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The best lantern ever

Our experts have lit up the night for years now, testing over four dozen of the best lanterns available. For this 2020 review, we purchased 14 top models to test side-by-side. We have gone coast to coast, stopping at camping spots, state and national parks, and hiked into the backcountry as well as sat through some power outages at home. We look at the details that really matter: things like brightness, battery life, and durability, to really understand each product. The best of the best have earned awards, from overall champs to budget-friendly bargains. Use this comprehensive review to help you find your next lantern to light up dark places.

 Of all of the lights that we tested, the Black Diamond Apollo proved to be one of the most consistent across the board. It is versatile, durable, and easy to use for a range of activities. Shining at 225 lumens, it provides ample light for setting up camp in the dark. It's great on uneven surfaces, and it can easily be hung overhead from a cord or tree branch. It also features a USB charge out port, which is great for giving your smartphone a little extra juice when an outlet isn't nearby. This light is also relatively lightweight and compact for what it offers.

At full price, this model is a little on the pricier side. It's also not a great backcountry model unless your goal distance is short. However, it is sturdy and well made. We like it for backpacking or car camping as well as power outages at home. Of all the products that we tested, the Apollo is the one we would reach for most often.

  BRIGHTNESS - 40%3

DURABILITY - 20%9

FEATURES - 20%5

EASE OF USE - 10%9

WEIGHT - 10%9

Maximum Run Time: 35 hours | Rechargeable: Yes

Solar-powered or mini-USB charged

Nice light quality

Inexpensive

Not very bright

No red light mode

The Goal Zero Crush Light surprised us with how much we enjoy it. It's a lightweight, solar-powered, no-frills light that works really well for personal use. It's "crushability" makes it practical; it stows away easily in a backpack, and unlike a few of its solar-powered inflatable competitors, there is no chance that it will be punctured. It charges either via solar-panel or mini-USB, so it works for both backcountry weekends and backyard sleepovers for the kids. It also continued to work flawlessly after being left out in the rain overnight.

We wish it were a little bit brighter. Like many similar solar-powered models, it doesn't pack nearly the same punch as ones with traditional batteries. It also doesn't come with a charge-out port as many others do, so it won't charge a phone. However, this affordable, fun, and straightforward light is one that we would welcome in our tent anytime we go out.

 BRIGHTNESS - 40%5

DURABILITY - 20%6

FEATURES - 20%7

EASE OF USE - 10%9

WEIGHT - 10%10

Maximum Run Time: 170 hours | Rechargeable: Yes

Compact

Lightweight

Can charge other devices

Power button in odd location

USB port is exposed to the elements

The Goal Zero Lighthouse Micro Charge is a mini marvel. It has dual mode flashlight and lantern functionality for the solo adventurer. It charges via USB, so there is no need to carry disposable batteries. We also love that it has the capability to charge other small devices. It's great for car camping, weekend backcountry trips, and it is also a great size for children to use.

We think that being in the backcountry for an extended period of time (more than a long weekend) and far away from a USB plug could be a little stress-inducing unless you have a solar panel with you. If we are getting down to the nitty-gritty, the metal hanging loop at the top really requires an additional carabiner hooked on in order to be truly functional, and the power button is in an odd location and not always so easy to press. Even with those minor inconveniences, this light an excellent option when you need something small that punches above its weight class.

 BRIGHTNESS - 40%9

DURABILITY - 20%7

FEATURES - 20%6

EASE OF USE - 10%7

WEIGHT - 10%3

Maximum Run Time: 792 hours | Rechargeable: No

Very long run time

Nice light quality

Inexpensive

Difficult to replace batteries

Handle not very sturdy

The Ultimate Survival Technology 30-Day Duro Glow is a powerhouse. Its advertised 30-day shine lasted 33 days in our testing. It has a sturdy, heavy, rubberized, impact-resistant base. The frosted plastic light cover makes the light soft and easy to look at. The cover is removable if you need an even brighter glow. It is water-resistant but not waterproof. The 30-Day Duro Glow weighs just under 2 pounds with three D batteries.

On the downside, the battery compartment can be challenging to reattach. Its glow-in-the-dark feature could be stronger. We also noticed that the plastic handle is not the highest quality. Even with all of that in mind, if your priority is run time over anything else, this is the light for you. It's best for extended car camping, RVing, or if you live somewhere with a risk of prolonged power outages.

 BRIGHTNESS - 40%6

DURABILITY - 20%6

FEATURES - 20%8

EASE OF USE - 10%6

WEIGHT - 10%5

Maximum Run Time: 20 hours | Rechargeable: Yes

Lights stow away in carrying case

Solar-powered

Can charge other devices

Carrying case can be clunky to hang with lights

String can be difficult to manage

The MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights are a great option for a good time. It setting the ambiance if your thing, this product should be in your kit. This solar-powered string is great for car camping or a backyard barbecue. The carrying case makes the lights easy to manage when they are not in use. If you need to charge them up on a cloudy day, they also have a USB plug that can get the job done. They have a USB port that can charge other devices as well. Most importantly, the ten-node, 20-LED string is bright and brings plenty of light to a deck or campsite.

A few pings against this model are that it can be hard to find the right spot for the (attached) carrying case when the lights are strung up, and the string itself is sometimes difficult to manage. However, there is so much to like about this model that it takes top honors as an excellent addition to a summer outdoor setup.

 BRIGHTNESS - 40%6

DURABILITY - 20%8

FEATURES - 20%7

EASE OF USE - 10%8

WEIGHT - 10%6

Maximum Run Time: 37 hours | Rechargeable: No

Durability

Waterproof

Buoyant

Magnetic base

Limited light adjustability

Lower run time than other competitors

The Streamlight The Siege is a sturdy little workhorse. It illuminates large areas, and the opaque plastic cover is removable for a brighter, more concentrated light. It's the supporting features though that make The Siege shine. It's waterproof when submerged in water up to one meter deep. It floats and has a magnetic base (great for sticking to the underside of a car hood). It hangs from both ends (either by the handle at the top, or the carabiner hook at the bottom). It fits easily into a jacket pocket, and with its rubberized casing, it is also impact-resistant.

The primary drawback is that it doesn't give off the most even light. It also has a limited run time relative to some other models in this review. The Siege is a steal for those who beat the heck out of their gear. It's great for boating activities, or anything by the water. This would also be a strong contender for a glovebox emergency light.

  Why You Should Trust Us

Our experienced panel of testers knows their lanterns. Lead reviewer  started his professional outdoor career as a guide, leading multi-week backpacking, canoeing, and cycling trips throughout New England and maritime Canada. He has made a habit of escaping the lights of large cities. However, he deeply appreciates being able to find his way through the woods, even with a new moon. Over his 20 years of backcountry experience and decade of power outages that come with the winter storms of rural northern New England, he has grown to appreciate some of the features that tend to come along with many of the models in this review. Whether it is thru-hiking the PCT, , or paddling down New Hampshire's Androscoggin River, he has found himself on more than one occasion, looking for a little extra battery boost for his phone, and grateful for the warm glow of a lantern on a cold, rainy night.

 After the top contenders emerged from the field of dozens we considered throughout our research, we put them to the test. We took them into the forest, assessing how each one performed for solo use, small groups of 2-3 people, and larger groups of 4+. We spent some nights in simulated (and one or two real) power outages, seeing how we fared with just the light of these luminaries. To learn more about their durability, we dropped them (from hand height, head height, and overhead height). For weather resistance, we got them wet. If they claimed to be waterproof, into the river or lake they went. For the lanterns that are more than just a light source, we charged our devices to see if they could help us out of a drained battery jam. We did our very best to look at this review from many angles, and these models shined in even the darkest corners.

 Analysis and Test Results

Every model we tested offers a slightly different set of features and sometimes significantly different designs, making each one preferable for different uses. There are a variety of types that fall roughly into three categories: emergency use/supplemental power outage lighting, front-country camping, and backcountry camping, and we tested them all. Below, we outline each of the metrics that we assessed during our testing, including some of the specific ways that manufacturers do (or don't) effectively incorporate features and design elements that enhance a model's overall performance.