Honestly used to think all those outdoor brands were basically the same. Figured the cheap stuff was fine if you were careful. Seeing gear actually hold up in bad weather though, that's what changes your mind. Makes you realize paying a bit more isn't about the name, it's about not getting left in the dark.
Oof, that's rough. Sounds like your lantern took "water resistant" as more of a gentle suggestion. I had a cheap one that basically turned into a sad, flickering strobe light after some drizzle. Now it just lives in my garage, afraid of clouds.