A small collapsible aluminum lantern that burns one UCO candle behind a glass chimney, with a spring that pushes the candle up as it burns. People pick it for quiet, soft light at camp, a little warmth on cold nights, and light that needs no batteries.
Specs
- Weight: 6.4 oz / 181 g with candle (aluminum version; maker and REI)
- Size: 4.25 in high closed, 6.5 in high open, 2 in diameter (maker)
- Body: aluminum (painted or raw); brass version also sold; glass chimney
- Burn time: REI lists 9 hours (max flame); see note on included candle
- Included candle: maker page says one 15-hour emergency candle (white paraffin); REI page says one 9-hour candle
- Candles: UCO paraffin, citronella or beeswax candles
- Features: carry handle, hanging hook, twist-lock base, chimney slides down to light the wick
- REI rating: 4.6 of 5 from 14 reviews (as of 2026-10-19)
What reviewers say
Long-time users like the warm, quiet light and the simple spring-fed design, and many have carried one for decades. It can warm a small tent a few degrees and helps on long, cold nights or in a power outage, since candles store well and don't drain like batteries in the cold. The common complaints are weight for the light you get, a glass chimney that can break, hot wax that can drip if the lantern gets knocked, and the need for UCO-sized candles, which cost more than generic ones. Several reviewers now use a headlamp for real tasks and keep the candle lantern for ambiance. Ventilation and care are a must: it is an open flame.
Good
- Soft, quiet light with no batteries
- Adds a bit of warmth in a small space
- Collapses small; hangs or sits on a table
- Simple design that lasts for years
- Candles store for a long time for emergency kits
Not so good
- Heavy for the amount of light it gives
- Glass chimney can break
- Can drip hot wax if bumped
- Needs UCO-size candles, which cost more
- Open flame: needs ventilation and attention
Who it's for
Campers who want calm light on long fall and winter nights, and families building a power-outage kit. Ultralight hikers and anyone who needs bright task light should carry a headlamp instead.
Sources
Last checked 2026-10-19. Specs from the maker; review notes summarized in our own words.