The Best Solar Lanterns for Camping – 7 Brands You Need to Know

Solar lanterns for camping provide a fun and eco-friendly way to have light at all times.

Whether you are backpacking, camping, or in an emergency - you can take advantage of free energy from the sun or charge it beforehand using a USB port! Most solar lanterns are light-weight, compact, and shrink down for easy storage.

Here are our picks for the best solar lanterns for camping and a buyer’s guide with frequently asked questions. 

Best Sellers - Most Popular Solar Lanterns

  • 1st Place: LuminAID - #1 bestseller, most positive reviews
  • 2nd Place: MPOWERD - best for camping, most durable
  • 3rd Place: Goal Zero - best for trips, emergencies, & use at home

Our Picks for the Best Solar Lanterns for Camping

1. Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Solar Powered Lantern

Goal Zero Solar Lantern for Camping

The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma is a fun and eco-friendly solar lantern. It only weighs 3.2oz and provides 60 lumens of light for 35 hours! Our readers like using it for camping and at home in case of hurricanes or emergencies.

Best of all, it has 6 different color modes, a multi-color fade, and candle-flicker mode for added ambiance. Use this lamp to relax and read a book or entertain with a party-like, fun atmosphere!

Solar Lantern for Camping, Multi-color

Our readers love that it collapses down to just half an inch and that its solar panels are efficient and effective. It can also be charged through a USB port. 

Lastly, we love the Goal Zero brand because they use 100% renewable energy at their corporate headquarters and warehouses. Furthermore, they offset 100% of carbon emissions from their shipping.

That is true clean energy! 

2. MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0 - Inflatable Solar Light

The MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0 is socially responsible and futuristic solar lantern! Take it on all your adventures and never run out of light! 

Its solar panels are the best and have the quickest charge time. You can get 75 lumens of light for 24 hours off of a single charge! Also, it is waterproof, durable, and can withstand up to 150lbs of pressure. Take it camping without worrying about it getting crushed or wet! 

Finally, MPOWERD is a certified B-Corp that reinvests their revenues to provide clean energy to people around the world. Get a quality solar lantern and help others!

3. HISVISION Solar Powered LED Camping Lantern

This solar lantern can do it all! It doubles as a flashlight and a phone charger!

Our readers love this for camping, hiking, and emergencies. It has four lighting modes: High, Low, SOS and Flashlight. 

When it is compressed it's a flashlight and it is a lantern when it's expanded. Perfect for any use!

Finally, there is a built in USB port for charging your smart phone, tablets and mobile devices.

4. LuminAID Solar Inflatable Lantern 

LuminAID White Solar Lantern for Camping

LuminAID is the #1 bestseller on our list! It is the best, the brightest, and has tons of positive reviews - our readers swear by it! 

First of all, there are lots of different models to choose from. You can choose the standard white solar lantern, or you can get a fun multi-color lantern that is waterproof and floats! There is also one that doubles as a phone charger. Check it out!

The quality, brightness, and versatility of this lantern really set it apart. It weighs 5 ounces and packs down to 1 inch for easy storage. It lasts 24 hours and can be charged with solar or a USB cord. 

Best of all, it is made from sustainable materials and was even featured on Shark Tank and had a ton of success! Check out all of the positive reviews!

5. Mesqool Hand Crank Solar Camping Lantern

Mesqool is unique because you can charge it via solar, USB, or a nifty hand crank! This makes it great for storms or hurricanes because you will always have light - even when it isn't sunny outside! 

This solar lantern is bigger than the others (~10 ounces), but it has a large capacity battery to keep it powered for 35 hours! It is collapsible and also doubles as a phone charger and flashlight.

6. KIZEN Collapsible Solar Lantern

This is the most budget-friendly option on our list! Kizen's solar lantern has a very basic design.

It is waterproof and collapses to the size of a hockey puck. The light provides a respectable 65 lumens on its brightest settings, which is not the highest but will get the job done. 

It has a phone charger, but our readers say it drains the battery pretty quickly, so it should mostly be used for topping off the battery on your phone. 

This lantern is a bit fragile, so probably something you want to use around the house instead of in an emergency. We think it is worth spending a few extra dollars for a more durable option to use in emergencies like hurricane preparedness and long trips while camping or RVing.

7. Lepwings Solar Camping Lantern

Finally, the Lepwings solar camping lantern is the most unique version on our list.

This lantern isn't collapsible, but it is extra bright and has two large, high-efficiency solar panels for fast charging! It charges 200% faster than other solar lanterns for camping!

At ~1.3lbs, it is heavier than most lanterns, but it emits a warm, pleasant light that provides an excellence ambiance. 

How to Choose the Best Solar Lantern

1. Charging Capabilities

First, look for solar lanterns with efficient solar panels and multiple ways to charge. 

Ideally, you want a solar lantern that charges quickly in the sun and can be charged via a USB port, like Goal Zero does. Even better if it can also double as a phone charger like LuminAid does!

2. Light Quality and Lumens

Second, pay attention to the different light settings and the number of lumens.

Different light settings like multi-color, candle flicker, and SOS mode will come in handy during different situations, and more lumens means a brighter light.

3. Weight and Portability

Finally, try to get a solar lantern that is lightweight and portable. The best ones are collapsible, durable, and shrink down for easy storage like the MPOWERED Luci

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are solar lanterns any good?

Yes, solar lanterns are excellent for camping, backpacking, RVing, and emergencies. Most are durable, quick-charging, high-quality, and have great features like mobile-charging. 

2. What are the best outdoor solar lanterns?

In our opinion, LuminAID is the best outdoor solar lantern. Our readers rave about its quality, performance, and features. It has an amazing track record with fantastic reviews. 

3. Are solar lanterns for camping eco-friendly?

Yes, many are made from sustainable materials and the best ones are socially responsible too. For instance, LuminAID and MPOWERED Luci partner with humanitarian organizations around the world to make clean energy accessible to those who need it most.

4. Can solar lanterns charge when it isn't sunny?

Yes, solar lanterns can charge when it isn’t sunny. Most can charge through a USB port and some have manual hand cranks.

However, if you want to use the sun to charge them, you can still put them outside on a cloudy day. The solar lantern won’t charge as fast, but it will still capture some energy from the sun.

5. What are lumens?

Lumens are the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source. More lumens mean more light. It’s important to look for solar lanterns with a lot of lumens.

More Articles

About the Author Staff Writer

Our writers come from all over the world, but one thing unites them - their passion for sustainability.

Leave a Comment: