8 Best Emergency Solar Lanterns for Blackout Nights (2026)

The XTAUTO Collapsible LED Camping Lantern is a 4-pack of solar and USB rechargeable lights with a built-in 1600mAh battery.

Pros

• +Collapses to phone size for tight packing
• +Dual solar and USB charging adds power flexibility
• +Folding handle hangs from tents or branches
• +ABS shell rated heat and freeze resistant

Cons

• −No lumen output or IP waterproof rating disclosed
• −Battery is built-in and not user-replaceable
• −Light output varies with how far lantern is pulled up

The XTAUTO lantern collapses to roughly phone size and runs on a built-in 1600mAh battery that charges by solar or USB. That dual charging matters if you are base camping without a wall outlet, though solar charging depends on direct sun and will be slow on overcast days. The 6+1 LED array gives 360-degree coverage, and pulling the lantern open raises the brightness for a full room or tent interior.

I see this working best as a 4-pack for car camping, hurricane kits, and power outages, where one light per tent or room makes sense. The folding handle hangs from a tent loop or branch, and the ABS shell is listed as heat and freeze resistant for tough environments. The main trade-off is that the listing never states a lumen figure or an IP waterproof rating, so I would keep it out of heavy rain.

Worth knowing before you buy: the battery is not user-replaceable, so the lantern retires when the cell does. For a cheap multi-light kit, I rate it a reasonable pick for family camping and emergency drawers.

The Energizer S-500 is a hybrid LED lantern that runs on three AA batteries or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery charged via solar panel or USB, with three light modes.

Pros

• +Hybrid power accepts three AA batteries or rechargeable lithium-ion
• +Solar panel and USB port provide two charging paths
• +Three light modes cover area lighting and low night-light needs
• +Collapsible design with carry handle and hanging hook packs small

Cons

• −IPX4 rating means water resistance, not full waterproofing
• −No listed lumen output for AA battery mode
• −No warranty term stated in the product data

The Energizer S-500 Hybrid Power lantern weighs just over a pound and runs on either three AA batteries or its rechargeable lithium-ion cell. That dual-source design is the real story here: I'd consider it for car camping or a power outage, where the solar panel or USB port gives you a way to top up without hunting for fresh disposables.

On high, the listing claims up to 500 lumens of 360-degree light when using the rechargeable battery, plus low and night-light modes for reading or moving around camp after dark. The IPX4 rating covers splashes and light rain, not a dunking in a creek, so I'd keep it under cover in a downpour.

Worth knowing before you buy: the 500-lumen figure applies to the rechargeable battery, and the listing doesn't state output on AA power. For a compact, hybrid-powered camp light at this size, I rate it a sensible pick for weekenders and emergency kits.

The LETMY 4 Pack Camping Lanterns are collapsible rechargeable LED lights with solar, USB, and AA battery power options, rated 600 lumens.

Pros

• +Solar, USB, and AA battery power options add redundancy
• +600 lumens bright enough for a room or campsite
• +Collapsible body saves pack space when stored
• +Four-pack provides multiple lights for home and camp

Cons

• −AA batteries not included for the battery power option
• −No IP waterproof rating, only water-resistant
• −No standalone lithium batteries sold with product

The LETMY 4 Pack Camping Lanterns stand out for their three power sources: solar, USB rechargeable, and three AA batteries (not included). That redundancy matters on a multi-day trip when a wall outlet is nowhere near, or during a home power outage when you want a light that does not depend on one charging method. Each lantern emits 600 lumens via a COB LED, which is enough to illuminate a room or a tent interior after dark.

The collapsible body extends to turn on and adjusts brightness, then collapses for storage. At 1.12 pounds per lantern, I see this working best for car camping, emergency kits, or hurricane supplies where a bit of weight is less critical than having multiple lights. The four-pack means you can keep one in a vehicle, one at home, and two at camp.

Worth knowing before you buy: the lanterns are described as water-resistant, not waterproof, and no IP rating is stated. The main trade-off is that AA batteries are not included, so the battery power option requires a separate purchase. I rate this a reasonable pick for anyone wanting a backup lighting setup that does not rely on a single power source.

The Lichamp 4-Pack Solar Camping Lantern is a collapsible LED lantern set with USB, solar, and AA battery power, and a 600-lumen high mode.

Pros

• +Four lanterns in one pack for group campsites
• +Collapsible body shrinks to smartphone size
• +Three power sources: USB, solar, and AA batteries
• +Built-in power bank for emergency phone charging

Cons

• −No waterproof rating disclosed beyond weather-resistant
• −Four-pack weight near 3.26 pounds for backpacking
• −No runtime figures provided for any light mode

The Lichamp 4-Pack Solar Camping Lantern is built around a collapsible body that shrinks to smartphone size, so four of them pack into less space than a single full-size lantern. That matters when I am loading a car for a family campout or stuffing a go-bag for storm season. Each unit runs on USB, solar, or AA batteries, and the rechargeable cell doubles as a power bank for an Android phone.

Output tops out at 600 lumens, with a 200-lumen standard mode and a warm orange setting for tent interiors or late-night reading. The whole set weighs about 3.26 pounds, which is fine for a basecamp or a car kit but noticeable if I were counting ounces on a multi-day backpacking trip.

The main trade-off is the lack of a stated waterproof rating; the listing says weather-resistant, so I would keep these under a tarp in sustained rain. I see this set working best for car camping, power outages, and hurricane prep rather than ultralight backcountry trips.

DIBMS 4-pack collapsible solar and USB lanterns with 1600mAh battery, 300 lumens, and 8.02 oz weight.

Pros

• +Solar and USB charging modes add flexibility on longer trips
• +Collapsible design packs down small in a backpack or emergency kit
• +1600mAh battery delivers 6-11 hours of runtime
• +Four lanterns in one pack cover a full campsite or home outage

Cons

• −Solar charging needs 9 hours of direct sunlight to top up
• −IPX4 rating only resists splashes, not full submersion
• −No battery level indicator to check remaining charge

The DIBMS 4-pack stands out for its 8.02 oz per lantern and collapsible body, which folds down to roughly the footprint of a small water bottle. That matters when I am counting grams on a multi-day backpacking loop or building a car-camping bin that has to stay organized.

Each lantern runs on a 1600mAh battery with both USB and solar charging, and the listing claims 6 to 11 hours of runtime once full. The 300-lumen output and 360-degree glow when unfolded make it a reasonable pick for lighting a picnic table or a tent vestibule, while the single LED flashlight mode helps for short walks to a bear box or a late-night bathroom run.

The main trade-off is the solar input: the listing says it needs 9 hours of direct sunlight, so I would treat solar as a backup to USB rather than the primary charge. The IPX4 rating also means splashes are fine but a dunk in a creek is not. I see this working best for car campers, emergency kits, and hurricane prep rather than ultralight thru-hikers who count every ounce.

The Lichamp Collapsible Solar Camping Lantern 4-Pack is a USB and solar rechargeable LED light that expands for 360° illumination at 300 lumens.

Pros

• +Four lanterns in one set for group or family camping
• +Solar panel allows charging away from wall outlets
• +Collapsible design compresses for packed storage
• +USB output port adds emergency phone charging

Cons

• −At 2.65 pounds total, the set adds noticeable pack weight
• −No IPX waterproof rating disclosed for wet-weather use
• −Solar charging depends on direct sunlight and takes time

The Lichamp Collapsible Solar Camping Lantern 4-Pack packs four expandable LED lights that run on a rechargeable battery with both solar and USB charging. Each unit pushes 300 lumens when the lantern body is pulled open for 360° illumination, and the folding handle lets it hang inside a tent or work as a handheld flashlight.

I see this set working best for car camping, power outages, or hurricane kits where four lights cover a tent, a table, and a hallway without hunting for outlets. The 2.65-pound total is the main trade-off for backpacking, since a single dedicated headlamp weighs far less.

Worth knowing before you buy: the listing calls the housing military ABS-grade and weather resistant, but no IPX rating appears, so I would not leave these out in sustained rain. The USB output port is a practical extra for topping up a phone during an outage, though solar charging still needs direct sun.

The SAMUUN LED Camping Lantern is a 0.55 lb solar-rechargeable light with 5000mAh battery, 2000 lumens peak output, and IP65 water resistance.

Pros

• +Sub-pound weight and slim 1.02-inch profile pack flat
• +2000 lumens peak output for group campsite illumination
• +Solar panel and USB charging add off-grid power flexibility

Cons

• −No stated impact resistance rating for rough handling
• −Proprietary 5000mAh battery not user-replaceable in the field
• −No listed warranty term or included accessories in the data

The SAMUUN LED Camping Lantern packs a 5000mAh battery and 2000 lumens into a 0.55 lb body measuring 4.92 by 4.92 by 1.02 inches. That slim profile and sub-pound weight make it easy to slip into a pack pocket for a weekend car camping trip or a power outage at home. The 2000-lumen high mode runs for more than 6 hours, while the lowest brightness stretches past 50 hours, so I'd consider this for a long night at a basecamp where recharging is uncertain.

Charging comes from USB or the built-in 1W monocrystalline solar panel, and four battery indicator lights show remaining power. The IP65 rating covers dust and water spray, which suits wet shoulder-season trips, though I would not treat it as submersible. The red light burst flash adds a signaling option for emergencies.

Worth knowing before you buy: the listing does not state an impact resistance rating or a warranty term, and the 5000mAh battery is not described as user-replaceable. For my money, this suits campers and emergency kits where weight and solar charging matter more than ruggedized build claims.

Xynover 4-pack collapsible LED lanterns with solar, USB, or 3 AA power, 100 lumens, and a magnetic base plus hook.

Pros

• +Three power sources add flexibility on longer trips
• +Collapsible design packs down small in a backpack
• +Magnetic base and hook allow hands-free placement
• +Built-in power bank can top up a phone

Cons

• −AA batteries not included in the box
• −100 lumens is modest for lighting a large campsite
• −No waterproof rating disclosed beyond water-resistant

Each lantern weighs 0.68 pounds and measures 2.5 x 2 x 2 inches, so a four-pack adds real bulk to a pack if you carry all of them. The collapsible body compresses when not in use, which helps on a multi-day backpacking loop where every inch of pack space counts.

What sets this set apart is the three-way power: solar, USB (cable included), or three AA batteries (not included). I'd consider that useful for a car camping basecamp or a hurricane kit, where you might not have a wall outlet for days. The built-in power bank can also top up a phone in a pinch.

The main trade-off is output. At 100 lumens per lantern, these light a tent interior or a small table fine, but I wouldn't rely on one to illuminate a whole group campsite. The listing also says water-resistant rather than waterproof, so I'd keep them sheltered in heavy rain.