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The short answer on solar lantern vs propane lantern: pick propane when you need campsite-scale brightness and a lantern that works through the night on a fuel cylinder; pick solar when you want path and patio light with no fuel to buy and no flame to watch. The Coleman propane example states the highest brightness and the longest warranty here, while the TuyLuxe solar 4-pack states the longest runtime. We compared the three listings on what each states: brightness, runtime, weather rating, weight and warranty.
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Solar lantern vs propane lantern: side by side
| Solar vs Propane | Coleman Northstar | TuyLuxe 4-Pack | Season 2 Season 2-Pack | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Propane, 16.4 oz cylinder | Solar | Solar | |
| Brightness | 1500 lumens | Not stated | Not stated | |
| Runtime | 9 h low, 4 h high | 12-15 hours | Not stated | |
| Weather rating | Not stated | IP65 | IP65 | |
| Weight | 2.1 lb | Not stated | 14.4 oz | |
| Warranty | 5-year limited | 1 year | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 22 October 2026. Only the propane listing states brightness in lumens; only the solar listings state a weather rating.
Brightness
This is the clearest gap. The Coleman Northstar states up to 1500 lumens on high, casting light up to 26 meters. Neither solar listing states a lumen figure, so call this one for propane on the numbers and leave the solar side unrated. For a campsite or a power outage, stated brightness is the whole argument.
Runtime and refueling
The Coleman runs up to 9 hours on low or 4 hours on high from one 16.4 oz propane cylinder, sold separately. The TuyLuxe 4-pack charges in 6 to 8 hours for up to 12 to 15 hours of light from its 800mAh battery. The Season 2 Season 2-pack states no runtime. Solar wins on paper for runtime, but only where the panel sees enough sun; propane wins where the sun does not cooperate.
Weather and build
Both solar listings state an IP65 rating, covering rain, snow and heat. The Coleman states no IP rating, but lists a porcelain-coated ventilator that resists rust, a high-temperature glass globe and a metal guard against impacts. The TuyLuxe body is high-strength ABS; the Season 2 Season is copper-toned metal with decorative cutouts. Each side is built for its own element: sealed electronics against weather, metal and glass against flame.
What the listings leave unclear
The Season 2 Season warranty line reads only “1” with no term, so we scored its warranty at zero. Its size line also disagrees with itself: the bullets give 4 by 7.3 in while the spec table gives 5 by 5 by 7 in, and we trusted the bullets. Neither solar listing states brightness in lumens, so the two sides cannot be compared on light output. The Coleman’s propane cylinder is sold separately, which the runtime figure depends on.
Three examples
| # | Product | Solar Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Coleman Northstar | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  TuyLuxe 4-Pack | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  Season 2 Season 2-Pack | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Coleman Northstar
A propane lantern with up to 1500 lumens, push-button ignition and a 5-year limited warranty.
Pros
- 1500 lumens, the brightest stated here
- Push-button matchless ignition
- Pressure regulator for steady output
- 5-year limited warranty is stated
Cons
- Propane cylinder sold separately
- 4 hours on high is the shortest runtime here
- 2.1 lb plus fuel to carry
- Open flame needs clearance and care
Detailed Review
Coleman's Northstar is the propane side's heavy hitter: up to 1500 lumens on high, casting light up to 26 meters, with a runtime of up to 9 hours on low or 4 hours on high from one 16.4 oz propane cylinder, sold separately. Push-button ignition means no matches, a pressure regulator keeps output steady, and the porcelain-coated 2-tier ventilator resists rust. The high-temperature glass globe comes with a metal guard, the base folds for storage, and a carry case and Insta-Clip #95 mantle are included. It measures 7.85 by 6.1 by 12.05 in and weighs 2.1 lb. The maker states a 5-year limited warranty.
Who it's for: campers and outage planners who need real brightness. Who should skip it: anyone who wants light without buying fuel.
Its Solar Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 32/35, build 21/25, value 20/25, safety 7/10 and warranty 4/5: 84 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Brightness | 1500 lumens |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 9 h low, 4 h high |
| Size | 7.85 x 6.1 x 12.05 in |
| Weight | 2.1 lb |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 22 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. High-temperature glass globe and metal guard are stated, so safety scores 7 of 10. 5-year limited warranty is stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 4 of 5. See How We Pick.
Outdoor solar lights. Treat lumens, run time and weather ratings as the maker's figures, place the panel where it gets direct sun, and replace batteries only with the type the maker specifies.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
TuyLuxe 4-Pack
A 4-pack of solar lanterns with 2700K warm LEDs, an 800mAh battery, an IP65 rating and a wall mount kit.
Pros
- 12-15 hour runtime, the longest stated here
- IP65 rating for rain, snow and heat
- Wall mount kit with metal hooks included
- 1-year warranty is stated
Cons
- No lumens are stated
- Four panels need four sunny spots
- 0.4W panel is small for cloudy days
- ABS body, not metal
Detailed Review
TuyLuxe's 4-pack is the solar side's workhorse: four lanterns with 2700K warm LED beads, an 800mAh battery, 6 to 8 hours of charging for up to 12 to 15 hours of light. The IP65 rating covers rain, snow and heat, the ABS body keeps it sturdy, and a wall mount kit with metal hooks is included. Each lantern measures 5 by 5 by 6.2 in. The maker states a 1-year warranty.
Who it's for: patios, paths and gardens that need dusk-to-dawn light. Who should skip it: anyone who needs stated lumens, which this listing does not give.
Its Solar Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 30/35, build 21/25, value 21/25, safety 8/10 and warranty 3/5: 83 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Battery | 800mAh |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 12-15 hours |
| Charge | 6-8 hours |
| Size | 5 x 5 x 6.2 in |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 22 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. IP65 rating is stated, so safety scores 8 of 10. 1-year warranty is stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 3 of 5. See How We Pick.
Outdoor solar lights. Treat lumens, run time and weather ratings as the maker's figures, place the panel where it gets direct sun, and replace batteries only with the type the maker specifies.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Season 2 Season 2-Pack
A 2-pack of decorative solar lanterns with sun, moon and stars patterns and an IP65 rating.
Pros
- IP65 rating for outdoor use
- Decorative sun, moon and stars pattern
- Built-in light sensor for dusk lighting
- Copper-toned metal build
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No brightness is stated
- No runtime is stated
- Size line disagrees with the spec table
Detailed Review
Season 2 Season's 2-pack is the decorative solar pick: copper-toned metal with sun, moon and stars patterns, an IP65 rating and a built-in light sensor for automatic dusk lighting. One mismatch: the bullets give 4 by 7.3 in while the spec table gives 5 by 5 by 7 in; we trust the bullets. The warranty line reads only '1' with no term, so we scored warranty at zero. It weighs 14.4 oz and runs on 1.2 volts at 1 watt.
Who it's for: garden decorating with ambient pattern light. Who should skip it: anyone who needs stated brightness or runtime.
Its Solar Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 26/35, build 20/25, value 20/25, safety 8/10 and warranty 0/5: 74 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Size | 4 x 7.3 in |
|---|---|
| Power | 1.2V, 1W |
| Weight | 14.4 oz |
| Rating | IP65 |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 22 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. IP65 rating and RoHS are stated, so safety scores 8 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Outdoor solar lights. Treat lumens, run time and weather ratings as the maker's figures, place the panel where it gets direct sun, and replace batteries only with the type the maker specifies.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How we scored them
The Solar Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. For lanterns, safety means a stated weather rating, heat-rated glass or impact protection the listing actually names; all three state something here. The Coleman states a 5-year limited warranty, the TuyLuxe a 1-year warranty, and the Season 2 Season no usable term. How we pick explains the weights.
| Product | Solar Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coleman Northstar | 9.7 | 32 | 21 | 20 | 7 | 4 |
| TuyLuxe 4-Pack | 9.7 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 8 | 3 |
| Season 2 Season 2-Pack | 9.5 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 8 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
Solar lantern vs propane lantern: which should you choose?
Choose propane if brightness matters, if you camp off-grid for nights at a time, or if you want a lantern for power outages: the Coleman Northstar states 1500 lumens, push-button ignition and a 5-year limited warranty. Choose solar if the lantern lives on a patio, path or garden, where the TuyLuxe 4-pack’s 12 to 15 hour runtime and IP65 rating cover dusk to dawn with no fuel. The Season 2 Season 2-pack suits decorating rather than working light.
Sizing Notes
- The Coleman needs a 16.4 oz propane cylinder, sold separately; factor it into the first trip.
- Solar panels need direct sun: the TuyLuxe needs 6 to 8 hours of charge for a full night.
- The Coleman stands 12.05 in tall; the solar two are 6.2 to 7.3 in, so plan hanging height accordingly.
- The glass globe is rated for high temperatures; give the propane lantern clearance from tent walls.
- Four lanterns mean four panels to place; a 2-pack or single needs less sun real estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side is brighter?
The Coleman propane lantern at up to 1500 lumens. Neither solar listing states a lumen figure.
Which runs longest on a charge or cylinder?
The TuyLuxe solar 4-pack at 12 to 15 hours on a full charge. The Coleman runs 9 hours on low or 4 hours on high per cylinder.
Do solar lanterns work in winter?
The TuyLuxe states an IP65 rating covering snow and cold, but runtime depends on sun. Short winter days mean shorter nights of light.
Does the Coleman need matches?
No. It states push-button matchless ignition.
Which has the longest warranty?
The Coleman with a 5-year limited warranty, then the TuyLuxe with 1 year. The Season 2 Season states no usable term.
Can the solar lanterns go indoors?
Yes, but their panels need daylight to charge. Charge by a window or outside, then bring them in for the evening.
Related guides
See every camping and emergency gear guide and all solar lights, cameras and fans guides. Also see our best solar fairy lights for garden and the best portable power station for camping.
