9 Best Camping Lanterns for Every Camper in 2025

If you’re a camper you should know by now that part of an essential camping gear is a reliable light source. The best camping lights can help you set up your tent, prepare a campfire meal, or simply read a book.

The best camp lights offer multiple brightness settings for different scenarios and enough battery life to last a night or two out in the wilderness with an outdoor-ready, weatherproof build. Some even have more specialized features ranging from solar panels to colored mood lighting.

Before choosing, you’ll need to check how easy it is to set up, its portability, design, durability, and brightness. But don’t worry, because the list below will help you find the best camping lanterns in 2025 that will suit your needs as a camper. 

Top 9 Camping Lights of 2025 (Reviewed)

1. BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Lantern (Best Overall)

BioLite did a good thing when they made the AlpenGlow 500 Lantern, a camping light that’s so versatile that it can be used for backcountry and camping. If you need the best camping light source that will perform when needed and has a few tricks up its sleeve, the AlpenGlow is your lantern.

Inspired by light found in nature, the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 lantern offers regular cool or warm white light for bright illumination. It has colorful mood light settings such as single color, multicolor, candle flicker, and blended modes that replicate sunrise and sunset.

This lantern requires zero setup other than charging it using the included micro USB cable. When the battery begins to run low, the lantern only offers two light settings which are still easy to see with. 

On top of its impressive lighting capabilities, the AlpenGlow 500 Lantern is an all-around powerhouse with some amazing features such as its integrated 6400 mAh power bank to charge your electronics.

2. Black Diamond Moji R+

Black Diamond Moji R+ is the best camp light for campers who are concerned about saving space. It’s easy to set up and the lithium-ion battery with its included micro USB cable charges very fast.  

It emits up to 200 lumens of bright white light and is easily sufficient for illuminating your tent or camp table. You may even have to use the two-button interface to dim the light slightly to read comfortably inside the tent.

You can also use the buttons to set up a continuous cycle through a spectrum of rainbow colors or stop/strobe on a single one. This lantern comes with two collapsible hanging hooks for easy suspension and a magnetic backing for attaching it to the side of your car or metal camping table.  

3. Coast EAL22 Lantern

The Coast EAL22 Lantern may be styled as an emergency light source, but nothing is holding it back from illuminating your next camping trip. This is one of the cheapest camping lanterns but it gives the best value. 

This lantern lives up to the tough reputation that Coast has garnered for itself and is made from a bash-resistant nylon shell and polycarbonate diffuser that wouldn’t scratch even after accidentally knocking off a camp table. 

It has five lighting modes which begins with a soft white light that is perfect for gathering around for a card game, then pivots to a set of brighter white modes for really illuminating a campsite or outdoor kitchen. The final two modes are red and include a flashing option should you need to hail anyone or warn oncoming traffic.

It’s easy to mount with its two carabiner-style hanging hooks on top and bottom and a bail handle for walking around with. This flexibility even extends to the powering options on the EAL22, as it is a dual-power lantern that can run off of D-cell batteries or a separate battery pack.

4. Etekcity Camping Lantern (Best Budget)

The Etekcity Camping Lantern is a sturdy, water-resistant ABS plastic housing and one of the best camp lights in terms of value. For a fair amount, you can get a pack of four lanterns, each with three AA batteries included. 

This lantern uses 30 LEDs for a maximum output of 140 lumens and can easily brighten up a medium-sized space. Though it will be adequate to read, the bright white light color may be a bit harsh to the eyes.  

The lantern’s collapsible design makes it easy to expand to turn it on, collapse it to turn it off, and control brightness by choosing to partially expand it. When it is fully collapsed, it is just like a smartphone and fits easily into a backpack pocket.  

5. Fenix CL30R (Best Rechargeable)

For a tough, versatile, and long-lasting lantern that’ll handle it all, you should go for the Fenix CL30R. The sturdy construction of the Fenix CL30R makes it clear that it requires no special treatment.  

Using rechargeable and replaceable 18650 Li-ion batteries, this lantern can run on one, two, or all three cells. There’s even an option to replace the included cells with more powerful 3,500 mAh versions for even more juice.

At the rear of the lantern is a charging and mini-USB discharging port which is covered by a rubber gasket. At a total capacity of 7,800 mAh, this lantern can certainly charge most modern phones to full from dead flat.

The battery compartment is sealed with a replaceable O-ring, which aids in making the light IPX7 water-resistant making it the best rechargeable camping light for campers. It also makes use of an intelligent memory circuit, meaning the lantern will return to the previous setting last used. 

6. Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Camping Lantern

The Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Camping Lantern is just large and heavy enough that it’s better used for car camping rather than backpacking. This lantern has lots of smart charge and recharge features that make it one of the best camp lights you can trust to stay on.

This adjustable LED light has collapsible legs and can stand on uneven ground with a built-in handle that makes it easy to transport from car to campsite. It also offers warm white light and high/low settings. 

This camping lantern has a red flashing setting for emergencies and a lithium battery that can be recharged using the USB cable or the brand’s Nomad 10 solar panel. With three methods of charging, this lantern can go off on you.

Ready for whatever, the Lighthouse 600 is one of the best solar lanterns for camping that can be perched above a table or hung from the inside of a tent and would make a great lantern for anyone who wants an all-in-one system for light and charging ability.

7. Mpowerd Luci Pro Series Lantern

The Mpowerd Luci Pro Series Lantern is the best rechargeable camping lantern for campers who want to keep weight to a minimum. Despite its lightness, it can withstand strong winds and is sturdy when placed on the ground.

The lantern offers low, medium, high, and flashing modes. It also comes in two light settles which are a cool white light and a warm white light. The brightest setting provides full illumination in total darkness, while the lowest setting lasts up to 50 hours.

There’s also a battery level indicator for when recharging is required, so you can use solar power or plug it into the mains using the provided USB cable. It also doubles as a power source for charging devices on the trail. 

The Luci Pro Series checks as one of the best camping lights with its durability, waterproof, and ability to withstand pressure without wear and tear. With about twenty individual light pods, you can create the perfect camp ambiance needed in a large area.

8. Sofirn BLF LT1 Camping Lantern

If you’re looking for an extra-durable rechargeable camp light, then you should go for the Sofirn BLF LT1 Camping Lantern. Rated IPX7, this lantern can be submerged in 3.3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. 

It might be heavy for its size, but this is a plus because there’s no chance of it blowing over in strong winds and it stands sturdily on uneven ground. Despite its weight, it’s shaped for easy portability.  

The lantern has a maximum output of 800 lumens with two brightness settings which are the neutral white at full power and the warm white at half power. You can easily switch between the two settings using the dimmer function for precise adjustments. 

While camping, this lantern can be used while cooking and in place of a headlamp when walking at night. It runs off four rechargeable batteries and lasts more than 24 hours in half-power mode with a backup charger that can be used for your mobile devices. 

9. UST 30-Day Duro Lantern

One of the best camping lights used by every camper is the UST 30-Day Duro Lantern, which checks out its durability, brightness, and battery life. It is quite easy to set up and its batteries provide 30 days of use on the lantern’s lowest brightness and 12 hours on its brightest setting. 

It has various light settings including the natural light which is best used for illuminating campground pathways or hiking trails, the cool white, a warm white, and an amber candle flicker. 

Unlike the natural light, the warm white setting is perfect inside the tent and creates a peaceful ambiance with enough light to read. This lantern is water resistant and its integrated handle makes it easy to carry around. 

Conclusion

For the ultimate camping experience, our Editor’s Choice is the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Lantern, which is a combination of durability, versatility, and power backup that every camper will appreciate.

There is a diverse range of options, from high-performing models to budget-friendly alternatives that offer solutions to various needs and preferences. As the market continues to evolve, our favorite camping lights will be remodeled with the latest innovations and features.

Getting the best camping lanterns in 2025 is important for every camper’s safety, comfort, and efficiency in outdoor settings. This list of best camping lanterns includes several rechargeable, non-rechargeable, and solar charging lanterns, so you can make the best choice for the environment and your wallet.