The Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern is our best value rechargeable lantern pick, and it scored 84 out of 100 in our testing.
A lot of rechargeable light for the money, as long as you do not expect all night runtime at full brightness.
An 800 lumen rechargeable lantern with a phone charging port at a price well under the premium brands, which is why it wins value.
First things first:
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.
Table of Contents
- Best Value Rechargeable Lantern
- Our Verdict: Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern
- Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
- Should You Buy the Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern?
- What Other Camping Lanterns Should You Consider?
- Specifications
- Conclusion: Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern
Best Value Rechargeable Lantern
Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern
Bottom Line : A lot of rechargeable light for the money, as long as you do not expect all night runtime at full brightness.
Pros
- Strong output for the price
- Phone charging port
- Carabiner handle and cable storage
- Long low mode runtime
Cons
- High mode only lasts about 5 hours
- IPX4 splash resistant, not submersible
- No continuous dimming
Our Verdict: Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern
A lot of rechargeable light for the money, as long as you do not expect all night runtime at full brightness.
An 800 lumen rechargeable lantern with a phone charging port at a price well under the premium brands, which is why it wins value.
So, is it any good?
Rated 800 lumens on high, bright enough to light a small campsite.
High mode runs only about 5 hours, so the peak number is a burst you will rarely leave on.
For the price it throws a lot of light and I like charging my phone from it, though I keep it on medium since the 800 lumen setting drains in an evening.
Emma, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Strong output for the price
- Phone charging port
- Carabiner handle and cable storage
- Long low mode runtime
Reasons to avoid:
- High mode only lasts about 5 hours
- IPX4 splash resistant, not submersible
- No continuous dimming
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern scored 84 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on brightness and weakest on durability.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Brightness
Rated 800 lumens on high, bright enough to light a small campsite.
High mode runs only about 5 hours, so the peak number is a burst you will rarely leave on.
Medium gives about 15 hours and low stretches to roughly 45 hours.
Three fixed levels plus a flash mode, no continuous dimming.
| Brightness | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Durability
Coleman rates it IPX4, so it handles rain and splashes but is not submersible.
Impact resistant plastic body holds up to normal camp knocks.
Here's what that means:
Owners rate it 4.7 out of 5 and call it sturdy on a table.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Features
4800 mAh built in battery with USB output to top up a phone.
Includes a USB to USB C cable that nests in the base.
Handle doubles as a carabiner for hanging off a line.
Battery level indicator lights show remaining charge.
| Features | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.2/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Ease of Use
Single button cycles the modes, simple to work by feel.
Charge cable and small items tuck into a base compartment.
Wide base keeps it stable on uneven ground.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Weight
Light enough for car camping at just over a pound.
Compact for the light it puts out.
Not a backpacking piece but easy to toss in a bin.
| Weight | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7/10 |
| Worst in test | 4/10 |
Should You Buy the Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern?
A lot of rechargeable light for the money, as long as you do not expect all night runtime at full brightness.
It is best suited to budget minded campers who want rechargeable brightness without the premium price.
Bottom line?
The big win: Strong output for the price.
The main compromise: High mode only lasts about 5 hours.
We scored it 84 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 Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 is our best camping lantern overall. The most versatile lantern here, but you pay for the power bank and crank with weight and a middling case.
The Streamlight Super Siege 1100 is our brightest camping lantern. The brightest and toughest electric lantern here, at the cost of weight and a fairly short high mode.
The Energizer WeatheReady PRO-360 Lantern is our best emergency lantern. A cheap, bright emergency lantern that runs on common batteries, though it is splash resistant only and has no rechargeable option.
Specifications
| Max output | 800 lumens |
| Battery | 4800 mAh lithium ion |
| High runtime | about 5 hr |
| Low runtime | up to 45 hr |
| Water rating | IPX4 splash resistant |
| USB output | yes |
| Modes | high, medium, low, flash |
| Cable | USB to USB C included |
Conclusion: Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern
After testing it against the other top camping lanterns, the Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern earns its place as our best value rechargeable lantern pick.
Its standout strength: Strong output for the price.
Still deciding?
The main thing to weigh before you buy: High mode only lasts about 5 hours.
If you want budget minded campers who want rechargeable brightness without the premium price, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Camping Lanterns guide.
