Choosing the right camping lantern can significantly enhance your outdoor experience. This year, a plethora of options flooded the market, each boasting unique features and capabilities. From compact backpacking companions to powerful, long-lasting illumination sources, the choices can be overwhelming. To navigate this landscape, we've rigorously tested and reviewed five top contenders in the 2021 camping lantern arena, evaluating them based on brightness, battery life, durability, portability, and additional functionalities.This detailed review compares the Black Diamond Apollo, Black Diamond Moji, Streamlight 44931, Goal Zero Lighthouse 400, and US 30-Day Duro. We'll delve into the strengths and weaknesses of each lantern, highlighting their performance under various conditions and helping you determine which model best suits your specific needs and preferences for your next camping adventure. Whether you prioritize battery life, brightness, portability, or added features like a power bank, this guide provides the information you need to make an informed decision.
Pros And Cons
- Excellent value
- 70-hour burn time
- Easy to carry extra batteries
- Intuitive dimming system
- Effective hanging mechanism
- Provides full illumination in a tent
- Not the brightest
- Doesn't illuminate a full campground
- Unique and useful
- Hand crank for emergency power
- Can charge phones and devices
- Clean design with folding legs and durable loop for hanging
- Unexceptional battery life (48 hours on lowest, 2.5 hours on max)
- Flashing hazard lights not particularly useful
- Favorite camping lantern for all-around use
- Staggering battery life (nearly a month on lowest)
- Soft light with removable diffuser
- 700 lumens on high
- Rugged construction
- Battery compartment unscrews easily and requires precise alignment to replace
- Small hook on the bottom is flimsy
- Similar to US 30-Day Duro
- Solid all-around lantern
- Uses 3D batteries
- Three main light settings
- Single button operation
- Nearly as bright as Duro
- Nearly as impressive burn time (30 hours on high)
- Extreme durability
- Recessed clips for easy hanging
- Heavier than Duro (around 2 pounds)
Read more: Best Rechargeable Camping Lanterns 2024: Top 10 Reviews & Comparison
Black Diamond Apollo: A Balanced Performer
The Black Diamond Apollo offers a good compromise between weight and performance. Its unique, sci-fi-inspired design with three spindly legs and an egg-like bulb is visually appealing. It’s powered by either 3AA batteries or an internal 2600mAh rechargeable battery, or both consecutively.
While sufficient for shorter trips, its battery life didn't match the longer-lasting lanterns in the review. The 225-lumen bulb provides decent brightness, softened by a removable diffuser. It lacks the concentrated brightness of some competitors, but offers a convenient USB port for charging devices.
Black Diamond Moji: Compact and Value-Packed
The Black Diamond Moji, while not the brightest, offers excellent value for its size. Its impressive 70-hour burn time makes it a reliable option, easily supplemented with extra AAA batteries. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, making it ideal for backpacking.
Its brightness is suitable for smaller spaces, like inside a tent, rather than illuminating a large area. The intuitive dimming system is a plus, and its unique hanging mechanism using metal flanges is both convenient and secure. This design eliminates the need for extra carabiners.
Streamlight 44931: A Solid All-Around Choice
The Streamlight 44931 is very similar to the US 30-Day Duro, offering comparable performance. While it fell short of top honors, it's a robust and reliable lantern. Powered by 3D batteries, it features three light settings controlled by a single button.
Weighing around two pounds, it’s slightly heavier than the Duro but offers almost identical brightness and burn time, including a remarkable 30 hours on its highest setting. Its durable construction and user-friendly battery casing are notable advantages.
Goal Zero Lighthouse 400: Sophisticated and Versatile
The Goal Zero Lighthouse 400 stands out with its unique features and versatility. While battery life isn't exceptional (48 hours on low, 2.5 hours on high with both sides illuminated), it includes a hand crank for emergency power. It functions effectively for shorter trips.
The Lighthouse 400 excels as a portable power bank, quickly charging phones and other devices thanks to its 4400mAh battery. Its clean design, folding legs, and durable hanging loop enhance its practicality. The included flashing hazard lights, while not essential, are a handy addition.
US 30-Day Duro: The Top Performer
The US 30-Day Duro claims an incredible battery life—up to a month on the lowest setting. While not flawless, its overall performance earns it the top spot. Its diffuser provides a soft, even light, easily removable for concentrated illumination.
On high, it boasts 700 lumens. Minor drawbacks include a slightly fiddly battery compartment and a flimsy bottom hook. However, its robust construction and long-lasting battery power make it an excellent choice despite these minor issues.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Lantern
The best camping lantern depends on individual needs and priorities. For long battery life and powerful brightness, the US 30-Day Duro is unmatched. The Goal Zero Lighthouse 400 is a solid choice offering versatility as a power bank. The Black Diamond Moji and Streamlight 44931 are excellent compact options for smaller-scale needs.
The Black Diamond Apollo is a good middle ground with a unique design and acceptable performance. Consider the size, brightness requirements, battery life expectations, and additional features like power bank functionality to choose the ideal lantern for your camping adventures.