Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.7 Best Emergency Lantern | Picks That Outlast the Blackout

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The rechargeable lantern that lights a campsite for 200 hours on a single charge.

This lantern uses 135 LEDs to throw 1500 lumens of 360-degree light, covering up to 200 square feet without shadows. You get three color temperatures — 3000K warm, 4500K neutral, and 6000K cool — plus five brightness levels you can dim independently. With a 5000mAh rechargeable battery (that’s the milliamp-hours, the battery’s energy capacity), it runs up to 200 hours on low, so you can keep it on overnight during a multi-day outage. A full charge takes about 3.5 hours via the included USB-C cable.

Buyers report the rubberized sides feel solid in the hand. The memory function recalls your last setting, so you don’t cycle through every mode each time you turn it on. It also includes an SOS red strobe for emergencies and a Type-C port that can charge your phone, acting as a power bank. Unlike basic single-color lanterns, the Glocusent adapts to fog, reading, or task lighting without needing a second device.

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The iconic Coleman look, now rechargeable and rugged enough for any storm.

Coleman kept the classic gas-lantern silhouette but replaced the fuel with a 4800mAh lithium-ion battery that delivers up to 800 lumens. You get three brightness levels — 100 lumens (low), 300 lumens (medium), and 800 lumens (high) — controlled by a rotational knob. On low it runs up to 45 hours, on high it runs up to 5 hours. So during a long evening you can dial it to 100 lumens for a gentle glow that lasts. The built-in USB charging port lets you power your phone even while the lantern is running, and the base unscrews to store the cord neatly inside. This makes it more useful during an extended blackout than the Glocusent if charging a device is your priority.

Owners mention it is surprisingly lightweight for its size at 2.16 pounds. The large bail handle doubles as a carabiner so you can clip it to a tent pole or branch. IPX4 water resistance means rain or splashes won’t kill it. Unlike plastic-feeling budget models, this one feels like it will survive a drop from a table, and Coleman backs it with a 3-year limited warranty.

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A mid-range rechargeable that matches the Glocusent in brightness at a lower price point.

The EverBrite uses 20 LED bulbs to produce 1000 lumens of 360-degree light, enough to illuminate a tent or a small room evenly. It offers five modes — Low, Medium, High, Eco, and Strobe — and a memory function that recalls your last setting. The built-in 4400mAh battery runs up to 8 hours on Low mode, and you recharge it through the included USB-C cable. At 18.7 ounces it’s easy to carry, and the widened base keeps it stable on a table or floor. The EverBrite has 8 hours runtime on low, while the Glocusent claims 200 hours on low, but it costs less and still gives you a genuine 1000 lumens. Customers note several owners use it during hurricanes as a go-to backup light because it is simple to operate and bright enough to fill a room.

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The lantern that runs on sunlight, charges your phone, and turns any space into a mood-lit party.

This iToncs lantern packs a 7500mAh lithium-ion battery — the largest in this roundup — so it runs longer between charges than the Glocusent’s 5000mAh. It recharges via a built-in solar panel or a Type-C port. It cranks out up to 1500 lumens from two light sources: a top spotlight with High, Medium, Low, and Strobe modes, and a side lantern with three white brightness levels plus an RGB color mode that cycles through colors for over 40 hours. Reviewers point out the spotlight is “blindingly bright” and visible from hundreds of feet, making this a capable emergency signal light too.

At 0.49 kilograms it is not too heavy to carry. The IPX65 water resistance rating means it is fully dust-tight and can handle low-pressure water jets. The 1/4-inch screw hole lets you mount it on a camera tripod, and the cowhide strap makes hanging easy. Unlike most lanterns here, the RGB mode adds a fun layer for campsite ambiance, and the solar panel gives you an off-grid charging option that keeps the light running without wall outlets.

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The folding lantern that lives in your emergency kit and lasts 350 hours on low.

Energizer’s Weatheready lantern uses four D batteries to deliver 500 lumens on high for up to 15 hours. Flip up the folding head for 360-degree area lighting, or keep it folded for a more directional beam. The real standout is the low mode — buyers report that it runs up to 350 hours on low, making this among the most battery-efficient options for extended blackouts. It also has a USB port that can charge a phone, though it is slow. At 500 lumens versus the EVEREADY 2-pack’s 300 lumens, and at 0.54 kg versus the EVEREADY 2-pack’s 0.73 kg per pair, the Energizer feels more substantial in the hand.

At 0.54 kilograms it is light to carry. The IPX4 water resistance means you can use it in the rain without worry. One reviewer called it the best lamp they have ever purchased, praising the two brightness levels and the night light setting for kids’ rooms.

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Two compact lanterns for the price of one, with rechargeable batteries and a backup AA slot.

EVEREADY’s 2-pack gives you two 300-lumen collapsible lanterns. Each runs on a removable rechargeable battery (which charges via USB in about 2 hours) or on 3 AA batteries as a backup. So if the rechargeable pack dies on a camping trip, you have AAs as a fallback. Each lantern offers 360-degree lighting plus a directional top light, a night-vision red light, and a flashing red emergency signal. Three magnets on the bottom let you stick the lights to a metal surface. The side latches lock the buttons to prevent accidental turn-on in your bag.

Owners mention these are a fantastic value for the price, noting that the hybrid power system means you are never stuck without light. Compared to the Bell+Howell 4-pack, the EVEREADY is significantly heavier at 0.73 kilograms per pair, but you get rechargeable batteries and more versatile modes — red light, strobe, and directional beam. At 300 lumens, each lantern is still bright enough to light a small room, though it falls short of the 500-lumen Energizer.

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Four tiny lanterns that cost less than most single units — and they are fully waterproof.

Bell+Howell’s pack includes four collapsible lanterns powered by 3x AAA batteries (not included). Each measures 3 inches by 4 inches and weighs only 0.63 kilograms for the whole pack, making them among the most compact options here. They put out 300 lumens each, which buyers describe as “very bright” — one lit a small room entirely. The IP65 water resistance rating means they are fully protected against dust and water jets, so they can handle rain or a splash without issue. That’s a step up from the IPX4 rating on the Coleman and Energizer models.

These are not feature-rich: there is no adjustable brightness, no red light, no USB charging, just a simple on/off switch. But for the price of a 4-pack you can scatter one in every room, the garage, the car, and the camping bag. One reviewer keeps one on their granddaughter’s bike for dusk rides. Compared to the EVEREADY 2-pack, the Bell+Howell is lighter at 0.63 kg for the whole pack versus 0.73 kg per pair, so they disappear into a drawer until you need them.