Every year, more than 40 million Americans pack up their cars and go camping. When they do, they make sure to bring a bunch of the necessities for their campsites.

They begin by packing a tent. They also pack sleeping bags, camping chairs, and, of course, a cooler filled with food.

But one of the most important items that they pack is a camping lantern. It’s important for people to bring along the best lantern for camping to ensure they’re able to see when they’re out in the middle of nowhere camping.

You should invest in the best lantern for camping prior to your next camping trip. Here are three crafty tips that’ll help you do it.

1. Consider How You’ll Use Your Camping Lantern

Are you going to use your camping lantern to guide the way while you’re walking through the dark woods at night? Or are you going to hang it in your tent as a night light?

Figuring out how you’ll use your camping lantern should help you decide which one would be best for you. You don’t need something that’s going to light up a large area if the only thing you’re going to use it for is lighting up the inside of your tent.

2. Look at the Different Types of Camping Lanterns

There are several different types of camping lanterns that you can invest in. You’ll have the option of choosing from:

• Gas-powered camping lanterns
• Electric camping lanterns
• Camping lanterns with candles in them

There are pros and cons that come along with each option.

For example, gas-powered lanterns are great for those who need a lantern that produces a lot of light, but they’re not ideal for enclosed spaces. Electric lanterns, meanwhile, are light and easy to use, but they won’t always last long and will need to be recharged every so often.

Consider each of the available options and see which one seems like it would be the best lantern for camping based on your specific needs.

3. Find a Camping Lantern That Will Be Bright Enough

Before buying a camping lantern, take a look to see how much light it can produce. The light put out by camping lanterns is measured in lumens.

Generally speaking, the more lumens that a camping lantern produces, the brighter it will be. But it’s worth noting that some lantern manufacturers measure lumens on the inside of a lantern, while others measure lumens on the outside of it.

You should search for a camping lantern that can offer somewhere between 100 and 300 lumens. That’s just the right amount for the casual camper and should be more than enough to keep your campsite lit up.

Go Start Looking for the Best Lantern for Camping

Some campers make the mistake of picking up the first camping lantern they find and buying it. Don’t take this approach!

If you’re going to have any chance of finding the best lantern for camping, you’re going to need to do your research and consider the things we just mentioned. The tips listed here should help you track down the right lantern for your next camping adventure.

Read the articles on our blog to get more ideas on what you should bring along when you go camping.