Test: Fenix CL26r Pro Led Camping Lantern Review

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👉 The key facts from this guide

I have been searching for the perfect camping lantern for a long time, one that is bright enough and can withstand rough conditions.

Recently, I came across the Fenix CL26r Pro LED. It promised exactly that: an immense brightness of up to 650 lumens and a sturdy construction.

Of course, I had to put this thing through a stress test.

In my detailed review, you will find out if the Fenix CL26r Pro actually lives up to its promises.

I'll tell you why this lamp is my new loyal companion when camping.

So you know if the investment is worth it for you.

Fenix CL26r Pro Camping Lantern: The features that immediately catch my attention

The Fenix CL26R Pro is a high-quality and robust camping lantern. It offers bright, white and red light with various brightness levels, is waterproof and durable, has a power bank function, and can be flexibly attached thanks to its magnet and hook.

It is available in olive green, white marble, and camouflage and features a minimalist design.

The CL26R Pro is compact and lightweight, making it perfect for camping. It features a range of useful functions that make camping even more enjoyable.

I have created a video (in German) specifically for you. Watch it and then continue reading:

One of the best features of the CL26R Pro is its USB-C port. This allows me to charge the lamp with a USB-C cable, eliminating the need to carry an extra battery pack for the lamp.

The USB function is also useful if you want to use the lamp as an emergency power bank.

If your smartphone or tablet is out of juice, simply connect the CL26R Pro and extend the battery life (with the USB Type-A discharge port).

Furthermore, I noticed that the CL26R Pro has a long battery life. I had the flashlight in use for 3 days, repeatedly at full brightness - and the 21700 battery kept going and going.

The fact is: The lamp manages to shine for more than 400 hours (with 5 lumens) before it needs to be recharged. The appropriate lithium-ion batteries are included.

This is perfect for long camping trips or for use in areas with poor access to electricity.

I use the Fenix CL26R Pro for car camping and for work when it's already dark. I use it to illuminate an entire area for a whole group.

And when it's darker in the forest, I also like to use the lamp so that I can see every detail while carving.

You know, good visibility and brightness is also a safety feature when working with tools.

The CL26R Pro has different light modes, so you can adjust the lighting to your needs. However, it is not continuously dimmable.

You will receive the lamp with two lighting modes:

• Ambient light: bright and completely sufficient
• Focus light: Use the CL26R Pro as a flashlight

Overall, the Fenix CL26R Pro is a very useful and practical camping lantern. I wouldn't want to be without it anymore.

It is compact, lightweight at 272 grams (199 grams without battery), and has a range of useful features.

The USB function is particularly practical, and the long battery life is perfect for long camping trips.

Fenix CL26R Pro LED Camping Lantern: Various Mounting Options

The Fenix CL26R Pro LED camping lantern offers you various options to quickly attach it anywhere. This is very convenient if you want to have your hands free.

The strong magnet

On the top of the lamp there is a strong magnet. This allows you to easily attach the light to any metallic surface.

No matter if on the roof of the car, on an iron tent pole, or on other metallic objects. It stuck to the metal surface like Spiderman. Even if you drive over uneven terrain, it won't fall off.

The foldable hook

In addition, the Fenix CL26R Pro features a clever foldable hook on the top. This allows the flashlight to be easily hung anywhere:

• at the tent
• on a branch
• or even on a nail or hook

The hook is stable and wide so that the lamp holds securely. Additionally, you can fold it completely into the housing when you don't need it.

By combining a magnet and a hook, you have two flexible options to quickly attach the lamp anywhere.

Your hands remain free, and you don't have to hold the lamp continuously.

Flashlight and lantern in one product

The Fenix CL26R Pro LED camping lantern is versatile.

Because it combines the advantages of a flashlight with those of a camping lantern.

Two lights in one device

The CL26R Pro has two different lighting modes:

• Ambient light
• Focus light

This practically replaces two devices.

Bright ambient light

When set as an ambient light, the lamp illuminates your entire surroundings evenly and brightly. The light spreads over a large area.

Ideal for nighttime

• to illuminate the tent
• to sit by the campfire
• or to help with cooking

You see everything that happens around you.

Focused Light Cone

If you want to use the lamp as a flashlight, simply switch to the focus mode. The lamp for this is on the bottom.

Then the lamp forms a focused beam of light, with which you can illuminate individual objects very specifically.

It works similarly to a classic flashlight with focus.

With up to 150 lumens of brightness, you can quickly find small objects or markers in the dark.

Advantages of dual use

Thanks to the dual use, outdoor enthusiasts only have to carry one device instead of a lamp and flashlight separately. This saves weight in the backpack.

The CL26R Pro is the perfect 2-in-1 solution for nocturnal outdoor enthusiasts. It's like a Swiss Army knife for light.

Seven white light levels and 2 red light levels

A major advantage of the Fenix CL26R Pro LED camping lantern is the enormous range of different brightness levels.

Here is a table showing the different brightness levels of the Fenix CL26R Pro LED camping lantern:

Color of Light	Light Levels	Duration
White Ambient Light	- Front (25 LM) - Low (50 LM) - Med (200 LM) - High (500 LM)	- 67 hours - 40 hours - 13 hours - 10 hours
White Focused Light	- Down 1 (5 LM) - Down 2 (50 LM) - Down 3 (150 LM)	- 408 hours - 58 hours - 15 hours
Red Light	- Red Light (3 LM) - Flashing Red Light (3 LM)	- 125 hours - 240 hours

LM = Lumen

The table shows the available brightness levels for white ambient light, white focus light, and red light. In total, there are 7 white and 2 red brightness levels available, allowing for a very fine adjustment to the respective needs.

Seven graduated brightness levels

With the white ambient light (turning switch to the right), you have the choice between four different brightness levels:

1. Front (25 Lumens)
2. Low (50 Lumens)
3. Med (200 Lumens)
4. High (500 Lumens)

You can adjust the brightness exactly to your specific needs.

The first mode "Front" only illuminates the front part of the lantern, all other modes then illuminate the lantern all around.

In the lowest level "Front", the battery lasts over 400 hours. That's more than enough for a multi-day trekking vacation.

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The bright focus light (turn switch to the left) can be found in three levels:

1. Down 1 (5 Lumen)
2. Down 2 (50 Lumen)
3. Down 3 (150 Lumen)

Two dimming levels for red light

You activate the red light by pressing the rotary knob for a longer period of time.

It is adjustable in two stages:

1. Red light (3 lumens)
2. Flashing red light (3 lumens)

Red light is ideal for not impairing night vision at night. You can prepare your equipment or read compass and maps without being blinded.

Optimal adaptation to any use

With the extensive range of brightness levels, you can perfectly adjust the Fenix CL26R Pro to your specific needs.

• Bright light, if you want to illuminate a wide area
• Dimmed light, to conserve battery
• Red light, to preserve night vision

Design, Durability, and Battery Indicator

The Fenix CL26R is made of high-quality plastic and metal and is very durable. Additionally, it is waterproof.

And I particularly like these features because I spend a lot of time outdoors. The lamp can sometimes fall down.

A forest floor is rather ridiculous, any lamp can handle that. But what about concrete?

Unfortunately, this has also happened to me, but no scratches have occurred, and the camping lamp continues to perform perfectly.

The rotatable toggle switch can be turned smoothly and not too hard or too light - perfect. The suspension is robustly made, and the design fits perfectly for me.

If the button on the toggle switch is briefly pressed, the charge of the lamp will be displayed with a maximum of 4 LEDs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Fenix CL26R Pro?

Advantages

• 7 white light levels
• 2 red light levels
• USB Type-C charging port
• USB Type-A discharge port (usable as power bank)
• Flashlight and lantern in one product
• Sturdy and well-made
• 5000 mAh battery included

Disadvantages

• Charging function only available with battery
• Only cold light, no warm light
• A bit expensive at 75 to 85 €

My impression? Buy - even if it's a bit expensive

I have been using the Fenix CL26R Pro LED camping lantern for a few months now, and I am impressed with its versatility and the many useful features it offers.

The lamp is small and lightweight, so it fits perfectly in my bag when I'm on the go.

The various mounting options are extremely practical and the USB function is also very useful.

The lamp provides a strong, clear light and I have already used it multiple times at night during seminars, camping or hiking.

It is weatherproof (IP66) and I have no problems using it even in heavy rain.

The battery life of the included 5000mAh battery is great, and I can use the lamp for several days without the battery running out.

I particularly like the high-quality craftsmanship of all components: rotary switch, suspension, plastic parts - everything is coordinated. And the price is right for that.

Overall, I am very satisfied with the Fenix CL26R Pro LED camping lantern and can highly recommend it. You can buy it here.

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