Battery-Powered Lanterns

Reviewed by KiwiKlimber

BioLite's AlpenGlow 500 is a reliable and rechargeable 500-lumen lantern that offers a wide range of color options from bright party colors to a subtle candle-like feeling. The simple one-button design takes a little time to figure out how to access each mode, but once figured out, is easy to operate. A smaller 250 lumen option is also available from the manufacturer.

Conditions: What started out as a car-camping lantern quickly turned into a back porch lantern and eventually my daughter’s favorite light that she plays with all the time and permanently resides on her bedside stand. Purely from an hours-used perspective, my daughter has spent far more time with the AlpenGlow 500 than I have, as she regularly plays with it in her bedroom, enjoying the various color modes and finding places to hang it from. Other than being a much-loved toy, I’ve used the lantern for two-and-a-half months, mostly while camping as a family and while sitting on the back porch as the day fades into night.

Read more: BioLite AlpenGlow 500 review (1)

Featured review by Emsjames

It does weigh a bit for backpacking, but I like to car camp too. The light can be very bright, but is almost infinitely adjustable. It is built well and has a split ring mounting hook on top.

I got this as a Christmas present from my daughter. I did hint just a bit. I love this light. I have replaced the florescent light on my desk with it. I am writing this review by Apollo light. If you want to be green buy this light, get 4 rechargeable AA batteries and a solar charger. With this setup you can replace a light in your house with a sustainable light (Very Eco friendly). This light can easily replace a reading light or a desk light. Outdoors the light gives out very even light cast. Walking about I can see a good 20'(7m) around the light. I will add to the review after spring camping. 

Read more: Black Diamond Apollo reviews (6)

Featured review by Phil Smith

A lightweight, easy to carry, waterproof solar-powered lantern useful in the backcountry or at home during emergencies.

I saw this while standing in the checkout line at a local Eastern Mountain Sports, and figured "what the heck, it's only $15!" Then I figured "what the heck, it's only $30!" and got one for a friend as well. Meet Luci: Luci weighs 4 ounces and collapses to a disc that's 1" thick and 5" in diameter. Luci's LEDs are powered by a rechargeable 3.7V lithium battery and have a bright, dim, and flash setting, each successive push of the switch (in the middle of the PV panel) will change the setting.

Read more: MPowerd Luci Original reviews (4)

Featured review by BigRed

A compact, lightweight, and versatile camp lantern suitable for short-to-medium length backpacking trips.

What weighs 8 ounces, fits in the palm of your hand, throws enough light for cooking and reading, and will burn for hundreds of hours? Not so many years ago the only thing that would meet those specs would have been an old-fashioned candle lantern (with some extra candles), and the cooking and reading part might require some close maneuvering. But nowadays there might be a few contenders for that title, and the Goal Zero (GZ) Lighthouse Mini leads the charge. The lantern has two basic modes, full-on where both sides light up, and half-on where only one side lights.

Read more: Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Core Lantern reviews (2)

Featured review by Kitcarson61

With very little modification, this has become my "go to" light source.

Over the years I've found that I'm needing less and less light when in camp. I don't backpack in the dark, so a bright light isn't needed...just something to allow me to find things in my tent on moonless nights or to get me far enough away from camp in the middle of the night when nature calls. I've gone from carrying a 5-D cell Maglite and 2-D cell cheapo backup flashlights when I was a kid, to smaller flashlights, to fewer flashlights, to a Solitaire Maglite and a lantern light lid for my 1 liter Nalgene bottle and now to this little beauty.

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Featured review by Bob Freeman

To sum up this light in one word...fantastic!

I have owned two of these lights for several years, and they are FANTASTIC. They weigh next to nothing. I clip one to the top of my pack lid and it recharges while I'm hiking. They have a charge level indicator (which my first solar light did not have), and a loop on top to hang it in my tent using the mini-biners that clip it to my pack. On low power it puts out enough light to see to set up my tent, read a book, or any other task that you would perform at close range. On low power it will run all night and still have power in the morning.

Read more: MPowerd Luci Outdoor 2.0 reviews (2)

Reviewed by KiwiKlimber

A nifty little light that works great for small campsites, travel, and where a larger lantern might not be practical. Solar or power charging options eliminate the need for batteries.

Why did I buy this light? I really enjoy my BioLite AlpenGlow 500 lantern, but for some trips, it just doesn’t make sense to lug around just a big lantern. So I started looking for a smaller, lighter option that would be able to slid into a pack without taking up much room but still provide similar results (i.e. a campsite light or small reading light in a tent), without the need for extra batteries. After doing a little research, I came across the BioLite SunLite 100 at my local outdoor gear shop and have been using it for 8 months now.

Read more: BioLite SunLight 100 review (1)

Featured review by Jake W

The Princeton Tec Helix Backcountry is a collapsible lantern, which uses three AAA batteries, to boast up to 150 lumens of ambient light. I’ve found it to be a versatile light as it can be used not just for backcountry camping but also as a backup headlamp, for bike commuting visibility, or as a Leave No Trace campfire alternative. The positives of the light are the battery life, multiple attachment options and the glow in the dark globe, which make it easy to find in the dark. Room for improvement? I’d love to have a way to tell the battery level, it’s hard to find the switch in the dark and the stated weight is off. I’d recommend this light to anyone looking for some creature comforts at the backcountry campsite, the backyard BBQ, a music festival, or canoe/car camping where the extra weight isn’t as much of a concern.

Range and Beam: There are two different ways to evaluate the range on the Helix—in use with the globe, and when removed, as a spot (or flash) light. Let’s break it down into those two categories. Lantern: While on high the lantern pumps out 150 lumens of ambient white light, more than enough for use around a campfire, stove, by the cooler at a cottage or reading in your tent. The light is diffused through the globe and covers a circle roughly 25 feet in diameter. I’ve found the high setting to be almost too bright for many occasions, when reading, especially in a smaller one person tent, the medium, or even low setting, is more than capable.

Read more: Princeton Tec Helix Backcountry reviews (2)

Reviewed by StoicFabian

The ultimate EDC flashlight/lantern? It’s great for backpacking/camping, that’s for sure. The Lighthouse Micro Charge is a minimalist, portable yet powerful dual-use light with an USB outlet to double as an emergency power bank (hence the Charge in its name).

Small, hand-sized flashlight/lantern/charger perfect for an EDC. The USB port is used to charge external devices. Capacity is limited though.  The Lighthouse Mini Charge is a versatile piece of gear that gets a lot of use on every kind of trip. Besides working very well for nocturnal backpacking and camping tasks, it can charge external devices (with limitations) and will make for a great EDC light, too. All in all, I’d give it 9 as a lantern, 7 as a flashlight, and 6 as a backup charger.

Read more: Goal Zero Lighthouse Micro Charge Lantern review (1)

Reviewed by Pearljam42

Handy and convenient lantern-like light that adds a decent amount of ambient light to a campsite or a tent.

Handy and convenient lantern-like light that adds a decent amount of ambient light to a campsite or a tent, especially when paired with a second one. While it won't push out as much light as a conventional propane, white fuel, or similar lantern, it does provide enough light for a game of cards or the like.   When it's not being used, it packs down very well (maybe the size of 10-15 stacked CDs — the CDs themselves, not including the cases), and inflating it is as simple as blowing it up as if it was an inflatable pool toy.

Read more: MPowerd Luci Aura review (1)