Most people go camping to get away from it all. No traffic noise, no constant email notifications, and no light pollution. But no matter how far off the grid you go, you still need to see around the campsite at night.
Which is where these LED camping lights come in handy. From motion-activated lanterns to a string of colorful dragonflies, all of these lights operate on solar or battery power, making them perfect for the campground or in the wild.
1. Suaoki Solar Powered Lantern
The Suaoki LED lantern is truly a multi-functional camping light. Fold it down to use as a compact bright flashlight or expand it fully to use as a free standing lantern.
It even has a convenient handle for hanging. The lantern can be charged by its small solar panel or through a micro USB port on cloudy days. You can get them on Amazon here.
2. Black Diamond Apollo
When it comes to camping lights, the Black Diamond Apollo Lantern outshines them all. Its collapsible design with fold-out legs gives it added height for better light distribution, while the duel hook allows it to double as a hanging light.
The Apollo gives off an impressive 200 lumens of light that dims down to a low setting of 10 for when you need only ambient light. It’s powered by four AA batteries, or can be recharged with the optional NGR battery kit. Get them on Amazon here.
3. Inflatable Solar Lantern
The MPowered Luci light is lightweight and collapses down to less than an inch tall, making it perfect for any kind of camping trip. It’s also waterproof, bright, and solar-powered, so you can recharge it even when you’re off the grid. Get more details on them here.
4. Hanging Tent Umbrella Night Light
For a soft nighttime glow, hang the Surborder LED Umbrella Night Light inside your tent or over your picnic table. With energy-saving LED bulbs and a continuous lighting time of 24 hours, this night light is perfect for reading or lighting up small areas. It features three settings so you can always have the perfect amount of light. Check them out on Amazon here.
5. Coleman Lantern LED String Lights
Remember the old Coleman lantern that you used to camp with as a kid? The kind that required smelly fuel and always seemed to tip over in the car on the way to the campground?
Well, today you can enjoy the same classic lantern look without all the fuss. This six-foot string features 10 tiny lanterns that give off a soft glow at the campground or in your backyard. They’re powered by 3 AAA batteries that run for 20 hours before needing to be replaced. You can find them on Amazon here.
6. Motion Activated LED Night Light
No more searching for the on/off switch with the ZEEFO Motion Activated Night Light. The sensor automatically turns on when motion is detected within 6 feet and automatically turns off after 15-20 seconds.
It’s lightweight and portable with a stylish, compact design. The ZEEFRO can be set on auto, so it goes on only when it’s dark, or it can be set to permanently on with no motion detector. Read more about them here.
7. 30-Day Lantern
If you’re tired of always changing the batteries in your camping lights, then the UST 30-Day Lantern is right up your ally. Three D cell batteries promise to last 30 days on the low setting and 32 hours on the high setting.
It’s also durable, with a rubberized, water-resistant housing, and it can double as an overhead light by taking the globe off and hanging it upside down. You can get them online here.
8. BioLite Base Lanterns
For camping lights with all of the bells and whistles, the BioLite Base Lantern will meet all your needs and then some. Capable of pumping out an amazing 500 lumens, these lamps are water-resistant, durable, and charge through a USB port or optional solar panel.
What really sets the Base Lantern apart though is the ability to control it from your tablet or smartphone. You can set sleep timers, turn it on/off remotely, and choose the color and level of brightness. The lamp also has proximity sensors that automatically turn it on when you wander into camp. Check them out from the manufacturer here.
9. Multi-Color Dragonfly Solar String Lights
Add some color to your campsite with these LED solar powered dragonfly lights. The 16-foot string contains 20 lights in a rainbow of colors. You can choose from eight settings ranging from always on to flashing and fading.
To charge the lights, simply place the small solar panel attached to a garden stake in a sunny spot. They also have excellent reviews on Amazon.
10. Frostfire Solar Ice Rocks
Maybe you only need a small amount of light around the campsite to set the mood. This set of light-up ice rocks is perfect to set on the picnic table, around the tent, or in your RV.
Simply place them in the sun to charge during the day and enjoy their glow at night. Every charge lasts for about 6-8 hours. Get them on Amazon here.
