The Best LED Lanterns
Propane lanterns may be a gas, but LEDs have led the way to a bright new day. They provide long-lasting, bright light, and they stay cool, which means that very little energy is wasted as heat. A lantern is likely the first thing you'll want to reach for in a power outage or other emergency, and it's a non-negotiable item whenever you're spending time out in nature. As far as electronic gadgets go, a lantern might seem to be the simplest, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind when making a purchase. We've gathered the best solutions for a variety of needs.
Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern With Fan
Make lighting a breeze
In many situations where you need a lantern, you’re likely to want to improve the airflow, too. If you’re roughing it on a camping trip or cozying up in a cabin, the air is prone to get a bit stuffy before the night is through. And if you’re purchasing a lantern to prepare for emergency power outages, you’d be wise to anticipate the lack of air conditioning in addition to the need for light, especially if you live in a humid, hurricane-prone area. The Odoland combination lantern and fan is a great all-in-one solution. Two different switches enable you to use the light and fan independently of each other. Hanging it by the hook allows for both the light and fan to be engaged with the option to angle the light to one side. Alternatively, the light can be turned off and used as a base when setting up the fan on the ground.
Pros:
- Light and fan are controlled with separate switches
- The fan has high- and low-speed settings
- Both light and fan can be used if hung by the hook, or the fan can be set up on the ground
Cons:
- Requires two D sized batteries, which are not included
- Only one brightness setting for the light
Vont LED Camping Lantern 4-Pack
Light up the town
Sometimes, it’s preferable to have several smaller lanterns rather than a single large one. Maybe you’d like to keep one in each room or vehicle for emergencies, or perhaps you’re outfitting the whole family for a camping trip. Each of the four lanterns in this pack collapses to the size of an average soda can and provides plenty of light when extended to its full size. Batteries are included and there are no buttons to mess with in the dark. The lantern will turn on automatically when you pull up the top.
Pros:
- Collapsible design is great for portability and convenient storage
- Includes required AA batteries
Cons:
- Only one brightness setting (may be dimmed by partially closing it, but this will not reduce electricity consumption)
Lighting Ever Dimmable LED Camping Lantern
Brightness just right
In an emergency, you never know exactly what the situation will call for. You might need plenty of light to navigate a pitch-black environment or to signal for help at night. But if it’s more important to extend battery life as you wait out a long power outage, you’ll want a lantern with less brightness so that it doesn’t consume too much energy. This lantern covers all the bases. It can generate up to 1000lm of light—roughly equivalent to a 75W traditional incandescent bulb. It can also last up to 25 hours on a single set of batteries when used at a low brightness setting. The full-brightness flash mode setting would be perfect for attracting attention if you ever find yourself in need of assistance in the dark.
Pros:
- Brilliant 1000lm lamp provides plenty of light
- Can also be dimmed to preset brightness settings or a custom setting
- Has hooks on the top and bottom
Cons:
- Requires three D-sized batteries (not included), which add a lot of weight to it
Power Practical Luminoodle
The whole camping kit
When camping, you need different qualities from a light source at different times. At the campsite, rope lights are ideal because they can spread diffuse light over a large area, whether that’s the table where you’re eating with friends or inside your tent while you unpack or change clothes. On the other hand, it’s important to have a bright, portable light source if you need to walk around at night. The Luminoodle can be used in either capacity. Hang up the rope light with the built-in ties and magnets or coil it up into the translucent carrying bag to use it as a portable lantern.
Be sure to purchase the bundle with the battery pack if you don’t already have a USB power bank available. If you do already have a larger power bank that you use to recharge your phone or GPS, the Luminoodle could be a useful, lightweight accessory.
Pros:
- Can be used in the carrying bag as a lantern or extended to light a larger area
- Built-in ties and magnets for hanging the rope light
- Available in 5ft or 10ft length
Cons:
- Plugs into a separate USB power source (available as a bundle)
- Only one brightness setting
Mpowerd Luci 2.0 Solar Inflatable Light
Save some light to use at night
When it comes to conservation, every little bit helps. The Luci lantern relies solely on solar power to charge its battery, so you can access free, clean energy every day and use it through the night. That means fewer batteries in landfills and greater nighttime visibility. With 7 hours of charging, it can provide up to 24 hours of light. It’s also extremely portable. It weighs less than 5 ounces and the inflatable plastic body can be folded flat when not in use.
Pros:
- Long-lasting, solar-powered battery
- Multiple brightness settings to conserve energy when needed
- The battery level indicator lets you check when it’s time to recharge
Cons:
- The power button can be hard to find in the dark
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to get a lantern with rechargeable batteries or alkaline batteries?
If used regularly, rechargeable batteries can save money and waste in the long run, but they do have their drawbacks. Due to a phenomenon called self-discharge, they will lose their charge over time, even if not in use. If you need a lantern for occasional or emergency use only, it may be preferable to choose one that uses alkaline batteries; just remember to pick up some spare batteries, too. That way, you won’t have to remember to periodically recharge your lantern, and it’ll be ready to go when you need it. One other fact worth noting: cold temperatures sap the power from alkaline batteries more than rechargeable lithium batteries, so it may be worth opting for the latter if that is a concern.
Why do I need a lantern in addition to a flashlight or headlamp?
Flashlights and headlamps can often provide more light in a single direction, but lanterns provide 360 degrees of light, which is great for illuminating a campsite, worksite, interior room, outdoor gathering, or your surroundings when you’re looking for something in the dark.
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