The 11 Best Solar Lanterns: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide (2021)
Editor's Choice
LuminAID PackLite Nova USB Solar Lantern
2nd Best Choice
MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0 Inflatable Solar Lantern
3rd Best Choice
MPOWERD Luci Original Solar Lantern
The solar lighting market is expected to reach $10.8 billion by 2024, compared to $5.2 billion in 2019.
After being left in the dark during a recent power outage crisis when my flashlight stopped working, I’ve decided to give solar-powered lanterns a try. And I haven’t looked back since. In dangerous emergency situations where you don’t have any other source of light, a solar-powered lantern is a definite life-saver.
I’ve talked to my friends, and tested solar lanterns on my own, to bring you the list of the best solar lanterns out there.
Our 11 Best Solar Lanterns
1. LuminAID PackLite Nova USB Solar Lantern
This is one of the best outdoor solar lanterns I’ve tried. I tested it myself during an electricity outage, and its two ways of charging — solar, and micro-USB port — meant I was never left without a source of light.
It packs flat — less than 1” — so you can just put it in your backpack, drawer, or glove compartment and take it out whenever you need some light, whether it’s during a blackout or a camping trip.
Designed primarily for disaster relief, this lantern was used to effectively help the population of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017. That tells you all you need to know about how this lantern will fare during an emergency situation.
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We were greatly blessed to have the help of the folks at LuminAID, and I know that everyone who received these lights is also incredibly grateful… they knew that everything was okay when they could bring the lights to their team at their work and walk down the streets safely, able to see everything.
Yorelys Rivera, Executive Director of Iniciativa Comunitaria
2. MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0 Inflatable Solar Lantern
This lantern is completely powered by solar energy, which means when there’s a blackout you’ll never have to worry about batteries again.
What makes it one of the best outdoor solar lanterns is the clean, see-through design. Aside from using it for blackouts, it’ll also make a great ambiance in any outdoor space you want to light.
You want to go diving with it? You can. With an IP67 rating, it’s fully waterproof and submersible.
My only gripe with it is the plastic button on the arm of its strap breaks easily, so it’s not always the best option when you’re out sailing or camping.
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3. MPOWERD Luci Original Solar Lantern
I first tried Luci’s Original Solar Lantern on a friend’s recommendation. They’ve already been using it for 9 years so I thought to myself, I simply have to check out a lantern that lasted that long. And it didn’t disappoint.
Although slightly less powerful compared to the Luci 2.0 (65 vs. 75 lumens), this LED lantern works quite well in emergency situations. With built-in solar panels, it can be fully charged in only 8 hours, and an IP67 rating means you can submerge it up to 1m.
Keep in mind though that it can burn out within only an hour of use, so it’s not the best option during a long, drawn-out outage.
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4. Solight Solarpuff LS Solar Lantern
We all know hygiene can be challenging when on a camping trip and having to blow into a mouth nozzle in order to inflate a lantern isn’t ideal. This is one of Solarpuff's best features.
No need to blow into the nozzle, as the lantern can quickly self-inflate.
What’s the downside? Compared to Luci solar lanterns which last up to 24 hours, this lantern lasts only up to 12 hours, which isn’t ideal in a blackout that lasts for days.
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5. Aobik Mason Jar Solar Lights Lanterns
You can leave this jar on the ground or string it together to get backyard hanging lights.
However, even though it’s solar powered, the jar won’t work without the battery, which means your home will always have to be fully stocked with batteries in case of an emergency.
Another thing I don’t like about this is that after several months in the backyard, the lids on the jar will rust, which isn’t the best look.
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6. Maggift Hanging Outdoor Hanging Solar Lantern
If you’re into a retro look, these lanterns could be the best choice. It’s more suitable as a tabletop lantern than patio lanterns, as the vintage design casts out a light pattern.
But this solar lantern is more for decoration than actual lighting, which makes it almost useless during a blackout. Believe me, I’ve tried and I only ended up almost walking headlong into a closed door.
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7. AGPTEK Solar Lantern
One of the best features of this lantern is its charging versatility. It can be charged in five ways. This means even in emergency situations, you’ll have several charging options that are available to you.
However, because it’s bulkier than other LED lanterns, it’s less suitable for camping or backpacking.
Also, the glare is too bright to look at directly, so you’ll have to move it far from you.
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8. Kaixoxin Solar Lantern Lights
This is a subtle home lighting option, as these lanterns have a hollowed-out pattern. They can work up to 8 hours.
However, their illuminating features aren’t the best. If you’re not looking for a decorative glow, but a lantern that gives out enough light to use during a blackout, I recommend staying clear of this one.
The light is very dim, it doesn’t spread out far, and it tends to randomly flicker on and off.
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9. Yinuo Solar Lantern
This is one of the best outdoor choices for a solar lantern, as the yellow lights create a warm and welcoming ambience on your patio.
However, if you want solar lanterns that’ll last for a long time this may not be the best choice. After only a couple of months of use, the lanterns showed signs of dullness, and soon after they stopped working altogether.
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10. CHBKT Solar-Powered Mason Jar Lights
These lanterns are made of thick glass. Inside, there are 20 warm white LED lights, which work on a battery and solar-powered combo.
They’re better used for ambient lighting but stay clear of these if you need a reliable lantern for outdoor use. If left outside, the jars fill up with water and rust.
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11. Moonrays Solar Powered Hanging LED Lantern
This LED solar-powered lantern has hand-painted, stained glass, which is charming and pretty to look at.
But that’s it when it comes to its good features. The build is extremely cheap, the plastic it’s made out of isn’t durable, and the amount of light it gives out isn’t very good. I wouldn’t recommend this lantern even to my worst enemy.
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What to Consider When Buying a Solar Lantern
Design
Choosing the best lamp design can add classiness and elegance to your patio, garden, or backyard.
You can choose between different designs, such as:
We’d like to see kerosene lamps entirely replaced by solar. Life improves significantly. Kids study more, more productive work is done at night, air quality is better, the chance of fire is removed, money is saved.
Anish Thakkar, Co-founder of Greenlight Planet
LED Lights vs Conventional Lights
You’re not sure which ones have better features? Here’s why you should choose LED lamps:
Number of Lumens
Are you hosting a yard or garden party or you need a backup light during extreme weather conditions where solar lanterns are your only source of light?
Depending on what you’ll use the lanterns for, think about the brightness intensity.
When choosing a lantern for you, bear in mind that a lot of them have a decorative function and aren’t intended for lightning purposes. This means the light intensity won’t be very high.
Average lanterns have between 5 and 40 lumens. However, if solid lighting is your main goal, go for a LED lantern that has more lumens (such as the Luci Outdoor 2.0), and can give you more illumination.
Charging Options
Choose solar lights with shorter charging and a longer working time.
If you live in an area where there isn’t a lot of direct sunlight, go for a lantern whose features include a combination of a battery and a solar panel. In this way, no matter the weather you find yourself in, you’ll be able to charge your product.
Pro tip: If you don’t have a good outdoor solar resource available, choose a battery with a low capacity type, as this will give you more time to charge it to the fullest, which will optimize its performance.
Location
To get the most of your solar-powered lantern, you should use it in a region that gets plenty of sunlight.
If, however, you live in a cloudy place, choose a lantern that uses an amorphous solar panel. (2)
Pro tip: Ensure that the solar cell isn’t shaded by foliage or surrounding structures, which can interfere with the charging.
Maintenance and Lantern Materials
Using sun energy equals easy solar lantern maintenance. Solar products generally don’t have a lot of moving parts, which means it’s easy to clean them.
To not worry about lantern damage, choose a quality material. Go for a high-quality plastic that doesn't sustain exposure to direct sunlight. If there are any metal parts, they should be stainless steel to ensure the lantern won’t rust because of moisture.
In case you go for a glass lantern, choose the kind of glass that won’t fade or frost as this will affect the lighting quality.
Weight
We know that string lights will add that magic touch to your garden, but they might not be the best choice.
Over time, the string will thin and break, which will cause solar lights to fall and break.
Also, to make the hanging lights last longer, go for a lightweight lantern instead of a heavyweight one.
Pro tip: Instead of buying lanterns on a string, choose ones that have hooks. This way, you can choose where you want to hang your lights.
Emergency Situations
It’s essential to have a reliable lightning source in times of crisis and emergencies. The last thing you want is to get stuck during a blackout without adequate lighting for your family.
Solar-powered lamps that are also a LED lantern is a great choice:
How Do Solar Lanterns Work?
A lantern is made of:
The solar cells are wired to the battery through a diode. During the day, the battery charges.
The controller board accepts energy from the solar cell and battery, as well as input from the photoresistor. Once the photoresistor indicates darkness, the controller board turns on the light fixture.
For the lantern to work correctly, its placement is important. Position the solar cell south at an angle perpendicular to the sun to make the most out of it.
Why Invest in Solar Lanterns
A Renewable Source of Light
Solar power is renewable and more eco-friendly than items using electricity.
The sun always rises, so you’ll never worry about running out of energy, which can’t be said for other finite sources.
Also, solar energy is readily available and it doesn’t harm the planet.
Solar Light Will Save You Money
Most solar garden lights are DIY, so you don’t have to worry about high installation costs, and provide good general lighting.
Denise Hammond, Product Knowledge Specialist at Beacon Lighting
They pay off in the long run.
We all know how pricey electricity is, but energy from the sun is free. Whether you want to light up your patio, garden, yard, or you need a lantern for camping, using the sun to charge energy-consuming items will save you a pretty buck.
Mobility
Pick up your UV light products and place them wherever you want. If any part of your space doesn’t have tons of sunlight, it’s easy to reposition the solar lantern.
You need to take your dog out in the middle of the night? A solar lantern will give you all the light you need wherever you go.
Solar Lights are Safe
Solar lanterns don’t have any external cords or wiring to worry about.
You don’t have to worry about your child or pet being electrocuted or tripping on these cordless lights.
Finally, they don’t overheat. Their design is safe to use.
FAQ
Yes, solar lights are worth the money. They’re budget and environmentally friendly, can add ambiance to your yard, and stay on for 8 hours. All you have to do is position them where you want them to be.
Solar lanterns last for 3-4 years before you have to replace the battery. The LEDs last even longer, up to 10 years. Those that have a build made of stainless steel will also last for a long time.
Solar lights don’t need the sun to charge. Just place the lights under artificial lights and it will charge speedily, without any sunlight.
Yes, it’s OK to leave solar lights on all night long, but be aware that come morning chances are after about 8 hours the lantern will be empty, and you’ll have to charge it.
Yes, solar lights will stay on all night unless you turn them off, based on the energy they have stored during the day.If the battery is in good condition the LED bulb should have enough energy to illuminate all evening and night — starting from sunset until the next morning.
You can make your solar lights stay longer by regularly cleaning them, changing the expired battery regularly, putting them in a location with direct sunlight, or turning them off on a rainy day.
Yes, rain can ruin solar lights. If it rains continuously, the panels can’t charge efficiently, so the lights put a strain on the battery. To save the battery, switch off the lights on rainy days.
If your solar lights stop working, you can check if they’re turned on, check if they receive enough sunlight, replace the battery, clean the solar panels, or switch them off for 72 hours and try again.
No, you can’t leave the solar lights out in winter if it snows on your backyard where you live. You should dismantle them and put them inside until spring.
How many lumens solar lights should have depends on their purpose. A lantern used for backyard lighting should have 100 to 200 lumens. If you want a solar light for security, it should have 700 to 1300 lumens.
You can make your solar lights brighter by cleaning the solar panel, checking for debris, checking the battery, checking if there isn’t rust or corrosion, and checking if the panel is getting enough direct sunlight.
You can charge the solar lights without the sun by placing them underneath an artificial light, LED, or incandescent bulbs, directing the sunlight to lights with mirrors, or using alternative charging options such as a USB port.
Yes, solar lights charge on cloudy days. The solar panel still gets sunlight, but because the clouds diffuse direct sunlight, the solar power generator will be less effective.
Yes, solar lights can catch fire because batteries hold sunlight energy. However, most solar bulbs put off a little heat, which isn’t enough to set the lighting on fire.
Our Recommended Solar Lantern
So, what’s the solar lantern to rule them all? LuminAID PackLite.
Most importantly, this lantern proved itself to me in emergency situations, such as long, drawn-out power outages. Because of that, I could rest easy knowing I always have a reliable source of light on hand.
Whether you’re looking for something to create some backyard or patio ambiance, a loyal companion on your next adventure, or a source of light you can always count on, my vote goes to the LuminAID PackLite.
LuminAID PackLite Nova USB Solar Lantern
Our # 1 Solar Lantern
Marina is passionate about sustainability and works to help ensure our planet stays as our home for a long time. She takes part in environmental conservation by recycling and not buying single-use plastic. When not writing, she can be found with her nose stuck in a book or trying out new baking recipes.
2 Comments on “The 11 Best Solar Lanterns: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide (2021)”
The buying process won’t be a struggle for me since you’ve provided me with the most vital shopping details I’ll ever need. Thank for sharing this article
Solar lights are great investments because they are easy to install and use; they save energy, and don’t require high maintenance. Many people prefer them because they can provide a brighter light than conventional wired alternatives.