Arguably one of the most used pieces of equipment, lanterns, are a necessity in Sea of Thieves for lighting up dark terrain at night, lighting beacons, and revealing clues like footsteps as seen in the ongoing community-driven Mysteries and Adventures like 'The Forsaken Hunter'. Lanterns and other equipment, like clothing, are purely cosmetic items in the game and can be obtained as rewards for achieving specific commendations, brought using in-game currency, or purchased using Ancient Coins or real-life money in the Pirate Emporium.

RELATED: The Rarest Items In Sea Of Thieves (& How To Get Them)

Like other cosmetics, although lanterns don't offer any tactical advantage, there are undoubtedly ones with more aesthetic appeal and stand-out, clever design features which players may prefer to show off.

10 Flame Set In Ice - The Frozen Horizon Lantern

Two images of the Frozen Horizon Lantern in Sea of Thieves, from the equipment shop and in gameplay.

A frosty lantern that matches the Frozen Horizon Ship Set and equipment, this lantern stands out as one of the few ice-themed items in the game and looks like a chunk of ice. It can be purchased from the Pirate Emporium for real-life currency or 249 ancient coins.

There have been other ice-themed designs in the game, like the frozen reindeer figurehead in the Season 5 Plunder Pass. However, it remains to be seen whether the map might evolve to include a wintry landscape to explore and showcase icy cosmetics. Perhaps if The Devil's Roar freezes over.

9 The Burning Flame Of Love - The Wild Rose Lantern

The Wild Rose Lantern in the equipment shop in Sea of Thieves

The Wild Rose lantern is purchasable from the equipment shop on any outpost for 15 doubloons and is reminiscent of the popular, Wild Rose Tall Tale where players helped set free two pirates in love, George and Rose. The design also matches the Wild Rose ship set, equipment, and clothing pieces.

The lantern has a soft, heart-warming glow and features an ornate, curved design with rose adornments. This lantern also has a purple variant called the Thriving Wild Rose Lantern that players can purchase from the equipment shop.

8 A Lantern For Uncovering Mysteries - The Fallen Sea Dog Lantern

The Fallen Sea Dog lantern shining a light over a clue at Sea Dogs Rest island in Sea Of Thieves

This lantern may already be a familiar sight to players who've been keeping track of the ongoing Mysteries introduced in Rare's 2022 Roadmap. Players can still obtain it by sailing to Sea Dogs Rest, locating Demarco's remains, reading the nearby note, and finding the large, red shell. This then leads players to a hidden underwater chest where the lantern lies inside.

RELATED: Sea of Thieves: The Difference Between Adventures And Mysteries

Not only does it look cool as a red and black version of the Glorious Sea Dog lantern, but the Fallen Sea Dog lantern also helps players reveal clues like hidden messages in the sand.

7 The Eye That Sees All - The Kraken Lantern And Its Variants

Two images of the Kraken Lantern in Sea of Thieves from the equipment shop and in gamplay

Looking like the Eye of Sauron watching players' every move or looking out for enemies, the in-game item description of the Kraken lantern states it is said to be an actual Kraken eye. Players can buy it from the equipment shop for 2,650 gold coins.

There are also three variants of this design in the equipment shop: the Inky Kraken Lantern which, costs 17,100 gold coins, the Accomplished Kraken with its green orb, and the Venomous Kraken Lantern which, also requires the 'Legendary Kraken Hunter' commendation.

6 Spectral Flames - The Lantern Of The Damned

Lantern of the Damned in the equipment shop in Sea of Thieves

This lantern is a suitably creepy companion for each trip players may make to the Ferry of the Damned and has a spooky green color like the Ghost Lantern. However, the Lantern of the Damned stands out with its medieval style, metal cage surrounding an exposed flame.

For players who like their pirates to look dark, menacing, or phantom-like, this lantern would be an excellent choice and certainly fits a ghostly wail. It is available to buy from the equipment shop once the 'Spectrum of Shadow' commendation is unlocked.

5 Skulls Signal Fear - Dark Adventurers Lantern

Dark Adventurers Lantern in the Sea of Thieves Athena's Fortune shop

This dark and brooding lantern shines with a red glow that is bound to strike fear into the hearts and souls of pirates that come across it. It's a closed-mouth design compared to the Fearless Bonecrusher and Bonecrusher lanterns which both feature open-mouth skull heads with a burning flame inside.

However, arguably this angular, grey, and red design is a lot more fearsome. It can be purchased for an eye-watering 641,250 gold coins at the Athena's Fortune equipment shop and is available to Pirate Legends.

4 Powered By Fiery Breath - The Ashen Dragon Lantern

Ashen Dragon Lantern in the Sea of Thieves equipment menu.

The scorching breath of a dragon sitting atop this brightly colored, stand-out design feeds fire into the base as if the dragon is lighting the flame with its breath. This lantern is an eye-catching piece of equipment that is also a fitting choice for players to take with them when exploring The Devil's Roar for any pirates wanting a challenge.

The Ashen Dragon Lantern can be purchased from the equipment shop and matches the oriental-themed Ashen Dragon ship set, clothing, and other available equipment items.

3 Pirate Legend Status - The Legendary Lantern

Legendary Lantern in the Athena's Fortune shop in Sea of Thieves

A victorious status symbol as a lantern only available to those pirates who have achieved Pirate Legend status, this lantern can be purchased from the Athena's Fortune shop but requires the 'Legend of the Mystical Order' Grade 5 commendation. It features an ornate gold design with a skull emblem, symbolic of The Order of Souls.

RELATED: Sea Of Thieves: Best Outfits, Ranked

The lantern is an impressive way for pirates to show off their Legend status, especially when combined with the Pirate Legend outfit and additional legendary equipment items.

2 A Sinister Soul - The Soulflame Lantern

Soulflame Lantern in the Sea of Thieves Athena's Fortune shop.

It's easy to see why this creepy, double-sided mask-style lantern with an eerie, green glow may leave other pirates feeling green with envy. However, obtaining the Soulflame lantern is no easy task.

To purchase the lantern at the Athena's Fortune shop, players must be a Pirate Legend and achieve the 'Vanquished of the Damned' commendation by completing the Fort of the Damned 25 times. Especially when combined with the rest of the Soulflame set, this lantern is a status symbol of sinister glory and worth the extra effort.

1 A Special Snow-Globe - The Snowbound Ship Lantern

Snowbound Ship Lantern in the Sea of Thieves equipment menu

A firm favorite with many fans, it's probably no surprise that this lantern, fondly known as 'The Orb', takes the number one spot. In March 2022, Rare published a behind-the-scenes article that details how this spectacular snow globe lantern was created.

Although this lantern is no longer available as a season 5 Renown reward, it's a unique design with a sense of mystery around its origins and lore. It will be interesting to see if players will ever get to discover more about the ship trapped inside and what adventures it may have journeyed on.

Sea of Thieves is available to play on PC and Xbox and free to play on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

MORE: Tips For Conquering The Seas Solo In Sea Of Thieves