A crank lantern, also known as a wind up lantern, is quite a useful thing to have around.  Instead of being powered by regular batteries or fuel, it is powered by winding a crank which recharges an internal battery.  The battery then provides energy to highly efficient white LEDs which emit light.  It’s definitely essential to have a wind up lantern for every camping trip or just as an emergency light for those difficult situations.  Here is a short checklist for things you should look for when buying a crank lantern.

1. Size – Depending on what you are intending to use the crank lantern for, you might either want to buy a larger sized crank lantern or a smaller sized one.  Smaller lanterns are great for hiking trips, or for any trip where you don’t want to bring along a larger lantern but still need something brighter than a torch.  Larger lanterns are useful when you need more light are are willing to sacrifice a bit of portability, for example, camping trips.  Do note that even the larger lanterns are quite portable when you compare them to traditional fuel lanterns, so the additional weight of a larger lantern isn’t much.

2. Power modes – Variable power modes are highly essential for any decent crank lantern.  Lower levels of light do not drain the battery as fast, so you won’t need to wind the crank as often.  For example, you can use the lower light mode when you just need a night light.  A higher level of light can be used for activities such as reading.  Having this flexibility is important for any crank lantern.

3. DC charger – If the crank lantern can be charged using a DC outlet, for example via USB or via your car, you won’t need to wind the lantern at all (unless it runs out of power).  This is a very useful feature and should be available in most good lanterns.

4. Bonus features – What bonus features do you need in a crank lantern?  Some come with bonus features such as a built in radio and compass which are useful, especially if you are buying a lantern for emergencies.

5. Price – A good crank lantern should not cost too much.  Depending on the features you need, a good crank lantern should cost below $40 and sometimes even less.