The Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern is our best gas lantern pick, and it scored 82 out of 100 in our testing.
The brightest option overall and it never needs recharging, but the fragile mantle and open flame are real drawbacks.
A 1500 lumen propane lantern with matchless ignition that outshines every LED here, which is why it wins the gas category.
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.
Best Gas Lantern
Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern
Bottom Line : The brightest option overall and it never needs recharging, but the fragile mantle and open flame are real drawbacks.
Pros
- Brightest option at 1500 lumens
- Never needs recharging, just swap fuel
- Push button matchless ignition
- Steady output in cold and wind
Cons
- Mantle is fragile and often needs replacing
- Open flame needs ventilation and care
- Heavy with no USB or battery features
Our Verdict: Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern
The brightest option overall and it never needs recharging, but the fragile mantle and open flame are real drawbacks.
A 1500 lumen propane lantern with matchless ignition that outshines every LED here, which is why it wins the gas category.
What's the bottom line?
1500 lumens on high, the brightest lantern in the whole roundup.
OutdoorGearLab found it the brightest of all lanterns they tested.
Nothing lights a campsite like this and I love that I just swap a propane can, but I have shattered a mantle on nearly every trip and I would never run it inside a tent.
Annie, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Brightest option at 1500 lumens
- Never needs recharging, just swap fuel
- Push button matchless ignition
- Steady output in cold and wind
Reasons to avoid:
- Mantle is fragile and often needs replacing
- Open flame needs ventilation and care
- Heavy with no USB or battery features
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern scored 82 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on brightness and weakest on weight.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Brightness
1500 lumens on high, the brightest lantern in the whole roundup.
OutdoorGearLab found it the brightest of all lanterns they tested.
Adjustable flame lets you dial the output down.
The warm gas light reads differently than harsh LED white.
| Brightness | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern | 10/10 |
| Category average | 7.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Durability
The single mantle is the weak point and is very fragile.
Some owners replace it every trip.
Here's what that means:
Metal and glass globe body is otherwise solid.
Open flame means it needs ventilation and care, not for inside a tent.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Features
Instastart push button ignition, no matches needed.
PerfectFlow regulator keeps output steady in cold and wind.
Runs about 4 hours on high or up to about 9 hours on low per 16.4 oz propane canister.
No battery, no USB, no power bank, it is light only.
| Features | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.2/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Ease of Use
You still handle propane canisters and a delicate mantle, more fuss than flipping a switch.
Push button light is easy, but pre burning a new mantle takes patience.
Not something to operate half asleep in a tent.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Weight
Heavy and bulky before you even add a fuel canister.
Strictly a car camping item.
The glass globe adds fragility to the bulk.
| Weight | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern | 4/10 |
| Category average | 7/10 |
| Worst in test | 4/10 |
Should You Buy the Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern?
The brightest option overall and it never needs recharging, but the fragile mantle and open flame are real drawbacks.
It is best suited to car campers who want maximum brightness and warm light without recharging.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: Brightest option at 1500 lumens.
The main compromise: Mantle is fragile and often needs replacing.
We scored it 82 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 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 Coleman Classic Rechargeable 800L LED Lantern is our best value rechargeable lantern. A lot of rechargeable light for the money, as long as you do not expect all night runtime at full brightness.
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 | 1500 lumens |
| Fuel | 16.4 oz propane |
| High runtime | about 4 hr |
| Low runtime | up to 9 hr |
| Ignition | Instastart push button |
| Mantle | single, fragile |
| Regulator | PerfectFlow |
| Water rating | not applicable |
Conclusion: Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern
After testing it against the other top camping lanterns, the Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern earns its place as our best gas lantern pick.
Its standout strength: Brightest option at 1500 lumens.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Mantle is fragile and often needs replacing.
If you want car campers who want maximum brightness and warm light without recharging, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Camping Lanterns guide.
