Solar lanterns tested: how long do they shine?

These days there are lots of solar lanterns on the market, some more powerful than others and each with their own claims on illumination time and area. We charged up several solar lanterns, timed how long they shone for and measured the reach of their light. Here are the results.

1. Lumi LED Solar Lantern

Overall winner

Claims: At least twelve hours of light on maximum strength.
Features: The Lumi LED Solar Lantern has a built in light sensor so it switches on as it gets dark and can be charged using a 12-volt vehicle plug or on mains electricity with the included AC adaptor. It also has two illumination settings.
Test results: The lantern shone for 51 hours and 23 minutes on a single charge, with an illumination area of 140cm
Price: R349 – Buy the Lumi LED Solar Lantern

2. Solar Buddy

Best value

Claims: Eight to ten hours of light when fully charged.
Features: The Solar Buddy can be charged with a Nokia charger and has two brightness settings.
Test results: The lantern shone for 17 hours and 36 minutes with an illumination area of 79cm
Price: R150 – Buy the Solar Buddy from Naturally Solar

3. Luci Inflatable Solar Lantern

Best design

Claims: Six to twelve hours of light from full charge.
Features: The Luci Inflatable lantern has ten small LED lights (the most of all lanterns featured here), with two illumination settings and packs down to a flat, easy-to-store disk when not inflated.
Test results: The lantern shone for 7 hours and 45 minutes with an illumination area of 115cm
Price: From R199 – Buy from Selected Pick ’n Pay stores and Hi-Fi Corp or buy the Luci Inflatable Solar Lantern from Mpowerd

4. Mooni Chochin Table Lantern

Claims: Six hours of light.
Features: The Mooni Chochin Table Lantern has a built in light sensor and switches on when it gets dark. It’s also the only lantern featured here that has a warm yellow light (all others have white light).
Test results: The lantern shone for 29 hours and 58 minutes with an illumination area of 30cm
Price: R135 from Lighting Warehouse (Tel 011 201 2621, www.lightingwarehouse.co.za.) and Mica (Tel 011 479 3300, www.mica.co.za) stores.

5. Consol Solar Jar

Claims: Six hours of light.
Features: The Consol Solar Jar is the only glass solar lantern featured here and needs to be packed carefully to prevent breakage when travelling.
Test results: The lantern shone for 7 hours and 30 minutes with an illumination area of 70cm
Price: From R150 – Buy the Consol Solar Jar directly from Consol, or from Pick ‘n Pay and various outdoor stores.

6. Sun Jar

Claims: Five hours of light.
Features: Automatically lights up when it gets dark and weatherproof. You can remove the battery and charge them in a normal battery charger and it’s available with different colour lights. The Sun Jar is exceptionally pretty, but has the smallest illumination area despite its longevity. Use it in the tent, but not for food prep.
Test results: The lantern shone for 48 hours and 23 minutes with an illumination area of 19cm
Price: R175 – Buy the Sun Jar from Sustainable.

7. Bevro Portable Solar Lantern

Claims: Up to six hours of light on brightest setting.
Features: Has a solar charge indicator and comes with an AC adaptor that charges the device with electricity. It’s got two illumination settings and is available in red, blue and yellow.
Test results: The lantern shone for 13 hours and 24 minutes with an illumination area of 78cm
Price: R160 – Buy the Bevro Portable Solar Lantern from Bevro Trading

8. Mooni Take Me Lantern

Claims: Eight hours of light.
Features: This is the biggest lantern (about double the height of the others featured here) and it has a USB port to charge electronic devices. The power button is super modern and works like a touch-screen tablet – just tap it with your finger.
Test results: The lantern shone for 15 hours and 44 minutes with an illumination area of 84cm
Price: R550 – Buy the Mooni Take Me Lantern from Lighting Warehouse

9. World Gaia Handi Solar Lantern

Claims: A maximum of six hours light on brightest setting.
Features: The World Gaia Handi Solar Lantern comes with a USB port to charge your phone, can be charged via electricity (charger not included) and has three illumination settings.
Test results: The lantern shone for 8 hours and 12 minutes with an illumination area of 100cm
Price: R149 – Buy the World Gaia Handi Solar Lantern from Faithful to Nature.

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