Best camping lanterns 2023: Rechargeable outdoor lighting for camping trips

Whether you’re off to a festival or just fancy a camping weekend, these outdoor lights will keep you out of the dark

amping may feel like a free-and-easy style of holiday, and it can be - as long as you’ve got the right equipment packed in your bags.

Romantic ideas of nights under starry skies can quickly evaporate if you find yourself without a few must-haves: think a decent tent, a cooking stove, a great chair and a camping light.

Designed for outdoor use and battery or USB operated, they offer much-needed illumination when you’re in the pitch black great outdoors after dusk.

Different from a head torch, these handheld lanterns are ideal for setting in the common space of your tent or bringing out to help you find your way to the loo.

We’ve rounded up the nicest and most functional versions to help inform your next purchase.

Let there be light

Best for: overall

We’re not in the business of dishing out ‘best looking’ awards for camping lanterns, but if we were, this sleek retro design would be a real contender. With polished chrome, a wooden base and an elegant black finish, it's got the looks but it can walk the walk too. The rechargeable lamp is ultra long-lasting with up to 75 hours of continuous use if you need it and can also be used as a power bank if your devices need their batteries charged up.

It's lightweight at just 600g but robust and is IPX4 waterproof, which means it's protected against splashing water, no matter the direction. Lightwise, you can expect 370 lumens from this lantern, and the illumination is dimmable too.

Best for: powerful illumination

No sun? No problem. Have strong light at your fingertips with this unassuming little square from Biolite, powered by an integrated solar panel. It takes seven hours of sunlight to fully charge but there is also a USB charge for a quicker route which will only take two hours.

It's perfect for illuminating the inside of the tent and can stay upright thanks to the little kickstand at the back. We also like the cycling ‘party mode’ - perfect for creating the right vibe at festivals.

Best for: using in the pouring rain

If you’re after a powerful lantern that can handle pretty much everything the outdoors can throw at it, look no further than this 1000 lumen light which can last 12 hours, even at the highest setting.

Perfect for camping and fishing trips, the IPX4 waterproof design means you don't have to worry about leaving it out overnight. Use it in the tent to avoid rummaging around in the light of your handset (thereby draining precious battery) or keep it by your side as your pore over the festival map. It comes with a handle which you can use to hook into your tent and has four modes to choose from: daylight, warm white, combined, flashing.

You can even adjust the brightness so you’ll never be caught like a deer in headlights. Powered by three D alkaline batteries.

Best for: compact camping

Make your campsite the zen space it should be with the help of Biolite's set of two disc-lights. The clever sphere shape makes it simple to manage the 10ft of cord easy to transport, and they stick together with magnets. To use, simply connect the Sitelite to a power bank using the 2.5mm jack and enjoy a golden glow well into the evening.

Best for: festivals

Small but mighty, this compact camping lantern packs a lighting punch without the weight, making it perfect for festival use and for kids to handle alike.

Powered by three AA batteries, it lasts for 17 hours straight even on the brightest setting and comes equipped with a magnetic base as well as a hook to allow you to hang it on your kit or attach to the side of your car in case of light night punctures or emergencies.

The palm-sized gadget brings lightness with five high-quality LEDs, offering a strong yet soft light in a 360 beam.

Best for: solar lighting and charging

Camping lanterns often fall by the wayside when it comes to packing, mainly because of their bulk. However, no such trouble with this design: it's inflatable! It folds flat when not in use and offers a soft but bright glow when you need it.

What's more, not only is the camping lantern lightweight, but it's solar charged and it can juice up your phone when your battery is low too. Don't worry, there's a USB cable power option if the weather doesn't play ball.

Best for: pretty lighting

If you’re fed up of tripping over guy ropes after coming back from the main stage, low and behold - solar power operated rope lights.

These tiny LED bulbs sit safely in a clear PVC casing and give six hours of warm white illumination (choose from on, off and flashing modes) from an all-day charge through the attached solar panel.

Wrap them around your tents ropes and tuck the panel by side so it won't get trampled on. Free pretty lights to enjoy all night long.

Best for: rustic charm

If you put aesthetics side-by-side with function, here is an option that should tick your rustic checklist. This wood effect lantern may not be as powerful as some of the other options on our list at 200 lumens but its main draw is that it's rechargeable with up to five hours of use from a full charge, or 20 hours on low charge. It also weighs just 300g making it a great choice for short camping trips with the family.

Best for: a fireside glow

More for home garden use or your next glamping adventure, this portable fire lantern is the perfect way to create ambience after sundown. It works on a 190g gas cartridge, which will give six hours of burn time, with the glass chamber magnifying the flame to increase the glow.

Best for: bouji camping

From drinking cups to vases, ribbed glass instantly elevates a design. This sculptural table lamp has a private member's club aesthetic that will work seamlessly in all corners of your home, as well as in the garden for garden parties too. It runs on both batteries as well as a USB charge.