Some camp lights try to do everything. The Zempire Capsule Light does one thing: it gives a small tent, a swag or a camp table a soft white light, on batteries you can buy at any servo.
Featured inBest Camping Lights of 2026
I paid $13 for it. It’s a capsule-shaped lantern with 12 white LEDs, a flat base to stand on and a metal hook to hang it from, and it runs on three AA batteries.
What You’re Getting
A small lantern from Zempire, the New Zealand camping brand, shaped like a pill capsule: a black body at one end and a clear cover over the light at the other. There’s one button on the side. A metal hook folds out of the base, and the base cap unscrews for the three AA batteries, which are not included.
The good
- Cheap at $13
- Stands on a flat base or hangs
- Soft light for a small tent or swag
- Cover comes off for brighter light
- Up to 20 hours on three AA batteries
- Rubberised base stops it slipping
The not-so-good
- Only 25 lumens
- Batteries not included
- Not rechargeable
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Zempire |
| Model | Capsule Light |
| Weight | 134 gwithout batteries |
| Size | 6 × 14.5 cm |
| Brightness | 25 lumens |
| LEDs | 12 white |
| Power | 3 × AA batteries (not included) |
| Run time | Up to 20 hours |
| Mounting | Flat baseFold-out hook |
| Material | ABS plastic and TPR |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Light output
The Capsule Light gives 25 lumens from 12 white LEDs. That’s not much, and it’s the reason performance is its lowest score. It’s a light for seeing what you’re doing up close: finding the sleeping bag zip, reading in the swag or lighting a small table. For cooking or lighting up the camp, you’ll want a brighter light next to it.
The light sits behind a textured lens with a clear cover over it. The lens spreads the light evenly all around, so it’s soft on the eyes and doesn’t throw a harsh spot.
The clear cover comes off. With it on, the light is softer; with it off, the light is brighter and more direct. It also makes the lantern easy to wipe clean after a dusty trip.
Standing and hanging
There are two ways to set it up. The base is flat and rubberised, so the light stands upright on a camp table or the tailgate and doesn’t slide around. That rubber also takes the knocks when it rolls around in a gear box.
For hanging, a metal hook folds out of a recess in the base. Folded away, it sits flush, so the light still stands flat and the hook doesn’t catch on anything in the bag.
The hook opens wide enough to go over a thin branch, a tent loop or a carabiner. Hung up, the light points down, which is how it works best in a tent or swag.
I’ve also hung it from a carabiner in the back of the 4WD, where it lights up the kitchen gear.
Batteries and run time
The light takes three AA batteries, and they aren’t in the box, so add a pack when you buy it. The base cap unscrews, and the batteries drop into three slots. A set gives up to 20 hours of light.
It isn’t rechargeable. That means buying batteries now and then, but it also means the light always works as long as there are a few AAs in the car, which is what you want from a backup light.
Size, weight and build
The Capsule Light is 6 cm across and 14.5 cm long, about the size of a small torch, and weighs 134 g without batteries. It’s small enough for a door pocket or the lighting bag. The body is ABS plastic with a rubberised (TPR) finish on the base, and it comes with a 1 year warranty.
Conclusion: Zempire Capsule Light
The Zempire Capsule Light is a cheap, simple lantern that’s very easy to use. It stands on a flat, rubberised base or hangs from a fold-out hook, gives a soft white light for up to 20 hours and runs on three AA batteries. At 25 lumens it won’t light a whole campsite, it isn’t rechargeable and you need to bring your own batteries. For $13, it’s a handy light for a small tent or swag and a good backup to keep in the car.
A $13 lantern with 12 white LEDs that stands on a flat base or hangs from its fold-out hook.
At 25 lumens it’s for a small tent, a swag or the table, and the three AA batteries aren’t included. A handy backup for campers, solo trips and emergency kits.
- Campers
- Solo trips
- Emergency kits
Yes, as a second light or a backup. I paid $13, and it runs on AA batteries you can buy anywhere. Add a pack of three when you buy it, because they aren’t in the box.
