Foregoing modern conveniences can be charming for a while, but electric lighting is not one you'll enjoy doing without for long. Whether you're camping, boating, or engaging in a less leisurely activity such as working outdoors or weathering a power outage, you'll always want to be able to see in the dark. Ultra-efficient LED technology has made it possible to achieve portable, long-lasting, bright light without the need to purchase propane for a gas lantern. Rechargeable batteries also eliminate the need to purchase any additional items for power. And, consider this: virtually everyone already relies on a smartphone. A rechargeable lantern like the ones on our list can use the same USB charger as your phone, and many are also capable of charging a smartphone with the same port. Here are the best rechargeable lanterns to light up your world. AlpsWolf Rechargeable Camping Lanterns The AlpsWolf lantern is an above-average implementation of the most commonly available features. It provides a generous 800 lm of light on the highest brightness setting, and two built-in batteries store a total of 4000 mAh of power. The waterproof and drop-resistant construction will prove useful in demanding environments, too. As with many of its competitors, the light can be used in either a lantern or a flashlight configuration, and the battery can also be used to charge other electronic devices via USB. These lanterns come in a two-pack, and their small size means you can easily store them anywhere. Pros: Bright 800 lumen light Large 4000 mAh battery pack Durable construction Can charge other devices via USB Cons: Not everyone may need two lanterns Ezorkas Rechargeable Camping Lanterns On a camping trip, every bit of pack space is precious. Not only does the Ezorkas lantern collapse to a smaller size when not in use, but this smaller version can also be used as a flashlight. For car campers, the magnetic base could be a nice addition, especially in locations where there are no tree branches from which to hang a lantern. It also accepts AA batteries as a backup option if your trip exceeds the capacity of the rechargeable battery pack. These come in a package of two, and considering the price, that’s a pretty impressive value. Pros: Collapses to a smaller flashlight configuration Magnetic base can attach to a car hood or other metal surface Option for backup AA batteries Cons: Only one brightness setting Cannot be used as a power bank to charge other devices Kizen Solar Powered LED Lantern Solar power is super helpful when you don’t have access to an outlet or when you just want to opt for a more eco-friendly power source. On a long hiking or sailing trip, this Kizen solar lantern can charge itself in the sun. It can even provide power for other devices, so you won’t need to worry about a dead cell phone in an emergency. It collapses into a convenient hockey puck-shaped pocket flashlight for maximum portability. Though the light may not be bright enough for large outdoor areas, it should do nicely in a small tent or cabin. Pros: Solar power is a green and convenient feature when a USB charger is not available for the lantern or other devices Collapses into a pocket flashlight Lightweight (under 7 ounces) Cons: Maximum brightness is just 65 lumens Duronic Hurricane Dynamo Lantern Sometimes, you may be caught off guard when it’s time to fire up a lantern. Maybe you aren’t the best at remembering to charge your devices, or you might find yourself in an unexpected power outage. With the Duronic Hurricane dynamo lantern, you’ll always have the ability to generate light and electricity with only your hands. It can serve as a lantern, a flashlight, or a power bank for charging your smartphone. Plugging the lantern into a USB port is still recommended as the primary means of charging it, but each minute of hand cranking will power the flashlight for up to 15 minutes. Pros: Hand-powered dynamo can provide light and USB charging at any time Weighs less than 1 pound Charging cable is stored inside the handle Cons: Difficult to charge up to full power using only the hand crank The maximum brightness of the lantern is only 32 lumens and even less for the flashlight Sinvitron LED Camping Lantern Regardless of how you use a rechargeable lantern, you’ll want each charge to last as long as possible. This Sinvitron lantern packs a massive power capacity of 15,000 mAh even though it’s just slightly bigger than a soda can. It will last for dozens of hours on the highest brightness setting of 240 lm. You can also fine-tune the brightness to conserve energy, and you can even choose between warm and cool color temperatures. The handy LCD screen displays the battery status, so you won’t be caught off guard when it does run low. The Sinvitron can also charge other devices with plenty of power to spare. On a full battery, it can recharge a smartphone several times over. Pros: Very long battery life Built-in LCD screen displays battery status, time, and temperature Cool and warm color temperature options Cons: No option for 360-degree lighting; light is on the bottom of the lantern Frequently Asked Questions How do I compare the battery life of different lanterns? Battery life depends on two things: energy stored and energy consumed. Rechargeable batteries are rated by power, measured in milliamp-hours (mAh). This equates to how much electrical current the battery can provide for how much time. The more energy a lantern uses, the faster it will use up a given amount of power. So, comparing battery power ratings is a good place to start, but also keep in mind that a brighter lantern may use up its battery more quickly. On the other hand, a lantern with adjustable brightness will allow you to extend its battery life when you don’t need as much light. How do I tell how bright a lantern is? Brightness is measured in lumens (lm). Lanterns may be compared to each other by their brightness ratings. For a reference point, if you are familiar with traditional incandescent light bulbs used in lamps and light fixtures, a 30-watt bulb provides around 300 lumens of light, and a 75-watt bulb provides about 1000 lumens.