Best LED Lantern in 2023

BioLite BaseLantern

Introducing one of the most high-tech LED lanterns available, the BioLite BaseLantern. Say goodbye to the memory of old-fashion lanterns lining a dimly lit street… and hello to a new generation of lanterns.

This lantern is an excellent choice for home use thanks to the app that comes with it. This nifty feature lets you use your phone to choose from a range of lighting settings, including reading and kitchen, as well as a full spectrum of colors. Not only that, but you can also add sleep timers and make the most of proximity activation so that you can control the light without even getting out of your sleeping bag.

Don’t worry about draining your phone charge though, the app itself is low energy and you can charge your phone from the LED lantern itself since it doubles up as a 7800 mAh power bank with two USB outlets (if you want larger battery life, then opt for the XL model).

The appearance of the light is sleek and understated, and we love that the stainless-steel legs can fold away if they aren’t needed, adding to the simplicity of the design. This isn’t the lightest or most compact option out there, however, so it’s better suited to outdoor events and car camping trips rather than backpacking ones.

It’s a little on the expensive side too, but this lantern really is one-of-a-kind and it’s easy to see why we think it’s one of the best LED lanterns out there.

WeatherRite Lantern

We absolutely love the traditional design of the WeatherRite Lantern. With its wire-guarded glass globe and antique copper appearance, this LED lantern makes it a great addition to garden parties, weddings, and other outdoor events.

Alternatively, you can take it away with you to create the perfect glamping vibe. The LED lights themselves are battery-powered and are operated by a dimmer switch, so you can set the perfect ambiance wherever you are.

Although it isn’t waterproof and might not be designed for backpacking-style trips, it still has a decent run time of up to 48 hours and it’s surprisingly lightweight for its style. If you’re after something glamorous that will give you a decent amount of run time and won’t break the bank, then look no further than this.

LUXPRO Waterproof Lantern

Introducing the first of our best camping LED lanterns, the LUXPRO Waterproof Lantern. This LED lantern is the perfect companion for all the adventurous types out there. Nice and sturdy with a durable rubber base, it can handle being chucked in a backpack.

It won’t weigh you down either, seeing as weighs in at less than half a pound. Fully waterproof, this lantern is perfect for those kayaking missions, boating adventures, or fishing trips that might go on until dusk. And don’t worry if your lantern takes a tumble overboard, not only is it waterproof but it floats too so you’ll be able to find it again with no problem.

The LED light itself emits 360-degree light with 340 lumens of power behind it on high mode, which is more than we’d expect for its tiny size, and this can be reduced by switching to the medium or low mode if you want to save on power. Now comes one of our favorite parts… this lantern has a detachable flashlight built into the top that emits 145 lumens on high mode – not bad eh?

With a lanyard ring, magnetic base, metal hooks for hanging, and a carabiner ring, you can string this lamp up pretty much anywhere you like. It’s powered by four AAA batteries that come with the lantern saving you some pennies, although the lantern is very reasonably priced anyway. We definitely recommend this if you’re after something small, lightweight, and incredibly durable.

Rayovac Sportsman

The Rayovac Sportsman LED lantern is available in both green and blue (we prefer blue) and is a solid option for outdoor adventures.

It has three light modes – high, low, and strobe – and is made from 4 watt LEDs that can last for up to 100,000 hours before you need to think about replacing them. At its maximum, it emits 305 lumens of light and the beam distance is 18 meters.

The battery life on high mode is pretty impressive at 70 hours – long enough for most trips – and this can be extended to 140 hours by switching to an energy saver if you need to, making this a very versatile lamp.

Compact, durable, and water-resistant too, this lantern is travel-ready. Extra perks include a blinking green light so you can be sure to find your LED lantern if you misplace it around the camp or need it during a surprise power outage. Oh, and it comes with a lifetime warranty too.

Unlike some of the other models we’ll look at, this lantern runs off battery power only and you can’t use it as a power bank. Other than that, we think this lantern is a top find and it has safely secured a spot in our list of the best camping LED lanterns.

LE LED Camping Lantern

The LE LED Camping Lantern is a fantastic option for outdoor trips. With warm light, white light, combined light, and flash mode options, you’ll be able to find the right lighting for the occasion – whether that’s a nice glow for the campsite or a flashing LED light to draw attention.

The light also comes with a handle for when you’re on the go as well as hooks for when you’re setting up camp. There’s even a hook on the underside so you can hang it from a tent and maximize the light that shines down, and with 1000 lumens of brightness behind it, this will be all the light you need.

One of the things we like about this LED lantern is that it doubles up as a power bank for any other electricals that might need some extra juice. With a water-resistance rating of IP44, this light can withstand some splashes, but make sure you don’t leave it outside in a downpour. It does come with a 2-year warranty though in case you run into any other mishaps.

Overall, its high-end features and a lack of a high-end price tag are what have earned it a place in our list of top camping LED lanterns.

Goal Zero Lighthouse Lantern

We love this compact little number by Goal Zero for so many reasons. With 400 lumens of light behind it, this lantern is surprisingly bright for its size and offers 360-degree light. This can be reduced to 180 degrees though if you’re keen to save power, resulting in a run time that ranges from 2.5–48 hours.

The internal 4400mAh lithium battery can be charged via any USB port, but this is a two-way street and you can also use the LED lantern to charge other gadgets using a USB cable.

Uniquely, this lantern also has an in-built hand crank that lets you charge it up manually, so you’ll never get caught in the dark – perfect for remote situations where electricity might not always be available. The handle is ideal for carrying and hanging too, and the legs can make a useful stand or be folded away for storage or travel.

At 1.1 lbs, the Goal Zero Lighthouse Lantern isn’t as light as you might expect for its size, but we think it’s worth it for a compact lantern that will charge your phone, and even tablets, that you can rely on even under no-electricity circumstances.

Tansoren Camping Lantern

We were pleasantly surprised when we saw the price tag of the Tansoren Camping Lantern, and that was before we realized it was a 2-pack… but don’t be suspicious of the price, this LED lantern really is a great addition to your camping gear.

Its major selling point is the fact it can be charged in not one, not two, but three different ways. Yes, that’s right, it features a solar charger for those off-grid situations, can be charged via USB, and can also run off three AA batteries. The 360-degree light runs for about 8 hours and there aren’t any low-power settings… but with so many options for charging this isn’t likely to cause you much trouble.

You can shave more than 5 inches off the height of this LED lantern thanks to its collapsible design, and it also has a foldable handle, is water-resistant, and has hooks for hanging around the campsite, making it a great companion for outdoor trips. However, it’s also suited to home use during power cuts and is even wall-mountable.

A minor complaint is that there’s no light to indicate when the lantern is fully charged, which can be a bit of a pain sometimes. And bad luck Apple users… although most electronics can be charged from this lantern, sadly it isn’t compatible with Apple phones or tablets.

Streamlight Siege

The Streamline Seige compact lantern uses four white and one red LEDs to bring you a range of light modes. With 340 lumens of light in high mode, 33 lumens in low mode, and 10 lumens in red mode, you can select the brightness you need. This also helps you to save power, with the switch from high to low light mode giving you an extended run time of 295 hours.

It’s also waterproof up to 1m, so you don’t need to panic if you get caught in a downpour, and is 2m impact tested. We also like that, unlike some other models, this lantern has a battery life indicator integrated into the power button, so you won’t find yourself in the darkness unexpectedly.

Weighing just under a pound, this lantern is suitable for backpacking trips, and it has a super comfy handle so you can use it on the go too. It also has D rings positioned at the top and bottom so you can choose how you hang them around the campsite.

It would be nice if there was an additional way of charging this LED lantern, but otherwise, we think it’s a great bit of gear and it’s certainly one of our favorite camping LED lanterns.