10 Best Battery Lanterns 2025 in the United States

The Streamlight 66218 Stylus Pro is a compact and versatile penlight/lantern combo that offers a decent brightness of 65 lumens, making it suitable for activities like camping, hiking, and everyday carry. It features a convenient lantern mode for hands-free use, providing 360 degrees of light. The device runs on two AAA alkaline batteries, which are included, and offers a respectable battery life of up to 6.5 hours.

At a weight of just 1.92 ounces, it's highly portable and easy to carry around. Durability is another strong point, with the body made of aluminum and a water resistance rating of IPX4, ensuring it can withstand splashes of water. The push-button tail switch and removable pocket clip add to its ease of use.

The brightness level might be on the lower side for those needing more powerful illumination, and it doesn't offer multiple light modes, which could limit its versatility for some users. Its compact size makes it ideal for personal use, but might not be sufficient for lighting up larger areas. The Streamlight 66218 Stylus Pro seems well-suited for individuals needing a reliable, portable, and lightweight light source for occasional use rather than heavy-duty applications.

The Streamlight 44311 Vulcan 180 LED Rechargeable Lantern is a robust and versatile lighting option, ideal for use in firefighting, utility tasks, and emergency response. Packing a punch with 1200 lumens on its high mode, it offers a very bright, far-reaching beam that can cover up to 548 meters. This makes it suitable for situations requiring strong illumination.

The lantern also features a low mode with 350 lumens, extending its battery life up to 12 hours, which is excellent for prolonged use where extreme brightness isn't necessary. The lantern's durable nylon construction enhances its longevity, and it is designed to be water-resistant, adding to its reliability in harsh conditions.

The multi-function push-button switch is user-friendly, even when wearing gloves, and the quick-release strap provides convenience for users on the go. The taillight LEDs that can be programmed on or off add to its versatility. However, despite these strengths, the lantern weighs 2.47 pounds, which might be a bit heavy for some users. Additionally, while it does come with a rechargeable lithium battery, no standalone batteries are included for backup, which might be inconvenient in some situations. This lantern is best suited for professionals like firefighters or for use in emergency situations where reliable, bright, and long-lasting light is crucial.

The Coleman Multi-Panel LED Lantern is a versatile and practical choice for various outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, and emergency situations. With its high brightness of up to 800 lumens for the base and 100 lumens for the detachable panels, it ensures good visibility. The beam distance is also notable, reaching up to 18 meters for the base and 13 meters for the panels, providing ample lighting over a wide area. One of its standout features is the rechargeable light panels that can be detached and used separately, adding to its functionality.

The lantern has a robust runtime of up to 20 hours for the base, although the panels last only up to 3 hours, which might require frequent recharging during extended use. The included USB port is a handy addition for charging mobile devices, making it a multipurpose tool. Its water resistance rating of IPX4 means it can withstand splashes of water, making it reliable for outdoor use in various weather conditions.

However, the lantern's size (13.75 x 13.75 x 2.88 inches) and weight (3 pounds) might be a bit bulky for some users, particularly those looking for a more compact and lightweight option. The need for 12 AAA batteries for the panels might also be seen as a drawback in terms of convenience and ongoing costs. All in all, the Coleman Multi-Panel LED Lantern is a solid choice for those needing a bright, multifunctional, and durable lantern with the added benefit of rechargeable panels and device charging capabilities.