A Review of the Fenix CL30R Rechargeable Camping Lantern

Ambassador Laurel H.

When I ordered my CL30R Rechargeable Camping Lantern, I knew I was going to like it, but I wasn’t prepared to love it THIS much.

For 6 months out of the year, I live somewhat primitively for work, with no water or electricity at my site. Having a lantern with a light output of up to 650 lumens was a complete game-changer for outdoor living. When on turbo mode, I could light my entire shack as if it were broad daylight. It looked so natural and bright that one day a coworker asked me when I got electricity hooked up at my site!

The CL30R conveniently has 5 brightness settings with an additional 6th setting that flashes/blinks. With options from eco to turbo, your camp space can be as bright or as dim as you’d like it to be, and you can conserve battery as needed.

Even more convenient than the numerous settings is this lantern’s ability to run on 1, 2, OR 3 batteries. This independent circuit design is an absolute LIFE SAVER in outdoor environments. I often have a spare charged battery on hand, but not always 3, so it’s a relief that I can “make do” with whatever I have when I don’t always get access to electricity to charge my things.

As if this lantern couldn’t be any more suitable for its intended purposes, it takes the cake by also serving as a power bank for any USB-chargeable devices you have. Being able to have incredibly good lighting AND a charging source in one product makes camping a lot more cozy and convenient.

To top it all off, it is small and easily stowed, relatively light, and even waterproof. I expected great things from the CL30R, as I do from all of Fenix’s products, but this lantern still managed to exceed my expectations.