The BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern is our best solar lantern pick, and it scored 83 out of 100 in our testing.
A near weightless solar lantern that shines for packing and travel, provided you accept slow charging and modest output.
An inflatable 75 lumen solar lantern that weighs 4.4 oz, packs flat, and truly floats and shrugs off rain, which is why it owns the solar category.
Now:
We tested it head to head against the other top camping lanterns, and below we break down how it did on Brightness, Durability, Features, Ease of Use, Weight, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Best Solar Lantern
BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern
- Max output: about 75 lumens
- Weight: 4.4 oz
- Charge: solar, about 28 hr full
- Low runtime: up to 24 hr
- Water rating: IP67 submersible
- Shell: inflatable TPU
- LEDs: 10
- Floats: yes
Bottom Line : A near weightless solar lantern that shines for packing and travel, provided you accept slow charging and modest output.
Pros
- Extremely light and packs flat
- Genuinely waterproof and floats
- No cable needed, solar only if you like
- Years of proven reliability
Cons
- Only about 75 lumens
- Solar charge takes roughly 28 hours in sun
- Clear shell glares without a diffuser
Our Verdict: BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern
A near weightless solar lantern that shines for packing and travel, provided you accept slow charging and modest output.
An inflatable 75 lumen solar lantern that weighs 4.4 oz, packs flat, and truly floats and shrugs off rain, which is why it owns the solar category.
What's the bottom line?
Just 4.4 oz and collapses flat when deflated, the lightest lantern here.
Inflates by mouth in seconds to form a soft cube.
It weighs nothing and I trust it in the rain, but the solar charge is slow so I clip it to my pack all day and still keep a backup for cloudy stretches.
Shaun, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Extremely light and packs flat
- Genuinely waterproof and floats
- No cable needed, solar only if you like
- Years of proven reliability
Reasons to avoid:
- Only about 75 lumens
- Solar charge takes roughly 28 hours in sun
- Clear shell glares without a diffuser
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern scored 83 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on weight and weakest on brightness.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Brightness
Puts out about 75 lumens from 10 LEDs, enough for a tent or a table, not a whole campsite.
Light is glaring up close because the clear shell has no frosted diffuser.
Four white modes plus a flashing mode.
Best treated as ambient light rather than a work light.
| Brightness | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Durability
Rated IP67, so it survives a 1 meter dunk for up to 30 minutes and it floats.
Shatterproof TPU shell rated to hold up to 150 lb of pressure.
But here is the catch:
GearJunkie has run the Luci line for years and calls it long lived.
One of the few lanterns here that is genuinely waterproof, not just splash resistant.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Features
Solar panel on top recharges the sealed battery, no cable needed.
Full solar charge takes about 28 hours of good sun, which is slow, so top it off over several days.
Some versions add USB C, but solar is the headline feature.
No phone charging on the Original model.
| Features | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.2/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Ease of Use
One button cycles the modes, nothing to learn.
Clip it to a pack in the sun and it charges hands free.
Inflating and deflating is quick once you get the hang of it.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Weight
Just 4.4 oz and collapses flat when deflated, the lightest lantern here.
Inflates by mouth in seconds to form a soft cube.
Genuinely packable for backpacking where every ounce counts.
| Weight | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern | 10/10 |
| Category average | 7/10 |
| Worst in test | 4/10 |
Should You Buy the BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern?
A near weightless solar lantern that shines for packing and travel, provided you accept slow charging and modest output.
It is best suited to backpackers and travelers who want the lightest genuinely waterproof light.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: Extremely light and packs flat.
The main compromise: Only about 75 lumens.
We scored it 83 out of 100.
What Other Camping Lanterns Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The LuminAID PackLite Solar Lantern is our best collapsible solar lantern. A light, packable, waterproof solar lantern with USB backup, though output is modest and solar charging is slow.
The Black Diamond Moji R+ Rechargeable Lantern is our best tent lantern. A tiny, dimmable puck light that is perfect above your head in a tent, if you can accept splash only weather resistance.
The Streamlight Siege 540 Compact Lantern is our best survival lantern. The toughest lantern here and it runs on cheap D cells, ideal for a kit you set and forget.
Specifications
| Max output | about 75 lumens |
| Weight | 4.4 oz |
| Charge | solar, about 28 hr full |
| Low runtime | up to 24 hr |
| Water rating | IP67 submersible |
| Shell | inflatable TPU |
| LEDs | 10 |
| Floats | yes |
Conclusion: BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern
After testing it against the other top camping lanterns, the BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern earns its place as our best solar lantern pick.
Its standout strength: Extremely light and packs flat.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Only about 75 lumens.
If you want backpackers and travelers who want the lightest genuinely waterproof light, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the BioLite Luci Original Solar Lantern ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Camping Lanterns guide.
