Best Camping Lanterns

The Black Diamond Moji+ has been a staple of the backpacking community for years, and the latest iteration only cements that reputation. At just 3.8 ounces, it's one of the lightest full-featured lanterns on the market. The frosted globe diffuses light evenly in all directions, and the single-button dimmer lets you dial in exactly the output you need — from a faint red-mode glow to preserve night vision, up to 100 lumens for bright camp tasks.

Battery life is excellent for its size. On low mode you'll get well over 70 hours from the internal lithium battery, which charges via USB-C in about two hours. The collapsible hanging hook makes it easy to suspend from a tent ridgeline or a trekking pole, and the compact folded profile stows flat in a hip belt pocket.

The main trade-off is max brightness. At 100 lumens it's plenty for a 2-person tent but may feel underpowered for lighting a large group shelter or cooking area. For solo and duo campers who prize weight savings over raw output, the Moji+ is the best all-around choice on the market.

The Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 is the basecamp powerhouse on this list. Its 600-lumen output can illuminate an entire picnic shelter or large group tent with ease. The integrated hand crank is a clever emergency backup — it won't recharge the battery quickly, but it'll keep the lights on when you've run out of USB power. The built-in USB-A and USB-C output ports also let you use the lantern as a 7,800 mAh power bank for charging devices.

Build quality is excellent — the housing feels solid and the telescoping handle makes it easy to hang from a variety of anchor points. The dimmer wheel is more intuitive than button-only controls, and the red-mode setting is a nice touch for preserving night vision at the campsite.

The main drawback is weight and bulk. At 15 ounces and roughly the size of a water bottle, this isn't a backpacking lantern. It's a car camping and basecamp light through and through. If you need serious output and versatility for group camping, the Lighthouse 600 is worth every penny.

The BioLite AlpenGlow 500 stands apart from the competition with its multi-color LED system. Beyond the standard white light modes, you can cycle through warm amber, red, and full RGB color options — great for creating atmosphere at a campsite or signaling in an emergency. The 500-lumen warm white mode is genuinely bright enough for serious camp tasks while still feeling cozy rather than clinical.

The companion BioLite Connect app gives granular control over color, brightness, and even animated lighting modes if you want to get creative. That said, the core functionality is fully accessible without the app — the top-button controls work intuitively in standalone mode. Battery life is solid for its weight class, and the folding hang hook is well-designed.

The AlpenGlow costs more than most lanterns in this output range, but the color functionality is genuinely unique and useful — red mode for preserving night vision alone justifies the premium for many campers. If you want more than just utilitarian white light, this is the lantern to buy.

The Coleman LED Lantern 2-Pack delivers remarkable value — two functional, reliable lanterns for under $25. The classic Coleman design runs on 4 AA batteries each and produces a steady 200 lumens that's more than adequate for a family tent. AA batteries are universally available, so you're never stuck without a power source even on remote camping trips.

Coleman has been making camping lanterns for decades, and the build quality shows it. The lenses are impact-resistant, the hang loops are robust, and the push-button controls are simple enough for kids to operate. These aren't backpacking lights — they're heavy and there's no dimming — but for car camping, the simplicity is actually a feature.

The obvious limitation is the lack of USB charging and dimming. You're burning through batteries at full brightness all the time. For occasional campers who don't want to think about charging cables and who prioritize low upfront cost, the Coleman 2-pack is a proven choice that won't let you down.

At just 3.2 ounces, the UCO Sprout+ edges out the Black Diamond Moji+ as the lightest full-featured rechargeable lantern on this list. Despite its tiny footprint, it delivers a respectable 150 lumens at full power and has a built-in red mode. The collapsible silicone globe design means it packs nearly flat and won't take up meaningful space in your pack.

UCO's attention to detail on the Sprout+ is impressive. The magnetic base lets you stick it to any metal surface — a car roof, a cast iron skillet handle, or a metal tent stake. USB-C charging and a battery life indicator LED round out a very well-thought-out feature set for such a small light.

Output does top out at 150 lumens, so this isn't the lantern for illuminating a large group area. But for ultralight backpackers who need a dedicated camp light without the weight penalty, the Sprout+ is the best option currently available. Pair it with a headlamp and you've covered all your lighting needs for under six ounces combined.