Camping has always been a popular recreational activity. There is a certain appeal to leaving the bustling city behind for a pleasant night in the wilderness. Hardly any other activity gives as much closure with nature as camping does.
Best Solar Camping Lanterns – Quick Pick
If you’re in a hurry, here are our two favorite solar camping lanterns in this review.
- Rechargeable Portable Lantern – Editor’s Choice for 2019 (best Value for the Money)
- Suaoki Led Camping Lantern Lights for Outdoor Hiking – (Longer lifespan, Great for camping)
What other activity can allow you to watch the beautiful night sky, breathe in fresh air and listen to the night sounds of the wild?!
There are lots of things to arrange for a camping trip- tents, knives, rope, food, water. While arranging a camping trip, it is easy to overlook the lighting as it seems trivial to other needs such as a tent or other supplies.
But in fact, lighting is one of the most important camping essentials. The amount of thought you give to lighting could make or break your camping experience.
Table on Content
- 6 Best Solar Camping Lanterns in 2019
- 6 Best Solar Camping Lanterns Reviews in 2019
- 1. Rechargeable Portable Outdoor Lantern
- 2. ErgaLogik Camping Lantern – Best Emergency Light
- 3. APPHOME Portable Outdoor Rechargeable LED Camping Lamp Light
- 4. TANSOREN® LED Waterproof Camping Lantern Portable Emergency
- 5. Trekk Solar Camping Lantern
- 6. Solar Hybrid LED Lantern
- 7. MPOWERD Luci Outdoor Inflatable Solar Light
- 8. FengChi, LED Camping Lantern [3 pack]
- 9. YIEASY Led Camping Lantern, 3 Pack Rechargeable Solar Lantern
- 10. Suaoki Led Camping Lantern Lights for Outdoor Hiking
- Importance of Good Lighting for Camping
- Why a Solar Camping Lantern?
- What To Look For in a Camping Lantern
- Things To Remember
- The Best Pick
6 Best Solar Camping Lanterns in 2019
6 Best Solar Camping Lanterns Reviews in 2019
1. Rechargeable Portable Outdoor Lantern
Specifications:
Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 5 inches
Weight: 3.6 pounds including solar panel
Material type: ABS Plastic and stainless steel
Bulb type: LED
Number of LEDs: 72
Average battery life: 12,000 hours
This solar lantern by World Green Products comes with a USB port, a solar panel, AC adapter and a rechargeable battery. It is made from durable ABS plastic and stainless steel, so it can withstand wear and tear pretty impressively.
This lantern takes 12 hours to fully charge by sunlight but only 8 hours by AC charge. It has two modes- HI and LO. In the HI mode, the lantern gives off 300 lumens of light and can be used for 12 hours. In the LO mode, the lantern gives off 200 lumens and can be used for 15 hours.
Another feature is the rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery which can hold power for up to 5 months when fully charged. You can also charge your electronics like your mobile phone in the USB port of the lantern. This feature could be quite handy when you are running low on cellular battery when out camping.
The detachable solar panel that accompanies this lantern is weatherproof and is covered in break resistant glass. It’s dimensions are 9 x 6 x 1 inches. Overall, the body of the lantern is weatherproof and very durable.
The long battery life and the lumens that comes with it is exactly what you need when you are camping. The lantern is also small and light enough to carry with you easily and will not take up much space in your backpack.
Features I like:
- Durable
- High lumen rating
- Powerful
- Packs easily
- Long lifespan
2. ErgaLogik Camping Lantern – Best Emergency Light
Specifications:
Dimensions: 2.2 x 3.7 x 4.9 inches
Weight: 3 ounces
Battery type: 800 mAh/3.7V Lithium battery
Bulb type: LED
Charging options: Solar or USB
Number of lumens: 25-63 lumens
The adage ‘good things come in small packages’ rings true in the case of this lantern by ErgaLogik. Only 3 ounces in weight, this lantern can be compressed to the size of the palm of your hand, which is an ingenious lantern to be used for camping trips.
The lantern takes 4 to 6 hours to charge, and can stay working up to 10 hours once fully charged. It has three modes.
The high brightness mode can give up to 63 lumens and the low brightness mode can give up to 25 lumens. You can choose whether to use the high brightness or low brightness as per your needs. The third mode is very unique. It has an “SOS” mode that can blink out SOS in Morse Code if you ever need to use it.
The lantern can light up inside your tent quite well. But if you want to use it for lighting the whole camp, it might be better to buy a couple more of these lanterns. It is also water resistant, so it will not affect its performance if you use the light outside your tent.
The greatest pro of this lantern is its size and compactness. It will not take up much room in your backpack but can power on throughout the night. It also has a USB outlet, which can charge your electronic devices such as cell phones.
In all, this little lantern will fool you with its size but amaze you with its performance!
Features I like:
- Collapsible design
- Compact size
- Long operating hours
- Lightweight
- Water resistant
3. APPHOME Portable Outdoor Rechargeable LED Camping Lamp Light
Specifications:
Dimensions: 3.6 x 7.7 x 3.6 inches
Weight: 12 ounces
Bulb type: LED
This lantern by Apphome is also a collapsible model. It is multifunctional and can be used as both a flashlight and a camping lantern. All you have to do is detach the silicone handle and attach it to the top to use as a lantern, or on the side to use as a flashlight.
It can be charged by solar power as well as direct current. It takes 3-4 hours to fully charge by DC and roughly double that time to charge by solar power.
It can operate for quite an impressive time, and is bright enough to light the camp. It can be used while you are cooking or even inside the tent. You can use it as a flashlight too, so you can carry it around easily with you while going to the toilet as well.
It has a solar panel on the top, and can charge easily if kept on a sunlit surface. It also has a USB outlet to charge your cell phone.
This solar lantern/flashlight can be a very reliable source of light for your next camping trip.
Features I like:
- Collapsible
- Multifunctional
- Charges fast
- Brightness
4. TANSOREN® LED Waterproof Camping Lantern Portable Emergency
Specifications:
Dimensions: 3.94x 3.94 x 4.92 inches
Weight: 330 grams
Material: Plastic
Bulb type: LED
Number of lumens:180 lumens
Battery: 3 AA batteries
The TANSOREN lantern is a strong and sturdy lantern that can be a big help when you are camping. It is waterproof so you can use it outdoors or out on the camp area besides using it in your tent.
The lantern is made of strong plastic and can withstand use. It uses LED bulbs which have a high luminosity of 180 lumens, which can be sufficient to light up a camp area. The lightness of the lantern (330 grams) is another feature that can make your camping hassle free.
It can be operated from three different modes. You can charge the battery via solar power, a USB outlet or even use 3 AA batteries in case you encounter cloudy weather. This versatility in charging can be really helpful if your lantern runs out of solar charge and you can simply switch to the battery power.
The S hook on the lantern enables you to hang it on a ceiling or you can also place it on a table. This also makes it easy to use it outside and the inside of the tent.
Moreover, the bulb has a long lifespan of 100,000 hours, so you will not need to worry about replacing it too often. The lantern gives off a bright white light, which means you will have no problem about the visibility it provides.
Features I liked:
- Lightweight
- Battery modes
- Compact
- Packs easily
5. Trekk Solar Camping Lantern
Specifications:
Dimensions: 6.5 x 3.25 x 3.25 inches
Weight: 0.5 pounds
Material: SIlicone
Type of bulb: LED
The Trekk solar lantern is one of its kind. It has a collapsible silicone body, which can be used as a lantern, a water container, and a storage box for your valuables like money, phones, keys etc.
It can be charged either by solar power or from a USB port. It has three lighting modes- low lighting, high lighting and flashing. It can be used inside your tent, lighting the way for walking or even during an emergency. It takes around 8-10 hours to charge fully.
The lantern is waterproof, so any valuables you store inside it will be safe from water. If you want to use the lantern as a water bottle, it can hold 24.9 fl. oz. of water. This feature alone makes this lantern a versatile, practical and multifunctional choice for your camping needs.
The lantern’s collapsible design makes it easy to carry, lightweight and compact. This will not take up much room in your backpack. Also, the handle can snap off and you can hang the lantern on your backpack to charge during the daytime and on your tent at night.
This unique lantern casts off a green-tinted light because of its green colored body material, which I find very pleasing. It is quite bright for its small size, but if you want to use it as a nightlight inside your tent, you can use it in the low brightness mode.
Features I liked:
- Sturdy design
- Multiple uses
- Lightweight
- Packs easily
6. Solar Hybrid LED Lantern
Specifications:
Dimensions:4 x 4 x 7.5 inches
Weight: 1.1 pounds
Type of bulb: LED
Number of lumens: 400 lumens
This solar lantern by Hybrid Light is another high power lantern with a 4000 mAh battery. Once fully charged, it can be used for 100 hours continually. It can also store the charge for many years, which means you can use it after a couple of years even if you haven’t charged it!
It is easily stowable and fairly lightweight. It also gives off a bright light at 400 lumens, the highest brightness level. This can be dimmed up to 25 lumens.
The lantern can charge faster with a USB, so you can charge it via USB before heading out to enjoy the lighting without worrying about charging it again.
It can also be used to charge your electronic devices if you run out of battery in your cell phone, tablet, bluetooth speaker, etc.
This is another powerhouse of a lantern, which can be of great use for your next camping trip!
Features I liked:
- Long operating hours
- Easy to carry
- Brightness
- Pleasant white light
7. MPOWERD Luci Outdoor Inflatable Solar Light
Specifications:
Dimensions: 5.25x 1x 5.25 inches
Weight: 0.25pounds including solar panel
Material Type: PVC
Bulb type: LED
MPOWERD Luci Outdoor Inflatable Solar Light is another popular and unique solar lighting source. It can be used for camping and hiking or any outdoor activity that may require a little extra lighting.
It has three different lighting settings i.e. really bright, not so bright and blinking. The lantern itself is actually 10 little LED lights that can light up about 15 square feet of space at a brightness of 1200 lumens.
The solar panels are on the bottom of the lantern, and it takes about 7 hours of direct sunlight for a full charge. A full charge will provide up to 12 hours of lighting time. There is also a charge indicator, that will tell you about how much charge lantern has.
It only weighs under 5 ounces so you don’t have to slow down during hiking period. Besides the lightweight and compact, this solar lantern is very durable and even waterproof.These lights are also being used to replace the kerosene lanterns that produce toxic and harmful fumes.
Features I like:
- Lightweight
- Durability
- Perfect for the various purposes
- Easy to use
8. FengChi, LED Camping Lantern [3 pack]
Specifications:
Weight: 0.17pound
Material type: Plastic
Bulb type: LED
Number of Lumens: 150
![FengChi, LED Camping Lantern [3 pack]](https://renewableenergypicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/FengChi-LED-Camping-Lantern-3-pack-300x300.jpg)
Even it is made with heavy-duty materials, also this lantern still weighs under a pound. The light source is a 150-lumen white LED light. Three different mode of lighting is available full brightness, half brightness, and the SOS.
You can select mode on your own by pressing the high-grade rubber button. This solar lantern is featured with nifty hooks so that you can easily hang it on tent or outside branches or hang it to your backpack while hiking.
The look and design of this lantern are also very unique. It is designed for both the indoors and outdoors. This extremely lightweight solar lantern can be collapsed to a smaller size and store it effortlessly.
Features I like:
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Compact design
- Easy to hang
- Folding handle
9. YIEASY Led Camping Lantern, 3 Pack Rechargeable Solar Lantern
Specifications:
Dimensions: 7x 3.5 x 5 inches
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Material Type: ABS Plastic and stainless steel
Bulb type: LED
This solar lantern by YIEASY has adopted new design lantern and flashlight in one. It comes with a USB port, a solar panel, and a rechargeable battery. It is made from high-quality ABS plastic and stainless steel, so it can withstand wear and tear pretty impressively.
There are two ways to charge up these lanterns i.e. through the solar panel on the top and rechargeable batteries through the DC port. Both offer long-lasting illumination for both indoor and outdoor.
Collapsible switch design makes these lantern easy to use just by pulling up or pressing down.
The lantern is so compact that you can take them anywhere you like and also will not take up much space in your backpack.
Besides this, it also has a flashlight and controlled by the push button on the lantern body. So that, you can use them on varied occasions. This multi-functional lantern can be used as an emergency kit when power is off.
Features I like:
- Multiple use
- Compact and Lightweight
- Collapsible design
10. Suaoki Led Camping Lantern Lights for Outdoor Hiking
Specifications:
Dimensions: 3.86x 3.78x 2.17 inches
Weight: 0.4pound
Material type: Plastic
Average battery life: 10 hours
Suaoki Solar Camping Lantern is a perfect solar lantern which is used for various purposes including camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
It is made of high-quality material for the longer durability. The solar panel is present at the top of the lantern for easy charged. This solar lantern features a foldable design so that you can make it more compact to the size of iPhone 6 plus.
You can charge this solar lantern in two different ways through solar power and the micro USB port present in it. You can enjoy the brightness up to 12 hours on a single charge only.
With the help of the three different lighting modes (high, low or SOS blinking), you can enjoy your hiking trip.
This lightweight design solar lantern is easy to carry anywhere you want. You don’t have to worry about the over-circuit, overcharging or discharging of the lantern as it is built with the protection chip. This chip will take care of your lantern completely.
Features I like:
- Longer lifespan
- Compact design
- Great for camping
- Highly durable
Importance of Good Lighting for Camping
Why would you need good lighting for camping?
Firstly, the most obvious answer is to allow you to see in the darkness. The moon and stars may look brighter than usual while camping, but that light will not be enough at all to aid your vision. This is the most important reason to go for good lighting that will light up the whole camp or the areas that you want to shed light on.
Secondly, good lighting will give you security. We might overlook this fact given that we underestimate everyday lighting. But out in the wild, proper lighting will definitely give you security. Urban legends have many accounts of camping trips gone wrong. You could use your light to see if the rustling behind the tent is really a chainsaw wielding wildling or not! But if you are not the one to believe in such stories, good lighting around the camp could give you security from wild insects and animals.
Lastly, proper lighting can make going around camp a lot more easier. You can see if there are any rocks or ditches to prevent injuries from falling. Especially if you are in a family camping trip with small children, good lighting is a must for their well-being.
Why a Solar Camping Lantern?
More and more people are attracted to solar technology today. And why shouldn’t they be? The development of solar technology has brought forth a revolution of sorts in lighting in the modern era.
Where the camp lighting was predominantly kerosene-fueled and filament bulbed, it has been replaced by solar power and LED (Light Emitting Diodes) bulbs. The variety of solar camping lights can easily rival battery powered lights.
Some of the advantages that solar camping lanterns have over battery operated ones are:
- Cuts down on battery costs: Solar lanterns come with rechargeable batteries that have long lifespans. You will not have to keep buying batteries, which will significantly reduce your expenses.
- Environmentally friendly: Solar lanterns do not give off any emissions whatsoever. Since they operate on solar power, they are much more environmentally friendly than battery operated solar lanterns.
- Reduces packing weight: We know that you have to pack a lot of supplies-clothes, food, tents, water, tools, etc. While traditional lanterns are bulky and take up a lot of room in your backpack, solar lanterns are lightweight, take up less room and are even collapsible in many cases! You will not have to compromise any room to accommodate your lighting needs.
- Safer to use around children: Solar lanterns do not heat up the outer body of the lantern. Because they require no batteries or other power outlets, they do not give off electric shocks. The light weight of the lanterns also means that children will be able to carry them easily.
What To Look For in a Camping Lantern
There is a wide variety of camping lanterns in the market today. All of these have unique features that make them stand out from the other. But you need to choose the lantern that serves your purposes and not because it contains unique features.
Make sure the lantern of your choice ticks off all your requirements.
Size and weight
Make sure the lantern is light and easily packable. Big and heavy lights can be a burden especially when you are out camping. Even high power lights can be compact, so choose a light that is small, easy to pack, lightweight and easy to carry.
Useability
Another thing to consider is how practical and easy it is to use the light. You have to consider what you will be using the light for in order to know if it will be easy to use or not. For cooking on the camp, a handheld torch might be bothersome to use. Whereas, a headlamp will make your task infinitely easier.
Power consumption
Another thing to consider is how much power your lantern will consume. The more you use your light, the more power it will consume and run out of charge faster. It is wise to choose a lantern that will stay on for longer without decreasing its output. If you intend to use your light for a long period of time, you will have to get a lantern that will be able to operate for longer hours.
Modes
A functional torch will be one which has multiple modes. All you have to do is click on a switch or turn a knob to switch between the modes. There are many lanterns available today which come with different modes according to the level of brightness of the light. That way, the same torch can be used as a nightlight or to light the whole camp.
Color
The temperature of colors also comes in a variety. Most lanterns have white light, but there are red tinted or blue tinted lights available too. Choose a color that is not too bright on the eyes. It is also known that insects are attracted quicker to cool light than warm lights, so consider this as well.
Quality
The quality of the lantern is also an important factor to consider. While you may feel that a cheap lantern will work for one camping trip, it is wiser to invest in an expensive but durable lantern. The quality of the lantern will also determine how frequently you will have to replace the lantern, so opt for higher quality lanterns that will last you a long time.
Things To Remember
Before you go off to buying your solar lantern, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Charge your solar lantern before you go camping to see if it works or not. If in case the light is defective, you will regret it when you are out in the woods without a light source to help you see.
- Carry your solar light on the outside of your backpack to allow it to charge during the day if you plan to hike. This way, it will charge itself during the day so that you will not have to worry about the battery running out at night.
- It is always preferable to choose a lantern with longer operating hours and short charging time. Such lanterns are the most practical when you are camping.
- Carry a battery operated lantern as a precaution. If the weather is cloudy, your solar lantern will not be able to charge well. The backup light could come quite in handy if you have to encounter such weather.
The Best Pick
The many varieties and models of solar camping lanterns available today can give you a wide range to choose from. My recommendation to you is the Rechargeable Portable Lantern – Excellent for Enjoying Great Outdoors Reliable in Power Outages.. The long operating hours (15 hours from last charge), 300 lumen brightness, and tough stainless steel body makes it the perfect light for camping. Comment below to share your favorite solar lanterns for camping!
