5 Most Reliable Cigar Lighters: CA Report

Tested: The Top 5 Most Reliable Cigar Lighters

Updated January 2021

You could say that a cigar smoker without a lighter is like a carpenter without a nail gun. Sure, you could use a match to light your cigar, or a hammer to build a shed, but why would you want to work that hard? In the world of cigar lighters the choices are virtually endless (certainly more than the choice of nail guns), and with all of the different makes, models, and price points to choose from, it might be easier to compile a list of New York City restaurants. That said, you wouldn’t want to eat in just any of those restaurants, and if you’re into smoking cigars, you don’t want to buy just any cigar lighter. That leads me to my next point…

Why you probably have a drawer full of cigar lighters:

Most smokers don’t own a single lighter. They own a drawer full of them. Collecting lighters excluded, the primary reason is that a lot of lighters either break within the first year of use or sooner, or just don’t work all that reliably. That last fact is most often due to user error – including me. Several of my first lighters ended up shit-canned.

Here’s a handy guide on how to prevent that from happening.

Still, some lighters don’t cut it in the quality department no matter how well you care for them. That’s why we’ve got five cigar lighter top picks that would sit comfortably between Keith Richards and a cockroach in a nuclear winter.

Let’s dispel one big myth right away…you don’t need to spend a lot of cash – or even buy a brand name – to score a great lighter. There are plenty – even under $10 – that’ll stand the test of time. And let’s be honest, eh? Buy a Ferrari, and I guarantee it’ll nickel and dime your wallet to death. More than a few customers have told us the best lighter they ever bought was a $1.99 convenience store cheapie.

Go figure.

We’ll admit, going that cheap is kind of like playing the lottery, so we’ll keep it to cigar accessories that we know have an excellent track record from manufacturers we trust. Below, you’ll find some of the best lighters in our arsenal that range from about $7 – $60. Notice how none of them really break the bank?

Vertigo Cyclone

Lighters like this Vertigo Cyclone are warhorses. This one’s under $7 and feels like it could stop a bullet. I’m not going to test that, but I have been testing mine under strenuous conditions (non-stop cigar reviews, video shoots, and more) over the past two years.

I don’t take care of it like I should. I never clean it. And she never misses a beat. Value like this is few and far between – the ultimate essential cigar tool in my book. Additional features are a large clear-view fuel tank and triple jet torches that work for most cigar ring gauges. Editor’s note: the numbers speak for themselves – this is the highest-scoring lighter at Famous with 4.5 stars across 19 customer reviews!

Zippo Classic From its widespread use by military personnel in WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond, the mighty Zippo conquers all in terms of reliability and service record. These lighters are designed tough, and if they can survive the battlefield, they’ll easily manage whatever you could hope to throw at them. Additionally, its patented ‘windproof’ technology keeps its soft flame lit in the harshest conditions. And if that isn’t enough…Zippos are wick-based which means you can purchase cheaper butane without sending your lighter to an early grave.

Vector Delta

Everything you need. Nothing you don’t. The Vector Delta lighter features all-metal construction, two red-hot jet flames, and a pop-out punch. And it looks pretty sleek, doesn’t it? All those Ferrari looks at Ford prices. Just bring this – along with your favorite cigar – to the herf and you’re good to go. The Delta also tucks easily into a pocket and holds ample fuel considering its slender frame. At this price range, there’s a serious number of extras that keep the good end of this deal tilted solidly in your favor.

Xikar Cirro G2

Xikar may be known best for their cigar cutters, but they make excellent lighters, too. We chose the Xikar Cirro high-altitude lighter because it does something that even the most reliable cigar lighters can’t do: work at elevations up to 12,000 feet above sea level. If you ever find yourself stranded on a mountaintop, you can at least enjoy a good cigar until help arrives. Seriously, though, if you live in the Rockies or other high climbs, the Cirro will work where others have fallen short. Other neat features include a fine-looking, yet highly resilient metal housing, fuel window, and an easy flame adjustment wheel. As always, it comes with Xikar’s ironclad lifetime warranty.

Lotus Duke

Lotus Duke’s oversized profile has a good amount of hand weight for those who like when things feel solid, yet still fits comfortably in your pocket. Add to that the lighter’s three in-line torches, and you’ve got yourself a fan of glowing flame that will light the plumpest of big-ring cigars in seconds flat. What’s more, the Duke will even cut it, too, with a full-fledge guillotine cutter that handles up to a 60-ring beast. Given that it’s quite literally two full-sized tools in one, it’s priced quite reasonably at $59.99.

In Conclusion….

Our Managing Editor, John Pullo, has a saying: “Your mileage may vary.” Who he stole it from…who knows, but it’s one of my favorites because it rings true. Only you can know for certain how reliable your cigar lighter is. No one’s going to come up to you and ask, “How’s your lighter working today?” That’s why we’ve done the homework for you. Still, we encourage you to ask around, read and compare customer reviews – and most of all, once you’ve found a good lighter, take care of it properly. At least you’ll get more mileage that way!

* Prices shown are Famous Smoke Shop prices at the time of the article update.