The Best Lanterns of 2025
We tested 25 lanterns from Black Diamond, Goal Zero, Coleman, BioLite, Primus, and other top brands to find the best lights on the market.
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.
We’ve been testing lanterns since 2012, and our experts have lit up the night with over 50 different lanterns in that time. We’ve camped at state and national parks, hiked deep into the backcountry throughout the US and around the world. We’ve even sat through some power outages at home with these lanterns. We evaluated brightness, battery life, features, weight, and more to determine which lanterns take home awards.
For this review, we purchased 25 top models to test side-by-side. In our opinion, the best overall lantern is the Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 for its great durability, lumens, battery life, and price. When it comes to offering just fun features at a great price, the Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma is lightweight, fun, and super easy to use.
Editor’s Note: Our lantern review was updated on October 13, 2025, after testing two new products from Black Diamond and BioLite and naming one new award winner to our list.
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