Camping is a remarkable way to reconnect with nature and offers a perfect chance to create long-lasting memories with friends and loved ones. When you’re out in the wild, however, it can get too dark once the sun goes down, making it pretty unsafe for you. But you shouldn’t let this ruin your camping experience. All you need to do is to get one of the best solar camping lights.
Solar powered camping lights are specially designed to provide renewable, sustainable lighting solution when you’re out camping in the wilderness. They work by harnessing solar power to illuminate LED bulbs. This helps to light up your campsite, safely navigate a dark trail without falling or tripping, or makes cooking at night or reading a book in your tent more comfortable.
A Quick Summary Table of Solar Camping Lights
| Image | Name of Product | Weight | Battery Type | Capacity | Charge Time | Lumens | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | MPOWERD Luci Original | 4.4 oz | Lithium ion battery | 1000mAh | 7 hours |  |
|
  | LuminAID Solar Inflatable Lanterns | 5 oz | 1 Lithium ion battery | 1000mAh | 10 hours | 75 | |
  | Goal Zero Torch | 14.4 oz | 4 lithium battery | 400mAh | 5 hours | 250 | |
  | MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights | 11.3 oz | Lithium-ion Battery | 2000mAh | 6-8 hours | 100 | |
  | Dostyle Portable Work Lights | 10.9 oz | Lithium battery | 4400mAh | 3 hours | |
|
  | OUDE Multi Function Rechargeable Flashlight | 17.28 oz | 2 Lithium ion batteries | 200 | |
||
  | Flyhoom Solar Camping Lights | 4 oz | 1 AA battery | 6-8 hours | 280 | |
|
  | YOESOID Portable Outdoor Flashlight | 8.8 oz | Li-polymer battery | 20000mAh | 120 | |
With so many different types and styles of solar camping lights out there, choosing the right one for your outdoor needs can be confusing. And that’s why we’ve come up with a detailed review of the best 8 solar camping lights you can choose from for your next camping trip.
The products on our list vary greatly in terms of styles, type, and prices, so you can find the right one for you.
Best 8 Solar Powered Camping Lights
1. MPOWERD Luci Original: Solar Inflatable Light
First on our list is the MPOWERD Luci Original Inflatable that stands out for its simplicity, quality and performance.
This portable light features an IP67 waterproof construction, which is incredibly important when you’re heading outdoors. This ensures you don’t worry about it being damaged in case it starts to rain or immersed into water while crossing a stream.
The Luci Original light takes only 7 hours to fully charge in direct sunlight and provides lighting for a whopping 24 hours. The ten LEDs emit 75 lumens of bright and long-lasting light, enough for cooking dinner and has a low setting that comes handy when you want to use the lantern inside the tent.
Besides that, you may also like that this camping light comes equipped with an adjustable strap, which lets you hang it up for better lighting.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design allows easy transporting
- High-quality, durable construction
- Comes at an affordable price
- long battery life
- Has an adjustable strap for easier hanging
- Operates solely on solar energy
- Waterproof design
Cons
- Takes a bit long to fully charge
2. LuminAID Solar Inflatable Lanterns
Coming second on our list of the top solar powered camping lights is the LuminAID Solar Inflatable Lantern, which stands out for its outstanding construction quality, ease of use, and high lumen ratings.
From its list of cool features, one thing that makes this solar light unique is its inflatable design, which makes it diffuse light just like lanterns to protect your eyes from the glare of bright LED light. When inflated, this solar light floats on water, which is great when you’re out hiking. Besides that, it’s waterproof, so you can rest assured it will function in case it rains when you’re camping. The inflatable design also makes stowing it away for transportation hassle-free.
This unique solar light features warm LEDs with high lumen ratings, which produce soft white light bright enough to light up your camping tent or even provide lighting in emergency situations. Apart from that, this light takes only 10 hours to recharge via sunlight and only 2 hours using a micro USB input. This makes it a remarkable source of lighting for your weekend camping trips.
Pros
- Inflatable design makes lightweight and compact enough for easy transporting
- Longer battery life that guarantees up to 24 hours of light once fully charged
- Waterproof Construction
- Recharges via sunlight and a micro USB input
- Provides multiple brightness settings
- High lumen ratings
- Great option for emergency situations and camping
Cons
- Isolated complaints of the build quality
3. Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight, Lantern and USB Recharger with Integrated Solar Panel
Next up is the Goal Zero Torch 250, which is one of the best options from the brand’s extensive line of solar-powered devices due to its versatility and reliability when you’re out in the wilderness.
With the Goal Zero Torch 250, you can rest assured you’ll never be left in the dark as it gives you multiple options for recharging. You can choose to charge it using the solar panel, USB power source, or even via the hand-crank, which gives you two minutes of light for every minute of cranking.
Another highlight feature of this amazing torch is the internal 4400mAh lithium battery which allows you to charge your devices via the USB port. This helps to ensure your devices never run out of juice when you’re camping. This light also features three lighting modes including, emergency red light, flashlight, and floodlight, giving your multiple lighting options for any situation.
Pros
- Provides multiple light modes for any situation
- Strong Lithium battery allows charging of devices
- It has multiple charging options
- Incredibly high lumen ratings
- Compact size makes packing it easy
- Allows addition of an external solar panel
- Has a convenient hook system
Cons
- Takes pretty long to fully recharge the battery
- Not waterproof
4. MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights
If you’re looking for the perfect way to add some ambient warm lighting to your indoors, backyard, or at the campsite, you can’t go wrong with the MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights.
This units boasts a whopping 20 white LEDs with 100 lumens nicely fitted on an 18 feet long nylon cord, which light up your campsite with a warm glow once you’ve hanged them up. You can charge these lights using the sun’s power or by connecting to a USB power source for a quick charge.
Another great feature is that you can charge your devices through the provided USB port, making it a great option for outdoor adventure. It also features 4 different light modes suitable for various situations.
Pros:
- Has a USB port for charging your devices
- Can be charged by solar or through a USB
- Fitted with two clips for convenient hanging
- Offers four different light modes
- The unit packs up easily for transportation
- Bright enough for illuminating a campsite
- Waterproof and durable construction great for adventure
Cons:
- Arranging the lights can be challenging
5. Dostyle Portable Work Lights, 4400 mAh Solar LED Work Lights Outdoor Camping Lights
The Dostyle Portable Work Light is another compact, versatile solar light that comes in handy during a power outage at home, when you’re out camping, or when working at your workshop or garage.
This stands out for its super tough and IP64 weatherproof construction featuring high quality plastic shell and strong and durable corner protector. This ensures the light continues working even if you’re out in the rain or harsh weather conditions. The light comes equipped with a pivoting head that rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to position the light at the perfect angle for better lighting.
This Portable Work Light can be charged by solar power or via a USB power source. The rechargeable 4400mAh lithium battery also serves as a power bank, letting you boost your devices’ charge at any time. It boasts four brightness modes, so you can easily choose one that best works for your unique needs.
Pros
- Portable and Lightweight
- Offers four different brightness modes
- Waterproof and durable construction
- The pivoting head allows easy positioning for better lighting
- Convenient switch on button
- A highly versatile solar light
- Offers two charging options
Cons
- The USB port cover doesn’t seal well
6. OUDE 8 in 1 Multi Function USB Rechargeable Solar Powered Flashlight
The OUDE Multifunction Rechargeable Solar Flashlight is a compact and versatile flashlight that features dual power functionality and a micro-USB charging point for outdoor use.
This solar powered camping light features a strong construction made of aluminum with a strong magnet at the base and lanyard for hands-free lighting. It’s also designed impact- and water-resistant for added protection and durability.
It features 7 working modes and can be charged using solar power or USB. The unit allows you to power it using the included rechargeable battery or two lithium ion batteries available.
Pros
- Incredibly bright
- Remarkably easy to use
- A superb multi functional solar powered light
- Has an ergonomic non-slip handle
- Has seven working modes
- Compact design makes storing and transporting easy
Cons
- A bit big
7. Flyhoom Solar Camping Lights
Uniquely designed incredibly durable yet lightweight and user-friendly, the Flyhoom Solar Camping Light is the ultimate option for lighting up your campsite or your home during unexpected power outages.
Weighing only 4 ounces, this compact and lightweight enough to put into your pocket or pack in your backpack when heading out for a weekend camping trip. The light comes equipped with dual-option lids, which allows you to either place the bulb on a flat surface or hang it for enhanced lighting. The solar LED bulbs are super easy to use and provide ample lighting for safe visibility.
Charging this camping solar light is hassle-free as you get the option to charge it using the power of the sun or by connecting it to a USB power source. This makes it a convenient and reliable source of light when you’re in a place without electricity such as camping, hiking, or in emergency situations.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact for easier portability
- Can be hanged for better lighting
- Has four different lighting modes for different situations
- Compact size but bright enough to illuminate a campsite
- Comes with a remote for convenient and easy operation
- You can charge it via solar or USB
Cons
- The rechargeable batteries cannot be replaced
8. YOESOID Waterproof Flashlight
The YOESOID Portable Flashlight is one of the affordable solar powered camping lights on the market that produces powerful LED light while keeping your devices juiced up while camping.
This unit features a powerful and long-lasting 20000mAh lithium polymer battery that allows up to 65 hours of lighting on full charge. The flashlight boasts two USB ports, which allows you to charge two devices at a go. You can charge the unit via the compact solar panels or the included USB ports.
The two LED flashlights guarantee to keep your campsite well light up throughout and the easy to control button allows you to switch the three different modes for an enhanced experience.
Pros
- Great inexpensive flashlight
- Can be charged by solar or USB
- Highly versatile lighting
- Dual-USB ports for charging multiple devices
- Comes equipped with a compass
Cons
- Takes a bit longer to fully charge
What to Consider before Buying Solar Camping Lights
Choosing the right solar camping light for your unique needs is no easy task. To help you make an informed decision, we’re going to look at some of the key features and factors to consider when you’re out shopping for the best solar powered camping lights.
Type of Solar Light
The first thing to consider is the type of camping solar light you need. And this will hugely depend on how and when you intend to use it. Some of the common types include handheld torches, which are portable and super-lightweight to have on hand as well as incredibly easy to operate. Then there are head torches, which come handy when you need to perform certain activities using your hands.
Next are lanterns, which are the best light sources when you want to illuminate the entire campsite. For a concentrated beam of light, you may choose a spotlight or a tent light when you want lighting inside your tent.
Bulb options
The other factor to take into consideration is the type of bulb used as some are more energy-efficient and long-lasting than others. Some of the commonly used bulbs include Incandescent, fluorescent, and LEDs. Among them, LED bulbs are the popular choice for camp lighting due to their energy-efficiency, durability, and generate little heat.
Brightness of Light
Besides that, you also need to consider the brightness levels of the solar camping lights, which is measured in lumens. If you plan to illuminate the entire campsite, consider choosing a higher lumen of 400 and above. Otherwise, you can go for a lantern with a lumen rating between 100 and 200 for outdoor camping.
Size of Lantern
Consider choosing lightweight and compact solar camping lights for easier portability, which makes transporting hassle-free.
Light Duration
This is a key factor to consider, especially if you’re going camping for several days in an isolated place without electricity. So, it’s important to ensure that the camping solar lights can stay long enough and bright to serve you best.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen from our review, solar camping lights are convenient and reliable devices when you’re out camping with your friends and loved ones.
When you’re out shopping for the best solar powered camping light, be sure to take the factors discussed above into consideration as they’re available in different types with each having its unique set of features.