Buying guide
Lighting the Campsite
Updated How we research
See after sunset, hands-free. The page is split into three sections (Headlamps for hands-free work; Lanterns for area light; Clip-on tent lights), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 12 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.6 out of 10, across $$, See on Amazon price bands.
- Best overall:BLACK DIAMOND Spot 400-R Headlamp, Rechargeable, Dimmable, Bright, Graphite | 400 lumens, Red Night Vision, Brightness Memory, PowerTap, Battery Meter Tracks Runtime, Integrated Rechargeable Battery. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Lepro LED Camping Lanterns, 4 Pack, Collapsible, IPX4 Water Resistant. Value score of 9/10, overall 7.6/10.
- Solid build:Petzl Actik Core Rechargeable Headlamp. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:Goal Zero Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Rechargeable Light. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.1/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Headlamps for hands-free work
- BLACK DIAMOND Spot 400-R Headlamp, Rechargeable, Dimmable, Bright, Graphite | 400 lumens, Red Night Vision, Brightness Memory, PowerTap, Battery Meter Tracks Runtime, Integrated Rechargeable BatteryOur score8.6/10
- Petzl Actik Core Rechargeable HeadlampOur score8.6/10
- BLACK DIAMOND Spot 400 Headlamp, AAA Powered, Dimmable Bright BD Dark Olive | 400 lumens, red night vision, Brightness Memory, PowerTap, battery meter tracks runtime, dual-fuel compatibilityOur score8.0/10
- Bushnell PRO Rechargeable 400L Multi-Color HeadlampOur score7.6/10
Lanterns for area light
- Goal Zero Torch 500 Multi-Purpose Rechargeable LightOur score8.1/10
- BioLite AlpenGlow 250 Rechargeable Camping LanternOur score7.8/10
- Lepro LED Camping Lanterns, 4 Pack, Collapsible, IPX4 Water ResistantOur score7.6/10
- Etekcity LED Camping Lanterns, Battery Included, 4 PackOur score7.2/10
Clip-on tent lights
- Brightz SiteBrightz LED Camping Tent Light - Magnetically Clips on Tent Edges - USB RechargeableOur score7.8/10
- AceCamp Portable Tent LED Light Bulb Lantern with Clip Hook Carabiner for Camping, Includes BatteriesOur score7.6/10
- PEMOTech LED Camping Lantern 5 Packs, Portable Camping Lights with Clip Hook, 4 Lighting ModesOur score7.6/10
- FLY2SKY 4Pcs Portable LED Camping Lights with Clip Hook Emergency Tent Lights BulbsOur score7.0/10
All 12 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Black Diamond Spot 400-R is a rechargeable 400 lumen headlamp with a 1500 mAh battery, IP67 waterproofing, and dimming, strobe, red and lock modes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Rechargeable 1500 mAh battery charges via micro-USB, so no disposable batteries
- + IP67 rating allows 30 minutes of submersion, per the listing
- + Full power, dimming, strobe, red night vision and lock modes in a simple button interface
- - Charges over micro-USB, an older port than USB-C
- - Costs more than the AAA Spot 400 version
#2Petzl Actik Core rechargeable headlamp is a versatile headlamp with a CORE battery for campers wanting quality and flexibility.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + CORE rechargeable battery reduces battery waste
- + Also accepts standard batteries as a backup option
- + Petzl reliability with comfortable headband
- - Expensive compared with basic headlamps that cover simple camp tasks
- - Rechargeable battery adds cost if replacements are needed
#3The 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
#4Black Diamond Spot 400 is a 400 lumen AAA-powered headlamp with dimming, a red night-vision mode, waterproof housing and an adjustable headband.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Up to 400 lumens with multiple brightness settings and proximity modes
- + Red night-vision mode helps keep eyes adjusted around camp
- + Runs on 3 AAA batteries (included), and can take the rechargeable BD 1500 battery as an upgrade
- - AAA batteries mean replacements to carry unless you buy the rechargeable battery
- - Priced above many generic rechargeable headlamps with similar lumens
#5BioLite 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
#6Brightz SiteBrightz LED camping tent light clips magnetically on tent edges and recharges via USB, lighting tent perimeters.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Magnetic clips attach to tent edges without tools
- + USB rechargeable avoids buying disposable batteries
- + Perimeter lighting helps people avoid tripping on guylines
- - Magnetic clip may slip on thick or stiff tent fabric
- - Check the brightness and runtime before counting on it all night
#7Bushnell PRO is a rechargeable 400 lumen headlamp with a 90 degree pivot, spot and flood modes, a red mode and IPX4 weather resistance. A mid-priced pick.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 400 lumen output with a 90 degree pivot, so you can aim the beam where needed
- + Spot, flood and red modes, each with high and low settings
- + Built-in rechargeable lithium battery with integrated USB charging cable
- - IPX4 is splash resistance only, not designed for submersion
- - Integrated battery means you cannot swap in spare cells during a long trip
#8Lepro'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
#9The AceCamp portable tent LED light bulb lantern with clip hook carabiner includes batteries, ready to hang inside a tent.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Includes batteries, so it works straight out of the box
- + Carabiner clip hangs from a tent loop or backpack
- + Compact bulb shape spreads light evenly in a tent
- - Disposable batteries need replacing on long trips
- - Single light may not be enough for large family tents
#10PEMOTech LED camping lantern 5 Packs with clip hooks and 4 lighting modes gives campers plenty of flexible hanging lights.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + 5 Packs cover tents, the car and the camp kitchen
- + 4 Lighting Modes include options for softer or brighter light
- + Clip hooks make hanging easy anywhere in camp
- - Disposable battery use adds cost over multiple lights
- - Modest brightness is not suited to large area lighting
#11Etekcity'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
#12FLY2SKY 4Pcs portable LED camping lights with clip hooks are a budget set of emergency bulbs for tents and cars.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + 4Pcs set lights several tents or car areas at once
- + Clip hooks hang from tent loops, branches and hatches
- + Very low price for a multi-light camping kit
- - Check the battery type and runtime before your first trip
- - Budget plastic can crack if stepped on or dropped
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Car Camp Picks curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.