best solar camping lanterns

14 Best Solar Camping Lanterns & Their Reviews [Updated 2022]

When you embark on a camping trip, the idea of “getting off the grid” has a certain allure to it that’s both refreshing and exhilarating. Living off the land might be a bit trickier if you find yourself wondering if any of the berry-like growth on the trees is edible, but utilizing other natural resources could give you the fulfillment you anticipated.

Solar camping lanterns are a practical and responsible way to enjoy nature without leaving any carbon footprint. Much safer than any flame-related light source, the technology of solar lanterns has evolved to the point where they are a reliable product with other useful functions built in.

This list includes a range of products that have different styles and practicalities, but all deliver what you’re looking for: a reliable light source for a variety of needs. With that said, let’s get started with the 10 best solar camping lanterns and their reviews in 2022.

1. MPOWERD Luci

MPOWERD Luci - The Original Inflatable Solar Light, Clear Finish

This product is practical for so many reasons, but perhaps the most appealing aspect of this solar lantern is the simplicity.

It’s durable shell sports a solar panel that requires no battery to maintain the charge and last up to 12 hours after 7 hours of direct sunlight.

Some of this lamp’s qualities are that it’s inflatable, collapsible, lightweight, weighing only 4.4 ounces, and is entirely waterproof.

This is the ideal light source when you’re packing either heavy or light because it takes hardly any additional room.

The versatility of this product is endless, but what’s probably most convenient is its portability. Primarily when on a camping trip when you’re trying to maintain grace as you move in the night, this Luci light can be carried and illuminate your path to avoid any tumbles or spills.

The lamp comes with ten powerful white LEDs which can be adjusted to either bright, super bright, or 1-second flashing.

What’s also helpful is the indicator that lets the user know how much longer a charge will last, so another light source can be found before you’re left stumbling in the dark.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Inexpensive
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Brightness settings
  • Waterproof
  • Long-lasting

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2. AGPTEK Solar Lantern

AGPTEK Solar Lantern, 5 Mode Hand Crank Dynamo 36 LED Rechargeable Camping Lantern Emergency Light,...

This lamp could be thought of as having multiple personalities considering it’s able to be charged in so many ways.

If you’re looking to harness natural energy from the sun, this lamp can have its solar panel charged and serve as a very bright light source.

If you find yourself stuck in a tent avoiding the bad weather or rain that’s been plaguing the trip, this lamp can still function by using the hand crank to produce energy for the light.

It has five charging modes in all, with the other including a car adapter, USB or 3 AA batteries.

Although it’s not waterproof, it is portable and can also be hung up to spread the light out widely. It’s typically brighter than most solar lanterns but at the same time uses less energy.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Brightness
  • 5 Charging methods
  • Reasonably priced
  • Good for emergencies

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3. d.light S500 Lantern

d.light S500 Portable Solar Lantern and Mobile Phone Charger for Camping

This solar lantern’s rugged and colorful design adds a bit of style to its overall useful essence.

Instead of draining your phone by turning on its flashlight, you can use this lamp for both a light source and as a phone charger.

Its exterior is built to withstand harsh conditions and is perfect for emergency preparedness kits.

It’s multiple brightness settings allows for adjustment according to the mood, with either bedtime lights, low, medium, or high.

This product comes with the lamp and a connectable solar panel, which can run on a single charge for up to 100 hours.

The solar panel is great for attaching to the back of your backpack for efficient charging as you made your trek.

The device will also automatically adjust to a lower brightness when it senses only two hours of juice remain. What’s also appealing is the 2-year warranty that comes with the purchase.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Long battery life
  • Can be used as a phone charger
  • Good for emergencies
  • Rugged design

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4. Solar Tabletop Lantern

Solar Portable Led Camping Lantern Lights Outdoor -Tabletop Lantern Rechargeable Emergency Light...

This product was manufactured using an innovative composite rubber material which prevents corrosion and natural aging.

This lamp is collapsible and lightweight, which make it a great addition to a camping trip.

The solar panel can be charged and angled to get hit by the sun for maximum energy. The device can also be charged by a mini USB port should there be an option to do so.

While charging, an indicator will light up red and turn blue when it has been fully charged which is helpful in preventing prematurely ending a charging session.

Its weather-resistant design is great for enjoying the outdoors for evening strolls or situation a tent during a late arrival to the campground.

There are options for levels of brightness on the lantern to give you the illumination you feel like having.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Indicator for charging and charged
  • Portable and easy to carry
  • Durable and versatile

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5. LuminAID PackLite

LuminAID 2-in-1 Solar Camping Lantern and Phone Supercharger - Inflatable LED Lamp for Camping,...

This product is similar in concept to the inflatable solar lantern listed above but has the added feature of a phone charger.

You might think that camping should be a completely solitary experience, but when you want to listen to some tunes and come across a dead phone, that can be a bit disappointing.

There is also an option to charge the lamps using USB should you have access to it. This product is great for people of all ages to use, with its easy functions and lighting options.

Although it emits some powerful rays, it’s conveniently lightweight at only 10 oz. and can be a perfect addition for a nature trek into the woods in the night.

It’s waterproof, shatterproof and durable, made to last and withstand harsh weather conditions should it be exposed to the elements.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Good value for money
  • Portable and easy to carry
  • Phone charger
  • Powerful lighting

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6. TANSOREN 4 Pack

TANSOREN 4 Pack Portable LED Camping Lantern Solar USB Rechargeable or 3 AA Power Supply, Built-in...

This purchase comes with a pack of four lanterns which can serve as a trusty supply of light gear for outdoor activities and emergency situations.

The lamps have solar capabilities, along with battery inserts, and a USB charging port.

This device does have the function to charge Android products (not Apple products or tablets) which is a nice personal touch for a consumer group.

This lamp is lightweight, portable and compact, making it perfect for adventures into the open air but also for impromptu power outages at home. They can also be bought in quantities of one and two.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Comes with a pack of 4
  • Android-specific charger
  • Powerful lighting

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7. Blazin' Solar Lantern

Blazin Rechargeable Solar Camping Lantern | 600 Lumen USB Solar Camp Lantern | Emergency Power Bank...

This lantern is bright both on the inside and out, with its colorful yellow shell, making it easy to find even its unlit on the darkest days.

This 600 Lumen light works great when you’re making your way into nature or if you find yourself suddenly without electricity.

What’s great about this device is the ability to charge the lantern in the sun for free, and then utilize that same energy to charge your phone or tablet at a zero-cost sum.

The model has three light modes with high, low and blinking SOS notification for emergencies.

On the lowest setting, this solar lamp can last you 12 hours of shine and can work for either outdoor spaces around the house in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains and animal sounds.

This purchase is a no-risk guarantee and comes with a lifetime warranty. If you’re unsatisfied with this tabletop solar lamp, you can contact the manufacturer and receive a full refund.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Lifetime warranty
  • Can charge electronics
  • Powerful lighting
  • 12-hour lifespan per charge

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8. Flyhoom SolarLightBulb

FLYHOOM Portable Solar Light Bulbs with Remote, 400LM, 3 Light Modes, Rechargeable Solar Bulb Indoor...

If you’re looking for a unique design concept, these solar bulbs could be an option for you. It has clips that can allow for it to hang in many environments making a versatile choice in solar lamps.

They have a built-in 3 piece inner solar panel that when charged for a full 9 hours of direct sun can give you 2 hours of light.

This option is best for shorter spurts of time spend in dark spaces, instead of a long duration spent illuminating the surroundings.

There is a 30-day money back guarantee and a 1-year warranty to ensure that you get the most out of your expectations.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Interesting design concept
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Comes with two devices

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9. BEIDELT Flag Pole Lights

BeideLt Solar Flag Pole Light,42 LED Super-Bright Solar Powered Outdoor Flagpole Light, Waterproof...

This is one of the products that can translate to several different environments, such as being hoisted to the top of a flagpole or being hung from the inside of your camping tent.

This eco-friendly, energy-saving solar lantern has an automatic sensor which turns on when it senses that darkness has fallen, and also turns off when the sun starts to shine.

It has easy installation, will no wires or adapters, and charges from the sun’s rays beating down on it. It’s waterproof, making it great from outdoor conditions and activities.

While you’re not tromping down the camping trail, you can even use this light around a home courtyard or in case of emergencies.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Can be hung in place
  • Versatile use case
  • Eco-friendly
  • Energy-saving

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10. Kizen Camping Lantern

KIZEN Solar Lantern - Collapsible LED Camping Lantern - Rechargeable Solar - USB Portable Lamp and...

A collapsible frame is a popular design that has emerged in the solar lantern industry, which is one of the inviting factors to this Kizen solar-powered LED lantern.

This product is great for people who like to minimize their lives and be responsible stewards to the Earth.

The energy generated by the solar panels can be emitted in three modes: high, low and SOS, but can also function as a flashlight.

The engineering on this product is impressive, as it has a built-in fail-safe to prevent over-charging and overheating. It’s compact design when collapsed in no larger than a hockey puck.

Installed with a USB port for phone charging purposes, this is a great element should an emergency call need to be made and your device has run out of juice.

This product has a 100% lifetime money-back guarantee to put the customer at ease and make them feel confident in their purchase.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Compact size
  • Can function as flashlight
  • USB port to charge devices
  • Lifetime warranty

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11. SOS Solar Flashlight

SOS Solarlight Solar Flashlight with compass and dual battery back up system Great for Emergency...

For a bit of a different take on a solar lantern, check out this solar flashlight complete with a compass to help you find your way and dual battery backup system for the unexpected.

The flashlight is made from durable and shock resistant plastic so if it takes a spill, it will still function without fail.

The LED light ensures bright reliability and a nice wide focusing area to illuminate your immediate environment, with up to a 40-foot radius.

Even if it’s pouring down rain and you find yourself in the dark, the flashlight can still help you get to where you’re going safely. The solar element lasts up to 8 hours with a full charge.

Should the sun decide not to come out and play, it’s also possible to utilize the backup battery system, and if you find to be adventurous and leave the fancy GPS system at home, the incorporated compass can guide your way.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Portable and sturdy
  • Built-in compass
  • Backup battery system
  • Energy efficient

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12. FosPower Solar Hand Crank

FosPower 2000mAh NOAA Emergency Weather Radio (Model A1) Portable Power Bank with Solar Charging,...

If you’re looking for one of those hybrid devices that has multiple functions, consider this multi-use FosPower product.

This would be a good investment for a tool that does multiple actions, such as serve as a light source, play AM/FM radio, and charge devices.

The device can be used with batteries, but if you’re trying to go green and also want a light workout, you can use the crank machine to generate power.

The 1W flashlight is more of a light source for emergency situations, but could also be a nice lower light for downtime in a campsite at night.

An element not typically seen on solar lanterns, but actually incredibly practical is an SOS alarm, which is built into this device.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Has a radio built in
  • SOS alarm
  • Crank mechanism should solar not be option
  • Useful reading lamp

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13. MPOWERD Colored Solar Light

MPOWERD Luci Color Essence: Solar Inflatable Light with 8 Colors + Color Cycle to Set The Mood, Last...

This design has proven to be very popular for its simplicity and portable, but not the maker has decided to jazz it up a bit with a nice sparkling finish.

Possibly the most attractive part about this product is that it has eight vibrant hues (red, orange yellow, green, blue, purple, cyan, and white). Not to mention it has a color-cycling mode.

It’s really a no-fuss type of solar lamp, that just needs to be put in direct sunlight and they can function for up to 6 hours at a time.

This would be a nice way to entertain children (maybe even if for just a short while) during some evening downtime. It has a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Vibrant multicolored lantern
  • Portable and collapsible
  • Good for kids
  • Inexpensive

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14.

This product is surprisingly versatile for its compact design. It has solar panels which give it a full charge, lasting up to 120 hours after just one charge.

There is even a power bank function which allows users to charge your cell phone or other devices in case of an emergency.

The LED lamp is great to take on a trip and string around the campsite, and you can even recharge them before you go and be assured they will last several days.

Pros & Benefits:

  • Very long charge life
  • Charging component
  • Compact


Final Thoughts

Greater focus is being placed on solar energy technology and it’s not just on a large scale that these products are being used.

It’s common now for people to access solar devices for everyday use or for special outings, such as camping trips with family and friends.

In such cases, it’s relieving to know that as a consumer, you’ve chosen a more sustainable and less environmentally harmful way to enjoy the things you love best like the outdoors during a cool autumn night.

As added function becoming more prevalent in solar lanterns is the direct charging port, so instead of using an additional device to collect the energy and using that to charge devices.

Overall, these products are durable and a great alternative to other lighting devices that operate solely on batteries or the electric grid.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the 14 best solar camping lanterns and their reviews for 2022. See one that’s not on the list and should be? Let us know in the comments below.