Best Camping Lanterns for Car Camping
Updated How we research
Goal Zero Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Rechargeable Light
The Goal Zero Torch 500 multi-purpose rechargeable light works as flashlight, floodlight and lantern for versatile campsite lighting.
Our score8.1/10Mid-range
Eveready LED Camping Lantern 360 PRO (3-Pack), Super Bright Tent Lights, IPX4 Water Resistant LED Lanterns for Power Outage Hurricane Preparedness, (Batteries Included)
Eveready's 360 PRO 3-pack of collapsible LED lanterns puts out up to 350 lumens in area mode, adds a 60 lumen flashlight beam and red SOS modes, and includes batteries.
A camping lantern lights up your whole site with even, hands-free brightness for cooking, eating, and moving around after dark. For car campers, a powerful rechargeable or battery lantern is more practical than a headlamp when you want to light a table or a tent from the center. When comparing, look at brightness in lumens, adjustable settings, and run time on a full charge or set of batteries. A weatherproof build handles dew and rain, and a hook or handle lets you hang it overhead. Some models double as a power bank. The right lantern is a dependable core light source for every night at camp.
The short version
We compared 6 picks. Our scores range from 7.2 to 8.1 out of 10, across $$, See on Amazon price bands.
- Best overall:Goal Zero Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Rechargeable Light. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.1/10.
- Also great value:Duracell 2000 Lumen Tri-Power Rechargeable Lantern. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Solid build:BioLite AlpenGlow 250 Rechargeable Camping Lantern. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Feature-rich:Eveready LED Camping Lantern 360 PRO (3-Pack), Super Bright Tent Lights, IPX4 Water Resistant LED Lanterns for Power Outage Hurricane Preparedness, (Batteries Included). Features score of 8/10, overall 7.8/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Goal Zero Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Rechargeable Light8.1/10$$Check price
- 2.Duracell 2000 Lumen Tri-Power Rechargeable Lantern8.0/10$$Check price
- 3.BioLite AlpenGlow 250 Rechargeable Camping Lantern7.8/10$$Check price
- 4.Eveready LED Camping Lantern 360 PRO (3-Pack), Super Bright Tent Lights, IPX4 Water Resistant LED Lanterns for Power Outage Hurricane Preparedness, (Batteries Included)7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Lepro LED Camping Lanterns, 4 Pack, Collapsible, IPX4 Water Resistant7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Etekcity LED Camping Lanterns, Battery Included, 4 Pack7.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1The Goal Zero Torch 500 multi-purpose rechargeable light works as flashlight, floodlight and lantern for versatile campsite lighting.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Flashlight, floodlight and lantern modes in one device
- + Built-in solar panel and USB charging options
- + Can power small devices in emergencies, adding value beyond lighting
- - Heavier than dedicated compact lanterns because of its multi-mode design
- - Higher price than single-purpose LED lights
#2Duracell's 2000 Lumen Tri-Power rechargeable lantern accepts multiple power sources for bright, flexible campsite lighting.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2000 Lumen output lights up an entire campsite
- + Tri-Power design runs on rechargeable or backup power sources
- + Duracell brand familiarity for battery-powered gear
- - Very bright light can disturb neighbors at campgrounds
- - Larger size than compact lanterns for packing
#3BioLite AlpenGlow 250 is a rechargeable camping lantern with warm and color light modes for creating a cozy campsite glow.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Warm white and color modes set a relaxed campsite mood
- + Rechargeable battery avoids buying disposable cells
- + Can charge a phone in a pinch via USB when other power runs out
- - Lower output than big lumen lanterns for task lighting
- - Premium price compared with basic LED lanterns
#4Eveready's 360 PRO 3-pack of collapsible LED lanterns puts out up to 350 lumens in area mode, adds a 60 lumen flashlight beam and red SOS modes, and includes batteries.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Four modes: 350 lumen area light, 60 lumen directional beam, red flashing and red SOS for emergencies
- + Top handles, a hanging hook and magnets on the base give three ways to place it around a car or campsite
- + IPX4 water resistant, and batteries for the three lanterns are included in the pack
- - Battery powered with no USB recharging mentioned, so spare batteries are part of the kit
- - The bullets do not state runtime or battery type, which makes it hard to plan for a long weekend
#5Lepro's 4-pack of collapsible LED lanterns gives 190 lumens of 360 degree light each, with IPX4 splash resistance and pull-up operation. Each runs on 3 AA batteries, not included.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Four lanterns in one pack cover the tent, the camp table, the car and a spare
- + Pull up to switch on and expand, push down to dim or switch off, with no buttons to find in the dark
- + IPX4 rating means splashes and light rain from any direction will not stop it working
- - Needs 3 AA batteries per lantern, 12 for the full pack, and none are included
- - 190 lumens is fine for a tent or table but modest next to the rechargeable lanterns in this guide
#6Etekcity's 4-pack of collapsible lanterns uses 30 LEDs for up to 154 lumens of 360 degree light, runs up to 50 hours on 3 AA batteries, and ships with batteries included.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Batteries are included, so all four lanterns work straight out of the box
- + Brightness is set by how far you extend the lantern, and collapsing it switches the light off
- + ABS body is listed as water resistant, with a small storage compartment in the top for keys or spare batteries
- - 154 lumens is a modest output, enough for a tent or table but dim for lighting a whole campsite
- - Runs on disposable AA batteries with no USB charging, so pack spares for longer trips
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Heavier than dedicated compact lanterns because of its multi-mode design (Goal Zero Torch 500 Multi-Purpose...)
- Very bright light can disturb neighbors at campgrounds (Duracell 2000 Lumen Tri-Power Rechargeable...)
- Lower output than big lumen lanterns for task lighting (BioLite AlpenGlow 250 Rechargeable Camping...)
- Battery powered with no USB recharging mentioned, so spare batteries are part of the kit (Eveready LED Camping Lantern 360 PRO...)
- Needs 3 AA batteries per lantern, 12 for the full pack, and none are included (Lepro LED Camping Lanterns, 4 Pack,...)
- 154 lumens is a modest output, enough for a tent or table but dim for lighting a whole campsite (Etekcity LED Camping Lanterns, Battery...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among camping lanterns for car camping?
Goal Zero Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Rechargeable Light is our top overall pick. The Goal Zero Torch 500 multi-purpose rechargeable light works as flashlight, floodlight and lantern for versatile campsite lighting. It earns our score of 8.1/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Eveready LED Camping Lantern 360 PRO (3-Pack), Super Bright Tent Lights, IPX4 Water Resistant LED Lanterns for Power Outage Hurricane Preparedness, (Batteries Included) is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Eveready's 360 PRO 3-pack of collapsible LED lanterns puts out up to 350 lumens in area mode, adds a 60 lumen flashlight beam and red SOS modes, and includes batteries.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $$ to See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Car Camp Picks independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
Popular right now
- Fall Car Camping: How to Plan and What to PackArticle
- Keeping Cool When Camping in Hot WeatherArticle
- Best Portable Camping Sinks for Car CampingBuying guide
- Tailgate tent explainedGlossary
- Safety Tips for Sleeping in Your CarArticle
- Best Camping Cookware SetsBuying guide
Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.