A Guide to the Best Camping Lanterns and Headlamps

If you’re going camping or hiking, we can both agree a good camping lantern or headlamp is something you’ll need.

This isn’t just about convenience. It spreads down to safety and ease.

Has your camp light ever broken in the middle of the night when you need it most?

If not, count yourself lucky, as that’s an experience you want to avoid.

In the UK, there are a lot of camping lights, lanterns, and headlamps out there.  In this guide, we’re here to point you in the right direction if you want a reliable headlamp or lantern.

One of the best names in the industry is BioLite. You’re probably thinking, why BioLite? Well, it’s simple. They are arguably one of the best outdoor off-grid energy brands in the UK.

We’ll walk you through the best camping lanterns and headlamps. These outdoor camping gear are worth every penny.

Features to Consider When Choosing The Best Camping Lanterns

When deciding on a camping lantern, there are a few key features you want to pay attention to.

So, let’s quickly run through these features.

Brightness

You need to think about the outdoor experience you need the lantern for. Do you intend to do some reading in your tent?

Or you need something to light up your entire campsite. The brightness of the lantern is really important in these scenarios.

The brightness of a lantern is measured in lumens. This could range between 100 to 500+ lumens. You’d normally see lower lumen models around 100 to 200.

Lower lumens like 100 or 200 work perfectly for cooking or playing cards. If you want something to brighten the campsite, go for something higher.

An option like the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 is very good if you want something bright.

Battery Life

This is the second feature you need to consider. This is especially true if you plan on long outdoor trips. You’re not going to find it funny when your light dies after a few hours.

Pay attention to the number of hours the battery is going to last on different settings. By this, we mean low, medium, and high settings.

Extra battery life usually comes in handy, especially during emergencies. Is the battery rechargeable using solar panels or just USB?

It is good that you consider all of these before you make a purchase. You want to avoid any negative surprises.

Portability

Like to keep your backpack lightweight? You might want to go for a portable camping lantern or headlamp.

You see, LED camping lanterns are perfect for this. They’re very efficient, and most of them come with foldable designs.

Durability

The durability of the outdoor lantern or headlamp should be the third feature you want to think about. The best camping lanterns and headlamps can withstand harsh weather.

Of course, you need something that won’t easily break after a fall. There are outdoor camping lanterns and headlamps that are water-resistant.

Additional Features

There are other features worth considering if you want to get the best out of your purchase:

• Adjustable brightness settings

• Handles or hooks for hanging

• Magnetic bases to clip onto metal surfaces

• Collapse-ability for packing

• Built-in USB ports to conveniently charge phones and other smart devices

Our Favourite Camping Lanterns

With the endless number of lanterns, we’ve narrowed down the options. These are a few of our favourites to consider for your next outdoor adventure.

BioLite AlpenGlow 250 Lantern

The BioLite AlpenGlow 250 Lantern offers versatile functionality for casual and serious campers alike.

It provides 250 lumens of ambient light with adjustable colour modes – cool white, warm white, single colour or multi-colour cycling.

The lithium-ion battery is easily recharged via USB in just under three hours, providing up to 5 hours of run time on high (50 hours on low!).

With an IPX4 water-resistant rating allowing it to withstand splashes and rain, it’s also one of the most compact and portable colour-changing lanterns at just over one pound in weight. It is small enough to fit in your back pocket.

The AlpenGlow 250 brings mood lighting to backyard gatherings and reliable performance emergency lighting on rugged camping trips.

BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Lantern

Cranking it up to the next level, the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Lantern delivers an impressive 500 lumens of light output.

The diffused lighting illuminates entire campsites and work areas, providing visibility for group activities and off-grid DIY tasks requiring portable brightness.

Convenient features include a USB port for charging mobile devices, a power bank to ‘pass the light around’ and charge other USB gadgets, fully adjustable brightness with colour cycling modes and an emergency flasher.

It offers the same IPX4 splash-proof and resilient construction as the 250. For larger gatherings that need serious lighting, the AlpenGlow 500 gets the job done.

BioLite PowerLight Mini Lantern

If you want ultra-compact portable brightness, meet the BioLite PowerLight Mini Lantern. Despite its tiny size, this little lantern pumps out 135 lumens of light – more than enough for tasks like cooking, reading or packing up your tent.

The most innovative feature is definitely its versatility – it comes with a bungee strap, allowing you to attach it onto different objects, clip it onto bike handlebars or jackets as a handy hands-free work light, or use it as a traditional tent lantern by hanging it from your tent poles, or a branch of a tree.

The lithium-ion USB rechargeable battery lasts up to 52 hours on low. Weighing a mere 3.2 oz, the PowerLight Mini is perfect for backpacking, keeping in the glovebox or stowing in bike bags.

Features to Consider When Choosing Headlamps

A moment ago, we looked at the features to look out for in a camping lantern. Now, let’s go over some of the features you need to consider when choosing a headlamp.

Brightness and Beam Distance

Lumens indicate brightness just like with lanterns, but headlamp beam distance can impact visibility even more during night hiking.

Look for long beam distance specs to determine how far ahead the light shines to light your path, avoiding tripping on roots or surprises around corners.

For reading a book in your tent, 50 lumens can suffice, while serious night trail runners might need 500+ lumens to effectively see far ahead on the path.

Comfort and Fit

Since headlamps literally sit on your forehead, they should be lightweight and comfortable rather than clunky.

Look for breathable headbands, adjustable straps and tilt-able lights to get the perfect hands-free fit for your adventures. Well-fitted headlamps feel almost weightless and make it easier to keep the beam pointed forward over long periods.

Battery Options

Consider how frequently you want to purchase disposable batteries, especially for longer trips. Many headlamps now offer USB recharge-ability for convenience.

Keep an extra set of pre-charged batteries or backup chargers like a power bank if you rely heavily on the headlamp, just in case.

Water Resistance

Whether rain, river crossings or unexpected downpours, electrical devices don’t mix well! It’s good to go for waterproof headlamps with sealed battery compartments, ensuring moisture doesn’t break the light when you need it most.

If your adventures are especially wet, opt for waterproof headlamps rated at IPX6 or IPX7.

Red Light Mode

Red light modes preserve night vision better than bright white light. Your eyes adjust quicker, going back into darkness after the red light.

This comes in handy when checking maps at night or going into your tent without blinding your tent-mates. Red light also doesn’t disturb wildlife habits as much as other campers.

Our Favourite Headlamps

We’ve tested quite a few headlamps and can vouch for these top-rated picks from BioLite:

BioLite HeadLamp 330

True to BioLite’s typical excellence, the HeadLamp 330 shines over trails and tents equally well.

Weighing only 1.6 ounces, you’ll barely notice it on your head, with the moisture-wicking fabric headband keeping you cool during active use.

The 314-lumen max brightness paired with a 60m beam distance lights the path clearly ahead. Lithium-ion rechargeable via USB-C lasts up to 40 hours in ultralow mode.

The HeadLamp 330 really shows its quality in intense activities like trail running, hiking, climbing and camping, where reliable hands-free lighting matters.

BioLite HeadLamp 200

For more casual adventurers who still want quality gear, meet the BioLite HeadLamp 200. It packs 200 max lumens into an equally lightweight frame – just 1.4 ounces!

The 40-hour max run time on low easily covers multi-day camping trips or long night hikes.

While the brightness meets most basic lighting needs, we especially love the plush, moisture-wicking fabric headband that stays comfy for hours.

For comfortable hands-free lighting during everyday adventures, the HeadLamp 200 delivers at a friendly price.

BioLite HeadLamp 800 Pro 

Serious adventurers who demand extreme brightness meet their match with BioLite’s HeadLamp 750.

A 800-lumen max beam distance of up to 150 feet means technical night hikers and trail runners can move swiftly and see obstacles well in advance.

Eight different settings, constant mode, and 8 hours reserve mode means this headlamp is suitable for every outdoor activity. 

The moisture-wicking, quick dry band fits comfortably under helmets when needed.

Wit a 3D slim fit construction and all the features it backs, the BioLite HeadLamp 750 is worth it’s price mark.

Other BioLite Lighting Products

Beyond its outstanding lanterns and headlamps, BioLite offers other lighting products that can fully illuminate any campsite or outdoor situation.

BioLite SiteLights

To easily create a festive campsite ambience, check out their SiteLights, which are string lights updated for the 21st century.

These 150-lumen LED string light sets feature smart capabilities, allowing them to pair with each other on one Bluetooth mesh network.

Control brightness, change modes and set timers all from your phone instead of fiddling with individual settings on multiple old-fashioned string light sets.

They’re USB rechargeable, and up to 10 sets can link together off one battery to create mega displays!

SolarHome 620+

For reliable and renewable off-grid site lighting, consider BioLite’s SolarHome 620+ complete system.

It includes a central 20Wh control box housing a 6-watt solar panel to capture and store energy. Three modular lights at 1500 lumens each conveniently hang for overhead coverage.

Devices can also charge via built-in USB ports when the sun’s shining. Get all the steady site lighting needed for off-grid cabins, gardens, patios and events while reducing environmental impact and eliminating batteries.

Choosing the Right Lighting for Your Adventure

With so many excellent lanterns and headlamps out there, selecting the right gear often comes down to planning how and where you intend to use it.

You have to consider your primary activities. Long-distance hiking demands very different lighting tools than family campouts, a short walk from the car.

Think about the weight restrictions when backpacking. Don’t forget every ounce counts on the trail. You might also want to reflect on your group size. It’s possible everyone might need their own headlamp.

You’ll avoid annoying surprises if you can figure out what you need in a camping lantern.

Plus, taking spare batteries / power banks with you in emergencies is never a bad idea.

Conclusion

Reliable outdoor lighting will help you focus on enjoying your adventures.

You can never go wrong with a lantern and headlamp that’s portable, bright and can withstand rugged use.

Need something that can light up your entire campsite? BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Lantern checks all the boxes for that.

Perhaps you’re more interested in a headlamp. BioLite has a headlamp for every occasion.

You’re making the right call if you decide to go for any camping headlamps or lanterns we’ve reviewed here.