Whether you’re camping, backpacking, or simply enduring a power outage in your home, a lantern is the perfect way to provide light in a pinch. And unlike the oil-burning lanterns of yore, today’s lanterns are safer and stronger than ever.
Boasting LED bulbs, custom brightness, or even rechargeable batteries, the crop of lanterns we’ve chosen for you represent the best and most effective products on the market today. Without further ado, I present to you 2019’s best lanterns review!
Related: Security Tips For Hikers
Editor’s Pick | ||
UST 30 Day Duro Lantern  | UST 30 Day Duro Lantern Providing up to seven hundred lumens of light for up to thirty days, the UST 30 Day Duro Lantern is the ideal choice for any scenario. | Doesn't expire |
Top Contender | ||
Black Diamond Apollo Lantern  | Black Diamond Apollo Lantern Though compact in size, the Black Diamond Apollo Lantern features a bright LED bulb powered through a rechargeable lithium battery. | Doesn't expire |
Best Value | ||
CORE 500 Lumen Battery Lantern  | CORE 500 Lumen Battery Lantern The CORE 500 Lumen Battery Lantern provides ample light for a surprisingly low price. | Doesn't expire |
Best For Camping | ||
Coleman PerfectFlow Propane Lantern  | Coleman PerfectFlow Propane Lantern Powered by propane, the Coleman PerfectFlow Propane Lantern casts a glow up to 26 meters. | Doesn't expire |
Best For Power Outages | ||
Streamlight Siege AA Lantern  | Streamlight Siege AA Lantern Waterproof and ultra-compact, the Streamlight Siege AA Lantern is the light source that comes through in a pinch. | Doesn't expire |
Editor’s Pick
UST 30 Day Duro Lantern
Whether you’re camping, hiking, or simply preparing for an emergency, the UST 30 Day Duro Lantern can provide the light you need to make it through. Powered by three D batteries, this lantern has the energy efficiency to last continuously for a whole month.
Pros: Continuous power aside, we love how durable this lantern is. Constructed with ABS plastic, it can weather tough impacts and elements. Additionally, it features a removable globe, allowing you to either illuminate a room or turn the device into a forward facing light source.
Cons: Although this lantern can last for a while on its low setting, the emergency SOS strobe feature only lasts for fifteen days.
Providing up to seven hundred lumens of light for up to thirty days, the UST 30 Day Duro Lantern is the ideal choice for any scenario.
Top Contender
Black Diamond Apollo Lantern
The Black Diamond Apollo Lantern is the smallest device reviewed here, but don’t let that distract from its quad power LED light. Its collapsible legs also allow you to easily store it in a backpack or emergency kit.
Pros: We love just how bright this light is and how evenly the glow is cast through its frosted globe. It’s the perfect companion to light up a tent or a camper. It also features an energy saving dimming function.
Cons: While this device can certainly hold a charge, we noticed a shorter lifespan when using the backup AA battery supply.
Though compact in size, the Black Diamond Apollo Lantern features a bright LED bulb powered through a rechargeable lithium battery.
Best Value
CORE 500 Lumen Battery Lantern
With its 500 lumen LED bulb, the CORE 500 Lumen Battery Lantern casts a strong light over a decently wide area. It also boasts a water-resistant construction, allowing it to stand up to harsh elements.
Pros: At this price point, there is no other lantern as bright as the CORE 500 Lumen Battery Lantern. Powered by three D batteries, it can light up a large area indoors or outdoors. We also appreciate the one year limited warranty included with this device.
Cons: Even on low mode, this lantern is still rather bright, which might not be ideal if you plan to use it in a small space such as a tent.
The CORE 500 Lumen Battery Lantern provides ample light for a surprisingly low price.
Best For Camping
Coleman PerfectFlow Propane Lantern
If you’re looking to light up an entire campsite, then there’s no better choice than the Coleman PerfectFlow Propane Lantern. Powered through a propane cylinder, it can light up to 1500 lumens on its high setting.
Pros: We love just how strong this light is. Although other electrical lanterns can last a bit longer, there’s no replacement for the strength of a propane powered light source. This device also includes a built in handle and footed base, allowing you to either hang it or station it on the ground.
Cons: With its globe made of glass, this lantern is more fragile than others reviewed in this article.
Related: Security Tips For Campers
Powered by propane, the Coleman PerfectFlow Propane Lantern casts a glow up to 26 meters.
Best For Power Outages
Streamlight Siege AA Lantern
Powered by AA batteries, the Streamlight Siege AA Lantern casts 360 degrees of soft, even light. On its low setting, it can run for up to 57 hours.
Pros: We appreciate the durable design of this lantern. Built with rugged plastic and a rubber base, it can withstand drops. It’s also waterproof up to one meter, and it even floats. What’s more, it features a flashing SOS mode for emergency signaling.
Cons: At only 200 lumens, this lantern is less bright than the others on this list.
Related: Preparing Your Home For Any Natural Disaster
Waterproof and ultra-compact, the Streamlight Siege AA Lantern is the light source that comes through in a pinch.
Lantern Methodology
It was no easy task choosing the best lanterns of 2019. Still, through careful testing and research we were able to do it. Here are some things we paid close attention to:
- Light Strength: Not all lights are created equally, so we looked for lanterns with only the most bright and far reaching bulbs.
- Power Source: Whether through gas, battery, or rechargeable battery, it’s important to consider how a lantern is powered depending on its intended use.
- Energy Efficiency: No one wants a lantern that cuts out unexpectedly, so we looked for devices that offers glows with longevity.
- Durability: Lanterns are often used under distressing conditions, so we found devices that can brave even the harshest of elements.
- Emergency Features: A lantern can not only light an area, but it can also signal for help. We paid close attention to devices with SOS or emergency features.
Lantern Tips
What should you look out for when considering which lantern is right for you?
- Ask yourself how often you plan to use a lantern. Batteries gradually drain over time, whereas gas supplies can last indefinitely when stored in an emergency pack.
- Consider how large of an area you wish to illuminate. Smaller devices are perfect for a tent whereas more powerful ones can light up the entire campsite.
Recap of The Best Lanterns of 2019
Thank you for reading our rundown of the best lanterns of 2019. If any questions remain, feel free to reach out to us in the comments section. We love hearing from our readers and helping them find the perfect devices for their needs. Until next time, remember to be secure!
FAQs
What is the use of a lantern?
A lantern is a device used to illuminate an area of space. They can be portable or fixed to a surface, and powered through batteries and gas, among other energy sources.
How do lanterns work?
Gas lanterns are incandescent, meaning they burn fuel to generate light. LED powered lanterns, however, generate light through electric current.
What fuel do you use in a lantern?
Lanterns may use kerosene, propane, or white gas.