Camping is an activity that is notorious for being gear-heavy, especially when it comes to survival goods. You probably already have a tent, a cooking stove, and all the cool gadgets involving sleeping bags. But what about a red-light camping lantern? Do you need one?
What’s the deal with red-light camping lanterns? Red-light camping lanterns are used to get attention in emergency situations, and as a lighting tool for moments when you want to be able to see without wrecking your night vision. If you are going hunting or are concerned about being lost in the woods, they can be a great addition to your gear kit.
Truth be told, red-light camping lanterns aren’t for everyone. If you’re a casual hiker or just want to know whether it’s the right purchase for you, you’re not alone. This guide will help you get a better understanding of this tool—and what you should be aware of when purchasing one.
What’s the Deal With Red-light Camping Lanterns?
Red-light lanterns are a specialty type of camping equipment that is generally used by experienced campers who are on long-term trips, deep inside the woods. You can get lanterns that have an exclusively red-light, or LED lanterns that switch colors.
Most people would say that having a red-light camping lantern isn’t a necessity tool, but that doesn’t mean you should skip out on getting one. It can prove to be a useful piece of equipment for any camping level.
Why Do People Use Red-light Camping Lanterns?
Red-light camping lanterns are designed to be used in a very set number of situations. Most commonly, they’re used for the following purposes:
- Emergency Flairs. Red-lights are seen as an emergency “assistance needed” signal to people, especially when it comes to search and rescue groups. If you are going into the woods and are concerned about getting lost, getting a red-light might make sense.
- Night Vision. Regular white lights will render night vision goggles totally useless. Red-light, on the other hand, won’t. If you intend on using night vision goggles as a part of a hunting trip or as part of a special woods project, getting a red-light makes sense.
- Campsite Location. Some people get disoriented when they’re in the woods and may need to have a special light to help guide them back to their tent at night. A red-light can be used as a beacon in these situations.
- Did you ever want to go to a remote area and look at the stars above you? If so, you probably noticed that having a bright white light can make it hard for you to see much aside from Sirius. Believe it or not, red-light won’t have that same effect. That’s why many astronomy fans use red-lights as part of their stargazing setups.
How Much Does A Red-light Lantern Cost?
This all depends on the make and model that you’re looking to buy. Most bright lanterns that fall into this category, such as the AlphaWolf Rechargeable Camping Lantern, will cost around $20 to $40. However, if you take a closer look at sales, you will be able to find some as cheap as $10.
Red-light Camping Lanterns vs. LED Lights
If you’re new to camping, you’re probably wondering what the difference is between a red-light camping lantern and a standard LED light. After all, most modern red-light lanterns are made with LED lighting. So, what’s the deal? Here’s where the two differentiate:
- Most standard LED camping lanterns don’t have a red-light. This is the most obvious difference that you’ll spot. As a result, LED lanterns are more focused on a bright white light rather than any other issue.
- Most red-light camping lanterns also have white lights too. It’s rare to see a red-light lantern that only has a red-light setting. Most lanterns with a red-light setting are meant to do double-duty on camping trips. That’s something that regular LED lights can’t always say.
- Standard LED lanterns also ruin your ability to use night vision goggles. At first glance, having a bright white light might seem like a good way to see in the dark. However, sometimes, you can’t just shine a light on everything in the woods. Red lights are the only type of light that doesn’t wreck your night vision use.
- LED lights aren’t always seen as an emergency light. If you’re lost in the woods, then you want to make sure that people know you’re not just some random camper. Red lights can act as a distress signal.
- Red-light camping lanterns often come with strobe settings. This can help emphasize the emergency flair function that they’re most commonly associated with. Regular LED lanterns are often just an on/off matter.
- Not all red-light lanterns are made with LEDs. While the majority of new red lanterns are made with LED lighting, the truth is that not all red-light lanterns are. Some still use old-fashioned light bulbs.
- Due to their role as emergency lights, red-light lanterns tend to be made more durable than regular LED lights. This isn’t a rule that is totally enforced, but it is one that tends to be a general trend. Since red-lights are deemed to be an emergency tool, they’re more likely to be waterproof and shockproof.
Should You Get A Red-light Lantern for Your Next Camping Trip?
In most cases, it doesn’t hurt to have a lantern that has a red-light function. You never know when you will need it, or what you will need it for. Even if you’re not that much of a camper, having a red-light lantern can prove to be incredibly useful.
While it is considered to be a specialty tool for campers, the sheer usefulness and affordability of a good lantern make it a smart purchase. After all, campers are going to need lanterns anyway. You might as well get a multi-use one.
Should You Get A Red-light Camping Lantern If You Don’t Camp Frequently?
Believe it or not, there’s good reason to get a red-light lantern, even if you don’t usually go out camping too often. Red-light lanterns are excellent additions to any emergency preparedness bag you may have, primarily because of how important having a light source can be during times of crisis.
A good red-light lamp can be used in many serious situations, including alerting rescue crews to your existence and giving you a light source that can help you see in the dark. If you are a “prepper,” then you should strongly consider adding a red lantern to your bugout bag.
What Makes A Good Red-light Camping Lantern?
Much like with other camping gear, there are certain features that make a red-light camping lantern worth buying. If you’re in the market for a new one, we strongly encourage you to find one that has the following features:
- Dual White/Red-light Functions. Having a camping lantern that has an exclusively red-light might seem cool, but let’s be honest. It’s not going to be very useful. Having a lantern that can double as a standard white light makes a huge difference.
- A dim lantern will not get much attention, will it? Camping gurus suggest having a lantern that has a rating of at least 400 lumens.
- Easy Charging. Back in the days of yore, people would have to carry boatloads of batteries in order to charge their equipment. Nowadays, things have gotten easier in that sense. It’s easy enough to find a red-light camping lantern that can be charged in your car, so do yourself a favor and choose an easy-charge option.
- Being able to strap your lantern onto a tent, carry it in your hand, or even place it on a car roof is a good thing. Besides, having a lightweight lamp will only help you to reduce your load.
- Solar Charging AND/OR Power Banking. Though this isn’t a must, having a lantern that you can rely on without the use of batteries just makes sense. After all, batteries can run out in inopportune times. Having a lantern that can hold a charge past the point of regular battery power can make a huge difference in your trip’s outcome.
- This should go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway. If you’re going out camping, durability is king. Try to opt for a lantern that has a warranty…or that at least is built to last through storms and falls.
- Strobe Function. If you are in serious peril, having a camping lantern that has a strobe function can grab attention faster than a steady white light. While steady red-lights can be mistaken for regular camping goods, a strobing light is universally understood to be a distress signal. Having this function makes sense, for safety’s sake.
- Long Battery Life. You would be surprised how quickly time flies when you’re out in the woods. If you have a multi-day outing planned out, you need to have gear that will stay wired for that long, too. We suggest getting a lantern that has a minimum battery life of five hours. Ideally, you should get one that’s longer-lived than that.
Where Can You Find Good Red-light Camping Lanterns?
Since red-light lanterns are considered to be somewhat of a specialty tool, finding them can be a little trickier than a typical flashlight would be. Thankfully, there are a couple of places that you can expect to see them. These include:
- Cabela’s. Known for being a hotspot for just about anything related to camping, Cabela’s is a great brick-and-mortar store to go to for red-light camping lanterns. If you aren’t sure where to find them, ask a store associate. They’ll know where to point you, even though the stores are massive.
- REI, also known as Recreational Equipment Inc, is a smaller camping supply store that tends to focus on tents and similar goods. Though they’re mostly known for clothing and footwear, their lantern section is fairly impressive.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods. Though their camping section isn’t quite as large as others on this list, Dick’s remains a popular place to get lanterns for camping excursions. If you want to buy from a standard retail store and can’t find a Cabela’s or REI, this can be a good place to go.
- Amazon. If you want convenience and don’t feel the need to go to a brick and mortar store, Amazon will have what you need. This platform even comes with verified reviews of the lanterns you’re looking at to help you make a more informed decision.
Need Help Figuring Out Which Lantern You Need?
If you want to make things easy on yourself and don’t feel like spending tons of time searching up lanterns, don’t worry. These picks are some of the highest-rated and are guaranteed to be a useful tool outdoors.
The Camping Lantern Flashlight by AlpsWolf
If you are looking for a high-quality, portable red-light camping lantern, AlpsWolf has you covered. This white/red camping lantern comes with four different functions: a white flashlight, a white lantern, a red strobe, and a red lantern.
The battery is easy to charge and also works as a power bank for your smart electronics. So if you were worried about running out of juice, this lantern will be a godsend in more ways than one.
400-LR All-Purpose Lantern by ToughLight
ToughLight lives up to its name, especially when it comes to its usefulness. This light is meant to work as a pillar of security during times of need—not just during camping. It has six different lighting modes, including a red strobe and SOS light. It also is incredibly bright, at 400 lumens.
Along with having a power bank that can help you charge electronics, the 400-LR is made to have a ridiculously long battery life. A single full charge (that you can do in your car, by the way) will give you a whopping 200 hours of power!
LED Micro Lantern by Night Ize
You don’t always need a giant emergency lantern in order to get the utility you need. Sometimes, just having a small handheld red-light lantern is just enough. If that sounds like your situation, then you might want to check out the Night Ize LED Micro Lantern.
This petite clip-on light has a red mode and a white mode, making it an ideal way to travel light but still get the red-light you need. It also happens to be one of the most affordable lanterns on our list, despite its 360-degree illumination capabilities.
3-Mode Camping Lantern by Cedar
Want a little aesthetic with your camping gear? We understand it, and so does Cedar. This three-mode camping lantern is has a cute forest-y design around its lighting core for added aesthetics. Don’t be fooled by its pretty appearance, though! It’s an excellent light.
This camping lantern comes with a red-light, a white light, as well as an SOS function. Though it’s not the brightest (at only 300 lumens), it still offers up around 30 days of runtime. Best of all, it’s remarkably easy to carry and is perfect for stargazing.
Brightest Light by Blazin’
Among preppers and hardcore camping fans, the Blazin Brightest is recognized as a go-to tool. At 400 lumens’ brightness, this solidly-built, easy to carry lantern offers up multiple light settings in both red and white hues.
Versatility is the name of the game here. You can charge the Brightest in a wall, at a car, or through more unique means. No matter where you charge it, you can get a maximum of 400 hours of straight use in a single charge.
If you’re klutzy or just prone to accidents, you definitely should check out this lantern. It comes with a 100 percent lifetime guarantee, which gives you that peace of mind you need in order to feel secure in its use.
Getting the Green Light
Though red-light camping lanterns are often treated as niche tools for longer treks into the woods, just about everyone who wants to go camping should consider getting one for their bags. Since they offer excellent night vision work, can be used as emergency lights, and also have other features, they’re just plain smart to have.
Even if you’re not a regular camping enthusiast, having a red-light camping lantern can be a crucial part of your emergency prep kit. You can pick up a great camping lantern in almost any sporting goods store that has a camping section. As long as you pick a bright one that has multiple settings and a long battery life, you should be good to go.
