Choose a solar lantern for outages and camp
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Quick answer
For a light that lives in a kit, BioLite's Luci Emergency is a 2.8 oz inflatable lantern with up to 25 lumens, an S.O.S. mode and an IP67 rating. LuminAID's PackLite Max adds a 2000mAh battery that can charge a phone, with 50 hours of listed runtime. LuminAID's Survivor goes to 600 lumens, up to 130 hours and a 6000mAh battery with two charging ports. Ready.gov asks every household to have flashlights for every member, so treat a solar lantern as room light alongside them.
- BioLite Luci Emergency. Best for: A pocket-size kit light with S.O.S. and red modes. See options on Amazon
- LuminAID PackLite Max 2-in-1 Power Lantern. Best for: Room light plus one phone charge in an outage. See options on Amazon
- LuminAID PackLite Survivor 3-in-1 Power Lantern. Best for: Brightest light and charging two devices. See options on Amazon
What a solar lantern adds in an outage
A solar lantern charges from a built-in panel, so it can keep working when the power stays off and spare batteries run low. Ready.gov's power outage advice is to plan for batteries and other alternative power sources, such as a portable charger or power bank, and to have flashlights for every household member.
A flashlight points where you look; a lantern lights the room. The lanterns here also inflate or collapse flat, so they fit in a drawer or a go bag and do not take the space of a hard lantern.
Brightness and runtime
Makers list brightness in lumens and runtime in hours, usually at different settings. BioLite lists up to 25 lumens for the Luci Emergency, with 10 hours on low and 6 hours on high. LuminAID lists 50 hours for the PackLite Max and up to 130 hours for the Survivor, which reaches 600 lumens.
Read the runtime against the mode. BioLite's own figures show the trade: 10 hours on low, 6 on high. Compare the setting you would actually leave on overnight.
Phone charging
LuminAID's two models double as power banks. LuminAID lists a 2000mAh battery in the Max and says it can charge a cell phone once, a digital camera or headlamp once or twice, and a tablet partially. The Survivor has a 6000mAh battery with two USB charging ports and can charge 2 devices at the same time. Both charge through USB-A; LuminAID says USB-C devices work through an adapter.
BioLite's Luci Emergency does not charge a phone. Its 3.2 Wh LiFePO4 battery runs only the light. If phone power matters, pair it with a separate power bank.
Charging time and weather
BioLite lists 2 to 3 hours to recharge the Luci Emergency over USB-C, or 8 hours by solar, and rates it IP67. BioLite calls it fully waterproof. LuminAID says the Max is waterproof and floats.
Solar charging depends on sun, so charge lanterns fully over USB before storing them, and set them in a window or outside during the day after an outage starts. LuminAID lists a storage life of 2+ years for both of its models; recharge stored lanterns before that.
Size and weight
The Luci Emergency is the lightest here at 2.8 oz (79 g), and BioLite says it collapses to 1.25 inches and measures 4 x 4 inches across. LuminAID lists 12.5 oz for the Max and 14.5 oz for the Survivor. Pick the Luci for a glove box or a pack where ounces count, and a LuminAID where one device must do light and phone charging.
What to look for when you buy
BioLite Luci Emergency
Best for: A pocket-size kit light with S.O.S. and red modes
BioLite lists up to 25 lumens from 3 white and 1 red LED, low, high, flashing, S.O.S. and steady red modes, 10 hours on low and 6 on high, a 3.2 Wh LiFePO4 battery, USB-C or solar charging (2 to 3 hours or 8 hours), IP67, and 2.8 oz.
Watch out: Lowest brightness here and no phone charging. Sold on Amazon by the BioLite storefront; check the color and pack count.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)LuminAID PackLite Max 2-in-1 Power Lantern
Best for: Room light plus one phone charge in an outage
LuminAID lists a 2000mAh battery that can charge a phone once, 50 hours of runtime, cool white light, 12.5 oz, a storage life of 2+ years, and a waterproof body that floats. It comes in mouth-inflate and Quick-Inflate versions.
Watch out: LuminAID's page says 200 lumens in its description and 150 lumens in its spec table; plan on the lower figure. USB-A port only.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)LuminAID PackLite Survivor 3-in-1 Power Lantern
Best for: Brightest light and charging two devices
LuminAID lists 600 lumens, up to 130 hours of runtime, a 6000mAh battery with 2 USB charging ports, white, red and warm white modes, a built-in flashlight, 14.5 oz and a storage life of 2+ years.
Watch out: Heaviest pick here. USB-A ports; USB-C devices need an adapter.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- How long does a solar lantern take to charge?
- BioLite lists 8 hours by solar or 2 to 3 hours over USB-C for the Luci Emergency. Charge lanterns fully over USB before storing them.
- Can a solar lantern charge my phone?
- Some can. LuminAID's Max has a 2000mAh battery that can charge a phone once, and the Survivor has 6000mAh and two ports. BioLite's Luci Emergency does not charge phones.
- Are solar lanterns waterproof?
- BioLite rates the Luci Emergency IP67 and calls it fully waterproof. LuminAID says the Max is waterproof and floats.
- How bright is a solar lantern?
- BioLite lists up to 25 lumens for the Luci Emergency. LuminAID lists 600 lumens for the Survivor and 150 to 200 lumens for the Max.
- Is a solar lantern safer than candles in an outage?
- Ready.gov asks households to have flashlights for every member during outages. A battery lantern avoids an open flame indoors.
Sources
- Power Outages, Ready.gov (maker page: www.ready.gov/power-outages)
- Luci Emergency tech specs (bioliteenergy.com), BioLite
- PackLite Max 2-in-1 Power Lantern (luminaid.com), LuminAID
- PackLite Survivor 3-in-1 Power Lantern (luminaid.com), LuminAID