Pest Strategies

Though campfires offer warmth and light, a lantern gives you more light to fully illuminate your tent or campsite with the press of a button. Pest Strategies researched several products on Amazon to help you find the best camping lantern for your next outing. Learn more about our top selections below.

 

Buying Guide

Contrary to the name, you don’t have to spend the night under the stars in a tent to use a camping lantern. From emergency preparedness to outdoor lighting, here’s what to consider to find the best-fitting lantern for your needs. 

• Power source: The majority of camping lanterns use rechargeable or disposable batteries as their power source. Gas-powered lanterns are less common than they used to be, though they’re still available. They work better in sub-freezing temperatures that tend to zap the battery of electric lanterns, but they present a fire hazard. Solar-powered lanterns are another option. These lanterns have a small solar panel that absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity. Though convenient and environmentally friendly, they can take a long time to charge and only last a few hours before needing to be recharged.

• Battery life: Many electric lanterns provide between five and 10 hours of light on their highest setting and 10–15 hours of light on their lowest setting. For long trips spent in remote wilderness, solar-powered lanterns are a better choice because you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet to recharge the battery or having extra disposable batteries on hand. 

• Brightness: The brightness or light output for a camping lantern is measured in lumens. Most lanterns produce 100–400 lumens of light, but some offer over 1,000 lumens to illuminate an entire campsite. The brighter the light, the faster the battery or fuel supply gets used up. Some lanterns also offer multiple brightness settings to extend the life of your light and give you a warmer glow.

• Weight and portability: Many camping lanterns are travel-friendly, being compact and weighing less than a pound. They typically also feature oversized handles, making them easier and more comfortable to carry. 

• Ease of use: Most electric camping lanterns beat out gas-powered lanterns when it comes to ease of use. Simply pressing a button, flipping a switch, or turning a dial is easy, even in the dark, leaving little room for user error.
• Additional features: Some camping lanterns function as multitools, providing you with more than just light. Common additional functions include acting as a power bank, compass, or emergency signal.

 

Camping Tips 

To ensure a safe and successful outing, here are some camping safety tips to keep in mind before you hit the road with your friends and family. 

• • Pack the 10 essentials. Whether you’re going on a quick overnight trip or a multi-day backpacking excursion, packing the essentials will ensure that you’re comfortable and prepared for emergencies. The 10 essentials include:
    • Navigation device
    • Lighting source
    • Sun protection
    • First aid kit 
    • Pocket knife
    • Fire source
    • Shelter source
    • Extra food beyond the minimum expectation
    • Extra water beyond the minimum expectation
    • Extra clothes beyond the minimum expectation
  • Know your surroundings. Look for landmarks at the campsite and on the hiking trail. This helps you navigate your way back to your car.
  • Tell someone where you’re headed, who you’re with, and how long you intend to stay. Providing a brief overview of your trip itinerary will help your loved ones know if something is wrong. If you’re not back when you’re supposed to be, they can call for help. 
  • Use a headlamp in conjunction with a camping lantern. While camping lanterns provide ambient light at your campsite, headlamps give you direct light when you walk away from the main group. 
  • Avoid wild animals. To keep wild animals at bay, make sure to seal all food in airtight containers, and place the containers out of reach. If you spot an animal, watch carefully from a safe distance. 
  • Mark any ropes, tie-downs, or other tripping hazards with a light or reflective tape. Even with a light source, it’s easy to trip on these protruding hazards. 
• Leave no trace. This is more of an environmental tip rather than a safety tip, but make sure to leave the trail and campsite as you found it. Get rid of trash and human waste.

 

 

FAQs

• Will a camping lantern illuminate an entire campsite or backyard? 

Powerful lanterns that deliver up to 1,000 lumens of brightness can provide ample brightness for a relatively large area. However, most camping lanterns hover around 100–400 lumens, so you may want multiple lanterns if a soft glow is too dim. 

• How do I charge the battery in my rechargeable lantern? 

If you can’t access electricity, such as a car charger, while you’re camping, use a portable power bank. Power banks charge devices on the go using their multiple sockets and ports.

• Are there small camping lanterns for backpackers? 

Yes. Some camping lanterns use a space-saving collapsible design to maximize storage space in your backpack. Additionally, you can always clip a traditional, slightly bulkier camping lantern to the outside of your pack by looping a locking carabiner clip through the handle.

• How long can I expect my camping lantern to last? 

A quality camping lantern is designed to last years. As long as you follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, there’s no reason why it should break with the exception of accidents.

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.