Being compact in size, light in weight and versatile, most of them people use them for different purposes as well like camping trips. Most of the latest solar lanterns come with advanced features like automatic turn on/off so no need of manual intervention. If you are interested investing in solar lanterns, then below are the major considerations to make the right choice.
Lumen
It represents the brightness level of the solar lantern. Higher the lumen count, better will be the brightness. For outdoor camping activities like playing cards, cooking or others, we recommend going for a 50 – 100 lumen output which is more than enough. However, for some activities like going for picnic area or night hiking, we recommend going for a solar lantern that generates 150 – 200 lumens. Calculate the right lumen count based on your requirements and choose accordingly.
Battery capacity
If you want your solar lantern to last throughout the night, checking the battery life becomes quite important. While some models might offer an average battery life of 6 to 8 hours long, others might be rated at a much higher 10 to 12 hours long. So, choose based on your requirement.
Weatherproof
As solar lanterns are mostly used outdoors, they have to be capable of withstanding the harsh environmental conditions. For that, we recommend checking out whether the model you chose is waterproof and weather-resistant. For more detail information, we recommend checking out the ultimate “Buying Guide” mentioned in the below article. To help you out make the right choice, we have shortlisted the best solar lanterns available in the market.
Best Solar Lanterns 2023
Best Outdoor Solar Hanging Lanterns Reviews
1. TomCare Solar lights Metal Flickering Flame Solar Lantern
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Out of all the various solar lantern brands out there, Tomcare is one of the most popular ones since its solar lantern offering is a highly practical option present in this article. The Tomcare solar lantern is present in the 1st position in this article as it can be a great option if you want a high-performance model. You get a very long battery life of 10 to 12 hour long with this solar lantern. It is able to offer this thanks to its 2000 mAh inbuilt battery. As for the solar lanterns, you get a total of 2 solar lanterns in each pack. Both of these solar lanterns also offer cool lighting effects like flame and flickering effects. Even though the price of these lights is a bit high, you do get a great build quality as well as a standard 1-year long warranty. Best Features:
Rated battery life of 10 to 12 hours long Comes with a total of 2 solar lanterns Offers a 1-year long warranty
Pros:
Includes a very long battery life Supports various lighting effects Comes with a grab handle on the top
Cons:
A bit on the expensive side
2. OxyLED Solar Garden Lights Outdoor
OxyLED is a one-stop platform for all your lighting needs. The brand manufactures a wide range of lighting products including solar lights, motion sensor closet lights, touch sensors, string lights, LED strip lights, and LED puck lights. OxyLED’s solar lantern provides warm light for about 8 to 10 hours from a single charge. It is equipped with a 600mAh Ni-Mh battery that takes up to 6 hours to reach its full capacity. With this solar lantern, you get a luminous flux of 8lm to light up your surroundings. It runs by itself and automatically switches on at night and switches off in the morning. The solar lantern is highly energy efficient with a conversion efficiency of 25%. As there are no power cords involved, the installation is pretty simple. All you have to do is open the cover, flip the switch, and hand the lights on the desired place. The solar lights are made from high quality plastic and premium metal for durability. Furthermore, the solar lights come with IP44 rated waterproof and heatproof features. The switch is placed in the inside of the lamp to protect it from rain. You get 2 packs of solar lanterns in the package. OxyLED backs these solar lanterns with a 1 year limited warranty from the original date of purchase. Best Features
Rated battery life of 8 to 10 hours long Comes with a total of 2 solar lanterns Offers a 1-year warranty period
Pros
8lm luminous flux IP44 rated waterproof and heatproof feature Automatic switch on and off
Cons
A bit on the expensive end
3. Roshwey Outdoor Solar Lanterns
Roshwey is a reliable brand that specializes in developing indoor and outdoor solar lights to brighten up your surroundings. The brand has a small product portfolio including solar spotlights, solar decorative lights, and solar deck lights. Roshwey’s outdoor solar lantern provides brightness for up to 8 hours at night by absorbing solar energy during the day time. The solar lantern is powered by a 1600 mAh battery that takes around 6 to 8 hours for full recharge. Once you turn on the switch under the cover, the solar lantern will turn on during night and turn off during day time automatically. The solar light is designed to meet the International lamp bulb waterproof standard to protect itself from rain and ensure a long working life. It is enclosed by an ABS plastic cap of the chip that has waterproof and anti-heat features. The solar lantern comes with 30 LED solar lights that can be used for a wide range of applications. It is backed by a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase. Best Features
Rated battery life of 8 hours long Comes with 30 LED solar lights Offers a 1-year warranty period
Pros
Affordable option Durable build quality 45 days money back guarantee
Cons
Not the most efficient solar lantern
4. Shymery Solar Lantern, Outdoor Garden Hanging Lanterns
If you are looking for a highly reliable and durable solar lantern, then you should also consider Shymery as its solar lanterns offering usually last for a long time, including the option mentioned here in this article. With the solar lantern from Shymery, you get a lot of things, including high brightness output as well as a decent battery life of 8 to 10 hours long which is to be expected at the given price tag. And even though this solar lantern uses a large-sized battery, the battery can get recharged within 6 hours with ease. As you saw with most other solar lanterns in this article, this one also comes with a total of 2 lanterns in each pack. A great thing about both of these lanterns is that they offer water and dust resistance for longevity. When combined with the 1.5-year long warranty that you get with this lantern, you can expect it to easily last for a long time. Best Features:
Rated battery life of 8 to 10 hours long Comes with a total of 2 solar lanterns Offers a 1.5-year long warranty
Pros:
Water-resistant and highly reliable Comes with a decent battery life rating Offers candle flickering light effect
Cons:
Slightly expensive compared to others
5. Gigalumi 8 Pack Solar Hanging Lantern Outdoor
In case you are interested in getting multiple solar panels for your patio, you can go with Gigalumi as most of its solar lanterns come in packs of multiple lanterns for a higher value for money. With this Gigalumi solar lantern, you get an average battery life of 6 to 8 hours. But this lower price tag is to be expected from the small and compact solar panels offered by Gigalumi in this multipack. Speaking of the multipack, it is the only option in this article, which comes with a total of 8 solar lanterns in a single pack so that you can easily place all-around your patio. Unlike most other options in this article, this one comes with a 90-day long replacement or refund warranty, which might be preferred by many buyers. Best Features:
Rated battery life of 6 to 8 hours long Comes with a total of 8 solar lanterns Offers a 90-day long replacement or refund warranty
Pros:
Includes multiple solar lanterns in a pack Features a refund or replacement warranty Offers a decent build quality
Cons:
Offers an average battery life
6. Yinuo Light 2 Pack Solar Lanterns Outdoor Hanging
Those of you who are on a tight budget and still want solar lanterns can consider Yinuo Light as it is one of the most affordable options out there, which also makes a few solar lanterns. Yinuo Light’s solar lantern is the cheapest option present in this article, which can be a great option for budget buyers. With this solar lantern, you get a battery life of 8 to 10 hours long, which is quite decent for the given price tag. Just like more expensive options out there, this budget solar lantern also comes with a total of 2 lanterns in a pack. As for its warranty, it includes a 1-year long warranty, which is always great to have. Although, the brightness of this budget solar lantern might not be as high as other options out there. Best Features:
Rated battery life of 8 to 10 hours long Comes with a total of 2 solar lanterns Offers a 1-year long warranty
Pros:
Affordable solar lantern Offers a decent battery life Small and compact design
Cons:
Not the brightest solar lantern out there
What Factors to Consider While Purchasing a Solar Camping Lantern?
While purchasing solar camping lantern, you have to consider certain factors that help you choose the best of the best. If you are unaware of these factors, you can find them below in this detailed buying guide.
1. What is the Purpose of Using It?
One of the major factors contributing the selection process is the expected use. The first thing to decide is to consider how you are going to use it and where you will be using it. Some of the common purposes are mentioned below for your reference.
Indoor or outdoor décor Emergency Camping Lighting solution for gardens or patios
For people who are want to use lantern for outdoor activities like trekking, extreme spots or camping, we recommend using long-lasting, lightweight and durable solar lantern. But when it comes to other options like emergencies like natural disasters or power outages, we recommend to go for collapsible and long-lasting option. If you are looking for a solar lantern that can add additional light to the garden area, decorative option is the right choice. Not every solar lantern is suitable for activity purposes. Some of them are specially designed for only accent or decorative purposes. While purchasing a decorative lantern, we recommend going for a model with durable quality so that it doesn’t break during backyard fiesta or first rain. It is better to have a lantern that comes with auto turn on/off functionalities that save time, energy and hassle.
2. Brightness or Lumens
Lumens represent or measure the amount of light generated by a lighting solution. The basic thumb rule to remember while analyzing this feature is – higher the lumen, better the brightness and farther the light will illuminate. A solar lantern is usually designed for providing ambient light that generates around 7 lumens. For outdoor camping activities like playing cards, cooking or others, we recommend going for a 50 – 100 lumen output which is more than enough. However, for some activities like going for picnic area or night hiking, we recommend going for a solar lantern that generates 150 – 200 lumens. When it comes to occasions like brightening up the whole camp, we recommend a 600+ lumen solar lantern. So, based on your requirement, you have to analyze the amount of lumen or brightness you need in the solar lantern. Below is a quick guide on how to convert the lumen into watts…
5 lumen = 0.8 Watts 15 lumen = 0.25 Watts 30 lumen = 0.5 Watts 50 lumen = 0.8 watts
3. Battery Capacity and Runtime
The life of battery usually depends on the battery capacity and brightness setting. Battery capacity usually determines how much mAh will be delivered. For instance, there are two lamps and both emit same brightness levels. However, one lamp has 1000 mAh batter while other comes with 25000 mAh battery. The first lamp option will shut off quicker compared to the second option. To say in simple terms, second lamp option will run for longer time. So, choosing a model with higher battery capacity within your budget range is the most crucial part. Typically, camping lights come with high lumen levels have shorter battery run time. So, we recommend going for a model with different illumination settings like high and low.
4. Charging Time
Most of the lights can charge up completely within couple of hours using a wall charger. However, it is a different story when it comes to sun energy. If you want to invest in a solar lantern, then you have to check how long it will take for replenishing the photons. Most of the brands provide basic insights on how long the light will take to complete the charge when exposed to sun. But some lights take longer time while others take less time to charge up for illuminating the whole night. Some lights may take even hours to charge up to turn on. We recommend checking out for a solar lantern that is fully charged within 5 hours of time. Or else, you will be left with an option that doesn’t provide enough lighting. If you have an option that takes long to charge and runs for a short time, then we recommend getting a backup lighting option as well. Because the last thing any would want in the emergency situations is light.
5. Runtime
This is another important factor to consider while purchasing a solar lantern. It represents how long the light will illuminate on a complete charge. While analyzing the options, the best solar lanterns usually last for up to 24 hours on a complete charge and low setting. This is actually pretty impressive runtime which is helpful even if there is no option of recharging for several days. The time duration mentioned is mostly in the low setting option. For instance, if a solar lantern is advertised to run for 100 hours, then over a high setting, the battery life will last around 5 to 10 hours. So, make sure to calculate the run time appropriately to check out whether it is suitable for you or not.
6. Charging Options
Solar lanterns harness the sun energy and convert it into usable power. However, some of them can also support other charging types that include USB ports or a DC socket. Some of them even come with a hand crank handle which will generate current when there are no other charging options. It may not be the most efficient option. However, you at least have it. Most of the solar camping lights come with a small panel over the top. But as it is tiny, it is not a primary charging option. It is mostly present as a backup option. To say in simple terms, charge the charge through DC socket or USB while going for a trip. Then sun energy can be used for keeping the lantern charged. It is also better to pack a solar power back for enough charging. If you love to hike, backpack or outdoor adventuring, then you have consider choosing a solar back as it is helpful in charging in case of emergency.
7. Lighting Modes
With this feature, it becomes quite easy to switch among lighting modes like low to high and vice-versa. Some solar lanterns come with different color lights, SOS modes and strobes. The last two options are suitable for emergency purposes as they create distress signal. Though, it is not necessary to have these features, we still recommend having them in the model you choose if possible.
8. Water-resistant or Waterproof
If you are purchasing solar lanterns for installing outdoors, then take a look at waterproof ability of these lighting solutions. Most of the brands in the market their solar lanterns with different terms that include water resistant, waterproof and weatherproof. However, they all are just standard names. To find out the exact water-resistant capability, we recommend to check out the IP rating. In the IP rating, the first number indicates dust protection and latter number indicates waterproofing capability. So, higher the numbers, better will be the protection.
9. Material
In the most of budget-friendly priced solar lanterns, they are usually made using with plastic material. It is actually one of the best materials as you will be installing the solar lanterns at wet or dusty areas. The plastic material is actually resistant to environmental weather fluctuations and general transportation. But if the solar lanterns are made with cheap plastic material, then they are prone to damage. And it may also lead to sensitive panels and delicate wiring that can be exposed to different elements. If this happens, then the lanterns become a waste and beyond repair. If the lanterns are installed in the backyard, we recommend to go for a glass lantern as they are classy and less prone to erosion, damage or decay. They are capable of withstanding environmental damage to certain extent.
10. Durability
It is very important for the solar lanterns to be capable of withstanding light rain, sun and other harsh environmental factors as they are mostly installed outdoors. If you don’t want to worry about the solar lanterns working life, then we recommend investing in a model made with high quality materials that can sustain. If there are metal parts, then they have to be rust or corrosion resistant. If you are choosing glass lanterns, then make sure the glass will not fade or frost as it will affect the lighting quality. Another important sign of durability is to check the warranty duration.
11. Size and Portability
It is important to analyze the weight and size of the solar lantern to check how you will be using it in your regular life. Some of these lanterns are ultra-light in weight while others are fully collapsible. However, this impacts the size limit of the solar panel. Some of these models are semi-collapsible and do not usually fold. If you want it for car, van or RV camping, then weight will not be a major concern. So, you may need an ultra-compact lantern with large solar panel and portable battery pack.
12. Mobile Charging Capabilities
Some solar lanterns can function as solar charger as well. They are capable of charging mobile devices. Though this a beneficial feature, it is very essential to understand that charging capacity is very limited. They are mostly suitable for occasional and quick charges but not for full-day or regular charging purposes. however, remember that once you charge the phone completely, there may not be enough juice left to light up the lantern at night.
13. Warranty
Another thing to consider before getting the right solar lantern for you is its warranty. This is important to know so that you can be ensured that your solar lantern can last for a long time. For example, a solar lantern that offers a 1.5-year long warranty is going to last much longer than a solar lantern that comes with a 1-year long warranty.
Advantages of Solar Lanterns
If you are thinking about investing in solar lanterns, then below are some of the things that help you stand by the decision.
It is a commonly known fact that solar energy is free, making it the cheapest alternative. Quite simple to install and doesn’t usually need professional guidance or help. The most amazing thing is the cost-free maintenance as it is practically zero. Most of them come with auto turn on/off functionalities which not need any manual intervention. Available in a wide range of attractive designs and modern construction techniques. So, they will add beauty and ambience to your homes or space. Safe to use as they don’t come with any cords or wires. It is easy to find the right fit according to your taste and requirements.
Conclusion:
Just per the name, a solar lantern uses a solar panel to turn solar energy into electricity, which is then stored in a battery so that it can keep running throughout the night. Since these lights do not need any electrical connection, these are great for installing in the outdoors or taking them with you in remote locations without any issues. As a result, we have mentioned some of the best solar lanterns earlier in this article. You can also find their details like their major features which can be handy to easily choose the right one for you, especially when combined with the detailed buying present in this article. According to all these details and factors, here are some of our favorite solar lanterns:
The TomCare Solar Lantern is one of the best performing options in this article, thanks to its excellent battery life of 10 to 12 hours. Another great thing about this 2 pack solar lantern is that it is quite lightweight and comes with an inbuilt handle for high portability. You also get a 1-year long warranty with it, which is always great to have. Those of you who are interested in placing a lot of lights around a walkway or a large size should consider the Gigalumi solar lanterns. It is the only option in this article, which comes with a total of 8 solar lanterns in each pack. You get a 90 day long replacement and refund warranty along with a decent battery life of 6 to 8 hours long. On the other hand, if you are on a budget, you can then go with the Yinuo Light solar lanterns as it is the cheapest option in this article and still offers 2 lanterns in a pack. The battery life of these lights is also quite decent, which is rated at 8 to 10 hours long. And despite being an affordable option, you still get a 1-year long warranty with it.
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