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A camping lantern is one of those pieces of gear you only notice when it is missing. Get it right, and your camp feels warm, safe, and easy to live in after dark. Get it wrong, and you are fumbling for a phone flashlight while the sausages go cold. With so many shapes, sizes, and light outputs out there, the real question is not "which lantern is best?" but "which lantern is best for the way I camp?"
This guide walks through the best camping lanterns for every adventure - from the classic American camper lantern to the trail-friendly horse lantern, decorative camping lanterns for a cozy pitch, and bushcraft options for serious off-grid trips - so you can match the light to the moment and head out with confidence.
How to choose a camping lantern
Before you fall for the first pretty glow you see, run through four quick questions:
- Who is it for? A family basecamp needs broad, area-filling light. A solo trekker needs something small and light that disappears into a pack.
- How is it powered? Battery, USB-rechargeable, and gas options each suit different trips. Rechargeable models are the easiest for weekend camping; disposable batteries are handy when there is no power source for days.
- How much light do you need? Bright, wide output for cooking and cards at the table; softer, lower light for reading in the tent and keeping the camp calm.
- How will you carry it? A hanging loop or hook matters if you want to light a tent, tarp, or awning hands-free.
Answer those and the right lanterns almost pick themselves.
Best overall for most campers: the American camper lantern
The American camper lantern is the dependable all-rounder that earns its place at almost every pitch. It delivers the wide, steady glow that makes a campsite feel like home: bright enough to cook, eat, and tidy up by, mellow enough that you are not blinding your neighbours in the next bay. For families and car campers who want one lantern to do it all, a classic American camper lantern is the simplest, most reliable place to start.
Pair it with a solid camp kitchen setup and you have everything you need for an easy evening. An adjustable camping table storage rack keeps pots, stoves, and mugs tidy and off the ground, so your lantern light falls exactly where you are working.
Best for horse camping and trail camps: the horse lantern
If your trips involve horses, pack animals, or a walk-in site where you leave the car behind, the horse lantern is the purpose-built choice. Designed to be hung from a saddle, tree, or tarp, it throws light where you need it while staying rugged enough for life outdoors. A horse lantern is easy to hang, tough enough to survive a knock, and simple to top up, which is exactly what you want when you are setting up in the last of the daylight.
For riders and trail campers, an aluminum alloy folding trekking pole or an aluminum trekking pole pairs nicely with a horse lantern - one to cover the miles, one to light the camp once you arrive.
Best decorative camping lanterns for a cozy pitch
Not every lantern has to be pure utility. Decorative camping lanterns bring warmth and character to a campsite, whether that is a vintage-inspired glass lantern on the picnic table, a string of warm hanging lights over the awning, or a soft, low-output lantern that makes an evening around the fire feel special. They are the difference between a functional camp and a camp people linger in.
Decorative options work best as a second light: keep a bright lantern for cooking and tasks, then switch to the softer decorative glow once the food is done and the stories start.
Best bushcraft lantern for off-grid trips
When you are heading genuinely off-grid, a bushcraft lantern is built for the job. These lanterns favour durability, long runtimes, and practical light over aesthetics - often with a rugged housing, a reliable hanging handle, and enough output to light a shelter or workspace. If your trips involve multi-day treks, wild camping, or cold-weather nights, a bushcraft lantern is the light you can genuinely depend on.
Carry it in a 60L outdoor hiking camping travel backpack with room for multi-day kit, and add a 610ml outdoor cycling water bottle so hydration is one less thing to think about.
Best for solo trekkers and long expeditions
Solo campers want light that is small, light, and easy to power. Look for a compact lantern that clips to a tent loop, runs for many hours on a low setting, and doubles as a backup torch. Combine it with a quick-pitch shelter - like a 6-8 person quick open outdoor camping tent for group trips or an automatic quick open beach camping tent for fast shade and shelter - and you can be set up and lit in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best camping lantern for a family?
A wide, bright American camper lantern is the easiest all-round choice for families. It lights the whole site for cooking and eating, and you can add a softer decorative camping lantern for the after-dinner hours.
Are lanterns better than headlamps?
Both have their place. A lantern lights a whole area hands-free, which is perfect for camp tasks and socialising, while a headlamp points light exactly where you look. Most well-prepared campers carry one of each.
How much light do I need?
For cooking and shared areas, look for a broad bright output. For reading or winding down in the tent, a dimmable or low mode is far kinder on the eyes and stretches battery life.
Can I use a camping lantern in a tent?
Yes - use a lower, softer setting and hang it from the tent loop rather than resting it on fabric. Always check that the model is suitable for indoor or enclosed use.
Light up your next adventure
The best camping lantern is the one that matches your trip: an American camper lantern for dependable all-round light, a horse lantern for trail camps, decorative camping lanterns for atmosphere, and a bushcraft lantern for serious off-grid nights. Get that match right and every evening at camp becomes the best part of the day.
Wherever your journey takes you, Avon Outdoors has the practical, reliable gear to keep you prepared in any environment. Explore the full range of tents, backpacks, cookware and lighting, and build the camp setup that fits the way you explore.
