8 of the Best Camping Lights for 2026: A Guide
Read on for our rundown of the best camping lights and a handy guide on some considerations. A portable light source is essential for camping, so it's worth researching before buying.
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1. Outdoor Revolution Lumi Mosi Mosquito light
Lumens: Not listed
Power source: Rechargeable
Lasts for: up to 8 hours
Weight: 210g
A soft light with three brightness levels and a very effective switchable ultra-violet lure and bug zapper in one compact housing - 12.9cm tall. Charge it up via USB and has a hanging hook.
2. Coleman Northstar Lantern
Lumens: 1500
Power source: Coleman Liquid Fuel or Unleaded Petrol
Weight: 1.8kg
The Coleman Northstar is an extremely durable and versatile liquid lantern that requires Coleman fuel or unleaded petrol. This lantern can run up to 7 hours on one bottle of Coleman fuel, can illuminate up to 17m, and also gives off heat so can help take the chill off cooler evenings. It has an authentic design with a hanging handle and works best as a base camp lantern. It also is great for fishing and other uses.
3. Robens Munros Rechargeable Lantern
Lumens: 10 to 280
Power source: Rechargeable
Weight: 305g
If style is a big consideration for your camping set up, the Robens Munros fits the bill. Charge via the USB to USB-C cable stored in the base and enjoy variale brightness and colour modes. Water resistant to IPX4 and standing 14cm tall this little light adds a warm glow like a traditional lantern. It comes with a lanyard and carabiner.
4. Vango Star 300 Recharge
Lumens: 10 to 300
Power source: Rechargeable
Lasts for: 5 to 70 hours
Illuminate your nights with the Vango Star 300 Recharge. This camping lantern provide soft, ambient lighting which can be either used on a table or from a hanging point.
5. KidCAMP6 Lantern
Power source: Rechargeable Lithium or Alkaline cells (both not included)
Lasts for: 8 to 40 hours
Weight: 95g
Let kids have their own handy camping light for bedtime and dark nights. The battery-operated KidCAMP6 is ideal for use in tents and caravans, with a handy hook for mounting anywhere. The light has a maximum run time of 40h.
6. Nebo Galileo Tempest 350
Lumens: 6 to 350
Power source: AA batteries
Lasts for: 6 to 60 hours
A bright, small and flexible light that has multi illumination modes include red light and side illumination. It can be used as a torch, is waterproof to IPX7 and has a magnetic base. Comes with a removable wrist strap.
7. Biolite AlpenGlow 500 lantern
Lumens: 5 to 500
Power source: Rechargeable
Lasts for: 5 to 200 hours
Light up your nights with the Biolite AlpenGlow 500 rechargeable lantern, a versatile light source ideal for those starry nights spent camping outdoors. This product features sustainable ChromaReal LED technology, which means you have control over the bulb's brightness and colour. Different modes of the AlpenGlow 500 include a soft white, candle flick and single or multicolour options. Can be used to charge smart devices via USB, weighs 380g and is under 14cm tall.
8. Campingaz Lumostar Plus PZ Gas Lantern
Lumens: (rated in watts) 10- 80 watts
Power source: LPG cannister
Lasts for: up to 12 hours
Weight: 370g
Small Easy Clic canisters make this lightweight and compact lantern a cinch to use. The quality of the light from gas is lovely and it gives of a bit of heat too.
A quick camping light shopping guide
Before choosing which camping light to buy, there are a few things to consider and make a decision on. The power source, brightness and design are a few of these. Read on for everything you might need to know before buying your camping light.
The different types of camping lights and lanterns
Liquid fuel lanterns
The leading brand supplying liquid fuel lanterns is Coleman, and not surprisingly, the fuel is called Coleman fuel. Coleman fuel is a clean version of the same unleaded petrol you put in your car.
If you buy Coleman fuel in small cans in a camping shop, you’ll find it quite expensive. If you fill up at the local petrol pump, it’s the cheapest way to fuel your camping lantern.
Electric lanterns
Electric lanterns can run off traditional or rechargable batteries or a built-in rechargeable power pack. Often with the abiliy to charge from the mains, a 12V leisure battery, using a winding handle, by solar power or – in some of the more pricey units – by any of these methods. Electric lanterns are simple and easy to use without the fuel challenges of gas or liquid fuel lights.
Gas lanterns
'In the past many campers used gas or petrol lanterns because batteries didn't last long, such lanterns are still available but.... SAFETY INFO... today's batteries will power a lantern for so much longer than in the past and don't come with the dangers of burning fuel so battery-powered lanterns are more practical for most campers today.'
Please note: Any fuel-burning appliance releases carbon monoxide (CO). To learn more about the dangers of carbon monoxide and to ensure you have a safe camping trip, read our camping safety guide. If you’re planning on using petrol to power your camping lights it’s absolutely essential that you use a properly labelled and purpose-built container to transport and store any unleaded petrol you use.
Lumens explained
You'll see the word "lumens" on the specification list for most camping lights. Simply put, the measurement of lumens determines how much light comes from a bulb. The higher the number of lumens, the more light the bulb emits. There are no hard and fast rules about how many lumens you'd need from a camping light specifically, but thinking about your needs can help you decide. If you're looking for a light to use around your camping set-up, as a kid's night light, 200 lumens will be fine. If you need a lantern to guide your way on a stormy winter night, 1500 lumens might be needed.