If you're out camping, there are a lot of things to think about. And, depending on whether you're hiking, backpacking, or just car-camping, your camping gear will change and vary.
There are a lot of different traditional lanterns out there you can purchase on the market but with so many choices getting a reliable tent light can be hard. But not with this article!
The best camping lanterns don't just look good, they do a lot more than that. These have rechargeable batteries and can be recharged via USB.
You place it in the sun while you are at work to ensure you have power at night when you are camping. They can also be hung from trees or tents to ensure that the entire area is lit up rather than just one specific area.
Choosing the best camping lights for your needs can be a tricky task. There are so many reviews and recommendations on the market that it can get confusing when you're trying to decide which set you should choose.
How We Search For The Best Choice
Camping lights are a necessity for any camper. Whether you’re staying in a tent or RV, you need to have a reliable light source that won’t let you down when you need it most. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the best camping lights or solar-powered lanterns for your needs.
We use several criteria to evaluate each of our picks:
Light output
The higher the lumens, the brighter the light will be. However, brightness isn’t everything. Some lights may be brighter than others but can only reach a certain distance before they fade out.
This is good if you want something that can light up an area close by (like around your campfire). If you want something to illuminate more distant areas like dirt paths or roads, then lower lumens might be better suited for your needs.
Battery life
Most of our picks run on rechargeable batteries that last between two and three hours at full power before needing recharging again. Keep this in mind when buying so that you’ll know how long each charge should last before buying extra batteries for longer trips or emergencies.
Size
You want to ensure that your light is small enough to fit in your backpack or vehicle easily without taking up too much space or weighing too much for comfort.
If you're going hiking or climbing, then it's even more important that it doesn't weigh too much so you don't wear yourself out unnecessarily with extra weight on your back.
Our Top Picks
Of all the different camping lights we looked at and researched, these are our five top choices:
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
This lantern is a must-have for any camper, hiker, or person who lives in an area where power outages are common. It's portable and lightweight, so you can take it with you wherever you go. The GearLight Sunlit Camping Lantern has a foldable hook that makes it easy to hang from tents and other surfaces when you're ready to turn in for the night.
You can also use this light as an emergency light source during power outages at home or in your office. If a storm hits, simply turn off all other lights in your home (including those in the attic) and turn on this lamp light.
This lantern is small enough to fit into your backpack and take with you anywhere. Even if you're camping away from civilization, this lantern will provide ample lighting for cooking, reading, or just hanging out around campfires at night.
Things That Are Good To Know
The GearLight lantern is a super bright, durable, and versatile lantern. It offers 360 degrees of effortless illumination and is powered by COB LED. This lantern can be easily folded and carried anywhere you go. It comes with a foldable hook that can be used to hang it up or even create overhead or stationary lighting in a tent, garage, back of a truck, and other places.
It's also easy to use: just flip the switch and enjoy hours of bright LED light! It weighs only one pound, so it's easy to carry with you wherever you go, including on your next hike or camping trip!
The camping lantern features an easy-to-use on/off switch that allows you to control the brightness of light output. It also has a strong magnetic base that allows you to attach it to any metal surface for hands-free use.
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
The AYL LED Camping Lantern is an excellent choice for camping, hiking, or even backpacking. It's durable, reliable, and easy to use. This lantern has been designed with versatility in mind.
Its extremely high 1800 lumens will provide ample light for your tent or campsite. The 46 LED bulbs are water and shock-resistant and will last for years without maintenance.
It is extremely easy to clean because it is waterproof and dustproof. You can wipe it down with a damp cloth or hose it if needed. You can also take out unused batteries so they don't drain while stored away.
It comes with a top handle, so you can easily carry it around the campsite or anywhere else that you need some extra light! This lantern is perfect for hiking, camping trips, or even just to keep in your car or truck in emergencies!
Things That Are Good To Know
The AYL LED Camping Lantern is an extremely powerful lantern that can be used for camping, hiking, and even emergencies. The lantern has a power bank function to recharge your phone or other devices.
It is also waterproof and can be submerged underwater. The lantern comes with four light modes. IP44 rating ensures that it's water resistant and can be used outside in any weather condition. The LED camping lantern generates 1800 lumens of brightness, which is enough for lighting an entire room or tent during an emergency situation or power outage at night.
The lantern is made of strong ABS plastic and has a slip-proof handle to help you carry it around easily. It also has a hook on top so you can hang it from branches or tents while camping or hiking at night.
It comes with a USB cable which allows you to charge your devices on the go if there are no electrical outlets available nearby. This makes the AYL LED Camping Lantern perfect for emergencies such as hurricanes, power outages, etc...
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
This waterproof tent light is made of durable plastic and will not break easily if dropped or stepped on by accident while hiking through the woods or camping at night. The LE LED Camping Lantern is perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, and more.
It features a high-intensity 1000-lumen output to illuminate large areas with its wide beam angle. This lantern can also be used as a portable work light due to its long-lasting battery life.
It is great for emergency situations such as power outages or camping trips. It's also waterproof, so you can use it in wet conditions without worrying about damaging the lantern's electronics or circuitry.
The camping lantern has four light modes that allow you to adjust the brightness according to your needs at any given time.
Things That Are Good To Know
LE LED Camping Lantern is a great lighting solution for outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing, hiking, etc. It is powered by 3pcs D alkaline batteries, which are easy to find in any store. The high-brightness LED bulb provides a bright light that's great for reading at night or illuminating the whole space.
The dimmable setting allows you to adjust the brightness according to your needs. This camping lantern can also be used as a flashlight because of its long battery life and water-resistant design. You can even remove the cover if you want brighter light!
The lantern has a hanging hook on top of it, so you can hang it anywhere you want. The cover can be easily removed when cleaning or charging. The lantern is IPX4 waterproof and dustproof, which means it is suitable for outdoor use on rainy days.
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
The CT CAPETRONIX LED Camping Lantern is perfect for all your camping, hiking, and emergency needs. This LED Camping Lantern is made with durable materials to ensure that it can withstand any adventure that you take it on. The portable size makes it perfect for taking on your next camping trip or a day hike.
With five different light modes, you'll always have the right amount of light for whatever situation you're in. Whether you're reading a map or trying to find something in your backpack during an emergency power outage, this lantern has got you covered! The LED Camping Lantern is also water resistant, so if things get a little wet while you're out camping or hiking, it won't be an issue!
Things That Are Good To Know
This is a great lantern for camping and outdoor adventures. This light features a soft anti-glare exterior that is easy on the eyes and won’t disturb your sleep.
It has three brightness levels, an SOS mode, and a flashing mode for emergencies. The battery life on this lantern is excellent, making it ideal for long camping trips or extended use in the backyard at night.
The lantern has a USB port to charge your phone or other devices with the built-in power bank function.
This lantern has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to 3-10 hours! The rechargeable battery also acts as a power bank, which means you can charge your phone while in the wilderness!
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
The Jarxin LED Camping Tent Lantern is portable and lightweight, making it easy to carry around with you wherever you go. The clip hook allows you to hang the lamp from trees or other tent ceilings.
It comes with three lighting modes: low light, high light, and flashing mode. You can easily change between the modes using the button on the side of the lantern. The high-quality ABS plastic material makes the tent light and waterproof, so you can use it in rainy conditions without worrying about any damage to your device.
This camping lantern is great for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, or boating because it's waterproof and can be used during bad weather conditions without having to worry about water damaging it
Things That Are Good To Know
The Jarxin camping tent lantern is designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It is a portable, lightweight tent lamp that can be used for camping, hiking, hunting, and other outdoor activities.
The LED bulb inside provides bright illumination but consumes less energy than other types of bulbs available in the market today. This means you will not have to worry about replacing batteries frequently, as they last longer than other types of lights available today!
You can hang this camping tent lantern anywhere using its hook design at the top end of it! This feature allows you to hang it from trees during camping trips or hang it from your backpack while hiking through forests, as it provides enough light for you to see.
Best Camping Lights FAQ
There are plenty of options for lighting up your campsite, from cheap portable LED string lights to more expensive rechargeable camping lanterns and headlamps. So which one do you choose? Here are some frequently asked questions about camping lights:
What are the benefits of using LED camping lights?
Below are some of the benefits that come with using LED camping lights when you're out in nature:
Lightweight
LED lights aren't nearly as heavy as other types of bulbs or lamps. This makes them perfect for backpacking, where every ounce counts. LED lamps also don't require much power and can run off batteries or small solar panels efficiently. This makes them ideal if you camp in remote locations without an electrical source nearby.
Long-lasting
LEDs last longer than other types of bulbs due to their low energy requirements and lack of filament that burns out over time. You should be able to get many years out of an LED bulb before having to replace it entirely, which saves money over time.
Low maintenance
Unlike incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes, LED bulbs don't require much maintenance since they don't burn out quickly and rarely need replacing (if ever). If anything does go wrong with your LED lamp
How do I choose the right camping lights for me?
First, let's look at the primary considerations:
Size and weight
You'll want to keep your gear light or solar panels compact lantern when backpacking or camping. You probably don't want to carry around a vast flashlight that weighs half a pound just for camp lighting.
Power source
Most people use disposable batteries for their camping lights. Still, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries have been gaining ground in recent years because they recharge quickly and can be used repeatedly.
Brightness level
The brightness level you need will depend on how much light you want around camp at night (and how much money you want to spend).
If you only need enough light to read by while sitting on the picnic table, a small LED flashlight will do the job just fine — but if you want to see what's going on inside your tent at night, there's no substitute for a powerful floodlight or lightweight lantern.
What are some tips for using camping lights?
Here are some tips on how to use them safely and effectively:
- Use the right kind of light
- Get a headlamp
- Use battery-operated lights when possible
- Keep flashlights dry, clean and covered
- Make sure your batteries are fully charged before you leave home
How do I care for my camping lights?
Here are some tips for how to care for your camping lights:
- Keep them away from water. You never know when there might be a spill or rain, so try to ensure your lights or gas-powered lanterns are not near any water sources.
- Store them properly. Keep them in a dry place with no direct sunlight and ensure they are not damaged.
- Clean them regularly to prevent corrosion and rusting of metal parts.
How long do camping lights last?
Camping lights are a great way to light up the night, but they can also be pretty expensive. That’s why it’s important to know how long they’re supposed to last before buying them.
The good news is that most camping lights have a lifespan of around 20,000 hours, so you should get at least two seasons out of your purchase before needing a replacement. However, there are always exceptions, and some brands will last longer than others
What are some common problems with camping lights?
Here are some common problems with camping lights:
They drain batteries quickly
This is especially true for lights that use a lot of power to light up the night. If you are out for more than a few hours, make sure you bring extra batteries for your light.
They don't last very long
Some lights start to dim after a few uses and then stop working altogether after being used once or twice. To extend the life of your light, make sure it's fully charged before each use, store it in its original packaging (if possible), so it doesn't get damaged, and keep it away from heat or moisture to avoid corrosion or rust.
The lenses break easily
Suppose you're using a flashlight during an emergency situation such as an earthquake or hurricane. In that case, you need something durable enough to withstand any kind of impact while still providing adequate lighting so that you can see where to go next without tripping.
What Are The Best Camping Lights For You?
When choosing a camping light, you should make a point of keeping in mind its primary function. You don't want to buy an expensive model that doesn't come with all the necessary items. Investing in one that is versatile and has most of the items you need is best.
The best camping lights depend on your budget, how you plan to use the light, your preferences, and your taste. We hope that this list of the top-rated LED camp lights will help you find something to fit your specific needs.
