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With so many fire-starting options, it can be tough to know which are the best camping lighters and for what. From the ubiquitous Bic and Zippo to more niche tools like ferrocerium (ferro) rods, magnesium, and mini torches, there’s a plethora of methods for starting something on fire. While the options are numerous, to increase your chances of fire-making success, it’s important to match the lighter to the fire-starting application it excels at.
Whether you’re camping in the backyard or backwoods, there’s a lighter to fit your needs, and we’ve put in the testing and research elbow grease so you don’t have to. Read on to find our picks for the best camping lighters.
- Best Overall: Soto Pocket Torch XT
- Best Value: MK Lighter Outdoor Series Lantern
- Honorable Mention: Zippo Butane Lighter Insert-Single Torch
- Best Plasma: Extremus Blaze 360 Windproof Lighter
- Most Reliable: Exotac titanLIGHT
- Best Magnesium/Ferrocerium Combo: Fire Fast Kamper Lanyard
- Best Stormproof Matches: UCO Stormproof Match Kit
Best Overall
Soto Pocket Torch XT
Best Value
MK Lighter Outdoor Series Lantern
Honorable Mention
Zippo Butane Lighter
Best Plasma
Extremus Blaze 360 Windproof Lighter
Most Reliable
Exotac titanLIGHT
Best Magnesium/Ferrocerium Combo
Fire Fast Kamper Lanyard
Best Stormproof Matches
UCO Stormproof Match Kit
Things to consider before buying a camping lighter
Lighter type
Butane jet
A butane jet lighter works via pressurized butane that’s released with a mechanical valve when you press the trigger. Simultaneously, an ignition source is activated, lighting the released butane. The flame from a butane jet lighter is considered windproof and extends straight from the lighter regardless of lighter orientation. This is the most versatile, but not the most dependable, fire-starting lighter.
Non-jet (yellow flame)
A non-jet (or yellow flame) lighter also uses pressurized butane, but the flame is not windproof and will always try to point toward the sky regardless of lighter orientation. It’s more reliable than, but not as versatile as, a butane jet lighter.
Wick
Think Zippo-style. Wick lighters have a non-pressurized lighter fluid reservoir, and most use a chimney-style protective screen around the wick to increase wind resistance. It’s extremely reliable, but the flame is always sky-seeking.
Electric/plasma/arc
No matter what you call it — electric, plasma, or arc — they are all the same thing. All are battery-powered, and produce electricity at sufficient voltage to jump, or arc, across a gap. The arc is very hot and can ignite most material. They are completely windproof, but not practical for lighting larger items.
Ferrocerium rod
Plus or minus magnesium. Ferrocerium, or ferro for short, is a man-made metal alloy that sparks when struck with metal. When paired with magnesium metal shavings, which burn quickly and with extreme heat, they make an extremely weatherproof and utterly dependable fire starting combo.
Stormproof matches
Heavy-duty matches have a self-oxidizing coating that burns at a constant rate. They are very difficult to extinguish once lit.
Ignition type
Peizo-electric
Peizo-electric is a type of metal that, when flexed, produces enough electric current to make a spark. No batteries are required, but it’s not the most reliable ignition method.
Flint and striker
This is usually a ferrocerium flint paired with a wheel-shaped striker (think: Zippo), a sharpened metal striker (ferro rod), or in the case of a match, a strip of striker material. This is an extremely durable and reliable ignition method.
FAQs about camping lighters
Q: What is the most reliable lighter?
A: Most lighter types — flint-and-wick style, ferro rods with magnesium, and stormproof matches — are all extremely reliable fire starters. Butane lighters, especially those ignited with a piezo spark, have several potential mechanical failure points.
Q: What’s better for camping, matches or lighters?
A: They’re very different. While I wouldn’t recommend taking some generic kitchen matches on your next adventure, stormproof matches are very reliable. If you are going on a long backpacking trip, you’ll certainly run out of matches before you’re through and, therefore, should have a dependable lighter on hand, as well.
Q: What is the best windproof camping lighter?
A: If wind resistance is your number one consideration, then an arc/plasma/electric lighter is the answer. The arc generated by these lighters is almost impossible to extinguish with the wind.
Final thoughts
Owing to its uncommonly excellent build quality and dependability for a butane jet lighter, its innovative telescoping burner head, and its unmatched versatility, the Soto Pocket Torch XT takes home the best overall camping lighter.
Methodology
To find the best camping lighters, I relied on personal experience using a variety of lighters in a variety of conditions, as well as recommendations by experts and outdoorsmen published on a number of other websites. I compiled a list of all the “best” ones mentioned and their specific award categories. Next, I tested all of the lighters I had on hand to authenticate manufacturer claims. If I didn’t have a sample, I sourced industry expert opinions who did have first-hand knowledge. For more information on our standards and process, check out the Task & Purpose review guidelines.