Goal Zero Crush Light: Definitive Review (2024)
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This is the Ultimate TopNotch Goal Zero Crush Light Review 2024…
Looking for a pocket-friendly, handy lantern for your next camping trip?
Well…
The Goal Zero Crush Light has it all, and the price a bonus too.
So, let’s dive into our review…
In this comprehensive review we’ll cover:
- Why we awarded this tiny little lantern our TopNotch Top Pick Award
- How it actually performs on camping trips
- Whether it’s good value for the money, and
- Lots more…
Let’s get started.
We tested the top camping lanterns in the market on a few specific metrics.
Needless to say..
The Crush performed exactly as claimed. It impressed us with its durability and won our Top Pick Award.
Our Top Pick always goes to products that excel in a particular area, even if they don’t perform as well in others.
In this case, the Goal Zero fits that bill, winning us over for effectiveness and convenience.
Let’s take a deeper look:
- Manufacturer: Goal Zero Limited
- Power type: Solar Power
- Weight: 3.2 Ounces
- Lumens: 60 Lumens
- Run time: 35 Hours
Bottom Line : Ideal for backpackers and campers looking to make the most of their solar lantern – it’s effective and convenient
Pros
- Lightweight
- Multiple light settings
- Highly affordable
Cons
- Candlelight mode dims the light randomly
- Shorter runtimes
Our Verdict: Goal Zero Crush Light
Let’s be clear….
Crush Light Solar Powered Lantern is a no-hassle, effective companion for in-tent (or at-home) use.
It’s not lavish in features; the lantern definitely doesn’t come with all the added extras of some of the other devices.
But…
…it’ll give you exactly what you need.
With its 60 Lumens intensity, it works great for individual use or for creating the right mood during nights in the woods.
Add multiple light modes to that, and you’ve got a solid little lantern!
Size and Compactness are two unbeatable features of this crush light.
If portability’s what you’re looking for in a lantern, your search is over.
As if that’s not enough…
Durability, ease of use, versatility – this little guy stands tall in all three parameters.
The Goal Zero Crush Light built-in solar cells work super efficiently to charge your lantern during the day.
However, all in all, it falls a little short in runtime – only 5 hours, and misses out on unique features, unlike the AGPTEK Solar Lantern, which is our Editor’s Choice.
But we kept the best for the end: the price point.
The Goal Zero Crush Light is the best solar, crushable, versatile, compact lantern you’ll find.
So, it was easy selecting it for our Top Pick Award.
But let’s take some time for a side-by-side comparison with other lanterns in the class.
Related: 10 Best Camping Lantern
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
Brightness
As far as the brightness of the Crush is concerned it came in second only to the UST and AGPTEK Lanterns.
The 60 Lumens, 5 LED brightness in the high mode is not as bright as the UST 30-Day Duro LED Portable 700 Lumen Lantern but is perfectly fine for small groups or individual use.
Brightness Rating
However, here’s the kicker,
This Goal Zero Crush Light light comes with 4 different brightness modes.
It’ll be great for lighting smaller tents or for night time power outages at home.
Instead of the bluish-white of LEDs, this camping lantern gives out a yellow tinted light, which we loved.
What’s the bottom line?
This Crush Light is pretty bright and does come with multiple brightness modes, which, for the money, is a great feature.
Overall…
…if you’re not planning to use it for larger groups or for walking in the woods at night, this will be a perfect addition to your camping gear.
Durability
Our TopNotch team gives a huge thumbs up to this tiny lantern for durability.
To put it simply, this collapsible lantern is more durable than most others.
Durability Rating
When collapsed down, it can easily take a few drops without getting a scratch.
In fact, unless you really try to break it intentionally, this little solar panel light isn’t going to give in easily.
In addition…
We also found the detachable handle is pretty sturdy too.
Want to take it out to camp in the rain?
This collapsible solar lantern is rated IPX4.
So, it’s properly waterproof, and can take water splashes, no problem. Even the USB port comes with an extra stopper
Left it outside in the rain?
No worries, it’ll survive and work without skipping a beat.
However, the solar panel might need a bit of drying off before it charges again.
Overall, it’s a great, dependable little lantern to take with you on your outdoor adventures, come sunshine or rain.
And, considering the bucks you’ll spend on it, you won’t find a better choice anywhere.
Features
This collapsible solar lantern comes with some noteworthy features for the price.
Apart from the 4 different light modes, the two different charging options are super useful additions.
In addition, the easily removable and re-attachable hanger is simple but effective.
Features Rating
You can carry it in your pocket when collapsed – pretty cool.
However, we seriously missed a charger indicator, which would be a nice addition. Not knowing exactly how much charge is left in the lantern is a tad inconvenient.
But wait, there’s more…
The Crush is charged through a USB port – meaning you can charge it via your laptop if you need to…
If you’re using it on the highest setting, you can expect max 3 hours of light but in the low mode, it lasts much longer, closer to 30-32 hours.
As it discharges relatively fast, you’ll need to charge it up regularly, especially if you’re using it more on High or Medium modes.
And that’s just one side of the story…
Attach your folded solar collapsible lantern to the outside of your backpack while you’re walking during the day…
…and by the time you reach your campsite in the evening, the lantern will be fully charged up and ready to work.
Ease of Use
This collapsible lantern is very, very simple to operate.
Which we liked a lot.
Just open the lantern, switch it on, and enjoy the light.
Charge it through the USB port or solar panel during the day.
Collapse it while charging, packing, or storing.
Ease of Use Rating
It’s as simple as it can get.
You don’t even need to check out the manual – it’s so straightforward.
The solid hanger attached to the top makes it super easy to carry when lit, and even easier to hang.
That’s not all…
…just press the power button over and over to change the brightness to high, medium, or low.
Need some extra reading time in the tent?
Hold the power button for more than two seconds, and you’ll get the soft flicker mode.
You can save power and at the same time enjoy the relaxing mood created by the soft candle -like light.
Simply put, this is a no-frills lantern that does a great job..
Still, it missed the top spot in this metric.
Why?
It’s a little picky but taking it out of the demo mode – (how it arrived) – can be a little confusing.
Weight
In terms of weight, the Crush performed to a T.
It’s one of the lightest on our list of 10 Best Camping Lanterns (check out our Best Camping Lantern: Definitive Buyers Guide – at just around 3oz our Goal Zero Crush Light is a winner.
The compact design and minimal weight make it ideal for camping or backpacking trips. When collapsed, it’s small enough to keep in the outer pocket of your backpack or hiking trousers.
Weight Rating
We strongly recommend this little light for campers and backpackers.
Our Final Verdict: Goal Zero Crush Light Solar Powered Lantern
Conclusion: Goal Zero Crush Light
Before we reach the end, let’s wrap things up and put a bow on for you.
Our Goal Zero Crush Light light performed very well through all our tests.
In our comparison metrics – along with other solar lanterns in its class – it came out with flying colors.
Whether it’s the simplicity of use, durability, packability, waterproofing, or versatility, this lightweight Crush light is nothing less than a great piece of kit.
Moreover…
…the price is great!
It’s worth every dime.
Though a budget buy, the quality is on par with the more expensive contenders.
Yes, you read that right!
It’s a great combination of all you need in a great lantern for a pocket-happy price.
We’ve done the work – now we’ll pass over the baton to you to make your choice today.
Other Versions: Goal Zero Crush Light
The Chroma is a popular variation of this lantern.
Want to add a little more fun to your camping nights or house parties?
The Goal Zero Crush Chroma is another option.
This variation of the Crush has all the same features with a single, cute addition for a slightly higher price: along with the 4 different lighting modes of the normal crush light, Chroma combines an extra multi-color mode that you can use by pressing the button repeatedly.
The Chroma is also available in 6 color variants.
