How to Choose Between Camping Lanterns

Gas, candle and battery-operated camping lanterns are all available, offering everything from romantic flickers to intensive, practical beams. Use the following guidelines to find the right lantern for your camp.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Candle Lantern Candles
• Candle Lantern Padded Case
• Candle Lanterns
• Biteable Grip
• Aluminum Reflector
• Gas Lanterns
• Lantern Stuff Sacks
• Mini Candle Lanterns
• Battery-operated Lanterns

1. Think about ambience: Gas lanterns are bright and noisy; candle lanterns, quiet and softer. Battery-operated lanterns offer little in the way of ambience.
2. Buy a lantern with rechargeable batteries or a refillable liquid canister if you're looking for fuel efficiency and versatility. Candle lanterns only burn up to 8 hours before the candles need to be replaced; a good fuel-burning lantern will burn up to 18 hours with minimum light.
3. Consider a battery-operated lantern or a fuel-burning lantern with an adjustable flame if you want intensive, focused light.
4. Purchase a battery-operated lantern for maximum durability.
5. Pick a fuel-burning lantern or candle lantern ($19 to $32) for cold climates. Battery-operated lanterns don't operate well under cold conditions.
6. Look for a waterproof lantern if you'll be camping in the rain or snow.
7. Understand that a battery-operated lantern is the only safe choice if you want to take your lantern inside your tent.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a gas or battery-operated lantern for efficiency, but buy a candle lantern for atmosphere as well.