Cairn XL Smart Lantern

Steep price tag aside, this XL Smart Lantern from Lander is one of our favorite lamps in the category. We’ve tested a ton of techy headlamps and lanterns over the years, and most fall short. The Cairn XL does not. The rounded corners of the lantern are aesthetically pleasing. It shines brightly when all 350 lumens are engaged, but using the Cairn XL app, you can dim, change colors, control the power output, and even set light alarms. Not to mention, if you’re looking to start a fireside dance party at your campsite, you can put the Cairn XL in strobe mode. For some, these features will be gimmicks, for others, they’ll be novel and fun. For us, three things mattered the most: 1) the brightness of the lantern is powerful but not overwhelming, as the opacity of the plastic reduces glare. 2) the lantern can charge your devices up to four times, and it does so fairly quickly. 3) It’s waterproof, and surprisingly durable. 

Tester Comments:
“Would I spend the money on it? I’m not sure. There are options for half the price that have similar features, if you discount the app. Also, I wasn’t crazy about the attachment system—the hook system doesn’t allow you to really cinch it down. However—the lantern itself is phenomenal. I loved the ability to continuously dim, and the brightness of the lantern. It was the most reliable of the five lanterns I tested this year, and by far my favorite.”

Bottom Line:
A pricey, premium lantern with an app to match.