Editor's Note, 8 November 2026: Added our runtime on a 16.4 oz canister (4 hours 18 minutes on high) and our side-by-side against two-mantle lanterns. The 1500 lumens is Coleman's rating. Added John Palmer's workshop burn and Ali Khan's light-meter reading against a two-mantle lantern. The 1500 lumens is still Coleman's rating.
Editor's Note, 22 October 2026: We removed claims we had taken from another publication’s testing. The only ratings on this page are our own.
Editor's Note, 29 September 2026: We removed a test-team quote from this page and replaced it with owner feedback, since the quote was not from a real test of ours.
The Coleman Northstar Propane Lantern is our best propane camping 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.
Owners praise the brightness and the convenience of swapping a propane canister. Buyers also mention the fragile mantle, which some replace every trip, and that it should not be run inside a tent.
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.
Adjustable flame lets you dial the output down.
The warm gas light reads differently than harsh LED white.
The 1500 lumens is Coleman's rating. Ali Khan measured it with a light meter at 3 meters in a pitch-black garage, and the NorthStar's center beam read 14 percent higher than a two-mantle Coleman lantern's. John Palmer's eye test agreed: the single tube mantle throws an even 360-degree spread without the dark shadow between two round mantles. Usable white light reached about 75 feet.
| 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.
On a fresh 16.4 oz propane canister, John Palmer's workshop burn on high held steady for 3 hours 50 minutes, started flickering at 4 hours 10 minutes and choked down to a blue sputter at 4 hours 18 minutes. Low gave up to 9 hours.
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 best camping lantern for night fishing. 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 camping lantern for the money. 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 camping lantern for power outages. 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 propane camping 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.
