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Wurkkos CL01 Review: A small lantern with a swappable battery and plenty of light

The Wurkkos CL01 Lantern Rechargeable is a small lantern with a swappable battery and plenty of light, best for campers and backpackers. Rated 4.6 out of 5 across 137 user ratings. The main drawback: the top can get noticeably warm after an hour or so of use. We scored it 4.6 out of 5.

By Athena, Home & Family Editor Published December 23, 2025 Updated September 26, 2026
4.6Our score
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Product gallery, 15 images
$34.99$43.99 20% off Check price on Amazon

Prices shown were correct on September 26, 2026 and change frequently.

TL;DRThe Short Answer: Is the Wurkkos CL01 Lantern Rechargeable Worth It?

Most small lanterns die with their battery, and that is the worry this one answers: the cell comes out, so a charged spare puts you straight back in light. It is an easy pick for campers and power-outage kits, with bright, tunable white light, colour modes and three ways to mount it in a body small enough for a jacket pocket. The catch is the controls, which take a little learning before they feel natural.

NoFussDeal rates the Wurkkos CL01 Lantern Rechargeable 4.6 out of 5 at $34.99, compared against 1 rival model that owners mention. Last updated September 26, 2026.

Key Facts

Item Dimensions L x W x H
1.77"L x 1.77"W x 4.17"H
Voltage
3.7 volts
Material
Plastic
Color
White
Item Weight
3.84 ounces
Battery Life
300 hours

What Stands Out

  1. Up to 550 lumens with stepless dimming down to 1 lumen, enough to light a whole room or tent
  2. White light adjustable from 3000K to 6000K by rotation, plus nine RGB modes
  3. Removable, replaceable battery that owners identify as a standard 21700 cell
  4. Doubles as a 5000mAh power bank for charging a phone in an emergency
  5. Magnetic base, 1/4-inch tripod thread, hook and lanyard for mounting almost anywhere
  6. Wurkkos rates it IP66 dustproof and waterproof, and says it resists drops and impacts

Strengths and Drawbacks

What works

  • Up to 550 lumens, enough to light a whole room or tent
  • Stepless brightness from 1 lumen, low enough for a tent or room night light
  • White light adjustable from 3000K to 6000K, one of its best features
  • Nine RGB modes that owners enjoy for ambient lighting
  • Removable battery that owners identify as a standard 21700 cell, plus USB-C charging
  • Can act as a 5000mAh power bank for a phone, per Wurkkos
  • Magnetic base, 1/4-inch tripod thread, hook and lanyard, with a magnet strong enough to hold it upside down

What does not

  • The controls take time to learn
  • The top can get noticeably warm after an hour or so of use
  • The red light mode may be dimmer than some would like
  • The clear diffuser may not spread the light as widely as a frosted one
  • No long-term owner reports yet on runtime or toughness
  • Heavier than it looks, since most of the weight is the battery

Features in Depth

01

1-550 Lumens Stepless Dimming, 3.7V Rechargeable Battery

Brightness Range 1-550 lumens, stepless Battery 3.7V rechargeable, removable Runtime Up to 300 hours (low brightness)

Wurkkos describes stepless brightness from 1 to 550 lumens at the press of a button, with the colour temperature of the white light turned continuously between 3000K and 6000K. Power comes from a 3.7-volt rechargeable battery charged over USB-C, which owners identify as a removable 21700 lithium-ion cell. Brightness is where owners are most enthusiastic: they report it lights a whole room or tent easily, that the diffused light does not blind you on higher settings, and that the lowest setting works as a night light in a tent. Because the ramp is stepless, you can fine-tune it rather than counting through fixed levels.

$34.99 4.6/5 Check price
02

9 RGB Modes, Magnetic Base, IP66 Waterproof at Just 4.17 Inches

RGB Modes 9, including warning flash Height 4.17 inches Water/Dust Rating IP66

Wurkkos fits 360-degree RGB lighting with nine rhythmic modes, including a warning flash, into a body 4.17 inches tall and 3.84 ounces in weight. A magnetic base frees your hands, a 1/4-inch thread takes a tripod, and a hook, lanyard and storage bag come in the box. Wurkkos rates it IP66, which means dust-tight and protected against strong jets of water, and says it resists drops and impacts. Owners take to the colour modes more than they expected, describing them as a real reason to buy for ambient light at camp, and report the magnet is strong enough to hold the lantern upside down.

$34.99 4.6/5 Check price
03

The Controls Are the One Real Learning Curve

Controls One button plus rotary top Lock Button lock against accidental switch-on Learning curve Keep the manual handy at first

Brightness adjustment is where opinion splits. One button and a rotary top run everything: presses, multiple presses, press and hold, and turning the top reach brightness, colour temperature, the RGB modes and a lock. It takes a little while to learn, so expect to check the included manual a few times at first. It might feel more natural if the knob fine-tuned brightness instead of the button. Once learned, the stepless ramp is easy to set exactly where you want it, and the lantern can remember settings such as brightness or colour for next time.

$34.99 4.6/5 Check price
04

A Budget Standout for Camping and Outage Kits

Power Bank 5000mAh Charging USB-C, or swap the battery Warranty 1 year

Battery life and versatility are its biggest strengths, across camping, emergency use at home and general outdoor use. On low or mid brightness it can run for several days, and the swappable cell and USB-C charging mean a flat battery is a short interruption rather than the end of the night. The 5000mAh power bank function adds a phone lifeline during an outage. Wurkkos backs it with a 1-year manufacturer warranty. For a compact lantern this well equipped, it is strong value at full price and better still on sale.

$34.99 4.6/5 Check price

How We Scored It

Based on
The manufacturer's published specifications and the product's live Amazon listing.
Owner rating
4.6 out of 5 on Amazon, recorded September 26, 2026
Compared against
Biolite Alpenglow 500, as owners describe them.
How we score
We score each thing that comes up most in owner feedback on the Wurkkos CL01 Camping Lantern Rechargeable. Eight things come up most in owner feedback: seven draw praise and one splits opinion. Its ratings average 4.6 stars (81% five stars, 8% four, 5% three and 6% one or two), so every score starts at 92, that average on a 100 point scale. Where opinion is split, we take off 6. Where it draws mostly complaints, we take off 12. Then we read six owner reviews in full (every one we found gave it four or five stars) and move the score up to 5 points either way depending on how the owners who mention it rated the product. Our overall score starts from the same 4.6 star average and loses 0.1 for each thing that draws mostly complaints, with 0.1 more when at least a tenth of ratings are one star, never more than 0.3 in all. Nothing comes off here, so it stays at 4.6. Read our editorial standards

Lighting Quality

Wurkkos lists the light source type as Light Emitting Diode (LED). All of the six owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 97: we started at 92 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.

97Positive

Brightness

All of the six owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 97: we started at 92 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.

97Positive

Customizable Color Modes

Wurkkos lists the color as White. Five of the six owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 97: we started at 92 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.

97Positive

Compact Size

Wurkkos lists the item dimensions as 1.77"L x 1.77"W x 4.17"H. All of the six owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 97: we started at 92 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.

97Positive

Battery Life

Wurkkos lists the battery life as 300 hours. Five of the six owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 97: we started at 92 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.

97Positive

Brightness Adjustment

All of the six owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 11% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 86: we started at 92 and took off 6 because opinion…

Read the full note (410 characters)

All of the six owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 11% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 86: we started at 92 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

86Mixed

Owner Satisfaction

81% of ratings are five stars and 8% are four. 5% are three stars and 6% are one or two. The spread skews positive, but enough ratings sit low that the drawbacks below are worth reading. Score 92: its 4.6 star average on a 100 point scale.

92Positive

How It Compares

Rival models that owners mention, and what they say about them. Prices are Amazon US prices on the date shown and may have changed since.
ModelWhat owners sayPrice
Wurkkos CL01 Lantern Rechargeable The model reviewed here. $34.99
Biolite Alpenglow 500 One owner says Biolite pioneered coloured camping light with the Alpenglow 500, which they think is still the standard, but is 'a lot more expensive. Or it was when I got mine.' They say the CL01 is setting a new standard because it is so small yet so powerful. $79.95on Sep 18, 2026

Specifications

Size and weight

Item Dimensions L x W x H
1.77"L x 1.77"W x 4.17"H
Item Weight
3.84 ounces

Power

Voltage
3.7 volts
Battery Life
300 hours

Materials and warranty

Material
Plastic
Color
White

What Buyers Say

Based on 137 Amazon customer ratings, averaging 4.6 out of 5, recorded 12 September 2026. See the reviews on Amazon

5 stars 83%
4 stars 6%
3 stars 5%
2 stars 2%
1 stars 4%
★★★★★

This just might be the best small portable lantern you can get.

It's a great little lantern. 550 lumens is brighter than I thought if this is really just 550 lumens on the highest setting. Because it lit up my entire room with plenty of light when hung f… Read it on Amazon
Chris S · November 1, 2025 · Verified
★★★★★

Exceeded my expectations.

TLDR; compact, easy to use lantern, with many luxury features.This lantern may be very compact, but for it's size and intended purpose, it puts out more than enough light. On it's lowest set… Read it on Amazon
Mike O · July 29, 2025 · Verified
★★★★★

New favorite camping light!

What a great little find. First, this light is small, very compact, easily fits in a backpack or bag. But don't let the small size fool you, it can get very bright, lighting up a whole room,… Read it on Amazon
scottjl · October 26, 2025 · Verified
★★★★★

Small, Very Nice and Effective Lantern for Camping or Emergency Home Use

Amazing little bright lantern. Step-less rotary dial color temperature adjustment from Cool to Soft White, even Muti-colored output. Has a magnetic base to anchor it somewhere and a tripod m… Read it on Amazon
Thomas Coffey · November 18, 2025 · Verified
★★★★★

The new champion of portable ambient lighting

Any camping lantern that doesn't have RGB options included is now obsolete. People want colored light in their lives, even when they're camping, even when the grid goes down, and the only su… Read it on Amazon
Don Deppeller · March 11, 2026 · Verified
★★★★★

Wow wow wow!

Wow this is my new favorite lantern. I go to that thing in the desert and I’m always looking for better ways not to be a darkwad. This little thing is AMAZING. It feels sturdy, it’s BRIGHT A… Read it on Amazon
Miss Priddy · August 5, 2026 · Verified

Setting It Up

  1. Charge it over USB-C

    Charge the lantern with the included USB-C cable. The battery can also be removed and replaced with a charged spare.

  2. Set the brightness

    Press the button to ramp brightness between 1 and 550 lumens. The ramp is stepless, so there are no fixed levels to count through.

  3. Set the colour of the white light

    Rotate the top to move the white light between warm 3000K and cool 6000K.

  4. Mount or hang it

    Stick it to a metal surface with the magnetic base, screw it onto a tripod with the 1/4-inch thread, or hang it with the included hook or lanyard.

  5. Keep the manual nearby at first

    The controls take a little while to learn, so expect to refer to the included user manual a few times.

Common Questions

What battery does it use?

Wurkkos describes a 3.7-volt rechargeable battery that charges over USB-C and can be removed and replaced. Owners identify it as a standard 21700 lithium-ion cell, so you can carry a charged spare and swap it in when the first runs flat.

Is the brightness adjustment actually smooth to use?

The ramp itself is smooth and stepless, and you can set it exactly. The split in opinion is about the controls: one button and a rotary top handle everything, so it takes a little while to learn, and it might feel more natural if the knob controlled brightness instead of the button.

How long does the battery actually last?

Wurkkos gives up to 300 hours on the low brightness setting, and much less should be expected at full output. On low or mid brightness it can last several days, and battery life is one of the points they praise most. With a spare 21700 cell, runtime is limited only by how many charged batteries you carry.

Is it actually waterproof enough for real outdoor use?

Wurkkos rates it IP66, which means dust-tight and protected against strong jets of water, so rain is no problem. It is not rated for being held under water, so do not submerge it. Wurkkos also says it resists drops and impacts, and it feels sturdy.

Does the RGB feature actually work well, or is it a gimmick?

It is a real feature. Wurkkos lists nine rhythmic RGB modes, including a warning flash, and the colour and warm white settings work well for ambient light at camp, at outdoor events and during power cuts.

How compact is it really, and will it fit in a backpack?

Yes. At 4.17 inches tall and 3.84 ounces, it fits easily in a backpack or bag, and the small size does not hold back its brightness. It is a little heavier than it looks, because most of the weight is the battery.

On Video

6 videos

The BEST Camping Lantern EVER - Wurkkos CL01 Review

KYRO and His Things
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  1. The BEST Camping Lantern EVER - Wurkkos CL01 Review KYRO and His Things
  2. Wurkkos CL01 Review | Compact Camping Lantern with Adjustable White & RGB Light Flashlight Enthusiast
  3. New ! Wurkkos CL01 Camping Lantern 704 Gear
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  5. Best Budget Camping Light? Wurkkos CL01 Review Darren Yeo - Tech & Reviews
  6. New Wurkkos CL01 Multifunctional camping light/lantern PrecisionGroupYT

The Verdict

4.6Out of 5

The Wurkkos CL01 packs 550 lumens, stepless dimming, 3000K to 6000K white, nine RGB modes, a magnet, a tripod thread and a removable battery into a lantern 4.17 inches tall. Brightness is its biggest strength, followed by its warm-to-cool white and its mounting options, and the battery appears to be a standard 21700 cell. The costs are controls that take time to learn, a top that can get warm after an hour or so, and no long-term reports yet on runtime or toughness. It is a strong choice for campers and emergency kits.

Who should buy it

  • Campers and backpackers who want a small, bright lantern for the tent
  • Anyone building a power-outage kit who wants a battery they can swap
  • People who want colour and warm light for ambient or event lighting
  • Buyers who need to stick, hang or tripod-mount a light

Buy it for its brightness, tunable white and swappable battery in a very small body. If you want a lantern with one simple switch and nothing to learn, or need proven runtime and toughness, wait for more long-term owner reports.

Check price on Amazon

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