5 of the Best Cigar Lighters for the Money

Our top picks for the best way to get a light...

Cigar lighters. With so many to choose from, it’s difficult to find the best cigar lighters for the money when cost is a major factor in the decision-making process. If you’re an avid cigar smoker your lighter is going to get a lot of use, so you want one that delivers quality, reliability, and value. Without question, there are plenty of good cigar lighters out there, but this short list is intended to benefit those who are still cutting a path through the thick jungle of cigar accessories, as well as those of us who are tired of returning lighters with less-than-expected lifespans.

Check out our picks below and find your next workhorse!

Visol Colonel Triple Torch

The Visol Colonel triple torch lighter is built for power and practicality, offering impressive performance without breaking the bank. Its triple jet flames are perfect for lighting large-ring cigars with ease. A built-in cigar rest on top adds convenience, letting you keep your cigar secure while you handle other tasks. Thoughtful engineering makes the Colonel a standout among a crowded torch lighter market: in addition to the cigar rest, this lighter includes a fold-out punch cutter, a large fuel window for easy monitoring, and a flame adjustment wheel for precise control. The trigger ignition is smooth and reliable, while the oversized fuel tank means fewer refills. Whether it’s for personal use or sharing with friends, the Visol Colonel is dependable, efficient, and ready to impress.

Xikar Turismo Double Jet

Xikar’s Turismo lighter delivers a combination of sleek design, innovative features, and reliable performance, making it an ideal option for a reliable everyday torch. Its dual angled jets produce a precise, wind-resistant flame that ensures an even light, no matter the conditions. The side-squeeze ignition offers a modern and ergonomic touch, making it smooth and effortless to use for all your cigar-lighting needs. This lighter also comes with practical features like a clear fuel window that lets you keep track of your butane levels (so you're never caught off guard), while the oversized flame adjustment wheel provides easy control for a perfect light each and every time. Perfect for daily use, the Xikar Turismo combines style, functionality, and reliability at an exceptional value.

Black Label Dominator by Lotus

This attractive quad flame lighter made by Lotus has been called “the Swiss Army knife of cigar lighters” because it comes with additional utensils conveniently hidden within its walls. But there’s also a reason it’s called the “Dominator.” For one, it ain’t your average pocket lighter. Big enough to double as a table model, this well-appointed cigar lighter takes center stage wherever you put it down. It has a powerful 4-jet flame that makes short work of even the most super-sized smokes, and the high-capacity fuel tank is equally impressive. Depending on your cigar smoking routine, it could be weeks, even months before you have to refill. Plus, the flame adjustment wheel offers easy access with no additional tools required.

Speaking of tools, the Dominator has a built-in twin blade punch cutter offering you a choice of large or small punches. Even if you don’t normally use a punch cutter, it’s nice having the option, because one day you will forget your cutter. On the opposite side of the lighter is a pair of razor-sharp cigar scissors that can be used in lieu of the punches for cutting figurados (torpedoes, belicosos et.al.) or rounded head cigars. Considering everything you get – the quad flame, the quality construction, the extra tools, and the handsome design, the Black Label Dominator is a mighty valuable taskmaster.

Vector Elite Dual Flame Combo

Here’s a lighter that’s spiritually Swiss Army. Solidly built and priced affordably, the Vector Elite Dual Flame combo cigar lighter really does serve-up the best of both worlds. Its charm comes from having a couple of “old school” features, like a flip-up top and a flint wheel that sparks a soft flame to attention, making it good for ciggies, pipes, candles and other practical uses. But the Elite has another feature that makes it unique and worth having in your arsenal – a button on the side which turns that passive soft flame into a hell-raising torch for lighting your favorite imported primos. Below that “warp drive” button you’ll find a fuel window for keeping tabs on your gas supply. All-in-all, the Vertigo Elite Dual is a good buy that’s also available in a three other finishes.

Vertigo Cyclone Triple Flame

(Temporarily Out of Stock)

In a survey of Famous retail cigar store staff, the consensus was unanimous. The Vertigo Cyclone cigar lighter, with its too-good-to-be-real everyday low price, is so popular that most customers buy several at a time so they have one for the house, the car, the golf bag, or wherever a lighter may come in handy.

If there’s one cigar lighter in this list that gives you the most bang for your buck, the Vertigo Cyclone leads the pack. You get a quality-made, no-frills lighter with a powerful triple torch flame, a see-through base that holds plenty of fuel, and it sells for well below its list price. Plus, the Cyclone fits comfortably in the hand and carries easily. Based on my experience with Vertigo lighters I would also add that the Cyclone is going to live a LOT longer than the goldfish your kid won at the county fair.

A bonus pick for the road. . .

Vertigo Z-Plus Double Torch Insert for Zippo Lighters

How about this dilemma: Let’s say you have a classic Zippo lighter in your collection and you love it, but you wish it had a torch flame for lighting your cigars. No problemo amigo. Just take a look at the Z-Plus Double Torch insert from Vertigo. They also make a single flame, but I prefer the dual flame; besides, I have one in my “Lady Luck” Zippo and it works great. The insert fits all standard-sized Zippos, and when lit, the twin flame is angled to form a sword-like point that’s easy to adjust. The Z-Plus is well made, holds a lot of butane, and the clear base makes it easy to see when you’re low on fuel. It’s not only worth the $14.95 list price, but it sells for a lot less, making it really good value.

If you’ve been looking for a new cigar lighter these days, I hope one of these will appeal to you. Yet, if you come away with nothing else from this list, what wish to impart is, whichever lighter you’re interested in, or any cigar accessory for that matter, take a close look at all of its features before you take out your credit card.