PowerOutage.us tracks more than 950 utilities serving over 200 million customers, about 95 percent of the country, and we consider outage patterns alongside our storm prep guidance to rank reliable emergency lights. An extended outage means long nights, so the lantern that earns its place is the one that runs for days on low and recharges while the grid stays down.
How we ranked these rechargeable lanterns
These rankings draw on manufacturer specs, lab and owner reviews, and PowerOutage.us outage data.
The criteria below run from the factor we weighted heaviest to the one we weighted least.
- Low-mode runtime: First, because dim, steady light is what carries a household through long nights.
- Recharge options: Second, because USB, solar, and hand crank decide whether you can refill the lantern when the grid is down for days.
- USB output: Third, because a lantern that tops a phone doubles as a power bank.
- Brightness: Fourth, because the lantern still has to fill a room when you need it.
- Durability and value: Last, measured against the cost of a full outage kit.
Be aware that using full brightness drains any lantern fast. For a multi-day outage, the number that’s important is the low-mode runtime, paired with a recharge path not dependent on the grid.
How do these rechargeable lanterns compare?
Compare our top picks below.
| Lantern | Max brightness | Runtime on low | Recharge | Charges a phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 | 600 lm | Up to 355 hrs | USB, solar, hand crank | Yes (5,200 mAh) |
| Streamlight Super Siege | 1,100 lm | 36 hrs (140 hrs red) | USB | Yes |
| Luci Charge 360 | 150 lm | Up to 110 hrs | Solar, USB | Yes |
| BioLite AlpenGlow 500 | 500 lm | 200 hours on low | USB-C | Yes |
| Goal Zero Lighthouse Core | 430 lm | Up to 350 hours | USB, hand crank | Yes |
5 Best rechargeable lanterns for extended outages
The five best rechargeable lanterns run from a solar inflatable that packs flat to a rugged 1,100-lumen workhorse that floats.
1. Goal Zero Lighthouse 600
The Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 offers two built-in recharge paths with available solar input, a 5,200 mAh battery, and days of runtime.
Get the Lighthouse 600 to light a home for as long as the grid stays down. The hand crank keeps light within reach even when every battery dies, and the USB hub tops a phone, so the lantern doubles as a power bank.
- Brightness: Up to 600 lm, dims to 2 lm
- Battery: 5,200 mAh with USB output to charge a phone
- Recharge: USB, solar, or built-in hand crank
- Build: Collapsible legs and a carry handle
- Runtime: About 3 hours on high, up to 355 hours on low
Pros
- Recharges three ways, crank included.
- Charges a phone from its battery.
- Runs for days on low.
- Lights a room at full output.
Cons
- Not fully waterproof.
- Weighs more than a packable solar light.
- Drains fast at full brightness.
What buyers report
Owners credit the brightness, the emergency hand crank, and the phone-charging hub as highlights. Their one caution is that it’s not waterproof, so keep it out of the rain.
Should you buy it?
Choose the Lighthouse 600 to run one do-everything lantern that recharges off-grid and tops a phone. Skip it if you need a waterproof light or something pocketable.
2. Streamlight Super Siege
A 1,100-lumen output, IP67 waterproofing, and runtime up to 140 hours on red make the Streamlight Super Siege the toughest lantern here.
Pick the Super Siege to light a home or car through a wet, long outage. It floats, shrugs off rain, charges a phone from its battery, and the red mode stretches a single charge across many nights.
- Brightness: 1,100 lm across 3 levels (125 to 1,100)
- Water resistance: IP67 waterproof, floats
- Recharge: USB rechargeable with a USB power-bank output
- Modes: Red emergency mode with SOS flash
- Runtime: About 6 hours high, 36 hours low, 140 hours red
Pros
- Offers bright light and takes a beating.
- Runs long on low and on red.
- Floats and is waterproof.
- Charges a phone.
Cons
- Weighs about 2 pounds.
- Suits a home or car, not a pack.
- Costs the most here.
What buyers report
Owners praise the runtime, the waterproofing, and the build, naming it a take-anywhere lantern. Their note: the weight keeps it a home and car light.
Should you buy it?
Buy the Super Siege to light the brightest, most durable option with the longest runtime among rugged waterproof lanterns. Pass on it if you want something light to carry.
3. BioLite Luci Charge 360
An inflatable body that collapses to an inch and recharges from the sun makes the Luci the lantern that never needs the grid.
Choose the Luci for a long, sunny outage where the grid stays down for days. It charges off solar through the day, weighs almost nothing in a go-bag, and the small USB port provides an emergency phone charge in a pinch.
- Form: Inflatable, collapses to about 1 inch
- Recharge: Solar and USB-C
- Brightness: 360 lm, up to 110 hours
- Power: Phone-charging port
- Build: IP67 waterproof, about 10.1 ounces
Pros
- Recharges from the sun.
- Packs flat and weighs nothing.
- Waterproof.
- Charges a phone in a pinch.
Cons
- Lights dimmer than the larger picks.
- Holds a small phone charge.
- Recharges slowly under clouds.
What buyers report
Owners appreciate the solar recharge for off-grid power and that it’s flat and packable for a kit. Their note: modest brightness and a small charge capacity.
Should you buy it?
Buy the Luci Pro Outdoor 2.0 to keep off-grid solar light in a power outage emergency kit. Pass on it if you need bright, room-filling light.
4. BioLite AlpenGlow 500
A 500-lumen warm output, USB-C recharge, and a set of soft modes make the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 the lantern that eases a long night.
Pick the AlpenGlow to light a room in warm, natural color while a few tricks keep kids calm through a blackout, from candle flicker to slow color cycling. It also charges a phone from its battery.
- Brightness: Up to 500 lm, warm ChromaReal light
- Recharge: USB-C
- Power: Built-in power bank with USB output
- Modes: Candle, color cycle, and more
- Weight: About 13.8 ounces
Pros
- Casts warm, natural light.
- Runs soft modes for a long night.
- Charges a phone.
- Recharges over USB-C.
Cons
- Costs more per lumen.
- Runs shorter at high output.
- Lights dimmer than the brightest here.
What buyers report
Owners like the warm light, the playful modes for kids during an outage, and the phone-charging port. However, they note the price is higher per lumen compared to others.
Should you buy it?
Buy the AlpenGlow 500 to light a room in pleasant color with modes that ease a long outage. Pass on it if you only want maximum brightness and runtime.
5. Goal Zero Lighthouse Core
The Goal Zero Lighthouse Core carries the USB power hub and dimmable light of the 600 model in a smaller, cheaper body (but no hand crank).
Choose the Lighthouse Core to get off-grid recharge and phone charging for less. It has a dimmer and holds a smaller battery than the 600, but it covers the essentials at a lower price.
- Brightness: About 430 lm, dimmable
- Recharge: USB
- Power: USB hub to charge a phone
- Build: Collapsible legs
- Value: The smaller, cheaper Lighthouse
Pros
- Charges a phone for a lower price than the 600.
- Dims down for a long runtime.
- Packs compact.
- Recharges off-grid.
Cons
- Lights dimmer than the 600.
- Smaller battery.
- Not waterproof.
What buyers report
Owners appreciate that this light has many of the same features as the 600 at a lower price. Their note: the dimmer output and smaller battery.
Should you buy it?
Buy the Lighthouse Core to get off-grid recharge and phone charging on a budget. Pass on it if you want the brightness and battery of the 600.
Power outages and why runtime and recharge matter
In 2024, Hurricane Helene knocked out power for 4.79 million customers, and parts of western North Carolina sat dark for 14 days. Two weeks of long nights make it important to have lights that last long and can possibly recharge with solar.
In January 2026, Winter Storm Fern left over 1 million customers across the South dark for up to six days. A lantern that runs for days on low and recharges off solar or a crank is what carries a household through a stretch like that.
How to choose a rechargeable lantern
Choosing the right lantern involves comparing low-light runtime, recharge methods, and power charging capabilities.
- Read the low-mode runtime, not the max lumens. Days on low is what matters in a long outage.
- Match the recharge method to your situation. Solar or a hand crank works with the grid down; USB needs another power source.
- Decide whether you want a power bank. Several here charge a phone, and our solar power bank guide covers that pairing.
- Size the brightness to the job. A few hundred lumens light a room; lower settings stretch the runtime.
- Check the build. Waterproofing matters outdoors, and for multi-day power, pair the lantern with a power station.