A Guide to Different Types of Camping Lights

A good camping light is one of the most crucial elements for a pleasant outdoor adventure, as any knowledgeable camper is aware. Having a reliable lantern in your toolbox has several advantages, from illuminating your path in the dark to offering crucial assistance during an unplanned power outage.

A gas-powered lantern with glass panes has traditionally been the standard form of lighting for campgrounds, but generally, these lanterns are large, noisy, and terribly hot to the touch. But now that LED technology has advanced, there are several contemporary solutions available to campers. Finding the ideal lantern for you can, however, be more challenging than it first appears due to the abundance of them on the market.

Types of Camping Lanterns

Finding the sort of light that best fits your camping style is the first step in choosing the right camping lights for you. Electric, fuel-burning, and candle lanterns are the three basic categories of lighting. Knowing the features of each type can assist you in narrowing the abundance of possibilities because each has a different purpose and benefits.

Electric Lanterns

Almost all electric lanterns employ LED, or light-emitting diode technology and are battery-operated. These lanterns, which offer a number of improvements over their predecessor including a brighter light output, a longer operating period, less noise, and reduced emission levels, were created to be an improvement on the original gas-powered lantern. Electric lanterns are also considerably safer to use around children and pets because they don’t emit any heat.

The category of electric lanterns includes solar lanterns, battery-powered lanterns, and chargeable lanterns in addition to LED lanterns. The majority of campers should choose one of these sorts of lanterns because they are typically more robust, small, and lightweight than earlier models. A solar-powered lantern is a smart way to get around the main drawback of electric ones, which is that they frequently need fresh batteries.

Fuel-Burning Lanterns

The most classic kind of camping lantern is one that burns fuel, and many expert campers still rely on them today. They may run on a range of fuel types, including propane, butane, and liquid fuel. Fuel-burning lanterns have an unrivalled level of light intensity, which is its principal advantage. 

There are no alternatives to a gas-powered lantern when you need to illuminate a whole campsite. They are also preferable for automobile camping or outdoor activities when weight and bulk are not concerns.

Obviously, there are many drawbacks to using a fuel-burning lantern that have led many campers to prefer the more contemporary electric lantern. These models are quite dangerous to use in tents or other cramped spaces without enough ventilation in addition to their massive size and weight. 

They also release toxic fumes. Fuel-burning lanterns aren’t thought to be safe to use around youngsters or any flammable objects because they also produce a lot of heat. However, for many campers who prefer a brighter, stronger light source, fuel-powered lanterns are still a good choice. They work incredibly well as emergency lanterns as well.

Candle Lanterns

Candle lanterns still have a distinctive set of advantages over other forms of lanterns, despite the fact that many people think of them as being somewhat antiquated. Candles inside the lantern body are used to create the light in candle lanterns.

These lanterns produce a peaceful, gentle light that is perfect for up-close work or for adding a cozy atmosphere to your campground. However, the light production is quite low, and they have the same concerns as fuel-burning lanterns in terms of producing a lot of heat that could be hazardous.

Main Factors to Consider

It’s important to consider other crucial features now that you’ve decided which kind of lantern and outdoor gear would suit you the best. Finding a camping lantern that will satisfy all of your needs depends on knowing what exact qualities and abilities you seek from it.  Depending on how they are built and what they are used for, camping lights might vary in the ways listed below.

Weight and Size

A portable lantern that is easy to pack and travel could be one of the most crucial considerations, depending on the type of camping you’re doing.  In order to get around more efficiently, backpackers should choose a model that is smaller and lighter.  

While vehicle campers who aren’t concerned about space restrictions may prefer a heavier lantern with more light output, backpackers will want to choose a smaller, more lightweight one that won’t slow you down with additional weight. Gas-powered and candle lanterns weigh more and are larger in size, whereas electric lanterns typically have more compact designs.

Brightness Levels

A camping lantern’s main objective is to produce enough light, and various lanterns have varying degrees of brightness. Lumens, a unit used to quantify a lantern’s light output, indicate how bright and powerful the light is. 

The average camper only requires 100 to 200 lumens of light, while bigger groups may require up to 400 lumens. While lighters driven by gasoline have a tendency to be the brightest, there are several electric lanterns that function just as well without the danger of a fire or the release of hazardous pollutants.

Resilience and Durability

The best camping light is one that can endure even the roughest conditions without failing and leaving you in the dark. It’s crucial to pick a lantern built of durable, superior materials that can survive the elements. A moisture-resistant or even waterproof lamp that can be wet without breaking is also necessary for many campers. Ultimately, you want a light that will function properly and keep going for as long as necessary.

Additional Features

Even while the main purpose of a camping lantern is to emit light, many contemporary lanterns may be purchased with a variety of additional characteristics that are just as beneficial. These can include the option to modify the camping lighting, hooks for hanging things, different light settings, or even USB ports for recharging electronics. These qualities may influence your choice just as much as the previously listed considerations if you’re looking for something a little more high-tech.