Etekcity Lantern Camping Essentials Lights, Led Flashlight for Power Outages, Survival Gear and Supplies for Emergency, Hurricane Preparedness Items , Battery Operated Lamp, 2 Pack, Black

Why I reached for this lantern

Power went out during a windy evening, and I finally had a good excuse to put the Etekcity lantern (the two-pack) through its paces. I’ve used plenty of flashlights and a handful of camp lanterns over the years; most are either too bulky or too finicky. These are neither. They’re simple, compact, and deliver a lot of usable light for their size and price.

Setup and controls

There’s no learning curve. You pull the body upward to turn it on and push it down to switch it off. The height you extend it to also gates the output—fully extended is brightest, partially extended trims output and diffuses the light. It’s not a true electronic dimmer; you’re essentially shading the LEDs, not dialing down power draw. Still, in practice, this mechanical “dimmer” is quick and effective for tailoring the glow for a room, tent, or picnic table.

Each lantern runs on three AA batteries, which was a big plus for me. AAs are cheap, available everywhere, and I already keep a stash of rechargeables on hand. I tested with both fresh alkaline cells and NiMH rechargeables; both worked fine. Swapping batteries is straightforward with a base cap that threads on securely.

Brightness and beam quality

Etekcity rates the lantern at up to 154 lumens from 30 LEDs with 360° coverage. Specs aside, what matters is how it feels in a dark space. Fully extended on a kitchen counter, one lantern comfortably lit a medium room enough to cook and move around safely. In a 4-person tent, it’s more than adequate for reading and organizing gear. Because it throws light in all directions, it’s less “punchy” than a flashlight beam but far more useful for general tasks.

One note: 360° output can be harsh at face height if you’re nearby. Two tricks help:
- Partially collapse the body to soften glare and create a more pleasant pool of light.
- Hang it slightly above eye level (from a branch, hook, or the tent loop) to spread light more evenly.

Compared to larger, higher-lumen camping lanterns, this isn’t the brightest option on the market, but it offers a very usable balance of output, size, and battery economy.

Battery life

Etekcity claims “up to 50 hours,” which is typically measured at reduced brightness rather than full blast. My real-world experience was solid: one lantern handled a long evening of use, several hours at a time over a few nights, without noticeable dimming on fresh alkalines. With rechargeables, I got through a weekend camping trip with intermittent nighttime use and didn’t need to swap cells. If you plan to run it flat out for a multi-night outage, keep a spare set of AAs close. The design includes a small storage compartment on top that’s handy for stashing a couple of spare batteries, matches, or a tiny multitool.

Because there’s no true low-power mode or stepped brightness, partially collapsing the lantern doesn’t significantly extend runtime; it just blocks some of the light. That’s my main critique of the power system. A genuine low setting would stretch battery life considerably.

Build and durability

The housing is strengthened ABS plastic with a matte finish. It’s not pretending to be metal, and I don’t need it to be. The plastic feels sturdy, and the lantern survived being tossed in a pack and bumped around in a trunk without complaint. The handles fold out smoothly and make the lantern easy to carry or hang. They also double as a quick way to clip it to cordage with a carabiner.

Water resistance is appropriate for camping and household use. A light sprinkle or damp picnic table won’t hurt it, but this isn’t a submersible or a stormproof lantern. I wouldn’t leave it out uncovered in a downpour; the battery compartment doesn’t appear to be gasketed. Used with a little common sense, it’s robust enough for most situations you’ll throw at it.

Portability and ergonomics

Collapsed, it’s compact enough to live in a kitchen drawer, glovebox, or the side pocket of a daypack. It’s light, but not so weightless that it blows away on a breezy night. The cylindrical body is easy to grip, and the raised lip at the base provides a stable footing on uneven surfaces like picnic tables. The two-pack format is genuinely useful: I keep one near the breaker panel and the other in my go-bag. For camping, splitting them between a common area and your tent is ideal.

Everyday use cases

• Home emergencies: One lantern on a table will comfortably light a room for cooking, board games, or navigating hallways during an outage.
• Camping: Hang it from the tent loop at partial height for a diffuse glow that’s bright enough to read but not blinding. Around camp, set it on a stump or hang it from a branch for dinner prep.
• Car kit: Between the collapsible design and AA power, it’s a strong candidate for roadside kits—use it as a beacon while changing a tire or organizing gear at night.
• Backyard and patio: Perfect for grilling or card games after dusk. If you’re sensitive to glare, just lower the height a bit.

Usability tips

• Mind the height: Fully extended for tasks; half-height for ambience and less glare.
• Use rechargeable AAs: Good NiMH cells work well and save money over time.
• Stash spares: The top compartment is the right place to keep a backup set of AAs or a compact fire starter.
• Hang for uniform light: Overhead placement distributes light better than table-level and reduces harsh shadows.

Where it falls short

• No true dimming: The mechanical “dimming” by collapsing the lantern doesn’t save power. A low-power mode or stepped brightness would meaningfully extend runtime and offer more control at night.
• Weatherproofing: It’s water-resistant, not waterproof. For extended rain or very wet environments, I’d look for an IP-rated lantern.
• Output vs. premium models: 154 lumens is plenty for most tasks, but if you need to light a large outdoor workspace, a higher-lumen, higher-cost lantern might be a better fit.

None of these are deal-breakers for the target use. They’re trade-offs tied to the lantern’s simplicity, size, and cost.

Value

The two-pack is the sweet spot. One can live in your emergency drawer, the other in your camping bin or vehicle. AA compatibility keeps running costs low and avoids proprietary batteries or charging cables. Considering the brightness, ease of use, and compact design, the value is hard to argue with.

The bottom line

The Etekcity lantern is a thoughtful take on a classic camping and emergency staple: simple controls, practical brightness, compact storage, and everyday batteries. It’s not trying to be a feature-stuffed, high-wattage showpiece. It aims to be the lantern you actually use because it’s easy to grab, quick to set up, and bright enough to matter.

Recommendation: I recommend it. If you want a reliable, compact lantern for power outages, camping, and general preparedness—with straightforward controls and AA power—the Etekcity two-pack is an excellent choice. You’ll give up a true low mode and full waterproofing, but for most homes and weekend campsites, the balance of brightness, portability, and price is spot on.