camp lights & Lanterns
When choosing a camp light or camping lantern, there are a few important things to consider.
Obviously, make sure the light is bright enough to do the job, whether that's cooking, reading, or navigating around camp at night. Tripping over roots and falling on your face in the dark can seriously ruin your night.
Look for lights with a high lumen output for maximum brightness. You'll also be more comfortable if your lantern has adjustable brightness settings, different light modes, and the ability to attach to your backpack or tent.
Consider the battery life of the light. You don't want to be constantly changing batteries or running out of power when you need it most. Look for lights with long-lasting batteries or rechargeable options. If you a choose rechargeable camping lantern, make sure you have a way to recharge your batteries, such as with a Biolight camp stove.
Last but not least, think about the size and weight of the camping lantern. You want something easy to pack that won't take up too much space or weigh down your pack. Having said that, it needs to be rugged and durable so it'll last for a few years. Look for camping lights that are waterproof, shockproof, and made of high-quality materials.
camp light & Lantern reviews
BioLite Alpenglow 500
This LED, 500-lumen lantern offers a wide range of color options and brightness levels, has good battery life at 5 hours on high and 200 hours on low, is water resistant to rain and splashes, and is fun once you figure out how to change the settings.
You get cool white, warm white, single color, multi-color, a single side light, candle flicker, 1-color cycle, multi-color party, and a fun feature: fireworks. The higher lumen count helps illuminate larger sites and spaces, while the lowest setting emits 5 lumens. ChromaReal LED technology makes colors and textures pop in lowlight conditions, perfect for nighttime cooking. Shake to access various color modes.
The 6400 mAh battery doubles as a powerbank so you can charge devices in a pinch. Burn time is 5 hours on High and 200 hours on Low, with 1 hour reserve power. There is a lock mode - usually the setting it arrives in out of the box. The light takes 3 hours to recharge using a 5V/2A micro USB.
Dimensions are 3.8L x 3.8W x 5.4D inches (10L x 10L x 14D cm) and it weighs 13.4 ounces (380 grams). Hang the lantern using a simple hook on the bottom. It makes great overhead lighting with its nature-inspired illumination. The light is well-built, durable and feels sturdy.
Changing the light settings requires patience to learn - or give it to your kids. Rather than having multiple buttons, you press a single button X number of times and/or shake it to activate different modes. You either refer the manual frequently in frustration or give it to your kids to figure out.
The Aspenglow 500 is very bright for its size, and the batteries last quite a long time on the lower settings.
Black Diamond Equipment Apollo
This LED, 250-lumen lantern has easy-to-use, multiple brightness settings, runs off an internal lithium battery and 3 AA batteries to gain 24 hours on Max, is water resistant to rain and splashing, and has both a double hook for hanging and tripod legs for standing. It's ambient light is ample for cooking, playing cards or sorting gear in the tent. This isn't a grab-and-go. Charge it, pop in 3 AA batteries and turn it on before you pack - trust me.
A frosted globe provides ambient light from 250 lumen to low at 10 lumen. It is bright, but not a replacement for a full-sized lantern if you're family camping. A single button turns the lamp on/off and gives you strobe and dimming options. Pressing and holding the button ramps the brightness up and down until the button is released. The last setting is memorized. The button is finicky when you're wearing gloves.
An internal rechargeable lithium ion battery (2,600 mA hour capacity) nets you 6 hours at Max (250 lumens). Or you can add 3 AA alkaline, rechargeable Ni-MH, or lithium batteries. Both battery sources get you 24 hours of burn time at 250 lumen - perfect for a weekend camping trip. When the internal battery runs down, the lantern automatically draws power from the 3 AAs - if you have them in. Lock mode and two battery power meters (one for the internal lithium ion battery and one for the AA batteries) help you keep an eye on usage. Full recharge is 8 hours using a micro USB cable.
The little button in the battery compartment toggles the power source between AAs and the internal battery. If the lantern is in AA mode and the AA cells are removed (say to swap them out), the Apollo won't switch on even if the built-in battery is charged. Here's the scenario: batteries drained, you swap out the AAs, hit that button and enjoy light for the rest of your camping trip. A month later, for the next camping trip, you recharge the internal battery and the Apollo won't turn on! ... Did you touch the battery button? The instructions say the lantern reverts back to the internal battery. Not our experience.
Dimensions are 3.15L x 4.72W x 4.72H inches (8L x 12W x 12H cm). The Apollo weighs 12.35 ounces (350 grams) with 3 AA batteries inside. It's compact and portable. A collapsible double-hook loop hangs the lantern in your tent or on a tree. The hooks overlap, preventing any potential falling when hung. Folding legs set it down.
The lantern doubles as a power bank and comes with a USB cord for charging handheld electronics. The capacity is so-so at best and doesn't work below zero. Be sure to bring extra AAs if you plan to use the lantern for this purpose.
Black Diamond Equipment Apollo lantern is compact, sturdy, bright and long-lasting.
Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Solar Powered
This splash-proof lantern flattens like a pancake, provides 60 lumens of mood lighting, boasts six colors, a multi-color fade, candle flicker mode, a handle and two charging options: USB and a solar panel. 60 lumens is NOT a spotlight or flood light by any means. It's a soft light that can be used for reading, lighting up the tent, or just taking on the bathroom run. If you like "light" shows, you'll love it!
The internal 500mAh lithium ion battery nets you about 2-3 hours on high (60 lumens), 5-6 hours on medium (25 lumens), and 24 hours on low (6 lumens). You burn through the battery on the candle setting at 3 hours. A micro USB recharges your lantern in 2.5 hours or bright, direct sunlight recharges in 20 hours (realistically, about 3 days without an iota of shade). There is no battery indicator light.
Solar charging is SLOW. Forget about charging while hiking or on overcast days. Recharge the Crush Light with the USB cable from a wall outlet, your car, or portable battery pack. Once fully charged, place it on the dash of your car or a windowsill with good sun exposure to keep it topped up.
The compact size of these lanterns is fantastic! Flattened, dimensions are 4.95 x 4.95 x .06 inches (12.5 x 12.5 x 1.5 cm) - about half an inch! Opened, dimensions are 4.95 x 4.95 x 3.6 inches (12.5 x 12.5 x 10 cm). It weighs 3.2 ounces (91 grams). The body is durable, can withstand outdoor conditions and minor impacts. However, the material disintegrates after about 2 years, leaving film on your hands.
The lantern cannot be dropped on the handle. There is a weak point on the top where Goal Zero cut it out for easy opening. If you break the handle, thread the small end of the short USB cord down through one of the side loops on the light's frame. Then, cross over and thread it up through the opposite loop. With a quarter turn, it should stay in place and act as a handle to hang the light upside down.
The Crush Light Chroma is shipped in demo mode - basically, it flashes on/off and then refuses to function. Hold the power button for a slow 15 count. Now you're ready to play with the settings and get familiar with it before going on a trip.
Easy to use, lightweight, compact, durable build and a fun addition to your camping adventure, the Crush Light Chroma is a fantastic low-ambient light for midnight bathroom trips, or a kid's colorful night light.
GOT FEEDBACK?
If you've used one of the lanterns I reviewed and you have something to add that could help other campers, I'd love to hear it.
Same, if you have a light you love (or hate) that's not reviewed here, tell me about it and I'll pass it on.
Your fellow campers thank you!
