Best Solar Camping Lanterns On The Market Today

The Best Camping Solar Lanterns For Survival and Emergencies

Having a dependable source of light in a survival situation is not just a “good idea”; it’s an essential one.

Not only can it light your way through the deep dark woods or an abandoned warehouse, but it’s an important morale booster.

Light acts like a security blanket in times of uncertainty.

Something to keep your mind strong and hope alive – when all it wants to do is freak out.

It’s like fire in that way…

So it’s no surprise we get many questions about the best survival light source.

Often the right answer is an EDC flashlight, tactical flashlight, or powerful headlamp, but there’s another type of light to consider: lanterns. And not just any lantern – Outdoor Solar Lanterns!

Sure, lanterns are less portable than flashlights, but they give off a different type of light.

They cast a wide and welcoming halo of warmth…instead of a single laser-focused beam.

This makes them better at certain tasks and also makes them essential gear for camping.

Lanterns allow you to prepare, cook and eat dinner at camp after dark.

They are a must for playing games with friends and family around the picnic table. And their ideal for campsite cleanups before bed.

So today, we’re going to talk about the following topics:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Camping Solar Lanterns For Sale

 Old vs. New Lantern Technology

Camping Lanterns vs. Flashlights

Best Solar Camping Lantern Features

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Best Camping Solar Lanterns For Sale

Here are a few of my favorites:

↓Inflatable Solar Lanterns? Mpowerd Luci Outdoors ↓

↓ LuminAID PackLite Max & Nova Solar Lantern Review ↓

↓ Solar Lantern – Portable LED Light USB Solar Rechargeable ↓

↓ ThorFire Camping Lantern ↓

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Old vs. New Lantern Technology

Lantern technology has come a long way over the decades – lanterns used to have some serious negatives.

In the past, they were powered by either propane or white gas and went through a lot of fuel.

When I grew up, they didn’t even have push-button ignition, so you had to stick a lit match into the body of the lantern while turning on the gas.

This ran the risk of bumping the fragile cloth mantles that could easily tear if handled roughly.

Glass windscreens, fuel pumps, and delicate gas valves all suffered from wear and tear.

Failure was likely just when you needed them most.

Fortunately, today we can have all the benefits without the problems!

The solar LED lantern is the new standard lantern for weekend camping AND survival.

Solar lanterns are a tremendous source of emergency light.

But what sets them apart from other light sources, and how do you choose between a lantern and a flashlight?

The answer is you don’t; you get both.

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Camping Lanterns Vs. Flashlights

A lantern isn’t a replacement for a flashlight or headlamp; it’s an entirely separate tool.

Lanterns produce a wide flood of light to illuminate a large area.

The light is dispersed and not as focused as a flashlight. If you need focused task lighting, a flashlight or headlamp is better.

However, a lantern is the best option when you need general lighting (especially for multiple people at once).

Think about cooking or eating dinner together in a dark camp. Would you rather have one flashlight to share or one lantern?

Trust me; I’ve learned the hard way how frustrating it is to use a flashlight as a lantern or a lantern as a flashlight…

Get the RIGHT tool for the job!

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Ultimate Survival Gear Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

Best Solar Camping Lantern Features

Now that we both agree owning a lantern is a wise choice, the next question becomes, which lantern?

The answer is not as straightforward as it seems.

There are hundreds of varieties and differences when shopping for a new camping solar lantern. So let’s discuss a few differences and some pros and cons of each.

Size Options

There is a vast range of physical sizes available in camping solar lanterns.

Small, hanging lanterns are ideal for a survival tent or bug out bag.

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These hang near the peak of your camping tent at night. But they’re not large enough to light up an entire workspace or light up a whole campsite.

For those types of tasks, you’ll want a large outdoor solar lantern for general lighting.

So getting the right size depends on how you intend to use your lantern.

Amount Of Light Output

Alongside physical size, the amount of light output greatly affects its usability.

Light output is measured in lumens, with higher values corresponding to brighter light.

Small lanterns tend to put out about 100 lumens of light. This is perfect for close tasks like reading a book or searching for items in a pack at night.

If you have a whole camp or cabin to illuminate, look for a solar camping lantern of at least 300 lumens to give you usable light.

Construction Quality

Like everything else, lanterns can have a wide range of materials and build quality.

Many popular, inexpensive outdoor solar lanterns have knock-off competitors. But those knock-offs tend to use inferior parts and don’t last as long.

These lanterns are almost indistinguishable from the originals at first glance.

So make sure you pay attention to reviews and buy only from reputable sources.

Charging Time and Methods

Since all lanterns have a variety of light outputs and battery sizes, it’s hard to compare them.

For example, solar panels are rated in Watts, but if the lantern and solar panel are a combined unit, that spec may not even be provided by the manufacturer.

As a rule of thumb, larger solar panels collect more solar energy and charge batteries faster.

Faster charging can be a big advantage if you don’t expect many hours of full sunlight.

If you can charge your lantern by other means, that can give you a jump start.

So charging versatility is a plus (solar and USB). Most of my lanterns can also charge by USB.

This allows me to leave home with a fully charged lantern and use the solar panel to keep the lantern topped off.

Final Thoughts

They say “what goes around, comes around” – and that seems to be true even in outdoor gear!

It’s been 30 years since I last turned off my propane lantern in favor of a fancy headlamp. But now I’ve added another source of light as a favorite piece of cool camping gear.

A camping solar lantern.

A lantern that provides bright, even light for all campsite activities – by way of the sun.

Whether you love the outdoors or you’re planning for a doomsday scenario, it’s good to have a backup you can trust.

Utilizing solar gear makes a lot of sense nowadays, and a solar LED lantern is a great start!

Jason K.

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