10 Best Campsite Portable Lighting for Camping Families
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Proper lighting is essential for any camping trip, especially for families who need to navigate their campsite safely after dark. The right portable lighting can illuminate your campsite, make cooking easier, and ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. From lanterns to headlamps, there are numerous options available that offer different features and benefits. In this guide, we’ve reviewed the ten best portable lighting options for outdoorsy families, each providing reliable illumination to enhance your camping experience.
Table of Contents
Quick Glance: 10 Best Campsite Portable Lighting for Camping Families
| Lighting Name | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Apollo Lantern | Best Overall | 250 lumens, dimmable, rechargeable, foldable legs, compact design |
| BioLite BaseLantern XL | Best for Power Bank | 500 lumens, USB rechargeable, integrated power bank, Bluetooth control |
| LE LED Camping Lantern | Best Budget | 1000 lumens, water-resistant, battery operated, 4 lighting modes |
| Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Lantern | Best for Versatility | 600 lumens, USB rechargeable, built-in handle, adjustable brightness |
| Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp | Best Headlamp | 350 lumens, waterproof, multiple lighting modes, adjustable strap |
| MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0 | Best Solar-Powered | 75 lumens, inflatable, solar rechargeable, waterproof, collapsible |
| Coleman Classic Propane Lantern | Best for Brightness | Up to 1000 lumens, propane-powered, adjustable brightness, long burn time |
| Streamlight Super Siege Lantern | Best for Durability | 1100 lumens, USB rechargeable, waterproof, rugged construction, multiple modes |
| UCO Leschi Lantern + Flashlight | Best Compact | 110 lumens, collapsible, dual-use (lantern and flashlight), lightweight |
| Nite Ize Radiant 400 Lantern | Best for Hanging | 400 lumens, multi-mode, carabiner handle, water-resistant |
1. Best Overall: Black Diamond Apollo Lantern
- Rechargeable: Powered with integrated 1500 mAh Li-ion battery with micro-USB charge port
- 150 Lumen max output
- Frosted globe creates even and bright usable light
The Black Diamond Apollo Lantern is our best overall pick for portable campsite lighting. With 250 lumens of dimmable light, it provides ample illumination for your campsite. This lantern is rechargeable and features foldable legs for stability and a compact design for easy storage.
2. Best for Power Bank: BioLite BaseLantern XL
The BioLite BaseLantern XL is perfect for families who need both lighting and power. It offers 500 lumens of light and has an integrated power bank for charging devices. Bluetooth control allows you to adjust settings from your smartphone.
3. Best Budget: LE LED Camping Lantern
- Enhanced Version with 5 Adjustable Brightness Levels: Experience the versatility of five different light settings. This …
- Integrated Power Bank: This lantern boasts a built-in rechargeable polymer battery (USB cable included), and a 5V 1A USB…
- Compact & Lightweight: Although small in size, this lantern packs a punch when it comes to brightness. Weighing just 0.3…
The LE LED Camping Lantern is a budget-friendly option with a powerful 1000 lumens output. It’s water-resistant and battery-operated, offering four lighting modes to suit various needs. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for affordable yet reliable lighting.
4. Best for Versatility: Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Lantern
- LIGHTHOUSE MINILANTERN: Even small things can give off bright light. The rechargeable Lighthouse Mini Core Lantern is gr…
- ADJUSTABLE & BRIGHT: This outdoor lantern has adjustable brightness settings and provides up to 210 lumens of bright LED…
- RECHARGEABLE & PORTABLE: To light up a specific area, use this mini camping lamp’s fold-down legs, or use the built-in h…
The Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Lantern provides 600 lumens of light and is USB rechargeable. It features a built-in handle and adjustable brightness settings. Its versatility makes it ideal for various camping scenarios.
5. Best Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp
- Utah based Black Diamond has been producing premium quality outdoor equipment since 1957. All Black Diamond Headlamps In…
- PowerTap Technology allows instant transitioning between full and dimmed power
- Emits up to 350 lumens on max setting
The Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp is the best headlamp for camping families. With 350 lumens, it’s waterproof and offers multiple lighting modes. The adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit for everyone.
6. Best Solar-Powered: MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0
- Built-in rechargeable 2000 mAh lithium-ion battery. With 135 lumens, mobile charging, and lasting up to 50 hours on a si…
- Bright and long lasting. Emitting 135 lumens of power via 10 warm white LEDs, and shining through a matte finish, this l…
- Power up with Pro series. With mobile charging capabilities, when you choose to go back “on-the-grid” you’ll always have…
The MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0 is a great solar-powered option. It provides 75 lumens of light and is inflatable, solar rechargeable, waterproof, and collapsible. Perfect for eco-conscious families who want a lightweight, reliable light source.
7. Best for Brightness: Coleman Classic Propane Lantern
- LUMENS: Up to 1000 lumens casts light up to 23 meters
- RUNTIME: Up to 7.5 hours (high) on one 16.4 oz. propane cylinder (sold separately); lights with matches
- PRESSURE REGULATOR: Pressure-control technology provides consistent performance, even in extreme conditions
The Coleman Classic Propane Lantern offers up to 1000 lumens of bright light. It’s propane-powered with adjustable brightness settings and a long burn time, making it ideal for those who need a powerful and long-lasting light source.
8. Best for Durability: Streamlight Super Siege Lantern
- No Standalone lithium batteries are sold with the product
- Multiple Light Modes; White LED provides three different settings with various outputs and runtimes; 4 Red LEDs not only…
- Durable, polymer construction with a rubber base that provides stability on slippery or uneven surfaces; rubber cover pr…
The Streamlight Super Siege Lantern is known for its durability. With 1100 lumens, it’s USB rechargeable, waterproof, and features rugged construction. Multiple modes allow for versatile use in various camping conditions.
9. Best Compact: UCO Leschi Lantern + Flashlight
- Collapsible Outdoor Lantern: Compact, lightweight battery-operated lantern and flashlight provides 110 lumens of light a…
- Powerful Illumination: This super bright flashlight lantern provides diffused white light in lantern mode and bright foc…
- Integrated Shock Cord: Allows you to securely attach this battery-powered lantern flashlight to tree limbs, bars, straps…
The UCO Leschi Lantern + Flashlight is a compact and dual-use lighting option. It provides 110 lumens of light, is collapsible, and lightweight. It can be used as both a lantern and a flashlight, making it highly versatile for camping needs.
10. Best for Hanging: Nite Ize Radiant 400 Lantern
- Lantern for Outdoor Lighting: This bright 400-lumen lantern is perfect for camping gear, at-home use, or car emergency k…
- Long Lantern Battery Life: This reliable lantern uses 3 D-cell batteries (sold separately) and will run for nearly 800 h…
- Lantern with Carabiner Clip: The lantern’s integrated carabiner clip can be used as a handle or to hang the lantern to o…
The Nite Ize Radiant 400 Lantern is perfect for hanging in your tent or at your campsite. With 400 lumens, multiple modes, and a carabiner handle, it’s water-resistant and provides flexible lighting options.
Final Words
Choosing the right portable lighting is crucial for a safe and enjoyable family camping trip. The options listed above cater to various needs, from high-brightness lanterns and versatile headlamps to eco-friendly and budget options. Consider your family’s specific lighting requirements and camping style to select the best gear for your outdoor adventures.
