A great lantern can light up the campsite or even your backyard hangout spot. It's also a great backup to have on hand for power outages. However, there are several different styles of lanterns to choose from, so it's important to determine your specific needs and choose wisely.
What makes the “best camp lantern”?
1) Coverage (not just lumens)
Lumens tell you brightness. Coverage tells you comfort. If your lantern is bright but only lights a small circle, you’ll still feel like you’re camping in the dark.
Pro tip: Elevated lights create a wider, more even spread.
2) Glare control
A lantern that sits at eye level is basically a spotlight. The best lantern keeps light above you—not in your face.
3) Shadows (or lack of them)
Table lanterns get blocked by everything. Overhead lighting reduces shadows around cooking areas, picnic tables, gear zones, and tent entrances.
4) Bug strategy
Elevating your light helps keep insects above you instead of right in your line of sight—so you’re not eating dinner with mosquitoes in your face.
5) Runtime + charging
Look for long runtime on lower settings, plus practical charging (USB-C makes life easier).
6) Portability + setup speed
The best lantern is the one you bring every time—so quick setup and easy storage matter.
Our top Devos picks: best camp lanterns by use case
Best overall: LightRanger 1200
- Perfect “camp living room” lighting: dinner, games, stories, setup
- Wide-area light with fewer shadows
- Comfort-first lighting that stays out of your eyes
Best for big campsites + backyard zones: LightRanger 2000
- Big coverage for bigger spaces
- Elevated light that feels like a campsite upgrade
- Great for backyard hangouts and power outage backup
Best compact pick: LightRanger 800 Mini
- Compact, quick setup, easy to pack
- Great for smaller sites, tailgates, and patio tables
- Still designed to reduce shadows and harsh glare
Your lantern should light the moment—not fight the moment.
When your light is wide, elevated, and comfortable, everything after sunset gets better. That’s what separates “bright” from truly best.
