As with any other emergency, being prepared is vital to getting through it.
There’s nothing worse than a power outage. Sure, most people consider an outage caused by a storm or a natural disaster an emergency. Still, they don’t know that going for a long period without power can even be life-threatening in some situations. Thankfully, there’s a solution.
Perfect for Any Case
- Water and Drop Resistant
- Lightweight
- 140 Lumen Brightness
Perfect If You Have Multiple Rooms
- Water and Fire-Resistant
- 50,000 Lifetime Hours
- Illuminates the WHOLE Room
Solar Rechargeable Blackout Light
- Lightweight
- Rechargeable
- Very Affordable
As with any other emergency, being prepared is vital to getting through it. Whether you live in an area prone to intense storms or are just preparing for potential power loss, having power outage lights can make your and your family’s life easier and more comfortable during the event.
Lucky for you, there are a sea of options to choose from. The possibilities are endless, from cool lighting to classic candles to other unique methods!
If you’re looking for lights to put in your emergency kit in case you lose power, these are the best power outage lights money can buy.
8 Best Power Outage Lights For When the Power Goes Out
Whether the power has gone out for seemingly no reason or you’re anticipating a potential power outage from a storm, these eight lights are the best ones to have on hand.
- Water and drop-resistant
- Four-pack (batteries included)
- Lightweight
- 140 Lumen brightness
- The foldaway handle gets stuck easily
The best overall power outage light in your pantry or storage closet is the Vont LED Camping Light. Even though the company markets the light for camping trips, it works wonders during a power outage.
Each purchase comes with four camping lights, which is a fantastic deal. Whether you have a larger family or prefer several lights, having four intensely bright ones can give you peace of mind when the power goes out, especially at night.
All four lights come with the batteries needed to power them. You might want to invest in more rechargeable batteries if they run out of juice, but we think it’s pretty awesome that they provide you with some to get started. Plus, the lights are less than a pound each, making them easy to move from room to room.
But wait, it gets better. Each light has a bright 140 Lumens that can light up a whole room. Seriously. The lights are also collapsible and easy to store, and they’ll hide within the casing when you’re not using them. Lastly, they’re water-resistant and come with a lifetime warranty. How cool is that?
- Commercial grade
- Water and fire-resistant
- 50,000 lifetime hours
- Easy to stick in hallways
- The backup battery only has 180 minutes
- Expensive
If you don’t mind spending a little extra on power outage lights, then the Sunco Emergency Lights might be the ones for you. They are a little pricier than the other options on our list, but they come in a pack of six, and you can place one in several rooms of your home.
Each fixture has two lights that effortlessly illuminate the whole room. That’s right! They’re exceptionally bright and have a lifetime usage of a whopping 50,000 hours. And in addition to those hours, they come with backup batteries that last approximately 180 minutes.
The best part about this premium pick is that they’re commercial grade and both water and fire-resistant. Plus, they’re straightforward to install and only require you to stick them to the wall. However, you’ll need to do this after the power goes out, which can be a dealbreaker for some.
All in all, these are perfect for prolonged power outages. So, if you live in an area prone to severe weather and natural disasters that frequently knock out your power, these bright power outage lights will help you feel protected during a scary time.
- Lightweight
- Rechargeable
- Affordable
- Batteries are include
- Material is easily damaged
Contrary to popular belief, being on a budget means you can find excellent power outage lights to keep you safe. Our best budget pick is the Etón American Red Cross Blackout Buddy.
Believe us when we say this versatile product will be your new best friend. You can plug the light in as a nightlight when you have power. And when you don’t, you can hold it like a flashlight or place it on a counter or table to illuminate the room.
On top of that, this light is very lightweight, making it incredibly easy to carry and bring with you throughout the blackout. Oh, and did we mention it’s solar-powered? You can store energy in the battery packs and then insert it into the light when you’re ready to use it.
We recommend leaving the Blackout Buddy plugged into the wall. This way, you can turn it on immediately when the power goes out, and there’s a big storm rolling in.
In our opinion, the only downside to this light is the material. It’s made with plastic but less durable than some of our other options. That said, take special care of it to extend its longevity.
- 25 hours of burn time
- Decorative and functional
- Wind-proof glass chimneys
- Flame regulator for easy flame adjusting
- You need to buy oil separately
The UCO Candlelier Candle Lantern is unique in every sense of the word! Basically, it’s like a little lantern with three candles inside a glass container. You can light all three of these at once or one at a time, depending on how bright you want the light to be.
We love how the light comes with a hanging bail that makes it easy to carry in the dark and avoid being knocked over. And even though these are candles, you’ll be able to get about nine hours of emergency lighting. Isn’t that wonderful?
Also, while the color won’t be as important as the other features, you still get four options with this product. Believe it or not, there’s a little spot on top of the lantern to heat small amounts of drinks and food, making it an instant winner in our books.
Worried about the wind? Don’t be! The glass shield is wind-proof, so you don’t need to worry about it blowing out the candles. Though it does come with three candles, having a few backups on hand is always a good idea.
- Commercial-grade
- Rechargeable battery
- 12 LED chips per head
- Two-year warranty
- Time-consuming to mount in a power outage
The Torchstar LED Emergency Lighting is marketed for businesses, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent option for your emergency kit at home.
The lights come with everything you need to mount them, and though the process doesn’t take too long, some might think otherwise when stressed (and understandably so). For most people, however, getting them mounted isn’t a problem.
Though you can mount the light in a larger space, you don’t have to, which is pretty cool if you ask us. You can set them on higher cabinets, tables, or elsewhere to brighten the space.
You’ll be happy to know that these lights are commercial-grade and, therefore, very durable. They can easily withstand moisture, which is vital if you use them in a storm. Plus, each head has 12 LED chips, which is equivalent to about 220 Lumens.
Lastly, the lights come with a rechargeable battery; you should receive approximately 90 minutes of light from them. And if you need to replace anything, you’ll get a two-year warranty, too. Impressive, right?
- Battery and solar-powered
- Easy to transport
- USB port
- Convenient to store
- Hand crank to light the product
Next, we have the Goal Zero Lighthouse Camping Lantern. It’s one of the best power outage lights today because you can adjust the brightness to 600 Lumens. Plus, it has other bonus features that some other lights simply don’t have.
For starters, there’s a USB port that you can use to charge your phone and other small devices in the event of a power outage. Talk about a lifesaver. And as for the light, the hand crank might not be for everyone, but it’s still very easy to use.
Luckily, this camping lantern is lightweight and easy to transport throughout the house during a power outage. The product is approximately one pound, so carrying it should be as easy as pie.
One thing we really love is that this camping lantern is both battery and solar-powered. The battery is ideal when the lights go out at night, but you can also turn it off to let the solar battery pack charge if the sun is out the following morning.
Because the light reaches 360 degrees, you’ll receive more than adequate lighting in any condition. Guaranteed. And since the lantern folds really quickly, too, you can easily store it without taking up too much space. We like to call that a win-win.
- 25 hours of burn time
- Decorative and functional
- Wind-proof glass chimneys
- Flame regulator for easy flame adjusting
- You need to buy oil separately
Looking for a unique option for a power outage light? Say hello to these Geelin Oil Lamps. Not everyone prefers to use an oil lamp during a power outage, but these are the best ones to purchase if you do. Each purchase comes with four oil lamps, and you can choose how many you want to light at once.
We like that each oil lamp has a wind-proof glass chimney, so you don’t have to worry about the light going out quickly. Plus, these lamps come with a flame regulator to adjust the flame and brightness of the lamp. In total, you can expect approximately 25 hours of burn time.
You’ll want to keep these power outage lights off the floor to avoid accidentally knocking them over. And keep in mind that you should never use gas to fuel the lamp. The product doesn’t come with oil, so you’ll need to purchase that separately.
A bonus of these oil lamps and our favorite part is that they’re decorative! You can display them in your house if you don’t want to store them for power outages. We promise they’ll look absolutely stunning.
- Six lights in one purchase
- Seven hours of light at a full charge
- Rechargeable
- Handheld
- The manufacturer provides no warranty
Our final recommendation is the Amarelle LED Emergency Light. This multipurpose light can act as a flashlight or a nightlight; you can even set it on a table to brighten the whole room. Personally, we think this is an excellent option for families since kids won’t have a problem carrying it around the house.
Each purchase gives you six lights, which is excellent for larger groups or extra lighting options. And though these are battery-powered, the battery is easily rechargeable. It’ll last about seven hours at a time, which is pretty great if you ask us.
Another perk is that these lights are very light (no pun intended), coming in at only a pound each. While the product description doesn’t state how many Lumens the lights are, we can assume they’re pretty bright since they’re LED lights and based on genuine customer reviews.
While the manufacturer offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, they don’t disclose whether they provide a warranty for the lights. This might not be an issue for some people, but if you prioritize warranties, this is a factor you should definitely consider.
Buying Guide
As you can tell, there are countless options to choose from when it comes to power outage lights. Finding the ones worth your money can be challenging.
Here are the things you’ll want to consider to make the best choice for you and your family.
Power Type
The most important thing you’ll want to consider before buying power outage lights is the type of power they run on: solar, batteries, oil, gas, or fire. Typically, the safest and most popular options are batteries and solar.
Batteries are the best option because they last for a while, and you can carry backups on you during a power outage. Solar-powered emergency lights are also fantastic, but you must remember to charge them beforehand.
If not used correctly, gas can be very dangerous, and the same goes for fire and oil. Overall, though all of these lights still serve as good options for power outages, we highly recommend using something battery-powered.
What Backup Power Source Should I Pair with My Power Outage Lights?
When choosing a backup power source for your power outage lights, it’s important to consider the wattage needed and reliability. The best 5000 watt generators are a great option for powering your lights during an outage. They provide enough power to keep your lights running and are a reliable source during emergencies.
Longevity
Needless to say, how long the power in your lights will last is one of the most crucial aspects to consider. After all, simple logic tells us the longer a light from an emergency or backup power source stays on, the safer you are.
If your lights stay on for an extended period, you know there’s some security and peace of mind that comes with your temporary situation — even where there could have been an initial sense of unease.
We always look for lights with at least three hours of power, but we always encourage people to look for sources that will provide light longer, just in case. After all, the more, the merrier, right?
Accessibility
The last thing you want to deal with when the power goes out is the inconvenience of resetting them. That’s why you should select lights that are easy to use and don’t require much time to set up. Many only ask you to press a button, and some require a match, but it’s up to you to decide what’s easier for your situation.
Size
The size of the power outage light is vital, and we cannot emphasize this enough. It’s safe to say that nobody wants a light that doesn’t fit in the desired space. Though many of these are fortunately small enough to fit in most places, you should still carefully consider the size for storage purposes.
Weight
Next, it’s time to consider how heavy or lightweight the product is. If you move the light around as you go from room to room, a lighter option is key. If not, the weight might not be a huge concern for you.
Either way, you’ll want to double-check the total weight of the light before purchasing it to ensure that you’re making the right decision. Think about who else will be carrying, lifting, and moving the light, too, so you choose something that everyone in the family can move if needed.
Brightness
Another factor to consider is brightness. Simply put, how bright you’ll want the lights to be will really come down to your preference and needs. If you need something very bright, going with an oil lamp or candle probably won’t be the best idea.
If you don’t mind more dim lighting, this might not be at the top of your priority list, which is totally fair. However, it’s still worth looking into before you make that final purchase.
Price
Last but not least, you’ll want to factor in the price of the power outage light. Ask yourself how much you’re willing to spend and if the product is worth the price tag.
Remember: just because something has a higher price tag doesn’t automatically make it the better choice. Similarly, a lower price tag doesn’t mean it’s a bad option for you, either. Think about the most cost-effective option for you and your family, and use that with the other considerations to make your call.
Can Power Outage Lights Also Serve as Alternative Heat Sources?
During power outage heat solutions can be limited. Power outage lights cannot serve as alternative heat sources, as they are designed for illumination only. It is important to have proper backup heating sources in place to stay warm during emergencies.
Outro
This goes without saying, but power outages can be downright terrifying. Whether you’re going a few minutes without power or several days, having a backup lighting source can make daily tasks 10x easier until the power companies can get everything back up and running.
Our winner is Vont. But it doesn’t matter wich one you choose. Everybody has to prepare for the near future and should choose between one of our picks to stay safe!
To be on the safest side possible, check out our Prepping List.
If you’re looking for good power outage lights to keep you company, you can’t go wrong with any of the abovementioned options. Life’s about to become a whole lot easier. Take our word for it.