comes to lumen ratings is that they are not all equal. Some manufacturers measure lumens at the bulb, stating what is produced. Others take the measurement at specific distances from the lantern, better describing what you will actually experience during use. Know which method is used for the models you are exploring.

Features

When one lantern looks like the next and price, fuel source and lumens are equal it often comes down to individual features. Which lantern offers the most features you will use? If this is the case when you are shopping here are some of the features you should look for.

Size & Weight Run Time Water Resistance The extra weight of a lantern may not seem like much when you are at home packing, but once you are on the trail or carrying gear from car to camp every ounce will matter. Plus, do not forget that not only will you need to carry the lantern itself but the fuel as well. With the exception of rechargeable units, every lantern will require refueling if you intend to use it for a multiple day trip. Aside from weight there is also the matter of overall size. Many lanterns are bulky, even if light weight, and will take up a lot of space if packing for the trail. Others are designed to collapse when not in use, making them more attractive for backpackers. Regardless of the fuel source you select it is important to know how often the lantern will need to be refueled, have new batteries installed or be recharged. Most units will include a power or fuel gauge, allowing you to better plan you use. To increase run time, and achieve more versatility from your lantern, look for models with multiple power settings that allow dimming lantern when in your tent or using to light trail and boosting when full camp mode is desired. Very few lanterns are truly waterproof, as this is not an option most users require, and it tends to increase the price tag. However, almost any quality lantern will offer some level of water resistance- an important feature when exposed to rain, splash or similar uncontrollable conditions encountered while camping.

Our Selections

So, know that you have seen what the options and available features are it is time to see our picks for best camp lantern. Each of these models provide a combination of design and features that not only do users find useful, they have also impressed reviewers since their release and can be found on multiple list similar to this one.

Coleman Duel Fuel Lantern – Best Traditional Camp Lantern

As was stated earlier, liquid fuel lanterns are among the oldest designs available. Despite their drawbacks, including fire hazard and harmful fumes, there are times when old school is best. When you want to light up your camp and have it appear as if it were noon time or spend a great deal of time camping in colder temperatures there is nothing like gas.

Coleman has been making quality liquid fuel lanterns for years and that experience shows in their latest model the Duel Fuel Lantern. This model can be powered by either unleaded gasoline or Coleman’s Liquid Fuel, both readily available. You will find the 700 lumens and 7 hrs of run time enough to light any campsite for far longer than a single evening. The two mantle design provides consistent 360 degrees of lighting and can do so even in sub zero conditions.

PROS Top of the line lumens output, more than enough for any situation you may encounter.

Ability to use during freezing conditions without loss of dependability.

Comes equipped with hard protective case for transportation and storage. CONS Liquid fuels increase risk of fire and dangerous fumes, meaning this cannot be used indoors.

Mantles are delicate and prone to breakage.

Fuel needed for operation is messy and heavy to carry to camp.

Buy Coleman Duel Fuel Lantern on Amazon

Streamlight Siege Lantern – Best Value and Feature for the Money

Streamlight has been making tactical lights, including flashlights and headlamps, for many years so it should come as no surprise they have also produced a top-notch camp lantern. What could not be expected is just how much this single light can do. Adjustable power settings allow for use in a variety of conditions or situation – light your tent, camp or the trail ahead with one single adjustable unit.

If you are using it at night the redlight option allows for protection of you night vision, a feature not common in camp lanterns. Should you find yourself lost and in need of rescue it even has a setting that automatically flashes S.O.S. What more could you ask for? How about a small compact design, impressive run times (30 hrs./340 lumens, 70 hrs./175 lumens and 295 hrs./30 lumens). Thanks to a color-coded power indicator you will easily know how much power is available at any time.

PROS Multiple mounting points allows use in a variety of positions, including upside down.

Fully waterproof and it floats too.

Recessed power button avoids accidental activation.

Multiple power setting, including redlight option, for use in variety of situations. CONS Only available in one color- brown/black combination.

Not rechargeable, operated by 3 D-cell batteries, surprising considering the other advances available.

Buy Streamlight Siege Lantern on Amazon

ETEKCITY Portable Camp Lantern – Best Budget Weekend Pick

If you are hiking or car camping you will want to keep your gear to a minimum. There was a time when this may have meant leaving the bulky, heavy lantern at home. Thanks to Etekcity this no longer necessary. With this compact, light weight camp lantern powered by only 3 tiny AA batteries you can now have a reliable light source anywhere you go.

With four different power settings and a run time of up to 12 hours you will also find this unit versatile enough for any situation. Plus, because space is at a premium, you will find the included fire starter and waterproof storage compartment handy as well.

PROS Small compact unit plus additional storage compartment makes for easy packing.

Available in multi-packs of 3 or 6 units at great savings.

90-day return guarantee, 2-year warranty and lifetime customer support. CONS Not waterproof, only water resistant.

Power button can be easily activated by accident, leading to unit being unavailable when needed.

Buy ETEKCITY Portable Camp Lantern on Amazon

Coleman LED Quad Lantern – Best Family Camping Lantern

Coleman has been a leading producer of quality camp lanterns for decades and we have already seen one of their traditional liquid fuel models earlier in this review, but that does not mean they can not make a top of the line battery operated model as well. Although even Coleman could not make a battery lantern a s bright as their gas model, they did manage to make up for this by providing a high degree of versatility with the Quad.

When fully assembled the Quad offers 194 lumens in a 360 degree pattern for an impressive 75 hours. You will also enjoy water resistance, an easy to locate & use on/off button and 24 LEDS that never need replaced. But there is more- four times more because each face panel can be removed and used as an individual light source as well.

PROS Versatility- one large lantern or up to four individual light in a single package

Light weight, long run time and water resistance

5-year limited warranty from a company you no will be here tomorrow and for years to come CONS Relies on 8 d-cell batteries- increasing both size & weight as well as replacement cost.

Although the 194 lumens will provide plenty of light for around the picnic table you will need more than one unit to light the entire camp.

Buy Coleman LED Quad Lantern on Amazon

Goal Zero Lighthouse 400 Lantern – Best Do It All Lantern

There are those who like old school and there are those who are always looking for the latest in high tech. If you find yourself in the second group, then this is the camp lantern for you.

The Goal Zero Lighthouse is packed with the latest technology and advancements including LED powered dual directional 360-degree lighting, internal lithium battery that is solar recharge ready, a crank handle for emergency charging and a built in USB port for recharging the lantern or charging your cell phone of tablet when off the grid. But, unlike many gadget friendly pieces of gear, it does not stop being a quality camp lantern.

The LEDs provide a warm white light at two settings, with full brightness of 400 lumens. Depending on setting selected you will enjoy between 2.5 and 48 hours of run time. Plus, all of this comes in a compact, easily portable package well suited for car camping for carrying to your site.

PROS Multiple power sources – rechargeable solar ready lithium battery and hand crank.

Can be used as power source for cell phones or tablets when on the go.

Collapsible legs allow you to elevate lantern for better light distribution.

10 minutes of light per 1 minute of crank time. CONS Proprietary battery not compatible with other devices.

Power button is small and difficult to operate with gloved hands

Although it will charge a cell phone it will only boost a tablet

Buy Goal Zero Lighthouse 400 Lantern on Amazon

Conclusion

Selecting the perfect camp lantern will not only light your way, it will increase the overall enjoy-ability of your outdoor experience. No more retreating to the tent when the sun goes down, or tripping over roots or rocks when trying to find the latrine during the night.

With a quality light source, you will be able to enjoy your camping experience all night long without worry. Hopefully you will find that one of our selections as top camp lantern will also be the perfect choice for you. However, if they do not meet your needs it is our hope that the tips we provided will make find the one you do need a bit easier.

Review Rating [Total: 3 Average: 3 ]