13 Best Lantern Flashlights That Are Travel-Friendly, 2024
Melissa Hawkins is the editor-in-chief of HomeArise, a company specializing in home improvement. She has over 20 years of experience in the field, and knows what it takes to get home renovation projects done on time and budget. Melissa is a home improvement expert, who writes about kitchen remodeling, plumbing, gardening, and power tools.
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wedetso chirhah poulami nag pratibha bagdy Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University and has qualified UGC-NET. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.
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In This Article
Lantern flashlights are useful tools to illuminate dark rooms or when you are outside. The best lantern flashlights can be your ultimate travel companion during your outdoor adventure like trekking, hiking, and camping and can come in handy when there is a power outage at home.
Lantern flashlights can light up any dark room with a click of the switch, thereby assuring that you do not have to deal with the darkness. Read on as we have listed some best-selling and quality-tested products equipped with leading technology. Pick a suitable lantern that can offer you convenience.
Top Picks
13 Best Lantern Flashlight
1. Best Portable:Etekcity LED Lantern Flashlight
The 2 pack lantern flashlight is designed with 30 individual LED bulbs with 360° bright illumination. The collapsible lantern flashlight takes very less storage space as it can be easily expanded or collapsed to turn on/off. The foldaway handles offer easy suspension and portability. The top lid of the lantern flashlight offers limited storage space to store keys, spare batteries, or other things. Made of military-grade ABS material, it can withstand slight collisions and water splashes. To get a better idea about the product and its features, watch this YouTuber’s honest review.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Water-resistant
- Collapsible design
- 30 hours of battery life
Cons
- Not rechargeable
"I've found these lanterns extremely useful in various scenarios, from hurricanes to camping and power outages at night. They emit a bright, adjustable light, lasting an incredibly long time on just a few batteries. Besides, they're lightweight and easy to carry around. They are a great device to have on hand for emergencies, and the best part is that they may look small but are very powerful and bright."
2. Best Durable:Eveready LED Floating Lantern
Lay your hands on this field-tested lantern that provides prolonged illumination, especially during emergencies. The Eveready LED lantern can run for up to 400 hours and is capable of floating in water thanks to its polyethylene construction. It also features a shatter-resistant lens and a large reflector that helps display a broad beam of light.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Lightweight design
- Water-resistant
- Easily accessible battery compartment
Cons
- May not be very bright
- Might be smaller than expected
"These long-lasting flashlights are the perfect tool for unexpected blackouts, fitting well in various spots around the house. They're lightweight and user-friendly, although the on-off button can offer a bit of resistance to children. The light might not be the brightest during daytime, but it does the job efficiently."
Did you know?3. Best Weather-Resistant:Dorcy Floating Lantern
Whether you’re camping, hiking, engaging in an outdoor adventure, or experiencing a power outage, the Dorcy Floating Lantern is the perfect solution for providing 100 lumens of light for up to eight hours. Equipped with a flex battery system, you can use either four AA batteries or 6V spring top batteries to power this lantern. This lantern is also lightweight, making it easy to carry and travel-friendly. The tried-and-trusted lantern produces a beam of light that can reach up to 105 meters, making it ideal for illuminating larger areas. Additionally, this camping flashlight is designed to float on water and is impact- and weather-resistant, ensuring it can withstand even the toughest conditions.
Pros
- Comfortable grip handle
- Easily accessible switch button
- Anti-roll design
- Features a sealed switch to prevent water seepage
Cons
- May not be scratch-resistant
- May not feature adjustable brightness levels
"My fond childhood memories of lantern flashlights led me to purchase this. It's satisfyingly lightweight with bright, decent illumination. The convenience of using rechargeable batteries is a bonus, and it's proven reliable during power outages. And it even comes with four standard AA batteries. Hence, it has been a practical and convenient device for my family."
Etekcity LED Lantern Flashlight | Eveready LED Floating Lantern | Dorcy Floating Lantern | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) | Plastic | Plastic |
| Color | Black | Yellow | Assorted |
| Number of Items | - | 1 | - |
| Number of Batteries | - | 2 D batteries required | 4 AA batteries required |
| Weight | - | 0.95 Pounds | 0.75 Pounds |
| Dimensions | - | 7"D x 5"W x 5"H | - |
| Dimensions LxWxH | - | - | 6.8 x 4.3 x 4.8 inches |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 21,572 | 553 | 114 |
| Price | $29.99 | $6.97 | $8.33 |
4. Best For Hiking:Lichamp LED Camping Lanterns
This camping lantern with COB technology by Lichamp emits 250 lumens of soft light and is 1.5x brighter than standard LED lights. It provides light for up to 30 hours with the help of three AAA batteries and offers 360° illumination, making it a suitable lantern flashlight for hiking, camping, emergencies, backyards, and garages. Crafted with military-grade plastic, this field-tested camping light is durable and portable.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Water- and shock-resistant body
- Available in multiple colors and patterns
- Collapsible design makes storage convenient
Cons
- Might be smaller than expected
- Some might find the light a tad too bright
"With frequent power outages in my area, these lanterns have proven incredibly handy and removed the hassle of using candles. They provide 360-degree light, and the brightness can be easily controlled with a simple switch. The design is practical, lightweight yet well-built, and emits a strong light for over 12 hours."
5. Best For Outdoor:Cascade Mountain Tech Pop Up Lantern
This pop-up LED lantern by Cascade Mountain is a versatile and reliable choice for any outdoor adventure as it is weather-resistant and can be used as a lantern and a flashlight. The portable and quality-tested lantern flashlight remains functional even in accidental falls as it can withstand impact up to three feet. It has 100 to 300 lumen output and offers 360° illumination while saving energy.
Pros
- Features an adjustable handle
- Provides up to 24 hours of run time
- Lightweight and portable
- Available in two color options
Cons
- Batteries may not be included
"I was pleasantly surprised by how bright these compact lights are. Just one lit up my entire living room during a power cut, and they even kept our boat illuminated in the dark. Batteries tend to drain quickly, though, dimming the light a bit. Despite that minor issue, this child-friendly emergency light has been a great find."
6. Best For Travellers:Energizer LED Camping Lantern Flashlight
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 3,666 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.
Pack this lantern flashlight on your next trip to the woods. A great option for travelers, this lantern flashlight offers a maximum power of up to 500 lumens with 3 Energizer MAX D batteries. Featuring 3 different light modes — High, Low, and Night Light it allows you to extend the battery life up to 650 hours by running on Low Mode. The flashlight lantern is designed with durable and water-resistant construction that can withstand splashing and the test of time.
Pros
- Glow-in-the-dark switch
- 360° illumination
- Can run on 3 AA or D-cell batteries
- 150 hours of run time on high mode
Cons
- No magnetic base
"I adore these lanterns - a safe, practical alternative to candles during power outages. Not only do they emit ample light at three brightness levels, but they're easy to use and are also waterproof! They can be charged by AA or D batteries, and they've proven to be handy during prolonged energy disruptions. I love their versatility and will be ordering a few for my friends."
7. Best Design:Enbrighten 3-In-1 Lantern
Looking for a versatile light that can work as a flashlight, lantern, and desk light? Look no further than the multipurpose three-in-one lantern from the trusted brand Enbrighten. This handy device runs on three AA batteries and provides 200 lumens of multi-directional light. Featuring two brightness modes and an anti-roll design, this lantern is perfect for all your travel needs as well. Depending on the setting you choose, the lantern flashlight combo can provide up to 12 hours of light on a single set of batteries. Despite its unique and multifunctional design, the lantern is simple and easy to use
Pros
- Compact design
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Stable base
- 360-degree illumination
Cons
- May not include batteries
- May not double up as a power bank
"An obvious hit with my kids for its multiple features, this multifunctional 3-in-1 gadget acts as a lantern, a flashlight, and a desk light all in one. Regrettably, it doesn't come with batteries, but it has adjustable brightness levels, which is very convenient. And the built-in handle is also a big plus while camping or hiking."
8. Best Easy Carrying:ThorFire LED Camping Lantern
ThorFire camping lantern with two light modes makes it suitable to be used as both an indoor and outdoor lantern flashlight. It has a collapsible design and can be charged via USB or hand cranking, making it easy to carry and convenient to use. This camping flashlight can function for over four hours on one charge and offers an output of 65 and 15 lumens to suit diverse needs. Moreover, the built-in protection chip keeps the camping light from overheating and over-charging the batteries.
Pros
- Features a hanging handle
- Doubles as a lantern flashlight with power bank
- Has a built-in 300 mAh lithium battery
- Compact size
Cons
- Port may be slightly fragile
- Battery may drain even when the light is not in use
"This compact, dependable light has been very helpful during camping trips and power outages. The crank mechanism sometimes gets tedious, but the conveniently small size and adjustable brightness outshine that minor inconvenience. All in all, the versatility and reliability offered by the lantern make it a worthy purchase."
Do remember9. Best Lighting Modes:AYL Camping Lantern + Mini Flashlight
It is time to ditch your ordinary lantern and grab this dual function AYL flashlight. The lantern features the latest COB LED lights with a maximum brightness of 700 lumens. The lantern flashlight comes with three brightness settings— 100% Brightness, 50% Brightness, and Strobe Light — for camping, reading, or ambient lighting. The detachable flashlight with 90 lumens brightness allows you to use it separately with the push of a button. The bright lantern flashlight runs on 6 W COB LEDs, while the flashlight is equipped with 3 W LEDs.
Pros
- 360° illumination
- Runtime of 21 hours
- Compact and portable design
- Detachable flashlight
- IPX4 water-resistant build
Cons
- Batteries for lantern and flashlight not included
"I got this lantern-flashlight combo for my son, and it's been immensely helpful during emergencies and camping. The light it emits is decent, though the body is a bit flimsy, but the handiness made up for it. Overall, it's a good product, and I plan on getting a second one for my emergency kit."
10. Best Innovative Design:EverBrite 2-In-1 Mini Lantern and Flashlight
If you thought that a flashlight may not be ideal for lighting up a camping site, you could not be more wrong. This flashlight from EverBrite doubles up as a lantern with its innovative and convenient design. This hanging lantern flashlight features 3 lighting modes: High, Low, and Strobe. The adjustable beam focus of the flashlight allows you to zoom in and out with a beam range of up to 30 meters.
Pros
- Removable hanging hook
- Batteries included
- Compact and lightweight
- 3 lighting modes
Cons
- Battery life of 6 hours
"This compact flashlight worked wonderfully during my camping trip, providing essential light at nightfall. I love how these effortlessly convert into mini lanterns, and their brightness is surprising, given their size. It even allows me to read and write in a darkened room. Great for camping or power outages at home, it also has an emergency strobe feature, which is a big plus."
11. Best Long-Lasting:Rayovac Virtually Indestructible LED Camping Lantern Flashlight
Does darkness send chills down your spine? This waterproof lantern flashlight from Rayovac might be just what you need The rugged IP67 waterproof construction offers plenty of light and great durability as it has been drop-tested from up to 15 ft. The flashlight lantern can be run on 3 variable modes — High, Medium, and Energy Saver with the press of a button.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Offers brightness of 600 lumens
- Shatterproof design
- Dust-proof
- 3 D batteries included
Cons
- No magnetic base
"I own multiple of these lanterns, and each of them provides astonishing brightness that lights up each room during power cutoffs. It doesn't generate heat, and the clean, bright light it emits lasts longer than expected. A minor letdown is that it always switches to the brightest setting, but that's quite manageable. Despite subjecting them to rough weather, these lanterns have held up well over the years. They're fantastic to have around for both power outages and camping trips."
12. Best 360 Degree:Streamlight Compact Hand Lantern
Get 360° soft light with the Streamlight hand lantern that comes with a removable polycarbonate glare-reducing cover. The tried-and-tested lantern supports two LED modes: white and red LED. In white LED mode, the lantern emits 55 to 540 lumens of low, medium, and bright light. In red LED mode, the compact camping light emits 10 lumens of low light for steady night vision and emergency signaling feature, thus functioning as a lantern flashlight with SOS mode.
Pros
- Rubber base for stability on uneven surfaces
- IPX7 waterproof
- Features a hanging hook
- Ergonomic handle
- Keyed battery compartment
Cons
- Might be slightly heavier than expected
"I'm fond of this light for its easy use, variable brightness, and solid construction. I've found it invaluable during power outages and camping trips due to its bright illumination. It's compact and lightweight, and the waterproof aspect is something I appreciate. This light is an investment for the long run - even after a decade, it still operates remarkably well!"
13. Best For Underwater:Sofirn BLF LT1 Camping Lantern
You can switch the lantern light temperature on the Sofrin BLF LT1 from warm (2700K) to neutral white (5000K) depending on your mood. This lantern is capable of illuminating up to 800 lumens for up to 24 hours on a single charge. This lantern flashlight comes with a USB charging cable and can be charged using a power bank, making it an ideal emergency lantern flashlight. You can hang it in a tent or install it over a camera tripod, making it versatile. It also allows you to charge mobile phones or smartphones, adding to its practicality. Moreover, the rechargeable camping lantern flashlight comes with IPX7 waterproof protection, ensuring that it remains safe when immersed underwater up to one meter deep.
Pros
- Includes a carrying case
- Has a battery indicator light
- Easy to store and carry
- Compatible with type-C charger
Cons
- May not be lightweight
- May not include an adapter
"This lantern is small yet impressively bright, illuminating our campsite well. I do wish the power button wouldn't flash when it charges, but it is a minor flaw I can overlook, as the durability and adjustable brightness is commendable. Moreover, long-lasting battery life and USB charging make it a cherished purchase."
How To Choose The Right Lantern Flashlight?
Here are a few factors that you need to take into account when purchasing the right flashlight lantern.
- Battery type: Does the unit come with the required batteries or do you need to make a separate purchase? If batteries are not included, make sure to check out the battery type and the cost.
- Multi-functional: Though a standard flashlight lantern may be sufficient for some, it doesn’t hurt to buy one with additional features such as a magnetic base, multiple ambient light settings, dimming mode, a power indicator, and additional hooks and handles.
- Battery-powered/rechargeable: While both have its pros and cons, some may prefer one over the other. Flashlights with rechargeable batteries may not be convenient if you don’t have access to a power source, especially during outdoor activities. However, some units offer both.
- Battery life: It goes without saying that you need to look for a lantern flashlight that offers sufficient runtime.
- Size: Carrying a big chunky flashlight lantern may not be ideal especially when you are hiking or camping. Hence a lightweight and portable flashlight might be the way to go.
, the editor-in-chief of HomeArise and a home improvement expert, says, “A lantern flashlight should be portable and have a broad light panel to provide a wide range of illumination while doubling as a study light if required. The lantern should also be low-maintenance for added convenience.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many lumens should a good lantern flashlight have?
A lantern flashlight with about 100 lumens should be sufficient for use at home. However, a lantern with 200-300 lumens would be a good choice for camping and outdoor activities, and one with 500 lumens would be ideal for emergencies.
2. How long will my LED lantern flashlight last?
It may generally last for about 100,000 hours. However, it depends on how often you use it and how you take care of it. It is not recommended to use your lantern on a low battery. You should also not leave it charging for an extended period.
3. How bright is a 100-lumen lantern flashlight?
A flashlight with 100 lumen output can illuminate objects at a distance of about 50-80 meters.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah has in-depth expertise in reviewing household and outdoor products. He understands the struggles of finding high-quality electronic products, and so he has done extensive research to help you enjoy a seamless shopping experience. He reviews products based on his experience and gives detailed descriptions to inform his readers about the various available features and benefits. This article on the best lantern flashlights is no different as he follows a thorough research process before presenting his curated list of the market’s top favorites. He has also included a buying guide to help you choose the right product for your outdoor adventures or use at home.
The Bottom Line
Handy and essential in most scenarios, lantern flashlights come to your rescue whenever you need to illuminate a dark room or space. Flashlights such as the AYL Camping Lantern and Etekcity LED Lantern Flashlight are more functional than regular flashlights as they have larger batteries, allowing them to run longer than the former. However, with multiple options in the market, it is helpful to keep in mind factors such as battery life and type, size, and easy operation, before choosing the right one for your needs. Besides, you also need to consider if it is compact like the Dorcy Floating Lantern, portable, lightweight, quality-tested, and durable, as you can carry this helpful device on your adventures, whether camping, trekking, or hiking.
Infographic: What Are The Benefits Of Using Lantern Flashlights?
Lanterns have come a long way from being powered by a candle or fuel. In today’s time, lanterns usually have LED lights, enhancing their functionality. Although they might sound like regular flashlights, they have slightly different features. Read the infographic to know the benefits of getting a lantern flashlight.
Illustration: The Bridal Box Design Team
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