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Emergency Prep

Best Emergency Lights for Power Outage (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Five emergency lights for power outages compared on lumens, runtime, pack size and warranty terms, with every figure taken from the listings.

Best Emergency Lights for Power Outage (2026): 5 Picks Compared
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When the lights go out in the middle of dinner, the best emergency lights for power outage are the lights already in place and already charged. A plug-in unit that switches on by itself covers the hallway, a lantern that pulls open in the hand covers the room, and a fixed fixture lights the way out. This roundup compares what each listing states: lumens, runtime, pack size, power source and warranty terms, and ranks the plug-in and battery lights below.

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Quick picks

  • GE 4-in-1 Power Failure Light
    Best Overall GE 4-in-1 Power Failure Light: UL certified with four brightness levels and a lifetime warranty Check price on Amazon
  • Sunco 6-Pack Emergency Light
    Best Hardwired Sunco 6-Pack Emergency Light: adjustable floodlights with a 90-minute backup battery Check price on Amazon
  • Bell+Howell TACLIGHT Lanterns
    Best Lantern Pack Bell+Howell TACLIGHT Lanterns: four collapsible lanterns with IP65 and a 5-year warranty Check price on Amazon
  • ROSSEX 3-Pack Emergency Light
    Best Plug-In Pack ROSSEX 3-Pack Emergency Light: three auto-on lights with 50 lumens and 6 hours of runtime Check price on Amazon
  • AUURIO 3-Pack Emergency Light
    Best Dusk-to-Dawn AUURIO 3-Pack Emergency Light: auto-on plus dusk-to-dawn night light with 6 hours of runtime Check price on Amazon

The kits we chose

GE 4-in-1 Power Failure Light

GE 4-in-1 Power Failure Light

GE home electrical9.8/10 Solar Score
i
The Solar Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A plug-in night light that turns on at dusk and becomes a flashlight and task light during an outage, with UL certification stated.

Pros

  • Four brightness levels stated: 10, 5, 20 and 40 lumens
  • Turns on at dusk and off at dawn, and instantly during outages
  • Rechargeable battery charges while plugged in, no disposable batteries
  • UL certified and cool-to-the-touch LED stated

Cons

  • No runtime in hours is stated
  • Single pack, so one unit covers one outlet
  • Flashlight mode is 40 lumens, below the 50 lumens of the ROSSEX and AUURIO lights
  • No multi-pack option is listed
Detailed Review

The listing states a 4-in-1 plug-in night light with a dusk-to-dawn sensor, automatic power failure activation, a rechargeable battery and a detachable flashlight and task light design. Brightness is stated as 10 lumens for the night light, 5 lumens for the power failure light, 20 lumens for the task light and 40 lumens for the flashlight. The LED is described as cool to the touch and UL certified, and the spec table lists 0.2 pounds, 4.76 by 2.64 by 1.55 inches and a limited-lifetime warranty.

Who it's for: homeowners who want a hallway or bedroom night light that also covers a short outage. Who should skip it: buyers who need a lantern that lights a whole room or a multi-pack for several rooms.

Its Solar Score of 9.8/10 comes from performance 32/35, build 22/25, value 21/25, safety 8/10 and warranty 4/5: 87 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.

Key Specifications
Lumens10 night / 5 outage / 20 task / 40 flashlight
Weight0.2 lb
Size4.76 x 2.64 x 1.55 in
WarrantyLimited lifetime

Taken from the seller's listing on 13 November 2026. Capacity and output figures are rated by the manufacturer.

Safety and Warranty

What this listing states. UL certified and cool-to-the-touch LED stated, so safety scores 8 of 10. Limited-lifetime warranty 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.

Sunco 6-Pack Emergency Light

Sunco 6-Pack Emergency Light

Sunco Lighting9.7/10 Solar Score
i
The Solar Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A hardwired 6-pack of wall or ceiling emergency lights with adjustable floodlights and a 90-minute backup battery.

Pros

  • 90-minute backup battery stated
  • Adjustable floodlights rotate 360 degrees
  • UL Listed stated
  • 6-pack covers several rooms or a commercial space

Cons

  • No lumen figure is stated
  • Hardwired, so a licensed electrician should install it
  • 1-year warranty is shorter than the 5-year Bell+Howell term
  • Needs a J-box or conduit for mounting
Detailed Review

The listing states a 6-pack of hardwired emergency lights with adjustable floodlights on each side, a 90-minute backup battery, 120/277V input, a backup battery, ABS housing and dual mounting for wall or ceiling. Certification is stated as UL Listed, and the spec table lists 13.74 by 3.5 by 3.74 inches and a 1-year warranty. The lights wire through a J-box or conduit, so a licensed electrician should install them.

Who it's for: owners fitting out a hallway, stairwell or small commercial space with fixed emergency lighting. Who should skip it: renters or anyone who wants a plug-in light with no wiring.

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
Backup90 minutes
Voltage120/277V
Size13.74 x 3.5 x 3.74 in
Pack6

Taken from the seller's listing on 13 November 2026. Capacity and output figures are rated by the manufacturer.

Safety and Warranty

What this listing states. UL Listed stated, so safety scores 8 of 10. 1 year warranty 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.

Bell+Howell TACLIGHT Lanterns

Bell+Howell TACLIGHT Lanterns

Bell+Howell9.6/10 Solar Score
i
The Solar Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

Four collapsible battery lanterns with IP65 stated, built to pull open for light during an outage or on a campsite.

Pros

  • IP65 stated for rain and splashes
  • Collapsible design folds flat for storage
  • 4-pack covers several rooms at once
  • Pull to open, no switch to find in the dark

Cons

  • No lumen figure is stated
  • No runtime in hours is stated
  • Needs 3 AAA batteries per lantern, not included
  • The 2-mile visibility figure is a maker claim, not a measured output
Detailed Review

The listing states a 4-pack of collapsible LED lanterns powered by 3 AAA batteries per lantern, with an integrated handle, COB LED technology and IP65 stated for rain and splashes. Each lantern folds flat for storage and pulls open to switch on, and the spec table lists 0.5 pounds, 1.6 by 1.6 by 5.0 inches and a 5-year limited warranty. The listing states visibility from up to 2 miles away and no lumen or runtime figure.

Who it's for: households that want a lantern in several rooms, and campers who want a light that packs flat. Who should skip it: buyers who want a plug-in light that charges itself and turns on on its own.

Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 28/35, build 21/25, value 21/25, safety 7/10 and warranty 4/5: 81 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.

Key Specifications
Pack4
Power3 AAA batteries per lantern, not included
Weight0.5 lb each
Size1.6 x 1.6 x 5.0 in

Taken from the seller's listing on 13 November 2026. Capacity and output figures are rated by the manufacturer.

Safety and Warranty

What this listing states. IP65 stated, so safety scores 7 of 10. 5 year limited warranty 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.

ROSSEX 3-Pack Emergency Light

ROSSEX 3-Pack Emergency Light

ROSSEX9.5/10 Solar Score
i
The Solar Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 3-pack of plug-in lights that turn on on their own during an outage, with 50 lumens and up to 6 hours of runtime.

Pros

  • Turns on on its own when the power goes out
  • 50 lumens with up to 6 hours of runtime stated
  • Works as a flashlight, night light and table lamp
  • 3-pack covers several rooms

Cons

  • No certification is stated
  • No dusk-to-dawn sensor is listed, unlike the AUURIO light
  • Must stay plugged in to stay charged
  • Soft white light only, no brightness levels stated
Detailed Review

The listing states a 3-pack of plug-in emergency lights with a built-in rechargeable lithium battery, 50 lumens of soft white light and up to 6 hours of runtime. The lights turn on on their own when the power goes out, and each unit also works as a flashlight, night light and table lamp. The spec table lists 5.43 by 1.81 by 1.52 inches and a 2-year manufacturer warranty, and no certification is stated.

Who it's for: homeowners who want an auto-on light in several rooms without buying batteries. Who should skip it: buyers who want a dusk-to-dawn night light or a stated certification.

Its Solar Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 29/35, build 20/25, value 21/25, safety 0/10 and warranty 3/5: 73 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.

Key Specifications
Lumens50
RuntimeUp to 6 hours
Pack3
Size5.43 x 1.81 x 1.52 in

Taken from the seller's listing on 13 November 2026. Capacity and output figures are rated by the manufacturer.

Safety and Warranty

What this listing states. No IP weather rating is stated, so safety scores zero. 2 year manufacturer warranty 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.

AUURIO 3-Pack Emergency Light

AUURIO 3-Pack Emergency Light

AUURIO9.5/10 Solar Score
i
The Solar Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 3-pack of plug-in lights with auto-on during outages and a dusk-to-dawn night light, with 50 lumens and up to 6 hours of runtime.

Pros

  • Auto-on during outages plus dusk-to-dawn night light
  • 50 lumens with up to 6 hours of runtime stated
  • Foldable plug for storage and carrying
  • Works as a handheld flashlight or tabletop light

Cons

  • 90-day warranty is the briefest term here
  • No certification is stated
  • Soft white glow only, no brightness levels stated
  • At 0.57 pounds it is heavier than the 0.2-pound GE light
Detailed Review

The listing states a 3-pack of plug-in lights that turn on on their own during outages, with a dusk-to-dawn night light, a foldable plug and a built-in rechargeable lithium battery. Output is stated as a soft 50-lumen cool white glow with up to 6 hours of illumination, and the lights also work as handheld flashlights or tabletop lights. The spec table lists 0.57 pounds, 2.95 by 5.91 by 4.53 inches and a 90-day warranty, and no certification is stated.

Who it's for: buyers who want a night light and an outage light in one plug-in unit. Who should skip it: buyers who want a longer warranty term or a stated certification.

Its Solar Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 29/35, build 20/25, value 20/25, safety 0/10 and warranty 2/5: 71 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.

Key Specifications
Lumens50
RuntimeUp to 6 hours
Pack3
Size2.95 x 5.91 x 4.53 in

Taken from the seller's listing on 13 November 2026. Capacity and output figures are rated by the manufacturer.

Safety and Warranty

What this listing states. No IP weather rating is stated, so safety scores zero. 90 days warranty stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 2 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.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

  • ROSSEX 6-Pack Emergency LightROSSEX 6-Pack Emergency LightSame auto-on plug-in light as the 3-pack, with 80 lumens and 6 hoursCheck on Amazon
  • AUURIO 4-Pack Emergency LightAUURIO 4-Pack Emergency LightFour auto-on plug-in lights with dusk-to-dawn night light and 6 hoursCheck on Amazon
  • Sunco 2-Pack Emergency LightSunco 2-Pack Emergency LightTwo hardwired lights with 90-minute backup and UL Listed statedCheck on Amazon
  • FREELICHT 4-Pack Emergency LightFREELICHT 4-Pack Emergency LightFour hardwired lights with 90-minute backup, UL 924 and 5-year warrantyCheck on Amazon
  • AMERELLE 5-Pack Emergency LightAMERELLE 5-Pack Emergency LightFive plug-in lights with 7 hours of runtime and a retractable plugCheck on Amazon

Numbers side by side

Emergency Light Solar Score Lumens Runtime Pack Warranty Amazon
GE 4-in-1 Power Failure Light 9.8/10 10 / 5 / 20 / 40 Not stated 1 Limited lifetime View on Amazon
Sunco 6-Pack Emergency Light 9.7/10 Not stated 90 minutes 6 1 year View on Amazon
Bell+Howell TACLIGHT Lanterns 9.6/10 Not stated Not stated 4 5 years View on Amazon
ROSSEX 3-Pack Emergency Light 9.5/10 50 Up to 6 hours 3 2 years View on Amazon
AUURIO 3-Pack Emergency Light 9.5/10 50 Up to 6 hours 3 90 days View on Amazon

We copied each rating from the seller’s listing as the brand states it; data date 13 November 2026.

Where the points went

The Solar Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. For an emergency light, safety means certifications and weather protection the listing actually states; a light that states none scores zero on that line, whatever its lumens. All five state a warranty term, and two state UL certification. How we pick explains the weights.

Product Solar Score Perf. /35 Build /25 Value /25 Safety /10 Warranty /5
GE 4-in-1 Power Failure Light 9.8 32 22 21 8 4
Sunco 6-Pack Emergency Light 9.7 30 21 21 8 3
Bell+Howell TACLIGHT Lanterns 9.6 28 21 21 7 4
ROSSEX 3-Pack Emergency Light 9.5 29 20 21 0 3
AUURIO 3-Pack Emergency Light 9.5 29 20 20 0 2

We place weighted points on a scale whose ends are 9.2 and 9.8. Because the mapping is straight, a unit with more points never shows less.

How to choose the best emergency lights for power outage

Plug-in, battery or hardwired

The GE, ROSSEX and AUURIO lights plug into a standard outlet and recharge while they sit there, so they are ready when the power drops. The Bell+Howell lanterns run on 3 AAA batteries per lantern, with no batteries included, so they work away from an outlet but need a fresh set in the drawer. The Sunco lights are hardwired for 120/277V through a J-box or conduit, and a licensed electrician should install them.

Match lumens and runtime to the room

Brightness and runtime pull in opposite directions here. The GE light gives four levels from 10 lumens for the night light to 40 lumens for the flashlight, while the ROSSEX and AUURIO lights give a flat 50 lumens for up to 6 hours. The Sunco lights state 90 minutes of backup with no lumen figure, and the Bell+Howell lanterns state neither lumens nor runtime, so the pack size and the IP65 mark carry their case.

Light Lumens Runtime
GE 4-in-1 Power Failure Light 10 / 5 / 20 / 40 Not stated
Sunco 6-Pack Emergency Light Not stated 90 minutes
Bell+Howell TACLIGHT Lanterns Not stated Not stated
ROSSEX 3-Pack Emergency Light 50 Up to 6 hours
AUURIO 3-Pack Emergency Light 50 Up to 6 hours

Count the pack against the rooms

One light covers one room, so the pack size sets how far the purchase reaches. The GE light comes as a single unit for one outlet, the ROSSEX and AUURIO lights come in 3-packs, the Bell+Howell lanterns come in a 4-pack, and the Sunco lights come in a 6-pack for hallways and stairwells. Keep the pack with the rest of your emergency kit for home, and pair it with a flashlight for emergency preparedness for the walk through a dark house.

Read the warranty and certification lines

Coverage varies more than the lights do. The GE light states a limited-lifetime warranty, the Bell+Howell lanterns state a 5-year limited warranty, the ROSSEX lights state a 2-year manufacturer warranty, the Sunco lights state a 1-year warranty, and the AUURIO lights state a 90-day warranty. On certification, the GE light states UL certification and the Sunco lights state UL Listed, while the Bell+Howell lanterns state IP65 and the ROSSEX and AUURIO lights state no certification.

Sizing Notes

  • Match the pack to the rooms you want lit: the GE light covers one outlet, the ROSSEX and AUURIO packs cover three, the Bell+Howell pack covers four, and the Sunco pack covers six fixtures.
  • Match runtime to the outage you plan for: the ROSSEX and AUURIO lights state up to 6 hours, and the Sunco lights state 90 minutes.
  • Check the power source: the GE, ROSSEX and AUURIO lights recharge from a standard outlet, the Bell+Howell lanterns need 3 AAA batteries each, and the Sunco lights wire to 120/277V.
  • A licensed electrician should install the hardwired Sunco lights.

FAQ: power away from the grid

Which emergency light here runs longest?

The ROSSEX and AUURIO lights state up to 6 hours of runtime, while the Sunco lights state 90 minutes. The GE light and the Bell+Howell lanterns state no runtime figure.

Do any of these lights turn on by themselves?

The GE, ROSSEX and AUURIO lights turn on on their own when the power goes out, and the Sunco fixture lights up on its backup battery. The Bell+Howell lanterns pull open to switch on.

Which lights here state UL certification?

The GE light states UL certification, and the Sunco lights state UL Listed. The Bell+Howell lanterns state IP65 instead.

Can the Sunco lights plug into a standard outlet?

No. The Sunco lights are hardwired for 120/277V through a J-box or conduit, so a licensed electrician should install them.

What batteries do the Bell+Howell lanterns need?

Each lantern runs on 3 AAA batteries, which are not included.

GE 4-in-1 Power Failure Light
Still deciding? Our top pickGE 4-in-1 Power Failure Light
Check price on Amazon

See every Emergency Prep guide.

More picks: emergency light bulbs for a power cut, hand-crank lantern for a power outage, emergency preparedness gear, black solar lantern.