THE GEAR GUIDE

Lanterns, Headlamps & Camp Lights

Lighting rarely needs a large inverter. Rechargeable lanterns and low-voltage lights can keep the setup simple.

READ THE LABEL

What to look for

Compare brightness and runtime at the same setting.
Check the charging port and whether a cable is included.
Confirm the weather rating for lights and connectors.
Aim light down and keep neighboring campsites dark.

The shortlist

PUBLISHED SPECS · DIRECT LINKS

11 picks · Manufacturer specifications only.

Amazon purchase links, where available, contain no affiliate tag. Other outbound links provide manufacturer information. Disclosure

Budget

BioLite

AlpenGlow Mini

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 150 lm
Battery: 1,000 mAh
Charging: USB-C
Equipment type: Lantern

AlpenGlow Mini: manufacturer-rated 150 lumens and 1,000 mAh battery with USB-C charging.

Specifications & limits

Mid

BioLite

AlpenGlow 250

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 250 lm
Battery: 3,200 mAh
Charging: Micro USB
Equipment type: Lantern

AlpenGlow 250: manufacturer-rated 250 lumens and 3,200 mAh battery with Micro USB charging.

Specifications & limits

Mid

BioLite

AlpenGlow 500

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 500 lm
Battery: 6,400 mAh
Charging: Micro USB
Equipment type: Lantern

AlpenGlow 500: manufacturer-rated 500 lumens and 6,400 mAh battery with Micro USB charging.

Specifications & limits

Mid

Goal Zero

Lighthouse 600

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 600 lm
Battery: 5,200 mAh
Charging: USB input + hand crank
Equipment type: Lantern

600 lumen lantern with a 5,200 mAh battery and hand crank. Solar charging requires a separate panel.

Specifications & limits

Mid

Goal Zero

Crush Light Chroma

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 60 lm
Battery: 500 mAh
Charging: USB-C + built-in solar panel
Equipment type: Solar lantern

Collapsible 60 lumen lantern with built-in solar charging. Verify the current USB-C revision.

Specifications & limits

Mid

NITECORE

NU20 Classic Headlamp

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 360 lm
Battery: 500 mAh
Charging: USB-C
Equipment type: Headlamp

USB-C rechargeable headlamp; manufacturer lists 360 lumens maximum and a 500 mAh battery.

Specifications & limits

Mid

NITECORE

NU25 MCT UL Headlamp

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 400 lm
Battery: 700 mAh
Charging: USB-C
Equipment type: Headlamp

USB-C rechargeable headlamp; manufacturer lists 400 lumens maximum and a 700 mAh battery.

Specifications & limits

Mid

NITECORE

NU27 Headlamp

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 600 lm
Battery: 850 mAh
Charging: USB-C
Equipment type: Headlamp

USB-C rechargeable headlamp; manufacturer lists 600 lumens maximum and a 850 mAh battery.

Specifications & limits

Mid

NITECORE

NU31 Headlamp

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 550 lm
Battery: 1,800 mAh
Charging: USB-C
Equipment type: Headlamp

USB-C rechargeable headlamp; manufacturer lists 550 lumens maximum and a 1,800 mAh battery.

Specifications & limits

Mid

NITECORE

NU33 Headlamp

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 700 lm
Battery: 2,000 mAh
Charging: USB-C
Equipment type: Headlamp

USB-C rechargeable headlamp; manufacturer lists 700 lumens maximum and a 2,000 mAh battery.

Specifications & limits

Mid

NITECORE

NU43 Headlamp

Manufacturer ratings · Not tested by us

Brightness: 1,400 lm
Battery: 3,400 mAh
Charging: USB-C
Equipment type: Headlamp

USB-C rechargeable headlamp; manufacturer lists 1,400 lumens maximum and a 3,400 mAh battery.

Specifications & limits

Lanterns, Headlamps & Camp Lights

What to look for

The shortlist

Part of these setups