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5 Best Solar Camping Lanterns

| Updated Jun 21, 2023

This list of the best solar camping lanterns will help you narrow down the hundreds of options on the market.

When going into the great outdoors, it is always a good idea to have a reliable and portable light source.

A solar lantern provides you with easy charging capability and a cozy ambiance. Plus, it can be easily used in emergency situations, and take up less space in your precious cargo area.

The good news is that there are tons of lanterns on the market to choose from. From tabletop lanterns to collapsible ones, there is no shortage of options for your needs.

The bad news is there are too many to choose from! That's why I've narrowed it down to my top picks for the best solar camping lanterns on the market today!

If you buy something through our links, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our lights on so we can continue to provide helpful resources for RVers. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

What is a Solar Camping Lantern?

best solar camping lanterns
Solar Camping Lanterns

A solar camping lantern is just like a regular lantern. But instead of using batteries or electricity to charge its battery, it uses a solar panel to power a rechargeable battery.

Solar camping lanterns are some of the best camping lanterns because they offer many benefits. Those include less storage space, and easy charging that is free and better for our Earth.

Solar lanterns are an excellent investment because use direct sunlight to get a full charge. That means its battery life is not dependent on lugging batteries around or needing electricity to charge.

Solar energy is pretty easy to come by if you are camping in a sunny area. It's a renewable power source, so you will never run out.

Emergency Preparedness

best solar camping lanterns
Good back up

Solar lights are also excellent in emergency situations because they can stay charged all the time. On a less scary scale, they are also a reliable light source during power outages.

Features to Look For to Find the Best Solar Camping Lanterns

When researching solar lanterns, I suggest looking for the following features.

Charging Modes

Solar lanterns can be charged by the sun, which is their most appealing feature. But what if you run out of charge at night or during cloudy weather?

Some lanterns provide additional charging modes beyond a solar cell. Different ways to charge include a USB port, hand-crank dynamo, car adapter, DC / AC adapter, or AAA batteries.

Weight and Packed Size

When using your RV, or any camping for that matter, storage space is limited. You want to look for something that is compact and does not weigh too much.

You might even like the compact design of a collapsible lantern or solar inflatable light that folds into a small size. A collapsible design is gaining popularity as people try to keep their camping gear to a minimum.

Lighting Modes

Another great feature when it comes to solar lanterns is having different lighting modes so that you can decide the amount of light output.

Being able to change brightness modes provides you with more control over your camping experiences. There are times when you want very bright light or a high mode. Other times, like when you are relaxing by the fire or reading in bed, you may want a more ambient light or a low mode.

The Best Solar Lanterns

There is no shortage of solar lanterns to choose from. From different lighting modes to collapsible options, you are sure to find a great one that fits your needs.

But to make your search a little easier, here are 5 of the best solar camping lanterns that should cover every need.

MPOWERD Luci Outdoor Lantern

This is one of the best outdoor solar lanterns you can use for your outdoor activities. The Luci solar lantern is equipped with one of the best rechargeable batteries around. It is a 1000 mAh rechargeable li-ion battery to be exact.

It also comes complete with bright 75 lumens of light. But it can also stay charged for about 24 hours! That would come in handy for an occasional cloudy day that pops up. Or if you forget to charge it.

This lightweight and compact light is reliable and durable. Not only is it waterproof, featuring an IP67 waterproof rating. But it can withstand 150 pounds of pressure!

LuminAD Solar Inflatable Lanterns

This reasonably priced and collapsible solar charging lantern does not take up much space. That makes it a great edition for your outdoor adventures!

The LuminAD option is also waterproof and offers multiple lighting modes including SOS flashing emergency light.

When fully charged it can provide 24 hours of light! That is due to its incredibly low energy consumption.

This lightweight, high-quality lantern is also shatterproof, dustproof, and durable. Its built-to-last design also comes with a carry handle at the top of the lantern.

Kizen Solar Powered Lantern

The Kizen solar-powered lantern is a great choice because it can take your outing to a stress-free level. Not only is it a very bright solar LED lantern, but it can also be used as a strong flashlight. Talk about double duty!

Other additional features of this lantern include a USB port and three different lighting modes. Use low, high, or SOS flashing modes for whatever circumstance you find yourself in.

Haven't seen the best solar camping lanterns yet? Read on.

Goal Zero Lighthouse

Another one of the best solar camping lights also comes to you for a great value. It is reminiscent of older lanterns but offers modern features like a solar charger and better light intensity.

This lantern offers both directional and adjustable LED lighting, up to 600 lumens!

You can recharge the battery from any available USB port or use the Goal Zero solar panel. It also comes with a hand crank for use in an emergency. One minute of cranking will provide 10 minutes of lighting when set on the low setting.

It comes with collapsible legs so that it can provide maximum light dispersion in the campsite.

The best part? This high-quality lantern weighs only slightly over one pound!

Goal Zero Crush Light

The Goal Zero might be your best option considering the great features it provides you. Weighing a slight 3.2 ounces, this solar powered light is extremely lightweight. Beyond its compact size, it provides exceptional light quality.

The lantern also features different light modes. You can use this to illuminate your RV or tent, or you can switch to candlelight mode that casually flashes and dims. It makes you feel warm and cozy, without the danger of starting a fire.

Another one of this LED light's excellent features is its relatively quick recharge rate. Store it under direct sunlight for a quick charge!

In addition to its other features, this lantern is budget friendly. You will not break the bank for this excellent solar light.

Best Solar Camping Lanterns

Do you have a solar camping lantern that you love (or despise)? Share your recommendations of the best solar camping lanterns in the comments below. Oh, and if you're interested, you can check out the 5 Best RV Vacuums next!

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5 Best Solar Camping Lanterns 1

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Mike Wendland

Published on 2021-11-30

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

One Response to “5 Best Solar Camping Lanterns”

November 30, 2021at6:53 pm, Bev Parkison said:

I have the Goal Zero Crush Light and highly recommend it!

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