With the right lantern, a dark and scary night in the woods can become safe and wonderful. Solar camping lanterns are among the most economical and environmental friendly lanterns available. To help you navigate the wide array of solar camping lanterns available, we prepared a list of the best solar camping lanterns on the market.
For a quick reference, here are the best solar camping lanterns:
| Product | Award | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| COB Camping Solar Lanterns | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| Lyricall Solar Camping Lantern | Runner Up | 4.6/5 |
| MPOWERD Luci Original | Longest Lasting | 4.6/5 |
| Kizen Solar Powered Camping Lantern | Best Small Option | 4.5/5 |
| TomCare Solar Lights Flickering Flame | Most Premium | 4.9/5 |
| Censinda LED Camping Lantern | Best Budget | 4.2/5 |
Of course, we did a lot more digging than just finding the seven best solar camping lanterns. Keep reading for more information and a deeper review on each option.
How We Reviewed The Best Solar Camping Lanterns
We take careful consideration when picking each product. Our first step is always to identify the dozens, sometimes hundreds, of products out there. Then we filter based on reviews. This means ratings as well as what people are saying in the comments.
Next, we will look at the specifications of each product. We are looking for high quality materials, waterproof enclosures, and high capacity batteries.
1. COB Lantern SXGINBT 2-Pack – Best Overall
The COB Lantern SXGINBT is our best lantern pick overall. Although most camping lanterns charge using batteries, this lamp uses the power of sunlight. The solar panel is located on the top surface of the solar lamp.
How The COB Lantern SXGINBT Works
Whenever sunlight hits the COB Lantern SXGINBT lamp, it will automatically collect solar energy. This rechargeable LED lantern also gives you the option to charge it using a USB charger before you go camping.
While the lantern is charging, the red light flashes. When the red light stops flashing, the lantern is fully charged. Solar charging is for emergencies and cannot completely replace USB cable charging.
This camping lantern is also very easy to use. When you need light, simply unfold it. By pulling the ring up, the light will turn on. The light will burn until you discharge the battery or fold down the lantern to turn off the light.
It takes approximately 3 hours to charge the 1200mAh lithium battery. A full battery gives light for 5 to 10 hours with 3 hours of high power lighting. After 3 hours, the light will dim a little. It will glow for about 5 hours with low power illumination during which light is gradually dim.
Why It’s Our Pick for the Best Solar Lantern
This amazing solar camping lantern has 6 COB bulbs built into the indoor lampshade. This means you won’t have problems with dirt or insects coming to light. It has a 360 ° lighting design that allows light from all angles.
It also has an aluminum-coated reflective surface. The lantern uses high-quality, waterproof ABS material, so you don’t have to worry about heavy camping destroying the lantern.
The manufacturers have taken into account have designed this lantern to withstand even the worst weather conditions. However, even though it is waterproof, do not intentionally put it in water.
Apart from the fact that this lantern is very easy to use, it is also very practical. If you need a flashlight, simply grab a small handle and press the button that switches the light. Your lantern will instantly become a super bright LED. The lantern will illuminate the road in front of you, making it easier for you to see the distance ahead.
This solar camping lantern is small, about the size of a mobile phone. You can easily store it, and it will not take up much space.
Nowadays we always like to be readily available, making it important to have a charged mobile phone, even when camping. This solar camping lantern is amazing because, in addition to giving you bright light, it can charge your phone.
The lantern will temporarily charge your phone so that you can make a call in an emergency. Having this emergency power bank can be very useful, and it can even save your life.
These great solar camping lanterns come in a pack of 2 lanterns. In the package, you will get 2 camping lanterns, 2 USB cables and 2 8-shaped hooks. Also, this product has a year warranty.
Given the amount of features on this lantern, the price is quite reasonable. You can find a two pack of these lanterns on Amazon.
2. Lyricall Solar Camping Lantern – Our Best Budget Pick
Lyricall’s small solar camping lantern is extremely powerful, making it one of the best solar camping lanterns.
How The Lyrical Solar Lantern Works
You can charge the strong 4200 mAh lithium battery in two ways: by using a USB port or by using a solar panel. Although you can charge this lamp both ways, the directions recommend that you use a USB port to charge it.
Charging with a USB port will fully charge the battery in a much shorter time. The solar panels located on the lantern are quite weak. 10 hours of solar charging will only charge approximately 10% of the battery.
Solar panels are a great way to keep your battery charged and to charge in emergencies. However, if you want quick, efficient power, USB charging is the way to go.
While charging via the USB port, the indicator light will twinkle, and when fully charged the light will turn red. To turn on the lamp, simply pull out the top of the lamp. When you no longer need the lamp, fold down the top part and easily store it.
Why It’s Our Pick for Best Solar Lantern
The lamp has stainless steel handles that make it easy to carry. When you want a flashlight instead of a lantern, simply hold the lantern by the handle located on its side. The lantern has a flashlight control button that allows it to become a flashlight in seconds.
Also, the lantern has a USB output that allows it to serve as an emergency charging bank for your phone. Although this lantern won’t fully charge your cell phone, it can be great in emergencies where you need to make a call.
This lantern not only charges your phone, but it can also turn into a flashlight when necessary. Additionally, it uses ultra-bright, low power consumption LED lights, which will brightly illuminate all your surroundings.
This lantern’s waterproof material makes it resistant to rain and harsh weather conditions. The material also adapts to improve shock resistance, heat resistance, and abrasion.
If any problem occurs in the first year of use, don’t worry. You have a one-year warranty that will fix all repairs and malfunctions. You can also choose between matte black or elegant red. If you want to buy this solar camping lantern, you can find it here.
3. Best Looking Solar Camping Lantern
This flame imitating lantern is very practical, making it one of the best solar camping lanterns. This lantern has an amazing 3000 mAh battery that can be charged via micro USB or solar panels located on top of the lantern. Even though it looks like an old camping lantern, it is safer to use because it uses led lamps to produce light instead of flames.
How This Solar Camping Lantern Works
The solar lantern has 2 LED light modes. The main light has a 2.4W led lamp that provides intense light and gives a 360 ° lighting experience. To light, the lantern simply unfolds the upper part of it.
The great thing about this lantern is that you can adjust the height of the lantern to control the amount of light allowed. There are no switches or buttons used to turn on the main light: just unfold it.
Another light mode is the flashlight mode. At the bottom of the lantern is a flashlight that can be lit simply by pressing a button. Flashlight mode directs light in one direction, allowing you to see in the distance.
In an emergency, you can produce the power with a hand crank and thus produce the light or energy needed to charge your mobile phone, for example. This solar camping lantern will provide you with security, and you will always have some power for emergency use with it.
Why It’s Our Pick for Best Solar Lantern
One good thing about this solar lantern is that it is made of waterproof material, so it can be used even in the rain. Additionally, it is designed to withstand accidental drops and perform reliably in all weather conditions.
When not in use, it can be collapsed into a small bundle so you can easily take it camping without taking up a lot of space. This portable camping lantern comes with two hooks on the top with which you can hang the light up to get better light when lighting up a big area.
In addition to having a USB port, this lantern also has a USB output that allows you to charge your cell phone or tablet by using the power of the lantern.
This small solar lantern produces very bright light, lasts quite a long time and is easy to store without taking up much space, making it is an ideal camping lantern. It has three ways of charging which makes it the most practical solar camping lantern.
One disadvantage of all solar camping lanterns is that they do not have a battery life indicator that will alert you when the battery is running low. However, this lantern also solves this problem because you can always produce power yourself with a hand crank.
To ensure that you have enough power, keep this lantern constantly in a well lit area, so the solar panels stay charged. If you want to have this amazing solar camping lantern, you can find it at the following link.
4. Kizen Lantern Collapsible Solar Camping Lantern
This solar camping lantern is one of the best because it takes up almost no space. When fully folded, this lantern is 2.4x smaller than its full size. It’s barely bigger than a hockey puck, so you can put it in your pocket as well. The solar panel is at the top of the lantern, which means the lantern can be charged when it is folded and attached to your backpack.
Also, this camping lantern is made of lightweight materials, so it does not weigh even one pound. This small lantern has a manual switch to turn it on and off, so it can’t be turned on automatically.
How Kizen’s Lantern Works
The lantern can be charged via a USB port and solar panel on the top of the lantern. It takes 4 hours to fully charge by USB. Fully charged, it will last 5 hours on high, 10 hours on low, and 6 hours on SOS light mode.
How long it will take to fully charge by using solar panels depends on how strong the sunlight is. It also has a USB output that allows you to charge your phone enough to make an emergency call.
The lantern has fail-safes to prevent overcharging. It also recognizes and regulates temperatures, thus preventing overheating.
When bent, this lantern can be used as a flashlight because the light is directed in one direction.
When open, you can choose between three different lighting options. The first one is a high light mode which is intended when you need a lot of light to socialize or do some work. Second is a low light mode that you can use for example to light your tent before bed or to have your lantern illuminate your camping site during the night.
The last mode is the SOS mode for emergencies. Most larger lamps do not have this SOS mode. In situations where you are lost in the wild or injured, this SOS lighting mode can save your life.
If you need a small solar camping lantern that will provide you with enough light on your camping trip without taking up much space, this small solar camping lantern is the right choice for you. It won’t take up extra space, and you won’t regret taking it on your camping trip. If you like the idea of having a small and efficient solar lantern, you can find this lantern on Amazon.
5. Luci Solar Inflatable Lantern
Luci solar lantern is made of polyester. Unlike the aforementioned solar lanterns, this one is charged exclusively by a solar panel placed on the top of the lanterns. The high efficiency solar panel allows the lantern to be fully charged by solar power in just 7 hours.
How Luci’s Solar Lantern Works
This lantern has a 1000 mAh lithium ion battery. Once it’s fully charged, it can light up to 24 hours on a single charge. It has 75 lumens of power via 10 cool white LEDs that shine bright through a clear finish.
It is very small and practical, so you can store it with your camping gear, and it will not take up much space. You can also attach it to the backpack without adding weight to your equipment. It weighs only 125 grams, so you won’t even feel it.
It collapses down to 1 inch, and it can withstand up to 150 pounds of pressure. The Luci solar camping lamp is also waterproof, so you can use it even in bad weather.
On the base, there is a strap that allows you to lightly attach it to your backpack, so that it does not bother you. You can attach the strap of the Luci solar lantern to a tree or line to illuminate as large an area as possible. When fully charged, this lantern will provide you with light throughout the night.
Why It’s Our Pick for Best Solar Lantern
The Luci solar lantern has three brightness levels and a strobe, so you can have the light you need at all times. By pressing the on button, you can set low, medium, high or strobe light.
The low light mode can illuminate your room to have enough light to move around, while under the high mode you can read without any problems. Strobe light mode is great in case of emergency, or if you want to show someone where your camping site is.
This lamp does not use batteries but is exclusively charged by solar panels. This can be a big advantage or a big disadvantage. If you know there will be enough sunlight on your camping trip, the Luci solar lantern will light up all the time. However, if you are afraid that there will be bad weather for your camping trip, it is a good idea to bring flashlight in addition to your Luci lantern so that you do not run out of light during the night.
Overall, Luci is a very powerful small solar lantern which is an ideal solution for all nature lovers. It does not require the use of toxic batteries and is very economical to use. Also, the company that makes them is socially responsible and donates some of the lanterns and profits to places without electricity. If you would like to have this very simple but powerful solar lamp, you can find it on the following link on Amazon.
6. Censinda Solar Camping Lantern
The Censinda camping lantern is a slightly weaker lantern. Although it may not glow as long as other lanterns, it is an economical solution that will illuminate your path during the night.
How The Censinda Solar Camping Lantern Works
You can charge the Censinda lantern using the solar panels located on the top of the lantern, or you can charge it via the USB port. It takes 6 to 8 hours to fully charge via the USB port. How long it will take for the lantern to be charged via solar panels depends on the external conditions and the amount of sunlight it receives.
Once charged, the light can burn for 6 to 8 hours. A solar lantern has a USB output through which you can charge most cell phones and tablets.
This solar lantern comes in gold, blue or black with 3 metal handles. It is very light, more precisely it weighs only 0.66 lb. In the package, you will get a solar lantern and cable charger for USB charging.
It is made of ABS and PC material. It has 6 LED beads and a power of 6W, and has a portable design. You can adjust the lantern light brightness by collapsing the lantern light to a different level. If you want to turn the lantern into a flashlight, simply close the lantern, push the button on the side, and you have the flashlight with adjustable brightness.
Why It’s Our Pick
This lantern is a great solution when electrical power is not available to you. Solar power allows you to have enough energy to always have a light on hand and to charge your phone in an emergency. When it folds, it is very small, so you can easily save the lantern on your camping trip.
This lantern is easy to use and is safe for use even for kids. You can find Censinda solar camping lanterns here.
7. LuminAID Solar Camping Lanterns
LuminAID is the creator of inflatable solar lanterns. The company designed these lanterns as a sustainable solution to light camping sites around the world. These are some of the most efficient outdoor solar lights that can be used for the deck, camping, or other areas in your yard.
How It Works
This bright solar camping lantern is powered by 75 lumens of the LED light. The lantern has multiple brightness settings, which allows you to adjust the light to suit your needs.
You can choose whether to charge the lantern with a solar panel or with micro USB input. If you charge it with solar panels, it will take about 10 hours to fully charge. However, USB inputs can charge the battery in one or two hours. The battery has a capacity of 1000 mAh.
A fully charged battery provides light for 24 hours. You can choose between turbo, high, medium, low, and flashing mode. How much light will burn depends on which brightness mode you use.
If you use turbo brightness, the light will last 3 to 5 hours, low brightness will last 18 to 4 hours while flashing mode will last as long as 36 to 48 hours.
Why It’s Our Pick for Best Solar Lantern
LuminAID is extremely lightweight. It weighs only 142 grams. It is square shape with a solar panel on the top of it and a handle so you can easily carry it.
Another benefit of this lantern is that the handle can be adjusted and detached, so you can put the lantern on your backpack, hook or hang it on a tree once you get to your camping site.
When you don’t need it, this lantern can fold to be 1 inch wide. Because of its weight and size, the lantern is great for camping. The lantern is waterproof, so you can freely keep it in the rain, but do not put it in water.
Additionally, these lanterns have the ability to store saved energy in a battery for up to 2 years. Of course, before you go camping, check how full the lantern is so you don’t run out of light.
This lantern also has 4 LED indicator lights that show you how charged the battery is, so you can know at any time how much light you have left and whether you need to charge it.
You can light the lantern by pressing the button on the top left corner. You can use this button to cycle through the different lighting modes until you choose the one that suits you best.
This lamp is a great solution to have in the house in case of emergency when the electricity goes out. This lantern has been used successfully for years in different parts of the world where there is no electricity or where there are frequent outages.
LuminAID has proven its functionality and practicality, making it undoubtably one of the best solar camping lanterns on the market. If you want to have this eco-friendly sustainable lantern, you can buy it on Amazon.