This is not a comprehensive list of all the lights and lanterns we’ve tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or no longer meet our requirements.
Packable lights
The BioLite AlpenGlow 500 is super-compact and portable. It has a weatherproof rating of IPX4, and its rechargeable battery has an impressive capacity rating of 6,400 mAh. But at 500 lumens, it’s half as bright as our packable lantern picks. The BioLite AlpenGlow 250, its little sibling, is even more packable, but it has half the battery capacity and brightness of the larger model.
The Black Diamond ReMoji Lantern is the rechargeable version of our Moji pick, and it’s just as cute and compact as the AAA-powered model. But since the Luci Base Light is more portable and adds a built-in solar panel (and costs about as much as the ReMoji, at this writing), we think you’re better off with one of our picks.
As the names suggest, Goal Zero’s Crush Light and Crush Light Chroma can be easily “crushed” into the shape of a small hockey puck and stowed in a bag or pocket. They’re also convenient to charge by either a USB cable or built-in solar panel. But they have fewer lumens (60 apiece) and lower battery capacities (both are rated for 500 mAh) compared with our picks in this category.
The origami-inspired Solight Qwnn Solar Lantern has a unique, self-inflating design, and its 600-lumen light casts a bright, warm glow. Also, it’s made of recycled materials. However, our picks in this category have similar capacity ratings, and they seem more sturdily built than the Qwnn (the Qwnn has no IP rating, so it’s unclear how resistant it is to moisture and dust).
Compared with the Luci Base Light, the UST Spright Recharge has lower battery capacity and lower weatherproof and brightness ratings—3,500 mAh, IPX3, and 100 lumens, respectively—and just one metal hook versus two straps. Unlike the Luci Base Light, the Spright Recharge lamp does not have a solar panel, and it can be powered only by USB. After it’s powered off, it still glows in the dark, which could be annoying or obstruct sleep. It has one USB port for input and another one for output, which could get confusing. Plus, at a measly 5 watts, the output port is hardly worth having.
The UST Spright Solar has lower battery capacity and lower weatherproof and brightness ratings—860 mAh, IPX4, and 120 lumens, respectively—than the Luci Base Light. Plus, compared with the Luci’s straps, the Sprite Solar’s dual fold-up metal handles are less effective for hanging and holding onto. And the UST lamp’s solar panel is on the bottom, so you have to hang it if you want to catch any rays. Also, like the Spright Recharge, the Spright Solar glows in the dark—even when you might prefer it didn’t.
Tabletop lanterns
The Coleman 800 Lumens LED Lantern with BatteryGuard offers plenty of light (800 lumens) and power (four D batteries) for the price, and it has a classic look and convenient handle on top—much like the UST 60-Day Duro. But we found that it felt clunky and chintzy compared with most others we tested, both in terms of materials used and build quality.
Compared with most rechargeable lanterns we tested, the Coleman Rugged Rechargeable 400L LED Lantern is dimmer (rated for 400 lumens), and its battery capacity rating (4,000 mAh) is lower. It’s not weatherproof, and the materials and build quality seem relatively cheap and flimsy. We’ve also noticed some stock issues with this model.
We love the endearingly retro yet futuristic look of the Fatboy Edison Petit Table Lamp, and we found it easy to use: You simply tug on the red tag to turn it on and off, and hold it down to adjust the brightness. It weighs less than a pound, so it’s easy to carry from a bedside table to a reading nook to the backyard. It recharges quickly via USB-C, it’s UL-certified, and it’s safe to use both indoors and out. However, this lamp generally costs much more than comparable models, and ours stopped working after a few months of use.
The Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Lantern has an impressive brightness rating (600 lumens), and its built-in battery has a capacity rating (5,200 mAh) as high as that of any rechargeable lantern we tested. We like that it has a hand-crank recharging option, red flashing lights in case of emergencies, and fold-up legs, as well as a handle on top. However, it’s not weatherproof, and its built-in USB-A cable is super-short.
The Goal Zero Lighthouse Core Lantern has fewer lumens (rated for 430) and recharging options (just a short built-in USB-A cable) than most lanterns we tested. Its battery capacity rating (4,400 mAh) is also lower, and it’s not weatherproof.
The Hay PC Portable Lamp is sturdily built, rechargeable, and dimmable, and it has a cute, modern, mushroom-like look. It weighs less than a pound, so you can carry it like a torch from room to room. And its compact shape allows it to easily sit on a bookshelf or other small surface. However, this lamp is one of the pricier models we considered ($100 at this writing). Also, although its warm glow provides a cozy ambience, the light is far too dim (rated for just 30 lumens) to use as a reading light or for any other practical purpose.
The URI Portable Table Lamp and Mini URI Portable Table Lamp Set (both of which are sold exclusively at the MoMA Design Store) proved to be major disappointments in our testing. They have a sleek, modern aesthetic (like most things sold at the MoMA Design Store) and come in several different colors. But they felt flimsy compared with most models we tested, and the handle atop each one proved unergonomic for carrying. Also, both have extremely low brightness (just 5 lumens apiece) and battery capacity (600 mAh) ratings. And the 90-day warranty is one of the shortest for any lantern we tested. Lastly, these lamps are pretty pricey, costing $50 and $65, respectively, at this writing.
Flameless candles
The Crate & Barrel Indoor/Outdoor Pillar Candle with Timer performed about as well as our pick from West Elm, in terms of durability and reliability. However, it is less effective at mimicking wick-and-wax candles (the battery compartment is easy to spot through the translucent plastic, especially when it’s lit up), which is why it’s not among our picks.
The Luminara 5” Outdoor Candle w/ Soft-Touch Coating + Remote is less realistic than others we tested—both in terms of its exterior and flickering light—and much more expensive.
String lights
The Brightech Ambience Pro is similar to the Hampton Bay and Newhouse Lighting options, but it came with just one spare bulb. And when we were assembling the bulbs, we had to partially unscrew some of them to get them to light up.
Path lights
The Energizer Stainless Steel Solar LED Path Stake Light (8 Pack) is the priciest set of lights we tested. And though it offers plenty of lumens, easy setup, and durable construction, we don’t think these features outweigh the high cost. Not to mention that each light is a whopping 6 inches in diameter, which we think is a little too obtrusive for the average backyard walkway.
This article was edited by Christine Ryan and Harry Sawyers.
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This is not a comprehensive list of all the lights and lanterns we’ve tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or no longer meet our requirements.
Packable lights
The BioLite AlpenGlow 500 is super-compact and portable. It has a weatherproof rating of IPX4, and its rechargeable battery has an impressive capacity rating of 6,400 mAh. But at 500 lumens, it’s half as bright as our packable lantern picks. The BioLite AlpenGlow 250, its little sibling, is even more packable, but it has half the battery capacity and brightness of the larger model.
The Black Diamond ReMoji Lantern is the rechargeable version of our Moji pick, and it’s just as cute and compact as the AAA-powered model. But since the Luci Base Light is more portable and adds a built-in solar panel (and costs about as much as the ReMoji, at this writing), we think you’re better off with one of our picks.
As the names suggest, Goal Zero’s Crush Light and Crush Light Chroma can be easily “crushed” into the shape of a small hockey puck and stowed in a bag or pocket. They’re also convenient to charge by either a USB cable or built-in solar panel. But they have fewer lumens (60 apiece) and lower battery capacities (both are rated for 500 mAh) compared with our picks in this category.
The origami-inspired Solight Qwnn Solar Lantern has a unique, self-inflating design, and its 600-lumen light casts a bright, warm glow. Also, it’s made of recycled materials. However, our picks in this category have similar capacity ratings, and they seem more sturdily built than the Qwnn (the Qwnn has no IP rating, so it’s unclear how resistant it is to moisture and dust).
Compared with the Luci Base Light, the UST Spright Recharge has lower battery capacity and lower weatherproof and brightness ratings—3,500 mAh, IPX3, and 100 lumens, respectively—and just one metal hook versus two straps. Unlike the Luci Base Light, the Spright Recharge lamp does not have a solar panel, and it can be powered only by USB. After it’s powered off, it still glows in the dark, which could be annoying or obstruct sleep. It has one USB port for input and another one for output, which could get confusing. Plus, at a measly 5 watts, the output port is hardly worth having.
The UST Spright Solar has lower battery capacity and lower weatherproof and brightness ratings—860 mAh, IPX4, and 120 lumens, respectively—than the Luci Base Light. Plus, compared with the Luci’s straps, the Sprite Solar’s dual fold-up metal handles are less effective for hanging and holding onto. And the UST lamp’s solar panel is on the bottom, so you have to hang it if you want to catch any rays. Also, like the Spright Recharge, the Spright Solar glows in the dark—even when you might prefer it didn’t.
Tabletop lanterns
The Coleman 800 Lumens LED Lantern with BatteryGuard offers plenty of light (800 lumens) and power (four D batteries) for the price, and it has a classic look and convenient handle on top—much like the UST 60-Day Duro. But we found that it felt clunky and chintzy compared with most others we tested, both in terms of materials used and build quality.
Compared with most rechargeable lanterns we tested, the Coleman Rugged Rechargeable 400L LED Lantern is dimmer (rated for 400 lumens), and its battery capacity rating (4,000 mAh) is lower. It’s not weatherproof, and the materials and build quality seem relatively cheap and flimsy. We’ve also noticed some stock issues with this model.
We love the endearingly retro yet futuristic look of the Fatboy Edison Petit Table Lamp, and we found it easy to use: You simply tug on the red tag to turn it on and off, and hold it down to adjust the brightness. It weighs less than a pound, so it’s easy to carry from a bedside table to a reading nook to the backyard. It recharges quickly via USB-C, it’s UL-certified, and it’s safe to use both indoors and out. However, this lamp generally costs much more than comparable models, and ours stopped working after a few months of use.
The Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Lantern has an impressive brightness rating (600 lumens), and its built-in battery has a capacity rating (5,200 mAh) as high as that of any rechargeable lantern we tested. We like that it has a hand-crank recharging option, red flashing lights in case of emergencies, and fold-up legs, as well as a handle on top. However, it’s not weatherproof, and its built-in USB-A cable is super-short.
The Goal Zero Lighthouse Core Lantern has fewer lumens (rated for 430) and recharging options (just a short built-in USB-A cable) than most lanterns we tested. Its battery capacity rating (4,400 mAh) is also lower, and it’s not weatherproof.
The Hay PC Portable Lamp is sturdily built, rechargeable, and dimmable, and it has a cute, modern, mushroom-like look. It weighs less than a pound, so you can carry it like a torch from room to room. And its compact shape allows it to easily sit on a bookshelf or other small surface. However, this lamp is one of the pricier models we considered ($100 at this writing). Also, although its warm glow provides a cozy ambience, the light is far too dim (rated for just 30 lumens) to use as a reading light or for any other practical purpose.
The URI Portable Table Lamp and Mini URI Portable Table Lamp Set (both of which are sold exclusively at the MoMA Design Store) proved to be major disappointments in our testing. They have a sleek, modern aesthetic (like most things sold at the MoMA Design Store) and come in several different colors. But they felt flimsy compared with most models we tested, and the handle atop each one proved unergonomic for carrying. Also, both have extremely low brightness (just 5 lumens apiece) and battery capacity (600 mAh) ratings. And the 90-day warranty is one of the shortest for any lantern we tested. Lastly, these lamps are pretty pricey, costing $50 and $65, respectively, at this writing.
Flameless candles
The Crate & Barrel Indoor/Outdoor Pillar Candle with Timer performed about as well as our pick from West Elm, in terms of durability and reliability. However, it is less effective at mimicking wick-and-wax candles (the battery compartment is easy to spot through the translucent plastic, especially when it’s lit up), which is why it’s not among our picks.
The Luminara 5” Outdoor Candle w/ Soft-Touch Coating + Remote is less realistic than others we tested—both in terms of its exterior and flickering light—and much more expensive.
String lights
The Brightech Ambience Pro is similar to the Hampton Bay and Newhouse Lighting options, but it came with just one spare bulb. And when we were assembling the bulbs, we had to partially unscrew some of them to get them to light up.
Path lights
The Energizer Stainless Steel Solar LED Path Stake Light (8 Pack) is the priciest set of lights we tested. And though it offers plenty of lumens, easy setup, and durable construction, we don’t think these features outweigh the high cost. Not to mention that each light is a whopping 6 inches in diameter, which we think is a little too obtrusive for the average backyard walkway.
This article was edited by Christine Ryan and Harry Sawyers.
Outdoor and Backyard Lighting We Love
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