BougeRV T1 light reviewed as a camping lamp with broader uses
The Verge’s Thomas Ricker says the telescoping light works for travel, repairs, home tasks and backup charging, not just campsites.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
BougeRV’s T1 portable telescopic camping light has been assessed by The Verge as a useful tool beyond outdoor trips. Reviewer Thomas Ricker said the lamp’s mix of adjustable lighting and backup power made it a regular part of his van travel kit and home gear.
Ricker, a deputy editor at The Verge, wrote that he tested the T1 for nearly six months, including several months on a road trip in a camper van. He said he continued to use it after returning home because it handled lighting tasks in work areas, tight spaces and vehicle checks.
What the T1 includes
According to Ricker, the BougeRV T1 has three adjustable LED arms mounted on a telescoping stand. He reported that the light can produce up to 3,000 lumens and can switch among white, warm and red lighting.
Ricker said the lamp can light an area of more than 1,000 square feet and can also serve as a flashlight or ambient light. He also reported that its 57Wh battery can act as a USB-C power bank, delivering up to 30W for a phone or, in limited situations, a laptop.
The Verge review described the T1 as a successor to a BougeRV camping light Ricker reviewed last year. Ricker said the newer model extends to more than 5.5 feet, or 168 centimeters, which he found useful for lighting a campsite, a workspace or a vehicle engine area.
Ricker also noted that the T1 carries an IPX5 rating. He said that rating should help it withstand rain if left outside during a storm.
How it was used
During testing, Ricker said he used the T1 for an outdoor movie night at a campsite and while assembling a bicycle. He also said it lit a workspace and helped supply power to his laptop while he worked at a cafe.
Ricker reported several maintenance and repair uses. He said the lamp helped with a caravan renovation, a subfloor inspection after a water leak, bathroom cleaning in a cramped area with the base retracted, van fluid checks using its hook, and a vehicle damage check after off-road driving.
He also said the flashlight function helped him get home and that the lamp later served as mood lighting. Ricker wrote that he kept the T1 in a seat pocket near the door of his van because he wanted quick access to it inside and outside.
Price and drawbacks
Ricker identified two main downsides. He said the T1 lacks a magnetic base for quick attachment to metal surfaces, and he criticized its plastic-heavy build.
The Verge review said the BougeRV T1 lists for $119.99 and is often discounted to $84.99. Ricker described that lower price as good value for a multipurpose portable light, while The Verge’s product listing showed prices of $90 at Amazon and $85 at BougeRV at publication.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.