Best Portable Light Of 2024 - Buying Guides & FAQs

Sarah Combs By, Sarah Combs
Updated
Margaritaville Sounds of Paradise Outdoor
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Margaritaville Sounds of Paradise Outdoor

Get the Party Started with our tiki torches and enjoy more visual flair and more crisp, clear audio. Featuring a pole to easily attach to just about any surface, this light provides a perfect accent for your backyard or patio. Perfect for entertaining guests or playing your favorite tunes at any party. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: TANSOREN 4 Pack Solar USB Rechargeable 3 AA Power Brightest

The TANSOREN Solar USB rechargeable AA flashlight provides 3 power supply methods and uses COB (cut on birefringence) strips for 360° of luminous light. This light is designed for a long life and comes with 4 AA batteries. You can use this flashlight as a charger via the solar panel, 5V DC input, or by using 3 AA batteries. Read Review

3. Best Choice: Dancing Flame Led Vintage Lantern

The Dancing Flame Led Vintage Lantern is a beautiful outdoor light with a classic design and features wireless operation for easy set-up anywhere. Whether you're lighting up your backyard, porch or patio; the Dancing Flame Led Vintage Lantern will transform your space in seconds with its soft glow. It also comes with a wireless remote control that will allow you to turn the light on or off at up to 30 feet away. Read Review

4. Best Convenient: Tomshine O 2 Pack Solar Lanterns,utdoor Hanging Solar Lanterns

The Tomshine solar lanterns are very lightweight and portable. When the sun comes out, and you want a beautiful outdoor scene, these solar lanterns provide a soft warm glow on your patio or garden. The solar lanterns are perfect for outdoor lighting and decor for your garden, patio, backyard, walkway, path, lawn or anywhere else you would like to add some light! Read Review

When you’re camping, it’s not just about enjoying the outdoors. You need to be able to see what you’re doing and where you’re going. You also need to be able to do so in complete darkness, which is why having a camping light is key.

If you’re looking for a simple way to enjoy your camping trips, look no further than some of the best portable camping lights on the market today. These handy devices can make your trip even more enjoyable and special for your loved ones as well as friends and family members who are tagging along with you on your outdoor adventures.

In the end, we concluded that Margaritaville Sounds of Paradise Outdoor was the most highly recommended. Other options presented here are certainly worthy of your attention, and in order to assist you in making an informed choice, we have compiled a helpful shopping guide.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Margaritaville Sounds of Paradise Outdoor
Our Score:
9.9
Sakar
  • Portable And Travel Ready: The built-in battery coupled with the sturdy build and lightweight allows you to take our decorative wireless speaker with you anywhere you go making it ideal for outdoor parties, camping, beach trips, backyard BBQs, and more
  • Get The Party Started: Our tiki torches are ideal for anyone that wants to turn up the volume and add more visual flair to their party. It offers clear, crisp sound so you can enjoy your favorite tracks the right way and comes with a pole so you can place it outside
  • Brighten Up Your Decor: We combine a LED flickering flame with a tiki torch design and powerful stereo sound to bring you decorative indoor and outdoor speakers that will elevate the look of your space while providing clear, crisp sound to set just the right mood
TOP Choice #2 TANSOREN 4 Pack Solar USB Rechargeable 3 AA Power Brightest
Our Score:
9.8
TANSOREN
  • 【Magnetic Base】: 4 magnets on the bottom of the lantern Incorporate stronger than others' 3 magnets adhering to car or any metal surface, free your hands for doing the work occupying two hands.
  • 【Multi Functional Light for Home and Outdoor】: Every home needs such a best lantern. PERFECT GIFTS for MEN, FAMILY and FRIENDS, whether as a work light, book light, reading light. Hurricanes, Storms, Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Boating,Car auto emergency light, Shed, Attic, Garage & Power Cuts etc. Emergency kit when the poor weather and outdoor activities.
  • 【Emergency Backup Android Charger】: USB Port allows you to charge your android mobile phone or other android USB devices in emergency situations. (PLEASE NOTE: Cannot charge Apple mobile phone or tablet)
TOP Choice #3 Dancing Flame Led Vintage Lantern
Our Score:
9.7
YINUO LIGHT
  • Special Dancing Flame Design, Realistic flickering flames, A safe alternative to the real flame in the light cast a safe, soft, mood enhancing glow, making this lantern more attractive.
  • Portable Safe, The vintage lantern requires 3Aa batteries not included. No wiring required, you can take your lantern on the go, on hiking, camping and picnics.
  • Easy Installation, Size 6.4, 4.5, 9.7 in with 2 Pack. Equipped with a durable hanging clamp and a hook, the lantern can be hung or clip on anywhere you want.
  • 【Soft Warm White Glow】: Featuring 3200-3500k warm white glow, the garden lanterns give off a perfect accent for flower garden, add a soft amber glow to your space, create a romantic setting and absolutely enhance patio experience.
  • 【Weather Resistant】: With the waterproof rating of IP44, the solar patio lanterns can work properly under most weather, such as rain, wind and snow. These outdoor solar lanterns are perfect for outdoor lighting and decor for your garden, patio, backyard, walkway, path, lawn, etc.
  • 【Warranty】: If you're looking for a more convinent way to light up and decor your house, Tomshine outdoor lanterns are the way to go! We provide 180 days warranty. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, we will get back to you in 12 hours.
  • 【PROFESSIONAL AFTER-SALES TEAM】: We offer 12-month quality guarantee. If you have any issues, suggestions, questions, or concerns. Please contact us firstly, we will respond you within 24 hours and resolve the issue as soon as possible
  • 【BREAKAGE-PROOF PACKAGE】: The bulbs are packed separately from the glass, packaged with customized foam box to provide more protection. If you have any issues, suggestions, questions, or concerns. Please contact us firstly, we will respond you within 24 hours and resolve the issue as soon as possible
  • 【PERFECT FOR FESTIVAL PARTY】: This glass jar light can be used as attractive decoration on wedding, party, banquets. Hang it over everywhere, such as wall, trees, porches, garden, patios, yard and pergolas. Ideal to celebrate special occasions and holidays. Besides that, mason jar is also a perfect and unique gift choice for friends and family for home indoor & outdoor decoration
6 BRIMMEL Aluminum Outdoor Lanterns
Our Score:
9.2
BRIMMEL
  • Stylish Hand Lamp: Suitable for indoor or outside use, warm white light will be an elegance decoration for you, ideal for reading, drinking, eating, night walking, etc.
  • 35W Super Bright: 350 Lumen max hand lamp, Provide a wonderful night atmosphere. Perfect dinner lamp. 3000K warm white color temperature light, contains less blu-ray, does not hurt the eyes, and is more healthy.
  • 3-Levels Brightness Touch Control Hand Light: ①40 lumen Soft Light; ②140 Lumen Medium Light; ③350 lumen bright light. Press and hold the switch button for 3 sec to turn on/off. Click the button again to switch modes.
7 Upgraded Led Vintage Solar Lantern
Our Score:
9.1
Itoeo
  • 🔥Long Working Time: With High-capacity 1200mAh built-in rechargeable battery, solar lantern lights can lighted up for 15 hours after charging 4 to 5 hours under the sun.Note: Working time and charging time also will be influenced by weather condition, season.
  • 🔥Vintage Design: The classic style makes it more unique with aesthetic sense. Made of plastic.Never get rusty no ever rainy or snowy.Lighting soft and fills the area with quiet and elegant ambiance at night.
  • 🔥Realistic Flickering Flames: Special dancing flame Design, which looks like real flame, making this lantern more attractive; The warm yellow glow creates a welcoming ambience.
  • 【Easy to Use & Safe】 Table light with 3 modes: ① 35 LUM; ② 140 LUM; ③ 330 LUM. Just touch the switch button to choose the brightness from dim nursing light to bright ambient light according to your idea. The simple operation is suitable for more people, such as the elderly, children, and so on. The integrated touch switch fits perfectly with the body, is waterproof, does not seep water, and can control the outdoor lantern easily and agilely on rainy days, and is very safe to use.
  • 【Stylish Hand Lamp】The outdoor solar lamp Matte texture, comfortable to touch, style is simple and elegant. It can provide a warm light embellishment space anywhere. The LED lamp provides a more uniform, delicate, anti-glare light that protects your eyes, is great for reading, eating, night walking, etc. The top is equipped with a handle, which can be hung in the corridor or courtyard, or you can go anywhere in your hand. Can be used in bedrooms, corridors, camping, and other places.
  • 【Multiple Charging Methods】 Rechargeable table lamps have 2 charging methods: solar charging and USB charging. It can be charged through USB when used indoors; the outdoor lamp can also be charged through the solar panel on the top. This lamp contains 4 lithium batteries (4*1200 mAh), and the working time is longer than that of other lamps. You charge it for 8-12 hours, it can work for 60-70 hours in weak mode. A variety of charging methods can be used with confidence even outdoors.
9 PINSAI LED Camping Lantern
Our Score:
8.7
PINSAI
  • [2 Year Warranty]We use strict quality control to make each lamp by hand, to give you the best equipment, we provide 2 year warranty for each product, any questions welcome
  • [Warm Brightness & Dimmable LED lantern]:The lamp is equipped with LED lamp in the top and LED filament in the middle. The lamp has two lighting modes: candlelight mode and warm light mode. The mode and brightness of the lamp can be adjusted progressive steplessly through the knob. provides two lighting atmospheres,soft light are suitable for reading or illuminating the whole space to protect your eyes.
  • [IPX4 Waterproof]The lamp shell is made of metal and ABS materials, which are integrated in the factory for a strong and airtight structure It could protected against splashing water from all angle, Automobile painting process is adopted,suitable for outdoor activities in rainy or snowy day.
  • Eye Protection and Stepless Dimmable: The light of the portable LED light source is softer and more uniform, no flicker. It will reduce eye strain when you work,read and study. It is very suitable for breast feeding lamp,night lamp,bedside lamp.
  • High-performance Solar Panel: The portable LED lantern outdoor is powered by solar panel (3.2 x 3.2 in), it is larger than others so that this portable solar LED Cordness table light will perform better.When the battery is fully charged,low light can work 8 hours, high light works 4 hours above, making this portable solar emergency lights great for camping, hiking,outdoor recreation, and emergencies.
  • Long Lifespan & 12-month Warranty: Our hanging solar LED tent lights & lanterns designed to last for more than 50000 hours,20% energy consumption as incandescent bulb does. Furthermore, Our Outdoor LED night Lamp come with a 12-month warranty.

What to Look For in a best portable light?

The best portable light is a product type that many customers feel hesitant to select because of the challenges in evaluating its features. It comes to trust! When studying a significant purchase, many factors must be considered. Our best portable light knowledge will help you make an ideal decision.

Our article here will highlight some outstanding items and provide solutions to FAQs and guides to buying. You should keep in mind some main criteria of best portable light below:

Ease Of Use

Electric lanterns are the easiest to use for the majority of the time. The electric lanterns can be turned on and off with a push of a button. They also have an easy brightness adjustment. The application of the fuel canister to light the wick and the lighting is a little more labor-intensive for gas lanterns.

Light Modes

There are several light settings available for different lanterns. These can be used to adjust the light's brightness. For extremely dark conditions, you can set the light at a lower setting during daylight or dusk. A bright, powerful light is not the best choice for your daily needs. It's also not something you want to use when trekking in darkness. Switching between different light modes can help you save batteries for long camping trips. Lower brightness can make the lantern last longer. A few lanterns have an SOS button that can be used to alert you if something happens.

Portability

You need to know how to operate your lantern from the buttons and easily accessible handles. One control that has too many settings can be confusing. A lack of settings could result in a brighter or dimmer environment. You will find it beneficial to pick something that is easy to use and can be turned on or off quickly.

Lumens

The lanterns should be bright enough that it lights up the area but not too striking to temporarily blind you. The average lantern's lumen output is between 200-500 lumens. It is enough light to illuminate most campsites.
You can get a pleasant glow with 60-100 lumens. For use in a tent, electric lamps below 60 lumens are ideal.

Battery Life

You should consider the battery life of an electric lantern if you plan to use it for longer periods. Most lanterns can last between five and ten hours at high settings, while the lowest setting will provide a longer time.
If your lantern is made of disposable batteries, it pays to bring extra batteries with you. To charge your lanterns, you can bring along either a solar charger or a portable rechargeable battery.

Electric Vs. Gas-Powered Lanterns

It all comes down to your preference for features when choosing between an electric or gas-powered lantern. An electric lantern is quiet and lightweight. It can also be used inside a tent. Alkaline batteries can lose half of their power when it is below freezing. Rechargeable batteries might not be able to last for long trips, so make sure you have a spare.
The gas-powered lanterns are bright and long-lasting. They also work in temperatures below freezing. However, the runtime of alkaline batteries is shorter. They are very hot and should be ventilated as they burn with a flame. These flames are more delicate than an electric one.

Water-Resistance Vs. Water-Proof

When camping outdoors, there are always risks of rain and splashes. Waterproof and water-resistant are two different terms. A waterproof lantern is a good choice if you live where there are unpredictable weather conditions. It will last longer, and you won't have to worry about it getting wet.

Brightness

In lumens, the brightness of a light source is expressed in lumens. Higher numbers indicate a brighter light. Most lanterns use LED lights bulbs that are extremely bright and do not overheat. The size of the campsite and distance required to see will determine the brightness needed. For the interior of your tent, a lower lumen count will be sufficient. However, to light up your entire campsite, you'll require a few hundred or more lumens.

Extra Features

Some lanterns have additional functions, like the ability to double as a flashlight and charge up your electronic devices. While these are nice perks, they aren't essential features when selecting a lantern.
We believe that the most essential features are those that improve the main function of the lantern. You should look for lanterns with integrated solar chargers, multiple dimming options, water and dust resistance, as well as waterproof and dustproof.

Weight And Packed Size

Think about how you'll be using the lantern. Car camping is not about weight or size. You will need something lightweight if you intend to take your lantern with you into the woods. For backpacking trips, you might want a smaller or collapsible lantern.
Lightweight backpacking lanterns can be found in many sizes. These are just a few of the many options.

FAQs

How Long Do Lantern Mantles Last?

The lantern mantle can be kept in good condition for many years if you are careful. The lantern's life expectancy can be extended by not dropping it or shaking it too much.

What Is The Best Lantern For Power Outages?

A brighter, more portable lantern that has replaceable batteries is ideal for occasional usage. For situations where an external charger is not available, replaceable batteries can be a great option. Because they do not require fuel, candle lanterns can also be used.

What Is The Best Camping Lantern?

You should choose the best camping lantern for your needs. You want a lantern bright enough for your campsite and easy to use at the end of a hard day's hiking.
A lightweight lantern is the best choice for backpackers. It doesn't need to take up much space in your bag. An electric lantern must be capable of providing light for several nights without needing to recharge.

How Many Lumens Do I Need For A Camping Lantern?

Most campers will need 100 lumens to brighten many spaces. You can also use 50 to 75 lumens for a gentler glow. In-tent lighting is possible with electric lanterns below 50 lumens.

How Many Lumens Does A Camping Lantern Require?

Campers find 100 lumens to be sufficient for most areas. For a soft glow inside your tent, you can use 50 to 75 lumens. Tents can be lit with electric lights that are less than 50 lumens.

Which Lantern Is The Best For Power Outages?

For occasional usage, a brighter lantern equipped with replaceable batteries is sufficient. Replaceable batteries can be used if an external charger is not available. In the event of power cuts, it is likely that you will need to charge other things. A lantern with a double function would work well as a battery bank. Candle lanterns are another alternative that can work because they don't need any additional fuel and are easy to use.

What Is A Lantern Mantle?

Lantern mantles, made of ceramic mesh and used to protect the flame from gas-powered lanterns, are ceramic mesh bags that can be used as lantern mantles. These keep the flame contained within the lamp.

In short, the list of best portable light would be updated when the data is upgraded and available. Please visit our website frequently to get the latest updates.

Our staff team is always available and ready to support you with your complex problems. Try to contact us as soon as possible whenever your product obstacles come up. Feel free for that!


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About Sarah Combs

Sarah Combs
Sarah Combs is a visual editor who loves to travel and hike. She enjoys taking photographs of her journeys, which help her to remember the beautiful places she's been to. Sarah is grateful for the opportunities that she has had to see the world and looks forward to continuing to explore new places in the future. Sarah is the editor of CampfireHQ since 2021 and has written on a variety of topics, from camping, and hiking to other outdoor guides.

Read Sarah's full bio