3 Great Rechargeable Camping Lanterns
By Jill Gardiner
, last updated January 13, 2012
When you’re out camping in the wilderness, the last thing you want is to end up left in the dark. With one of these three great rechargeable camping lanterns, that’s one thing you won’t have to worry about. Battery operated lanterns offer a safer alternative to those powered by liquid fuel or gas, which create a fire hazard for both you and the surrounding environment. They’re also quieter and don’t emit any unpleasant smells or smoke.
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Lanterns that run on traditional alkaline batteries, however, can be unreliable at best and frustrating at worst; who wants to fumble around in a backpack looking for a fresh batteries, then try to get them into the lantern correctly, all done in the dark? Lanterns that use rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, are dependable and easy on both the environment and your wallet in the long run. You won’t be buying and then tossing disposable batteries which are expensive and terrible for the environment. So be a more enlightened camper (literally!) and pick up one of these great rechargeable camping lanterns for your next trip.
Coleman
Coleman has been bringing light to the darkness since the dawn of the last century, so it’s no wonder they’re one of the most trusted names in the portable lighting industry. Although they have history, that doesn’t mean the company isn’t innovative, offering several quality options in the rechargeable lantern department. The Retro Rechargeable Full-Size Lantern offers the charming design of yesteryear with the energy efficient power of today. The brightest of Coleman’s family-size rechargeable lanterns, the 11-watt spiral fluorescent bulb stays cool to the touch and the reflector directs the bright white light up and out to further increase the area of illumination. The lantern runs 9 hours on the low setting, 6 hours on high, and also features a built-in night light and an ‘Emergency On’ circuit for when your power goes out. There are 2 cords that give you the choice of recharging from either a 120-volt AC outlet or a 12-volt DC port.
Freeplay
Don’t want to be tied down with cords at all? Then you’ll want to have a look at Freeplay’s Energy ML-1 Mini Self-Sufficient Rechargeable LED Lantern. You don’t need batteries or power cords to get this lantern going, all you need is a few cranks and you’ll be ready to shed some light on the subject. One minute of cranking gives you one hour of light on the low setting, less if you use the dimmer switch wheel to crank it up higher and more if you only use the smaller LED light on the front for reading or walking to the “restroom.” Don’t feel like cranking it up? You can always use the AC adapter instead.
K-Light
Since you’re out enjoying nature, you may as well use it to power your rechargeable lantern! The Solar Lantern from K-Light is a tough and tiny option for the environmentally responsible camper; it’s rugged, extremely water resistant, and is comparable in weight and size to a soda can. Plug in the included solar panel, place it in direct light for about two hours, and enjoy up to 20 hours of eco-friendly light from the super-bright LED bulbs. Additionally, this versatile light can function either as a lantern or a flashlight.
