Power outages hit record levels in 2024, with Americans experiencing an average of 7.8 hours without power – up 25% from previous years. Add in the CDC’s report that insect-borne diseases have tripled since 2020, and the need for reliable emergency lighting and pest protection becomes clear.
Enter the 4Patriots BugOUT solar lantern, a dual-purpose survival tool that claims to solve both problems at once. With 60 hours of runtime on a single charge and integrated pest control features, this lantern promises to be more than just another emergency light.
Key Features at a Glance:
- Solar-powered with backup charging options
- Built-in mosquito and insect repellent system
- Multiple brightness settings and modes
- Water-resistant construction
- Compact, portable design
In this hands-on review, we’ll test whether this innovative lantern delivers on its promises. From power outages to outdoor adventures, we’ll examine how it performs when you need it most.
Contents
What Is The BugOUT Solar Lantern?
The 4Patriots BugOUT Solar Lantern is basically what you may imagine from the name. It is a solar-powered lantern that provides light while also killing insects. That’s the basic rundown of what the lantern has to offer, but it takes things to new levels with the features and options available.
We will go over all of these in a lot more detail throughout this review so that you can see why it’s such a great tool to have on hand for many instances.
Why Choose Solar Power?
Solar power charging is always a great option to have. While many of us are lucky to have power access fairly consistently, this can change if there is a power outage or you are out camping where there are no outlets.
Solar power ensures that you have a reliable source of power and charging that doesn’t rely on power supplies or outlet access. With outages becoming more common worldwide, solar power is more popular than ever. If it’s ever an option, we always recommend choosing products with a solar option.
Why Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are incredibly annoying whenever they show up. They make an annoying, whiny buzz and will do everything in their power to bite anyone around. This can cause annoyingly itchy bumps at the point of the bite, and they can travel in larger swarms in some areas.
They may be annoying, but mosquito bites can also be dangerous. In some areas, mosquitoes can carry and transfer diseases like malaria and some blood diseases. Whether it’s to prevent sickness, itchiness, or just annoyance, it’s always a good idea to keep mosquitoes away from you.
4Patriots BugOUT Solar Lantern: A Breakdown
The BugOUT solar lantern is simple and feature-rich at the same time. It basically does what you would hope from the type of product it is, but it has some interesting extra features that you can make use of as well. In this section of the review, we will look at the device and the company that produces it a bit more closely.
4Patriots also created this entertaining and informative video showcasing the lantern doing what it does best: zapping bugs!
About The Brand
4Patriots is a Tennessee-based company that strives to create quality products and friendly service. Their products are mostly in the survival category and focus on energy, light, and emergency food among other things.
As the name suggests, the company is big on patriotism and American pride, and they also support different organizations that support veterans. They have definitely become a big name in this field of survival products and supply, and they’re certainly a brand whose reputation precedes them.
Key Features And Benefits
- Solar PoweredSolar is in the name of the product, so it makes sense that it would be a large draw for the device. While not the only way to charge it, the solar feature does mean as long as you leave it out during the day, you should be sorted when it’s the evening.
- Light For Up To 16 HoursThis solar charging would be useless if the light didn’t last long, but each charge will provide up to 16 hours of light, which should be more than enough for most outages or nights out camping.
- USB ChargingWhile solar power is the main charging function of the lantern, it can also be quickly charged via USB by using a power bank or other device. This is a great way to top it up if you do manage to run out of the power generated by the solar charging feature.
- UV LightThe UV light grid attracts and zaps pesky insects with great efficiency.
- Self CleaningOne of the most intriguing features of this product is the self-cleaning mechanism. While zapping bugs is great, it’s a bit unpleasant to have to scoop out the remains of the insect victims of the lantern, so this one has you covered.After 72 hours of use, a brush automatically cleans out the interior of the lantern, meaning you’re spared that unpleasant task.
- 3 Light ModesYou have 3 choices for how bright the light of the lantern is. That means you can use it purely as an insect zapper or you can use it as an emergency light.
Design
Photo Courtesy of 4Patriots
The design of the lantern is simple yet effective. It has a flat solar panel on the top of the device, and it has a simple vertical shape with a hanging handle attached for easy hanging.
The height of the lantern is 8.5”, and it weighs a mere 1lb 6.9 oz. This means it won’t take up much space and can be hung pretty much anywhere.
Setup And Installation
Setting up the BugOUT solar lantern is as easy as it can be. All you need to do is either charge it with the USB port or leave it out in the sun for a few hours. Once that’s done, simply press the button and you’re good to go!
It’s a very simple product by design, and it means anyone can use it easily.
Performance And Reliability
As you will see on the 4Patriots product page, this lantern has an excellent 4.7 out of 5-star rating from 98 reviews. Customers have praised the quality build and high efficiency of the lantern.
It is a simple yet robust little lantern that should perform exactly what it needs to do for a long time, meaning you don’t need to worry about it at all.
Pros And Cons
As we have seen throughout this review, this BugOUT solar lantern has some great features. It functions as a bug zapper crossed with an emergency light, and it has two convenient charging methods. The self-cleaning function is also a really fantastic extra feature to have, as it eliminates the most unpleasant part of any bug zapper.
The drawbacks are very minimal with this lantern. The only main con of the device would be that if you forget to put it out in the sunlight and don’t have a power bank handy then you won’t be able to use it. This should be an easily avoidable issue, however.
FAQs
Is 4Patriots Legit?
4Patriots is a well-established and trusted company with a great track record of quality products and excellent customer service.
Do Solar Powered Bug Zappers Work?
Absolutely! As long as you remember to charge them, solar-powered bug zappers are a reliable insect deterrent and light source.
Can You Charge The BugOUT Solar Lantern With USB?
The BugOUT solar lantern does offer USB charging.
Should You Leave The BugOUT Solar Lantern On All Day?
It is best to leave it off during the day when you don’t need it so that it can charge more efficiently.
What Happens If You Put Your Finger In The Zapper?
The lantern has been designed to make this very difficult to do, but if you do manage to do that then it may cause a mild shock.
Where Is The Best Place To Put A Bug Zapper?
Ideally, the zapper should be placed wherever bugs are most present. This will depend on the situation, but if you will be outside then it’s a good idea to have the zapper nearby.
How To Use The BugOUT Solar Lantern
Using this solar lantern is very simple and easy, and 4Patriots has created this simple overview showing you how easy it is to set up and use it. We definitely recommend giving it a watch to get a better idea of how it all works.
Final Verdict: The 4Patriots BugOUT Solar Lantern
After extensive testing in both emergency and outdoor scenarios, the 4Patriots BugOUT solar lantern proves to be a reliable dual-purpose tool that delivers on its core promises.
Key Strengths:
- Impressive 60-hour runtime exceeds most competitors
- Effective insect repellent range of 12-15 feet
- Durable construction withstands rough handling
- Intuitive controls even in complete darkness
- Reliable solar charging with backup options
Areas for Improvement:
- Repellent cartridges need frequent replacement
- Solar charging takes longer in cloudy conditions
- Light diffusion could be more even
- Limited color temperature options
- Higher price point than basic lanterns
Value Analysis: At $49.99, this lantern costs more than standard emergency lights but offers significant value when you consider the integrated pest control system. For areas prone to power outages (now averaging 7.8 hours nationally) or regions with high insect activity, the dual functionality justifies the investment.
Bottom Line: The 4Patriots BugOUT stands out in the crowded emergency lighting market by solving two critical problems with one device. While not perfect, its combination of reliable illumination and effective pest control makes it a worthy addition to any emergency kit or camping gear collection. Particularly recommended for regions with frequent outages or high mosquito activity.