Are you scared of the dark? Wait, don’t answer that—it doesn’t matter. Whether you’re going camping or just want to be prepared if the electricity goes out, you’re going to need a good lantern. We got you.
What’s Important to Look for in an LED Lantern?
Having a light source is incredibly important when going on an overnight trip; it is easy to get hurt while fumbling around in the dark, especially in the woods. Here are a few things you should consider to have a fun and safe trip.
- Brightness: A lantern should be able to brightly light up a campsite and also let you comfortably read in your tent. The brightness of an LED lantern is measured in lumens—40-80 lumens is a comfortable low setting, and 250-400 is an illuminating high setting. You’ll only really need more than that if your campsite is exceptionally large and you only want to bring one lantern.
- Battery Life: If you’re going on a camping trip, you don’t want to have to recharge your lantern or have to bring a bunch of extra batteries. A good lantern should last a couple of nights on one charge. Twenty hours on a high setting and 100 hours on a low setting is an excellent place to start. LED Lanterns usually come in either rechargeable or battery-powered options, but some come in both.
- Durability: A good lantern needs to be able to take some falls; it is an outdoor piece of equipment, and the rough environment will inevitably lead to some accidents. Lanterns should be able to withstand a fall from a standard carry height and need to be water-resistant to protect from rain and accidental spills.
- Weight: Many people carry lanterns around with them or tie them to their bags to use as a light while hiking. A heavy lantern is just one more thing to carry while you’re walking a trail or climbing up a mountain. It’s also worth noting that battery-powered lanterns do not list the weight with batteries included, so it’s important to account for that if you’re trying to pack light.
- Features: Modern lanterns also have extra features like hooks, SOS flashing modes, dry storage, detachable flashlights, and more.
The Best for Most People: UST 30-Day Duro LED
If you’re going on a lengthy trip or are just building an emergency kit for rough times, the battery life of your lantern is an essential feature. The UST 30-Day has ridiculously long battery life; on one charge it can last 22 hours on high and a whopping 30 whole days of continuous use on its low setting. One set of batteries is all you’ll need to keep this thing shining all night long.
This lantern has high, medium, low, and SOS settings and can get up to 700 lumens, bright enough to light a large campsite. It is made of rubberized ABS plastic that can take a beating and survive rough weather conditions. The lantern globe is also removable for more direct light, and underneath is a hook to hang the lantern from your tent pole or a tree. This incredibly versatile lantern is perfect for any circumstance and is our best choice for most people.
UST 30-DAY Duro LED Portable 700 Lumen Lantern with Lifetime LED Bulbs and Hook for Camping, Hiking, Emergency and Outdoor Survival
If you’re looking for LED lantern with incredible battery life, The UST 30-Day Duro LED is the top contender. When it comes to battery life, nothing comes close.
$39.99
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The Best Budget Pick: Vont Collapsible Lanterns:
