Good camp lighting makes everything easier after dark: cooking, finding the right bag in the 4WD, and settling into the tent. But one light rarely does it all. A soft light in the rooftop tent, a bright lantern for the camp table and a strip under the awning are three different jobs.
We’ve reviewed ten camping lights and lanterns. Here’s how they compare and which one suits each job.
Quick picks: the best camping lights compared
| Product | Score | Brightness | Power | Rating | Weight | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best overallSan Hima Magnetic Camping LED Light | 9.2 | 150 lm | USB-C + battery pods | IP66 | – | Check price at Amazon |
Best for rooftop tentsDarche Compact Solar Light | 8.9 | 150 lm | Solar + USB | No IP rating | 180 g | Check price at BCF |
Best clip-on lightOlight Oclip Pro | 8.4 | 500 lm | USB-C | IPX6 | 54 g | Check price at Amazon |
Best awning lightAdventure Kings LED Strip Light 1.3m | 8.3 | 1,200 lm | 12V | IP65 | 420 g | Check price at Amazon |
Best budget lightOZtrail 100 Lumen Portable Camp Light | 8.3 | 100 lm | 3 × AAA | – | 112 g | Check price at Amazon |
Brightest lanternWanderer Moonbeam Lantern | 8.2 | 1,500 lm | USB | No IP rating | 850 g | Check price at BCF |
Small but brightHebuck Mini LED Camping Light | 8.2 | 600 lm | Rechargeable | IPX4 | 95 g | Check price at Amazon |
Best AA backupAdventure Kings Illuminator LED Work Light | 8.2 | 24 LEDs | 3 × AA | – | 118 g | Check price at Amazon |
Most packableSELORSS Inflatable Camping Light | 7.8 | 300 lm | USB-C | IP66 | 189 g | Check price at Amazon |
Lantern + power bankColeman Rechargeable LED Lantern | 7.7 | 300 lm | USB | IPX4 | 1.2 kg | Check price at Amazon |
Best overall: San Hima Magnetic Camping LED Light
The San Hima scored 9.2 for its versatility: a magnetic base, a hook and an elastic strap to mount it almost anywhere, white and bug-repellent amber modes, USB-C charging plus battery pods, and up to 100 hours of battery life. It’s IP66 waterproof, rated for 1 m drops and comes in a protective carry case.
At 150 lumens it isn’t bright enough for a large group cooking area, there’s no battery level indicator, and the single button can be fiddly. For swags, awnings, the rooftop tent and the vehicle, it’s the most versatile light we’ve tested. Read the full San Hima Magnetic Camping Light review.
The good
- Long battery life up to 100 hours
- Magnetic base, hook, and elastic strap
- Waterproof IP66 + protective carry case
- USB-C charging + battery pods included
- Dual colour modes with bug-repellent amber
The not-so-good
- No battery level indicator
- Single button control can be fiddly
- Not bright enough for large group cooking areas
Bottom line: A versatile pair of lights with a magnetic base, hook and strap, white and amber modes and up to 100 hours of runtime. There’s no battery indicator, and 150 lumens won’t light a large cooking area.
Best for rooftop tents: Darche Compact Solar Light
The Darche pops up to 108 mm and collapses to 57 mm, weighs 180 g and hangs from a foldable carabiner. It has bright white (150 lumens), warm white and warm low modes, runs 5 to 20 hours, and charges by solar or USB.
You have to hold the button to turn it on or off, the silicone body attracts some dust, and there’s no official IP rating. Inside a rooftop tent or swag, or as a second light under the awning, it’s ideal. Read the full Darche Compact Solar Light review.
The good
- Dual Solar and USB charging
- Compact, collapses to 57 mm
- Bright white (150 Lumens) mode
- Foldable carabiner hanger
- Long 20hr max runtime
The not-so-good
- Must hold button to turn on/off
- Silicone body attracts some dust
- No official IP weather rating
Bottom line: A 180 g pop-up light that collapses to 57 mm, charges by solar or USB and hangs from a foldable carabiner. You have to hold the button to switch it, and it has no official IP rating.
Best clip-on light: Olight Oclip Pro
The Oclip Pro is the smallest light here and the one you wear: 54 g on our scale, with a heavy-duty clip, a strong magnetic base and a lanyard hole. It has three lights in one, a 500-lumen floodlight, a 120-metre spotlight and a red light, and a dial on the side to switch between them. It charges by USB-C.
The Turbo and High modes step down after about a minute, the battery can’t be replaced, and it’s IPX6 rated, so fine in heavy rain but not for going under water. As a hands-free light on a cap, strap or pocket, it’s the pick. Read the full Olight Oclip Pro review.
The good
- 500 lm floodlight, 120 m spotlight and red light in one
- Dial makes it simple to switch between the lights
- Clip, lanyard hole and strong magnetic base
- USB-C charging with a durable metal-hinged cover
- Light: 54 g on our scale
The not-so-good
- High and turbo step down after about a minute
- Battery can't be replaced
- IPX6: fine in heavy rain, not for going under water
Bottom line: A 54 g clip-on light with a 500-lumen floodlight, a 120 m spotlight and a red light, picked with a simple dial. High and turbo step down after about a minute, and the battery can’t be replaced. It suits hikers, ultralight packers and solo trips.
Best awning light: Adventure Kings LED Strip Light 1.3m
For lighting up the whole area under an awning, a 12V strip is hard to beat. The Kings strip gives up to 1,200 lumens while drawing about 1 amp at full power, has a touch dimmer and a 5 m lead, mounts with velcro or sail-track tabs and is IP65 weather resistant.
It has no battery option, only cool white light and a fixed 1.3 m length. If you run a 12V setup, it’s an inexpensive upgrade. Read the full Adventure Kings LED Strip Light review.
The good
- Touch dimmer control
- Flexible mounting (velcro or sail track tabs)
- IP65 Weather resistant
- Efficient brightness (draws 1 Amp at full power)
- Generous cable length (5m)
The not-so-good
- No battery option
- Cool white light only
- Fixed length (1.3m)
Bottom line: An affordable, dimmable 12V strip that lights up the whole awning while drawing about 1 amp. It needs a 12V supply, comes in cool white only and has a fixed 1.3 m length.
Best budget light: OZtrail 100 Lumen Portable Camp Light
The OZtrail cost just $6 and is very easy to use: one button gives you white or amber light in three power modes. It has a built-in hanger, magnets and a clip that fits a gazebo frame, so it mounts almost anywhere. It weighs 112 g with its three AAA batteries in and runs up to 25 hours.
At 100 lumens it’s a light for the tent, rooftop tent or camp table, not the whole campsite. It isn’t rechargeable, and the batteries aren’t included. As a cheap, simple light, it’s good value. Read the full OZtrail 100 Lumen Portable Camp Light review.
OZtrail 100 Lumen Portable Camp Light
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.The good
- Very cheap at $6
- Hanger and clamp are really easy to use
- Magnets on the back as well
- White and amber light
- Up to 25 hours on three AAA batteries
- Small and light: 112 g with batteries
The not-so-good
- Only 100 lumens
- Batteries not included
- Not rechargeable
Bottom line: A $6 camp light with white and amber LEDs that hangs, clips or sticks almost anywhere. At 100 lumens it’s for the tent or the table, not the whole campsite, and the three AAA batteries aren’t included. A good pick for campers, hikers and solo trips.
Brightest lantern: Wanderer Moonbeam Lantern (1500lm)
The Moonbeam is the brightest lantern we’ve tested: 1,500 lumens on high, plus 500, 260 and a 55-lumen nightlight. It throws 360° light, charges by USB, has a hook and handle and sits on a solid, non-slip base.
At 850 g and 22 cm tall it’s heavy and bulky to pack, it has no IP rating, and it’s on the pricier end. For car camping, setting up camp in the dark or lighting up the camp kitchen, it’s a powerful choice. Read the full Wanderer Moonbeam Lantern review.
The good
- Very bright high setting (1500L)
- Versatile hook and handle
- USB rechargeable
- Solid, non-slip base
- Long runtimes on low
The not-so-good
- No IP rating for weather
- A little heavy (850 g)
- Bulky shape for packing
Bottom line: A powerful 1,500-lumen lantern with several light modes, USB charging, a hook and handle and a solid non-slip base. It has no IP rating, weighs 850 g and is bulky to pack.
Small but bright: Hebuck Mini LED Camping Light
The Hebuck packs 600 lumens and six light modes into a 95 g light, with a battery indicator, a hanging hook and an IPX4 water-resistance rating.
It isn’t submersible, it can be too bright inside a tent, and the plastic build feels less premium. As a bright, light campsite or emergency light, it’s a great little unit. Read the full Hebuck Mini LED Camping Light review.
The good
- Bright 600 lumen output
- IPX4 water resistant rating
- Battery life indicator
- Versatile hanging hook
- Six different light modes
The not-so-good
- Not submersible in water
- Can be too bright for tents
- Plastic build feels less premium
Bottom line: A bright 600-lumen camping light with six modes, a battery indicator and a hanging hook. It’s water resistant (IPX4) but not submersible, can be too bright in a tent and the plastic feels less premium.
Best AA backup: Adventure Kings Illuminator LED Work Light
The Illuminator is the light for when the rechargeable ones are flat. It runs on three AA batteries (not included), so it always works as long as you have batteries lying around. It’s small, weighs 118 g without batteries, cost $10 and has a handy hanging hook and a rubber body that’s sturdy enough.
Don’t expect the world from the light output: the 24 LEDs give just enough light for a quick repair or finding gear at night, with one setting, on or off. There’s only one round magnet, on the back. As a cheap backup in the car, it does the job. Read the full Adventure Kings Illuminator LED Work Light review.
Adventure Kings Illuminator LED Work Light
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.The good
- Pretty small
- Cheap at $10 each
- Packs away easily
- Handy hanging hook
- Sturdy enough rubber body
- Always works if you have 3 AA batteries
The not-so-good
- Only one round magnet, on the back
- Don’t expect the world from the light output
Bottom line: A small $10 work light on 3 AA batteries with a handy hook, good as a backup when the rechargeables are flat. It has just one round magnet on the back, and the light output is modest. It’s a cheap backup to keep in the car.
Most packable: SELORSS Inflatable Camping Light
The SELORSS folds flat and inflates into a diffused lantern with warm and cool modes. It’s IP66 waterproof and dustproof, mounts with a magnet or strap, charges by USB-C in about 2.5 hours and runs up to 30 hours on low.
Its brightness won’t replace a floodlight, there’s no battery indicator and no pouch for the accessories. As a secondary light inside tents, ensuites or the camp kitchen, it’s a smart design. Read the full SELORSS Inflatable Camping Light review.
The good
- Inflatable & compact
- USB-C fast charging (~2.5hr charge, 30hr runtime)
- Magnetic & strap mounting
- IP66 Waterproof & dustproof
- Multi-mode (Warm/cool & brightness levels)
- Solar cell keeps it topped up during the day
The not-so-good
- No battery level indicator
- Brightness won’t replace floodlights
- No storage pouch for accessories
Bottom line: A clever inflatable light that folds flat, is IP66 waterproof and charges by USB-C. It won’t replace a floodlight and has no battery indicator, so it’s best as a tent or backup light.
Lantern and power bank: Coleman Rechargeable LED Lantern
The Coleman lantern gives 300 lumens on high, runs up to 20 hours on low from its lithium-ion battery, has LEDs that never need replacing and is IPX4 water and impact resistant. Its USB ports double as a power bank for your phone.
It’s only splash resistant, the plastic body feels a bit thin, and the charging port needs care with rough handling. Read the full Coleman Rechargeable LED Lantern review.
The good
- Bright 300-lumen output
- Long-lasting lithium-ion battery (20h on low)
- USB ports double as power bank
- Lifetime LEDs never need replacing
- IPX4 water & impact resistance
The not-so-good
- Charging port durability with rough handling
- Not fully waterproof, only splash-resistant (IPX4)
- Plastic body feels a bit thinnish
Bottom line: A dependable 300-lumen lantern that runs up to 20 hours on low and charges your phone by USB. It’s only splash resistant (IPX4) and the charging port needs some care.
How to choose a camping light
- The job: a soft 150-lumen light for the tent or rooftop tent; 600+ lumens for a camp kitchen or group area; a 12V strip to light up the whole awning.
- Power: USB rechargeable lights are easy to top up from a power pack; solar charging (Darche) helps on longer trips; 12V strips run off the 4WD’s battery or a power pack.
- Mounting: magnets, hooks, straps or sail-track tabs make a light far more useful than one that only stands on a table.
- Weather rating: IP65/IP66 handles rain and dust; IPX4 is splash resistant only.
- Colour: warm or amber light is easier on the eyes at night and attracts fewer bugs.
Need a light on your head? See our head torch reviews and the guide to choosing the right camp light.
