7 Best Cigar Lighters in 2021

You do not have to be a cigar expert to know that cheap matches and plastic lighter you get at your local convenience store won’t be reliable enough for your cigar. You should never use a cigarette match or cigarette lighter to light your cigar; they will ruin your cigar quite easily.

A good quality cigar lighter will produce a powerful windproof flame and won’t add any bad taste to the cigar as you inhale the first puffs. The lighter should be specific to the smoking needs of a cigar. The tobacco that cigarettes use is dry while the tobacco used in cigars is moist, and this means that you need a lighter that uses a fuel that won’t give your cigar a bad taste; the best type of fuel for this is butane. The size of the flame should be wider to provide you with an even light.

There are some important key features that you need to know before purchasing a cigar lighter. These features include flame type, size, flame adjustment, ignition type, and weight; they all have their impact on the reliability, performance, and price of the cigar lighter.

TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CIGAR LIGHTER

Flame Type

The first factor you have to consider when purchasing a cigar lighter is the flame type. You can’t compare lighting a cigarette and properly lighting a cigar. A basic lighter such as a BIC will provide you with a jittery flame, while a good butane cigar lighter will provide you with a consistent, strong jet of flame. A butane lighter’s flame will allow you properly to toast the end of your cigar without leaving a bad taste. However, you should know that there is a lot of variation regarding single and multiple flame lighters.

Single Flame: It takes a bit of time for single flame lighters to toast and light a cigar properly, but they save butane over a long period. Butane can be quite expensive. One of the advantages of a single flame cigar lighter is that they are cheaper and have a small body size.

Double Flame, Triple Torch, And Quad Torch: These types of flame torch lighters can toast and light your cigar faster than the single flame cigar lighter will, and the extra flame makes it windproof. However, the more flames, the more butane that is used up, and it also means that there will be an increase in the size of the lighter. You could also purchase a quad torch lighter, but they are usually much stronger than what you really need to toast and light your cigar properly.

Flame Height Adjustment

It is vital for your cigar lighter to have an adjustable flame for it to be considered a high-quality torch lighter. Having the flame adjustment feature allows you to easily control the flame and direct it to the cigar’s tip without any safety issues. A cigar lighter with the flame adjustment feature usually has the adjustment wheel located at the lighter’s bottom.

Size And Weight

Another important factor to consider is the size and weight of the cigar lighter. If you get a portable lighter, you will be able to carry it around and smoke anywhere, but you might have to let go of some power. If you get a tabletop lighter, you won’t be able to keep it in your pocket because it can weigh up to a pound.

Portable / Pocket Size: It might feel great to hold a heavy lighter, but they can cause your pocket to weigh a ton, especially if you’re also carrying a phone and keys. If you know you would like to carry your lighter around with you, you may want to go for a portable lighter as they are made to be pocket-sized while still providing you with a consistent strong flame.

These types of lighters usually come in a rectangular or cylindrical shape. The rectangular shape may be best for jean pockets as they won’t leave an obvious lump in your pocket. However, they are usually almost the same size as a tube of lip balm.

Tabletop Size: These types of lighters are made to be kept in your home or used on a patio, and they can light more than 1,000 cigars in between refills. You can carry them with you, but they are not comfortable because of their weight, and they are usually personalized or engraved, which makes them more valuable to the owner. They are great for cigar experts who enjoy having a smoke in their backyard with their friends.

Ignition Type

There are two types of ignition, they include;

Flint: Flint is a type of stone that produces sparks when struck with a piece of metal. When the sparks meet with butane, it provides you with light. This type of ignition depends on the physical spark to be created, and it can be affected by environmental factors that include moisture and wind. The majority of jet butane torch lighters don’t come with flint starters.

Piezo: The most common principle that a piezo-based starter uses is the piezoelectricity principle. This reaction occurs when a body accumulates an electrical charge due to high pressure. For torch lighters, in order for electricity to be generated a quartz crystal has to be struck. The produced spark travels through a wire down to the ignition point where it meets the butane. This type of ignition is more reliable than the flint type ignition. It is mostly used in the majority of the best cigar lighters available.

Price

The price of a cigar lighter varies on the use. You can purchase an affordable and portable cigar lighter for about $20. However, tabletop lighters can be as expensive as $80 to $100.

Multipurpose

The best thing about good quality cigars is their multipurpose ability. Compact sized cigar lighters have a reliable ignition method, and they use a smaller amount of fuel because they can be used to light different things around the house or use it out on your campsite, or even start your grill for a cookout.

Easy Refill

If you’re cigar lighter is easy to refill, there will be fewer chances of an accident. Easy refill will prevent the butane from spilling all over your hands and the countertop, as this is a major safety concern. The best type of easy refills for older gents are the easy refill valves paired with butane cans that are long and thin. All you have to do is press the can down on the lighter.

Fuel Level / Fuel Guage

This is a standard for most cigar lighters; the gauge tells you the butane level you have left in the fuel tank. Large and longer gauges allow you to see the fuel level properly, and this prevents you from ending up with an empty lighter when you’re trying to have a smoke away from home or with friends.

Lifetime Warranty

Cigar lighters that are expensive most times come with lifetime warranties. This provides the user with peace of mind and also tells you that the company stands by their product any day. Before you purchase a cigar lighter, especially an expensive one, ensure that their contact information and warranty claim process is easy to understand.

Travel Friendly

Most of the time, you want to enjoy a cigar during your vacation or travel. This is usually the case for people who don’t generally smoke. It is vital that you travel with your cigar lighter in a special container approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT), and it has to be checked.

Exterior

The lighter you purchase should have a metal body that is solid and reliable. The majority of cigar aficionados usually go for cigar lighters that have a rugged yet sleek look. The most popular light materials used in making cigar lighters are stainless steel and zinc alloy. Lighters can either be smooth or textured. The lighters with textured surfaces are easier to grip, but most smokers prefer lighters with a smooth feel. Ensure that you select a cigar lighter that meets your requirements.

There are also lighters that have flip-top lids. They are unnecessary, but they help protect the vulnerable ignition parts, and they may also shield the flame from excess wind.

Brand

As with most of every product, there will be some tried and trusted cigar lighter brands that are well known. A lot of cigar enthusiasts prefer a long time Zippo brand. However, some newcomers are making their way onto the scene; they include Xikar, Vertigo, Colibri, and much more. You will choose the brand you most prefer with this article as it covers the majority of the best cigar lighter brands.

CIGAR LIGHTER ACCESSORIES

There are other accessories that you will need other than a cigar lighter when it comes to smoking. These accessories include;

Butane Or Purofine

Now that you have gotten your new cigar lighter, you have to fill it with something because they ship them empty. Any high-quality cigar lighter needs to be filled with either butane or Purofine (priority butane by Xikar). Purofine is a high-performance butane type; it increases the performance and provides the user with a strong and robust flame. It is usually recommended to be used in some name brands cigar lighters such as Xikar.

You can also use butane to fill your lighter; butane can be purchased online or locally. Every butane is basically the same thing. It is best to buy a larger canister than you actually need. The last thing you want is for your lighter to run out while you’re trying to light your cigar among your cigar smoking friends.

Cigar Cutter

It is vital to get a good quality cigar cutter to enjoy your cigar smoking experience properly. The best type of cigar cutter is the double guillotine cigar cutter. Getting a sharp cigar cutter will allow you to get a clean cut size that will let you control how quickly you can draw from your cigar. Most of the time, there are very few reasons why you would purchase a precut cigar. If you haven’t purchased a cigar or have one with you when you need it, you can just walk into any reputable cigar shop, and they will cut your cigar for you, free of any charge. When it comes to cutter quality, a sharp cutter will allow you to slice the tip-off without any mistakes, but a cheap cutter will smoother the tip while pushing the tobacco.

Cigar Humidor

If you would like to start a collection of cigars and store them for a long period, you will need to invest in a good quality cigar humidor. A cigar humidor provides your cigars with a stable environment, which prevents the cigars from drying out and helps the cigars retain their flavor. This is the main reason why top quality cigar shops keep their cigars in a different room. You can use different methods to control the humidity in your humidor; they range from using chemical packs to using electric-powered humidifiers.

Cigar Punch

This is another option for the cigar cutter. A punch is used to put a .25 inch hole in the middle of the cigar’s tip. They are great for cigar smokers that are always on the move. They can easily slide into your pocket or be hung on a keychain. Some smokers prefer cigar punches to cigar cutters because they provide you with consistent results. Cigar punches do not need to be sharp; however, they must have a nice edge and be clean.

CIGAR LIGHTERS VS. OTHER MEANS

Cigar Lighter

Cigar lighters use butane for power and usually use quartz for their ignition. They are specifically made to be windproof, evenly toast your cigar and also light your cigar without burning one part more than the other. Cigar lighters come in two designs, either pocket designs or tabletop designs. Most of them also come with fuel windows and built-in punches. Cigar lighters are made to serve expert cigar smokers or people who want to show off among their friends and colleagues.

Basic Lighter

It is best to keep regular lighters such as Bic away from cigars and use them for cigarettes and candles. Their variable flame work great for some things such as lighting BBQ grills, fires, and other things around the house. But their small size and weak flame make it hard to toast a cigar properly.

Matches

Some cigar aficionados and older gents will say that matches are the only way to truly light a cigar and stand by their belief. If that is what you prefer, you can use matches, but the best, easiest, and most reliable way to light your cigar is by using a cigar lighter.

To prevent you from being ripped off and buying a cigar lighter that will break after using it regularly for a few months, we have done all the hard work and reviewed some of the best cigar lighters available in the market.

We reviewed the best cigar lighters in 2020 and detailed their key points, features, and specifications. We also answered some common questions that people have when purchasing a cigar lighter. So make use of this guide to select the best cigar lighter that meets your requirements.