Best Cigar Lighters: A Complete Buying Guide

Best Cigar Lighters: A Complete Buying Guide

The lighter you use matters. Lighting a premium cigar with the wrong tool — a gasoline lighter, a candle, a cheap convenience store torch — can ruin the first third of a $25 cigar. Here's everything you need to know about cigar lighters, and the best options for every budget.

Why Regular Lighters Ruin Cigars

Gasoline (Zippo-style) lighters use petroleum-based fuel that leaves a distinct taste that transfers to tobacco. Never use a standard Zippo or gas lighter for premium cigars. Cedar matches are perfectly acceptable — the cedar doesn't impart flavor. Standard paper matches work in a pinch, but let the sulfur burn off before touching the flame to your cigar. The right choice is butane. Pure butane is flavorless and burns clean. Any lighter specifically designed for cigars will use butane.

Types of Cigar Lighters

Single-Flame Torch: The narrowest, most precise flame. Ideal for toasting the foot of a cigar without over-charring. Good for corona sizes (42–46 ring gauge). Less ideal for large ring gauge cigars (54+) which require more surface area.

Double-Flame Torch: The sweet spot. Two parallel torch jets cover enough surface area for 44–56 ring gauge cigars while still offering precision. The most popular style among daily smokers.

Triple-Flame Torch: Three jets deliver significantly more heat across the foot. Best for 60+ ring gauge cigars. Can over-toast narrower cigars.

Soft Flame: The old-school approach. Soft flame lighters produce a traditional non-torch flame that requires more care and time to light. Preferred by many experienced smokers for the ritual and gentle, even light it provides.

Table / Desk Lighters: Large, heavy desk lighters that live in your smoking space. Often hold significantly more butane than pocket lighters. Feature statement aesthetics — many are designed by premium brands like Xikar, S.T. Dupont, and Prometheus.

How to Properly Light a Cigar

Step 1 — Toast the foot: Hold the flame 1–2 inches from the foot of the cigar. Rotate the cigar while applying indirect heat until the outer edge of the foot begins to glow. This pre-warms the tobacco without direct flame contact.

Step 2 — Draw light: Put the cigar to your lips and take a slow, gentle draw while bringing the flame closer. The combustion from your draw will complete the light. Rotate while drawing for even ignition.

Step 3 — Check the burn: Remove the cigar from your mouth and blow gently on the foot. It should glow evenly across the entire surface. If it's uneven, touch up the cold spots with the flame.

Step 4 — Let it settle: The first draw or two may taste more intense than the rest of the cigar. This is normal — the initial light always has a slightly different character.

Our Top Cigar Lighter Recommendations

Best Overall: Xikar HP4 Quad-Flame — Four jets, tool-less flame adjustment, and a lifetime warranty from Xikar. The HP4 handles any ring gauge, refills easily, and Xikar's warranty means if it breaks for any reason, they replace it. No questions asked.

Best Budget: Vertigo by Lotus Single Torch — Reliable single-flame torch under $20. Well-made for the price. Great for new smokers who want a quality lighter without committing to a premium purchase.

Best Double Torch: Xikar Tech Double Flame — Compact, precise, and reliable. The Tech is Xikar's most popular everyday lighter and a fan favorite for its slim profile and consistent dual jets.

Best Table Lighter: Prometheus Magma — A desk lighter statement piece. Massive butane tank, soft-touch body, and a wind-resistant triple-flame. Keeps you smoking for weeks without a refill.

Best Soft Flame: Colibri Titan — If you want the soft-flame experience without the complexity of an S.T. Dupont, the Colibri Titan delivers excellent performance at a fraction of the price.

How to Fill a Butane Lighter

1. Bleed the lighter first: press the fill valve to release any remaining gas. 2. Purge all air from the tank — air in the tank disrupts the gas-to-air ratio and causes misfires. 3. Turn the lighter upside-down. Insert butane canister nozzle firmly into the fill valve. 4. Press and hold for 5–8 seconds. 5. Wait 1–2 minutes before lighting — butane is cold when it fills and needs to reach room temperature. 6. Adjust flame height as needed.