14 Outdoor Lanterns That Seriously Set the Mood

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With summer nearly here, we plan on spending a lot more time outside. Before we get settled, though, we need to decorate. Step one: Find the best outdoor lanterns. This may seem more like an afterthought than a priority when it comes to outfitting your patios, terraces, or pools, but here’s the thing: The smallest details often make the biggest difference. After all, what happens when you plan a beautiful al fresco feast and, the second the sun goes down, it becomes too dark for your guests to actually see one another? It’s in the details, people!

So we went ahead and scoured the internet in search of the best outdoor lanterns, and we were actually a bit surprised to find so many stylish options. Before we embarked on our digital lantern journey, we were expecting to discover a lot (read: hundreds) of lanterns you’d bring on a camping trip or keep in the closet in case of an electrical blackout. Instead, we were pleasantly shocked to see so many beautiful alternatives. From mouth-blown glass lanterns to weather-proof rattan ones filled with flameless candles, there are quite a few beautiful ones on our list.

The best part? Most of them are under $50, so go ahead and grab yourself one or two for your first summer soirée. It may even inspire you to host a few more before temperatures start to drop again. Our suggestion? Snag a few hanging lanterns so you don't have to take up too much table space!

Wooden Indoor Battery Lantern

Don't let the highly realistic lit candle fool you, this nautical-inspired outdoor lantern is actually battery-operated and it can run on a six-hour timer, so feel free to set it on the outdoor dining table at the start of your al fresco summer feast and leave it out there until last man standing. It's also available in a bigger size and as a set of two, so if you're willing to spend just a touch more, go for it.

Waterproof: No

Power Source: Batteries

Quincy Lantern

Available in two sizes and two finishes (stainless steel and gold), the Quincy lanterns may look fragile, but they're built to withstand the elements without corroding. They don't come with candles, so feel free to get whichever ones suit your fancy. Our suggestion? Go with a scented one! You'll still get a good whiff through the glass, which opens like a door, so it's easy to place and swap your candles of choice.

Waterproof: Yes

Power Source: Candles

Reveal Portable Lantern

Not only does this portable lantern feature a sleek, classic style, but it's also equipped with a built-in Bluetooth speaker, so you can create a 2-in-1 mood. If it looks a bit empty to actually work, think again: There's an LED light platform complete with a white acrylic diffuser that's specially designed to project light outward. The result? An aura-like glow. Yes, please.

Waterproof: Yes

Power Source: LED light

Summerland Outdoor Lantern

Turn your eyes to the bottom left corner of the patio photo to feast your eyes on some of the most elegant outdoor lanterns on our list. If you're wondering why we didn't include a more lantern-focused photo, it's because we want to give you a clear sense of size. As you can see, even the small one is huge! So if you have a big outdoor space that you want to keep lit after dark, we'd recommend going with these.

Waterproof: Yes

Power Source: Candle

Kin Portable Cordless Lantern

If this portable lantern, which comes in five other colors, looks familiar, that's because you have seen it on Jennifer Garner's Instagram. A few weeks ago, the Renaissance woman posted a video of herself on a nighttime foraging quest for ingredients in her back garden. Because it was pretty dark out, she toted this adorable outdoor lantern. Though her fans and followers were intrigued by the dish, we were all pretty focused on the lantern!

Waterproof: No

Power Source: Batteries

Geometric Lace Solar Lantern

For a fun hanging option, try these lace lanterns. They're solar-powered and come in different sizes and colors to add some serious personality to your backyard. They can stay lit for up to seven hours after charging in the sun. How's that for energy-efficient? Plus, there's no need to take them down after spending some time hanging them on your trees because they're weather-proof.

Waterproof: Yes

Power Source: Solar energy

Portable LED Lantern

This refined, rechargeable lamp not only maximizes the amount of diffused light (the entire surface area is like a giant bulb), but it sits on the flat base and can hang from a hook or sturdy branch. Each lantern is powder-coated in a dark grey-green and features an opal glass shade and three dimmable settings. It also includes a tiny USB charging cable that lets this thing glow for up to 12 hours.

Waterproof: No

Power Source: Charging USB

White Metal Flameless Candle Lantern

Available in 11-inch and 15-inch sizes, this bohemian-inspired white-painted metal outdoor lantern is easily one of our favorites. White decor—especially white decor you're going to leave outside—can be a tough sell because, as we know, white shows dirt more than other colors. This lamp, however, is the exception. Because it's metal, it's so easy to clean. Just wipe it with a damp cloth and call it a day. It also comes with the flameless candle, so there's no need to buy a backup option.

Waterproof: No

Power Source: Batteries

Candle Holder Lantern

These iron and glass lanterns are antique-inspired in all the right ways. If you have a collection of pale-toned outdoor furniture, we recommend breaking up the palette with a stark contrast, so snag a few of these (they're cheap!) to bring a little light to your space. The candles aren't included, so grab a few affordable options with your lanterns.

Waterproof: Yes

Power Source: Candles

Brigton Rattan Lantern

Made of hand-woven rattan wrapped around a wrought-iron frame, these lanterns (there are three sizes) are giving us coastal vibes. That said, if you're getting that ocean breeze, you may want to opt for a flameless candle. Otherwise, place a chubby pillar candle on the base and let it burn for as long as it will last. Just don't let it get past the last inch because it may ruin the base!

Waterproof: No

Power Source: Candles

Beaded Lantern

This Terrain exclusive is one of the more fragile outdoor lanterns on our list. In fact, you may want to leave it inside when it starts to drizzle or the wind picks up. However, if you live in a place with more mild seasons, these are a good pick. At the very least, they add a ton of personality to your outdoor setup. If the big one, pictured, is a little too big, opt for the smaller one, which is about the size of a wine bottle.

Waterproof: No

Power Source: Candle

LED Outdoor Lantern

When we think of a traditional outdoor lantern, something like this comes to mind. Here's why it's amazing: It's a vintage-inspired design with all modern features, including two rechargeable batteries, a dimmer, and an integrated USB port to charge small devices. It's also phthalate-, BPA-, lead-, and latex-free. The best part? It comes in five colors, so if black isn't your thing, opt for something more fun, like red or teal.

Waterproof: Yes

Power Source: LED lights

LED Lantern

Available in square, cylinder, and cone shapes, this Allsop lantern enlists solar power to keep your outdoor space brightly lit. It's also made of mouth-blown glass and anti-corrosion metal. That said, due to the nature of the glass, you may not want to leave this lantern outside in brutal weather.

Waterproof: No

Power Source: LED light

Solar Lantern Outdoor Lantern

Complete with an Edison-inspired bulb, this solar-powered lantern is nestled within a metal frame wrapped in plastic rattan twine. It also comes with a detachable metal tripod, so if you'd rather save the time you'd spend hanging it from a hook, just set it on the edge of the table.

Waterproof: Yes

Power Source: Bulb

What to Look For in an Outdoor Lantern

When it comes to buying outdoor lanterns, there are two big factors to consider: whether or not it's waterproof and the power source.

Waterproof: If you live in a desert where it hardly ever rains, you don't really need to pay too much attention to how whether or not your lantern is waterproof. Otherwise, this is something to consider—especially because summer is usually the rainy season. If you don't want to bring it indoors every time it starts to sprinkle, opt for a fully waterproof one.

Power Source: This is less crucial than the durability of your lantern. It's also more of a preference than a make-or-break decision. The most common power sources are candles (either real or flameless), LED lights, solar powered, or battery operated. None are better than the others, so get whichever ones speak to you the most. Just know that candles will give off the weakest light and LED lights will offer the strongest.

Why trust us?

Summer happens to be our favorite seasons, so when it comes to decorating, we are maximizing our ability to stay outdoors for longer. That's where lanterns come in. We looked high and low for affordable finds that seriously bring the light.

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