Most people view an approaching storm with trepidation and it can be quite daunting, especially as storms often precede a power outage. You never can tell if the power will be out for a few minutes, a few hours, or even a few days. Stay safe and secure during power outages with a versatile light source.
What Is The Best Lighting During A Power Outage?
A portable light source should be an essential item in every home but it can be a challenge to decide which one best suits your needs. Candles, while great for ambient light, are not bright enough and also pose a fire hazard. Rechargeable lamps are great until the battery depletes. Flashlights are essential and you should have a few of these in various locations around the home but the light only shines in the direction you point it towards.
If you want a reliable light source that can illuminate the area around you, a lantern is the best option. Lanterns are more efficient at spreading light as the glass case amplifies the light. They are also easier to carry around and this makes them better for home use. We’ve looked at some of the best lanterns that you must have in the event of a power outage.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Lantern For Power Outages
Choosing the right lantern to see you through a power outage may seem complicated but it is essential to choose the right one for your needs. Some of the key features to look for include:
- Runtime – Ensure the lantern will last at least through the night.
- Power Source – USB and/or Solar Charging are great, but the power will run out eventually. It’s also a good idea to have additional lanterns powered by ordinary batteries for a backup lantern.
- Brightness – Check the specifications to see how many lumens the lantern has. The brightest may not always be the best choice. Depending on the lantern, those with brighter lumens may not have a good runtime.
- Durability – Ensure the lantern has a strong casing that is shock-resistant and preferably also water-resistant as most power outages are the result of storm activity.
- Cost – Fortunately, a good lantern doesn’t need to carry a high price tag. This means you should be able to have several of them in key areas around the home or in your car.
- Additional Features – Power outages make it impossible to charge phones. If the lantern also doubles as a Power Bank, you can keep at least one phone charged for emergency calls.
Overall Best Lantern
MAXvolador 2-Pack Rechargeable Lanterns
Don’t compromise on safety and security when the power goes out and add this versatile lantern to your emergency survival kit. It has a rechargeable battery that also doubles as a Power Bank. When there is a power outage, you won’t want your phone to run out of power. This lantern can work as a 4000mAh power bank to charge any USB-supported device.
The 360-degree side light offers the broadest illumination to the surrounding area. It is not just a lantern but also a flashlight, which offers 6000K and 1000 lm light. The lantern also has an emergency SOS red light, which is helpful if you need any help or there is any potential danger. All these 3 features have 2 modes to fit your different needs.
FEATURES
- Lantern+flashlight+SOS red light (6 lighting modes)
- 300-meter distance flashlight
- Strobe light for emergency use
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- Can be used as a Power Bank
- Shatter & Water-resistant
- Lightweight, durable design
SPECIFICATIONS
- Power Source: USB Rechargeable Battery
- Brightness: 1000 lumens
- Runtime: 12 hours on high mode
- Quantity: 2
- Price: $49
Best Lantern with Longest Runtime
Sofirn LT1S LED Camping Lantern
Whether you’re out camping or in the middle of a power outage, this lantern will see you through the night with ease. It has an impressive runtime of up to 500 hours on a 3-hour charge and you can choose the brightness you need. Charge this lantern via USB and you not only have a great lantern, but also a Power Bank to keep your Smartphone charged. Tough and durable, this lantern will see you through any storm.
FEATURES
- 3-hour charging time
- Dimmable illumination and red light modes
- Waterproof and durable design
- Ideal for camping or emergency use
- Doubles as a Power Bank
SPECIFICATIONS
- Power Source: USB Rechargeable Battery
- Brightness: up to 500 lumens
- Runtime: up to 500 hours
- Quantity: 1
- Price: $60.99
Most Portable Lantern
Lepro LED Camping Lanterns
The collapsible design of this lantern makes it ideal as an emergency light source or for camping. You stretch it out to turn the light on and collapse it down to turn it off. This means you can stash it anywhere in the home, your backpack, or the glove compartment of your car.
The lanterns are water-resistant and offer 360 degrees of light making them perfect in any situation. Powered by AA batteries, there is no worry about needing to recharge this lantern, as long as you have a decent supply of batteries on hand, you can weather any storm.
FEATURES
- Small, yet strong design
- 360 degrees of bright light
- Water-resistant
- Stretch & collapse design
- Suitable for indoor & outdoor use
SPECIFICATIONS
- Power Source: AA batteries
- Brightness: 190 lumens
- Runtime: 14 hours
- Quantity: 4
- Price: $29
Best Solar Powered Lantern
PUNLIM Solar Camping Lantern
This is also a flashlight, lantern, and Power Bank all in one compact unit and it includes a micro-USB charging cable. The lantern is shock-resistant and also has a strobe lighting mode for emergency use. You can charge this via the built-in solar charging panel or by connecting the USB cable to a power source. This lantern is a must in the home but also gives you extra security when you’re hiking or camping. Keep one in the home for power outages and one in the car in case your car breaks down.
FEATURES
- 3-in-1 torch, lantern & Power Bank
- 5 modes of light
- Shock-resistant ABS casing
- Power indicator
- 4000mAH rechargeable battery
- 500-meter range flashlight
SPECIFICATIONS
- Power Source: Solar Charging & USB
- Brightness: Up to 1000 lumens
- Runtime: 24 hours on low mode
- Quantity: 1
- Price: $28
Best Battery Powered Lantern
AYL LED Camping Lantern
Never be caught in the dark when you have this lantern in your arsenal. This one is perfect for emergency use or when you’re facing a power outage. It features 4 light modes, including an emergency strobe light and a handy hanging hook which is essential when you have car trouble or you’re out camping on a stormy night. The casing is water and shock-resistant and the bright LED bulbs ensure you get all the illumination you need in any situation.
FEATURES
- Slip-proof handle
- 4 light modes & stepless dimming
- Emergency strobe light function
- Hanging hook
- Water-resistant / Shock-resistant
- Bright LED bulbs
- Sturdy construction
SPECIFICATIONS
- Power Source: Battery Powered
- Brightness: 180 lumens
- Runtime: Varies, depending on the lighting mode used
- Quantity: 1
- Price: $19
