Retro COB Camping Lantern, USB Rechargeable

Most rechargeable lanterns look like a torch that had an accident. This one looks like something off the shelf of an old hardware store, which is more or less the point. Hang it in the porch of the tent and the space stops feeling like equipment and starts feeling like somewhere you want to sit for an hour after dark.

Underneath the styling it is straightforward and modern. A COB strip pushes light out all the way around rather than in one hard beam, so nobody catches a glare in the face. Two modes: high when you are cooking or digging through a bag, low when you just want to read. One button switches between them. The built-in 1200mAh 18650 lithium cell charges over USB, so you are not hunting for spare batteries at nine at night.

It measures 110 x 235mm and weighs about 255g, light enough to clip on the outside of a pack without thinking about it. The warm light tone is easier on tired eyes than cold white, particularly late on. The hook on top means it lives on a tent loop, an awning pole, a low branch or the handle of a cool box, wherever you need it that night. Red, green or black, sold singly or in twos, and two is the honest answer if you cook somewhere other than where you sleep. Charge it before the first trip, because they ship with very little in them.

• 1200 mAh 18650 lithium cell built in and charged over USB, so no loose batteries to lose.
• COB light source spreads light all the way around the tent instead of one harsh beam.
• Two brightness modes high for cooking and rummaging, low for reading without blinding anyone.
• Warm light tone noticeably kinder on tired eyes than a cold white LED.
• 255 g and 110 x 235 mm small enough to clip on the outside of a pack and forget.
• Hook on top hangs from a tent loop, awning pole, branch or cool box handle.
• Red, green or black, one or two pack two is the sensible buy if you cook away from where you sleep.