Introducing: BioLite AlpenGlow

Used to be, if you wanted a lantern for camping, it was Coleman or nothing. While I do have one of those liquid fuel lanterns sitting on my workbench at the moment, these days, it’s all about battery-powered lanterns that house LEDs. Those were – at first – just one intensity, and then got to be dimmable. And now, with the BioLite AlpenGlow, you’ve got even more options.

In many ways, the BioLite AlpenGlow feels like a piece of computer equipment, with the RGB color control you have. You can, of course, opt for cool white. But it’s easy enough to slip it into a warmer color output, put it into a candle flicker mode, or even have it get into some very, very colorful modes. In other words, if you need it for task lighting or just general overview of things, then the cool or warm modes are where it’s at. When it’s more about providing some accent light – or even just a nightlight in the tent for the kids – then things like the flicker or color modes are going to be handy.

To interact with the BioLite AlpenGlow, you’ve got a button up top, or you can shake it. That’s right, a piece of camping gear that’s mean to be shook up. Via an accelerometer inside, you can make adjustment to the light, without having to remember the correct sequence of button presses to get what you want. In my family, I’m pretty sure that just means the kids are going to shake it and see what they end up with.

For the new BioLite AlpenGlow, there are actually two versions. The smaller one, the BioLite AlpenGlow 250 ($59.95) has a max output of 250 Lumens, and contains a 3,200 mAh battery. The BioLite AlpenGlow 500 ($79.95), on the other hand can pump out 500 lumens, and has a 6,400 mAh battery. The lantern itself is rechargeable via micro USB, and can tie into the other BioLite lighting options, or even just charge up your phone. However you use it, the BioLite AlpenGlow looks to be a very cool and colorful addition to your next campout or power outage. bioliteenergy.com

Tech Specs from BioLite

AlpenGlow 250 Technical Specifications:

Lumen Output: 250 HIGH, 2.5 LOW

7 Light Modes: Cool White + Dim, Warm White + Dim, Single Color + Dim, Single Color Cycling +, Dual-Color (complimentary) + Dim, Candle Flicker, Party Mode (Dynamic Cycling)
Light mode speed settings: 3
Weight: 7.4oz (210g)

Dimensions: 3.7” x 3” diameter
1 USB-A battery output at 3,200 mAh
Rechargeable via Micro USB

ChromaReal Technology – Broad-spectrum lighting producing daylight-quality illumination
Cool, Warm, & Color Modes
Controls: Press, Press and Hold, Shake (Accelerometer)

IPX4 Waterproof Rating
Hangable via nested hook
Textured gripper ring for no-slip bottom

Runtime: 5 HIGH, 200 LO, 1 Hour Power Reserve
$59.95

AlpenGlow 500 Technical Specifications:

Lumen Output: 500 HIGH, 2.5 LOW
8 Light Modes: Cool White + Dim, Warm White + Dim, Single Color + Dim, Multicolor + Dim, Candle Flicker, Party Mode, Multicolor Mode, Fireworks Mode
Light mode speed settings: 3

Weight: 13.4oz (380g)
Dimensions: 5.4” x 3.8” diameter
1 USB-A battery output at 6,400 mAh